Passing the Torch (Devil's Knights 2nd Generation 1)

Pam clicked her tongue. “I done told you, sugar.”

She had told me, but it was hard to believe without actually seeing it.

“Whoever it is has the motorcycle club helping them out, thankfully.”

I squinted and tried to catch a glimpse of the guys with the club cuts on. “Are you sure it isn’t the motorcycle club in the RV?”

The door to the RV swung open, and four women hustled out. One had purple hair and was wearing a black sundress with a straw hat clutched in her hand.

“Well, hell,” Pam whispered. “You’re right. That’s Meg and her friends that just jumped off.”

“You know them?” How the hell did Pam know who those women were?

“Sugar, doesn’t everyone in this town know who Meg is? She’s basically an institution.” Pam turned to me. “That’s

Cyn, Marley, and Gwen who just hopped off the RV with her.”

“Oh, I know Gwen.” She had cut my hair a couple times. I had recently tried to get in with her again, but she was booked up and then she was going on vacation. Obviously, in the huge RV that was blocking the road. Though I didn’t know she was part of the motorcycle club across the street.

Two more women hopped off the RV.

“And there are Paige and Fayth.”

I squinted at Pam. “How in the hell do you know all of these women?”

Pam tsked. “If you would get out a little bit, Reva, you would know a whole hell of a lot more people than the dogs you groom.”

Well, that was a little harsh, though it was pretty accurate. If you didn’t bring your dog in to be groomed, then I had no idea who you were.

“I work a lot, Pam. There isn’t any shame in that,” I mumbled defensively.

“There isn’t anything wrong with that if you manage to carve out a little time that doesn’t involve dogs.” Pam passed me the leash in her hand. “I think you prefer the company of dogs to people, Reva.”

Well, now that was another truth. Dogs were easy. Treat them well and they were loyal. Humans didn’t exactly work that way. You could treat someone perfectly and they could turn on you in an instant.

Dogs were better than most people.

“I’m going to ignore everything you just said and not charge you double for Mikey’s bath today.”

Pam laughed and patted me on the shoulder. “Even I know you don’t have it in you to do that, sugar. I’ll be back around five for Mikey.” She breezed out the front door and headed over to the group of women who were standing on the edge of the road next to the RV.

Mikey whined at his mom’s retreating back, and I crouched down next to him. “It’s okay, bud. Mom will be back in a couple of hours.”

It was almost noon, and I had three dogs left to groom today besides Mikey.

Even though I had work to do, I stayed crouched down in front of the door and stroked Mikey’s soft fur.

The women stayed on the edge of the road, and then four guys in club cuts came around the front of the RV.

“Oh boy,” I whispered. Hero was one of them. I would know that swagger anywhere. I had watched him walk away yesterday, and I hadn’t forgotten it at all.

Mikey whined, and I had to wonder if Hero had some type of magical powers over dogs. I didn’t know if Mikey was actually crying for Hero or his mom, but if I had to choose, I would say he was crying over the sexy biker.

My eyes shifted to Pam who was talking animatedly to the women and then swung her arm to my shop. I pulled Mikey to my side and shrunk to the edge of the door. I tipped my head just enough to still see out the window, and my eyes connected with Hero’s.

“Shit!” I gasped. He was more than fifty feet away, but I knew he was looking right at me. He said something to the guy to his left, and then, he moved toward my shop.

“Shit shit!”