“Hug?” He tucked his thumbs in his pockets and rocked back. “You don’t need to apologize for giving your Daddy a hug.”
I sucked my cheeks in, fighting the urge to sock him in the stomach. “Do you know where Noah is?”
He narrowed his eyes. “I do. Now why don’t you tell me why you’re scared?”
“I’m not scared,” I denied instantly.
“You hugged me.”
“Momentarily aberration.”
“Uh huh.”
I rolled my eyes. “Fine. The Chief showed up in the building where I parked the car.”
“Show me,” he ordered, taking my arm as he started to walk.
“Where’s Noah?” I demanded, craning my neck as I dragged my feet.
“On the way,” Johnny barked. “We spread out to look for you when we lost sight of the car.” He glanced at me sharply. “Why did you disappear with it?”
I almost told him because I’d followed Dwayne, but instinct told me not to mention that fact. “I wanted to park it away from the crowds.”
Johnny shook his head. “I should have realized. Your momma was the same way about that damn car. I knew she could never leave it behind.”
Dwayne hadn’t been lying when he said he’d never told anyone about the Mustang. Momma had traded her beloved car for my life and that secret had kept us safe for years. “This way,” I pointed down a side road. “I think it’s the third or fourth building on the left.”
Johnny started to jog and I worked to keep up. “I don’t think he’s going anywhere,” I wheezed. “Pretty sure I broke his kneecap.”
He shot me an admiring glance. “Good girl.” He didn’t slow down though. “Unfortunately, the only thing that will end this is a bullet and Noah is more honorable than he likes to think.”
“There’s nothing wrong with that,” I defended Noah instinctively and Johnny cast me an exasperated glance.
“I never said there was, but I won’t force him to make that choice.” Johnny’s eyes narrowed. “And for you, he would.”
I couldn’t help but feel sheepish as I chased after him. I knew he was right and I’d misjudged the situation. “You don’t have to do this either,” I pointed out as we came to the building.
“Don’t be an idiot.”
I huffed but didn’t say anything more about his decision. The only way I’d ever feel safe was if the Chief was dead and I knew I’d never ask Noah to make that choice. I glanced around, surprised at how few people were around just two streets over from the main drag. A shadow made me poke Johnny and he twisted around, a gun appearing in his hand.
“Easy,” Dwayne called, his gaze sweeping over us and pausing on me. “Are you alright?”
Johnny shot him a sharp glance. “Why wouldn’t she be?”
“She’s standing next to you,” Dwayne replied sardonically. “That’s enough reason to make a person cry.”
“I’m fine,” I said shortly. “The Chief is in there.” I pointed at the door, positive I’d arrived at the right place. “See? There’s a bullet hole in the door.”
“He shot at you?” Johnny growled, almost taking the door off its hinges as he went inside. I stood there, not really in the mood to see a man killed in front of me, even if he deserved it. I stared at the door Johnny had went through, but I could feel the weight of Dwayne’s stare.
“You didn’t say anything to him,” he mused quietly. I shook my head, still not looking at him. “Why not?”
I turned, looked him dead in the eye and answered, “Because now you owe me your life.”
His expression froze for a second, then his lip curled and he started to laugh. I glared impotently at him. “You are something else,” he chuckled. “I knew Johnny had to be in there somewhere.”
I opened my mouth to deny the words, but Johnny came through the door, a strange expression on his face. “What is it?” I asked Johnny, suddenly afraid the Chief had managed to escape.
“He’s dead,” Johnny said slowly, studying me.
“Good?” I questioned hesitantly, wondering why Johnny was staring at me so hard. “I didn’t even hear a gunshot.”
“That’s because there wasn’t one,” he answered tersely. “The Chief was already dead.”
“What?” I spit out. “How?”
“You tell me,” he stated, crossing his arms. “Tell me and I can protect you.”
“Me?” I pointed to myself, my gaze darting between Johnny and Dwayne. “You think…” I stopped, unable to process the thought. “I didn’t,” I stuttered desperately. “I didn’t kill the Chief!”
“Then who did?” Johnny retorted and I looked over at Dwayne.
He held his hands up. “Not me. Not to say that wasn’t my intent, but I didn’t.”
“It doesn’t matter, right?” I ventured. “He’s dead.”
“Who’s dead?” Noah questioned, coming up behind me. He curled an arm around my shoulder and squeezed. “Are you alright? I wasn’t sure what happened to you after the race.”
I opened my mouth, then closed it, not sure where to begin.