Adrenaline Rush (Death Chasers MC 4)

The guy glaring into my eyes releases me with a sinister grin on his lips, and I straighten, ignoring the throbbing in my arm. It takes more than that to make me flinch at pain. That’s the leftover stubborn pride I have for fear of ever looking even a little weak.

My family would eat the weak alive and then laugh about their tears while ‘toughening them up’ some more.

But…Warren doesn’t miss the marks left behind on my arm.

“These guys are looking for their brother who went missing a year ago, and for whatever reason, they seem to suspect me,” I tell Warren, looking over at him with my faux fearful eyes.

Warren’s eyes widen in disbelief, and the five guys at the table bristle, clearly not expecting me to just blurt it out like that. After all, I’m just a little girl they wanted to intimidate before they follow me home to torture and kill me.

That’s not the paranoia talking either.

“I’m afraid you boys might need to load up soon and get out of town,” Warren tells them coldly, and I step closer, playing the victim even as I restrain my smile.

The diner has grown quiet, all eyes on them now. The tables have turned, because several of the bigger guys in the diner stand, making a show of backing Warren.

The five guys at the table slowly stand, their eyes leveling me with a silent threat. I love it when I do the unexpected and it leaves my opponent in a silent stupor.

That’s what they get for leaving out the anonymous tip thing.

Warren makes sure to put himself between me and them, and everyone in the diner turns to watch them walk out. The five of them leave real damn fast.

The thing about small towns is once you’re one of them, they have your back.

My eyes flit over to the coffee shop, and I see Rush standing outside, propped against the wall as he stares directly at me like he was viewing the entire showdown.

His earbuds are back in, because he’s had the diner wired for a while. I found the first camera two months ago. Clearly I gave no indication that I found it, but for every one I’ve found, ten more are probably hidden around all aspects of my life.

I think it’s cute how Rush apparently feels I’ve lost my edge over the past seven years. This is the first time my adrenaline has spiked in years with the edge of fear/excitement instead of just looking-over-my-shoulder fear.

“This is a terrible start to your last day,” Julia says as she comes over. “Are you okay?”

“Last day?” Warren asks, an air of suspicion in his tone.

“It’s been coming for a while,” Julia tells him vaguely. “She didn’t want a fuss made over her, but her momma needs her help.”

Warren’s eyes soften, and the tiny bit of suspicion flees.

“If those five come back, you give me a call, you hear,” Warren tells Julia.

“Of course,” she answers without hesitation, her voice a little shaky.

Warren leans over to my ear. “Be careful with whatever is coming, Karen. And call me if you need me for anything.”

If it wasn’t such a small town, I’d kiss his cheek for that offer, because I know without a doubt it’d be genuine. But since it is a small town, I’d rather not get his wife pissed at him, since she already hates me.

“Thanks, Warren. More coffee?” I ask, holding up the pot.

He just grins as I top him off, and then he heads back to his seat to talk the “good ol’ boys” club, who all nod at me before they sit back down.

I’m really going to miss this town.

Julia drags me toward the back, and I practically feel the nervous tension bouncing off her when we’re alone.

“Was that—”

“Absolutely nothing to worry about,” I assure her.

“Their brother, what did he look like?” she asks seriously.

I smirk. “Pretty cute.”

She rolls her eyes. “You really should take some things seriously,” she grumbles, going back out to work.

If only she knew…

My eyes lift to the window like it’s already a bad habit, but Rush isn’t there anymore. He’s also not at the coffee shop table where he hides behind the letters on the windows.

I have no idea who Rusty Asher is anymore, but I know he looked twice as lethal without an ounce of humor or charm left in his voice or his dead, cold eyes.

Right now, I’d be far more afraid of one man than five, even if I felt like I had to be afraid of the Smith brothers.

I know I’m an excellent actress. I’ve had a lot of experience in that. With any good luck, I’m still smarter than Rusty Asher.

Chapter 3

RUSH

“That little problem is now a big one,” I tell Drex over speakerphone as I finish cleaning my gun and assembling it.