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“Yes.”
He nods. “One more thing. If Cole calls about Ezra’s samples, take a minute before you act.”
My pulse races. “What did Cole find?”
“I don’t know. She said she'll call you directly once she finishes the preliminary comparison.” Wes’s gaze moves briefly to Sweet Tooth. “Whatever it is, you bring it to your pack before you decide for them.”
The old instinct rises so fast it steals my breath. Protection is necessary. And it demands action. It’s been me who has kept Ezra safe. Chains and gates kept Hammer away. I’m the one who had to figure out how to keep hunger, debts, and men with patches from finding the only man in the world I could not lose.
Then Pepper steps out of Sweet Tooth carrying a drink tray, and my body remembers last night. The way her palm rested over Ezra’s heart with my hand covering hers. Ezra’s breathing slowing because we gave him the softness he needed.
“I’ll tell them,” I say.
Wes watches me for a long beat. “Good. Get me that info today.” He pats my back before walking away.
Pepper crosses back with two coffees, one iced tea, and a pastry box balanced on top. I go to meet her.
“Everything okay?” she asks.
“No.”
She looks up at me.
“I’m making a list for Wes of the Saints’ routes. Old names. Anything Hammer taught me.”
Her eyes don’t flinch. “Okay.”
That’s all she says. She isn’t afraid and I don’t know why that aches.
“I should have done it sooner.”
“Probably.” She lifts the tray. “Hold this before I drop Ezra’s coffee and ruin his recovery.”
A laugh breaks out of me, rough and surprised. I take the tray.
At my truck, I open the passenger door but don’t let her climb in yet. The helmet sits on the back seat, matte green with cream trim. Ezra added stickers while I pretended not to care how long he spent choosing them. He settled on a tiny frog that he placed near the back, a gator curling along the side, and a water bottle low near the edge. I grab the helmet and place it on the passenger seat.
Pepper goes still. “What is this?”
“A helmet.”
Her mouth twitches. “Field observation says yes.”
“I was hoping to take you riding.” My throat feels too tight. “Not today. Not ever unless you want. But I wanted you to have one that fits. One that’s yours.”
She reaches for it slowly, fingertips tracing the frog. “Ezra helped.”
“Yes.”
Her eyes shine. “You both courted me with safety equipment?”
“And stickers.”
The laugh she gives me is soft and bright. “I love it.”
My heart stutters. “I want ordinary things with you. Rides. Coffee runs. Complaints about helmet hair. Places and dates that don’t involve clues.”
Her fingers tighten around the helmet. “Theo.”
