27. Chase
To think I used to judge Pepper’s taste in friends. But as I watch her follow Tess, who I just witnessed get reamed by my brother, I’m rethinking my judgment.
“How’d it go with Conner?” Levi asks, clearly needing a change of subject.
“He got the message. You were right. Lonnie came through.”
“How long do you think we can keep this up?”
“Not long,” Noah answers, coming up to us. “We’ve got a problem.” He motions us outside the tent for privacy. The sun is starting to set and the fireworks that Levi and I planned should be starting soon. But all thoughts of that freeze when I see one angry petite blonde heading our way.
Charlie is storming over on the grassy field. Her eyes blazing. She charges over to Noah and slaps him across the face.
It’s hard. It’s not playful or even gentle. It’s raw and as if there’s years of pent-up frustration behind it.
“You bastard. Why do you hate me?”
My brother doesn’t seem surprised at all. Taking off his glasses, he rubs his cheek. “I don’t hate you,” he mutters.
“I just lost my job at the library. You reported me for stealing books?”
“What?” I turn a hard glare at Noah.
Ignoring me, he keeps his eyes on Charlie. “I was just reporting what I saw.”
“I’ve never stolen a single book in my life,” she grits.
He glances around anxiously. “Yeah well, what are all those books you’ve been handing out at the—”
“They’re children’s books that we’re allowed to take and distribute because they’ve been replaced with newer ones. It’s so they don’t end up in the recycle bin. It’s one of the things I love about this job. Why would you do that?”
If my brother doesn’t have an answer for her, the next slap across his face is going to put him on the ground.
“Oh. I didn’t realize that.” He sounds about as convincing as a politician.
Charlie shakes her head.
“Maybe this would…be a good time to…get out of town. Take a vacation or something,” Noah adds quietly.
“A vacation. A vacation?” she cries, then takes a deep breath and steps back, shaking her head again. “Forget it. You’ve already taken everything from me. What’s one more?”
“Charlie,” he starts quietly. But it’s non-committal and she’s off the property in a matter of seconds.
The first firework shoots through the air and blasts into the sunset. Noah turns and whips out his phone like nothing happened. “I’ve got an update on Pepper.”
“And I want to hear it.” I grip his shirt. “But first, you better have a damn good reason for the bullshit we just heard.”
Noah breaks free and pushes me back. “Making sure they don’t find Charlie first,” he shouts.
“What?”
“My buddy at the D.C. office reached out with information. Someone sent Mayfield and his people this photo.” He pulls up an image of Pepper and Charlie at the library. A few. There’s one of them talking, one of them laughing, and then embracing. “Someone turned her in.”
“And the library is the first place they’re going to look,” I mutter, staring at the last image.
Noah pockets his phone, his voice gravely. “I had to get her out of there.”
I twist with worry, looking for my fiancée. “Should I tell Pepper?”
“I wouldn’t,” Noah says flatly.
“Agreed,” Levi adds. “Just get her out of here. Charlie too.”
“What about our trip?” I ask Noah.
The other day, he called me with an update. Kyle Lowers, the now-prisoner who worked with Pepper’s dad right before the accident, just lost his state-issued attorney. And Noah asked for a meeting to see if he could take the case. It’s where I planned on getting answers for Pepper. At least the ones that matter.
“If we don’t go now, we might lose the chance to meet with him. At least until his next legal rep walks out on him. If we’re doing this, we need to leave tomorrow.”
We’re definitely doing this. I’m not going to let some town sellout stop me from getting peace of mind for the woman I love.
“What about Pepper?” Levi asks.
“I won’t leave her alone. And I can’t check her into the Inn. Who ever is coming will likely stay there.”
“My house?” Levi offers. “Her and Charlie can both stay here.”
I shake my head. “Not likely. Charlie won’t come.”
Levi snaps his fingers. “Lonnie. She can stay with Lon in Denver. I’ll take them both in the morning before you and Noah take off.”
I stroke Pepper’s hair as she lies in my arms under the covers. “Do you trust me?”
“I’ve trusted you with my life since the first day I came to town.”
I smirk. “I love that. And I’d never take it for granted. That’s why I want you to trust me when I ask that you let Levi take you out of town tomorrow.”
It wasn’t supposed to go down this way. The plan was for me to tell Pepper that she should get away for a few days. Forget the drama and the pressure of pretending to be something she’s not. And convince her to take Charlie with her.
But I can’t pretend everything is okay. Not when I could lose her tomorrow. Not when she’s looking at me like…she trusts me with her life.
She shifts to face me. “What? Why? What happened?”
“Nothing happened yet. I just don’t want you in town until I get back.”
“Get back? Where are you going? Where am I going?”
I push her hair away from her face. Her natural red blending with the colored strands. “I have to run an errand—one that could take two days.”
Besides the drive north, Noah expects to have to come back to the prison the next day—giving Kyle a night to dwell on what we’re offering. According to my brother, that’s usually how things go.
Something between concern and question is in her eyes. And I understand. Why would I leave now when she needs me the most?
But I can’t risk telling her yet. Just like Noah didn’t trust Charlie to steer clear of the library when he saw the photo. The less they know right now, the better.
When she’s safely out of town, I’ll pick her up from Lonnie’s, take them both to my place in Denver and tell them what’s happening.
Hell, I hope it’s not too late. His people could be here now. That picture is two days old.
Chills run along her arm and she looks up at me. “He’s getting close, isn’t he?”
I kiss the top of her head. “He won’t get close enough.”
She inhales deeply and sits up. “So this is about Troy.”
“Pepper—”
“Why are you leaving? Where are you going?”
“I have to take care of something. It’s for one of my dad’s old friends.”
Her face scrunches, but she quickly covers it. “God, I’m sorry,” she breathes. “Your life shouldn’t revolve around me.”
“Hey.” I turn her chin, but there’s nothing gentle about it. “Don’t think for one minute that I’d ever abandon you. I promise you’ll be in good hands. You’re mine, Pepper. You’ve been mine since you walked back into town. The moment I knew I could have walked away and chose to keep you close instead. The moment you wrapped your arms around my waist and rode off into the sunset with me.” I give her a cocky smirk. “The moment you agreed there’s no one better for the role of your fake fiancé than yours truly.”
She breathes a soft laugh. “You mean the moment I let you take charge of our game plan.”
I pull her close and kiss her forehead. “Exactly. Our game plan. To keep you here and away from him. Because…” I stroke her bottom lip, realizing something that I’m not quite ready to admit.
“I’m yours,” she finishes.
I lift my gaze to hers. “Mine.” And then I press my lips to hers, sealing the promise I’m making her.