Page 7 of August's Ride with Arrow

“Hello Kitty Kat. How was your day?” I say, giving her a kiss on the cheek before she sits down. Then I take my seat again.

“Good,” she says, introducing me to Penny and Bridget.

“What did you do today?” I ask.

“Not much. We did some shopping and went into Deadwood to look around. Someone told us about this concert and the girls want to go and check out the venue,” Kat says.

“What concert?” I ask. She mentions some band names I haven’t heard of, but something else catches my attention.

“You ladies cannot go there alone. It is not a safe place. Did you even do your research on the place?” I’m adamant and trying to leave no room for argument. Pulling Kat into my side, I hold her close.

Her friends were going to lead her into one of the most dangerous and seedy bars in town without a blink of an eye.

“Well, yes, but it doesn’t seem so bad. Besides, we won't be alone silly. Of course you're going to come with us, and we figured your friends probably would too,” Penny says with a bright smile as she tries to flirt her way out of this one.

“Oh, did you? I don't know why you would think that. Even my club doesn't go in there because that's how dangerous it is.” This time, my voice is raised as I’m attempting to get my point across.

Before I can say anything else, Crank walks up.

“Hey man, everything okay?”

He stands between Penny and Bridget and looks right at me, so I tell him about their bright idea of going to the concert. His eyes go wide at my words.

“You're going to have to ask Thunder about that one because I don't think we would get permission to step foot in there. Want me to go talk to him?” Crank asks.

When I give a short nod, Crank walks over to where Thunder, Lightning, and their girls are sitting at a table. I’m almost positive that Thunder is going to say no.

But my attention is diverted from whatever Kat’s friends are talking about as I scan the rest of the bar, unable to shake the feeling of being on edge about everything going on.

A few minutes later, Thunder stands and walks over to the table. “Normally I would say no to going to that bar, but it did just change hands, and the guy is trying to clean it up. It's definitely not someplace the girls should go alone, but if you take Crank and Motor Mouth with you and don't let the girls out of your sight, you should be fine.” Thunder gives me a knowing look and walks away.

“Well, good thing he's not the boss of us.” Bridget laughs.

“He’s my vice president and what he says goes. The fact that you're willing to take my girl into such a dangerous situation after you've been warned says very little about your character. We either do this the way my vice president said or not at all, and you're sure as hell not taking Kat into that situation without me.” Growling, I tighten my arm on Kat, while both Penny’s and Bridget's eyes go wide. I think maybe I've crossed the line, but when I look over at Kat, she’s smiling up at me.

“Thank you. I didn't really feel comfortable going anyway, but they weren't listening to me. I’d feel better if you were there,” she whispers in my ear.

Thankfully, after that, the girls don't argue. Gathering Crank and Motor Mouth, we head down the road to the concert with the women.

Now I understand what the guys mean when they say they would do anything for their girl. Because before today, I sure as hell would never have been caught at this bar or at a concert.

CHAPTER 4

KATHERINE

The concert wasn't even that good. I didn't try to bail early because Arrow stood there with his arms wrapped around me the whole time. And boy, did I love being in his arms.

Crank has taken a special liking to Penny, and Motor Mouth has been by Bridget's side. They seem to be having fun. Though it’s pretty obvious that my friends are irritated that they can't flirt and get a reaction from the other two guys.

I could tell Arrow was paying attention because about the time I lost interest, he leaned over and whispered into my ear.

“Ready to get out of here? We can go. Those guys will make sure your friends are safe,” he says.

Turning, I look up at him and nod. Getting Penny and Bridget’s attention, I yell goodbye to my friends.

They're all smiles and singing along to the music, which is so loud I can't hear a single thing they're saying. But they both give me a thumbs up, so we leave, enjoying the silence and the night air.

“Your place or mine, Kitty Kat?” he asks as we get closer to his bike.

---