Page 8 of My Casanova

“Just around. I need to get the hell out of here,” I said and ran a hand through my hair. Three days stuck in my room made the walls feel too damn close. I needed the open road and the wind to clear my head.

Dice smirked. “I’ll come with.”

I hesitated. I wanted to be alone and to get lost in the ride, but I wasn’t stupid. Boone and Gibbs were still out there somewhere, and if they wanted to finish what they started, I wouldn’t stand much of a chance on my own. “Fine, then let’s go.”

The sun was blinding outside, and I had to squint as we walked toward the bikes. The air smelled like fresh sawdust and hot asphalt. Yarder, Throttle, and Compass stood near the new garage and watched as the crew put up the last of the siding.

I whistled low. “Shit. We’ve got a fucking building.” The last time I’d seen it, it had been nothing but a concrete slab and a half-finished frame. Now, the walls were up, and a metal roof stretched over it. “When the hell did this happen?”

Dice chuckled and kicked at a stray nail on the ground. “Yeah, man. The world keeps spinning even when you’re laid up in bed. Yarder says we should be back in business in a month or so.”

“Damn,” I muttered and eyed the structure with a mix of pride and frustration. We were moving forward, even though Boone and Gibbs were still out there.

Crazy.

Nothing and no one was going to stop us.

The second I swung my leg over my bike, pain lanced through my ribs and stole my breath for a second. I cranked it up and gripped the handlebars tight while the familiar vibration of the engine settled me. Fuck, I was sore, but the rumble beneath me was worth it.

Yarder glanced over his shoulder at us. I gave him a two-finger salute, and he nodded before turning back to the work crew.

Dice revved his engine and grinned. “You know he’s only cool with you leaving because I’m going with you.”

I shrugged and pulled my sunglasses down over my eyes. “Yeah, well, I’m good with it.”

We all knew the risks. Boone and Gibbs were still out there, watching, waiting. The only way to stay ahead of the shitstorm brewing was to keep moving, stay sharp, and be ready when it came crashing down.

I glanced at Dice, and he gave me a nod.

Time to ride.

Chapter Five

Dani

“Go.”

“We’re open for another two hours, Stan.”

“And I can handle the next two hours by myself,” he replied. “You just worked the past three days by yourself, so I can handle working two hours by myself. You look tired, honey. Go home and get some rest.”

I folded my arms over my chest. “Don’t you know it’s rude to tell a woman she looks tired, Stan? Now you got me thinking I look like Godzilla after a three-day binge tearing up Tokyo.”

Stan gave a big belly laugh, and his face shone with amusement. “You got a way with words, Dani.”

“Coming from the man who just told me I looked tired,” I sassed and arched an eyebrow.

“Come on,” he sighed, his tone gentle. “You know what I mean. I can tell since the explosion that you’re on edge. I only worked with you today, and you jumped about ten feet in the air when I set a case of cheese on the counter.”

“Dropped,” I pointed out. “You dropped that case of cheese, and it was loud.”

“I didn’t do anything different than I normally do, Dani. Just admit you’re a little on edge. Go home and start your night a little early,” he reasoned and gave me a look that told me he wasn’t going to back down.

I sighed and ran my fingers through the tangled strands of my hair. “I mean, I am fine, but if you’re okay with closing up tonight, I won’t argue.”

“You did argue,” he laughed, “I just won.”

I rolled my eyes and grabbed my purse from behind the counter. I hitched it over my shoulder and pulled out my keys.“I will see you bright and early in the morning, okay?” I may be taking off a couple of hours early tonight, but I won’t be taking off any more time.

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