Chapter One
Soda or Energy drink?
Cleo tapped her fingernails on the refrigerator glass, darting her eyes between the two beverage cases.
The local convenience store didn’t carry a vast array of her favorites.
If she wanted better options, she had to drive twenty miles away to the next big town.
Of course, every place compared to Killcreek was huge.
She’d seen every inch of the town at least a hundred times over the years.
But Cleo loved when she got the opportunity to see different sights, even if it was only another small town.
She usually mapped out a whole day for that excursion, which required a companion.
It was usually a prospect from the club who stared at his phone the whole time, made limited conversation, and seemed bored.
Not exactly a fun outing, but she looked forward to the change in scenery.
The convenience store, gas station, and a tiny motel off the highway were the only legitimate businesses in Killcreek.
They didn’t have a main street or a designated commercial area.
Population statistics would’ve categorized it as a small town, but the square mileage was enough to house a large city.
With only a single traffic light, one might think it was a deserted and abandoned town.
They’d kind of be right. People lived in Killcreek, but there were only a select few without affiliation to the Killcreek Drifters motorcycle club, and those few used the town as a means of escape and to stay hidden.
Cleo didn’t know much about them and only saw them randomly.
They rarely spoke and never made eye contact. At least, not with me.
Cleo eyed the options once again. Why not both? She could afford it, and what else would she spend her money on? She grabbed the two drinks and started toward the ice cream selections. Sweet treats were not part of her childhood. Some might say as an adult, she overindulged. They’d be right.
“The coordinates must be off.” The faint male voice caught her attention.
Cleo peeked around the chip stand, eyeing the two men near the counter.
They were definitely not locals, and she’d never seen them before.
Killcreek rarely got visitors. It may have an exit off the highway, but very few made the trek over the rural county roads.
And when they did, they were greeted with a less than hospitable reception.
Burke, the burly, gruff, sixty-year-old owner of the convenience store, lifted his cigarette to his mouth and sucked in a deep drag, never taking his eyes off the two strangers.
His judgement and suspicion were easy to read.
Non-locals weren’t welcome. Heck, it had taken Burke six months to say two words to her when she’d come in daily.
Cleo always suspected her brother, Knox, had something to do with that, though.
It could’ve been completely by chance, but the day after she’d complained that Burke ignored her every time she tried to talk to him, he changed his tune the next day.
When he blew out the smoke, it trailed in the direction of the men. The blond guy discreetly waved his hand, feigning off the smoke, though it didn’t go unnoticed.
“I thought smoking was banned from indoor commercial businesses,” he muttered, glancing over his shoulder.
His gaze scanned the aisle before meeting her stare.
He offered an awkward smile, which Cleo immediately returned.
She walked down the aisle with her eyes locked on the two men.
Or boys? They couldn’t have been older than twenty-two or twenty-three.
Good-looking and clean cut in a generic sense.
Smoking indoors was banned in all fifty states. But this was Killcreek. Everyday laws and rules didn’t apply. There were a different set of mandates in place, created and enforced by the MC. It was no man’s land.
The guys swiftly turned back toward the register, and she inched closer.
Outsiders were easy to recognize in Killcreek.
Their clothes were a dead giveaway. If she had to guess, they’d traveled from out of state or from the city.
She couldn’t remember the last time she’d seen anyone in town wearing khakis. If ever.
“Move,” Burke snapped, waving the guys to the side while flicking ashes all over the counter.
Both men jerked their heads, and Burke gestured toward Cleo.
One of the men immediately stepped to the side while the dark-haired one with the phone just stared at her.
His gaze scanned her face, dropping down her body in a slow perusal.
Cleo shifted on her feet under his inspecting stare.
It had been a long time since anyone had looked at her with any type of interest.
She waved her hand, emitting a nervous chuckle. “I don’t mind waiting, Burke. And they” —She pointed to the men— “were here first anyway.”
One of the men started forward but froze when Burke’s harsh glare turned on them.
“Ain’t serving them until I serve you. So” —He shrugged and deepened his scowl, aimed at her— “Either get your ass up here and check out. Or these assholes will be standing here all day.”
