Page 23 of Link (Dragon Riders MC 1)
“Here, let me have that,” I said.
But she started waving it around. “The shadows were outside. I tried to peek out there, but I couldn't see them. I know they’re here. I just—”
I ducked and weaved. “Hope, give me the gun.”
She pointed with it. “They’re out there. I know they are. They’re watching me, even if those shadows weren’t theirs.”
I wrapped my hand around her wrist. “Hope. The gun.”
She quickly released it and it clattered to the ground. I scooped it up and ejected the magazine before emptying the one in the chamber. I sighed as I led her into the living room. I closed all of the blinds and set the gun, in pieces, onto the coffee table. Hope sank to the cushions of the couch in a fit of shivers and tears. And I knew right then she would no longer feel safe in my house.
“Hope, look at me.”
Her eyes slowly raised. “They weren’t out there, were they?”
I shook my head. “No. Not from what I can see.”
She sighed. “I’m sorry. I don’t—I just—I think—”
I took her hand. “Hope, it’s okay. You’re scared, and you have every right to be. But I think I have a solution to our problem.”
“You—you do?”
“Mhm. I talked to a man I know today. A man that doesn’t quite work in the same field as me but does work in the same field as Skeleton.”
She ripped her hand away. “You found another asshole that uses women, Joanna?”
I shook my head. “No. But I do know a man who’s part of a motorcycle crew around here. And he says he can help.”
She shot up from the couch. “Over my dead body.”
I stood with her. “That will be a reality if you don’t let these guys help.”
“And what makes you think that getting into bed with another crew will assure me I’m getting out of bed with the Golden Jags. Huh?”
“Because unlike Skeleton or his cronies, I trust this man.”
“And his cronies?”
I giggled. “Yes. And his cronies.”
She sighed. “Sounds like I’m not the only one who’s done some changing lately.”
“It’s a bit… complicated. But, no. You’re not the only one who’s changed.”
She eyed me carefully. “You really think they can help?”
“They’ve already promised they’ll help. But Link? The guy I know? He wants to sit down and have a conversation with you.”
“No.”
“He wants to ask you some questions to get a better idea of what’s going on.”
“No, I won’t sit down with him.”
I took her hands within mine. “Hope, if you don’t talk with him—”
She ripped away. “We’ll find someone else.”
“There is no one else!”
She jumped and I drew in a deep breath. “Hope, there is no one else. I’ve exhausted everything. The police won’t touch this. None of the other lawyers in the area specialize in criminal law. It’s just me, you, and the Dragon Riders.”
She paused. “Is that Link’s crew?”
“Yes.”
“I’ve heard Skeleton mention them before.”
“What has he said about them?”
Her eyes fell to her feet. “Just things.”
I slid my hands up her arms. “What kinds of things?”
She sniffled. “Things like ‘those techno idiots’ and ‘those froo-froo cock suckers.’ He really doesn’t like them.”
“Then, maybe that’s a good thing. Maybe we should be seeking help from people that hate Skeleton. Because if they hate one another, that means the Dragon Riders are just more willing to help us.”
“Or screw us over.”
“Do you trust me?”
Her eyes raised to meet mine. “Of course, I do. It’s why I came to you the second I could get away.”
I cupped her cheek. “Then, trust me on this. Link is good. They can help us. All you have to do is agree to speak with him and Ash. That’s it.”
“Who’s Ash?”
“A guy who goes around with Link. He’s a protector. You’ll be safe with him here.”
I saw the terror in her eyes, but I was relieved when she nodded her head.
“Okay. I’ll speak with them,” she said.
I sighed with relief. “Thank you.”
“Under one condition.”
“Name it.”
“I can’t stay here any longer.”
I blinked. “What?”
“Jo, if there’s anything the Jags have taught me, it’s to never stay in one place for very long. I’ve been here for two weeks.”
“Hope, you’re staying here, and that’s final.”
She shook her head. “But I can’t. I have to stay on the move.”
“I want to keep an eye on you. Make sure you're eating. Sleeping. Getting the water you need.”
“And I can do that on my own. But if they were to come for me and you became collateral damage for some reason? I’d never forgive myself, Jo. You want to talk about something that would kill me? Seeing you die on my account would do me in quicker than anything else. Please. If I’m trusting you, then you have to trust me.”
My eyes danced between hers. “Say I go along with this plan. Will you tell me where you are?”
