Page 31 of Silver Sanctuary (The Silver Springs #3)

Twenty

W as it possible for a heart to beat so fast that it could explode?

Because with the way Lacy’s own heart fluttered in her chest as they walked through Montgomery Defense, she feared the possibility was actually more of an inevitability.

As much as she feared Nash’s reaction, he’d responded to everything she told him with nothing but support.

It wouldn’t be the same with his friends, though.

She hadn’t told them the truth… and she knew that broken trust was not easily repaired.

“All right, we’re all here. Why the disappearing act and then the message to get our asses down here, Wings?” Stone grumbled as Nash led Lacy into the conference room.

“You didn’t knock her up before the wedding, did you?” Hawk chuckled. “You guys haven’t even been on a honeymoon yet.”

“Sit.” Nash’s booming voice jolted Lacy into action.

Their ride back into town had been quiet.

Not uncomfortable, just heavy with worry.

His hand never left her thigh, gently squeezing any time she forgot to breathe, tracing nonsensical patterns over her thigh with his thumb when the silent tears rolled down her face.

But with Nash’s barked command silencing the room, Lacy felt herself slipping down into a seat before he could pull it away from the table for her.

“I didn’t mean you—you’re not in trouble, baby. I want them to know what’s going on so we can all figure out the next step to keep you and Embrie safe, okay?”

His whispered words were meant to soothe her, but all they did was spread the heavy weight in her stomach. Relive it one more time, Lacy. Trust that they’ll be able to help.

She found Gunner’s eyes. “Is Embrie okay? I’m sorry I just left her with Lily and ran.”

“She’s fine,” he answered, not a single emotion readable on his face. “I think it’s time you tell us what the hell is actually going on here.”

Lacy struggled to get the words out, to pick a starting point.

After what felt like an eternity with all the eyes in the room stuck on her, she just started regurgitating the information she’d dumped on Nash at the lake.

Not even a minute in, and she’d stopped looking around the table, her sole focus the steely blue eyes that she’d found an ocean of comfort in so many times before.

When she finally got to the point of telling the men about Adam, and the moment she stabbed him, Nash pulled her chair so close that their knees bumped into each other’s. His hands framed her face, so warm and tender that the tears she’d been fighting fell freely down her face.

“Lacy, you did what you had to—you kept her safe. I hate what you had to go through, that you were still carrying all that around on your shoulders by yourself. But now I know, and I’ll carry it for you. I’ll carry it for the both of you.”

“I can’t ask you to do that, Nash, because you know that’s not everything. ”

“You aren’t asking me to do it. I’m doing it because I love you, and I love Embrie.”

Her lip quivered. “You…”

“I love you, Lace. I fucking knew the minute I saw you standing behind the counter at Petals the first time I walked in there that I was never going to be able to stay away from you. And boy, was I right. You’re everything I love about life.

You’re funny, kind, protective of Brie. You’re the best friend I never knew was missing from my life.

I’m fucking proud of you. I’m proud to know you defended yourself against that fucker who was abusing you. ”

The warmth that flooded her body as his words washed over her was short-lived. Lacy bit down on her bottom lip, shaking her head back and forth. “I stabbed him. He… I knew I killed him and I was relieved.”

Nash’s brows pulled together in confusion.

“All this time, I thought he died. But the night it happened, I freaked out—I didn’t check.

That’s what my mother came to tell me today.

” Lacy turned so she was facing the rest of the team.

“He survived. She’s gotten clean since then, and now, they want one hundred thousand dollars, or they’re going to tell the police I attacked him and then they’re going to take Brie from me. ”

“Walk us through how you ended up stabbing him. And what happened after.” Gunner spoke, his arms coming up to rest on the table in front of them while his eyes stayed glued on Lacy’s face.

“He didn’t like that I tried to refuse him. So, he forced me to…” She wanted to vomit. “I saw the moment he made up his mind...”

“That’s enough,” Nash barked. “You don’t need to tell us anything else, Lacy. We understand—the picture is clear. It was self-defense, and no one would be able to paint it any differently.”

She shuddered and forced herself to swallow down the repulsion cresting in her stomach. “I wasn’t protecting myself, Nash. I watched him turn toward the hall and I knew what he was going to do to her. I would never let anything, anyone , hurt her.”

