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“You overheard all that?”
She nodded.
“Jessie, nobody just ‘overhears’ MC business.”
“I did.”
“How? Where?”
“I…I was just in the wrong place at the wrong time, okay?”
“Jessie.” He glared at her. “Tell me.”
She blew out a breath. “I just happened to wander into the back of this bar in Sturgis. I was looking for the restroom, and I overheard a few of them talking.”
Ghost knew there were holes in this story. MCs were not known for discussing business just anywhere, unless perhaps they thought of the bar as their territory. Clubs were known to stake claim to bars while they were in town. And if that were the case, it was possible they would feel comfortable talking in a back room. But hell, there’d be guards. Someone making sure no civilians got close. No. Something was off about this story. “You just happened upon a meeting and got close enough to hear every word?”
“Well…”
“Jess.”
“I was hiding, actually.”
“From who?”
“Um, well, this guy was hitting on me, wouldn’t leave me alone. I dashed in the back, but instead of going in the restroom, I went down a hall and hid when he followed. I was going to come out when suddenly all these Death Heads trouped down the hall and I was trapped. I was in a tiny broom closet, but it shared a wall with some office behind it. I could hear everything through the wall.”
“They found you?”
She nodded. “I got away. But they’ve been hunting me ever since.”
“Jesus Christ.” His eyes slid over her, taking in her words. “They’re not gonna just give up and go away, Jess.” He turned then, moving to the door, his arm on the frame and his eyes scanning the horizon as the ramifications of it all rolled through him. “Holy fuck.”
“Ghost.” He heard her soft voice whisper behind him. She had no clue. No fucking clue just how deep this shit was. It wasn’t just that they were after her. It was what she knew. That was some damning information. They’d stop at nothing to silence her.
He turned, his hand dropping from the doorframe as he shook his head. “Jessie, I don’t think you realize—”
She cut him off. “How much trouble I’m in? I know, Ghost. I know those are dangerous men.”
“They’ll kill you.” He couldn’t be any more blunt than that.
She swallowed and nodded. “I’m sorry I dragged you into this. I understand if you don’t want any part of it, if you don’t want to get involved.”
“Christ, babe, you really think I’d walk away from this? From you?” he asked, stunned. “You really think that low of me? That I’d just throw you to the wolves and not look back?” He watched her eyes fill.
“No,” she whispered. “But I’d understand if you did.”
He clenched his jaw, looking away and shaking his head. “I need to know something, Jess.” His eyes hit hers, boring into them. “This story. Are you telling me the truth?”
She nodded, but there was a hesitation that had him doubting her. He turned in frustration and moved back to the door. Leaning his shoulder against the frame, he stared out at the rain wondering how his life could turn on a dime like this. One minute everything was copasetic, the next, it was totally fucked. Fucking hell.
***
Jessie watched the firm set of his shoulders. She knew he wanted details. Details she wasn’t prepared to tell him. There were things she couldn’t trust him with. Not yet. She could tell that he didn’t buy her story, at least not all of it. Ghost was a smart man. Very little got past him. He’d always been quick to pick up on the little things. And now he picked up on the telltale signs she inadvertently gave off, and he knew she wasn’t being honest with him, at least not with all of it. But he didn’t push her on it. For that she was grateful. Maybe he believed in her enough to trust in most of what she’d said or maybe he knew he’d get the truth out of her eventually.
She hoped she’d never have to tell him all of it. He’d never look at her the same, if he knew. She blew out a breath and closed her eyes a moment, letting the sound of the rain on the roof calm her for a moment. Then she opened them and took in her surroundings.
The shed wasn’t very big, maybe eight by ten. There were no windows, but there were a couple pieces of boards missing on one side that let the fading daylight in. The roof was about eight feet high and rain leaked through in a couple of places, but at least it had a wooden floor, so they wouldn’t have to sit in the dirt.
