Page 132 of Frisco

“What?”

But she turned and was heading back.

I stepped out into the hallway, but I didn’t say anything more.

A trip?

I had nothing to pack up, but I went to the bathroom. Washed up. Got as ready as I could and then I grabbed my bag before leaving the room. Those women were in the bar, some sitting on a few of the guys’ laps. Others were bellied up to the counter.

I scanned the room, looking for anyone I recognized. There was no one and seeing a few of the guys going through a door to a back section, I followed to see who was all out there.

Seeing Shelly in the corner, having a smoke, I headed over there. “He–”

She snatched my wrist and pulled me around the corner, and I didn’t even know there was a corner here.

I was looking around because where were we? This looked like a private section. We weren’t in the back anymore, but we weren’t on the other side of the wall either, where the street was.

“Listen.”

“What is this place?”

She waved her cigarette in the air, dismissing me. “It’s for private hookups. You know, if one of the guys wants to get his dick sucked in private or something else.”

Oh.

Ew. I was looking around at it differently now, though, again, I knew that was part of their lifestyle. They wanted to live life to the fullest and doing a threesome where others could be seen was something they did without blinking an eye. Had Shane ever done that? And because the question was now burning in my head, I asked, “There was a woman who came and told me to get my bag.”

“Yeah. About that–”

“Do you think Shane ever hooked up with her?”

“What?”

“Her and Shane. That’s their purpose, right? To hook up with the guys?”

“Uh. Yeah. I mean, it’s not so clear-cut. They get protection from the club, but not the respect. But they know that signing up. It’s their choice to be a sweet butt.”

“What kind of woman would do that? Or a girl would do that? Sign up, service the guys, get looked down on by others and for what?”

“Protection. A sense of belonging. The guys really like them.”

“I don’t understand that.”

“That’s because you’re not made that way. They are. You aren’t. Some don’t know better. Some like it, but listen.” She ground out her cigarette and touched my arm, stepping close again. She lowered her voice. “A little after we came back from dinner, a bunch of Shane’s club came in. Then, a bit ago, they took off again. They didn’t ask if you were here and Crow and a bunch of guys went with them, but I overheard something that I don’t think I should’ve.”

“What?” Also, why was that dread coming back to me? “Does it have something to do with my friends?”

“What?”

“Uh.” I shook my head. “Never mind. What’d you overhear?”

“I don’t know how much of club business you know, but I know a little. There was recently a vote put where they’re not working with a cartel anymore. Some of the guys aren’t on board and I overheard a conversation that some are going to go ahead and ambush the rest. I’m not sure what that means, but I heard where they’re going.”

“What?” Oh God. My heart slammed against my chest. “Where?”

“They’re heading for Texas. A town there. Amarillo.” She pulled me even closer. “I think we should go.”

I backed up. “Wait. What?”

---