Walk the Line (Kings of Chaos 5)

“I don’t blame you—”

“No. Not that. If he can’t ride, he can’t be in KOC?”

He sighs. “It’s the rules.”

“That would kill him, Stone.”

“Yeah, I know.”

“He has to know there’s still a place for him among you, or this recovery is doomed before it starts.”

“I’ll see what I can do.”

“Yeah?”

“Yeah. He’s good with money, and our treasurer is thinking of hanging up his cut. If he’d be willing to take it over, I can take a vote on…bending some rules.”

I close my eyes. “Thank you.”

We walk back to the area where he relays the successful operation and dismisses everyone with a promise to keep them all posted. I’m only half aware of what’s going on in my tired stupor. I have calls of my own to make, but they’ll hold.

The nurse returns and I sink into my seat.

“You go first. I’ll hang back.”

I place my head in my hands and run over the insanity of the day. I haven’t forgotten Elizabeth’s words. They planned my death out. Was he still around? Did he put her up to the attack or was she acting solo? I used to think I knew Brooks. Now I see how wrong I’ve been. Who’s to say what his next move may be? My gut tells me I should bring this up to Stone, but he’s already got so much on his plate. I don’t want to be labeled a drama queen or a trouble maker.

“Hey, you ready?”

I glance up. “You have a quiet walk.”

“Comes in handy,” Stone says.

I snicker. “I bet.”

He holds out his hand.

“I had a Prospect lock your place up. I’ll have them swing by in the morning with your keys and your car. Here.” He pulls out his wallet and hands me two hundred dollar bills. “This should get you food, and a change of clothes from the gift shop in the morning.”

I smile up at him. “Thank you.”

“You’re family, and we take care of our own. Don’t let Warp get to you. We don’t think that way at all. The odds were it’d be our drama coming to your door sooner or later. How are we going to be upset that it happened the other way around?”

Some of the weight shifts. “Thank you for the kind words.”

“Not kind, true. You need to work on believing that if you want to stay with him. Guilt’s a nasty little thing. It’ll tear you down, make you paranoid, and ruin any chance of happiness. You get me?”

“I think so.”

“You’d best know so. ‘Cause my brother in there needs solid ground right now. If both of you are going to hell in a handbasket, there’s no stability. So put that shit up somewhere until it’s time for your meltdown.”

I tilt my chin and stand taller. He’s right. “I can do that.”

“Knew you could. Takes one hell of a woman to catch Freeze’s attention. If you need anything call.”

“I will.” I turn back to the nurse. “I’m ready.”

She leads me back to a room at the end of the car. He’s so still and pale. His skin stands out against his light brown hair. The steady beep of the heart monitor and the rise and fall of his chest are reassuring. I move to his side and bend to kiss his forehead. His eyelids lift.