Page 38 of Freak Show

In fact, since the moment that we’d walked into the compound that The Dixie Wardens MC called their home away from home, he’d taken Briley and Annabelle with him, and hadn’t looked back.

That was two hours ago, and I was still reeling from what I’d said on the plane right before we’d landed.

I was studiously trying to avoid him, but I realized rather quickly that that was easier said than done.

“And who might you be, little lady?”

I turned just in time to see Santa Claus waddle his way up to me.

“Um…” I hesitated. Normally I had a hard time talking to new people, but this was Santa Claus, after all. “My name is Caristonia Singh. I think Slone’s introducing me as Ari to everyone, though.”

“His wife?” he asked in surprised.

I was already shaking my head. “No. That’s the media’s doing. We’re just friends. Brand new friends at that.”

“Ahh.” He nodded. “I actually heard him talking about you. That’s why I came over here to introduce myself.”

I studied the old man.

“And you?” I asked. “Unless you want me to keep referring to you as…”

“Don’t say it,” he pleaded. “I’m Dixie.”

“Dixie.” I nodded. “Nice to meet you.”

“It’s nice to meet you, too,” he said. “You know my grandsons?”

I looked over to see where he was looking and shook my head. Though I saw the men and the women at their sides, I hadn’t been introduced.

“Actually, no, I don’t,” I said. “Who are…”

“Dixie,” Slone said as he sidled up to my chair. “What’s up?”

Dixie smiled slyly as he said, “I was going to take your girl that you left all alone over there to meet my grandsons.”

“I didn’t mean to do that.” Slone sighed. “But it’s like everyone and their brother wants to ask me how the season’s going. And I’m not rude enough to just walk away.”

“You’re just rude enough to leave your friend all by her lonesome,” Dixie countered.

Slone sighed. “It appears so.”

Dixie grinned and stood up. “Take care of her. She seems like a sweet one.”

Then Dixie was gone, leaving Slone and I alone.

“You got yourself a drink, I see,” he said as he took a seat at my side.

He had his own fresh beer in his hand, along with a wine cooler for me. One that I’d gotten for myself after waiting for him for a solid fifteen minutes to come back.

I’d seen him talking, of course.

But I wasn’t brave enough to just walk up to him and stand by his side.

Especially not after the blurted words that’d slipped past my lips on the plane.

Like, of all that was holy, how the hell did those words slip out?

Feeling my lips form words, I second guessed myself and paused with my mouth open in a small o.

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