Chapter 10 Gwen #2
“Out.” I was starting to feel like privacy was something bikers struggled to understand.
“I get that. Just need to know what to tell Cin.”
“I’m meeting a friend for coffee.”
He nodded. “I’ll follow you.”
“I don’t think that’s necessary.” If there had been a problem or any danger, surely I would have heard from Ethan or Cin by now.
“All due respect, ma’am, but if I don’t watch over you, Cin will have my ass. Then I’ll answer to G.D. And it’s my duty. Ol’ ladies always have protection.”
I relented. “Okay. But keep your distance. I don’t want my friend to get nervous.”
“No problem. She won’t know I’m there.”
Good. “What’s your name?”
“Just prospect right now.”
Was that a thing? I didn’t know.
“Well, I’m not calling you that. What is it?”
“Juke.”
“Thank you, Juke.”
He smiled and dipped his chin.
Juke kept his word. I didn’t see him when I parked and walked inside the coffee shop, but I knew he was out there, keeping watch in case of danger. Weird. It was a concept I hadn’t considered that I would be in if not for Cin and dating a biker.
Was that what we were? Because being an ol’ lady sounded a lot more serious than being a girlfriend.
I tried not to focus on Ethan or Cin. My head was kinda spinning from how they went from hating one another to working together to find my ex. I didn’t know what to make of it.
Penny stood as I entered the shop and waved. I joined her at the table and set my purse down. “Hi. I’m going to order. Be right back.”
She nodded. “Take your time. I’ll just be sipping on my delicious pumpkin spice mocha latte.”
“That sounds good. I might get one too.”
I ordered my drink and a muffin, tapped to pay on my phone, and joined Penny. “Oh, this is good,” I mused aloud when I sat and took a sip. Pumpkin spice was one of my favorites.
“The best fall flavor,” she agreed.
“Was there any specific reason you wanted to meet? Or just need some girl time?”
She smiled. A bit timid, but I’d take it. “I guess girl time is the answer.”
“I don’t mind. I definitely don’t get enough.”
“How’s the craft business going? Did you finish that new design you were showing us?”
It was sweet that she remembered, since I only mentioned it once at the beginning of the class. “Yes. I think my customers will like it. I already uploaded a new demo video online today.”
“That’s great.”
“Do you have hobbies? Or anything fun you like to do?”
She gave me an odd look. Was it too personal?
“I like the outdoors and to go camping and hiking. Swimming. There’s something about being out in nature.”
It made me think of my walks with Cin and the rides on his bike. “I know what you mean.”
We shared a nice conversation, but I noticed she stayed away from anything personal. No details about family, pets, work, friends, possible children, etc. Mostly, she talked about the fall and leaves changing, wanting to take photography classes, and the cooler weather.
I didn’t hold it against her. She would probably open up a lot more once she knew me better. Right now, I was a stranger.
I wondered what trauma made her hide herself from the world. It made me sad. She was beautiful and seemed kind. Softspoken. Reserved.
“So, what about you? Plans for this weekend?”
I shrugged. “Not sure yet. I think I want to take some shots of the changing foliage and maybe a walk through the woods.”
“My idea of a perfect Saturday.”
“Right?”
I looked down at my purse as my phone began vibrating. The screen showed an unknown number, and I declined it, since it was probably a spam call. It vibrated again. I ignored it.
When I looked up, I noticed Penny staring out of the window behind me. She wasn’t moving, clenching her hands in her lap. “Penny?”
“Just breathe,” she whispered to herself.
I didn’t understand her reaction until I saw Det. Castor and the NCIS agent step inside the coffee shop. They didn’t walk toward the register. Instead, they seemed to be looking for someone.
Me.
I sighed as they approached our table. “Hello.”
“Ms. Carmichael,” Det. Castor greeted me.
Nate Barnes sat to my right. “We have some information you might like to hear.”
“In public?”
Det. Castor shook his head. “No. Could you come downtown?”
Right now? “I’m in the middle of my latte and visiting with a friend. Can it wait?”
“Afraid not,” Det. Castor apologized. “It’s urgent.”
Well, shit.
Penny awkwardly stood, nearly knocking over her chair. She clenched her cup so hard I thought it might burst in her hand and scald her. “I’ll talk to you later, Gwen.”
She rushed out the door. I didn’t blame her for wanting to escape. I felt like running away too.
“Come on,” Nate Barnes urged as he stood.
I almost got up when the bell above the door dinged, and all of us turned to see who stepped inside the coffee shop next. My heart wanted it to be Cin. Or Ethan.
It wasn’t my brother or the other man who had become so prevalent in my life. The big guy who stood there, imposing, filling the doorway with his broad shoulders, turned his menacing stare in our direction. He wore a cut like Cin’s—a member of the Grave Prowlers MC.
As he approached us, I saw both men beside me stiffen.
When the biker got close enough to the table, I read his patches. President. Gravedigger.
His gaze shifted to me, and he winked. “Gwen.”
“Hi.”
“Thought I’d join you for coffee.”
“Please do.” Was this for real? Did the prospect Juke contact him when he saw the detective and special agent arrive?
“Might as well join us,” Gravedigger said as he pushed a chair toward Nate Barnes with his boot. With his other hand, he dragged my chair closer to him.
An unspoken claim that I guessed meant the club had my back. I couldn’t be sure, especially with the tension around us.
When everyone was seated, G.D. ticked his chin toward me. “Got you added to the roster.”
The roster?
“Phillip Singleton is a fantastic lawyer. We keep him on retainer. Any issues, let me know.”
Damn. Just like that, Gravedigger controlled the situation.
I didn’t act surprised even though I was, and nodded.
Nate Barnes pushed off the table and stalked out of the coffee shop. He didn’t seem to like being outwitted.
Det. Castor gripped his hat in his hand as he slowly stood. “If we need anything, we’ll let you know.”
“Wait,” I halted him. “Was there something I needed to know? Or that you had to ask?”
His expression appeared sad. Or maybe just disappointed. “No. It’s cleared up now.”
The detective left, and I turned to the president of Cin’s club. “Thank you, Gravedigger.”
“Just G.D.”
“Okay, G.D. I appreciate you taking care of me.”
He gave me an intense look. “Cin chose you. You’re one of us now.”
I was beginning to understand what that meant.
“Cin is on his way. Until then, head home. No one will follow or bother you.”
“And Juke?”
“Prospect has duties.”
Okay then. I rose to my feet and picked up my purse, slinging it over my shoulder before I walked out with my latte.
At least I got a chance to finish my muffin before shit almost went down.
It felt like I’d drawn a line in the sand and chosen who to stand with, putting the law on the opposite side.
It felt strange. I didn’t know what to make of it.
I sure had a lot of questions for my biker once I finally saw him. Ethan, too.
They better have a good reason for not returning my calls or texting me back.