Page 66 of Vicious

A motorcycle engine.

My heart jumped, knowing that it was either Frankie, who had told me he’d meet me here if he had a chance,orit was whoever sent me the text. I took a deep breath to steady myself, getting in the right mindset. My gun was in the back of my waistband, but I didn’t pull it out.

I didn’t want to scare Hannah.

“Who is it?” Hannah’s voice came out in a squeak as soon as the biker became visible, slowly navigating the shitty terrain.

I squinted into the sun, feeling a tinge of relief. “Frankie.”

“Oh,” she breathed out a sigh. “So it’s a friend then.”

“Something like that,” I chuckled as Frankie gave me a weird look after glancing over at Hannah. He did the same U-turn maneuver that I had, parking his bike next to mine and dismounting. However, he left it running.

“You need to get that bike started, dumbass,” he called out to me, shaking his head. “I don’t like this at all.”

“I’m sure it’s just a business meeting.”

“Doesn’t seem like one to me,” he argued, his eyes wearily drifting to Hannah in the driver’s seat. “What the hell is she doing here?”

“There’s a problem, man,” I said, my voice going quiet, nearly in a whisper. “I don’t know who I can trust.”

“And I made the cut?” He sounded slightly amused, but the concerned expression on his face was hardly laughable.

“Yeah, I guess so. We go way back,” I didn’t like the fact he was questioning it, but Ihadto try and make some sort of ally in the whole mess—and not someone who was within the club. That was too fucking risky at the moment.

“So, let’s chat then,” Frankie let out a sigh, looking over to Hannah again. “I’m Frankie, by the way. I’ve known Viper since he was about the size of my boot.” He chuckled, and Hannah gave him a weak smile.

“I’m Hannah.” Her voice was weak, and I knew she was scared—whether she wanted to admit it or not.

“Oh, I know who you are, honey.” He shot her a wink and then turned back to me. “So you got no idea who the hell sent you a text?”

“Nope,” I shrugged. “But I also know whoever it is, either decided not to show or they don’t like the company I brought.”

“Maybe both.”

“Maybe.”

“So what’s the trouble?” Frankie began, wiping the dust from his face. “I already know about the missed drop—is this about that?”

I ignored the curious look on Hannah’s face. “No, I don’t think so. I, uh, I have a bigger problem...”

“Bigger problem than potentially pissing off Charlie Hughes? Ain’t ever heard of such a thing.” He chuckled again, this time his voice carrying eerily through the desolate area. A shiver ran down my spine, the hairs pricking up on the back of my neck...

We aren’t alone.

Iknewthat gut feeling—and it wasneverwrong. However, I just lowered my voice, not wanting to miss out on the conversation. Whoever was creeping around out there wasn’t too desperate to get our attention.

“I’ve been targeted,” I said in a hushed voice.

Frankie’s eyes narrowed. “But the Silent Kings?”

“No...” my voice trailed off as I glanced over to Hannah. “Well, I can’t besure, but I think...” The words were hard to get out. “I think it might be an inside job.”

Visible disbelief filled his face. “No.”

“I think... I think it might actually be true.” I hated the words coming out of my mouth almost as much as the little brief moment of satisfaction flashing across Hannah’s face. She was seeing the moment as a victory—that she had actually convinced me.

And she had no idea how terrifying the reality of it all was.

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