“I needed a drink.”
“You can drink at home.”
“I thought she might like some fun. I didn’t know she was gonna get all up on Cocky’s dick.”
“If you don’t like it do something about it. Harley’s fucking of age. Only agreed to offer her a safe haven from her stalker—not dictate who she rubs her ass on. I know I told you she is off limits, but I am gonna be straight with you. Cocky wants a shot at her.”
“The fuck you mean he wants a shot at her she’s not even been here twenty-four hours.”
“Maybe you should have thought of that before taking her to the clubhouse and showing her off. I got bigger shit to worry about than who Harley fucks. But I tell you what. Because I like you and she’s Sara’s family, if you want to claim her you have my permission, but you’ll face her old man for it.”
“Who said I wanted to claim her?”
“Then why are you here taking up my time for this shit if she’s nothing to you. Either step up or step aside. Sara would love to have Harley here close by. If I can make that happen for her I will. If that means her being Cocky’s old lady, so be it. You don’t want the job of keeping her safe. Okay then. I’ll call Cocky.”
“Like hell you will.” I don’t know why I care, but damn, I don’t like the idea of Cocky anywhere near her.
“Excuse me? You best watch your mouth, brother, and remember your place right fucking quick before you land your ass in a hole you can’t dig your way out of.”
“Is that how it is?”
“It’s fuckin’ like that.” Before he can speak further his phone rings.
“Speak to me…fuck. Damn. Yeah, man. She’s in the house with Sara. I got one of my best men guarding her day and night.”
Hades ends the call.
“Some shit is going down in Drag Creek. Can you handle her for one more day maybe two? Fucking stalker broke in at her apartment last night and stole all her panties. No one was staying there but they are gonna set him up. Once they have the piece of shit she’s back on a bus if that’s what she wants.”
“Fine. Two more days.”
“Lay low next few days. I’ll get Cupid to step in and hold down your business. He’s done it before.”
“I was thinking about this stalker business. You think Tiny Leone has a hand in this. You know he was after her before when Marek ordered you to take her.”
Hades rubs his chin. “Possibility crossed my mind. It’s why you need to keep her out of sight. I’m going to set up a meeting and feel him out. Been a few reports of girls disappearing that resemble Harley. Outlaw says at least seven unaccounted for within the past five months. I don’t know if it’s related to Tiny, but I will damn sure find out. Take her to the mountains. Rent a cabin or a suite.”
“I could go for a little fishing.”
“Good. See. I knew you’d come around.”
“I’m not claiming her.”
“Right,” he says. “I’ll send her back out.”
“The club’s paying for this trip,” I call after him and watch as he shakes his head and flips me the bird as he goes.
Ten minutes pass before Harley comes out the door wearing a scowl. She must have put up a fight and lost in the end. I stay quiet as she climbs in the cab of my truck.
Her red eyes meet mine briefly, puffy and swollen.
“Listen, Harley. I know I’ve come down hard on you. I don’t mean to be such a hardass, it’s just what I know. I’m not used to sharing my life with anyone outside of the club. I don’t let people in. We got two days. Whatta ya say we make the best of them. Start over. Think of it as two friends enjoying a road trip. We can forget our troubles and leave the rest of the world behind.”
“Sounds like a terrible country song.” She sniffs and wipes at her nose with the hem of my shirt she’s wearing.
I laugh. “Atta girl. I gotta swing by the office and apartment. We’ll grab what you need along the way.”
“Okay. Sounds good, Quinn.” Her bottom lip quivers and her spark has dimmed.