Coyote (Hawks MC Next Generation #1) - Lila Rose Page 0,77
us. How was he wronged?” I shook my head. “Maybe I can talk him down.” I had to talk him down. I wouldn’t let anything happen to Cody.
I wouldn’t.
It was a promise to Cody, but also myself. I’d harden my heart and barge into the scene to protect Cody and deal with him for the last time.
He wasn’t going to wreck my life again.
He wasn’t going to win.
I might have been running to him, but I would surely win. I’d make sure of it because I’d do anything to see him gone from my life once and for all.
All I had to do was remember I had a beautiful, loving future with Cody Marcus, and I’d protect it to make sure that future stayed true.
“I have to go,” I said, my voice shaking, and I cursed at myself silently for it. Obviously my wall wasn’t all the way erected around my nerves or my fear. Still, I started for the door.
“Channa,” Denise called. “Please don’t go on your own. What will it matter if another person is there hiding? Stanley’s right. Call Talon.”
I shook my head. “I can’t. I won’t risk it. I can do this. He’s nothing compared to what I’ve already been through. But if I’m not there soon, something can happen. I won’t let it. I’m going.” I backed up towards the door, seeing the terror in their eyes. For me. But all I could care about was Cody.
“Let me come then—”
“No!” I shook my head. “Stanley, please, no. I’ll be too distracted and worried about you. I need my head. Please.”
“I don’t like this, Channa,” he said.
I took another step back. “Neither do I.” Yet, I would still do it.
“Take the dogs at least,” Denise said. Tears streamed down over her cheeks.
I glanced behind me. Both of my babies twitched on their butts where they sat. “Okay,” I said softly to appease them or I wouldn’t get out of there and to Cody. “I’ll be back soon,” I offered.
“You’d better be,” Stanley clipped.
Denise managed a nod, her bottom lip trembling. I was right there with her on the inside. I wanted to crack, to break down and sob, but I couldn’t.
At the door, I lifted my hand in a small wave before I turned and walked out with my dogs following me. “Stay close,” I ordered, and together we raced down the alleyway beside the shop, down the path, and I took the corner to my house, opening the side gate.
Bile threatened, and my heart wanted to explode, but I slowed as I approached the back door. With each step I took, my soul frosted over, turning me cold to deal with whatever I was about to do.
The dogs growled. I jumped when the door opened abruptly. “Heel,” I commanded, my hands on each of their heads.
The man I used to know stood in the doorway. Only this man looked more weathered. He had less hair, red eyes, and tattered clothes. This man was very different from the one I remembered, yet he was still recognizable.
This man I could take on.
My babies wouldn’t stop snarling low at the intruder. His hand lifted, a gun pointed my way. My walls cracked a little seeing the gun, but I patched them and reassured myself I could do this. I’d been in a situation like this.
“Leave them outside and come in.”
I tipped my chin up and glared. “Where’s Cody?”
“You’ll see when you get in here.”
I ground my teeth together. “If you’ve harmed him—”
“Get the fuck in here to see, you stupid bitch.”
Glancing down at Coco and Harley, I ordered, “Stay.” They whimpered, and Harley inched forward when I took a step. I shot a hand out and snapped, “No. Stay.”
My knees may have wobbled when I made my way up the stairs, but I was determined to switch the scene my way. My dad— No, I couldn’t, wouldn’t call him that. He didn’t deserve it. Percy moved back into the house, and I stepped through. He shoved me to the side, slamming the door shut and locking it. My babies howled outside, and my heart clenched.
“Where’s Cody?” I asked, clasping my hands together to keep myself from punching him before I knew what was going on. I would see Cody safe before I acted and took him on.
I stilled when the cold tip of the gun pressed against my temple. “It’d be so easy to just kill you now. Kill you like you did your mum.”