Page 55 of April 5

"You can say that again." Katrina snorted. "I bet you never thought you'd have a niece who grew up in a motorcycle club."

"I bet you never thought you'd have an aunt younger than you who inherited everything her parents left behind when they died, and I have more money than I can spend myself."

Cora's eyes widened in disbelief that she'd spoken her thoughts out loud and shook her head. A few seconds later, she laughed.

Seeing the humor in the conversation and considering Cora married a biker, Katrina gave her aunt a genuine smile. Maybe they had more in common than she'd thought.

"You know what I want to do?" Katrina stood. "Let's go have a drink."

"Alcohol?"

"Duh."

Cora hurried to keep up with her. "I'm not a big drinker."

"Neither am I, but I'm tired of waiting for Jagger to call with news about my dad." She walked straight to the counter at the side of the clubhouse. "And since Jagger wouldn't like it if I drank with the bikers, I'll drink with you."

"Don't I feel special," muttered Cora.

As she started looking through the assortment of bottles, the Havlin members loitering around the club migrated in her direction. She shooed them away. They could get their own damn drinks today.

Chapter Twenty Six

Cora and Katrina had their backs to the door of the clubhouse. Behind them, several bikers stood, waiting to get a drink from the bar.

They each held a half-full cup of a mysterious amber-looking concoction. Jagger glanced around, found Wire, and motioned with his chin at the women in question.

Wire held up his hand, tipped an imaginary drink, and then shrugged. He could tell they'd been drinking. He wanted to know why he returned and found his ol' lady half-looped.

Katrina held up her hand. Cora put her hand up. Together, they formed a heart with their fingers. A sloppy heart, but it was recognizable.

Over the music, Katrina yelled, "Not that way. Cross your arms, then turn."

Katrina swung her hips and crossed her arms.

"No, you turn. In the TikTok video, they both turn in the same direction. My way." Cora moved to the side, flapping her arms in all directions.

The men lost interest in the women's dance moves and stepped around them to get to the bar.

Katrina planted her hands on her hips and studied Cora's moves. Jagger moved. It'd been a long two days.

She spotted him before he reached her. Slapping Cora's arm excitedly, Katrina ran the few yards separating them and jumped into his arms.

Her forehead skimmed his cheekbone. "Ow."

He carried her down the hallway and straight to the bedroom. What he had to say was nobody else's business.

In the bedroom, he set her on her feet. She swayed, holding on to him to keep her balance. He led her to the couch and sat beside her, needing to touch her.

"My dad?" She looked at him hopefully. "You found him?"

Her good mood would disappear when he told her he came up empty. Even reviewing security tapes at several locations around Beaverton hadn't brought any sign of her dad.

"It looks more and more like he's taken off." He smoothed her hair off her face. "After dealing with the news that I'm involved with his daughter, he probably needs time to wrap his head around what to do."

"I really thought you'd find him." She sagged against the couch. "Do you think he's dead?"

"No."

---