“What does Kade say about that?”
X lets out a humorless laugh. “What do you think?”
“I’ll pass the message on to the crew. If there’s a threat, I’ll make sure they put an end to it. The feds can fuck off.”
“Agreed,” X says on an exhale. “Watch your ass, and get home soon.”
“Will do,” I say before I hang up.
I can hear the shower turn off and I’m brought back to reality. The thought of losing her is enough to bring me to my knees, and I catch myself in time to fall onto the sofa before I hit the floor. What would I do if something happened to her?
I clench my phone in my hand and decide that I won’t keep this from her. If she wants to stay I’ll be by her side and make sure she’s safe. But I don’t want her to throw away everything she’s worked for based on something that I won’t allow to touch her.
She deserves to know about this. And maybe it’s time for her to know how I feel.
Chapter Eight
Berkley
I wipe my hand across the fogged mirror so I can see myself. That shower would have been a whole lot better if Vaughn would’ve joined me. My eyes flick to my small shower, not sure if we could both fit in there together. I let out a small laugh thinking he probably has a hard enough time doing it on his own. I hadn’t thought about how small the shower really was until I imagined him trying to use it. He’s been in there a few times so he must make it work.
I shake my head, looking back in the mirror. That man makes everything work. “Two more days.” Then I’m done. “Not today,” I remind myself.
We only focus on one day at a time. I’m not going to let my mind play games with what Vaughn and I are. I told him I was going to stay out of my head about that and enjoy the moments I have with him.
I blow dry my hair and wonder if I can get Vaughn to finish what we started before his phone started going off. The reminder of the call has me moving faster to get ready. He wouldn’t have answered it unless it was important. Crap. I drop my brush and dart into the living area. Vaughn has his elbows on his knees with his head down. It snaps up at me rushing into the room.
“Is Collins okay?” I blurt out.
“Yeah, sweet thing. Collins is fine.”
I let out a sigh of relief as he stands up and comes over to me. He tucks a piece of my hair behind my ear and it’s so sweet and intimate, it’s like he’s done it a million times.
“Can you do me a solid?” His voice is level and not as playful as he usually is.
“Anything,” I say instantly.
He gives me one of those smirks that I used to want to smack, but right now it’s making me feel better because something is wrong. It’s not Collins, but I can feel it’s something.
“Put on some clothes.”
I look down to see I’m completely naked. “Oops.” It’s silly to be shy because of all the things we’ve done together. The man has already seen me naked.
I worry my lip between my teeth, wondering what might be wrong. Why does Vaughn look so solemn? It’s unlike him and it makes my stomach knot. I slip on some loose wide-leg pants and tie the belt before grabbing a shirt and bra. I dig around in a box I packed to find my slip-on shoes and then go into the living room.
Vaughn has moved to the kitchen and my coffee is there waiting where he always puts it. I won’t have this in two days and the thought makes me pause. I’m not supposed to go there, but it’s the truth. I’ve already packed up most of my stuff but it’s not as though I had a ton to box up. Half of it needs to go since I don’t have the option to renew my lease even if I wanted to. It’s not really an option with some unknown bad guy out there. The plan is for me to go back to the island, at least for now.
“Is this about whoever is trying to hurt the Warsaw family?” I pick up my coffee and then I stop right before it gets to my mouth. Before now I’d only really thought about Kade being a Warsaw. I know these people will try and hurt anyone around Kade to get to him, but the Warsaw family thing really hits me. I’m not one of them. Kade, X, Vaughn and now my sister are Warsaws. I know she’s still my family, but I’m a Tramble and alone in this.