Page 10 of Darlin'

Jesse blinks. "You really must be crazy if you thinkyou're staying here," he says. "Do you even know where you are, babe?" He cocks his head, concerned. "Does this look like a hotel to you?"

"Not oneI'dpick to stay in," I mutter. "But beggars can't be choosers. So? Which way?"

He expels a low chuckle, studying me warily. "You can't stay here, Savannah."

I cross my arms. "Why not?"

"Because..." He narrows his eyes, searching for a reason. "You're not?—"

"Not what?" I ask, raising a brow. "Tattooed or drunk enough?"

"Something like that." He grins. "Plus a couple of other requirements."

"Fine," I say in a clipped tone, my brain energy circling the dang drain. "If I can't stay here, then I'll stay with you."

He blinks, placing his beer on the counter as he stands up. "Hard no." He nods to the swinging doors. "There's a motel ten minutes away. You can stay there. Hell, I'll even drive you."

"Listen here, Jesse Paxton. I am not leaving without my brother, so either I stay with you, or I stay here. The choice is yours." I tap my foot. Seeing as I have no cash and no credit cards, there reallyisno other choice. "Well?"

Jesse stares at me with an unreadable expression. "You're not going to leave, are you?"

"Darlin', I'm like a weed; there's no getting rid of me. And if you do, I'll just come back stronger and more resistant."

"You do realize that you're in a room full of guns and violent men, right?"

"Then I'm right at home." I extend the handle of my carry-on. "Shall we go now?"

He peers down at me with a strange smile. "Yeah, I think it's time to go." Victory surges through me for a fleeting moment before I'm suddenly airborne—Jesse grabs hold of my waist and hoists me over his wide shoulders with effortless ease. "Tiny, grab the princess's bags, will ya?"

"What are you doing?! Put me down, you big oaf!" I yell, flinging my arms and legs as Jesse carries me through the clubhouse, into the parking lot, and out of the fenced side door. "In Alabama, this is considered harassment! Put me down right now!"

"You want down?" Jesse plops me on the sidewalk as Yeti hands him my suitcase. "You're down."

"What are you doing?" I ask, fixing my tangled hair as I glare up at him. "I donotappreciate being manhandled like that! Apologize immediately."

"Definitely loony," he mumbles, narrowing his almond eyes at me as he nods up the road. "Motel's called the Sunny Inn." He backs up through the door, chaining the lock as he grins. "See ya in a week, babe."

"But—" Without another word, Jesse and Yeti turn their backs on me, and I'm left standing alone in front of the gates. "Jesse! Jesse, come back!"

Nothing. Not even a glance. It’s like I’m a piece of useless trash. Tossed away and forgotten. With a whimper, I sink down to my knees and sit on the grimy ground,pulling my suitcase closer to my person as the sun sets around me.

This trip isn't going according to planat all.

I grip my phone tight, noticing the low battery sign. Oh, shoot... What am I supposed to do now? I have no money. No place to stay. And no Beau. I could call Momma. I probablyshouldcall Momma. Dang, it. But I can't—I can't do it. She'd win, and shecan'twin; I can't listen to another lecture on how everything I do is wrong. I can't. Bringing my legs up to my chest, I rest my cheek on my knees, eyelids growing heavy by the second.

I'll just rest for a minute. Just a few minutes. Just until I figure out what to do next...

I'll figure it out... I'll...

"Hey!"

I groan as my shoulder shakes.

"Hey, wake up." More shaking. "Princess, wake up! For fuck’s sake..."

CHAPTER 4

Shake n’ Bake

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