Total pages in book: 78
Estimated words: 73680 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 368(@200wpm)___ 295(@250wpm)___ 246(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 73680 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 368(@200wpm)___ 295(@250wpm)___ 246(@300wpm)
“Let’s go. We have to open the shop.” I stand up and head for the door. Nicky falls into step next to me, glancing back over her shoulder at the men.
The guys follow us out of the cafe. Outside are parked three massive motorcycles. No doubt who those belong to. I pointedly look away and start marching towards the bookstore. Nicky has to do a little skipping jog every few steps to keep up. I’m not very tall, but I’m determined.
Engines fire up behind us, three deep rumbles that bring back a whole slew of memories I could do without. Both good and bad. For a block and a half they follow us, the growl of their engines constantly just a few feet behind.
Seriously?
Unable to take it anymore, I stop and face the guys. They stop too, putting their feet down to balance the bikes. “Stop following me!”
“Hop on, we can get you back faster,” suggests Alpha. “We’ve got room.”
“I’ve never been on a motorcycle,” Nicky whispers, eyes pleading. And here I thought she was my friend.
I point an accusing finger at Alpha. “No. If you’ve got an old lady I don’t want to put a target on my back, and if you don’t, I don’t want to give anyone any ideas.”
“Old lady?” Nicky frowns at me.
“She wants to know if I’ve got a woman back home. The answer’s no, honey.”
“I wasn’t asking! Old ladies are the only ones who get to ride on the back. Think wives, but it’s not as romantic as it sounds. They’re more like possessions.”
“Shit, girl. Who hurt you?” Ripper asks with a chuckle.
Alpha shakes his head. “Just a ride, I swear. You’re Prez’s daughter. It won’t mean shit.”
Nicky looks at me like I’ll be the worst friend who ever friended in the history of friends if I don’t agree. And we are late. I let out a brief sigh, sure that I’m making a mistake. “Fine.”
“Yes!” Nicky pumps a fist.
Blade helps her onto the back of his bike, and with a lot of objections and a tiny bit of anticipation, I hop on behind Alpha. A few moments later, we’re racing down the street towards Books & Crannies. I put my hands around Alpha’s broad chest and close my eyes, letting myself think back to the pink helmet Dad bought for me when I was a kid and the smell of summer, sea and asphalt as we drove up the coast, just the two of us.
Not all my memories are bad, and sometimes that makes it even harder.
5
FAITH
“They’re still out there.” Nicky whispers, peeking out the window.
Sure enough, Ripper and Blade are parked just across the street, playing cards at a picnic table in the tiny local park. “I’m surprised nobody’s called the cops yet. This isn’t exactly a tough neighborhood. They stand out like sore thumbs.”
“Are you kidding me? The moms at the sandbox are watching them as closely as those guys are watching us.”
I put my back to the window, pretending not to see them, or even care. “Back to work. We have orders to pack.”
Nicky sighs and peels herself away. “I bet if we set up a motorcycle romance display, it would fly off the shelves. Customers would see them out there, then come through the door and bam, Taken by the Bikers right under their noses. Who could resist?”
“Me. Watch the store for a bit. I’m going to take Mrs. Albert her books.”
“Are you sure? I can go so they don’t give you a hard time.”
“No, it’s fine. I’ll take the backdoor. I need to work my legs a little. Having them lurk around the shop is making me stir crazy.” I heft the bag full of cozy mysteries Mrs. Albert bought for her book club. She’s eighty-five and lives just around the corner. Normally we don’t hand deliver, but she’s a good customer. “They won’t even see me going.”
“I’ll make sure to keep an eye on them so I can let you know if they notice.” Nicky gives me a thumbs up.
“Poor you.” I roll my eyes and she laughs. Whatever. She can have her fun while it lasts, because I’m giving Dad another call tonight and getting them out of our hair. The Pit Vipers patch scared me, but so far the only real threat I’ve had has been from his own guys.
Nicky waves as I leave, barely taking her eyes off the front window. I love her to death, so I hope she never learns the same lessons I did, and that she doesn’t know what bikers are really like. Unlike elves, vampires and werewolves, bikers really exist, and the reality isn’t as romantic as the fiction.
The backdoor snaps shut behind me, and I’m already worried about the bottom of the paper bag I put the books in. I could go get the trolley, but that seems like overkill for a couple of blocks. Pulling from the same energy that keeps me from making more than one trip with grocery bags, I heft it into my arms and go for it. I’m barely out of the alley when a deep voice sounds behind me.