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Anything sounded better than staying in the cold Civic on the side of the road where anyone could stop and hassle her. Jupiter grabbed her purse and backpack, safely stowing the gun in the small of her back before hurrying to the truck. Once inside, she shivered at the drastic change in temperatures. Sure enough, it was a balmy seventy-eight degrees in the cab. She rubbed her hands together in front of a vent and Queenie shifted into gear.
They drove in silence, Queenie casting a glance her way every now and again. She’d have to say something eventually, but Jupiter hoped she wouldn’t. As badly as she wanted to tell Queenie everything, a small part of her wanted to recoup then disappear again without sharing her story.
A large sign for Snowshoe whizzed by along with more snowdrifts. They pulled into a large parking lot just inside city limits, a neon sign blinking nearby above a bar and tattoo parlor combination.
Queenie shut off the engine and turned toward her. “You’ll need to change your hair and your name. You don’t want Lyle sniffing around and finding anything.”
Jupiter unbuckled her seatbelt. She considered buying a box of cheap hair color from a gas station but couldn’t bring herself to lose her blonde curls. Tucking back her hair, she worried her bottom lip. “The hair and last name I can do, but not my first name.”
“Honey, it’s a unique name.” Queenie’s brows furrowed. “One people around here will remember.”
For a split second, she almost agreed. It’d be easier to start fresh.
“Ah, but with the winter games, there will be a ton of new faces and names.” The older woman leaned over and cupped Jupiter’s cheek. “You’ll be all right. Macha will keep you safe until you decide what to do next.”
“Thank you,” she managed, voice wavering. Tears threatened to spill now that she was safe.Safe for a while.She couldn’t stay in Snowshoe forever. Eventually, she’d have to face her past.
* * *
“This room will beyours for however long you need it. Only visitors are on this floor, so no one should bother you.”
Queenie opened a door at the end of a long hallway on the second floor of the clubhouse. The scent of stale smoke and perfume wafted from every corridor, but Jupiter wasn’t about to complain. She had limited funds, and the last time she slept through the night was too long ago for her to remember.
Stepping inside, Jupiter watched the room come to life at the touch of a light switch. The bedding was simple, a single quilt over a full-sized bed. Other than a small dresser to the right of the bed, the room was empty.
“You can see the garage from here. Hope you don’t mind the view or the boys.” Queenie chuckled, pulling back the curtain. “They can be loud assholes at times, but they have hearts of gold.”
Jupiter set her bags on the end of the bed. “This is perfect, thank you.”
“Oh, stop thankin’ me and get some rest. I’ll grab you something from the kitchen. I bet you’re famished.”
She smiled sleepily, the lure of food the only thing keeping her eyelids open. “Don’t go to any trouble.”
Queenie chuckled. “You’re no trouble, sweetheart.”
Alone at last, Jupiter scanned the room again. She didn’t have much to unpack, so she didn’t. Getting too comfortable wasn’t a good idea anyhow. Lyle’s men were on her tail whether she admitted it or not. Despite taking backroads and keeping her head down, hiding in this sleepy snow town wouldn’t last long. She’d have to leave soon. Putting down roots anywhere wasn’t happening.Not for a while.
A clatter from outside caught her ear and she crossed to the window. The snowstorm had all but paused since she arrived, giving her a clear view of the garage below. Three men in leather jackets stood outside the bay doors, cigarettes in hand, smoke drifting alongside their breaths on the cold air.
She started to move away, but her attention was pulled back when one of the men started laughing. Curious now, she peeked out from behind the curtain. The man in the middle of the group was at least a head taller than the others, his frame dwarfing the two bikers. But it was his laugh that made a smile sneak across her lips. A combination of hearty and deep, the sound sent a tickle down Jupiter’s spine. She shivered at the notion that a laugh could make her feel anything after years of avoiding emotions when it came to men.
Trying to make out his features, she huffed. The window needed to be cleaned and she couldn’t see the man’s face clearly. Using her sleeve, she attempted to wipe away the grime.
“Och, I told Dolly her nymphs forgot this room,” a voice said, startling Jupiter away from the window.
“Sorry, love, didn’t mean to startle you.”
Jupiter straightened and pushed back her hair. “No problem. I was just being nosy.”
“As you rightly should be.” The woman held out a plate with a sandwich on top. “I’m Isa, by the way. Doc is my old man.” Her face suddenly scrunched, and she rested a hand on her belly. “And this stubborn lad or lass won’t give me a day of rest. I’ll be glad when it’s over and I’m not being kicked from the inside out.” She smiled secretively. “Somewhat.”
The strong Irish accent made Jupiter wonder how she settled in Colorado. “Jupiter J—Quinn. Jupiter Quinn.”
“Nice to meet you, Jupiter.” Isa grinned. “Queenie sent me up. Apparently, she had to check on Reaper or she’d have come up herself.”
Stomach growling, Jupiter sat on the edge of the bed and took a bite. The turkey and cheddar could’ve been savory steak with how quickly she devoured it.
Isa chuckled. “Guess I should’ve brought two.”
