Page 72 of Cutter's Hope

I knew, deep down, she wasn’t going nowhere. I’d called Marlin and he had a hold of her sister still. From what he and Nothing told me she’d shown up at the town clinic and looked upset, and when they’d left, her agitation had been off the charts. I didn’t know how my girl typically dealt with stress but if I had to hazard a guess I would bet it was punching something, which was out on a kind of her cast.

I had every man not workin’ out looking for her right now and was just waiting on a call. Reaver and Li’l Bit stopped sucking face long enough to remember I was here and to rejoin the conversation.

“I’m sure she’s fine, man. You said she could take care of herself.”

“That’s not the point bro – “ my phone rang and I snatched it up.

“Report,” I said by way of greeting.

“Yeah Captain, she’s at Jacks at the bar and nursing some bitch drink,” Lightning said.

“She okay?” I asked standing.

“Looks like she’s been cryin’, keeps glaring guys off. Doubt she’s sober enough to effectively fend one off should they make any kind of real play but she’s holding her own. Want I should bring her in?”

“No, don’t try. Just sit on her and watch her back, I’ll be there in a minute.” I looked up, Reaver slid Hayden off his lap, stood and stretched.

“Aye, Captain.” Lightning hung up and so did I.

“I think you should sit this one out, let me go down there, bet you I’d have a better chance of it than you would,” he said.

“Oh yeah, how’s that?”

“I’m not you, and I’m not Hayden. Hell, I’m not even Kraken. Neutral party… Come on. Let me give it a try.”

I wasn’t biting, but what he said next had me leaning back in my seat, he had me hook line and sinker with it. He said, “Come on man, you gave my woman back to me, delivered her safe and sound and took care of her… Let me return the favor; even though this won’t even come close to what you did for us.”

I rubbed my hand over my mouth and beard thoughtful, and finally nodded, “Alright man. Try not to take too long.”

“You get some dinner going on the grill of yours, I’ll bring her back here. The four of us will have a nice dinner and act like civilian grownups for a minute,” he grinned at me and winked and I huffed a laugh.

“I’ll help you cook,” Hayden murmured.

“Okay, Li’l Bit can stay here, I’ll run to the store and she and I will grill up some food. Surf or turf?” I asked.

“Surf,” he and Li’l Bit said in unison and laughed.

“We get plenty of turf at home,” he said and leapt down onto the dock. His running shoes making a soft thud.

“Yeah, kind of figured,” I said.

“I’ll bring her back, give me an hour. Maybe two if she’s stubborn.”

“She’s definitely that,” I agreed.

“If she doesn’t try to kill me, I am so telling on you,” Li’l Bit giggled.

“You don’t need to give me an excuse to spank that ass, Doll. If you wanna insist you know I’ll take you up on it though.” Reaver pointed both index fingers at her about chest height as he walked backwards down the dock. He winked at her and dropped both thumbs down. She laughed high and bright and blew him a kiss which he caught and tucked inside his cut before turning and strolling away, up towards the boulevard.

“He won’t let you down, you know. He’ll talk her into coming around.”

“It hurt her, Li’l Bit. It hurt her a lot.”

“I know, Sweetie, I really am sorry, but if she didn’t love you it wouldn’t bother her and if she loves you she’ll come back here and work it out. She’ll listen to reason.”

“I hope you’re right.”

She rolled her eyes and scraped her short bangs off to the side, “Of course I’m right. I’malwaysright about these things.”

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