“Thank you for staying with me,” she said as he walked her to the lobby and she headed toward a chair.
“Where are you going?” he asked as he tugged her arm gently toward the doors.
“You don’t need to babysit me. Really, I’m fine. I’ll call a cab and my sister will watch over me,” she explained.
“I’m taking you home and giving your sister my number and the doctor’s instructions,” he announced as he led her through the glass double doors.
“She works,” Riley lied as he headed toward his vehicle. “I’ll only be home for a bit by myself.”
“Then I’ll take you home,” he said, almost annoyed.
She didn’t argue, as she calculated the time to cash his check and return to the biker club. By this evening, Tara would be safe at the apartment with her.
Helping her into the truck, Garrett seemed stiff and almost formal. When he got into the driver’s seat, he turned his gaze on her and pulled out a folded check from his pocket.
“We can swing by the bank and cash this if it’ll make you feel better,” he said icily.
Riley hesitated. She didn’t want to sound like a money-hungry bitch, but the more she thought about his check, the bank might require a hold on it for at least a week, considering she didn’t have the funds to cover it. If he cashed it, Riley could get to her sister even faster. “Sure, if it won’t make you late for your meeting with your friend.”
“I’m fine,” he stated as his hands gripped the wheel and he stared at the road.
“You’re the one who offered,” she snapped, instantly regretting it and holding her head.
His lips firmed, and a vein popped out from his neck, making her feel a bit afraid of him. In reality, she didn’t know the man, and he already saw her naked, hit her with his truck, offered her more money than she made in over a year, and sat by her side at the ER. What did he have to be mad about?
CHAPTER SEVEN
Garrett felt steam coming out of his ears. Why did he attract nothing but money-grabbing women? The blonde-haired, blue-eyed woman beside him appeared innocent and helpless as he rushed to get them to shelter, but she seemed to perk up at the idea of cashing the check.
Pulling in front of his bank, he got out, slamming the door a bit hard. He stomped toward the entrance, trying to remain calm when he wanted to shout to the sky, “Why me?”
He walked up to the cashier and handed her the check and his ID. The woman smiled at him.
“How do you want the bills, Mr. Johnson?” she asked.
“Give me hundred-dollar bills,” he said as he waited for her to run it through the machine twice.
“Yes, sir,” she said as she placed his funds in a larger envelope. “Can I do anything else for you today?”
“No, thanks,” he said before turning and leaving. Riley sat in his truck, and when she saw him, she shot up in her seat and licked her lips. It disgusted him to no end.
He slid into his seat and handed her the envelope. “You can count it if you like,” he offered as he started the truck. “Where can I drop you off?”
“I’m down the street and take a right. Then, I’m four blocks down,” she said as she put the envelope on her lap and caressed it.
He followed her directions and pulled into the shabby apartment complex. He scanned the area, noticing the biker bar a short distance down.
“You live here?” he asked doubtfully.
“Not all of us have money,” she retorted as she yanked the handle and opened the door. “Thank you for everything. You’ve done more than most people.”
She shut her door and slowly climbed the steps. The railing bent as she hung onto it, making Garrett doubt its ability to hold her if she leaned heavily on it. He watched as she reached the top floor and entered her apartment.
He scanned the area again. A man lingered at the corner of the building and pulled out his phone, calling someone. His gut churned, almost warning him of impending danger as he pulled out of the parking lot and headed back to the ranch. The neighborhood appeared seedy and run down, and he didn’t like to think of two young women alone. What could he possibly do?
Keys fell from the seat onto the floor, and he recognized them as Riley’s. He started to turn around to give them to her when the beaten-up piece of crap she said she borrowed from a friend appeared on the side of the road. He parked behind it and grabbed the keys. Unlocking it, Garrett climbed in and tried starting the vehicle. It took six tries before it finally turned over. He got out and lifted the hood, using his flashlight to inspect underneath.
He shook his head as he bent over and reattached thespark plug wire. Then, he returned to the vehicle and started it again. The car rumbled and sounded on its last legs, but it at least ran. Pulling out his phone and Matthew’s card, he dialed the number.
