Page 64 of Desert Heat

I wanted to be strong like that woman who talked to me over the truck’s audio. I could tell River indulged her. Respected her.

I want to be a woman no one fucks with.

Not half-grown fraternity boys and definitely not full down aloha bikers.

The only way to do this was to resist River, get back to my rental in the woods and pick up the pieces.

Figure out next moves on my own terms without MC interference of any kind.

When I figure out what I want, I’ll let him know. Until then, I’m holding my head high. Because I told him the truth, I wasn’t sure who the fuck I was anymore: the girl from New Mexico who wore a half pound of silver between her fingers and wrists, working the bar in an MC’s Clubhouse or the mysterious college girl somehow pulling A’s and forging a different future…

“This is surreal.”

Brandi and I were back on campus after our hellish four day ordeal. Apparently River and Tank got ahead of all of the drama, spinning some story about Tank’s baby-sitter being airlifted after a car crash and the three of us dropping everything to support him.

The whole thing being so traumatic that Tank and Hunter would have to finish the remaining few weeks of the semester remote.

But we knew the truth: the two of them would never come back to Bradbury. The question now is will I continue?

“All these men are creeping me out.”

“They are here for our protection. Th mean who betrayed my father’s Club and came for us is still out there.”

“River and Tank will get them. I-I saw they way they killed.” She swallows hard, wrapping the plaid blanket closer around her shoulders. “ They were cold. Calculated. Like they’ve done it so many times before.”

“Because they have,” I answered.

“And that’s why I just can’t. I’m focusing on my grades and then getting out of here over winter break.”

“You’re…. Not going back to North Carolina?”

“Never. I have some money saved up from summer when I waitressed along the shore. I want to getaway. Go somewhere warm. Come with me?”

I sat back in my Adirondack chair, watching the steady flames of the bonfire Dean’s men made for us. They cosseted us like little babies. My rental was on lockdown 24/7 with a group of at least ten surrounding the perimeter. Dean at least dressed normally when he took us to class. The funny thing is everyone thinks either me or Brandi are now serious cheaters. They just can’t figure out which on elf us is supposedly with Dean.

I just roll my eyes at them all and roll on.

“I haven’t thought much about break.”

“I know. I think about them too. All the time… wondering where they are and what they are doing…”

My gaze lifts to the stars, “Probably wondering the same thing about the two of us. But I suspect he has a spy here. Someone keeping tabs on us, reporting back to their master.”

“Really?”

“I’d bet my life on it.”

“That’s hot.”

“What? That they are covertly stalking us?”

“Yeah.”

“There’s no hope for you.”

“I left him, didn’t I?”

“You did.” I raised my longneck beer in a salute. “Fuck it, let’s go. My father left me a stash of money. I think he knew… we might not see each other…,” I couldn’t finish speaking. “Fuck,” I finally cleared my throat. “I’m so sick of crying… of feeling all this all the time!”

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