Page 72 of The Belle and the Biker

He doesn’t look amused. “I don’t want to confiscate your phone, but if that’s what it takes to keep you safe, I will.”

“Try it,” I say fiercely. “Just because we’re sleeping together does not mean I will let you go all caveman on me.” I spin around and start power-walking back toward the trailer.

He follows closely. “This is not me being all caveman; this is me doing whatever it takes to keep you alive.”

“Well, that’s one decision you don’t get to make for me. I just finally started reconnecting with people in my hometown. I don’t have any close family still speaking to me besides Aunt Hepzibah, which really hurts. I feel alone, Crash.”

I see the look on his face and slow down. “Not completely alone. You and Tawny mean the world to me, but I grew up in a county where everybody knows everybody, and I felt like I was part of something. Leaving Swampy Bottom was like having the line to my lifeboat slashed. I’ve felt really adrift for the past few months. For me, Swampy Bottom is what the Iron Ride is for you. I need this connection, and you won’t take it from me.”

“Until we get a handle on who’s trying to kill you, I make the rules.”

I start walking fast again.

He keeps stride with me easily. “And don’t try to ditch me out here in public.”

I press my lips together firmly. I don’t want to say anything I’ll regret.

We approach the trailer, and suddenly Crash stops. He reaches inside his jacket.

“Someone’s inside,” he says.

My heart leaps in my chest. “How can you tell?” I keep my voice low, in case he’s right.

“I heard a noise. And it’s just a feeling.”

I stand there quietly, listening, and then shake my head. “I didn’t hear anything. Are you sure?”

“Yes. I’m hypervigilant and paranoid as fuck. Go to Sparky’s and wait for me, now.” He slides his hand inside his jacket.

I start to hurry across the parking lot as Crash barrels in through the front door.

Then I hear a familiar voice yell. “Hey! Don’t shoot me!”

“Tawny, what the hell are you doing here?” Crash shouts back. “I could have killed you, you idiot!”

I turn and hurry up the steps into the trailer. Crash is tucking his pistol back into his jacket. Tawny is standing in the middle of the living room, glowering.

“Well, excuse me for living!”

He glares at her. “Break into our house again, and I definitely will!”

“Enough!” I yell. “Tawny, why are you here?”

“I was going through Crash’s stuff to see if I could find any clues about what’s happening with Axl. He isn’t even answering my damn calls these days. Where is he hiding?” Her eyes blaze with fury.

I shoot a dirty look at Crash. “Is Axl cheating on her? Because I’ve got no patience for cheaters or friends of cheaters.” I know that’s ironic, coming from me. But I’ve seen firsthand the harm that it can do.

Crash heaves a sigh. “I have no knowledge of Axl cheating on Tawny, but it’s also not my place to talk about it.”

I grab Tawny. “We are going to step outside to have a little girl talk.” And I lead her outside. There’s something not quite right about how Crash phrased his denial, but I don’t think he’s lying.

When we get outside, she starts angrily pacing the parking lot.

“If he’s not cheating on me, then I guess he’s just sick of me. I haven’t been able to get ahold of him in days, and nobody in New York will tell me anything.” She shoves her hands into her jeans. “I think it’s because I’m not classy enough.” She shoots me a defensive look.

“What?” I splutter. “Oh, come on, Tawny! How long have you been dating?”

It’s a rhetorical question, but she mutters the answer, scowling at the ground. “Year and a half.”

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