Page 122 of With Us (Next Generation 2)

“Meadow.”

My head whipped around.

Sunny came toward us.

“Please, tell me why you would go through all of this trouble just for those numbers,” I said quickly.

“You ask way too many questions.” Tanner stuffed the ring into his pocket. “Leave it alone, Meadow.”

“He’s right.” Sunny grabbed my hand. “Let’s go.”

“No.” I stepped around the table, blocking Tanner’s path. “Why demand for me to get this from my mom? What’s in it for you?”

Tanner glanced over my head. “You need to put a muzzle on your pet.”

Before I could stop myself, I shoved him. “I want answers.”

A wicked grin spread on his face. “Listen here, little girl. I’d be very careful who you demand answers from. My crew is not as nice as Hell’s Harlem. Although, I seem to recall a time that they were actually much worse than my club.” He chuckled. “Those were the days.”

“Tanner.” I clenched my hands into fists at my sides. “How did you know that my mom had that ring or even those numbers you were looking for?”

“Because it was in my dad’s will,” Tanner finally confessed.

My eyes widened. “What?”

“If you must know, when my dad died, he had stipulations in his will that it be read at a certain time and on a certain date.”

“I think he saw one too many action movies,” I muttered.

“That date has come and gone already,” Tanner said, ignoring my comment. “His lawyer called me and told me, but I didn’t have these numbers then. I almost didn’t believe it myself.”

“I don’t care what the numbers get you but why do I feel like there’s a catch?” I asked, staring up at him. “You can’t just want those numbers and be on your merry way.”

“And why not?” Tanner turned back around. “You’ll learn to leave well enough alone, Meadow. Don’t make me change my mind.” When he started walking away, a breath escaped me like he had sucked the very air from my lungs.

“This doesn’t make sense.” I spun on my heel and walked past Sunny toward their SUV. Shade had stayed back, leaning against the large black vehicle. I just wanted to go home and for them to spend the night holding me. “This doesn’t make sense at all,” I added.

“Why does it have to make sense?” Sunny asked, rushing to catch up to me.

“Because he’s a biker. If he’s so scary like you guys suggest he is, then I feel like…” I huffed when the guys just stared down at me. “Whatever. I know what I mean. Maybe I’m just being paranoid. Maybe…” Maybe I expected something to take place and was disappointed when it didn’t. Could that happen? It would be like watching an action movie and it building up to the big explosion scene and then…nothing. God, I should get it together and be thankful that—

A loud bang sounded.

I jumped when a heavy body hit mine, pushing me to the ground. I landed on the hard cement beneath me with an oomph, all the weight being knocked from my lungs.

Bangs continued, popping in my ears and making them ring.

My heart jumped to my throat. I tried struggling out from beneath the heavy weight on top of me, but the body kept me close.

“Stop.”

I stilled at the deep voice. “Sunny? What’s going on?”

He grunted, the popping continuing.

It was followed by shouts, women screaming and men yelling. It all happened so damn fast; I couldn’t make out what was being said.

“Sunny, what’s going on?” I asked, my voice shaking.

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