Page 53 of His Road Dog

"Bullshit." He opened the door. "Let's go."

She sighed. "To the motel, Michael?"

"Can't do that." It was a standoff, and she was an independent woman, used to living on her own, going by her rules. Until now, that had worked for her. But right now, she needed someone to protect her, and the hell if he was going to let someone else be responsible for her life or force her to handle it on her own. "You have a man, a dangerous man, who wants you in his stable of women in the casino. He plans to sell your pussy, babe. He wants you bad enough; he killed Guthrie to get to you."

She stared at him, unresponsive to the news. He squeezed the handle of the door, not liking where his mind went if, by chance, Coveck got his hands on her.

"Do you understand the kind of danger you're in?" he asked.

"He wants to whore me out? Like a prostitute?" She frowned. "For money?"

"That, and I suspect he wants to use you himself until he's tired of you."

She pressed her hand to her stomach. "Why would he—?"

"Because Guthrie was the man who brought him the girls, and he did that to try and pay his debt off. He'd already handed Coveck two high-priced vehicles trying to keep him away from you, but it was only a matter of time before Roy handed you to him." He went to her, clasping her shoulders and forcing her to look up. "I'm not going to let him get away with what he's doing, to you or the other women. I want you away from here, somewhere safe, so I can concentrate on Coveck."

Her neck straightened. "Coveck? Mark Coveck?"

"You've met him?"

She grabbed onto Priest's vest. "I've...I went to dinner a few times with Roy and him at the casino."

He grunted. There were other times that her life could've been snuffed out without her even knowing. She was lucky to be alive and free from Guthrie and Coveck.

She cuddled against his chest, holding him tightly. "The police never said anything to me when Roy was murdered."

A shiver rolled through her. He held her tighter.

"I wouldn't be surprised if Coveck has the police on his side." He stroked her back. "That's why it's important for you to get out of here. I'll get you a car, give you some money, and keep driving until you feel safe. Pick a nice hotel to stay in, and I'll let you know when it's safe to come back to Missoula."

"I feel like throwing up," she mumbled. "This is sick."

"Let's get going, so I can make sure you're safe."

She inhaled deeply. "Those two men you asked about, Jones and Hamilton? They work for Mark Coveck?"

"Yeah, babe."

"I can't believe this," she mumbled, letting her chin fall to her chest. "You're scaring me."

"I'm not going to let anything happen to you."

She raised her head. "Why are you helping me?"

"Because you shouldn't be involved."

"Are you involved? Is that how you know everything that is happening?" Her brows lowered, and she gazed at his vest.

"I am now."

"Why?"

"That's a question you probably don't want an answer to."

She pressed her lips together. He wasn't going to complicate things. He enjoyed what they'd had together. It wasn't only the sex. He could find that anywhere. Nicole was different. A kinder, gentler soul than him. Yet growing up on a commune left her openminded and accepting of his lifestyle. He was selfish enough to want to keep her in his life.

But the activities Tarkio Motorcycle Club participated in would destroy any chance of spending more time with Nicole. She wouldn't condone what he'd done that morning at Steel Mechanics, even if it was to save her.

"I want to go home. I'll stay with my parents." She straightened her shoulders. "I'll be safe there."

He kissed her forehead. "Let's go and get you ready to leave for California."

She slipped her hand into his. He walked her out to his motorcycle. Today could end up being the last time he would ever be with her. The thought unsettled him.

All the way to the clubhouse, he tried to figure out a way to take away the threat and keep her in his life, and there were no better answers. She needed to leave.

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