He walks away without waiting for a response.
Rex lets out a breath. “That went better than I expected.”
“You thought he'd say no?”
“I thought he might throw you out.” His grin returns, relief underneath it. “I like you, Rhodes. I love my club more. Glad I didn't have to choose.”
“Noted.”
He walks me toward the service bay where my R7 waits. Fresh service, as promised. I run my hand along the tank, checking the lines.
“The Serpents have a clubhouse in the industrial district,” Rex says, voice low. “Abandoned factory near the train yards, not far from Ravenwood. That's where you'll find their leadership.”
“Appreciate it.”
“One more thing.” Rex crouches beside the bike, pointing to the front brake assembly. “When we serviced her, we found a loosened connection on the brake line.”
I go still.
“Could be wear and tear,” he says. “Could be it wasn't.”
“You're saying someone tampered with my brakes.”
“I'm saying you should ask yourself who wants to see you on the pavement.” He stands. “We fixed it. She's solid now.”
Someone tried to kill me.The thought lands with strange, distant clarity. The twitchy throttle on the coast road. The brakesthat grabbed and released wrong. If I'd pushed her harder that night, taken the curves at my usual speed...
“You need muscle?” Rex asks. “I can spare a few guys.”
“I'm fine. If anything changes, I'll take you up on that.”
Rex nods. “Watch your back. The Serpents are sloppy. Whoever's paying them isn't.”
I swing onto the R7, pull out my phone. Maddox picks up on the first ring.
“The Serpents have a clubhouse near the train yards,” I tell him. “Industrial district. We're paying them a visit.”
“When?”
“Tonight.”
I can hear him smile through the phone. “I'll warm up.”
CHAPTER 16
THE GRAY LINE
KAIDEN
I parktwo blocks from the train yards, kill the engine. The industrial district is quiet at this hour, just the distant rumble of freight cars and the orange glow of sodium lights cutting through the dark.
I pull off my helmet, night air cool against my face. I should be focused on what's ahead. Instead, I pull up Emma's contact and call.
“Hey, you.” Her voice is warm, a little sleepy.
“Hey. What are you up to?”
“Just got home. Planning to curl up with a book and pretend the world doesn't exist for a few hours.” I can hear her smile. “You?”
