Three men walked in.She stared.An uneasy feeling settled in her stomach.They had no vest, no patches, and no colors.But she knew them.
Cusclan Motorcycle Club members.
They didn't look around.Didn't pretend to be customers.They walked straight toward her and slid into the nearest booth like they owned the place.
Lydia took one step back.Then another.
She turned toward the kitchen.Patty needed to know—
A hand shot out and grabbed her wrist.Hugo's grip tightened."Don't say a word.Just listen."
Her pulse hammered in her ears."Let go of me."
"You want your mom safe?"he murmured."Then you're gonna hear me out."
Her breath caught."My mom?"
"She wants to talk to you."His fingers tightened."And if you love her, and don't want her hurt, you'll come with me and do exactly what I tell you."
She'd lived through her mom's games.The poor-me stories and the fights with each boyfriend brought her attention.The drama wasn't for Lydia.Her mom was doing something to get the bikers to fawn all over her.
Lydia shook her head, panicking."No.I'm not going anywhere."
"You don't have a choice."His cold black eyes warned her not to cross him."You're gonna walk out the back door.Alone.And you're not telling anyone where you're going."
Her throat closed.What if she was wrong?What if her mom were in danger?
Before she could answer, the kitchen door swung open.
Patty stepped out, wiping her hands on a towel.Her eyes flicked from Lydia to the men."Lydia.Go upstairs."
Lydia froze.What was she supposed to do?She never meant to bring trouble down on Patty or the diner.That was never her intention.But she couldn't turn her back on her mom.
"Now," said Patty.
Lydia stepped back, and Hugo's hand slipped from her wrist.She heard Patty telling the men they had to leave.Her tone gave them no wiggle room to argue.
Lydia ran up the stairs two at a time, heart pounding, and rushed to the window overlooking the back alley.
Her breath froze.Her mom's car was parked outside.Hugo was telling the truth.
She grabbed the phone off the bed and dialed Baddy."Come on, answer."
One ring.
Two.
Three.
Voicemail.
"Baddy, it's me," she whispered."My mom's here.I need to talk to her.She's in the alley in her car, but there are three Cusclan members here.Patty kicked them out.Please—please call me."
She hung up and looked out the window.Afraid her mom would leave before she got a chance to see if she was okay, she put her hands on the glass.She hadn't seen her mom for almost a year.
Blowing out her breath, she struggled with what she should do.She didn't trust any Cusclan member, but she wanted to see her mom.
Inhaling deeply, she left the room.Then she ran down the stairs, through the back hallway, and out the back door.
