Page 10 of Raider Unleashed

Raider nodded. “Yeah, I am.”

He looked good. Tanned and fit. Maybe even more relaxed than usual. His eyes weren’t constantly scanning the parking lot. Oh, she didn’t doubt that he knew exactly where everyone was and which cars were more likely to have a gun in the glove box but he didn’t have the slightly haunted look he used to have. Maybe divorce agreed with him. That thought was like a sucker punch to the gut.

She’d missed some of their conversation and cursed herself for getting caught up in seeing Raider. Denlo seemed to be pissed about something. “I need to know if you’ve got any experience. Just cuz she says you’re good doesn’t mean you are. I need someone with a subtle touch.”

“I’m a demolitions expert with military training. I can be delicate. I can blow the pimple off the ass of a donkey. What do you need done?”

Denlo shook his head. “Uh-uh. First I need to check you out. Give me some references.”

Raider shook his head. “You know my name. You look me up. Get back to me tomorrow.”

“No. I’ll look you up, Sinclair, but it will be in a couple of hours. If it’s a go, she’ll call you and you’ll come meet us. I tell you the job then.”

“What do I get paid?” Raider demanded. “I’m not agreeing to do a job without knowing how much I get paid.”

Denlo nodded. “You pass the test and I’ll tell you all the details you want.” He gestured to Piper to get back in the van. “Keep your phone on.”

Piper got behind the wheel and made eye contact with Raider. He gave her a slight, fast nod, one she was pretty sure Denlo missed because he was busy adjusting the gun in the front of his pants. Raider turned and strolled back across the parking lot like he didn’t have a care in the world, or that a volcano wasin the process of blowing its top. And yes, he still had the best ass she’d ever seen. Now she just had to hope she hadn’t involved him in something that was going to get it shot off.

6

“Dude, stay away. You know it’s not gonna end well,” Harlan commented. “It didn’t the first time round and now she’s draggin’ you into some shit. I’m just tellin’ ya it won’t go well.”

Raider gripped the phone. His buddy was not wrong. He hadn’t seen Piper in five long years, and recovering from the soul-crushing agony when she’d kicked him out hadn’t been pretty.

“She’s in trouble.” Raider knew it as sure as he was standing in the deli. Piper was in serious trouble. He’d looked around when he met her in the parking lot and when she had been behind the strip mall. She had no backup. If someone had been there for her, he’d have spotted them. He was trained to spot all kinds of things and baby girl was flying solo. His gut tightened.

“All the more reason to just stay the hell away. Brother, it took you a long time to get over her. I’m still not sure you’re there. Look at your dating history. You never date anyone longer than a few months. Getting involved with Piper isn’t gonna make things better.”

The guy behind the counter yelled out his name and Raider stepped up to grab his sandwich. There weren’t many peopleleft on this side of the island, but they all seemed to be in that little shop. Misery likes company and these people all needed to commiserate. Of course, it was one of the few shops still open and providing service. The only other place he’d noted that was open for business seemed to be the convenience store. At least on this stretch of road.

“I hear what you’re saying but I can’t leave her out there on her own.” He walked out of the store and slid behind the wheel of his borrowed pickup.

“What happened to her people? Shouldn’t they be with her? Can’t she ask them for help?”

All legit questions and he’d had the same ones. “I guess not. It’s weird. I hear what you’re saying and you’re right. I know you’re right.”

“But…” Harlan sighed, “You’re not gonna listen to me are you?”

“No.”

“Dammit, Raider. You never listen with the right head.”

“This isn’t about that,” he retorted.

“Yeah. Sorry.’ Harlan’s tone conveyed his remorse far better than his words. “Listen, keep me in the loop. I’ll fill the others in. You need us, you call.”

“Will do. I gotta go. Thanks, buddy.” He clicked off the call and answered the incoming one. “Hey, Hawk, thanks for getting back to me.” He was relieved to hear Jace Hawkins voice.

“No worries. What’s up?”

Raider hated to ask but he figured he would make it up to the guy somehow. “I need a favor.”

“Shoot.”

“I think a friend of mine is in trouble. It’s kind of a long story but my guess is she needs some help. I’ve heard a lot of good things about you and the Brotherhood Protectors, and I was wondering if you can backstop a cover for me quick time.”

There was a beat of silence and then. “Sure. What’s the name?”

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