Page 8 of Hell on an Angel
Foolishly, she thought she could walk around to stretch her legs for an hour. Maybe purchase some clothes and medical supplies for her shoulder. Maybe grab a hotel room for the night. Standing inside a store, trying to purchase clothes and a phone charger, Kennedy looked out the shop window. To her horror, she saw Dino and Chuckie by her car in the parking mall across the street.
Leaving everything on the counter, she ran through the store and found a back exit. She ran until she saw a cab, and from there, she went to the bus station and bought a ticket for the next bus leaving. Thankfully, one was about to pull out. She didn’t care where it was headed as long as it got her out of there.
That bus ride landed her in Casper, Wyoming. She’d barely gotten in line for another ticket when she spotted a blacked-out Town Car like the one her boss drove pull into the parking lot. Glancing at her phone, she saw it was about die. She didn’t have enough battery to call for help, and no one in the bus terminal looked like they’d get involved. Running out a side door, she saw a bus being loaded. She waited until the driver stepped off and was checking the luggage compartment doors to climb on board. Making her way to the back of the bus, she ducked down between the last seat and the bathroom. She knew how to hide and could stay tucked away until the next stop. Glancing at her phone, she watched as it went dark.
Five hours later, she stepped off the bus in Rapid City and started walking. She didn’t know how far she walked when she tripped and fell in high grass. Sitting there, she looked around, realizing she wasn’t in the city anymore. She somehow had walked herself right out into the middle of nowhere. If it hadn’t been for a nice older couple picking her up, she’d still be out there alone.
They dropped her off in Hill City, where she spent the rest of the night and most of the morning walking the streets until she saw the diner’s lights come on.
Now, sitting in the small storeroom of the diner, she knew where she’d made her mistake. She had been using her credit card, and they had to have been tracking her purchases as she made them. It wasn’t hard to think her boss had that kind of pull. After all, he seemed to be more than just an accountant. If Dino and Chuckie didn’t find her, it would only prove her right because she hadn’t bought anything since the ticket in Provo.
Her last hope was the man her brother was sending to get her. She wasn’t surprised Stephen hadn’t dropped everything to come for her. After all, he’d lied when she was five, telling her he’d come back for her then, so why would he show up now? Pulling one of the blankets over her, Kennedy lay down on the sofa. She was too damn tired to care if they found her. Too tired of running. The last forty-eight hours had reminded her she’d been running her whole damn life, literally and figuratively.
Chapter Four
Cree rode down Main Street searching for the diner. It was a normal little tourist town, like all the rest in the Black Hills, except it was the Christmas season. Every building along the two-lane street was trimmed in white lights, and every storefront was decorated with Christmas trees and scenes. In the centre of town sat not one but three large, towering trees aglow with lights.
He found the diner at the back end of the main road leading through town. Parking the bike, he took a minute to take in his surroundings. He could use a nap before they hit the open road. Montreal was a long fucking ride, and he had no idea what kind of condition Player’s sister was in.
Easing off the bike, he stretched then cracked his neck. Stepping up on the curb, he noticed the sign listing the daily specials. Food sounded great. Pulling open the door, a woman in her mid-fifties told him they were closed until five.
“I’m Joseph Running Wolf.” He saw the look on the woman’s face as she set aside the broom she was sweeping with.
“You can follow me.”
No I.D. check. Batting a thousand.“How’s she doing?”
“She hasn’t made a sound or tried to leave, if that’s what you’re asking.”
It wasn’t what he asked but fuck it. “Is there a hotel in town? I could use some sleep before hitting the road again.”
“No, but we have cabins out back for rent. They’re being cleaned. Should have one ready shortly.”
“If you have an open one, that would be great.”
“Of course. Here we are.” Alice knocked on the door. When no one answered, she tried the knob and found it locked. Digging in her pocket, she pulled out a pen knife, flipped it open, and picked the lock on the door. “Got a kid who used to lock himself in here.” She shrugged.
Cree looked past her to see a younger female asleep on the sofa. By the looks of her, they weren’t riding anywhere. “I’m gonna need a cabin for sure.” Alice walked off, leaving him to stare at Player’s sleeping sister.
Staring at the girl wouldn’t get them anywhere fast. Stepping inside the little room, he nudged her shoulder.
Kennedy came up swinging when her shoulder was touched. She winced when the movement tugged at her other shoulder. Shoving her hair back from her face, she saw a very tall, very handsome man staring down at her. “I’m Joseph Running Wolf, but call me Cree,” he said.
Closing her eyes, she felt relief for the first time since she’d left the office building two days ago. “I’m Kennedy Daily.”
“Player’s sister?” he asked to make certain.
“Who?”
Cree thought hard, trying to remember Player’s real name. “Stephen,” he corrected. Looking at the girl, he was stunned she didn’t know her brother’s road name. “Player is your brother’s road name.”
“His what?”
And that answered the question about her ever being around bikers. “He’s in a motorcycle club. He’s called Player because he . . . never mind about that. Let’s get you out of this room. I’m renting a cabin out back so we can both get some rest before getting on the road.”
“They keep catching up to me. This has been the longest I’ve gone without them catching up.”
He found that information curious. “What changed since they caught up with you last time?”
