“Yes.”
“Why?”
“Because I knew you’d want to leave town the moment you got your truck back.”
“Damn right.”
Colt’s face was grim. “Why is Dev after you even though you know nothing about what Richie was up to? Any way you cut it, Dev thinks you’re involved.”
I cleared my throat. “It might be more than that…”
When I paused, Colt said, “Go on.”
“He made no secret about wanting me in his bed.”
His jaw clenched. “Not shocked by that at all, but I don’t think Dev would do this for that reason. There’s more to it. I’m telling you, he thinks Richie clued you in.”
“I overheard them talking,” I said slowly, remembering the night I’d first met Dev. “Dev asked Richie if I knew anything about their arrangement, and Richie said no. They were talking business, something about a shipment. Richie disappeared for a few nights and then resurfaced and asked me to take him to the bus depot.”
“Ah, fuck. You definitely can’t leave town now. Not until all this shit is sorted. He’ll just come after you.”
“You had my truck this whole time,” I murmured. “I could’ve gotten out. I could’ve started a new life.”
“Tell yourself that if you want,” he rumbled. “But you don’t know Dev like I know Dev.”
“YouknowDev?”
“Yeah.” He paused, like he wanted to say more.
“Go on. You can tell me.”
He shot me a look of dark amusement. “You’re already mad at me. Like I want to give you more ammo?”
“I’m not mad,” I said slowly.
“Liar.”
“Fine. I’m mad. You could’ve helped me get out of town as soon as you got my truck. Why didn’t you?”
“Dev would’ve found you. Just like he found Richie, but this is deeper than you running from Dev. The Iron Horsemen came for you in the middle of the night. When you told me that, I realized something’s been going on in my own backyard. I’m gonna find out what it is.”
I looked out the window to get away from his intense stare. “You still didn’t tell me about you knowing Dev.”
“We’ve had sit downs in the past. Hashing out territory disputes, that sort of thing. But we avoid each other. Our clubs don’t get involved in each other’s shit. Until you.”
“Until me? Why?”
He was silent for a long moment, long enough for us to drive into a restaurant parking lot.
Colt looked at me, his hands resting on the steering wheel. “Because you made it personal.”
“Am I supposed to be flattered?”
“Take it however you want. The Blue Angels and the Iron Horsemen weren’t enemies. Not until now. But if Richie’s ass isn’t enough and they come after you…then they’ll start a war. I told you I’d keep you safe, and I meant it.”
“Even if that means never letting me go?”
His gaze softened. “Yeah, darlin’. Even if that means never letting you go.”