“That’s why you ended up stabbing him? To stop him from hurting Embrie?” Hawk asked, his jaw moving side to side. There was restlessness in the group—knuckles cracking, unspoken words being shared through nods and grunts.

“Yes. He was stumbling away, and it gave me just enough time to run to the kitchen. I buried a knife in his side. He… He screamed for a minute before he passed out. I knew he would die, and I just stood there. I don’t know for how long, but my mom’s hysterical screams snapped me out of it.

She’d been waiting in his car and came to look for him when he didn’t go back outside.

I started running around, trying to grab whatever we would need, but she stopped me, told me she was calling the cops, screaming that I’d be the one in prison for the rest of my life.

I-I panicked. I showed her the money I had saved up.

She promised if I left it behind, she’d cover for me—that I could take Embrie and leave.

So we did.” Her voice dropped, the next words out of her mouth a confession she wasn’t sure she was ready to face.

“I thought I killed a man, and I just grabbed Brie and ran.”

“We won’t let her take Embrie,” Stone promised.

Warm tears were in her eyes once again. She hated being so emotional. It made her feel even more vulnerable, even more exposed, than she already was. “You won’t be able to stop it. I’m not her legal guardian.”

“You’re her mom. How is that possible?” Gunner asked.

“She’s my baby in every way. I’ve cared for her from the day she came home from the hospital. But biologically, I’m her sister.”

No one at the table moved. It was as if the air went completely still with that confession, but she watched as all eyes turned on Nash. Waiting to see his reaction. Gauging if it was going to be an issue for him, she guessed.

“Lacy told me before we got here. And it changes nothing for me. Embrie is Lacy’s daughter, and she’s going to be my daughter one day soon.

I don’t want to hear anything else on the subject.

” Nash’s words were met with small nods from each of his friends, and Lacy’s heart, which had to be beating as fast as a hummingbird's wings, clenched tightly in her chest.

“It’s an incredible thing that you did, caring for your daughter like that. What you’ve shielded her from… you should feel proud of yourself.” Hawk’s words washed over her. She didn’t miss the way he hadn’t switched to calling Embrie her sister.

“I feel like a fool. I should have tried harder to get legal custody of her.”

“You went through the foster care system yourself. You were trying to spare her that pain, Lace. A judge will see that.” Nash rested his hand on her thigh, but as soon as his words registered in her head, she jolted back.

“A judge? No. No, Nash. A judge will take her away from me. I falsified her birth certificate—they can send me to prison for that. I’m not asking you to give her the money, but I can’t see a way where we can go to the police for this.”

“We need to talk to Cap. He’ll have lawyers, or his lawyers will know someone who can help us on this,” Gage offered.

“That’s very kind of you guys, but I don’t want to involve you any more than I already have.”

“It’s too late.” Gunner slammed down his coffee cup. “We know. So now, if we don’t go to the sheriff, we’re culpable too.”

“No. I didn’t mean for that to?—”

“Reap, do not speak to my wife like that.”

“She’s not your fucking wife yet, Nash! And I’m telling the truth. What she just admitted here has implications for us all. Everyone sitting at this table needs to be okay with this moving forward.”

“You’re outta line speaking to her like that, man.

” Hawk stood and walked toward Lacy and Nash.

“Sebastian’s lawyers will know how to handle all of this.

It’s not going to get answered right now, though, so I say we all just come back together in the morning.

Nash, you should give him a call, though.

Explain what’s going on, and who we need to have here in the morning. ”

“Yeah, Phoenix. Thanks. I think that sounds like a good idea.”

“Before you go, do you think I could have the note your mom left with her contact information?” Gage asked. “I’d like to see where she’s staying.”

“You think you can get something from that?” Nash asked as she reached into her pocket to pull out the piece of paper.

“We can at least set up some surveillance on the room. Keep an eye on her movements.”

“You can have it.” Lacy pushed the piece of paper over to him. “I’m truly sorry to have roped you guys into helping me, but I appreciate it nonetheless.”

“Don’t let that grumpy bastard get inside your head.” Hawk wrapped his arms around Lacy and she fought the urge to smile. “We’re glad you have Nash, and we’re happy to help where we can.”