Chapter Twelve
Taylor
Even after thecops and the EMTs come, and after there are people swarming all over inside and outside of West’s house, he never lets go of me, except for a minute to let me put clothes on. Even then, he’s right there with me, eyes on me and around us, as if looking for trouble before it hits. And I wouldn’t change that for the world. Through it all, through the cops talking to me and everything, he holds me in his arms, tightly.
Keeping me safe. Keeping me his.
Eventually, the big cop who helped West, Bear, comes ambling over. He’s got his arm in a sling, but he grins when he strolls up.
“Nah, ain’t nothing,” he shrugs with a wince when I frown in worry. “Idiots were shit shots. Grazed me twice, that’s all.” He nods at West and sticks out his free hand. West shakes his hand firmly, and the big guy grunts.
“Really good work, man. I mean that. We could actually probably use you on the force, if you were ever interested.”
West arches a brow and smiles, but he shakes his head. “None, but I appreciate it. You sure you’re okay?”
Bear grins. “Takes more than some pea shooters to take down a Bear.” He turns to me and smiles. “Miss, we’re going to put you up in a hotel for a bit with an armed escort and everything. Can we call anyone for you? Your parents?”
I shake my head. “No, thanks. I’ll call them soon.”
He nods, and I frown.
“Um… my Uncle Matt?” I mumble, almost scared to hear the answer. After all, this is all because of him. I knew Matt was a scumbag pervert, but apparently, he’s been in very deep with some of the worst people around here. And two million bucks is way more than he could ever do with losing at poker.
Bear frowns. “We got him, just now actually. US Border and Customs caught him trying to slip into Tijuanna right after we sent the APB out.” He shakes his head. “Stealing from Johnny Spirelli isn’t the smartest fucking move, and that’s not all.”
I blink. “My God, what else?”
He glances at West, grits his jaw, and then turns back to me. “The other reason we’re putting you up in a hotel is that you can’t go home.”
“No shit, she’s not going back there,” West growls, hugging me close.
Bear grimaces. “No, man, I mean you can’t go back there without a damn hazmat suit. Turns out, Matt had a meth lab going in your basement, Miss Conway.”
My jaw drops, and West hisses in anger.
“Fucker could have killed her,” he hisses almost to himself.
“Well, he didn’t,” I whimper, turning and pressing my face to his chest. I know I’m safe, but it’s a lot to take in. But then, with his arms around me, I know I could face almost anything right now.
“West!”
We look up to see a dark-haired, good-looking built guy jogging over from a Jeep. West smiles as he gets close and shakes his hand.
“Hey, brother.” He turns and grins at me. “This is Gerard, and this is Taylor.”
“Nice to meet what all the fuss was about,” Gerard grins. West growls, and the other guy laughs. “His bark is way worse than his bite,” he chuckles before turning to Bear.
“Heard you managed to fall on some bullets.”
Bear rolls his eyes. “Something like that, yeah. Clumsy me.”
“Seriously, buddy.” Gerard winks at him. “You good though?”
“What do you think?”
Gerard laughs. “Atta boy.”
Bear sighs and glances back at the mob of cop cars. “Alright, well, we should get you over to that hot—”