Page 30 of Shadow and Skulls

“Now how do you know that?” I ask the little girl, a mischievous grin pulling at her cheeks.

She leans across the table, tapping her eyelids. “Duh. I’ve got two eyes. You ask to look under the hood of every car that comes in the parking lot.”

I laugh loudly at this. “Oh, you are trouble, aren’t you?”

“I’m just saying. You could fix her car for her.”

“Why would I do that?”

“It would probably cheer her up, and maybe she’d be so happy she’d take you for ice cream. It’s real good.”

“Who’s her daddy?” I ask, glancing around the group of bikers.

“Big Dan.” She notices my reluctance the minute his name leaves her mouth. She quickly tries to ease my worries. “He’s really nice. Do you know they have new kitties in their barn?”

I push food around my plate, telling myself to let this one go.

“She could really use someone to look after her. I mean, with the bullies and all.”

My gaze goes back to the young woman. She glances up from the page, looking directly at me as if she can sense my eyes upon her. I don’t look away. She breaks away first, ducking behind her book to hide from me … it’s too late. She can’t hide. I continue to stare, yanking on the invisible string I just found. She curiously peeks over the top of the book, her blue eyes darting away when she sees I’m still watching her.

And I’m never going to stop …

The little girl next to me is observing me closely. I can’t decide if she’s just looking for someone to protect her friend or if she can see what runs between us.

I sigh, giving in. “How about you introduce me to her daddy?”

Her dark eyes bounce over me for a second, and she smiles wide. “I knew it,” she whispers, scrambling down and waving for me to follow her.

Goddammit! I told Petey this didn’t feel right. I need to warn him that we need to get back. The Nevada Chapter is tight. They aren’t going to take kindly to the fact I’ve been lying to them.

Before meeting Kelsie that wouldn’t have mattered to me. I would have completed my mission and headed back home. Lives would be saved, and all would be worth it.

But now there’s my little shadow to take into consideration …

After I give Petey a heads up, I wander back to my room, hoping to get a few hours of sleep before we ride in the morning.

As I lay my head on my pillow, the new app I installed on my phone sends me a message. I smile, knowing that Kelsie’s curiosity has gotten the best of her.

And for the first time in many years, my dick gets hard.

Chapter Nine

Kelsie

Mom left for a girl’s night over at the warehouse. I was going to join them after I showered but decided to text her that I wasn’t coming. I told her I had homework and would just heat up leftovers.

You guessed it, I don’t have homework. I’m … well, okay, if you must know, I’m curious. You know, about the toy.

So, here I sit, freshly showered, in only a towel. I’m turning the object in my hand on and off. It’s not doing anything, though. How does the damn thing work? The light comes on, but it doesn’t, well, it doesn’t do what I think it’s supposed to do.

I mean, I guess it doesn’t matter. I wasn’t really going to try it anyway, was I?

What if it makes me feel bad? Maybe I’m so fucked up, the feeling will never go away. Maybe the whole of my sexuality is really broken.

My phone dings, and I mindlessly grab it, expecting an argument from my mom about ditching girl’s night.

Tank: Let me know when you’re strapped in and ready to go.

---