Page 52 of Frisco

Aly: I love you. Be safe. Check in when you can. We realize you getting Claudia back is going to be an ordeal. We’re cool with that. We can play tourists, but just check in. I’d feel a lot better if I knew where you were right now.

Harper: Where are you?

Harper: The guys are pissed, said the bikers were dangerous. They said you went with one of them and they’d help us get back wherever we need to go. I’m sober, but honey, I’m pretending to be drunk. The bartender is into Aly. I’m going with it. Don’t blow my cover.

Okay. The ball of tension eased in my chest a bit. They weren’t too pissed.

I kept scrolling, reading through them.

Harper: The Brandon guy looked ready to spill about the Red Demons, but then he clammed up.

Harper: He’s driving us to the hotel.

Harper: He’s into Aly. I know I already said that. I might not be pretending to be drunk.

Harper: I asked a friend to do recon on Scott and score! Little fireman was caught red-handed. Aly is into this guy. I got a good feeling about him.

Harper: Full disclosure, I’m in the hotel room. Alone. Aly went with Mr. Hottie Brandon, so on to you, Kali. Where are you? Are you safe? We know you’re with Shane, but the guy is scary. Totally aware you bringing Claudia back will be a whole adventure. Keep us updated. Or me.

Harper: Why is Justin texting me saying you reached out to him?

Oh!

Me: I’m with Shane. I’m going with it because I have no clue where Claudia is, but she’s with another biker. I’ll keep you updated. Don’t be mad about Justin. I love you. He loves you. Aly needs to hump The Brandon.

“Hey.”

I put my phone away, stuffing it into my pocket.

Shane had come back. He bent down, pulled a bag out of a compartment, and handed it to me.

I took it. “What’s this?” This was my bag. “You got my bag?”

His hand came to my elbow. “Made a stop first. Come on.” He took my hand, leading me out of the barn.

There were bikers everywhere, and a lot of them were watching me.

“What’s going on, Shane?”

He shook his head. “Hold on. I’ll explain in a bit.”

A big guy came out on the main house’s front porch and gave Shane a nod. “We got a room for you in the back, unless you want to be with your guys.”

Shane indicated the other barn. “We can bunk with them. I don’t want to put anyone out.”

“It’s no bother, not for the national VP.” The guy looked me over. “But we can put you with your guys. I’d do the same.”

Another guy came out and stood next to him. “Rash will show you to your place.” He said to Rash, “Maybe mention to Shelly about VP’s guest?”

Rash nodded. He looked mid-forties, with some skin that had seen a lot of sun. There was a leathery texture to it. He looked a bit thin, but he had a small stomach on him, and as he stepped down from the porch, he walked with long, loping strides. He had dark hair, slicked back into a ponytail. “This your old lady?” he asked Shane.

I tensed, knowing what that meant and remembering how Shane had called me his at the bar.

“She’s mine,” Shane said.

I gave him a look, but he only grinned back.

All of this was new to me.

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