Page 22 of Outlaws’ Runaway

“We’re okay,” Paige answers in a shaky voice.

“Alright, come on. Get farther in because they’re not gonna sit out there forever.” Savage has drawn his iron and points deeper into the store with it. “If we’re lucky, we can pick them off as they come in.”

I put my hand on Crank’s shoulder as he tries to stand and wobbles a little the first time. He brushes off the help. “If they fucked up my bike I’m going to murder every fucking one of them. And if they’re already dead, I’m going to Frankenstein them together and murder them again.”

“I know, buddy. Come on.”

Fully inside the store, it takes a second for my eyes to adjust to the darkness. Dust hangs heavy in the air, but the shelves around us are still full. It looks like the owner just gave up and left one day.

“Damn.”

Dildos. Dildos everywhere.

11

PAIGE

I keep aslow behind the counter as I can, crouched deeper than any YouTube yoga video ever managed to get me. “What’s happening?” I whisper. “Do you think it’s the bounty?”

Poe shakes his head. “It’s the same crew that tried to grab you after work. I’m sure they’ll grab you if they get the chance, but I think this might be more about revenge for us showing them up. If they were just trying to steal you back, I think they’d’ve been a little more careful with slinging lead our way.”

Savage is next to me, so close my arm is nestled against his side. He’s totally focused on the entrance, but just being near him is comforting.

It's dark in here. The front windows have been covered up, probably so just anyone can't look in and see all the sex toys. A few of the window coverings have started to peel off over the years though, so light is seeping in and making it more like dusk, instead of middle of the night.

I shift and my hand lands on something squishy. I fling it away, not wanting to see. “Why does every place we end up have to do with sex? One more and I swear I’m buying a lottery ticket.”

“Giving you ideas?” Crank asks, amused. “Your timing could be better, but I’ll take a raincheck.”

“No!” Well, a little actually, but I’m not telling him that.

Poe chuckles. “Liar.”

“Keep it down, kids,” Savage snaps.

“What are they waiting for?” My voice trembles hard, but I can't seem to bring it under control.

“Probably passing their last brain cell back and forth to decide who can use it best,” says Crank. “I can see them moving out there.”

Poe puts his hand comfortingly on my back. “It's all good. We're gonna take care of you. Nothing we can't handle.”

He says that, but confidence can’t stop a bullet.

Crank points. “Incoming. Get ready”

“You ever shot a gun?” Savage asks.

“What? No! Never even touched one.”

“Shit. Better not give you one then. Just keep as low as you can when the bullets start flying.”

Oh my God. Oh my God. Oh my God.

“Send the girl out, and we'll let you ride home with your tails between your legs,” someone yells from behind the wall of cars.I think it might be Eddy. I recognize his oily voice. “Otherwise she’s as fucking dead as the rest of you.”

Crank makes a jerking off motion with his hand.

“Gonna answer?” Poe whispers to Savage.

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