Quinn let out a slow, controlled breath. It was going to be alongweekend.
Chapter Eleven
As they pulledinto the parking lot, Sloan pointed to a bar across the street where a row of bikes lined the front like a steel barricade.
"That doesn't mean anything," Quinn said, dismissing the implication before anyone voiced it. "Could just be a riding club out enjoying wine country."
She turned to Echo. "Recognize any of those?"
Echo snorted. "Don't look at me. I don't know the first thing about bikes."
Approaching the entrance, they saw the outdoor section was just as busy as expected. Inside it was, then. Quinn caught Brandi holding the door open and gave her a nod of thanks as they stepped into the dimly lit space, the scent of grilled food and fresh hops hitting them immediately.
"Fingers crossed they have something big enough for us," Quinn said as Brandi fell into step beside her.
The evening had been wonderful. Laughter filled the air, the conversation staying light and easy, even dipping into a few stories that probably should have never seen the light of day. As the table was cleared, talk inevitably circled back to why Quinn had thrown together a last-minute girls' weekend.
"Don't look at me. This was Brandi's call." Quinn nudged her friend, who was suddenly very interested in everything except the conversation. "Spill it, Red."
Brandi sighed, shaking her head. "I'm hoping that if I leave town for a few days, Tool will notice." She lifted her hands in surrender. "I know, it’s stupid."
"No, it’s not. He needs to get with the program," Quinn said firmly. "Has he given you any clue what he actually wants?"
"Shit. He’s like Fort Knox with information. He just shows up here and there for, you know…"
"For what? Sex?"
Brandi could feel the heat creeping up her neck. She should have kept her mouth shut. She noticed Layla watching her, an unreadable expression on her face. "What’s that look for?" she asked Quinn’s sister.
"I was just thinking about a guy."
Brandi’s stomach clenched. Was Layla thinking about Tool? Had something happened between them? Her heart pounded, a sick, irrational panic creeping in. "Did you see Angel when you rolled through town?" she asked, throwing out the question as a test.
Layla choked on her wine. Relief flooded Brandi’s chest.
Quinn laughed and raised her glass. "Busted."
"No, I was thinking about the deputy who pulled me over," Layla said, eyes dancing with mischief. But then she grinned. "Okay, fine. I saw Angel outside The Firehouse." She fanned herself dramatically. "That blonde-haired, tatted-up biker… damn."
Brandi rolled her eyes, but Layla wasn’t done.
"I think I could juggle both Angel and the deputy. Except the deputy didn’t seem charmed by me at all."
"Oh hell, he wrote you a ticket, didn’t he?" Quinn snorted.
Layla huffed, sipping her wine. She did tend to rely too much on her looks to get her out of trouble. If she thought she could mix it up with Deputy Wright, that was a disaster waiting to happen. Gypsy would probably prefer Layla sleeping with Angel over getting tangled up with a cop.
Before Quinn could say anything, a commotion from across the room caught her attention. Her stomach sank. A group of bikers was hassling other patrons, their voices carrying above the low hum of the restaurant.
Quinn immediately flagged down the waitress. "Can we get the check, please?"
It was time to go.
Quinn stayed sharp as the girls weaved through the crowded outdoor seating area. All they had to do was get out of the restaurant and back to the B&B. No distractions. No trouble. They were almost in the clear when she caught Layla throwing a haughty glare at one of the bikers.
The guy sneered. "Bitch."
Quinn’s stomach dropped. She grabbed her sister’s arm in an iron grip.“Don’t you say or do a damn thing, Layla.”
