Page 80 of The Saviors: Part One

Chelsea, Sean, and Keon disappeared into the kitchen in search of snacks. Her laugh filters through occasionally, and it’s like a balm to my frayed nerves. We’re all in one piece, and she’s taking this like a fucking champ even after being out of the life for six years.

I knew she was strong. She kept Axel and me in line for years, but the Chelsea I see now rivals that. She went through hell and still found it in herself to care for two scarred men, physically and mentally, like Sean and Kai. Then she welcomed this team into her house with open arms, giving us somewhere safe to stay while we got everything figured out. Something tells me she doesn’t let many people in this house. For all her bravery, there is a vulnerability to her, even when we were growing up. Like she’s just waiting for the other shoe to drop. I also noticed that if someone moves too fast around her, she flinches. It’s not always noticeable, and I’m not sure she even notices when she does it.

Brady Stinson will lose his hands for laying them on her. It won’t be the first time I’ve tortured someone. It would make it even sweeter if it were for her.

“Are there weapons in this house?” Ari asks Kai.

Kai nods. “Yeah. Sean and I both brought some,” Kai chuckles. “And she has an arsenal here.”

My eyebrows raise. “Chelsea does?”

Kai shrugs. “When you go through what she went through and do what she does for a living, it makes sense to be prepared.”

He’s not wrong. I knew she was strapped at the meeting, but I’m glad she has more at her disposal if needed.

“Does she stay here alone at any time?” Ari asks.Where’s he going with this?

“Sean or I are always here, and if not, she has two massive guards at all times.”

I sit up. “Do you think this has something to do with her?”

“It’s the only thing that makes sense,” Ari sighs. “Look, I’m not saying it does, but it would be smart to protect her at all times.” He turns to Kai. “If you or Sean aren’t here, those guards need to be. Hell, even one of us, for that matter. I have a bad feeling they were after her.”

“Why?” I’m not arguing. I’m just trying to follow his line of thinking. Ari’s smart. That’s why he and Axel make good leaders.

“The shots were fired from a distance. They were meant to ensue panic and get everyone running around. She was already separated from the group walking with you. They knew our next option was to flee. When they opened fire in the parking lot, it wasn’t aimed at her. It was aimed at us to keep us separated from her. They weren’t trying to kill her.”

“They were trying to take her,” I finish for him.

“It’s what my gut is telling me. They wanted to separate her from you too. Something tells me they didn’t have the resources to follow us or the nerve knowing we would be right behind you.”

“They can’t take her,” Kai growls.

Ari acknowledges that with a nod. “Agreed. So, how you handle telling her is up to you. She doesn’t give me a damsel in distress vibe; she can handle herself. But she doesn’t strike me as stupid, either. She’ll know she needs protection, and we can provide that.”

“So, you don’t think this is connected to Charlie? That we now have two threats breathing down our necks?” Tyler asks.

“You just want to leave her defenseless?” I grind out.

“Whoa,” Tyler holds his hands up. “That’s not what I meant. I was just clarifying.”

“It’s been a long day.” Ari looks at Kai. “You and Sean need to be honest with her.”

Kai nods. “She can handle it.”

“I need a beer,” I say, getting up from the couch. I walk down the hallway toward the kitchen, and when I go to step inside, I pause.

“So, I have a question,” Keon says. “And you can tell me to mind my own fucking business. It’s personal.”

Chelsea laughs. “I think Tyler blew personal out of the water earlier, so go ahead.”

“When Sean said you were with them…” he leaves that question open, letting her connect the dots.

“I was fully involved.”

“Look,” Sean says with a laugh. “No use tiptoeing around it. I sucked Kai’s dick while he was playing with her.”

“Jesus, Sean,” Chelsea says with a laugh, and I smile. I swear I can hear the blush creeping into her cheeks.