Page 66 of Biker's Babygirl

I’m not sure they even make phone books anymore, so this one has to be at least several years old, but thankfully I know for a fact that Duke has lived in that same house for years, and his family before him. I hurriedly pull it out and lay it on the table, intending to flip straight to the Ds. After all, how many Dukes can be in the phonebook?

But it opens to theFs and all of a sudden, I can hear Ellie in my head.Lawsons. My hand, a moment ago ready to flip the pages backward, goes still as I try to figure it out.

L, l, l. Hurry the f up, Ginny! You don’t have time for this!

But there’s a shadow of a memory, and I have the feeling that if I can just figure it out, I may be the key to everything.

The diner! She said they go there all the time! Maybe they can reach Duke!

If I’d had the time, I would have pumped my fist in the air in victory. Unfortunately, I have the sinking suspicion that time is not on my side. That certainty fuels me and I press the receiver to my ear, relieved that it is not so old that I don’t hear a dial tone. There are only twoLawsonsin the phone book in the yellow pages. I dial as quickly as I can, agonizing over each unanswered ring.

Hurry… pick up, pick up…I chant as though it will affect the outcome.

“’ello? Lawsons, how can I help you?”

“Hello,” I whisper. “Is this the diner?”

“Hello? Is anyone there? Your connection isn’t good, love.”

“Hello,” I say louder, my eyes going side to side to double check that I’m still alone. “Listen, I don’t have much time. Is this the diner?”

“Diner? What diner?”

I feel like I’m about to come out of my skin with anxiety. “Is this Lawsons diner?”

“Oh, no, sorry, love. Wearethe Lawsons, but?—”

Silently apologizing, I set down the receiver just long enough to hang up. It’s not something I would do under normal circumstances, but this is far from normal. Assuring myself they would understand if they knew what I’m going through, I pick the phone back up and hurriedly dial.

They mercifully pick up on the first ring. “Lawsons, Peggy speaking, what can I get ya?”

The relief that hits me feels like a physical blow, and I find for a moment that I can’t speak.

“Hello? Is someone there? What can I get you?”

“Wait!” I screech, terrified she’ll hang up. I can feel my time running out as acutely as if I’m staring at an hourglass filled with sand. “I’m here, I’m here! Peggy, it’s Ginny!”

“Alrighty then, Ginny. What can I get for you?”

Of course she doesn’t recognize my name. I’m an idiot. I never got to meet her.“Peggy, it’s Ginny,” I say again, my voice rising in desperation. “Duke’s Ginny! You have to get a message to him!”

I hear the Pukey pounding so loud from the inside of the room that the door is rattling on its hinges.

“Duke?” she repeats uncertainly.

“Yes! You have to get a message to him, Peggy, please! Tell him I didn’t mean it, tell him Lucas has got me, tell him?—”

“Hang on, sweetheart.”

“No, Peggy,please!” I’m near tears and gripping the phone so hard it hurts. “You can’t put me on hold, I need you to tell him.Tell him Lucas got me, tell him we’re headed to the border, tell him?—”

I was about to say,tell him I’m sorry,but before I get a chance, I hear the dial tone. My mouth drops open in shock and I reach for the buttons to dial again, but the phone is yanked out of my reach. I turn just in time to see Lucas hurl it at the wall.

The sound it makes on impact makes me cringe, but not as much as the look on Lucas’s face. His eyes are shooting sparks and his furrowed brow and scowl remind me of a thundercloud. That’s the last thing I think before I feel his hands around my throat.

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

Duke

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