Stay Read Online Free PDF Page B

the Deuces bikers left too, probably at Sheriff Layton’s urging. They didn’t go far, just to a motel chain down the street. They drove by and sneered, calling out derogatory things as they passed. The only person who stayed was Hart as he refused to leave. He said that leaving the motel completely unoccupied, the bikers would destroy it by retaliation. He wasn’t about to let that happen no matter how much she urged him to leave.
    She made a formal report at the sheriff’s office. Jim took it and filed it himself so it wouldn’t get “lost.” Some of the deputies looked at her with sympathy and voiced their anger in muted tones, afraid Sheriff Layton would hear them. And then there were the others that just snickered and laughed, believing they were above the law. She wanted them to pay because Kaydee had a bandage on her forehead and woke up every night screaming and crying. They’d allowed people to terrorize her child and were now laughing about it. They deserved whatever was coming.
    She and Kaydee were staying with Lyn and Jim. The very next day after the incident, Lyn went to Atlanta to the FBI office. She took them a packet that she and Jim had been compiling, which included the attack on her house. They were going to start an investigation, but until they had the facts of their own, everything was at a standstill and many people in Honeywell were still living in fear.
    After what happened at the motel got around the rumor mill, residents of the town who were afraid became even more afraid and people barely glanced up anymore. Everyone did their errands quickly downtown and if they heard bikes, their footsteps quickened and they got out of there fast. Some even went as far as to hide behind a bush or a tree as the bike gang passed.
    Crystal dropped Kaydee off with Miss Emma at the restaurant while she went to the motel real quick to pick up some paperwork. The silence was almost deafening and when she closed her eyes she could still hear the gunfire and her screams… A knock on her office door made her shriek in fear and she took up the bat next to the door ready to defend herself. But it was only Hart at the door with a frown on his face.
    “You could’ve called my cell and I could have collected anything you needed. You shouldn’t be here, Crystal.” Hart stepped into the office.
    She gave a humorless laugh. “Even in daylight I have to be scared now, huh? You shouldn’t be here either, Hart. How do you sleep knowing they can kick your door in?”
    “They could try, but they’d fail, and I sure as hell would defend myself with deadly consequences,” Hart answered. “Any word from the Feds?”
    “None that Jim or Lyn told me about. Oh, Jim wants you to come over to a cookout this weekend. He wants to meet you,” Crystal said.
    He shook his head. “I’m okay here. I’m not good with family orientated stuff.”
    “That’s bullshit and you know it.” Crystal blew out a breath of frustration. “You were having dinner with us and having fun. You have family and you were raised with a big family.”
    “That was before and this is now,” Hart said simply.
    “Yeah, sure, then why stay here and help us? Why be so good with Kaydee?” she asked.
    “Maybe I just want to get in your pants,” he answered.
    “Then, in that case, don’t use my daughter to get a booty call. I’ve got enough assholes in my life.” Crystal grabbed the envelope and her purse and went to move past him.
    Hart grabbed her by the shoulder and pressed her against the wall. He was way too damn close but she wasn’t afraid. In fact, she wanted it. She looked up at him and his gaze bore into her like he was trying to see into her soul.
    “Say something,” Crystal said.
    “I’m not an asshole, but I’m not a good guy either,” Hart stated.
    “You want everyone to think you’re tough but I see through you,” she retorted.
    “I drink, I fight, I fuck and I ride. I keep it simple and you, Crystal, are not simple,”