Page 17 of Locke

“Have a nice trip?” Gunner asks as I step inside. I flip him off.

“You did that shit on purpose.”

“Yeah. I might have,” he chuckles.

“Got a bigger problem,” I tell him as his face goes from smiling to frowning.

“What? What happened?”

“Spike showed up. She was tryin’ on some clothes, and he snuck in there.”

“What the fuck? Did you find him? Did he hurt her?” he roars.

“He didn’t hurt her. Shook her up a little, but she’s okay. I looked around but couldn’t find him. I got guys on it,” I tell him. He scrubs a hand over his face, looking concerned. I know it’s his daughter, but he has to know I wouldn’t let anything happen to that girl.

“Do we need to lock down the club?”

“I don’t think so. Not yet. He’s just tryin’ to scare her, is all.” And that’s what I truly believe. If he wanted to hurt her, he had the chance. He could have tried something while he was in there with her, but he didn’t. Had he done anything, I would have killed him. I would have taken my time cutting him limb for limb. I shake my head. I’m putting too much into this girl. A girl I barely know.

“You sure?”

“I’m sure. He had the chance, Gunner. He didn’t do shit. He wants her afraid and for us to know he’s around.”

“Okay. I appreciate you lookin’ out for her,” he says. How the hell could I not? She’s the Prez’s daughter and someone I can’t get out of my fucking head.

“I got this,” I tell him before he nods. I turn and walk away, grabbing a beer from the bar before heading out to the garage.

“What are you two doin’?” I ask when I see Remy and Duke out by the bikes. They’re checking them over, which means there’s either a run or Gunner has them out doing something.

“Gunner’s sendin’ a few guys out on a little recon mission,” Duke responds.

“Oh yeah? Whose goin’?” I ask just as Hodge walks into the garage. I take a long pull from my beer as I watch him walk over and stand next to us.

“We are.”

“Who is we?” I ask, taking another long pull.

“Me, you, Duke, and Remy.”

“I’m too old for this shit,” Duke whines as he pulls a beer from the cooler and pops the top off. “You boys go without me.”

“Are you serious?” Hodge teases him.

“Goddamn right I am. My back is killin’ me, brother.” The guys laugh as Duke flips them off. I just smirk.

“Fine. Your old ass can stay behind,” Hodge tells him.

“How long?”

“A few days. Might wanna pack a bag,” Hodge says, slapping me on the shoulder. I nod my head, turn around, and head back inside and down the hall.

I throw some shit into a bag, knowing I don’t need much for work like this. I heft the bag over my shoulder and walk into the hallway when I see her. Kiki. She stops walking and looks up at me, then down to the bag.

“You’re leaving?” I don’t miss the tears in her pretty brown eyes. I don’t miss the way she looks at me like I’m her goddamn savior, either.

“Just a few days,” I tell her.

“Is that safe? I mean, with everything going on?”

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