Page 89 of Reckless

“How long have you been following me?” I ask, pushing thoughts of Krista out of my head.

“Since you left Sioux Falls,” Luther says.

“You expect me to believe that?”

He doesn't answer. He was always close, if not right on my ass.

“You’re telling me you were in LA the whole time before Sol and Ethan came to South Dakota?” Still nothing. “Why don’t I believe you,” I say. It’s not a question.

“Believe what you want,” Luther finally says.

It’s not an admission, but he’s also not denying it. I should have known. Damn, I’ve been so caught up in everything I didn’t notice he has been watching us.

Watching out for us, but that’s irrelevant. It feels like I’ve been spied on the whole time I thought we were alone. Not that I think he’s been watching what is going on in the RV. I don’t like I wasn’t aware he was around.

The so-called freedom I got from the band and the label was never true freedom.

“Ethan getting arrested made everyone twitchy,” Riggs says. “Him and Solene being here made people speculate.”

Fucking knew that was going to happen. I won’t blame Sol. She needed me. That thought sends a spear of guilt through me again.

She could have left that asshole, Ethan at home.

We only caught up briefly before he was whisked back to LA. He apologized to me, but the fucker didn’t care he may have given away my location.

Without them being here, Krista is right. Things could have gone to shit today. Begrudgingly, I must admit that.

“You don’t need to keep following us.”

“What happened here today says differently.”

“I could have handled it.” We all know I couldn’t.

“You’ve been taking more risks as the days have gone on.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“I’ve diverted attention three times since you left Montana.”

“What?” My brows lift in surprise. “When?”

I had no clue and can’t think of any time when we might have been at risk. The gas station outside of Sioux Falls. That woman looked like she recognized me. Those guys today. When else had I put Krista in danger? Shit.

“The woman at the bookstore?”

“What woman at the bookstore?” Luther asks sharply.

Okay, so she wasn’t one of them. I wave my hand. “Just some woman who tried to tell me Krista’s books are shit.”

Luther doesn’t look appeased by that and shares a look with Riggs.

“She was harmless. Tried to buy me a coffee, she didn’t recognize me. And Krista saved the day, anyway.” I grin, remembering how she called me honey and got me out of there.

All this talk of diverting people who recognized me has me uneasy. Benson Boone's 'Beautiful Things' is drifting from the RV. What if something happens to her? I can’t fucking stand the thought of it.

“We need to be clear, just because you know, doesn’t mean I’m going to leave.”

They’ve been great security for us for years. They don’t interfere, they don’t pass comment or judgement, and even stood by while Ethan has pulled some stupid shit. They don’t report back to the record label. They’re very loyal that way. It’s the guilt that has me keeping my mouth shut.

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