Page 59 of Darlin'

"Ten?!" My heart sinks.

"Don't worry, Savannah." Billy gives me a stoic nod. "We've got Tiny and Jimbo on their tail. They won't get far."

"You won't..." I swallow, glancing at Jesse. "They won't hurt them, right?"

Jesse frowns, almost offended. "Of course not, Savannah."

"What are you going to do?—"

"You should take her home," Billy interjects. "We'll deal with this." He tosses Jesse a set of car keys. "Take my truck. She shouldn't ride like this."

"You know this isn't over, right?" Jesse grunts, catching the keys with one hand. "They're gonna?—"

"Later," Billy says in a clipped tone. His expression softens as he looks at me. "You did good, kid. It's over now, okay? Go get some sleep."

"Okay..." I mutter, unsure of what to make of this situation.

Why are the Vipers attacking The Sons? Why were they trying to get into the club? What do they want?

"I'm sorry, Sav," Beau whispers as Jesse and I walk to Billy's truck. "I'm so sorry."

"You should've called me, Savannah," Jesse says, helping me into the passenger's seat. He reaches across for the seatbelt, sighing as he buckles me in. "Why didn't you call me?"

"They were just kids," I mutter, staring out through the windshield. "I didn't think?—"

"I know a good psychologist I can take you to tomorrow," Jesse says, gaze flitting across my sullen features. "You should talk to someone." He pauses, swallowing. "Or we can go now if?—"

"I'm not in shock, Jesse," I whisper, unable to look at him. "I'm just...I'm just confused."

The drive back to Jesse's is silent, but the ringing in my ears doesn't fade. The images of two teens with guns don't fade. Carlos's face—his young, naive, and impressionable face—is all I see. Such anger. Such pain. They're too young to know this life.

Who does this?

My brain doesn't shut off. It can't. Because I can't rationalize it. I can't wrap my head around the why. Why use kids? Why destroy a life that hasn't even started? For money? For power? That's not an excuse.

"I'll be in my room if you need anything, okay?" Jesse hovers in the door frame as I quickly change into my jammies. "Do you need anything? Water? Tea?"

"No," I say, crawling under the sheets and pulling the blanket up to my chin.

Jesse turns off the lights, and my heart races as the room goes dark. This is a different type of darkness. Onethat makes me feel afraid and alone. I don't want to be alone. Not now. I can't.

In a timid tone, I quietly ask, "Can you—can you um...can you stay with me? Just for a little while?" Jesse stares at me, uncertainty capturing his eyes. I'm uncertain too, but I need him. I need him to stay. "Please."

"Of course," Jesse finally says, approaching the bed. He walks toward me slowly, so slow that it seems like he's buying time. Buying a few more moments of distance. His hesitation leaves me more confused than ever. The mattress dips as he sits rigidly down beside me. Jesse clears his throat, looking straight ahead. "I'll stay as long as you need."

He's right next to me, but it seems like miles. I don't need distance right now. I need comfort. I need safety.

I needhim.

"Closer," I whisper, tugging back the bed sheet. "Come closer."

Jesse hesitates again, his breathing heavy with contemplation as I flip to my side and curl into a deflated ball.Just hold me.Silently, he crawls under the duvet, draping the covers over our bodies. Swallowing hard, his hand hovers in the air for a charged beat before he pulls me flush against his warm chest, creating a protective barrier with his arms.

"You're safe here," he whispers against my skin, and I relax into his promise. "I got you."

"I know," I whisper, drifting off into a dreamless sleep.

CHAPTER 18

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