Page 70 of Break Out

“Don’t worry,” she whispered.

Rafferty had a thick build, dark hair, brown eyes, and a firm grip on a nine millimeter he had pointed at Scar and Pump.

“Is there a reason you’re pointing a gun at these two in broad daylight?” I asked.

“Really, the sun’s setting,” Simone muttered.

“Jade, don’t.”

To my relief, Rafferty didn’t flinch or show any confusion at the nickname.

“These two were looking into her car, and I approached.”

“He with you, Steel?” Pump asked. “Devil Lancers must have lowered their standards.”

A hot-head would rise to that bait, yet Rafferty ignored it. He’d make a decent Devil Lancer if he weren’t loyal to the Riot.

I locked eyes with Scar since he seemed to be the smarter one. “The two of you are foot soldiers at best for Corrupt Chrome. Tell Knuckles, I’ll meet him next Saturday.”

Scar’s eyes narrowed. “That’s nine days from now, motherfucker.”

Rafferty shifted his stance as though he were offended.

After a beat, I shrugged a shoulder. “I got shit to do before I head back. He can leave word at the Player’s Palace strip club if he’s down or not.”

While Scar mulled this over, a police squad car pulled into the lot. He noticed my gaze shifting and glanced over his shoulder. His demeanor changed instantly. “Let’s go, Pump.”

They hurried toward their bikes. In a smooth motion, Rafferty tucked his gun into his waistband, then leaned against Simone’s Ford Escape. His head tipped toward the cart. “Need help with the bags?”

“Sure,” Simone chirped.

We had half the bags loaded in the back when the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Officer drove by with his window down.

“There a problem here?”

“No, sir. Just loading the car,” Simone said.

She didn’t blink at the officer’s hard stare.

Finally he nodded. “I’ll leave you to it.”

We closed the hatch and she blew out a sigh. “That wasn’t my typical trip to Target, but let’s go home.”

“You aren’t serious,” Rafferty said.

More and more, I liked this kid.

Simone tossed her hands out. “They approached us inside and were milling around my SUV. They probably already know where to find me.” She jerked her head my way. “He set a date for a meet. It’s done. I’ll take all the back roads home to be safe. But there’s no point and you know it.”

Rafferty lowered his chin, his anger plain in his eyes. “A clubhouse would be better and you know it.”

Yep, I definitely liked him.

With a grin, I said, “Now, you’re outvoted.”

She leveled a dry look at me. “Or it’s a tie because the baby likes me sleeping in my bed. And we need to leave before I have to pee.”

Rafferty shook his head. “Guess I’m watching your new pad all night.”

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