Never Doubt Me: Judge Me Not #2(72)

But for all the things we’ve faced up to this point, nothing compares to this. Chase’s brother may actually try to kill someone. He may succeed, too, unless someone stops him, someone like Chase.

But I am not letting him do this by himself. I intend to go to Vegas with him, since surely that is where he’ll be heading once he’s taken care of Kyle.

Unfortunately, a few hours later, I discover Chase has no intention of taking me with him to Nevada. He’s bought an airline ticket, oh yes, but only one.

“Chase, please don’t do this alone,” I beg. “Let me come with you.”

We are in the upstairs bedroom. Chase is packing, haphazardly throwing things into an open suitcase on his bed. And me, I am standing behind him, begging and pleading, trying to get him to reconsider. But to no avail, as I’m finding that, on this, there’s no changing this stubborn man’s mind.

When I returned home from work, I found Chase in the living room, seated in front of the computer, just like Will the other day. And same as with his kid brother, Chase was on an airline site, booking a flight to Vegas.

I leaned against the doorframe and asked him what happened at Kyle’s place, and still typing on the keyboard, he said, “Nothing, really. He was high, and there was no point in beating his ass.”

“Oh,” I said, surprised, and, to be honest, proud of my man.

For as much as I don’t like Kyle Tanner, I was still relieved Chase refrained from harming him.

“That just proves how far you’ve come,” I told him.

Oddly, he rolled his eyes and made a scoffing noise. And then he finished booking his ticket—a red-eye departing at four in the morning, several hours from now. But Chase plans to leave for the airport tonight, so he can sleep for a while in the boarding area. That’s why he’s rushing around now trying to pack.

I step in front of the bed and block Chase’s access to the suitcase.

“Kay,” he mutters, scrubbing a hand down his face in frustration, “I know you want to come with me, but this situation is too crazy. I don’t know what Will’s plans are, not specifically. I have no idea of the kind of people he might try to contact.” He sighs. “I just can’t drag you into something unknown. I love you too much, and it’s safer if you stay here.”

Chase is set on intercepting Will before his bus arrives in Vegas sometime tomorrow, which is fine. I wholeheartedly agree that his plan is a good one. But I don’t want him doing this alone. What if he gets in some kind of trouble while he’s trying to stop Will? The overlap of the time Chase’s plane arrives in Vegas and the estimated time Will’s bus is due to come in is cutting it close. There’s a good chance Chase will miss his brother. And, like Chase mentioned, who knows whom Will may try to contact. Who knows where he’ll even go. Maybe Will will just head home, to his mother and Greg’s house, but then again, maybe not.

Will might go to Cassie’s house, or somewhere else entirely. Lord knows what he’ll do if he’s that dead set on stopping Paul. And if Will involves some shady people in his quest, Chase may very well need me. I’m often the voice of reason; I can keep him calm. Will may need saving, but Chase has been known to need saving, too.

“Chase,” I begin, switching tactics, “I told you just today that I’ll always be here for you. And now that you need me more than ever, you’re pushing me away.”

Chase’s expression is pained when he turns to me.

“It’s not that I don’t want you with me out there. I do, Kay. Trust me, I do.” He shakes his head. “But there’s a good chance things will turn dangerous.” His tortured blues bore into me, like he’s trying to sear into my brain how important his next words are. “And, baby girl, I made a promise to myself a while ago that I will never let my life choices adversely affect you.”

“And you think by my staying here, I’ll be safe?”

He nods.

I counter with, “There are no guarantees, Chase. Look at what happened to Missy.”

It’s a lame argument, but it has some merit.

Chase doesn’t buy it, though. “Sure, anything can happen. But you’ll be safer here than in Vegas. And that’s all that matters.”

I raise an eyebrow, much like he often does. “So, where does that leave you?”

Chase’s eyes tell me everything he won’t say out loud. And, frankly, that terrifies me. Because it’s clear Chase doesn’t care what happens to him. He would die for his brother.





Chapter Nineteen


Chase


Kay just doesn’t get it. I can’t take her to Vegas with me. I want to—God, do I want her by my side—but I foresee nothing but trouble, dangerous trouble, trouble that could quickly turn deadly.

So how can I, in good conscience, turn a blind eye and let Kay walk into that kind of mess?

I mean, let’s assess the situation…

We’ll have my brother tracking down Paul, toting around an illegally obtained firearm, and possibly using that firearm to keep his girlfriend from harm. And then there’s the FUBAR situation these circumstances promise to become when my mother and Greg return on Friday from their comfy little cruise down in Mexico. But most important, Kay can’t come with me because who knows what kind of shit I may have to do to keep everyone safe, particularly my mixed-up brother.