Page 78 of Warrant
“No, Ainsley,” he said. “That’s not what I’m worried about. I want you to be mine. Be my old lady.”
Wrinkling my nose at that phrase—I wasn’t old, or a lady—I shook my head even though it broke my heart to do it. I didn’t understand why I felt so connected to him when I’d only known him for a short time, but I did. “I can’t. Don’t you see? All of this is the perfect example of why we can’t be together.” He scowled at me but didn’t respond. “I’m a sheriff. How am I supposed to do my job knowing that you and your brothers are out there doing…God knows what on a daily basis?”
“Just ignore it,” he suggested.
I gave a scornful laugh. “I have my own moral code, Warrant. I can’t just ignore it and continue to do my job. I still don't know how I’m going to work today. And tomorrow. Last night changed everything for me.” Standing up, I went around the table. Squatting down, I touched the shoulder I knew he’d been shot in, though his t-shirt and cut covered it, gently. “Did you get this looked at?”
“Yeah. Pyre practically held me down, the fucker. It’s fine. Just a scratch.”
It wasn’t a scratch. I’d seen what’d happened for myself. But it didn’t surprise me that he was shrugging it off like it was nothing. “Thank you for saving my life, Warrant.”
His eyes narrowed. “Why does this sound like you’re telling me goodbye?”
“I need some space.”
“I fucking hate space.”
It didn’t matter if he didn’t like it. I needed a chance to sort out my own feelings. To decide what I was going to do. Standing up, I kissed his cheek and walked back to the bedroom. Grabbing my bag and my dog, I walked out of his house. I wasn’t sure when I’d see him again, but for now this was all I could do.
CHAPTER 31
Warrant
Crossing my arms over my chest, I watched as Ainsley and Aella hugged. The little girl was crying, which was fucking heart breaking. It was obvious she’d grown close to Ains in their short time together. Even my tough as nails sheriff had watery eyes as she said goodbye to the little girl. Hell, she even got the often surly teenaged boy to give her a hug.
It was three days after the attack and everything was wrapped up with Jared and the lawyer. He’d get his inheritance and we hadn’t heard a peep from Christina.
Cynic, Torque, and Jury were heading to Austin with the guys and kids just in case they needed any help and to bring the SUV home. Cypher had loaned them one of our cage rides so that the kids wouldn’t have to ride the whole way back on motorcycles. They deserved a cushy ride and some AC. The Tucson guys were heading home as well.
“You going to actually give her space?” Demo asked as he stood next to me watching the farewell.
I snorted. “What does it look like I’m doing?”
“Pouting,” Scythe commented.
Scowling at him, I didn’t bother to correct him. I was biding my time. She’d asked for space and fuck if I wasn’t trying to give it to her. But it turned out patience wasn’t really my strong suit. I was used to getting my own way. And if it wasn’t given to me right away I tended to bulldoze my way into it.
The others were chuckling at Scythe’s reply, but I ignored them. A plan had been forming in my mind since my sheriff had walked out of my house. She was trying to walk out of my life, but I wasn’t about to let that happen. She clearly didn’t believe me when I told her she was mine. Probably because those weren’t the words women wanted to hear.
I was pretty sure she would’ve bolted even quicker if I’d told her I loved her that morning. But I did. She wasn’t going to believe me. She didn’t seem to think a man could catch feelings that quickly. Little did she know men usually knew within a month of dating a woman whether they wanted to make her their wife or not. We were decisive creatures.
“By the way,” Scythe said, “I noticed there were some cameras missing from inventory.”
“I thought you took those down and put them back?” Glitch asked.
“I did,” I told him. “Then I put them back up at her place. In different locations of course. I’m notstupid.”
They all stared at me. “I’m not leaving her unprotected when we know Christina knows where she lives.”
“You think she’s even still alive?” Pyre asked.
“Cypher told Butcher not to tell us either way,” Scythe replied. “Plausible deniability.”
We watched as our president spoke with the Austin and Tucson guys as they got ready to leave. We’d already said our goodbyes. The only reason they weren’t already on the road was because the kids insisted on saying goodbye to Ainsley.
They loaded up and my brothers started heading toward their bikes. “Aren’t you coming?” Rotor asked me.
“Nope. Go ahead without me.” They were going to escort our Arizona and Texas family out of town. But I had other plans.
