I hang up on her, which is nothing new and doesn’t mean much. Having three female besties is a juggling act and trying to deal with big personalities is a game we’re all exceptionally good at.
My phone rings as I’m climbing out the car with my vision set on the loo in the middle of the park. Waving over to Big Tom and Tonka letting them know where I’m headed, I answer Heidi’s call almost immediately.
“When will you be back?” she asks, not bothering to say hello. And by the way she’s talking—all wooden and hollow—I know she’s at her office which means she’s being watched by her guards. She hates them with a passion, which in true Scorned-girls solidarity means we do too.
I answer quickly. “Not sure. I’m waiting on a hot date. Want to meet up at Roda’s after?”
“Sure. Who have you got a date with?”
“My secret lover,” I smile, pushing open the cubicle door and flipping our call to hands free.
“You have one too?” Heidi jokes, ignoring the fact I’m peeing and talking. But she multi-tasks as much as any of us does.
“Actually, I’m thinking of adding a bad boy to my schedule. Tattoos, dangerous eyes, killer body.”
“I hope he’s good looking.”
“Now I’ve had King, I’m not going backwards,” I smart back.
“Doeshehave a name?” she asks as she types away. No shit my besties are unbelievable at ignoring my less than subtle hints.
“Well, then he wouldn’t be a secret would he?”
“I guess not. Any sign of that photographer today or what’s your agent’s name again listening to you all of a sudden?”
“Teddy? He’s okay but he did tell me that someone is targeting Nolan. The rush job I got was for Mondo Boots. I grabbed you a pair,” I say looking down at my feet, the white boots will suit Heidi more than me. The heel is way too blocky for my taste.
Not that she needs charity, but she does need help with her style. It’s a little stick-up your butt for my taste but that’s because of the Board at Verdune always trying to control her.
Heidi stops talking, reading, or listening to something on her end of the phone and I finish doing my business and manage to wash my hands before she comes back to me. “Hey, we’re going to have to eat in, I’ll pick it up on my way home. I’m going to be late though these assholes apparently need a report from me and then one I sent last week isn’t quite what they were after.”
“No worries. I’m going to be hours anyway. We can always have two minute noodles or something if you get caught up,” I offer but she’s already gone.
Sending off a quick text to Raney letting her know I spoke with Heidi I’ve got my phone in my sights but walking outside it’s like walking into a different place. In the space of a few minutes, a ‘heaviness’ has descended on the day; a clawingmalevolent energy has me instantly on alert. A couple of steps out of the toilet block, and the unmistakable rumble of bikes fills the air.
A look towards where I parked, Big Tom is already on his way over.
“Get in the car, Tristan,” he says, his eyes don’t land on me as they move over the park we’re in.
“That’s too many bikes for King, isn’t it?”
“It’s the Death Riders. I’ve called King and told him to not come here. Thought you and me could act like we’re finishing up our picnic.”
Without being asked twice, I paste on the best smile I can on my face and lunge for his hand. It feels weird being so close to Big Tom but I think it would look weirder if we were not being touchy-feely. We barely take ten steps and get to see at least thirty bikes swarm into the gas station. The way they weave through the area feels like they’re on the hunt.
The noise their bikes make is as aggressive as how they’re riding. Some of them get off their bikes and go searching the inside of the station, it’s intimidating and scary to watch.
Big Tom pulls me closer to him, his arm drops over my shoulder when a couple of bikes ride over the park from the sides surrounding us. But it’s not just us they surround, they are definitely hunting, leaving no stone unturned. I’m thankful I didn’t put on one of King’s stolen long sleeve tops and I’m beyond thankful that King decided to use an actual security company to provide me with Big Tom and Tonka as protection, and not just a couple of Fallen prospects.
A bike rolls up next to us, and we slow down like any couple would. Letting the guy on the bike steer the interaction which is what he was after. You easily get a feeling that making a scene would be worse.
Behind me the wind blows, bringing another bike next to the first, but since this new person came from behind us, I didn’t see him arrive. Twisting around though there’s no mistaking Maverick’s hazel-green eyes locked on me. He stares at me for what feels like forever, his gaze jumping between my face and Big Tom’s arms.
“Get the fuck out of here,” he says, his words packing a punch exactly like he wanted.
My eyes glaze over to the person in the Death Riders’ cut he stands next to. The sting of his betrayal is instant.
I completely understand the whole not telling the truth thing. I really, really do but at the same time Maverick implored me that I believe him, and I did which makes his deceit cut deep.
