“Yeah, we know ‘em,” Pretty Boy replied. “They own territory to the east, in the plains. We’re not exactly friends, but we aren’t at each other’s throats either.”
“Well, you might change your mind about that,” the woman countered. “There’s a rumor floating around. The Filthy Rebels want to expand their territory. And they’re prepared to muscle their way onto your turf. Take what they want by force.”
“So, you’re saying we have a target on our backs,” Ironside put in.
She nodded. “Word on the street says they intend to start picking you off, one at a time. Then they’ll go for the killing blow and wipe you out completely.”
“What a comforting thought,” Pretty Boy said drily. “Why would you tell us this anyway? What’s in it for you? I can’t imagine this information comes cheap. What’s your price?”
The woman shrugged.
“Let’s just say that I’d rather have you boys on my side than against me. Purely for self-serving purposes, of course. I saw a golden opportunity and I took it. Besides, keeping a few tattooed tough guys in my back pocket for emergencies will probably come in handy one day.”
“How do we contact you if we need more info?” Pretty Boy said.
“I’ll find you,” she replied. “It’s too easy to tap a phone for my comfort. And I don’t trust most folks to pass along information.”
“At least give us a name then.”
She considered for a moment, rocking back on her heels as if she was prepared to bolt at a moment’s notice.
“Bobbie,” she admitted. “Just Bobbie.”
Backing away, she saluted then melted into the crowd.
“Well,” Ironside said. “That sets my teeth on edge. I’ll let Hillbilly know. There isn’t much we can do tonight, so you boys can stay behind and enjoy the concert if you want.”
Pretty Boy decided to hang out for a while longer. Before I could make my decision, a familiar voice cut through the concert noise.
“Tarzan?”
Turning around, I came face to face with Keely. Her cheeks were flushed and her pin-up curls were coming loose in messy waves. She wasn’t wearing that sack of a diner uniform anymore.
Instead, she had a frilly little sundress on, peppered with clusters of pink and yellow flowers. A small ribbon bow gathered between her breasts, puckering the fabric of her low-cut neckline.
Made it damn difficult to think of anything besides tugging it loose with my teeth.
“I knew it was you!” Keely declared, practically shouting to be heard over the music. She waved around a coconut-shaped cup with a small umbrella and a hot pink crazy straw. “I would recognize those big muscles anywhere.”
Her words slurred slightly and she swayed on her feet. When she stumbled closer, she nearly collided with me. I caught her elbow to steady her, trying not to pay too much attention to the coolness of her skin under my palm.
“How much have you had to drink tonight?” I asked.
She screwed one eye shut as she mentally calculated.
“Only two or three—wait, no, maybe four—fruity mai tais. They tastedso good. It’s the weekend and I wanted to enjoy myself during my time off, ya know? I was supposed to meet a friend, but plans changed at the last minute, so I decided to fly solo.”
“Please tell me you didn’t drive here,” I said.
Given the current state she was in, I dreaded the thought of her behind the wheel.
Keely shook her head emphatically and wobbled.
“No way. I took an Uber.”
Well, that was slightly better, but not by much. It didn’t sit well with me, imagining her getting into a stranger’s car while she was like this.
Then Keely pouted and poked me in the chest.
