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“Tara adopted a kitten this afternoon. She seemed happy about it. Went to the store to buy supplies. She named her Luna. We played with it for a couple of hours. Then it all spiraled from there.”
I furrowed my brow, pushing my kickstand out. “How so?”
Copper inhaled a deep breath. Clearly struggling over whatever happened. “Tara wanted to order a pizza, but I told her I’d eat at the clubhouse. Then I asked her to come back… for Madeline. She said no. But I pushed, and she pushed back.”
Track snorted. “Not surprising. That redhead is a fiery one.”
Copper nodded. “She doesn’t want me guarding her anymore.” He appeared hurt by that. “She kicked me out. Locked up her doors and closed all the windows.”
I shrugged like it wasn’t a big deal. “So?”
“It didn’t feel right. She seemed out of control. Like a druggy needing a fix.”
“Tara doesn’t do drugs,” I told him, getting off my bike. I stared at the dark trailer house. It was too early for her to have gone to bed.
“I know. I just had a weird feeling. Y’know, in my gut, so I went around the back. The only light I found filtered out of the small window in the bathroom.”
I recalled the rectangular window on the wall above the shower when I was in it with Madeline during the summer. It was cracked open to let the steam out.
Copper lifted off his bike. “It was partly open. I don’t think Tara realized. I heard Luna’s little cries. And humming. I smelled smoke, but it wasn’t weed. Then I heard Tara cry out and whimper like she was in pain. I bolted around to the front and banged on the door. She never answered. I didn’t want to break it down so I called you.”
“Fuck.” I stalked to the door, not needing to hear anymore. I knocked on the aluminum screen. Alarms went off inside me. If something happened to her, I’d have hell to pay from Hero. Jesus, and my Angel. “Tara! Open up!” I banged harder, testing the pathetic lock; I opened the rickety storm door. The main one was locked, as Copper had said. “Tara!”
The door flew open, catching me by surprise.
“What?” she hissed, nostrils flared. Tara had two sides to her. I’d observed her protective and kind side with Madeline and her short-tempered, angry side when Hero ghosted her. The way she flipped from one to the other had me wondering if a broken girl was under her rough exterior. I knew from experience, brokenness bred erratic behaviors.
I smelled it—cigarette smoke. Tara’s eyes were red around the rims the way Angel’s got when crying. Something was definitely up with her.
“Copper told me you didn’t want him guarding you anymore. Not happening. Let me in so we can talk.”
“No. You don’t control me like you do Maddy.” She started to close the door. I stuck my boot partially inside, stopping her. “You don’t want to mess with me, Storm. I’ll go to the Sheriff. Get a restraining order.”
I laughed at her ignorance. “Don’t forget who runs Winters, little lady.” I pushed my way into her home like a barbarian, spotting the kitten on the sofa.
“Get out of my house!” She grabbed her phone off the coffee table. “I’m not joking. I’ll call nine-one-one. Tell them there’s an intruder.” Her hands shook violently. Was it fear or something more?
I sniffed the air. “Since when do you smoke?”
“That’s none of your fucking business, Biker Prez. Now get the fuck out! You better hope I don’t tell Maddy how you barged in uninvited. She won’t take well to it.”
I sneered at her. “Bitch, don’t fuck with my woman and me. The only reason I’m here is that you’re her best friend. And Hero’s woman.” I threw out the last part to gauge her reaction.
Fury sparked in her brown eyes as they teared up. “I am not his woman!”
“Keep telling yourself that,Roja.”
She took a swing at me. “You dick!” I caught her wrist before she hit my face.
“Don’t,” I growled in warning. Clearly she was unhinged. I threw her arm back and stalked to the door. I wouldn’t engage her further. But I had eyes on her to make sure she didn’t do anything crazy. Then, not looking back, I shouted, “Whatever’s going on with you, I will find out.”
“Get. To. Hell!”
The door slammed shut behind me. That didn’t go as I’d expected.
Fucking women. I’d struck gold with my Angel. She was the most even-keeled woman I knew, next to Sugar and Tina. Probably why Madeline was perfect old lady material. And the simple fact she was my soulmate…
“Let’s go,” I barked at Track and Copper.
