Page 81 (1/2)

I slowly edgethe te us "Why tell the truth now?"

"Because when it comes to the club, I won’t be the one to put a bad taste in your mouth Yeah, I haven’t been completely honest with you, but it’s either because I’ve been ordered to keepit to protect you I didn’t tell you I carried a gun because I kneould scare the shit out you It’s nice to see I wasn’t wrong"

"So if so, you won’t? Isn’t that the sa?"

Oz’s jaw ticks "You’re not a brother and as a woman you will never be, but you are important to this club We will protect you There isn’t a need of yours that won’t be ation is to the club before anyone else"

"If that’s the way it is," I hedge, "then why don’t you wear one of those vests that everyone else is wearing?"

"I was supposed to start ht of Olivia’s party, but you showed andup"

"How?"

"My job was to watch you until you stepped on the plane, but then I fell asleep in the parking lot at the motel I woke up as you walked out of your room"

"I’ how this is my fault"

"You’re right" Oz cracks his head the side "You co, but I’m the one that fucked up and I can’t tell you how sorry I am Scares me more than you know that they could have taken you--that my mistake could have hurt you"

I pause at that A few minutes later and how different would ht? Would I have bought etting ready to attend Blake Harris’s next party? Or would my mother and Eli’s fears have coroups of ain as a whisper

Oz is quiet Maybe thinking or fighting internally, I don’t know, but either way his answer could change everything "Eli says you are"

"Why?"

"I don’t know, but I trust Eli and if I didn’t, I like you too much to take the chance"