Page 22 of Toxic Biker

“Whiskey? Please, just tell me what’s going on.”

“I can’t tell you much, darlin’. But I can say he got a text ‘bout four in the morning. Didn’t have time for church or anything, just woke the brothers and they left.”

“They left? Where did he go?”

He shrugs, and I know right then and there he knows where they are, but he won’t tell me no matter what. I start to turn, and he interrupts, “Where you going?”

“To grab my keys and purse. I need to go to Seth’s job to talk to his co-worker.”

“Ain’t happening.”

I sputter, “E-excuse me?” Who does he think he is, telling me I can’t leave.

“Plague took your car.”

“He what?!” I’m on the verge of outrage. I swear that man has the nerve to take my car and leave without telling me anything! Knowing him, whatever he’s doing is ridiculously dangerous. He could probably die, and he didn’t utter a word to me about it. “He’s been gone for hours, and no one thought to say a word to me?”

“He’s trying to get Seth back. He’s hoping he’ll need the vehicle to bring your brother home. Would’ve been difficult trying to get them both on his hog. Nobody knows the state they’ll find your brother in.”

I nod. Feeling a bit detached at his words. Part of me wants to scream in anger, the other wants to buckle into a heap of tears, and lastly, the rational side of me tells me this has to happen for any of this to move forward. Doesn’t mean I have to like it. I don’t, not one bit. Without another word, I turn away from the handsome information holding hostage man and make my way to the bar.

It’s noon, so fuck it. I head behind the bar, grab the bottle of Wild Turkey and tip it, pouring some into my coffee. With the pertinent beverage, I walk to the long windows facing the parking area and take in the empty space. Most of the bikes and my car are missing. I didn’t even realize it when I poked my head in here earlier, too distracted to pay attention.

Taking a sip, I sit my butt on the top of the closest table so I can continue to stare outside. The windows were designed a little higher than normal. Easier for a tall man to see out of, or if you’re on a barstool, or standing. They did not design this place with women in mind, well except on how to keep us here, but nothing else.

My next drink isn’t a sip but more like a gulp. The liquor burns going down, as I’m not a big drinker. I partied a little in college, but being in an industry filled with men, I had to keep my head on straight, or they’d have left me behind the first chance they got. Now, I have the luxury of working from home most days. I submit the bulk of my work to my boss directly, online, and we go back and forth in a chat. I have to pop into the office once a week for our team meeting and catch up on any office work, otherwise my schedule works around me for the most part. I take another drink, realizing I may need Wild Turkey in my coffee more often if this is what I can expect for future mornings.

Worrying about Asher too much will drive me to being a drunk if I’m not careful. With that thought, I take another drink, watching as a motorcycle rolls into the parking lot. The biker glances around, taking in the few bikes in the parking lot, then turns around, riding off. I don’t know what that was about, but I’m guessing he didn’t belong here since he had a different patch on his back.

A car pulling in waves at him as they drive by, and I make out a woman through the windshield. She’s not one of the slutty chicks I’ve seen around hanging off the guys wearing next to no clothes. She parks, and as she gets out, her passenger side opens with a biker climbing out. He’s pretty clean cut for being aBastard, a little scruff on his face, but he screams businessman more than biker.

The female comes striding inside like she owns the place, the guy hot on her heels. They don’t have the ‘couple’ dynamic, but they’re definitely friends. She glances over me from top to bottom then comes to a standstill in front of me. The guy heads for the bar. “You must be Lacey. I’m Alice.”

“Okay…” I trail off for a beat, take another drink of the Wild coffee before saying, “Nice to meet you, Alice.”

She grins. “Liquor for lunch? Can’t say I’m surprised with these guys, they drive me to drink too.”

“Hey, hey,” the guy calls, sending her a raised brow.

She shrugs. “It’s true. I’m Ripper’s ol’ lady and this here is Richardson. He used to be my bodyguard but now he likes to play dress up with my biker boyfriend. Even bought himself a motorcycle and everything,” she teases as he approaches carrying two drinks.

“Nice, Alice. Ripper will love you talking shit while he’s busy.”

“It only takes one blow job, Richardson, and that man will forget.” She winks and his nostrils flare. They have more of a brother-sister vibe going now that I’m listening to them, but they don’t look anything alike.

He hands her a drink then holds his hand out to me, “Mark, nice to meet you.”

I glance down at his hand, then meet his eyes. “Is it, though? I wake up to find your club gone, taking my car in the process, and have gotten zero information from the two men here with me. I’m not sure I’d pick today to meet me if I were you.”

He whistles low, lips twisting into a smirk. “I thought you were hot at first glance, but Christ, no wonder Plague’s claimed you.” Alice shoots him a quick glare, but he ignores her. “One of us would’ve scooped you up in a heartbeat with the dose of truth you’re not afraid to dish.”

“Thanks, I think,” I whisper at the non-compliment-sort-of-compliment. At least, I think it was one. “So you’re dating Ripper?”

She nods and Mark cuts in again, “She’s not dating, the man owns her.” This comes out more in a grumble, but something tells me he doesn’t have the hots for her. “Literally, she has his property patch.” She beams while he shakes his head, muttering, “Still catching grief from your father over it.”

“Go bother Whiskey, you grouch,” she orders. He gives her a nonchalant salute and swaggers towards the hallway leading to the kitchen. Alice finds a remote, pressing some buttons until a few of the flat screens light up. She turns one on the Dallas news, the other goes to a Real Housewives episode. It’s a rerun, I’ve already seen it. “Richardson’s a good guy, he’s handy to have around if you need protection.”

“Are you the type to need protection?”

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