Page 84 of Finding His Redemption

“Alright, lovebirds,” River called, hopping down from the tailgate. “Let’s get the hell away from this place before Goodwin changes his mind.”

Jax reluctantly let his arms drop. Nessie stepped back, her cheeks flushed pink, but her eyes stayed locked on his. The morning sun caught the gold flecks in her irises, turning them to amber.

Christ, she was beautiful.

He turned away from her and focused on Ghost. “How’d you get them to let me go? My lawyer was useless.”

“Public pressure,” Ghost said. “Not to mention, the complete lack of evidence.”

“The whole town knows Murdock touched Nessie first,” River added, slinging an arm around Jax’s shoulders. “Even Goodwin couldn’t make assault charges stick when everyone saw his deputy grab her.”

The memory of Murdock’s meaty hand on her arm flashed through his mind, and his jaw clenched so hard his teeth ached. He looked at Nessie again, scanning her bare arms for any signs of bruising. “I never got the chance to ask if you’re okay. Did he hurt you?”

“I’m fine.” She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “It was nothing.”

But the way her eyes slid away told him it wasn’t nothing.

“Come on,” Boone said, pushing off the hood of his truck. “Walker’s waiting.”

The mention of Walker sent a cold spike through Jax’s chest. The old man would be pissed. Three days in county lockup for a parole violation—even a bullshit one—was exactly the kind of trouble Walker had warned him to avoid.

“I’ll take him back,” Nessie said suddenly. “If that’s okay? I need to talk to him.”

Something passed between her and Boone, some silent communication that Jax couldn’t decipher.

Boone nodded once, then jerked his chin toward his truck. “Rest of you, load up. We got chores and we’re burning daylight.”

“But—” River started to protest, but Bear caught him by the collar and hauled him toward the truck.

“Let the man breathe,” Bear grumbled.

One by one, they climbed into vehicles. River gave him an exaggerated wink, X flashed a thumbs-up, Ghost nodded his silent approval. Even Anson clapped him on the shoulder as he passed.

And then it was just him and Nessie, standing in the shadow of the county jail.

“Your car here?” he asked, then cursed himself. Stupid question. It would be hard to miss the teal monstrosity in this small parking lot. Next he’ll be talking about the weather.

“No. I walked.” She glanced up at him, a small smile tugging at her lips. “It’s only a few blocks to my apartment, and I... I wanted some time with you.”

His heart kicked against his ribs. “Your apartment?”

“Yeah. I figured you might want a real shower. Real food.” She started walking, and he fell into step beside her. “Unless you’d rather go straight back to the ranch?”

“No.” The word came out too quickly. He cleared his throat. “No, that sounds good. Thanks.”

They walked in silence for a block, their shoulders occasionally brushing. Main Street was quiet, just a few shopkeepers sweeping their sidewalks or watering their plants, the occasional car passing. No one looked directly at him, but he felt their sidelong glances, heard the whispers that followed in their wake.

Murderer. Convict. Monster.

He’d heard worse.

“People are staring,” she said quietly.

“Let them.”

“Doesn’t it bother you?”

He shrugged. “Used to it.”