"Hold that thought. I'll be there in ten minutes."
I hang up and swing onto my bike.
The engine roars to life, and I tear out of the parking lot without looking back.
My phone buzzes.
Text from Rogue:
Copperhead Kings just put out a call. $50K bounty to anyone who delivers Grace to them. You've got bounty hunters incoming.
My blood runs cold.
It's not just the Copperhead Kings anymore.
It's every mercenary and lowlife in Texas looking for an easy payday.
I push the bike faster, racing toward Grace's cabin.
Another text.
This one from Banshee:
Brother, whatever you need. I'm with you.
At least I haven't lost everyone.
I pull up to Grace's cabin ten minutes later, the porch light on, Charlie barking inside.
Grace is in the doorway with a bag over her shoulder, Banshee beside her, and Dakota too.
I dismount, cross to her in three strides, and pull her into my arms.
"We have to go," I say into her hair. "Now."
"Where?"
"Somewhere safe. Somewhere they can't find you."
Banshee steps forward. "I'm coming with you."
I look at him—at my brother, at the road captain who's choosing to stand with me instead of staying loyal to Phantom.
"You sure? This means going against the Prez."
Banshee grins, but there's steel in his eyes. "Shadow, you've had my back for years. Time I returned the favor. Besides—" he looks at Grace "—can't let you two face this alone."
I clasp his shoulder. "Thank you, brother."
Dakota looks around, eyebrows up. “Listen, I appreciate y’all, but I have a whole rodeo career, so Imma stay here. Okay?”
Grace laughs, actually laughs at her sister. “I don’t blame you in the slightest. I love you, sis.”
“Love you too, weirdo.” Dakota slaps her sister on the back and walks off. “Shadow, toss me the keys, ey?”
It’s not like we can take my bike with Charlie coming along, so I throw them to Dakota. “There better not be a scratch on her when I come back, kid.”
Dakota winks at me and takes my bike.
