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“I’m coming.” Havoc sighs. “Did you tell them nobody by that name was here?”

“I wasn’t at the gate. Scooter is. He called up. The name didn’t mean anything to him.”

Havoc looks over at me. “Stay here. Midas, call the lawyer just in case.”

“I’m on it,” Midas agrees.

I toy with the now-empty water bottle as Havoc and G head down to talk to the cops.

“You okay?”

I look over at Powers and shake my head. “The cops won’t leave without me.”

“I wouldn’t be so sure,” Kruger grunts.

“This isn’t the first time the cops have come for me. James has more than any one man should have on his payroll.”

“Things are different now. He’s on the run.”

“If you underestimate him, you’ll die,” I tell him flatly, making Circus growl. “He has an ungodly amount of money, most of it cash kept in bolt holes across the country, he can use as and when he needs it. The rest is in offshore accounts. We’re talking about millions at his disposal, and that’s not including the trust funds his parents’ estate left for him. The police might have frozen those assets, but that won’t matter.”

“Figures. Guys like this are always fucking loaded,” Hoops complains.

I shrug. “Nobody said life was fair. If it were, James would look like a giant dick, so his outside looked like the inside.”

A couple of people chuckle, but I’m antsy, fidgeting in the chair, waiting for a call or a knock on the door to summon me.

“Havoc’s got this, Lil—” Kruger starts, but the door opens again.

A puffed-out Con says, “Sorry, guys. Lil, Havoc wants you down at the gate.”

“Fuck!” Powers snaps. Con wisely leaves so nobody shoots the messenger.

I get to my feet and glance around the room, wondering if this will be the last time I see these guys. “Something you should know…James always wins.” I blow out a shaky breath, walking to the door, Powers hot on my heels.

I pause for a moment, my hand on the knob as I soak in the smell of leather, oil, and scents one last time. “For what it’s worth, I’m so sorry. I truly love each and every one of you. Thank you for being my salvation, even if it was only for a little while.”

I pull the door open and step out, unable to stay without breaking down. Powers’s hands slide up my arms and pull me back into him before I can get too far. “Take a breath for me first.”

I nod, take a deep breath, and blow it out slowly.

“Whatever we have to face, we face it together. You and me, okay?”

“Okay.”

“Count me in too.” Kruger’s voice sounds from behind us. I turn but find my view blocked by Powers’s large frame until he steps aside.

“I’ve always got your back, Lil,” Midas says, walking toward me, squeezing my shoulder. “If it weren’t for you giving me a kick up the ass, I’m not sure I’d have convinced Legs to take a chance on a loser like me.” He winks, walking past.

Dice and Hoops walk out next, each giving me a shoulder squeeze and a nod as Kruger hangs back and watches them pass. Powers presses in closer to me as the others step out.

Some of the others walk past, and that’s okay. But when Probe walks out and stares at me before storming away, I feel a burning in my chest.

When Circus steps out, I hold my breath. He doesn’t say anything. He walks toward me, stopping an inch in front of me. “We looked for you. He…” Circus swallows. “Capone looked for you. He’d be so fucking happy you’re back home.”

“I’m sorry. I thought I was keeping everyone safe by leaving,” I choke out as the tears start to fall.

He curses before yanking me to his chest. “Don’t fucking cry.”