Iona held up her hand. “I’m telling the truth. The only television I watch is the news, and that’s sporadic.”
“Is there a reason you don’t watch television?”
“I have such limited time available that I’d rather read a book.”
“Fair enough.”
“What about you? What series do you enjoy watching?”
“Any kind of DIY show.”
She smiled. “You like to work with your hands.”
“I’m good at fixing things.”
“Do you fix your own SUV?”
“Are you kidding? Of course not. Bear would kill me for touching one of his mechanical babies.”
For the next two hours, they asked and answered questions the members of the Blackthorn Riders might ask to see if they were lying to infiltrate the MC. The beauty of it was that they were only lying about their last names. Everything else was true. When you went undercover, sticking as close to the truth as possible was always better. That way you didn’t trip yourself up.
By the time they drove through Red Rock and headed toward the compound, Iona and Elias had learned new things about each other and confirmed things they had already observed. Nice to know they’d paid close attention to each other even though they hadn’t admitted to the attraction.
With Elias navigating, Iona followed his directions into the countryside and up into the hills 20 miles from Red Rock. Her stomach knotted. They were out in the middle of nowhere. The only establishment this far from town was the post office and a combination gas station and deli named Nick’s. Someone hadn’tbothered to get creative with the name. “Wonder if Nick’s is owned by a man named Nick.”
“At one time, I’m sure it was. Whether he still owns the place is the question. With a business like this, many times new owners don’t bother changing the name since it’s an established business. If we’re here long enough, someone will tell us the story behind the name.”
“I hope we’re out of here before we become that chummy with the locals.”
“Same. Turn right at the next road.”
“It’s more like a cow path than a road.”
He snorted. “This is the type of area that my father chooses for his compound. No obvious law enforcement for miles around. No civilization so that his word is law.”
“But your father isn’t in this area, right?”
“Zane is tracking him down. We should know soon.”
“I really don’t want to deal with the Reckoners and the Blackthorn Riders.”
“Same. The clubs working together isn’t a good sign.”
“Why not?”
“I’m afraid the Blackthorn Riders is a weaker, smaller club.”
“Which means?”
“They’re looking to the Reckoners to protect them if another club comes after them.”
“And if the Reckoners come riding to the rescue?”
“The only ones who would recognize me would be the old-timers, including my father. If he realizes I’m in the compound, he’ll come after me with everything he has at his disposal.”
“You haven’t talked about your mother.”
He remained silent for a moment. “No, I haven’t.”
