The doctor claimed that I would start seeing improvements in Beau’s breathing soon and I was hopeful. Not expectant but hopeful, anyway. We would come back in six weeks just to do a checkup and—fingers crossed—see evidence that the treatments were working.
Soft strains of classic rock played on the radio and I tried to hum quietly but inside the quiet car it felt a lot louder than a hum. Still, the sounds of Creedence Clearwater Revival helped calm my nerves.
At least until the single light of motorcycle light moved behind me and stayed there for more than ten miles. Initially I thought, okay I hoped it was Cross because he was so eager to see and kiss me again. Then I told myself to stop fantasizing that life was like a romance novel. I kept driving, but still the bike stayed behind me, never allowing more than one car between us. Then the hair on my arms and the back of my neck stood up, a clear sign that something was wrong. I’d learned never to ignore those feelings and signs a long time ago, so I decided to test my theory.
I slowed down and instead of going around me like any normal driver would, he slowed too. When I switched lanes, the biker did too and then followed me back into the center lane. That was the only confirmation I needed so I did the only thing I could, punched the gas like my little Subaru had the same zip as a gas-guzzling Lamborghini. My car wasn’t pretty, but it was sporty and reliable, which meant I had a good chance of getting away from the creep following me.
At least that was wha
t I kept telling myself as I pressed down as hard as I could on the gas, trying like hell to put some distance between my car and the biker. But I couldn’t go home with some crazed biker on my trail, which meant my shop was off limits as well. Which wasn’t helpful at all since I couldn’t drive around all night. I needed reinforcements so I picked up my phone. “Hey, Jana, I need your help.”
“Hey, Moon, hang on a second.” Music played in the background along with the sounds of conversation and I wondered if I was interrupting a party. “Sorry about that. What can I help with?”
“Don’t freak out but there’s a biker following me, has been since I left the doctor’s office and I don’t know where to go.”
“Can you just pull over somewhere that’s busy and lit up?”
I shook my head and glanced in the mirror again just to make sure the biker was still following us.
“Hello, Moon? Answer me!”
“Sorry. No, there’s nowhere like that until we’re closer to home. Plus Beau is sleeping after another attack.”
“Oh no,” Jana moaned. “I’m sorry to hear that. Is he doing okay?”
“Mostly. We just left the doctor. Let’s just hope this treatment works. Any ideas on how to shake this guy?”
“Come to the clubhouse. Cross has been out for hours looking for you, anyway.”
Why would Cross be looking for me? We didn’t have plans to meet up today and he had far more important things on his mind. “No thanks, I don’t want to impose. I’ll go to the police station, which should have been my first thought.” Except I was a naturally suspicious person and so far Mayhem’s finest left much to be desired.
“Moon, don’t. Please. Just trust me and come here to the clubhouse. Please?”
There was a worry in her voice I couldn’t understand but I respected it enough to at least consider it. “I’ll let you know, Jana. Right now I need to think. Later.”
Tossing the phone onto the passenger seat, I slowed to take the exit, groaning when a line of traffic ended not fifty feet after the exit ramp began.
Gridlock was the last thing I needed with an unknown biker behind me, but I kept my eye on him like there was anything I could do if he decided to come after me here in traffic. Still, I was prepared. Ready for a fight when I saw him split the lane, I rolled down the window and waited.
“What?” I growled when he cruised up to me. “What is it that you want that you followed me all this way?”
He scowled and flipped up his motorcycle mask revealing big blue eyes. Make that angry blue eyes.
“You can tell your fucking friend, White Boy—”
“That dirtbag is no friend of mine and if that’s why you’ve been following me, you’re wasting your time!” Hitting the button to slide the window closed, the biker’s hand reached out to stop the window’s progress.
“Go away.”
“I saw him in your shop.”
How was this my life right now? “Then I guess you didn’t see long enough for the cops to haul him away for threatening me, after his biker buddy shot up my store!”
His eyes widened at my outburst. “Shit! Are you serious right now, because if you’re lying to me lady, I swear I will make you fucking regret it.”
“Believe me when I tell you that lying to another biker isn’t on my schedule today. Craig is not a friend of mine, I can assure you of that, so if that’s why you’re following me, stop.”
“I wish I could, lady, but I need answers. About my sister.”