Page 41 of Hell on Wheels

With a sigh, I sent him a text, promising I was okay.

That didn’t suffice. His name appeared on the screen as I swiped across, answering his call.

“What the fuck, Lark?”

“Don’t yell at me,” I snapped, instantly defensive. “It’s been a shitstorm.”

“Yeah, I know. Having fun shacking up with the biker?”

Shit. I shouldn’t have been surprised he found me, but it did. Tonopah wasn’t a big city, and the last contact I had occurred in Las Vegas before I left. “His name is Flint.” My voice lowered. “I like him, Torin. A lot.”

“Fuck, Lark. You weren’t supposed to let your heart get involved, remember?”

“I didn’t. Not with Angel.”

“Just with this biker,” he deadpanned. “Christ.”

“Hey, I know you think you’re protecting me, but he’s the real deal. A Marine veteran. Loyal. Dedicated. He treats me right and is a good man, Tor.”

He scoffed. “He’s a biker. What kind of life do you think he can give you?”

That didn’t matter to me. Not as long as Flint stayed honest. I could deal with almost everything, but liars pissed me off.

I heard his loud sigh. “I don’t like it. Meet me out in Goldfield. We got shit to discuss, and those bikers are trigger twitchy after the attack on their compound.”

“I know.”

“Come alone. I don’t want to deal with any bullshit.”

Grumpy fucker. I loved my stepbrother but damn. Cut me a little slack. This was the first time I had a chance to stop looking over my shoulder in months. The last year had been exhausting. I was over dealing with Angel Mackenzie and his cartel goons, the overwhelming fear that was constantly present, and all the abuse. Couldn’t he understand that?

“Give me an hour.”

“Don’t be late.”

I hung up on him out of frustration and powered off my phone, not wanting to risk anyone learning about my plans, stepbrother or the feds. I had a feeling that Grim and his club wouldn’t take to that well. Hell, neither would Flint.

Or Maddog. I guess I should get used to that road name. If all this worked out and I wasn’t dead, I wanted to give this thing with him a real try.

Ol’ Lady. Wow. I was still shocked that Flint asked me.

I just needed to sort through the mess with Angel and find Molly first. I wasn’t going to lie if anyone asked questions, but I sure as hell wasn’t volunteering any information.

Secrets weren’t lies. Not when they protected the ones you loved and cared about.

Walking to the bar, I asked for a beer, taking it outside to clear my head and think. Flint wouldn’t be around for a couple of hours since he had a meeting with Grim and his officers.

I didn’t ask what they had to discuss or what they did with Angel, but I needed to see that asshole and ask him about Molly. After I met with Torin, I’d come back and find where they stashed him. I hoped they strung him up like a pig ready for slaughter because I was bringing my knife and getting answers.

I popped the top off the beer and took a long chug, enjoying the simple act of drinking what I wanted when I wanted without someone else dictating my every move. Angel was a control freak and a narcissist. He enjoyed making people uncomfortable and watching them squirm. Degradation was his favorite form of punishment. I experienced it more times than I could count. Just thinking of the trap door in his closet and the cell full of bones made me shiver.

Finishing off the beer, I stared into the distant mountains, and my thoughts returned to Flint. He was so different than Angel. Different from any man I’d ever known. I never believed in love or fairytales or happily ever after. How could I? Those dreams were ripped away when I was a little girl.

Being with Flint made me feel vulnerable but alive, conjuring all those girlish fantasies about Prince Charming that I never dared to indulge. I wasn’t naïve to think I could have forever with him, but I wanted as long as it would last. I deserved a little happiness once my sister was safe.

As much as I enjoyed it, I couldn’t stay in this contented little bubble with Flint forever. Tossing the beer in the trash, I contemplated calling a cab or an Uber but decided against it. I didn’t have that kind of time.

Strutting over to the prospect at the gate, I flashed a broad smile, blinking up as I caught the nameSpookon his leather vest.

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