Page 54 of My Secret to Protect

‘Okay.’

‘I want to be with you, for real, like, make a life with you.’ I sucked in a sharp breath. I knew this. We had never said those three little words, but I knew we both felt them. ‘Thing is, if I stay in the club, I can’t be with a cop. You know that.’ He was right. I did know that. ‘I would never, ever want you to give up your dreams.’ He interlaced our fingers and stroked his thumb back and forth on the back of my hand. ‘I never had any dreams, Bree, so I’m the one who has to give something up for this to work.’

No. All the pieces fell into place quickly, and I realized why he seemed so off. He was giving something up. He was leaving the club, and I knew what that meant. He had to pay a price to get out.

‘Arlo…’ his name was a whisper.

‘I told the prez I want out.’

My heart jumped in my chest, afraid of the price he’d have to pay. ‘What do you have to do?’

He turned to me, surprised for just a moment at my question before remembering that I was Miles Campbell’s daughter.

‘I can’t tell you, but I—’ Releasing my hand, Arlo reached up to cup my cheek and look directly into my eyes. ‘I’m going to be away for a few days. When I’m back, I’ll be free and all yours, but I need you to hang tight for me, okay?’

‘What do you have to do, Arlo?’

‘Bree, I can’t…’

‘Yes, you can. You know I’m not some little princess, and you know you can trust me. I understand how this works, so tell me.’

‘Pix,’

‘I know what my dad did. He never told me, but I pieced it together with news reports and timelines. Who do you have to…’

‘I don’t!’ He shook his head and pulled my forehead to his. ‘I don’t have to kill anybody, pix.’ Pulling back, he took a breath while he regarded me, seemingly deciding whether he wanted to tell me or not, before leaning in to kiss me once, then twice. ‘The club has a weapons deal. They trade weapons, usually just in South Carolina, and the buyer or seller figures out the issue of getting them over state lines.’ I sucked in a breath, anticipating what was coming. ‘We have a big shipment coming in. It’s being brought here. I need to meet it and move them out.’

‘To where?’

‘Texas.’

‘No.’ I shook my head. My voice was firm. If he got caught… No, he couldn’t do this.

‘Bree.’

‘No, Arlo. It’s too dangerous. You could get caught or hurt. I can’t lose you.’

‘I won’t get caught or hurt. All I have to do is drive.’

‘Across state lines with a large shipment of illegal firearms.’

‘That’s cop Bree talking.’ He glared, warning, and I snapped.

‘No, you asked me to be your girl, and that’s what I’m doing. I’m scared, Arlo, because I cannot lose you.’

He inhaled deeply, shaking his head as he blew it out before reaching out to grab my waist and pull me back into his lap.

‘I don’t have a choice, Bree. I asked what my price was to leave the club, and this is it. It’s not negotiable.’

‘Then don’t leave,’ I whined. ‘I won’t become a cop. I’ll be with you at the club. I don’t care as long we’re together, and you’re safe. I’ll do anything to stop you from doing this, risking your life, please, baby.’

‘It’s too late. Besides, I don’t want you anywhere near that goddam shithole.’

He reached up to push my long hair behind my ear while I absorbed all that he’d said. He was doing this. I knew there was nothing I could do to stop him, and I knew he was doing it for me, for us, but I couldn’t stand it.

‘When?’ I asked quietly.

‘Tomorrow.’

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