I ran through my options.
I wanted security cameras on me so people would know I wasn’t up to anything shady. That meant public transportation. That meant an alibi, but I didn’t want to go anywhere that might get raided. I was taking a big risk here, but I’d always been adamant that while I loved Trace, which was still new to me, I did not and would not love his job. So the raids were happening, and I wasn’t getting involved, though interesting timing on Leo’s behalf of when he suspended me. All that said, I wouldn’t have an alibi if I went to my own place either. Staying alone somewhere and no one could vouch for me.
“Not that I don’t love the surprise of you coming in here not on a Sunday night, but I’m a little concerned. You’re drinking here, and you’ve not texted Kelly to join you.”
I’d gone to Easter Lanes. Molly Easter, who was so removed from anything and so pure, was going to vouch for me.
Molly had bit her lip in the adorable way she did, heaved a sigh, and filled my first beer.
It was a beer night for me. I was on my sixth for the night.
She just slid a seventh to me when I noted a stillness that came over Molly.
She was looking behind me.
I turned, my whole gut clenching up, because I knew whoever it was wouldn’t be good.
Ashton stood there. His gaze was fierce and filled with such loathing that I was burned from the inside out. He had two guys with him, and I was taking them in because they weren’t the normal guys that I’d grown accustomed to around Trace. These guys were military.
All three were staring me down until Ashton strode forward.
“Don’t!” Molly yelled as he began to reach for me.
He paused, but I knew my luck had timed out. I’d been betting that they wouldn’t come for me until four in the morning. Maybe five. That meant Trace had probably been the one hauled down to the police station, and Ashton was already released from questioning.
“Don’t get involved,” he growled at her, in a savage hiss. Then his hand closed down over my shoulder, and he was hauling me off the barstool. “If you get any ideas, those guys are ex-rangers. So don’t.”
I was nodding. “Spotted that already.”
He paused, narrowing his eyes at me, before he made another low growl and dragged me with him.
“Where are you taking her?” Molly shouted from behind. She looked ready to launch herself over the bar, a bat in hand. “Hey!”
Ashton shoved me forward as the other two guys took me, and he remained behind, but I heard him before the door closed. “Stay out of this.”
The streets were quiet, calm, as they put me into the back of an SUV.
It was an odd feeling. It felt like the other shoe was about to drop. I just didn’t know what shoe it was.
