Page 42 of His Road Dog

Away from the music, she leaned into him. "Why are you here?"

"You need to stick by me until I get you out of here." He grabbed her hand, threading his fingers between hers. Looking around the room, he found Roddy and motioned for him.

Once out in the main room of the casino, he walked faster with fewer people around. She pulled on his hand, but he refused to slow.

Outside, he stopped, looking over her head, waiting for Roddy and Curley to catch up with him.

"Priest? Why did you pull me away from the band?"

He glanced down at her. "You're coming home with me."

"No, I'm not." She cupped his jaw and brought his head down. "I'm here with my friend and her boyfriend. They're taking me home."

The idea that she would find pleasure in another couple and another man would be touching her only made him more determined to get her away from the casino.

"You've got no choice." He pulled her away from the doorway, spotting Curley and Roddy.

"Priest—"

"We're leaving." He pulled her to the parking lot, shooting the guard a look, warning him not to get involved.

The others caught up with him. At his bike, he told Curley and Roddy to stay and find Hamilton and Jones.

"Then what?" asked Roddy.

"Keep an eye on them while you get ahold of the others. Take as many as you need to get them away from this place." He picked up Nicole and set her on his bike. "Take them to Steel Mechanics and hold them. Then call me at home."

"On it." Curley walked off with Roddy.

"Hey," he shouted, getting their attention again. "Find the couple that Nicole was with and tell them she's going home with me."

"What's their names?"

He looked at Nicole. "Who are your friends?"

"Kristi and Jason, but I'm not going home with you." She stood on the footpegs of his Harley, ready to jump off.

He relayed the names to the Tarkio members and got on the Harley before Nicole could slide off, awkwardly sitting in front of her until he got his body in position. Starting the engine, he toed the kickstand.

She pushed against his back. He rolled the motorcycle forward, forcing her to hang on to him. Once she had her hands latched against his abdomen, he took off for home. The casino was the last place he wanted Nicole to be tonight.

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