To an ignorant observer it probably looked that way, but there were only two ways back to the Interstate from here.Of course I probably went the same way as Ryan – or Killian did.My guess was this guy didn’t know the difference between them any better than I did.
I shook my head.“I’m just here to talk to the owner.Now, if you’ll let me pass—”
From his hip, he brought up a handgun.“Bitch, you’re comin’ with me.”
Fear raced through my veins and my mind froze.The strap of my purse slid down my arm and I vaguely heard something hit the ground.I wanted to run, but he’d probably shoot me.For a second, I considered grabbing his arm and pushing it away, but he’d probably shoot me.As things stood, he’d take me somewhere else, and probably shoot me.
A few feet separated us.The man’s eyes darted to the side as someone hopped over the low metal fence delineating the smoker’s patio.
Next thing I knew, one of the triplets stood in between me and the other man.I didn’t know which one because he had his back to me.His vest looked different up close compared to the last few nights.The backside featured a large, embroidered patch of a skull perched on an upturned fist with wings jutting out to the sides.An arched patch above the skull read “Riot MC,” and a curved patch at the bottom read, “Jacksonville, FL.”From what little I knew about the biker culture, having this patch now had to be a big deal.
I was pulled from my thoughts when he said, “Let her go.”
The tobacco chewing man scoffed.“Look at that, you got a nickname now.‘Nickel.’Must be because that’s all your life’s gonna be worth.”
Nickel’s voice dropped an octave.“You got an issue with me, be a man and take it up with me.”
Movement from my other side diverted my attention.Another man had wandered up to us, and he had a gun aimed at me.
Nickle’s head shifted just enough to see the movement.
“We’ll take it up with both of you.Come with us or I’ll shoot her.”
From over Nickel’s shoulder, I saw the tobacco-chewer smirk.“Hand over your gun, asshole.”
I heard him sigh before giving up his weapon.
The man took it and waved us toward the other side of the lot.
Before I could move, the second man grabbed my bicep and dragged me to a beat-up, dark green Nissan Frontier.He shoved me into the back of the cab.“Slide over, bitch.”
I did as ordered, expecting him to follow me, but then I smelled leather and saw Nickel had climbed in beside me.
“You got cuffs?”the man at the door asked.
“Rusty didn’t tell me to bring cuffs,” the tobacco chewer said.
“Dammit, Campbell, do you think these two won't try to run us off the road?”
“I got zip-ties, Boyd.”
“Well, move your ass and get ‘em,” Boyd said from the door.
I opened my mouth thinking someone would hear me scream, but Nickel grabbed my thigh.“Don’t.It’ll make it worse,” he whispered.
I whispered back, “Are you Killian or—”
“Ryan.Stay calm,” he whispered.
I almost choked with my urge to laugh.“Impossible,” I muttered.
“Shut up back there,” Boyd said, brandishing his gun.
The door to my left opened.Campbell stood there holding his gun in one hand and a zip-tie in the other.At some point he must have chucked his tobacco because the bulge in his cheek was gone.
From the other side of the cab, Boyd leaned toward us.“Put your fuckin’ gun away, Campbell, and get her wrists bound.She does anything, I shoot the biker and then I shoot her.”
My eyes slid to the side and saw Boyd had the gun held inches from Ryan’s head.
