Page 20 of Dark Alleys

My dinner came and Regan asked her server for coffee and sat with me while I ate.

“You had a busy, stressful day.”

“Yeah, but I still have shit to do. I need to buy a burner phone for Cindy and take it to her so she can talk to me. She’s so fuckin’ scared being in Neil’s shelter with people she don’t know.”

“Anything I could help with, I’m glad to pitch in. You’ve got a lot on your plate being hurt so bad, Lukas, and you’re still trying to do your job.”

“I’ll sort it all out tomorrow. I have to go home and sleep. I promised the doc.”

“I wish I could go with you and tuck you in, but I’ve got to work for a few more hours.”

“I’ll be okay. You got time to walk me out to my truck?”

She smiled. “I’m making time.”

In the darkened parking lot, I took Regan in my arms—good arm—and kissed her like there was no fuckin’ tomorrow.

She was hot against my body, and I wanted her so bad. “How many guys have you done in your parking lot?”

“None so far, but I’m keen to start tonight.”

“I’d like you to start tonight too.”

Chapter Five

Friday, June 6th.

Riverside District. Austin.

I couldn’t remember falling asleep when I came home from Regan’s bar, but when I opened my eyes, it was definitely daylight and sun was streaming through my windows.

The apartment was warm but not hot enough to crank on the air. Some days were brutal up here, but those were few and far between. Overall, I loved my little man cave.

First thing I did was check for blood and there had been no leakage during the night.

Bonus.

Judging by how fuckin’ weak I was, I had no more blood to spare.

I dragged my ass out of bed and got the day started. After I used the bathroom, I made a loose plan for the hours ahead of me.

I’d go out and grab some breakfast and coffee and at the same time, I’d get a burner phone for Cindy and drive it up to Rosedale.

After I’d made good on that promise, I’d hit the Dragons’ clubhouse and ask about one of their members called Akito.

If they didn’t give me anything—and they probably wouldn’t—I’d go visit Kamps and see what he could dig up. I’d made up my mind to find that rapist and make sure he didn’t rape any other girls.

Rosedale Women’s Shelter. Rosedale. Austin.

I drove-thru for breakfast and coffee, sat in my truck in the parking lot and ate my two breakfast sandwiches. I was a lot hungrier than I thought I was.

Before I finished the last of my coffee, I took my pain meds and figured I’d be okay for the next three or four hours. That’s about all I needed to get my shit done.

After breakfast, I stopped for gas and grabbed a burner in the convenience store for Cindy and headed to the shelter up in Rosedale.

One of the girls I’d met there the day before let me in and showed me where Cindy and Flint were. Cindy was sitting on the carpet holding her baby in her arms while kids played all around her. Lots of young moms with small kids were staying at Neil’s shelter.

He's doing a good thing. These girls would be on the fuckin’ street without this shelter.

---