Page 87 of Reckless

I’m still too stunned to speak. This is what we’re well-versed in. They stop them, I leave. Usually there would be someone else with me, but I don’t waste any time hurrying away again, knowing they’ll deal with them, and any pictures they took.

My concern for Krista supersedes the anger of knowing they’re here. How fucking long have they been around, following us? Seeing everything I’ve been doing with Krista today. Or the rest of the time we’ve been on the road? They’ve been here the whole time, I know it.

Maybe not Riggs, because he was with Solene, but another thought enters my head. She’s back in LA. That look he gave her when she blurted she was pregnant told me a lot. He’s stayed with me and not gone back to LA with her.

Fuck. The whole time I’ve been wading through my conflicting thoughts, I’ve been marching Krista out of the park.

“Do you know those guys?” she asks as we get out onto the street, where there are more people to worry about.

She has no clue what is going on, but I’m too determined to get her out of here. Now that I’ve been spotted, I’m on edge. It only takes one person to spread the news. Luther and Riggs can’t handle a huge crowd.

“They work for the band. Our security.”

“What are they doing here?”

“I don’t know.”

We reach the car and Krista hands me the keys. I get into the driver’s side, peeling away into traffic, hoping no one is following us. Luther and Riggs aren’t. Maybe we can get to the RV and get the hell out of here. Lose them before they catch up.

But that isn’t gonna happen and I know it. The RV Is at a camping ground, they’ll know exactly where we’re headed. Luther must have had access to the tracker on my cell phone.

A conversation is going to be had.

“Jude, take it easy,” Krista says.

My foot eases off the gas. I’m not even sure where we are, or how to get back to the campsite.

“Shit, sorry. That was… I’m sorry.”

“Focus on the road,” she says, her tone even. “We’re okay. It could have gone worse, but it didn’t. You’re pissed about those security guys being there? They just saved our asses.”

“How do you do that?”

“Do what?”

“Not see the scary side of what just happened. That could have gone to shit. You could have been in danger.”

“So could you.”

“Krista. I’m worried about you,” I snap.

“Noted,” she winds down her window a little and lets some much-needed air in. “Let’s not have this conversation again. I thought I made it clear after Rapid City.”

I’m finding it hard to breathe. The anxiety I’ve been getting a handle on is back in full force right now. Her hand comes down on my thigh. I glance at it, then up at her.

“Take the next left,” she says calmly. “I’d like us to get back to the RV park in one piece, okay? Just breathe. Do you need me to drive?”

“No, no,” I shake my head and do as she says. “It’s distracting me from freaking out.”

“That’s reassuring.”

A wry snicker comes out. I focus on the road and follow her directions.

We park by the RV and get out. Krista tells me to wait and goes inside. When she comes back out, she’s holding my guitar case. I frown as she walks to the back of the RV and follow her. She’s pulling down the ladder.

I’m not letting her climb up there holding the guitar, so I take it from her. She steps back and points. Without a word I climb up and a minute later she joins me, holding a blanket.

There are a lot of other RVs around, but they’re all quiet. It’s almost dinner time, people will be out enjoying their evening. Krista spreads the blanket and sits down. I join her as she lays down.

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