Chapter Twenty One
Zane
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River stepped out of the trees, gazed up at the clubhouse, then the bar, and finally headed toward the house, lugging her backpack. Squatted beside his Harley in the garage, he lost track of her when she walked out of sight.
The wrench slipped. Pain ricocheted up into his wrist.
"Shit." He shook his hand, dispelling the pain.
His slipup only angered him. He tossed the wrench into the toolbox and paced in front of the bike. A week of running himself ragged, and he had nothing to show for it.
There were no more signs of wildfires or Valdone members. His conversations with Kingsley made no sense. He couldn't understand why his brother wanted to follow Kenna instead of capturing her. Each day, his brother risked losing her.
He'd kept his distance from River since taking her out to eat, using the excuse that he needed to take care of business at the clubhouse.
"Zane?"
He whirled around. River stood in the open doorway of the garage.
"I heard you yell. Are you okay?" She stayed outside.
He pointed at his bike. "Just changing the filter."
"Oh." She looked up toward the clubhouse.
"Do you need something?" He cleared his throat after it came out more gruff than he intended.
"I was wondering if you've heard from Kingsley?"
He pulled a cigarette from the pack and lit the end, letting the smoke roll out of his nose. "I talked to him last night. He still had Kenna in sight. He suspected they'd be crossing over into Idaho sometime today."
"Is she returning to where we lived with our mom and dad?" She stepped inside the garage. "Maybe I could take the truck—"
"I know it's hard to wait, but we're not doing anything until we hear from Kingsley."
She blew out her cheeks and nodded. "I hate this. Every day feels like my sister has died like my mom and my dad. I need to see her to believe she's still alive."
"Come here." He held his arms open.
She dropped her pack and approached him, wrapping herself around him. He rested his chin on the top of her head. There was no harm in comforting her.
"Kingsley would never give up on bringing your sister to you." He stroked her back.
When they found the girls, they agreed Zane would watch over River and Kingsley would care for Kenna. At the time, it was the easiest thing to do and took up less time—or so they thought.
As the years went by, Zane kept more and more to himself because he couldn't explain to his brother how he fell in love with River. He wasn't sure what Kingsley would think of him when the initial favor was to protect the girls.
He'd protected her from everyone but himself.
"Want to keep me company while I put my bike back together?" He looked into her eyes. "Then, we can grab dinner at the bar."
The sadness left her eyes, and she nodded. He retrieved the rolling stool and pointed for her to sit.
Going back to his Harley, he fell into a comfortable silence. River watched, content to spend time with him, and he no longer fumbled with the tools or grew agitated over every little hiccup.
After double-checking the oil level, he removed the stand and put the bike down. "Plug your ears," he said.
River held her hands over her ears. He started the Harley inside of the garage. The engine roared to an echoing rumble. He let it run for a few minutes, circulating the oil. He glanced at River and winked. She smiled in return. Her emotions played over her face, and he wondered if she'd ever give up on him.
Though he'd admit, having her in the garage felt good, doing nothing but keeping him company.
With the MC watching over the campground and bar, making sure no members from Valdone came on the property, he hadn't had time to tune his Harley. Now that it was done, he felt like he was getting on top of everything.
He got on the bike and rode it out of the garage, parking it in front of the building.
After he shut off the motorcycle, his hearing hummed. He walked inside, made sure everything was picked up, and then washed his hands at the back sink.
"Do you ever get tired of living in the garage?" She peered up at the loft.
There were two bedrooms, a bathroom, and a half-kitchen upstairs. It was enough for him and Kingsley. The house had always reminded him of his dad and the sacrifices he made. Spending time at the big house before River moved in was lonely.
"Nah." He motioned for her to step out of the garage, and he hit the button to close the overhead door. "I'm not here enough to get tired of it."
She shrugged on her backpack. He stopped in front of the house, giving her the chance to throw it inside where it would be safe, and she shook her head without him asking.
He continued walking, leading her through the front door. The back booth, reserved for him, was empty. He escorted River to the booth and waited until she sat before sliding in opposite of her.
She put her backpack between her and the wall on the booth seat.
"What do you feel like eating?" he asked.
"Fries." She gathered her hair at the back of her neck and put a hairband in.
"Burger?"
"Chicken strips." She rubbed her arms. "It feels nice and cool. The air conditioner in the bar is the best, even in the kitchen during the summer."
Higher daytime temperatures would only dry out the forest more. The risk of wildfires would increase.
Rebecca approached the table, carrying a notepad. "What can I get you tonight?"
