“Reggie. Old dude who comes here every week. What’s her name?”
“Kara. Why ask if you’re not interested?”
Lance used his cell phone to take a photo of the bar. “You’ve hung with us for weeks, proved your worth and loyalty. You wanna join us?”
No application, no references needed, but Jace knew he’d have an initiation challenge to prove his loyalty. Don’t look too eager.
He shrugged. “Thinking about it.”
Lance glanced over at Kara, who was walking out of the bar with the older man who’d accompanied her. A sly grin touched his face and the knife scar stretching from his mouth across his cheek tightened.
“Go say hello to her. See if she blows you off like she did with me. Me and the boys could use some entertainment to liven things up.”
His blood ran cold. He grinned. “Naw, I don’t think so...”
Lance’s gaze narrowed. “Do it, prospect.”
His chest felt hollow, but he stood, giving a long stretch. “No prob.”
Jace followed Kara to the parking lot, wondering how the hell he was going to do this.
As they left the Tiki Bar, Kara almost collided with a biker headed for the parking lot and staring at his cell phone. The man, covered with tattoos, apologized profusely.
“Sorry, miss. Wasn’t looking. My wife says I’m on my phone too much. But got new photos of my grandson and couldn’t wait to see them.” He waved his phone.
Kara thawed a little and smiled. “No apology necessary. How old is your grandson?”
The biker beamed. “Two months. We’re going to ride out to Utah see him soon. Can’t wait.”
She reached for his phone. “May I see?”
Like a proud grandfather, he showed her the photos. Kara’s smile widened as she handed him back to the phone. “Thank you. He is adorable. Congratulations and good luck on your journey west.”
Nodding at her, he walked toward his bike. Reggie gave her a knowing look. “See? Most bikers are friendly and love the open road. They’re like you and me.”
Maybe she’d judged too harshly. Something to think about.
Kara escorted Reggie to his Mercedes and waved as he drove off. Pure relief surged. With this new contract, if she did a great job, word of mouth would surely spread. The summer season was always slow in Florida, but this commission would tide over nicely.
She’d finally be able to give Dylan the raise he deserved, the one she knew he needed. Her cousin was a hard worker, and he brought every penny home to his mother. Even though they were family, he refused help and insisted on working hard.
Dylan had been Conner’s best friend. A year younger than her baby brother, Dylan had worshipped Conner.
Kara tried to push back the guilt that always lingered in her conscience, like a slow winking neon sign.
As she headed for her sedan, she heard a noise behind her. The firm tread of boots. Motorcycle boots.
Jace ambled up to her with a swagger and blocked the path to her car. Several bikers wearing Devil’s Patrol jackets and vests trailed behind him, rounding the corner of the building and standing close to their motorcycles. Watching Jace. Watching her.
Fear curdled her stomach. Kara swallowed hard, knowing instinctively if she showed emotion, they would trample all over her. They could smell fear like a dog scenting a bone.
What happened to Jace, the man she once loved? Who’d once declared his love for her? Why was he acting like this?
“Hi, Kara. Looking good.”
Summoning her coldest look, she lifted her chin. “Jace. You’ve changed. Not for the better. Excuse me.”
Kara tried to sidestep Jace, but he blocked her way. She went the other way and he followed. Jace whipped off his mirrored sunglasses and grinned.
“What’s your hurry, sweetheart?”
Glaring at him, she lifted her chin to tell him to get lost, but couldn’t speak. Couldn’t move. All she could do was stare at him with longing, caught in the past.
He got closer. She heard catcalls and laughter behind him. His biker friends, that gang. Why had Jace changed so much? What drove him to hang out with criminals?
Jace got closer. Closer still. Feeling like prey trapped by a much larger and more powerful animal, she remained motionless. Maybe he’d walk off.
“What do you want?” she asked, hating the quaver in her voice.
Something flickered in his eyes and he mouthed an apology. “Sorry,” he whispered so low she wasn’t quite sure she’d heard him correctly.
“You. How about a drink for old times’ sake?” he asked in a much louder voice.
“Jace...please...”
Jace circled her like a lion stalking a gazelle. Kara’s stomach clenched hard. His stance was predatory, without even a flicker of the tenderness and emotions from the past, when they were each other’s everything. When he’d put himself between her and danger, and then they broke it off and became ghosts to each other.
“Or a ride. You used to ride a long, long time and never get tired with me.”
