TWO
1219 Words
Danielle
He sobered, but his eyes were still sparkling with humor. “If that’s what you want.”
I rolled the window back up and grabbed my purse and keys. I had a feeling I’d regret this sudden trust I was feeling toward him, but I didn’t really have much of a choice other than to let him help me, so I unlocked my door and climbed out of the car.
He held it for me and slammed it closed once I was on the sidewalk. I’d locked it before he closed it, not that it mattered… no one would steal a piece of crap car like mine and I kept nothing of value in it.
The wind had picked up since I left the restaurant, and I pulled my coat further around me as we walked down the street. “I’m Danielle, by the way. Um, Dani, actually.”
“Booker.”
“Nice to meet you, Mr. Booker.”
“Just Booker.”
“Oh. Okay.”
He smiled.
“You mentioned your club’s yard.” I frowned. “What kind of yard?”
“This location’s our wreck ’n’ tow yard. Got other businesses in other locations,” he said vaguely. “Anything with an engine, we can tow, fix or build.”
I nodded. “And you said ‘club.’ I’m assuming it’s not a sewing club, right?”
Booker smiled. “Motorcycle club.”
I stopped. It took him a minute to realize I was no longer beside him, which gave me a partial view of the back of his jacket. Dogs of something. Dogs of Wonder? No, that wouldn’t be right… a badass motorcycle guy wouldn’t have Dogs of Wonder on the back of his jacket.
Well, crap!
He walked back toward me. “You okay?”
“Motorcycle club?” I asked.
He nodded.
“Like Hell’s Angels?”
Booker smirked. “In theory.”
“Crap.” I glanced up at him. “I really should go.”
“Go where, darlin’? There’s nothing around here for over a mile in any direction.”
“Clarify something for me. Are you a club because you have really nice bikes and like to hang out and drink beer on occasion, or are you like outlaws or something?”
“Since that’s club business, it’s none of yours.”
“Right.” I couldn’t seem to stop swallowing convulsively. “Just point me in the direction of the closest place I can make a phone call and I’ll get out of your hair.”
“About twenty-five yards in front of you.”
“You don’t understand,” I whispered. “I can’t go in there.”
“Why the hell not?”
“Because my dad’s the freakin’ chief of police,” I snapped, before realizing I’d just spouted off something that could get me killed or kidnapped in a heartbeat, depending on whose hands that information was in.
“You’re shittin’ me.”
I shook my head. “I wish I was.”
“Well, f**k me.”
“No thank you,” I quipped. Retorts were my specialty, especially when I was nervous.
He c****d his head. “You wouldn’t be disappointed, babe.”
I pressed my lips into a thin line, willing my mouth to stay shut.
Booker chuckled. “The shop’s clean, sweetheart. Totally legit, although, probably better I take you home than you have your daddy pick you up.”
“It would be my brother, actually… or Kimmie. Kim’s my best friend. Not that you care who my best friend is.” I took a deep breath, rambling was not a good option right now.
He smiled again. God, he had a nice smile. Of course, it was the panty-dropping kind, but for now, I wouldn’t react…my undies must stay firmly in place. “There’s only six of us here right now, so we’ll get your car into the lot, get your info, and I’ll take you home.”
I swallowed. “I should call my brother.”
“Then we’ll get your car into the lot and you can call your brother.”
I nodded and let him lead me through a large parking lot surrounded by eight-foot high fencing complete with barbed-wire on top. I followed him into the warmth of a sparse but clean waiting area. It looked like the waiting room in my local oil change place, which for whatever reason surprised me. I’m not sure what I was expecting. Maybe centerfolds from Playboy circa 1984 plastered on the walls?
“Phone’s on the counter,” Booker said. “Dial nine for an outside line.”
I nodded and picked up the phone, dialing as he opened a door and yelled, “Mack! Need you in the front.”
“Hello?” Kim answered, sounding confused.
“Kimmie, hey it’s me,” I whispered.
“Ohmigod, Dani!” I could hear the sounds of the restaurant she worked at in the background. “I was worried sick. I take it your cell phone died again?”
“Yeah.” I glanced to my right and could see Booker talking with someone across the room out of earshot. “It’s officially dead, dead.”
“Where are you calling me from?” she asked.
“Um, some wrecking place I managed to break down in front of.”
“Of course you did,” Kimmie said with a chuckle. “Did you call Ell?”
“Um, I can’t.”
“How come?”
“The shop is owned by a motorcycle club,” I whispered, and glanced at the door again to make sure Booker wasn’t listening.
“So?” she whispered back.
“Hello, I’ve seen that Sam Crow show… they’re not entirely above board.”
Kim burst out laughing, the tell-tale snort indicating she was unable to control her mirth.
“Kimmie,” I snapped.
“Ohmigod, Dani, you are precious. Truly,” she said, and laughed again.
“Oh, shut up,” I ground out. “You know if I call Elliot, he’ll get all—”
“Dani? Keys, babe,” Booker demanded.
I jumped a little because I hadn’t seen him walk back over to me. “Um, hold on a sec,” I said to Kim, and rummaged in my purse. Winding the car key from the rest of my keys, I handed it to him, and he nodded then left me again. “Okay, I’m back.”
“Who was that?” Kim asked.
“One of the men who works here.”
“Um, he knew your name and he called you babe,” she pointed out. “I’m thinking you’re being purposely obtuse.”
“His name’s Booker,” I said.
“He sounds delicious.”
“Meh,” I lied.
“Call Elliot, Dani. Or I can come get you when I get off in an hour.”
“No,” I said with a sigh. “I’ll call Ell.”
“Good. Borrow his phone and call me when you get home, okay? I’ve gotta grab my orders.”
“I will.” I was midway through dialing my brother when Booker returned, so I hung up and forced a smile.
- Writer
