Page 105 of Bronco

“And Hustler,” I muse. “He walks around like the cat who got the cream.”

“He’s been such a rock. I’ve never been an equal in a relationship until I met him. I think because we were also friends before we got together, it really helped our relationship blossom. We knew a lot about each other before things got serious,” she laughs. “We enjoyed each other’s company without any pressure. Of course, we all know how that turned out.”

“He couldn’t keep his hands off you.”

She rubs her belly. “Clearly I was never infertile like I thought I was.”

Unlike Audrina, I know for a fact I can’t have kids. It’s the reason I let Bronco not use a condom and I don’t regret that. Feeling him that close to me was something I wanted. Heck, I craved it. “It was meant to be.”

“It was.”

I’m happy for her and West, they’re the cutest couple, and I know they’ll make amazing parents.

My phone vibrates and I see Bronco’s name dancing across the screen. “I’m just gonna take this,” I say.

“No problems.”

“Bronco?”

“Hey, sorry I missed your call, I was… uh, busy. Callin’ to say I’m enroute to collect Olive, Hustler said he’d fill you in on what’s goin’ down.”

“He did, sort of,” I say. “But Bronc, I got a call from Star.”

“What did she say?”

I fill him in and he’s quiet for a moment. “Fuck, we gotta find her.”

“I know, I’m freaking out. I just got off the call then Audrina and Hustler arrived, so I haven’t had a second to process any of it.”

“I’ll be there soon.”

“Shit, Bronc, if Erica’s somehow involved with organized crime, this could end really badly for her.”

“Shit’s comin’ at us from both sides,” he says, alarming me further. “Just stay at the clubhouse.”

“Okay, Audrina said something about some of the Cut City Boys being at large and some other gang from Mississippi were trying to infiltrate.”

“So much for club business,” he mutters. “Just sit tight, can you do that for me?”

“So the club really is going into lockdown?”

“It’s just a temporary precaution, after what happened to Audrina, Cash isn’t takin’ any chances, so on that front we’re all unanimous.”

“I’m scared, Bronc. I’ve got Olive to think about now.”

“She’s safe here, you know that.”

“I need to find Erica.” I wipe the tears away. I didn’t want to cry down the phone; in fact, it’s the last thing I wanted, but being strong is taking its toll.

“Star’s already found out where she’s been, it’s just a matter of pinpointing where she is right now.”

“I get that, but if she has this Olgetti crime family after her, she might not have the luxury of time.”

As much as Bronco may want to tell me to stop being hysterical, he doesn’t. He lets me rant when I need to, and always talks me off the ledge when I’m close to losing it.

“Keep yourself busy for the next half hour and stop thinkin’ about all the things that could happen,” he tells me. “It’s gonna be okay. We know Erica is alive, we just have to find out exactly where she is. If I have to drive to Baton Rouge myself, I’ll do it.”

“You’d do that?”

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