avoid being seen on camera. There’s an entrance to the parking garage across the sky bridge from the second floor. I’ll be a few minutes behind you. Just make your way to the garage and wait for me, okay? Stay out of sight.”
He wanted to ask about his bike, but he realized it would be better to leave it where it was, at least for now. He didn’t need anyone seeing him on it and he was in no shape to be driving it anyway. So instead, he nodded and followed her instructions, not sure why she was doing all of this, but trusting in her judgment and her promise.
He stepped toward her, his head lowered until his cheek was beside hers, his lips at her ear. “I’ll see you in a few minutes.”
Piper froze, feeling the heat of his breath on her ear. She felt herself melt, an intense ache stirring in her most sensitive areas.
He still didn’t understand why she was helping him, but something about the way she had looked deep into his eyes with genuine concern told him that she knew what she was doing. And for the first time in Jace’s life, he put his trust in a woman. He only hoped that he didn’t live to regret it.
Chapter Seven
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H e made it to the parking garage, hiding in the shadows, watching the entrance for any sign of Piper. As promised, within a few minutes she appeared, her face flushed, breathless, her fingers trembling as she struggled to slide the key into the ignition of her car. Within seconds they were pulling onto the highway, the flickering lights of the hospital disappearing into the backdrop.
They drove in silence for what felt like an eternity, Piper’s mind racing.
What have I gotten myself into?
It wasn’t until she was just a few minutes away from home that she decided she couldn’t take the silence anymore.
“What exactly happened today, Jace? How did your club get involved in all of this?”
“There was a delivery of guns that came in today...a lot of money traded hands in the exchange. I found myself mixed up in it all, but I warned the middleman that the agreement was coming to an end. Tried to kill the deal. I just wanted to clean up the club, protect my brothers, and get things back on track. Our club president, Alec, well...he didn’t like my stirring up trouble for him, so he put a price on my head.” He paused, sighing deeply, his eyes suddenly finding their way to Piper. “And despite the fact that I’m trying to shut the operation down, some of the other clubs already know we’re treading on their territory, which is why the Angels came after me today.”
“Why are you even involved, Jace? If you think this is such a bad idea, why didn’t you stop it sooner?”
He shook his head. The same question had burned through his own mind, unanswered. As a low rumble of resignation tumbled from his lips, he told her, “I didn’t know about the first few exchanges. They were small-time, just a few thousand dollars. Alec didn’t share details about his operation until he was pulling in a hundred grand, and by then it was just too late. Rather than send any of my guys in and have them end up getting hurt, I took the heat. I’m the vice president, it’s my job, you know? These guys were my family, my responsibility.”
Piper nodded, noting the sincerity in his words even though she still didn’t understand why he’d put his neck on the line when it could cost him his life. His club obviously meant a lot to him, the members like family, but she didn’t know anyone who would risk so much for another. And where were they now when he needed them the most?
“And this Alec guy – why won’t anyone else go after him?”
“Because he’s the leader. He runs the club. You don’t question the President. And Alec’s ruthless. He’s made it very clear that if anyone crosses him, he’s not above taking them out. If he’s willing to put this kind of a price on my head, he’s showing other members just how serious he really is. No one will speak
MR. PINK-WHISTLE INTERFERES