Page 125 of Reins

He’s already breaking protocol by carrying both of the piece of shit brothers in his rig and he’s driving solo?

“Got it,” I grunt, glancing to the SWAT members nearby.

The squad commander catches me looking and gives me a wink.

A knot in my gut tells me there’s a lot of unspoken conversations that have been had.

When I slide behind the wheel of my own vehicle, I let out a shaky breath.

“So what now?” Rosalyn’s voice is nearly a whisper from where she’s balled in her seat.

“We’re going with Wade.” I don’t know what exactly is going on but I’m along for the ride.

When he pulls over halfway towards the jail, I get a much clearer idea.

He hops out, motioning me to him and slams his door.

“I’m giving you a choice.” His hand flattens over the rear window where Eli leers at us. “We can take ‘em in and book ‘em. Or we can serve justice.”

I’d be lying if I said I never thought of it.

Taking a deep breath, I stare long and hard at Rosalyn. “It’s time I went back to Black Gulch.”

“It’s your lucky day.” Wade’s lips thin. “They’re having a big baby shower. Everyone’s there. This could either go really, really good or—”

“I’m fucked,” I say grimly. Then my palm lands on his shoulder. “I want to say before all this goes down, thank you for everything. You’ve given Ros a friend in Elena. You believed in me when no one else did.” A lump forms in my throat. “I appreciate the hell out of you.”

“I’ll run interference. But you better talk pretty fucking fast once you’re in the door.” He squints hard. “Oliver is convinced you’re the one who set the bomb because you fiddle fucked around.”

I swallow hard. “Yea, I still regret that. Okay, if I die today, tell my wife I love her.” I give him a sideways smile, then raise my middle finger to press it to the glass where Eli and John can see it.

My hands shake and my legs are like noodles striding back to Rosalyn.

“What’s going on?” Her fingers are tucked between her knees.

I know it’s to keep herself from digging at her nails.

“We’re going to Black Gulch, baby. I’ll need you to stay in the truck until either me or Wade comes and gets you. I don’t want you to see me get my ass beat by my brothers.” I try to laugh as I cover her thumbs with my palm.

“They won’t.” Her chin raises. “You’re brave too.” She tugs out a hand to stroke the scars on my arm. “But I can’t promise I’ll wait forever. They need to know you’re a good man.”

Driving down the lane is a trip from my memories. Nerves make my hyperfocus on the changes.

A new house going up in the lower field.

They changed some of the corrals.

Shit, the parking area really is packed.

Wiping my palms on my jeans, I lean over to kiss my wife one last time. “Wish me luck,” I whisper against her lips. “I love you.”

“You’re my hero.” Tears shine in her eyes as I close the door and fall into step behind the mountain of Wade.

His knock interrupts the wave of giggles.

Fuck me, this is happening.

As the heavy oak swings wide, Wade grips both sides of the frame, blocking the entrance with his body. “Mason? I need you for a minute. Oliver, you might want to take a step back.”