WOLF: CHURCH IN AN HOUR. DON’T BE LATE AGAIN.
Fuck. I glance over at Tori. She’s still sleeping. I stretch and climb to my feet, then lean over her and tap her knee.
“Hey. Babe.”
Her eyes flutter open.
“Need to talk to you.”
She yawns and sits up, then her gaze darts around, her eyes wide. “Are they back?”
“Nothing like that. Everything’s fine.” I sit next to her. “I, ah, got a text. There’s someplace I need to be.”
“Oh.” Her body deflates.
“I’m not leaving you alone. Don’t worry. I just have to figure this out. Is Ruth coming back?” Not that she’d be much help if Connor returned, but I need to know if we do what I’m thinking.
She pulls her phone out. “She hasn’t called. Let me try her.”
She sends a text, and a moment later, gets a reply.
“She says she’d like to stay with her friend tonight.” Tori looks at me. “Her husband had a heart attack, and Ruth is being supportive.”
I nod. “Tell her it’s no problem.”
“But you’re leaving.”
“I’d feel better if you came with me.”
Her brow crinkles. “With you? Where?”
“To my clubhouse. I’ve got to attend church. Need to be there in an hour.”
She looks confused. “You’re going to church? Now?”
I grin. “Not that kind of church. A meeting with my club brothers. We call it church.”
“Oh.” She folds her arms, hugging herself. “I… I don’t know.”
“Tori, look at me.” I take her hands. “They’re good people. You’ve got nothing to worry about. I’ll look out for you. We don’t have another option. There’s no way I’m leaving you here alone, and I have to go. Club bylaws and all that. I can’t miss it.”
“But—”
“Do you have a warm coat? One you can ride in?”
“Ride? But I have a car.”
“I’d feel better with you on the back of my bike. Just in case Connor has tagged your car.”
“Tagged my car?”
“Yeah, put a tracking device on it. I don’t have one with me, but I can get a detector and go over your car tomorrow.”
“Oh my God. He may be tracking my car?”
“It’s possible, Tori. Especially a guy like him.” I turn to the hall. “Come on.”
“I’ve never ridden before.”