Page 61 of Rebel

“Love you too, baby girl.” I hugged her back as tight as she could handle it, inhaling her little girl scent mixed with the scent of barbecue and chocolate.

I owed Nikki the biggest fucking apology.

Chapter Twenty-Nine

Nikki

“Caller, you’re on the air. Tell us about your unforgettable story on the road.” I smiled through my hurt and my anger, because despite everything, this was the one place I felt safe and happy. I wasn’t naïve enough to think that I was actually safe. I wasn’t. There was no place that was safe for me as long as the Blood Fangs were still around, I knew that, but I had to live whatever life I had left.

“There once was a woman,” the caller began in a low, slightly raspy voice. The tone should have been soothing but it wasn’t. It felt menacing. “She didn’t know when to mind her own fucking business. So we snatched her off the street, drove down a long, abandoned road and buried her beside the highway.” The call disconnected, and nothing was left but a dial tone.

Dial tone? That meant he might’ve called from a landline or payphone. Not that I could do anything about that unless I went to the cops, who were probably friends with the councilman at best, or on his payroll at worst.“That wasn’t a nice story but we’re out of time which means we have to end there. Thanks for riding theHighway Pulsewith me tonight. See you on the other side.”

“Holy shit, Nikki!” Mia’s eyes were wide. “Are you okay?”

“I’m fine,” I assured her with a smile I didn’t feel. “Don’t worry.”

“Yeah,” she snorted. “I’m not worried at all.” She rolled her eyes and came into the studio to wrap me in a hug. “We should go to the cops. The threats are coming more frequently.”

“I don’t know who I can trust, especially when it comes to people drawing a government paycheck.” Saying that felt odd, but it was the story of my life right now.

“How about I go as nothing more than a concerned producer?” Mia was asking, but not really, she would go no matter what I said.

“Sure, just be careful.”

“I always am,” she promised and wrapped an arm around me. “I have a meeting with management but I’ll walk you down.”

The moment the doors slid open, Logan appeared. He was frowning his arms were crossed, and his lips were tugged into a straight line. “Nikki,” he growled.

“I’m fine,” I insisted and waved off his attempt to offer physical comfort. “I’m used to it at this point.” I walked across the lobby and out into the night air.

“You don’t have to pretend,” he said once we were both inside the car.

“Neither do you,” I shot back. He might’ve calmed down after our argument, but I hadn’t. I was still as furious as I’d been last night.

“Dammit Nikki, I do care.” He turned to face me, but I kept my gaze aimed at the view just beyond the windshield. “Just because we’re arguing doesn’t mean I don’t care.”

“Whatever. Can we go? Please?”

He paused, sighed as if he wanted to say more, but then he gave up and started the engine. Logan stayed quiet as he drove.

“Where are we going? This isn’t the way to the clubhouse.” I sat up taller and finally turned to face him. “Logan.”

“We need to talk.”

“No, we don’t.” I shook my head. “Take me to the clubhouse. Now.”

“No.”

I shook the door handle in vain, the door was locked. “Dammit Logan, this isn’t funny. You can’t just kidnap me to get your way.”

“It’s not a kidnapping, we’re just taking a detour.”

“Bullshit. You’re a bully, no different than the Blood Fangs MC.” It was a low blow, but it wasn’t far from the truth.

“You know that’s not true.”

“I know that you want what you want when you want it, and it doesn’t actually matter what I want. So speak, Logan. Say whatever it is that’s so important.” I folded my arms and watched the world through the windshield.

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