Page 4 of Enforcing the Rules

The booming base of the dance vibe reverberated off the walls, getting louder the closer we got to the front of the club.

Tiny followed us out the front door and to our bikes.

I reached for my helmet and nodded toward the club. “I want you to talk to all the girls. Keep it on the downlow. Find out if any of them were in on this… or if Trixie was.”

“You think Trixie?” He gazed back at the club.

“There are way too many coincidences for my liking. The door being unlocked, the deposit still in the safe… They all point to her.”

“Yes, sir.”

“Thanks, Tiny.”

After he walked inside, Memphis chuckled, drawing my eyes. “What?”

“You. Is there a woman alive you trust?”

“Nope. They’re just pussy to me.” Women were good for just one thing.

Memphis grinned. “Speaking of pussy, heard you spent the night with Gigi once. How was she?”

“Spectacular, but in the end, she’s just like all the rest.”

“Bro, you got problems.” He fired his bike up, and I did the same.

“No doubt.” I roared onto the highway, Memphis right behind me.

We drove for about ten minutes before coming to a stoplight in town. A crawler on a bank sign caught my eye, flashing the date, time, and temperature.

It was the date that had me straightening. How the hell had I forgotten?

I looked over at Memphis and hollered over our rumbling pipes. “I’ll meet you back at the clubhouse. I’ve got a stop to make.”

He nodded and roared off when the light turned green.

I took a right and headed into the hills.

It didn’t take long to work my way up to the road that overlooked the Crestview neighborhood below. I parked and looked at the blue house three houses from the cross street. From this vantage point, I could see the backyard as well.

There were about a dozen little girls running around in princess costumes. A bouncy house sat in the back of the property, and in one corner a man stood making balloon animals for the kids, while in another, a woman did face painting. Streamers were hung, and a mylar balloon bobbed in the breeze—a big number 5.

I finally caught sight of Mia running through the yard, holding a wand with streamers flying behind her. She looked happy. She always looked happy. But especially today, I was glad to see that smile. My little girl was five years old today.

I watched for a long time.

Her two older sisters ran after her, laughing and chasing her, while Stephanie chatted with other parents at the table laden with food.

I spotted Gregg manning the grill. He looked like a moron in the apron and silly hat, but he was smiling and joking with one of the other parents.

The classic American family. The picture of happiness.

I hoped it wasn’t all an illusion.

CHAPTER TWO

Kate—

I jammed on the brake, and Lizzie’s coffee spilled all over her legs.

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