"What's the special?" he asked.
"Meatloaf, mashed potatoes with a side of green beans. It comes with two dinner rolls and a salad."
"I'll have that but skip the salad." He planted his elbows on the table and steepled his hand. "River will have a large order of fries with chicken strips and an extra helping of ranch sauce."
"Anything to drink?"
"I'll have a diet Pepsi," said River.
"Rum and Coke."
"I'll get your drinks, and hopefully, you can cool off before you eat." Rebecca took the unused menus off the table. "Is it still hot outside? It was so bad during my lunch break."
"It's pretty hot." River leaned back in the booth. "You'll probably have a crowd tonight as the campers make their way over here trying to cool off."
Rebecca smiled. "They do tip well."
River laughed, apparently knowing how well they tip. He hadn't thought of the extra money River would make at the campground, but Phil informed him that he hadn't seen so much money land in the tip jar since River started working there. She had a personality that clicked with the campers, and since she knew where everything was located and the hours the bar was open, she always jumped to help.
Rebecca left and returned with their drinks. He took the first sip and let the alcohol seep into his chest. He'd need more than one drink to relax him.
She eyed his drink. "In September, I'm going to try that drink."
If any other twenty-year-old told him they hadn't gotten drunk at least once, he'd say they were lying. But not River.
She'd been with him since she was seventeen, and while she probably witnessed many activities in Gem Haven, she hadn't participated in the parties or been allowed to hang out at the bar.
He'd provided a sheltered life, except when she was with him.
"You might want to start with something a little weaker." He failed to hide his amusement. "Something colorful."
She grinned, pointing at his glass. "I want that one. I've watched you enjoy the same drink for a long time. I've grown to like the smell." She paused. "The taste."
His cock pulse, knowing the only time she'd tasted it was on his tongue. He raised his brow. "Mind yourself, sweetheart."
"Promise to come and spend the night in the house, and I'll be on my best behavior." Her gaze flickered from his mouth to his eyes.
Damned if she wasn't flirting with him. She'd picked the one place where he couldn't do anything, and now he sat in the booth, tortured and horny, unable to stop the way his body responded to her.
"All I want to do is eat."
Her eyes rounded, and her lips tightened in amusement. He read her mind.
"Food." He glared.
Dirty girl, always thinking. He wasn't going to spend the night with her.
He'd take her to the house and then hit up the clubhouse. But he wouldn't think about that now, or it'd ruin his meal. He hated the disappointment written all over her face whenever he distanced himself.
If he had his way, he'd be in her bed every night and wake up with her every morning. But her dad had sealed their fate.
When their food arrived, he lost himself watching River pick the crispiest fries and set them on the side of her plate before she started eating everything else. She always saved those for last, claiming they tasted the best.
She caught him watching her. "Is something wrong?"
He shook his head and stirred the butter around in his mashed potatoes with his fork and forced himself to concentrate on his plate. It was hard to eat when sitting in the booth was physically uncomfortable. If he let himself, he'd have a full hard-on simply by looking at River.
His phone vibrated. He took the cell out of his vest pocket and looked at the screen. Kingsley.
He connected the call. "Yeah?"
"I need you to bring River to me. I'm off Exit 62 on I-90." Kingsley grunted in pain. "Damnit, will you hold still for one fucking minute?"
He raised his gaze at River. Going by the muffled struggle in the background, his brother had someone with him. "What's going on?"
"Kenna won't go anywhere without seeing her sister first."
"Tell her she can come here."
"Tried. She doesn't trust me."
"Why the hell not?"
"Long story." Kingsley groaned. "The faster you get here, the better."
"Put her on the phone." If he could get Kenna to talk to River, prove that she was here, Kingsley could bring her to Gem Haven.
"She can't exactly talk right now."
"Jesus." He rubbed the back of his neck. "It'll be a couple hours before I can get there."
"Bring the truck. Make sure the tie-downs and ramp are in the back. I'll have to send my Harley with you."
"Got it. And Kingsley?"
"Yeah?"
"Don't fucking lose her." He disconnected the call.
River's face paled, watching and listening to the one-sided conversation. He slid out of the booth and into the other side, trapping her while protecting her from gawkers in the bar.
"We're going to need to leave." He palmed the back of her neck. "Do you want to get a container and take the rest of your food with us?"
She shook her head. "Did he get Kenna?"
The vulnerability shining in her eyes ripped him apart. All she'd ever wanted was her sister back in her life.
"Yeah, sweetheart. He has her."