Free Keeping Hope (Broken Girl Series) by Rachael Tonks Page B

Pete smirks, as he comes to sit beside me. He leans back, crossing his legs. “I still can’t quite get my head around the fact that we found you.”
    “Me too. I don’t know how I will ever thank you,” I whisper, holding my hand over his.
    He grabs my hand and lifts it to his mouth, placing a soft kiss on the back. His lips feel like silk against my rough skin.
    I wasn’t expecting that. I swallow heavily, growing uncomfortable at my heart’s pace. I look at Pete’s piercing eyes as he gazes at me.
    Shit, what is happening to me? I pull my hand away quickly before anyone notices our exchange. I feel his heavy eyes burning into me.
    “Well, at least now Cole the grumpy bitch will be happy. He’s a nightmare without you around.”
    I laugh nervously. I don’t quite understand what is going on.
    “Hey, beautiful,” Cole interrupts.
    “Hey, Cole,” Pete answers.
    I laugh loudly.
    “Not you, dick head,” Cole chuckles, taking a sip from the bottle of beer in his hand.
    “I’m beautiful though! Right, Ken?” Pete winks at me.
    “You’re drunk.” I push on the top of his arm and notice just how buff he actually is. Cole drops between the two of us, pushing Pete off the seat.
    “Hey, man, no fair,” he groans.
    “There’s a little girl over there trying to get your attention.” Cole points the bottle over to where Hope sits with her mountain of food. She waves at him excitedly, gesturing him over.
    He jumps to his feet and dances over to Hope, pulling up a chair beside her. She starts to giggle. Her laughter is heartwarming and infectious. Before long, Pete is laughing hysterically, the pair of them rolling from side to side, holding their stomachs.
    My eyes are fixed on them, watching them both. Hearing their laughter is a welcome sound to my tortured soul. I shudder thinking of the evil we managed to escape, amazed that we got away, and so very grateful that I could be the one to help Hope. The one to be her savior, because in a way, she was mine too.
    I scan the room and notice the table of bikers all staring over at Hope and whispering between themselves.
    “What’s the deal with this Chuck guy?” I ask, nodding my head to where the four guys sit.
    “His daughter was abducted years ago. He lost everything dedicating his life to trying to find her. He never did though,” Cole speaks so quietly I have to lean in to hear him. Not that I’m complaining.
    “He has Sara tattooed on his knuckles. That’s his daughter’s name. It’s sad you know.”
    I smile despondently at him.
    “He even remarked that Hope reminded him of Sara.”
    I lose focus as my eyes wander over to the motel owner walking toward us. “I’m so sorry to bother you guys, but the police are here to see you again. They’re out in reception waiting for you.”
    “Thank you, Celeste,” answers Cole.
    “Oh,” I blurt out, “thank you so much for the clothes. That was so kind of you,” I cut in.
    “You are most welcome, my dear. I’m glad I could help you guys.”
    I inhale sharply, readying myself for the police questioning. I squeeze my eyes tightly, nervous of what is to come, of what they might say to me.
    “You can do this, baby,” Cole reassures, grabbing my hand tightly.
    “I’ll be with you all the way. We will do this together.”
    “Okay, let’s do this,” I say trying to fake confidence.
    Cole pulls me to standing; hand in hand we walk out of the room.
    “Wait up, where are you going?” Hope shrieks.
    “Oh, honey, I’ll be back. You stay and have some more to eat. Pete will stay with you.”
    “Abso-ruddy-lutely,” sings Pete. “Let’s go tackle the desserts. I bet I can get at least ten marshmallows in my mouth. All. At. Once.”
    I look back at them, laughing and Pete nods at me approvingly.
     

     
    After thirty minutes of questioning, my head is spinning like I’ve been on the damn waltzer.
    “We will leave you to rest now, Kennedy, but when Mrs. Peterson arrives tomorrow we will need you