Page 21 of Riding Rough

Diesel pulls out his wallet and tucks his card into the reader before handing me a hundred-dollar bill. “It’s all I have on me, and you deserve more. The tattoo turned out great.”

Considering the ink only cost him sixty dollars, a hundred-dollar tip seems a little excessive. I hand it back. “Thanks, but that’s way too much.”

“It was earned.” He pulls his card from the reader and heads out the front door. “Call me if you need anything. I mean it.”

Before my brain can reconcile what’s happened, a rumble from his motorcycle is growling outside and my heart is warm and full like it hasn’t been in ages.

Why do I feel like this isn’t over?

Chapter Two

Diesel

I stare down at the photo of Bella and I at the tattoo shop and suppress every protective instinct that’s currently pressing at the frontal lobe of my brain. She’s thick, blonde, inked, gorgeous, and her blue eyes spell a sense of innocence that I can’t deny. Believe me, I’ve been trying.

Heavy rain hammers the windshield of my truck and a crack of lightning hits overhead. I dropped my bike off at the house and came back to the diner, hoping I’d run into Bella here. Part of me still wants to convince her to stay at the hotel tonight, but apparently there’s some big festival that’s taking place in the rodeo ring and the entire place is booked up. This town really needs more places to stay. Sure, there are cabins for rent in the woods, but that’s more a planned thing.

I dial up Gunner. He’s our road captain and plans all the club trips. Maybe he’ll know of an alternate place to rent for a week or two.

“Howdy.” He answers on the second ring, but he sounds distracted. He’s probably up at the lodge working. The guys have been on it nonstop since last month. We’re about finished with the gables, but there is still a world of work to get into before the grand opening in November.

“Sorry to bother you, man. I’m wondering if you know of any free cabins up on the ridge.”

He laughs. “Nah. I looked for something last week for a buddy and they were fully booked up there. That festival is in town.What do you need a cabin for?”

“I’m looking for someone else.” I keep my answers vague because I know Gunner well enough to know the lecture I would get if I got so pissed off about Amber being with Kane and then I did anything to help a young lady.

He laughs. “You’ve got that big place up on the ridge yourself. Can’t spare a room?” I know he’s busting my balls, but it’s not an awful thought… except for the fact that when I look at Bella, my body does weird shit that reminds me of how alone I’ve been.

“For sure. I hadn’t thought of that. Thanks.” I say the words dryly enough that it nearly sounds mocking, which I don’t mean.

Gunner laughs. “So, this guest… is a woman. Anattractivewoman by the sounds of things.”

“What’s that mean?” I stare into the diner like a creep, watching everyone eat pie and meatloaf.

“When Chaplain needed a place to stay, you were the first to offer up a room. You said your cabin was so big you’d barely notice he was there.”

I grunt. “Chap is one of us. That was different.”

“Yeah. This isdifferent,too.” There’s an inflection in his tone that’s tinged with sarcasm, and I know why. The guys have been trying to hook me up for ages. If only Gunner knew how young and completely inappropriate this woman is, he’d have different thoughts.

Another crack of thunder hits above, and I start up the truck. I need to get out to the campground. “This storm is getting worse. I gotta get a few things done before I head home. You guys should call it.”

“Not raining here yet, but clouds are moving in. Good luck with the hot girl you’re trying not to let in.” He laughs then disconnects the line.

What the hell am I doing?One attempt to help Bella is sufficient. Amber only asked that I offer her protection because it’s what the MC does. We protect the people of Rugged Mountain where the law can’t go. But showing up at Bella’s campsite and demanding she live with me might be about as insane as it gets, especially if she’s trying to get away from a controlling father. But… Amber said no one else knew she was out here, and I can’t sleep tonight knowing this storm is hanging over us and I’m not doing anything to keep her safe.

I park the truck at the side trail where I see a small Honda Civic tucked into the gravelly patch off the side of the road. I noticed the same car outside the tattoo shop earlier. It has to be Bella’s.

Tucking my flashlight into my pocket, I trudge into the forest.

Rugged Mountain is primarily forest land. For many this means fishing, hiking, hunting, and camping. Except most folks know when a good summer storm rumbles through, it’s best to take shelter.

One heavy boot after the other, I follow the slick trail the hikers use. A nearby brook burbles beneath the rolling thunder and heavy rain. Aside from that, the earth is quiet. It’s not until I cross the creek and hike at least another half a mile that I see a small green tent lit up beyond the tree line.

She’s tucked herself back far enough that I second guess what her father has done. This has to be more than a fight. Amber and I have had disagreements before, but she never ran off and insisted on living in the woods.

“Incoming.” I flash the light three times in front of the tent, trying not to startle Bella, but she screams anyway, which is followed by a heavy crash of thunder. “It’s Diesel.”

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