Except, he’d allowed Noelle into our midst.
He’d agreed to let her help us gain a better reputation with the police and other locals.
Doing that meant risking our rivals finding out about our softer side.
What happened then?
I’d never question Rafe.
There was a reason he was our leader, and I trusted him.
I had no choice but to let this play out.
I grabbed a sucker from the rack and followed Noelle to the register.
She nodded toward the lollipop. “One of these days, you’re going to have to explain that to me.”
I knew what she meant, and I gave her my most devilish smile. “With pleasure.”
10
NOELLE
Riding behind Ash on the motorcycle was the kind of thrill I never expected to experience.
He patted my thigh, and I tightened my hold.
He took the turn with a slow control that kept us upright.
They’d had a few chances to take risks on the curved roads leaving and coming back into town, but they never did.
They rode carefully, with a conscientious effort to stay at the speed limit.
The roads had dried up some in our absence, the weak winter sunshine doing what it could to help.
But the snow piled up on the sides gave off an unappealing aroma, and the dirty streaks ruined the soft Christmas effect I’d harbored since the first flake fell.
Ash’s heart thumped beneath my palm when I braced a hand on his chest as we turned into the road leading to the clubhouse.
Ash slowed further, and I peeked over his shoulder. “Something’s wrong.”
He nodded and tilted to talk to me without the wind tearing his voice away. “No kidding.”
A whole day out with Ash, Rafe, and Bishop, and I’d learned a few things I never expected.
Today put them into a new perspective.
Nothing they’d done would help my investigation.
They drove around after the storm to help the elderly and the homebound.
They’d delivered food when needed, offered comfort, and arrived just in time to help Robert.
The deadly, dangerous Steel Vipers might not be as bad as they’d been touted.
I wanted to doubt what I’d seen, but why would they bother showing me this part of themselves?
What kind of agenda would Rafe be playing at?
