Total pages in book: 119
Estimated words: 117494 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 587(@200wpm)___ 470(@250wpm)___ 392(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 117494 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 587(@200wpm)___ 470(@250wpm)___ 392(@300wpm)
He headed out, but Rena stayed back and I noted the look he gave her, also the looks the other nurses all gave each other as they walked out. I was readying myself for a good talking-to from Miss Rena. The last nurse pulled the curtain shut and I could now hear the ER door slide shut. I’d not been with it earlier to notice it. It was nice and quiet. Smooth.
“This is about them?” I started it off.
One of her eyebrows raised from surprise before it settled back, and she gave me a knowing look. “You know anything about New Kings Bounties?”
I started to shake my head, and remembered I shouldn’t. “No.”
She gave a small nod, letting out a tiny breath. “My husband works with them. He’s a bounty hunter. Reason I’m sharing that tidbit with you is because there’s history between them and your man’s motorcycle club. I’ve listened to them talk about the Red Demons in the past. Don’t remember hearing a Shane so I’m not saying it’s with your particular man, but I do know that they are supposed to keep clear of this town and another not far from here.”
“You’re telling me this, why?”
A look flashed in her eyes, and she dipped her chin down before stepping further back. “Just be careful. That’s all.” She was going to leave.
I asked, “My friend? Aly. We came in together.”
“Oh, yes. She’s already been discharged. Her scrapes were less minor than yours.” She reached for the curtain, but paused and looked back. “I shouldn’t do this, but I am. What the hell.” She came back, took her pen out, scribbled on a piece of paper and handed it over. “That’s my number. If you’re staying in the area and need a job? We’ve got a serious shortage. If you need anything and I mean, anything, you call me. Text me. I don’t care. Just know that there are people here who can help if you need it.”
I took it, putting it in my pocket.
She was giving me another reassessing look before a wall came down over her face. “Though, I’m thinking maybe I got it all wrong and you can handle yourself just fine? I hope I’m getting that right.”
“I’m good. Thank you.”
One last nod before she left. Then it was just me and my thoughts.
So, Shane’s club had history here. Right. I didn’t know what to take from that, but it was what it was. I’d heard it enough.
I wanted to check on Aly, find Shane, and then get those assholes who came after us. Those were my priorities now.
The doors slid open and I felt Shane before I heard him. “Kali?!”
“I’m here.”
The curtain was flung open, and Shane was at my side in two steps. He started to hug me, but paused and stepped back. “I don’t want to hurt you.” He was looking me all over again, and this time, now that I was a whole lot more clear-headed, I was seeing the strain it was taking him to keep himself under control.
He was almost shaking.
I reached out, touched his arm, and his hand came over mine instantly. I could feel his tension. He felt like cement under my touch, but he drew in a sharp breath at my touch. “Jesus, babe.” He came in, his voice hoarse. “Do you know how many years I lost when I realized you were missing?” Still shaking, but his eyes closed, and he stepped in, resting his forehead to mine.
“Oh, baby.” I touched his waist.
He let out a rueful sigh, half grinning. “Do you know how much I didn’t know I needed to hear you call me that until you just did?”
I grinned, feeling an assuredness that it would all be okay.
It had to.
Had to.
“How’s Aly?”
“I should be asking you. They closed ranks as soon as they got her in there. Her man got here and they took off.”
“Oh.” I didn’t know how to process that. Happy she had someone that cared that much about her? But also, pissed because Aly was my family and he just met her. “What about Harper? Justin?”
A whole different vibe came into the room, and my stomach dropped.
It sunk low, a ball of dread nestled right next to it and I saw a transformation come over Shane.
This was biker Shane looking back at me. Ghost.
A shiver went down my spine, because I could understand why everyone was so scared of him, of them, if this was what they got to see.
I swallowed around a lump in my throat. “What is it?”
He blinked, once, before saying, “They’re gone.”
“What?” I shook my head. “What does that mean? What do you mean they’re gone?” My voice was rising with each question.
“When I realized you were gone, and when her man realized your friend was gone, we all went apeshit. The whole bar locked up, and I mean, we locked everyone inside. Lights were on. Music was off. We went through every person in that bar, checking phones. Everything. If we’d been cops, none of that would’ve been a legal search, but good thing we aren’t. I gotta warn you now, though. We pissed off a whole lot of people doing what we did, but Aly’s man was right with us. We couldn’t find you guys, and we couldn’t find your friends. We started a search right after, and Stripes called in a favor. Got us in touch with a local guy who uses search dogs. That’s how we found you when we did, but it took a while.”