AllFreeNovel
Share Us
The car hums beneath us, a lullaby of motion and speed. And as Texas becomes nothing more than a memory in the rearview mirror, I allow myself to believe in second chances, in fresh starts, in a life reclaimed from the ashes of the old.
“Hope is a dangerous thing,” I murmur, more to myself than to JD.
“Maybe,” he agrees, the corner of his mouth quirking up in a half-smile. “But it’s better than the alternative.”
As the first light of dawn begins to paint the sky with streaks of pink and gold, the weight in my chest eases ever so slightly. With JD at my side and the road open before us, I cling to hope and fight back the trepidation, ready to face whatever comes head-on.
Chapter Two
Cheree
The gasoline fumes permeate the air around me, a stark reminder that every mile we put between us, and the Defiant Men MC is another chance to breathe. I’m leaning against the cool metal of the SUV, watching JD pump gas. The sun dips low, casting long shadows across the concrete like dark omens.
“I’m going to use the bathroom and get a bottle of water. Do you want anything?”
JD tilts his head from side to side. “Chips and chocolate.”
Laughing, I nod. “Will do. Maybe further up the road we could stop somewhere for a real meal?”
“Yeah, just want to put some more distance between us and Texas before we do.”
With a nod, I point at the gas station and head inside. The bathroom is at the back of the store, so I make my way toward it.
“Cherry, as I live and breathe,” a voice drawls from behind me, shattering the illusion of anonymity.
My heart hammers against my ribcage as I turn to see a figure approaching with a Defiant Men patch emblazoned on his cut.
“Dog,” I say, my voice steady despite the adrenaline coursing through me. “Didn’t expect to see any of you guys out this way.”
He arches an eyebrow, the corners of his mouth turning down in suspicion. “Ain’t this a bit far from home for ya?”
I can feel JD’s presence before he even speaks, sliding up beside me like a shield.
“Got orders,” JD says, his voice a low rumble. “I’m taking her to her mother’s. She needs to grieve.” His words are calculated, measured to pacify without revealing too much.
Dog’s gaze flickers to JD, then back to me, searching for a crack in our story. I meet his eyes squarely, willing him to believe the lie.
“Damn shame about Tank,” Dog finally mutters, offering me a curt nod. “Condolences, Cherry.”
“Appreciate it,” I respond, my throat tight with feigned sorrow mingled with real fear.
“Stay safe,” Dog adds, a tinge of respect coloring his gruff tone.
His eyes linger on me a moment longer, scrutinizing, before he turns away and ambles off toward his bike.
As soon as he’s out of earshot, JD leans close, his breath warm against my ear. “We’ve got to move fast—”
“Already ahead of you,” I interrupt, striding toward the exit, across the concrete and slipping into the passenger seat.
JD comes out with a bag full of items and gets into the car. We pull away from the gas station, the last rays of sunlight disappearing behind us. In the rearview mirror, I watch Dog, just a silhouette now, his eyes still fixed on the shrinking image of our SUV as it merges with the twilight road.
“Got us both a bottle of water and something to stave off the hunger.”
Opening the bag, he has two of everything, chips, chocolate, water, and beef jerky. His thoughtfulness catches me off guard.
“Cheree,” JD says, and his voice is like gravel, low and urgent. “We’ve gotta ditch the car.”
My heart kicks against my ribs and I look around at our surroundings. “Here? Now?”
