Page 45 of May 11

"Link spotted a big, black rig heading east on the highway. He's pretty sure it's an Escalade." Jagger looked at the members getting on their motorcycles. "Are you riding?"

"I need to take Cora to Whale's Tail." He grabbed a pair of socks and sat down in the doorway. "Have them keep in contact. I'll join them as soon as I'm done."

"I'll let 'em know." Jagger jogged away from the van.

He stepped back into the van and slid the door closed. "I need to get going."

Cora rolled out of bed and squeezed past him. "I'm going to shower. I'll be ready in fifteen minutes."

Her van shower barely gave her enough water to wash her hair before turning cold. She seemed to steel herself against the lower temperatures much better than he could.

"I'm going to check with the others and have a smoke. Don't step out of the van until I'm back." He went outside and lit a cigarette.

There was no use letting Cora drive the van to his house each night until it was safe. At least here, she had the protection of the club.

Twenty minutes later, he walked out of Whale's Tail Coffee Shop and left Cora in the hands of Maverick. Halfway back to the clubhouse, his phone vibrated.

Cora.

He connected the call. "Babe?"

"I'm so sorry. I left my phone and purse on the counter in the van in my hurry."

He picked up his pace. "I'll grab them and bring them to you."

"I wasn't going to bother you, but Maverick told me I should, even though I told him you were going riding," she said.

"You always call me if you need something."

She paused. "Thanks, Wire."

His gut tightened. Her voice had softened like they were alone, and she had something sweet to tell him.

"Do you have your key fob?" he asked.

"In my pocket, but I can give you the key code."

He slowed and stopped at the side of the van. "Go ahead."

"Five-five-zero-four-one. Now wait ten seconds, and then push six, three, one."

He counted to ten and murmured, "Six, three, one."

"Yes, that's it."

Click.

He slid the door open. "I'm in. I'll see you in a few minutes."

Finding her purse on the counter, he almost stepped out the door when he spotted her phone on the bed. He grabbed the cell and left the van, locking it behind him.

He opened her purse at his Harley and dropped the phone inside when a photo had him looking twice. He pulled out the picture.

The muscles in his forearm tightened, and he brought the image closer, studying the man looking at the camera.

His first impression was wrong. It wasn't a man but a boy. A boy around Cora's age. He slipped the picture back in her purse and shoved the bag in his duffle.

Starting the bike, he held up three fingers to Dio at the back of the clubhouse, letting him know he'd be back in three minutes.

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