Keys tapped a few times and the video sped up, then he stopped it once they walked out and froze it, zooming in a bit. “This is the best view of their faces. Look familiar?”
Shaking my head, I said, “No. They weren’t there for the ambush.”
“Will Kristie need replacement IDs?” Keys asked.
“What? No. And don’t talk about her like you know her.”
He turned again, crossing his arms over his large chest. Even though he stayed hidden in his computer lab, he clearly still made time to work out. “Well, Daisy could’ve just asked me and instead got kidnapped. So, I was just trying to help. And of course Hawk had me look her up when Falcon explained what happened the other night.”
That made sense. Plus, Hawk was already a member back then. He got to ride his bike on those runs, but he knew I was seeing a woman, and he knew what happened afterwards. “And?”
“Hey man, with everything going on lately, he just wanted to be sure she was clean. I noticed a separation letter in her email. And Hawk said something about her being a doctor, but I didn’t find that. She’s smart as hell, but no doctorate.”
“She was going to school to be a doctor when I was seeing her before. Not sure what happened. But she mentioned getting fired.” Why didn’t she get her doctorate?Was it my fault?
“Not sure, but she was doing some crazy work. She’s probably torn up over it. I hope you understand I had to check her out. I gotta do what Hawk asks.”
Nodding, I said, “I know. We’re good. Thanks, brother.”
Heading out of the computer lab and toward the bar, my head spun. Had I somehow messed up her path when I was trying to save it?
Chapter 15
Kristie
“What a small world!” I said. My drink had already been refilled and I was completely at ease with these ladies. They were so down to earth and welcoming, and Shiv was a fellow scientist working at the CDC.
Shiv nodded. “Yep, I haven’t been there long, but I’m still happy to put in a good word.”
“Oh, I don’t know. For now, this is temporary. But I appreciate the offer.”
The women’s eyes all shot to each other, then they all sipped their drinks.
“What’s with the shifty eyes? I’m not drunk yet. I can see you,” I joked.
“It’s cute that you think it’s temporary,” Daisy said. “Ithought I’d be here a few days. I’m an Old Lady now.”
Shiv nodded. “I thought the same thing. Now I’m an Old Lady, too, and my house is being built on the edge of the property.”
“I’m an Old Lady, too.” Lacy smiled. “What they mean is these guys are very decisive about their women.”
Daisy’s drink shot out and she choked. “Umm, honey–”
Lacy cut her off. “We don’t always have to highlighteverydetail. Still, it all happened fast.”
“Eagle had a moment, but it’s okay now because she is the queen of the world and he bows to her,” Shiv said as she grabbed a carrot from the plate.
Chuckling, I said, “I’m glad it all worked out. But I’ve only been back in touch with Rooster a few days. But I dunno.” My finger circled the rim of my glass as I considered Shiv’s offer. “The CDC is kind of a bucket list job. Maybe worth at least trying to get an interview.” I’d been focused on compounds but I was also a biochemist. Working at the CDC on a vaccine or studying diseases was something I’d always had in the back of my mind but I took the path of least resistance, got a job with the help of a professor, then worked my way up there. Plus, I was already used to living in Jersey. I hadn’t really considered moving to Georgia.
“Do you have family besides your cousin in Jersey?” Daisy asked.
“No, actually. They’re all mostly in the Midwest. Some extended family members used to live there and some out in New York, but we aren’t close. Bit had only been staying withme a few weeks until she got settled. Now she’s staying with that rancher until further notice.”
“See, even more reason to stay,” Shiv said. “You won’t get lonely here.”
She wasn’t wrong. Bit sounded pretty serious about Sawyer, though she knew him even less than I knew this version of Rooster. I didn’t have a job at the moment, and I wasn’t keen on going back to my current apartment. Even though they didn’t rob me, the idea that those guys had been in my home was unsettling. And how did I know they wouldn’t go back? Plus, even though I told myself for years I’d stayed at that job because it was a good one, deep down I knew I’d stayed in Jersey in the hopes I’d maybe see him again someday.
“Maybe I’ll send my resume tomorrow. What’s the harm, right?”
