Page 7 of Exile & Lula

“We need to make sure our local people handle this issue,” I explained when he couldn’t find his words.

“You need to be treated.”

“I will be. Jarred will be here soon. So will my uncle Devin. Just be patient.”

Exile literally grunted like a pissed ape. I smiled at his irritation. He reminded me of my dad reacting to aninconvenience. Pax wasn’t a man who hid his heart, even when his feelings upset others.

“How is your sister?” I asked, trying to distract Exile.

His expression concealed nothing. He didn’t trust my question, yet he wanted to answer me.

“She shouldn’t have suffered for my choices.”

“I know about guilt,” I replied and thought about Cher and Stevie. “Has she recovered?”

“She’s fine,” he spat out angrily, but I saw him working through old hurts. “She’s probably wondering where I ran off to.”

“Why not text her to say you’re okay?”

“Don’t you want to text your people?”

“They’ll be here soon.”

Exile looked around. “You were married to this Jarred guy.”

“Yes. We have a daughter. Jarred rides with the LM Jokers. But I’m sure you already know that.”

“Yeah, I’ve read your file.”

“And I’ve read yours.”

Exile offered a hint of a smile. “Are you always this calm?”

“Only when I’m in uncharted territory. I’ll fall apart later when I’m safe at home.”

His ruggedly handsome face revealed regret. Exile was already thinking about when we went our separate ways. I’d given that inevitability my own consideration. As much as I wanted to be surrounded by my family and friends, I was reluctant for Exile to walk away.

I spotted Jarred hurrying toward the emergency department’s double doors. His dark brown hair was a mess, and I suspected he had been sleeping after a long shift when he got the message. He was tall and lean. We’d made a handsome couple and created a lovely daughter, but there’d never been any spark between us. Jarred and I stayed together for more thana decade because we were too busy with school and our new careers to realize how we deserved more.

Switching my focus to Exile, I admired his handsome face, even if his jaw remained clenched and his gaze wary.

“If you’re ever in Little Memphis, I’ll buy you a beer,” I said and stood. Exile frowned at my change in position. “I’ll buy you a steak, too. You know, as a thank you for saving me.”

“Does that offer extend to my entire club?”

I wasn’t sure what Exile wanted me to say. Did he expect me to show gratitude to the Black Rainbow, or was he hoping I had opened the door to his interest?

“No, just you,” I said and stepped away from him as Jarred came rushing toward me. “I’ll send the rest of them thank you baskets. Do they like fruit?”

Before Exile could reply, Jarred joined us. He offered Exile a curt head nod and rested his hand on my shoulder.

“I’ll get you in the back,” Jarred said before turning away and walking to the receptionist.

My gaze flashed to Exile, finding him glaring at my ex-husband. I shouldn’t care if he felt possessive. Today wasn’t a fun, sexy story to tell our future kids. I still didn’t know if Cher and Stevie were alive. Nothing about this situation was pleasant. Yet, I found myself offering Exile a little grin.

“You married him,” he said accusingly.

I chuckled at his anger as if I’d wronged him personally by having such bad taste.