He’s smart enough to let it go.
Turning to Christina, he says, “Good to see you again. It’s been a long time.”
Christina’s eyes widen. “Rivera. I didn’t expect to see you here too.”
“Neither did I,” he says, motioning to the booth. “I came here a few days ago for a job. I saw you in the parking lot and realized that asshole was stalking you, so I called Slate.”
Christina’s eyes get big. Glancing at me, she says, “So, you showing up wasn’t a coincidence.”
“No. I came because you needed me,” I tell her quietly.
Rivera says, “We were gonna come visit you today. Slate and his men had rode into town last night. But then I saw you shopping for groceries and followed you home. You seemed spooked and I decided it couldn’t wait, so I texted Slate to come ASAP.”
I jerk my chin at him. “Good damn thing you did, that asshole ex of hers was coming after her.”
Christina looks between us, her expression unreadable. “So, you were following me?”
Rivera shakes his head. “Only since yesterday when I first saw you. Just keeping an eye out. You looked scared, and I couldn’t ignore that.”
Her kid is totally oblivious to our grown-up conversation.
The server comes to fill our cups with coffee and take our orders. Christina makes sure she gets some milk right away. Anyone can see she’s a good mom. I sip my coffee as I glance around, making sure nothing is amiss. “You said you didn’t recognize him.”
Rivera shakes his head. “Didn’t get a good look at his face as he was wearing a ball cap with the brim pulled low. I don’t think it was the same guy I first saw watching her, but I can’t be sure.That’s all I got before he disappeared into traffic.” His eyes go to Christina, “He your ex?”
She shakes her head but doesn’t say anything.
“Could be local, could be hired,” Rivera says.
“Could be worse,” I mutter, pissed that I hadn’t got one of my club brothers to give him a beatdown. But hearing the cops approaching we had to get away quick.
Christina lifts her gaze. “Just forget about him. I already have.”
The silence stretches a moment before I ask, “You want to give me a name?”
“No,” she says quietly. “Not yet. I already told you that I don’t want to pull you into my mess.”
“But I already am,” I remind her.
Her eyes lift to mine, and I see that old stubborn streak—the one I found endearing before. “Then let’s just get through this without dragging your club into my mess.”
Rivera looks between us, then pushes his plate away. “If you’re headed to your home turf, keep it quiet. The guy looked reckless enough to follow. I’ll stay local for a few days, see if he resurfaces. I owe both of you that much.”
“Appreciate it,” I say.
He nods at Christina. “Nice seeing you again, Christina. Motherhood looks good on you.”
She gives him a soft smile that looks half memory, half gratitude. “Thank you, Rivera. You always were the decent one.”
When the door shuts behind him, I feel like it might be a long time before I see my friend again.
When the kid yawns, I signal the waitress for the check and slide out of the booth. “Let’s get moving, darlin’. The two of you can sleep on the way if you like. It’s a six-hour drive, and we were awake half the night.”
Christina stands, takes her daughter’s hand and follows me towards the door. The brothers have filled our gas tanks and are ready to go.
I hold the truck door for them, wait for Christina to buckle her daughter into the child seat I’d borrowed from one of the club members who has a kid, then I close the door.
The truck rolls forward out of the parking lot and onto the highway. Christina stares at the road ahead of us for a long time, as if she’s thinking something over. Finally, she says, “I can’t believe you gathered up four men, got on your bike, and rode six hundred miles on the off chance that I needed your help. That’s wild.”
