Chapter 25
The diner slipped into that end-of-the-night quiet. The last several customers lingered over half-empty coffee cups and the last sliver of pie. Lydia wiped down a table, already thinking about going upstairs and collapsing into bed.
Her late nights loving Baddy and her early mornings loving him again, followed by a full day of work, had caught up with her. She was exhausted, sore, and blissfully happy.
The bell over the door jingled.
Three men walked in. She stared. An uneasy feeling settled in her stomach. They had no vest, no patches, and no colors. But she knew them.
Cusclan Motorcycle Club members.
They didn't look around. Didn't pretend to be customers. They walked straight toward her and slid into the nearest booth like they owned the place.
Lydia took one step back. Then another.
She turned toward the kitchen. Patty needed to know—
A hand shot out and grabbed her wrist. Hugo's grip tightened. "Don't say a word. Just listen."
Her pulse hammered in her ears. "Let go of me."
"You want your mom safe?" he murmured. "Then you're gonna hear me out."
Her breath caught. "My mom?"
"She wants to talk to you." His fingers tightened. "And if you love her, and don't want her hurt, you'll come with me and do exactly what I tell you."
She'd lived through her mom's games. The poor-me stories and the fights with each boyfriend brought her attention. The drama wasn't for Lydia. Her mom was doing something to get the bikers to fawn all over her.
Lydia shook her head, panicking. "No. I'm not going anywhere."
"You don't have a choice." His cold black eyes warned her not to cross him. "You're gonna walk out the back door. Alone. And you're not telling anyone where you're going."
Her throat closed. What if she was wrong? What if her mom were in danger?
Before she could answer, the kitchen door swung open.
Patty stepped out, wiping her hands on a towel. Her eyes flicked from Lydia to the men. "Lydia. Go upstairs."
Lydia froze. What was she supposed to do? She never meant to bring trouble down on Patty or the diner. That was never her intention. But she couldn't turn her back on her mom.
"Now," said Patty.
Lydia stepped back, and Hugo's hand slipped from her wrist. She heard Patty telling the men they had to leave. Her tone gave them no wiggle room to argue.
Lydia ran up the stairs two at a time, heart pounding, and rushed to the window overlooking the back alley.
Her breath froze. Her mom's car was parked outside. Hugo was telling the truth.
She grabbed the phone off the bed and dialed Baddy. "Come on, answer."
One ring.
Two.
Three.
Voicemail.
"Baddy, it's me," she whispered. "My mom's here. I need to talk to her. She's in the alley in her car, but there are three Cusclan members here. Patty kicked them out. Please—please call me."
She hung up and looked out the window. Afraid her mom would leave before she got a chance to see if she was okay, she put her hands on the glass. She hadn't seen her mom for almost a year.
Blowing out her breath, she struggled with what she should do. She didn't trust any Cusclan member, but she wanted to see her mom.
Inhaling deeply, she left the room. Then she ran down the stairs, through the back hallway, and out the back door.
The alley was cast in shadows. The building blocked the setting sun. She approached the car slowly, her heart in her throat.
The passenger window rolled down.
Her mom sat in the seat, her eyes wide and her face pale. Lydia glanced in the car. Sonny sat in the driver's seat.
"Get in," Sonny said.
Lydia stumbled back, shaking her head. "No. No, I'm not—"
Sonny's hand shot out, grabbing her mom by the back of the neck and yanking her closer.
Her mom screamed. Lydia's world tilted.
"Stop!" she cried, hands flying up. "Stop. Please. I'll go with you. Just don't hurt her."
Sonny's sinister smile gave her goosebumps. Lydia knew with a sick, sinking certainty that she had stepped into a trap. But she wouldn't risk her mom's safety by not following Sonny's orders.
She reached for the door handle.
An arm wrapped around her waist from behind, stopping her. A familiar arm stretched out in front of her, holding a pistol aimed inside the car.
The car engine revved, backing out of the alley. Her knees gave out.
"Stay with me." Baddy tightened his hold on her, holding her up.
He kept his gun aimed at the car. Dread filled her. Her mom was scared. That wasn't something she was used to seeing.