Making the Cut (Sons of Templar MC #1)(67)

“Hands off Crawford.” He ground out, barely controlling a growl. “You are here in professional context only, keep your f*cking distance.”

Luke glared back at Cade and I rolled my eyes, which Ian caught giving me an amused expression.

“Not another macho man stare off, please! I can hardly breathe with the amount testosterone in here. Cade do not talk to Luke like that his is my friend.” I scolded Cade and he turned to me, death stare directed in my direction now. Whatever, I ignored this and sent a soft glance in Luke’s direction.

“Please Luke, sit down. Thank you for coming, can I get you anything?” My mother taught there was never an excuse for bad manners, even if my crazy ex boyfriend had just called me from prison threatening to rape me.

Luke instead of sitting, turned to my brother and held out his hand.

“You must me Ian, it’s great to finally meet you, Gwen has been looking forward to your visit, sorry it had to start out like this.”

Ian looked surprised but took Luke’s hand giving it a firm shake. Cade also looked surprised, and pissed. He obviously figured out me and Luke had been talking.

“Nice to meet you too, glad to see Gwen has a friend on the right side of the law.” Ian said, directing a pointed look at Cade. I scowled at him, obviously my brother was still not happy with my boyfriend. Great.

Cade grabbed my hand and sat me down on the couch. He didn’t join me, just stood beside the arm of the chair, hand lightly on the back of my neck.

“Now the pleasantries are over, can we please cut to how the f*ck this bastard got Gwen’s number, or how the f*ck he got a phone in the first place?” Cade barked in Luke’s direction.

Luke looked from Cade me, obviously deciding not to engage in any hostilities, he sighed and sat across from me, scrolling through his phone. My brother stayed standing, eyes on me or more specifically Cades hand on me. I poked my tongue out at him. He needed to lighten up on the whole protective brother thing.

“Okay, so I just got off the phone with New York lockup. According to the Warden, O’Fallan paid one of the guards off to smuggle him in a cellphone, which he had one of his men program your number into.” Luke tried to sound detached and all business but his jaw was hard. How did they do this so quickly?

“How did they even get my number though?” I asked. Deciding to ignore the super efficient and scarily quick response from Amber PD.

“My cellphone number isn’t anywhere, I made sure only a few people had it specifically for something like this happening.”

Luke ran a hand through his hair, looking frustrated.

“I don’t know Gwen, that’s all the info I could get for now. Either one of these guys is a master hack, or someone has given up your number.” He said the last part gently, but that still didn’t mask his true meaning.

My stomach dropped as three pair of male eyes focused on me.

“That’s not possible, only the people I love have my phone number and they sure as shit wouldn’t give me up.” I told them all firmly.

“You sure about that sis?” My brother asked quietly.

I glared at him. “Well no Ian, I guess Ryan could have given me up, you know the guy who slept beside me for two weeks after I got out of hospital so I wouldn’t be alone? Or maybe Alex, who followed me around the whole of New York whenever I went out so I would feel safe? Or f*ck maybe Amy, my best friend who uprooted her whole life to move out here with me?” I paused, breathing heavily, about to list all of my new friends who I trusted just about as much, but a firm squeeze on the back of my neck stopped me. I glanced up to Cade and his expression was still unreadable.

“Give your brother a break baby, we just need to explore every option. Don’t worry we will sort this, you will never be getting a phone call like that again.”

His voice was firm, sure. I trusted him. I trusted all of the men in this room, Ian looked slightly taken aback at Cade backing him up and I fought a smile.

Luke cleared his throat, standing “Okay Gwen I better be going, just wanted to come and fill you in face to face, make sure you were okay.” He slipped his phone away.

I stood, feeling Cades arms at my waist. “Don’t you need a statement from me or something?” I asked Luke, surprised.

He locked eyes with Cade for a split second before his gaze came back to me.

“No sweetheart, we can see the phone records as proof of the call and we have Cades statement. I’ll call you when we have something new.” He gave me a smile, shook my brothers hand yet again and nodded stiffly to Cade. The room was silent for a moment after he left.

“So Ian what’s new with you?” I asked with only a hint of sarcasm.



I laid a plate of food in front of my brother, along with a beer.

“Thanks sis.” He rubbed his hands together. “Looking forward to this, there ain’t exactly five star restaurants where I am stationed.”

I grabbed my own plate and sat across from him. “Well I don’t think I’m a world renowned chef either Ian.” I replied, amused.

“Pretty darned close.” He took a bite and groaned. “Come on what do you marinate this steak in?”

I tapped my finger to my nose. “I’ll never tell.” I teased, before adding, “Oh and I made peanut butter cup torte for dessert.”

My brother’s eyes lit up. “No shit?” He all but yelled, mouth full.