Page 63

“If the panthers are still talking to me after that shit-show I pulled, we’ll make a plan.” He smirks and makes the fear ease.

“Holy shit, those panthers know how to throw a party,” Sally yells from the office.

We leave the bathroom to see Sally strolling in with a drink in one hand, Elijah’s cowboy hat in the other, and dressed in the shortest miniskirt I have ever seen. Her hair is puffed up as big as possible. Her face is contoured to the max and the lipstick on her grinning lips is bright red. Her generous chest is barely encased in a white corset.

“Sally, how did you find me?”

She twitches her nose. “I’ve told you, I let smell guide me.”

“How long have you been here?”

“Long enough to catch the show,” she says, pointing the hat at Elijah. “Nice right hook, cowboy.”

“I’m not thanking you for the compliment,” he says dryly.

She shrugs. “Whatever.”

Elijah takes his hat, placing it back on his head. “Did you hear what that asshole said?”

“I did.” She gulps down the remaining drink. “That’s why I thought I should bring the note that was under Saylor’s drink at the bar.” She waves the piece of paper in the air after retrieving it from her bra.

Elijah rips it from her fingers.

So close, but not close enough.

“Who the fuck is this guy? He has to have help,” Elijah growls. “Did you notice the guy he sent putting this there?”

“No. My drink was behind me when I was facing him. He didn’t even put his hands on the bar,” I cry. “We have to end this.”

“We will.”

“Welp, I’m getting another drink,” Sally declares.

“Jesus, Sally,” I sigh. “Can you take this seriously?”

She stops turning toward the door and her face clears. Suddenly, she is an inch away. “Girl, I am. You mean everything to me. I think of you as my own daughter. That’s why I am here. You don’t know how relieved I was when I got here to see the people, the friends that surrounded you. I was so afraid I would be too late. But when I saw that, it all became clear. You are meant to be here, with these people, fighting this battle. It will end. It will end happily. But you have to walk through it by yourself. I will always be behind you, close by, to guide and watch out for you.” She hugs me, whispering in my ear, “You will free the cheetah.”

“Sally,” I choke.

“Alright, enough of the mushy shit.” She prances to the door. “I saw a bear out there that I wanted to chase me around.” She wiggles her eyebrows and leaves.

“Baby, she is an original.” Elijah wraps his arms around me.

“Understatement of a lifetime,” I agree.

“Was that a rabbit?” James asks from the doorway, the others coming behind him. Blue shoves his shoulder into his to move him.

“Yes, she is a friend.”

“Right on. Rabbits are fucking crazy,” he grins.

“Are we banned for life?” Elijah asks Jax.

“No, as James pointed out, it happens often. I approve of your protection of your mate.”

“That’s a high compliment,” James informs us.

“So, what now?” Harmony asks.