Page 29 of Wolf Cursed
“Bad idea?” Idrissa shot him another look in the mirror.
He shrugged. “It’s our funeral.”
“Whoa. I don’t want to cause trouble,” I said, but Idrissa ignored me and shot Isaac a grin that showed way too much teeth.
“Good thing we both like to live on the edge,” she said.
Before I could argue, she hit the gas and we flew through town and out the other side. But not before I caught two kids, who couldn’t have been more than twelve, spray painting a van. Okay then. Crime in broad daylight. Constant partying. What the hell was with this place?
I was just about to ask when I realized we’d left anything resembling civilization in the rearview. With the shops behind us, along with everything that looked like Ridley Falls, I turned to look at Idrissa.
“Is this the part where you kidnap me?” I asked.
“This is the part where we show you the real Ridley Falls,” she said.
I had no idea what that meant, but soon enough, it made sense. Sort of. After a couple of miles that went by way quicker than the actual speed limit allowed, Idrissa pulled into the parking lot of a large, squat building with peeling brown paint.
The sign above the door read Bo’s. No indication as to Bo’s “what.” Dive bar, from the looks of it. On all sides was an open field that gave way to thick forest. Behind it, an aging barn stood framed along the backside by mountains.
I scanned the long line of bikes parked out front. Several of them were occupied by those either coming or going. A brunette covered in tattoos and piercings leaned over and planted a lingering kiss on a guy with a gray beard and a black bandanna wrapped around his head.
Someone else whistled at them.
The girl gave everyone the finger.
The guy laughed and motioned for her to hop on the back of his motorcycle. As soon as she did, he started it up and sped out onto the main road. His exhaust was loud enough to drown out everything else.
Well, almost everything.
I had a strange feeling now; a slow sort of tingle starting at the base of my spine and working its way up. Still scanning the row of bikes, I felt him before I saw him, which was kind of insane, but also undeniable considering my eyes weren’t deceiving me. Standing beside the motorcycle on the end, short sleeves revealing arms covered in tattoos, was Kai.
Chapter Eight
Helpless to look away, I watched as Kai swung a leg over the side of his bike and started it up. Two girls walked over, blocking his exit. One of them leaned over and said something, a flirty smile on her mouth and enough cleavage spilling out of her top to choke a horse. The other girl had a hand on her hip and jean shorts that only covered the top half of her ass. Kai frowned at the girl who’d spoken. Then he shook his head. She jutted out her lip in a pout and backed away. From the group of others hanging out, one of the guys yelled something and motioned to the girl. Kai looked relieved when both of them retreated.
Revving the engine, he kicked it into gear and glided out of the lot onto the road. When he was out of sight, I looked over and realized both twins had fallen silent to watch me.
My face heated.
“What?” I demanded.
“Daaamn,” Idrissa said.
Isaac whistled.
“What?” I said again, this time more defensive.
Idrissa got out of the car, and I did the same. Behind me, Isaac lifted himself out of the seat and swung his legs over the side, planting his feet on the gravel.
They both stood and looked at me in the warm sunlight.
“You’ve got it bad, girl,” Idrissa said with a sad shake of her head.
“For Kai?” I snorted, but even I knew it wasn’t convincing. I tried again, looking directly into Isaac’s knowing eyes as I said, “He’s an asshole.”
“So, you two have met then,” Idrissa said.
“He works at the shop,” I said, hoping my tone sounded disgusted.
