Page 71 of Blood of Vengeance

“Plot?” Zella asked with a cock to her head.

Flinch raised an eyebrow. “The complete redecoration of my home—that I love, by the way, so thank you—seemed plot-like to me. I’m just wondering what’s next for you two.”

And so we sat, Zella and Flinch talking about sight-seeing opportunities and local places to visit. I chimed in when I could, but the longer I sat in front of that window, the colder my body became. The more exposed I felt. Watched.

“Locklyn,” Zella said, recapturing my attention. “What are you?—”

Flinch’s phone rang, and he looked down at the screen with a frown. “That’s Cutter. Give me five.”

Without waiting for a reply, he rose to his feet and strode out the front door, phone already to his ear. I watched him through the window, noting how Rush paid particular attention to the man. How neither looked happy.

“What do you think that’s all about?”

Zella huffed. “I’m more worried about what the hell is wrong with you. You’ve been in a daze this whole time.”

I sat a little deeper in my chair and sighed. “This place makes me nervous.”

“Why?”

“Last time, there was some creepy guy watching me from across the street. I can’t get the picture of him out of my head.”

Zella turned to look outside, her eyes tracking back and forth as if memorizing every inch. “I don’t see anyone out there now.”

“No, that’s why it’s stupid. I shouldn’t feel so uncomfortable.”

“You should feel however you feel. There’s no morality tied to emotional response.”

I sighed. “Quit being smart.”

“Wish I could.”

Flinch stormed into the coffee shop at that moment, looking completely harried. “We have to go. Now.”

“What’s wrong?” I asked, immediately hopping to my feet and readying myself to leave.

“I need to get to the club.” Flinch took his cup back to the counter. Our iced drinks had been served in plastic, so Zella and I could take them with us. He grabbed my hand and pulled me along behind him, leading Zella and me out of the store. Meeting Rush on the sidewalk.

“Ready?” Rush said, typing on his phone with his thumbs at a speed that took me by surprise.

“What’s going on?” I asked.

Flinch responded with a grumbled, “Club business.”

That didn’t sit right with me. As much as I knew bikers had a loyalty to their club, I didn’t like him cutting me off from info like that. Info that likely had to do with the death of my father since that seemed to be the only club business lately.

“Done,” Rush said before tucking his phone in his pocket. “Cutter is sending two guys to the house to babysit since he wants me involved.”

“You’re definitely needed.” Flinch glanced my way, obviously distracted. “Let’s go.”

The ride home was tense and quiet, a long stretch of nothing but the sound of the road under the tires. By the time Flinch pulled into the driveway, two men on bikes had just turned onto the street ahead of us. Our babysitters had arrived.

“Hurry, girls.” Flinch hopped out of the truck and rushed around to the passenger side, helping Zella and me out from that side. He hurried us onto the front porch and unlocked the door. “Stay in today, okay? Pool and backyard are fine, but don’t leave the house. If these two even look at you wrong, text me.”

“Got it,” I said, crossing my arms and watching as Rush waited at the end of the driveway on his bike. “Just go.”

“Let me get you inside.” He followed us in, checking through the room quickly before returning to the living area, his boots just missing the rug I had so meticulously laid the day before. “I have to go.”

“Yup.”

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