Page 11

Then again, Kid wasn’t all that terror-inducing either.

Kevlar—eh.

Torch. That name made sense. The guy had fiery-red hair.

Her rapidly beating heart had tempered its pace as she considered the nicknames of the men around her.

“Nomad. Originally out of Tulsa, but…” Frog’s voice trailed off as Kid shook his hand briefly.

From what Carrie had been told, the Royal Bastards had a chapter in Tulsa for a while. Koyn, the former president, decided to retire, which allowed for Kevlar to step in and fill the void to continue their business, whatever that was, out of Oklahoma.

Kid nodded as he surveyed the table. A small smile spread across his features when his gaze landed on Carrie. Offering her a quick wink, he returned his attention to Frog.

She released a heavy breath. This was safe. She could relax.

“Just passing through?” Kid asked as he grabbed an empty chair, turned it backward, then straddled it as he sat.

Frog shook his head, lowering himself to his original seat beside Kevlar. “Got some kids in the area,” he said, scrubbing the back of his neck. “My boy’s been getting in some trouble. Gotta set him straight.”

That didn’t sound good. Her gaze bounced from one man to the other. Would he go into detail? Would they ask? Did they care?

“Should we be concerned?” Kevlar asked.

Frog’s eyes shifted toward the women briefly before returning to Kid’s brother. “Don’t know.”

Kelsey gently elbowed Carrie. “Stop it.”

Carrie furrowed her brows. “What?” she asked, keeping her voice low.

“Eavesdropping.” Her friend raised her brows high and nodded toward the bikers with them.

“They’re right here,” Carrie said defensively as she lifted her beer for a sip.

“Some things are not meant for our ears.”

“If they didn’t want us to listen, then maybe they shouldn’t discuss this stuff in public.” Private conversations shouldn’t be had in mixed company. Besides, what Frog said hadn’t been all that scandalous. What was Kelsey worried about?

When Kevlar glanced in their direction, Carrie realized she had missed something. Immediately, her attention went to Kid. Would he clarify it for her?

He met her eyes and gave her a quick shake of his head.

She wasn’t sure what that meant, other than he wasn’t telling her shit. What had she done wrong? Cowering ever so slightly, she took another gulp from her pint and averted her gaze.

“We can chat in the back,” Kevlar said as he gestured toward a door in the rear of the building. “If we have to call church, we will, but probably not until tomorrow.”

Frog nodded as he got to his feet.

“Kitten.” Kevlar leaned down, addressing Kelsey by the pet name he had for her. “Gotta have a quick chat. Won’t be long.” He kissed her forehead.

Carrie stiffened. They were leaving them? Alone?

She felt his presence before turning to it. Kid towered over her as he stood at her side. His hand fell to her shoulder. His hazel eyes softened as he focused on her. “It’ll be quick. You gonna be good?”

No, but she wouldn’t say that out loud. Swallowing the ball of anxiety lodged in her throat, Carrie nodded far too vigorously.

Kevlar and Frog sauntered away, leaving Kid behind. Carrie’s barrier of bikers had dwindled to one. Suddenly, the crowd got a whole lot louder and more intimidating—reminding her of that horrible night she wished she could forget.

But she could do this. She was a strong woman with the tools necessary to get through this moment in time. She didn’t have to hunker down and live there. Taking another deep inhale, she steeled herself. Tonight was about making strides to reclaim her life. She was capable.