Page 112 of Nash

“She still is to Alena,” I reply. “Nadine didn’t force me to join them. I wanted to. I never knew my dad, and my mom bailed on me when I was four. I went through the system and don’t wish it on kids. Some homes are safe. Many are not. So when I finally got to choose my family, I chose them.”

I slow down, letting the tail catch up. They’re right behind us.

“Hang on.” I make a sudden right turn into the parking lot of the police station. My tires screech as the tail squeals its brakes, not anticipating my sudden move. Then it almost slows to a complete stop, watching as I pull up to the front door.

“Stay in the car,” I order Vale, taking my gun from the console.

If those fuckers get out and come after her, therewillbe a shootout in the parking lot; I don’t give a fuck about the police.

But they don’t. Quickly, they speed away.

With my gun in hand, I command Vale, “Stay,” praying for no snark. I bolt out of the driver’s seat, grab our GO BAGs from the trunk, and rush to her passenger door, swinging it open. “Come.” I reach for her hand, and shockingly, she obeys.

I guess we’re getting good at this old game. I’m usually the hunter, not the hunted. It makes me clench my jaw;this is fucking bullshit.

Holding her hand, I tuck my gun into my waistband, reach into the bag with my other, and find the key fob to a black Chevy Tahoe parked amongst the unmarked cars in the lot.

All the cameras on the lot record us, but the captain owes us some favors. The footage will disappear.

Besides, the department can consider the Dodge Charger my yearly donation. They won’t be able to trace the car, and soon, they’ll add it to their unmarked fleet.

The lights beep as I unlock the doors. Vale races to get in on the passenger side while I open the driver’s door, set my gun on the console, and toss our bags in the back.

Bonnie and Clyde would be proud.

“We can’t go back to the boat,” she says, thinking ahead. “What if it’s been burned?”

“Look who’s sounding like a queen already.” I grin, pulling out of the back entrance of the lot, still scanning for those LED lights in my mirrors.

“Can this queen go back to The Mercier?” She puts her cute shoes on the dash. “I want a do-over on our nights there.”

“I’m not watchingThe Exorcistagain. You know I used to like pea soup.” I check the mirror. “Besides, it’s too late to book a room.”

“Fine,” she sighs. “Just take me where I can have a cheeseburger.”

I take the ramp for the interstate. It’s time we visit my eldest brother.

“Just what is it with you and cheeseburgers?” I ask to pass the time, checking my mirrors two more times.

“You’ll laugh,” she answers softly.

I glance at her. She looks sad.

“Poison, I won’t laugh. I promise.”

After a heavy sigh, she shares, “When I was little, I always ordered the cheeseburger Happy Meals becauseIwasn’t happy. I missed my dad, and my young, naive heart believed if I ate them, I would magically get him back, and I’d be happy.”

“Fuck,” I mutter. “I want to kill him. You know that, right?”

“Please don’t.”

“I won’t.”

“I think that’s why I want this so much. I want a big family with you.”

My heart hitches. I can see it too. “A family?” I raise a brow at her. “You mean with me and my brothers? Or just me and you?”

“Both.” She turns toward me, resting her cheek on the seat. “Nash, we can make it work. It won’t be as bad as you think because I trust Jace to help us. And I think it’s sweet. When you and I have a family, Jace will protect them, too.”

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