Page 1 of Crusher

Prologue

Crusher

“Ten fucking minutes!” I yelled over thesound of my engine. Carly had a head start but not that much. Ileft Speed’s house and thought I would catch up to her on the roadinto town. No such luck. The girl could handle a bike, but not likeI would admit that shit to her. Why I was even chasing her wasbeyond me, damn it, I needed to have my fucking head examined.

First stop had been her apartment. Afterbanging on the door until the neighbor yelled she left about aminute before I showed up, only pissed me off. As soon as the womanshut her door, I proceeded to pick the lock. I hoped she left somekinda sign to where she was headed but oh no, not my girl.Mygirl? Christ, I had to be upset for that thought to surface.How the hell could I even consider her my girl? The woman hated theground I walked on. She’d made that abundantly clear more thanonce.

I walked through the living room, which heldthe standard things: couch, chair, TV, end tables. The kitchen, asI entered, had a few boxes sitting out with stuff packed in them. Iknew she planned to move to Sami’s house after her and Allyfinished moving in with Speed. The place was neat and clean,organized just as I thought the woman would be. Carly was mediumheight and petite, and I was blown away the first time I came incontact with her. Her blond hair and big brown eyes would draw anyman’s attention, they did me, but after I introduced myself andspoke with her, the strength that exuded from her was what did mein. Women had always come easy for me, for all of us as amatter-of-fact. Pulling out all the stops to entice a woman was anexperience I only had once, it had been with her.

When I reached the bedroom door upstairs, Ipushed it open to find the same as the rest of the apartment. Theclothes thrown over the chair was the only sign it was a woman’sroom. If the others saw me pick up her tank top and hold it to myface, they’d laugh themselves silly and the ribbing would start.Alone, standing in her space, her smell instantly brought a peaceover me, but it didn’t scare or shock me, it had the same effect asthe woman’s touch had, the unrestrained passion I’d been luckyenough to witness and participate in, the one and only time I’d hadher. I found nothing in her place to hint where she would go, so Ilaid the shirt down and left, locking the front door behind me. Igot on my bike and headed to the sheriff’s station, a place I wouldnormally avoid at all cost, so that alone should have been a signat how totally messed up this was.

“Hi ya, Russ. What brings you in here?”Shirley Sansom had worked at the sheriff’s office since I’d been akid.

“Hey, Shirley, you’ll lookin’ as good asever, darlin’. When you gonna drop old Erving and run away withme?” Shirley smiled hugely at me while her skin tinged theslightest pink at my words.

“Oh stop, you always were the most wicked oneout of you boys. I swear, I don’t think there’s a woman in thistown that doesn’t swoon when one of you speak,” she chuckled. “Whatcan I do for you, Russ?”

“I wish that were true. Seems to be one inthis town that’s immune to us, or at least to me. Deputy Monroebeen by today?”

“No, was she expecting you? Haven’t you seenher? She’s been off the last few days helping Sami move. Did youtry over at the house? Carly’s going to move in there after Samiclears out.”

“I knew that, except I forgot about hermoving over to the house until I swung by her apartment. I’ll go bythere. Thanks, Shirley.” The door opened as I turned to leave andSheriff Lance walked in. “Sheriff.”

“Russ. Tell me, you and my deputy aren’tfighting again. What the hell is up with that shit?” Yeah, like Iwas going to get into that particular discussion with him.

“Nah, no issue with her.”

“Good, glad you didn’t have anything to dowith her calling to ask for a few more days off. Girl don’t evertake time for herself so I’m glad to see her doing it.”

“Huh? She took some more time?” So not good.“Did she happen to say where she was going?” I could tell thesheriff was weighing if he should say more or not.

“Sorry, no. But what I want to know is whyare you interested in my deputy taking time off? Other than herfriend moving to Black Hawk, it’s not like you’re close to her.” Iran my fingers through my hair, something which was still new to mesince I’d been letting it grow out after coming out of themilitary. I might as well be honest with the man.

“She got some disquieting news. Took off fromhelping us settle Sami and Ally in at Speed’s place. I followed tomake sure she was alright.”

“What kind of news?” I had no right to shareit, even if he was the sheriff. Not like it was anything illegalthat should concern him, this was personal, and none of hisbusiness.

“If Carly wants you to know, I’m sure shewill tell you. Not up to me.” He was going to have to accept it andfrom the way the sheriff clenched his jaw he was debating it withhimself.

“I’ll give you that for now. But I want youto remember that I’ve always supported the Black Hawk members. Iwent to school with your dad, and when he came back here with hisbuddies from the service, I was glad to see him. The club set upbusinesses here, they pay taxes here, they support the localcommunity. I’ve watched you six boys grow up along with several ofthe members’ children but I will come down on the lot of you if youhurt that girl. She moved here, went to college, got her criminaljustice degree, and applied here when a position opened after JohnTalbot got injured really bad in a car accident and had to resign.I’ve watched her grow into a fine deputy from the first time sheput on the uniform. I’m giving you the heads up so you’ll know Iwould doanythingin my power to keep her safe.” He held hishand up when I went to speak, cutting me off and continuing, “I cansee it in your eyes, Russ. You were going to remind me she camefrom an MC and was sent here for the club to watch over. I knowthat. I also know she doesn’t care too much about either club. Thegirl is strong-willed, some of it is just a tough front too. Idon’t know what happened in her life to make her almost overlyguarded when it comes to certain things and I’m not going to guessat them either. So I’m going to ask, we clear on her?”

The man could never be accused of beingstupid, he’d keyed right in on her just as I had. There’s a lot toCarly, it’d take the right person to peel back the layers andthough I never gave a shit before about digging deep into whatmakes a chick click, I have to admit with her—I want to know itall—I need to.

“Going to drive by Sami’s old place, see ifshe is there. Need to find her. If you hear from her again will youlet us know and see if she’ll tell you where she is?”

“Carly’s not at the house. I went by aftershe called me to see if I could talk with her in person. Shesounded as if she was a little upset but when I asked she wasadamant that she was fine. Her truck is parked in the driveway,means she’s on her bike. I’ll let you get on your way withouttelling me what is going on with her but you better damn well keepme up-to-date.” He grabbed his messages off Shirley’s desk andheaded toward his office without another word. I looked towardShirley and she shrugged.

Nothing else needed to be said so I turnedand left. Carly had a good head start on me now but considering Ididn’t know where she was headed, I needed to take my ass back toBlack Hawk and regroup.

When I stopped my bike in front of Speed’shouse, he and Sami stepped out on the porch.

“Have you heard from her?” I asked as I gotoff my bike and headed toward them.

“Nah, Sami’s called her cell a dozen times,texted her, and left voicemail messages. Nothing,” Speedreplied.

“Any idea where she would go, Sami?” Istepped up on the porch.

“I called my dad, Haven’s the only place shewould go but he hasn’t heard from her. Said he would call if hedid.”

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