Page 21 of Shadow Strike
As the SUV drove off, CB held it up.“Clean clothes.Do you need me to show you how to operate the security system?It’s the same design as the one at the bar.”
“You’re not sleeping in your truck,” Lucy informed him.“We have a guest room with a proper bed that’s all yours.The only caveat is that Desi may visit, and you’re required not to complain about dog hair.”
He grinned.“I appreciate that, Mrs.Hill, but the truck is fine?—”
“The truck isnotfine.”Lucy’s tone was pleasant but absolute.“You stayed up all night keeping my daughter safe last night.You’ll sleep in a bed tonight.Come in.”
CB looked at Regan.
Regan shrugged.“It’s a waste of breath to argue when she’s like this.I learned that when I was nine.”
He came in.
Desi met them at the door.A hundred and twenty pounds of German Shepherd, gray around the muzzle but still full of energy.He sniffed CB’s hand, was apparently satisfied, and leaned his entire body weight against CB’s leg.He looked up at him with an expression of complete approval.
CB’s hand dropped to the dog’s ears without hesitation.“Hey, buddy.”
Desi made a sound that was approximately half-sigh, half-groan, and looked to Lucy.
“He’s a good judge of character,” Lucy said.
He was, but Regan forced herself not to roll her eyes.Knowing her mom, she’d probably offered Desi a treat to make a good impression.
CB complimented the house, making Lucy glow with pride, then walked them through the security system, making sure they could both operate it.He patiently answered her mom’s questions.Lucy asked two good ones and one that was mostly an excuse to keep him talking.He answered all three with the same patience.
“Goodnight,” Lucy said eventually, and kissed Regan’s cheek.She patted CB’s arm in the manner of a woman who had adopted someone.“The guest room is down the hall, the second door on the right.”
She went upstairs.
The house was quiet.Desi migrated to his bed.
“Second door on the right,” Regan repeated, feeling suddenly awkward.“Just down the hall.”
“Got it.”CB picked up his duffel.“Get some sleep.”
“You too.”
She started for the hall at the same time he did, and they bumped shoulders.He was a steel wall, and she staggered as she rebounded.
He grabbed her by the elbow to steady her.“Sorry,” he said.“You okay?”
She sighed but didn’t remove her elbow from his grip.“You’re like a tank.”
He chuckled and playfully flexed a bicep.“I work out.”
She just bet he did.They stood there for a moment staring at each other, him grinning.His eyes caught the hall light, dark and warm.
“This must be hard for you,” she said quietly.“Protecting us from the Outlaws while knowing what I did to your uncle.Knowing what I plan to do to the whole organization.”
His grin faded.“Protecting you isn’t hard at all.”
“But you draw the line at helping me with the podcast.”
He rubbed his eyes and blew out a deep sigh.“There are people in the organization who have taken what my grandfather started and turned it into something ugly.It happens everywhere.I experienced it in the Army.There are always a few bad apples.It doesn’t mean the whole organization is rotten.It was started as a social organization, and there are plenty in the group who still see it that way.It’s like going to church for them, or playing cards on Friday night with their best friends, only they ride motorcycles.They like to travel.Camp.”
“You’re comparing the Outlaws to a church group?”
His shoulders dropped, seemingly weighed down.“Back in the day, my grandfather held fundraisers and rallies to help those in need.The Outlaws still did a lot of that when I was growing up.There are good people in the group, Regan.Most of them have no idea what Ryder and his immediate circle are doing.I don’t even think my dad realizes the extent of it.I’m not excusing any of it; all I’m saying is that it’s not clear-cut.The Outlaws are not all good or all bad.”
