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I smiled sweetly at him, “What point would I be making?”
Hayley groaned and shook her head as Jake pushed so fast and angry through the front doors they banged against the inner walls, “We’ve got company.”
I heard the heavy rumbling roar of motorcycle engines outside. Through the solid glass front windows I could make out at least a half dozen figures on the bikes, facing us, “Peter?”
I was in his arms so fast I hardly had a chance to blink. Shoved behind him for protection, Peter faced the windows and ticked his head in their direction, arms out wide at his sides.
Holy shit.
Was this some kind of 1950’s turf war? Like the Greasers and the Socials who hurt Ponyboy in The Outsiders? “Peter?” I asked again, scared.
You could hear the tremble in my voice as it wavered.
One of his hands reached back and pulled me close, clenching tight. His eyes never left the scene outside, but I saw the tilt of his chin, the familiar defiant and confident glare as it met the leader. Cold eyes met mine as I recognized the same guy from the drive-in.
“It’s alright baby.”
Like hell it was.
Was he crazy?
“Alright?” I nearly screeched.
Hayley was behind Jake. For the first time I noticed R.J. lurking outside, leaning against the wall on the right side of the doors as he played with a large hunting knife. On the left was Beckett, the sheriff’s son and his best friend Shane, puffing on a cigarette.
The tension was so thick I could have cut it with R.J.’s knife.
Before I could snap from the silence and lack of action, the biker leader flipped off Peter and laughed, signaling for the other riders to disperse. I exhaled a shaky breath once I saw his Harley pull away from the parking lot.
Once Peter was assured they were gone, he spun around and yanked me into his chest, his lips crashing down on mine. Before I could react, he blurted, “Don’t ever be so foolish again.”
I shoved at his chest, hard enough to separate us by a few inches, “Maybe if you told me the truth about the Outlaws and your toys,” I pronounced sarcastically, “I would know what the heck is going on.”
Peter’s teeth ground in his mouth, “We’re leaving, now.”
No response. I didn’t expect him to elaborate in the middle of the coffee shop, but once we were outside I intended to find out everything . . . and from the look on his face, he knew it.
His hand clamped down on my upper arm as he saw the nod from R.J.
Once we were free of the coffee shop, I was escorted to his Nova where Hayley and I climbed in the back. R.J. took shotgun, his eyes darting in every direction. I didn’t miss the Glock sitting in his lap or the tense line of Peter’s shoulders as we left the strip mall. The sound of a motorcycle let us know that Jake was behind us. Close headlights in the rearview proved Beckett was following too. He must have been in his truck with Shane.
Ten minutes later I nearly panicked as I realized we were headed out of town. “Where are we going?”
Peter shook his head, refusing to answer.
“Jake?” Hay’s small, high-pitched voice broke into my thoughts. She was frightened too.
“It’s ok sweetheart. He’s right behind us. We got this. Just let us get you to safety. Alright?” R.J.’s soft reassuring tone helped her to relax as she sank back into the seat.
“You’ll keep an eye on him?”
“Yes Hay, I promise.”
She nodded as I scooted closer. Our hands reached toward one another at the same time. Clenching tight we snuggled close, both of us aware of how dangerous the situation had become.
Peter’s eyes darted to mine in the rearview. He mouthed ‘sorry’ before his focus was back on the roads and the side mirrors. I didn’t answer. He had a lot of explaining to do, and he knew I wasn’t happy about the turn of events.
R.J. turned around, an apologetic expression on his face, “Everything will be fine Rae. We have a safe place to take you for the night.”
