Page 58 of Beck

Beck faced him, and though the strain was there, there was also determination in those beautiful orbs. “Absolutely.”

The bike ride, despite being a frosty morning, was beautiful as the sun glowed in the cloudless sky. Kole held tightly to Beck’s waist until he parked. Before Kole even climbed off the bike, he could see the crowd of people waiting outside the nondescript building, but he couldn’t see who they were. His mind, however, wandered a little when he felt the hair rise on the back of his neck. He tried to ignore it.

Beck stopped beside him and exhaled. “Let’s go.” He slipped his hand into Kole’s and squeezed.

As they drew closer, Kole raised his eyebrows and sucked in a breath. There were loads of people. “What is this for?” he muttered.

Beck stopped walking, and Kole glanced at him. “Holy shit,” Beck breathed.

Joey came towards them before Kole could find out what that expletive was about. “Hey. I would ask how you are doing, but…” He pulled Beck into a hug and clapped his back. “We’re here for you all the way.”

“Thanks.” Beck looked around. “I wasn’t expecting so many people to be here.”

Joey nodded, his gaze going to the crowd. “Ryker heard along the grapevine about this and insisted on being here. Naturally, the rest of them came with him. After all, this is part of what they do and who they are.”

“Yeah. Never expected it to be me, though,” Beck said.

Kole squeezed his hand, even though he didn’t understand the dynamic with the legion of bikers he could see mixed in with the other people. Becca separated herself from the mass and headed towards them. Joey clapped Beck on the shoulder again and headed back to Ethan.

“Hey,” Becca said.

“Good morning,” Beck replied. “Are you okay?”

Becca tilted her head from side to side. “So-so. I’ll be better when this is over. As will the rest of them.”

“Rest of who?”

Becca pointed to a small group of people slightly separate from the rest. “Who he hurt.”

Kole counted. Sixteen.Sixteenpeople, not including Beck and Becca, were standing there waiting to give evidence against Drake and send him to prison.Sixteen. That asshole had a lot to answer for.

“I didn’t realise there were so many,” Beck said.

“I didn’t either. It’s only when I spoke to Detective Conrad yesterday that I thought to ask how many others might come. I couldn’t believe he’d found so many.”

Kole glanced at Beck to see how much of a toll the news had taken on him, but Beck’s eyes narrowed, focused as he was on the group, until he straightened.

“Let’s send this fucker down.” Beck grinned at Becca, resting his hand on her shoulder.

“Abso-fucking-lutely.”

“Beck!”

Beck turned at his name, a smile Kole hadn’t been sure he’d see tagt day spreading across his face. “Donovan.” They hugged, eyes wet when they released. “I’m so sorry.”

“You don’t need to be sorry. This has been a long time coming. I’m ready for it.” He tugged at the man beside him. “This is Wally, my boyfriend.”

“Sorry about meeting under these circumstances,” Wally said.

“We’ll arrange something lighter soon.”

“Definitely,” Beck agreed. “This is Kole,myboyfriend.”

Donovan beamed. “It’s so nice to meet you. I’m glad you caught this lug.”

“Hey!” Beck said.

“I can’t imagine not having him.”