Cleo had grown accustomed to Burke’s gruffness and lack of manners, but even she could admit it was intimidating. Burke wasn’t a member of the MC, but he’d definitely nailed the persona. The two guys were getting a firsthand look at Killcreek’s welcoming committee.
“Cleo.” Burke gave her a two-finger signal, calling her up to the counter.
She inched closer, dropping her energy drink, soda, and two bags of candy on the counter. “I also need ten bags of ice.”
Burke tapped hard on the outdated register. It took twice the time it’d take if he had an electronic point of sale. But much like the town itself, Burke and most residents were stuck in a time from years ago.
He lifted his chin. “This going on the club’s tab?”
“Just the ice.” She handed him two bills and rocked back on her heels.
She waited for her change, feeling a cool chill ripple over her skin. She didn’t make further eye contact with the guys and kept her gaze laser focused on Burke. He handed her three small bills and a receipt.
“Need a bag?”
“Nope.” She cradled her drinks and candy in her arms, and headed toward the door. She pushed it open with her shoulder, slyly looking back at the counter.
The guy with his phone was looking down, but the other was staring directly at her.
Cleo smiled, and the corner of his mouth spiked.
A warm heat spread over her cheeks, and she ducked her head.
She’d gotten herself in trouble a few times for interacting with strangers.
But it didn’t stop her. Some might call her life in Killcreek isolating. They wouldn’t be wrong.
She dumped her treats on the passenger seat and rounded the back of the car. She’d purposely parked in front of the ice box. She wasn’t usually tasked with picking up the ice, but Joker, one of the prospects, had been throwing up all morning. She figured she’d save him a trip.
She was hauling the fourth bag into her trunk when the store’s doors opened, and the two strangers walked out.
She peeked over her hood, watching as they stopped ten feet away, looking off down the road.
Killcreek wasn’t known to be a cut through town.
The rural area had dense woods, narrow roads, and the only sight of any real beauty was the creek on the edge of town.
Even that wasn’t anything special except after a heavy rainfall. Then it was beautiful.
The dark-haired guy pointed down the road. “I think it’s about eight to ten miles north.”
“Never used this location?” the blond asked.
The darker-haired one shook his head. “No.”
Don’t do it! Their dilemma was none of her concern. But…
Cleo dropped the bag of ice, and it made a loud bang, which got their attention. She gave a short wave and rounded the front of her car, tucking her hands in her back pockets.
“Can I help you find where you’re looking for?”
They shared a look. The blond seemed hesitant, but the other smiled and stepped closer.
“That’d be great. You live here?”
She nodded with a smile.
“Not much going on, huh?”
Cleo chuckled but didn’t respond. If this guy knew half the things that went down in Killcreek, he’d be hauling ass out of town real quick.
He flipped his phone to face her and she leaned closer.
Cleo knew exactly where they were headed.
She pointed to the road on the right. “It’s about twelve miles down that way.
There’s an old barn on the corner, make a left, and it’ll be on your right.
” She bit her bottom lip, eyeing the men and the truck at the gas pump.
“There aren’t any houses there, though.”
There weren’t many houses anywhere in Killcreek, but that was an especially desolate area. Mostly woods, and if she remembered correctly, only one way in and out. The property bordered the next town over. In fact, if she had to guess, it wasn’t even part of Killcreek territory.
The friendlier of the two hooked his thumb over his shoulder, gesturing to the truck. “Going camping.”
Camping? It made sense. She’d never been, but the thought of sleeping under the stars and roasting marshmallows over a fire was appealing.
“Well, have fun.”
The blond smiled, and his gaze lingered. “Thanks.”
She waved goodbye, headed back to her trunk, and grabbed another bag from the ice box while eyeing the truck with the camper attached sitting at the gas pump.
There was a large tarp over the back, which probably housed their camping gear, she assumed.
When the back window rolled down, she saw strands of long blonde hair billow out as a girl turned her head, looking up at the store sign with a small smile on her lips.
With the sunlight shining in the back of the cab, she could make out another woman with dark hair and another guy behind the driver’s seat.