Page 58 of Sachie's Hero

For a solid five seconds, Sachie stood frozen to the spot. Then she moved, heading toward the sedan. She’d rather have gone after the assailant, but she knew she’d only slow Teller’s pursuit. And if she didn’t get into the sedan and lock the doors, Teller might turn back and make sure she did, losing the thief in the process.

When she reached the sedan, she climbed in, locked the doors and waited for what felt like a very long time, hoping Teller wouldn’t get hurt. She’d rather lose everything in her purse than have Teller harmed in the process of trying to retrieve it.

After a while, Sachie got anxious and worried that Teller wasn’t back yet. She unlocked the sedan and stepped out into the afternoon sunshine.

Her pulse quickened at the sight of big, broad-shouldered Teller. With one hand securing a man’s arm behind his back, Teller shoved the man forward until he was close enough for Sachie to see that he wasn’t Luke or Luke’s lookalike.

The man had fully tattooed sleeves on both arms.The sleeves extended down to the back of the man’s hands, where a small pyramid with an eye in the middle of it stared at Sachie. The guy wore baggy clothing, his hair was unkempt and he appeared to be high on something.

“Sachie, could you call 911 and have them come prepared to process a thief?” Teller said.

Before she could dial, Officer Roland stepped out of the building wearing jeans, a T-shirt and running shoes. “What’s going on?” he asked.

“This man stole Ms. Moore’s purse,” Teller said. “We were just about to contact 911 so they could send a police officer to take him in.”

Roland shook his head. “I’ll make that call and take care of him. Sachie, I have your number. We can get your statement later. I’m sure you two have other things to do.”

“We don’t mind staying until the police arrive,” Sachie assured Roland.

“Not to worry. I have this. I’ll take him into the office and hold him until the cops on duty arrive. Take care. I’ll see you two again soon.” He took control of holding the man’s arm between his shoulder blades and marched him into the facility.

Teller handed Sachie her purse. “Check to make sure he didn’t take anything. I don’t think he had time but check anyway.”

She glanced at the contents in her purse and pulled out her wallet to count the credit cards. “Everything’s here.”

“Well, since your Officer Roland is going to take him in, we can head out,” Teller said.

“We still have eight or nine hours to burn before we head to the Leather & Chains,” Sachie said. “Is it possible to find a thrift shop for biker babe clothing and then a hotel? I’m exhausted, and I’m not the one who was in a fight to reclaim my purse.”

“We can do both those things. I could stand to rest for a couple of hours before we head into a biker bar.” He held the door for Sachie.

“I’m sure it won’t be as easy as touring the Boys’ Club.” She slipped into the passenger seat and settled her purse on her lap.

Teller slid into the driver’s seat, frowning. “I’d feel better if you didn’t go.”

Sachie stiffened. She understood his concern, but he needed her. “I know what Travis looks like,” she said. “You and your friends don’t.”

Teller sighed and started the engine. “You have a point,” he said and shifted into reverse. “You know how to make my job difficult.”

“You don’t have to come,” she said, hoping he didn’t decide to back out.

He snorted. “You’re not getting rid of me that easily.”

Her heart lightened at his teasing and at the relief she felt that he would be at her side as they stepped into a bar filled with a potentially dangerous gang of bikers. She hoped Teller and his team wouldn’t be hurt in her pursuit of her stalker. Maybe they’d blend right in, observe Travis, get him alone and then what?

Force him to confess to terrorizing her?

How well would that go over surrounded by his gang of cut-throat bikers?

Sachie wasn’t feeling all that confident about this plan. Hopefully, they’d come up with a better alternative in the seven hours they had before they showed up at Leather & Chains.

CHAPTER 15

A quick tripto a secondhand store netted the majority of the clothing they needed to blend in at the Leather & Chains biker bar. A side trip to a motorcycle accessories shop helped them find the items they hoped would complete their disguises without spending a lot of money.

“We still have at least six hours to kill before we converge on our target,” Teller said. “What do you want to do?”

“I’ve been so tense today, I’m tired and my muscles are knotted.” Sachie rolled her shoulders. “What I’d really like to do is to take a hot shower and lie down for a while. Sleep would be even better, but that’s not going to happen with a mission looming.” She shookher head. “How did you Special Ops guys do it? It had to be insanely nerve-wracking, prepping for a mission and then waiting for the event.”

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