Page 36 of Ghost

Len stood with a smile. “You’re welcome.”

After he left, I was halfway to the door before Gavin caught my hand.

“Where are you going?”

I looked at him over my shoulder. “To ask him how he knew the final count was a few dozen igniters.”

“He’ll lie,” he pointed out, squeezing my hand.

Tears welled in my eyes, but I held them at bay. “At least I’ll know then.”

“You already know, pretty girl.”

I looked at the closed door. “But I need to hear him deny it. He taught me, Gavin. He’s always been around growing up, like an uncle.”

“What do you think that conversation gets you?” he asked, tugging me close. “He isn’t going to tell you the truth because you asked nicely. You warn him, and whatever paper is left disappears. Maybe he goes after your family next.”

My shoulders slumped, but I stopped trying to pull away from him because he was right. Confronting Len would make me feel better, but it wouldn’t last long. And the confrontation would only help the person we were investigating.

Waiting felt awful. It was still the smarter choice.

I looked at the closed office door. “You’re going to watch him.”

It wasn’t a question, but he confirmed anyway. “The club is.”

“You’ll tell me if my family is in danger.”

His hand tightened around mine again. “We’ll never let that happen.”

As long as I knew the people I loved were covered, I didn’t need the details. That was up to Gavin and the Black Crowns, and they’d more than earned my trust. “Okay.”

He pulled me against his chest and we stood wrapped around each other for a few minutes while I grappled with my anger, sadness, and frustration. Finally I took a deep breath and leaned back to smile up at him. “Thanks.”

“Whatever you need, pretty girl.”

He cupped my cheek with his free hand, and I noticed his usual smile was gone.

“No joke?” I asked.

“Don’t like seeing you hurt.”

“It sucks, but this whole thing would be a whole lot worse without you.” I went on my toes to brush my lips against his. “And not just because you’re keeping my family and me safe.”

“Like I said…I’m here for anything you need, Tamsin.”

“I know,” I whispered before wrapping my arms around his waist.

His humor had never prevented him from understanding when I was hurting. And he hadn’t tried to charm me out of the feeling of betrayal. He just stayed close enough that I didn’t have to hold it by myself. And that made me fall even harder for him.

“You good?” he finally asked.

I stepped back with a sigh. “Yeah.”

Before we left, he sent a message to his president to let him know we finally had a direction. The hunt had narrowed, and Len was now the target without having any clue.

15

GHOST