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“Try showing up at my aunt’s house and she won’t open the door for you.” She lifted her chin. “But Wanda will talk to me.”
Grudgingly, he admitted she had a point.
“Take me to your aunt’s house and we’ll talk to her together. Soon as we’re finished, I’ll take you to your parents’ house.”
Kara’s mouth trembled. “I’m not a fool, Jace. I don’t want to do this. I’d rather be back in my shop, filing an insurance claim. I have to do this. Maybe someday I’ll explain it.”
After grabbing a small backpack from the closet, he went to the bureau drawers and tossed in clean clothing, underwear and socks.
Kara had a small smile on her face. “I see you still prefer boxers.”
Jace considered. “Naw, not always. Some days I go commando.”
Grinning at the delicate tint of red on those high cheekbones, he added extra ammo for his Glock, then grabbed toiletries from the bathroom. Jace slung the pack over one shoulder, checked his weapon and then tucked it into the back of his jeans.
Jace texted Jarrett to inform him Kara was safe, and would be staying with him, then instructed him about the location of Lacey’s car.
They left the apartment and descended the stairs.
Kara hovered around his bike, studying it as if it was a great, growling beast she feared. His heart skipped a beat. If anything happened to her, he couldn’t bear it. The thought of how close they’d come to meeting with the killer who had no compunction in killing two teens made his blood run cold. Kara needed to be someplace safe.
Kara stared at him. “So how are we leaving here?”
Jace opened a leather saddlebag, stuffed his backpack inside and then closed the lid. His gaze flicked to her. The blue-and-white flowered sundress she’d changed into billowed in the wind. He caught a glimpse of long, tanned legs and shapely feet encased in white strappy sandals.
Hugging herself, the motion lifting her breasts, she stared at the bike as if it was a writhing spider. “I can’t ride on that thing.”
Jace blew out a breath. “Yes, you can. Jarrett is sending someone to pick up the car.”
“I’m in a dress.”
All her arguments were feeble. Jace gestured to the flowing dress. “Doesn’t matter. Get on.”
If Jace had asked her to walk over live coals, she could have handled it far easier than riding on a bike.
Terrified, Kara stared at the motorcycle. Her heart beat like the drums she enjoyed listening to at the club where she and Jace used to go to listen to live music.
Kara had avoided motorcycles ever since Conner’s death. She didn’t like them, didn’t like being around them and vowed to never ride one.
Now, she had no choice. Even as the thought shot through her head, the upstairs door next to Jace’s apartment opened and a man came outside. He peered into the parking lot at them and pushed the glasses up on his thin nose.
“Hey, Jace! Everything all right? I got home a little while ago and thought I’d heard someone in your apartment. I’m keeping an eye on it for you, you know.”
Jace waved a hand. “Thanks, Oscar. All’s fine.”
Kara peered up at the man, who looked as if he was more of a paper pusher than Jace had been before her ex had married the biker lifestyle.
Jace gave her a reassuring smile. “Get on first and brace your back against the bar. It’s easier for you to throw your leg over the seat. Watch your balance. Wait until I’m on and then use these—” he tapped at pegs at the back of the bike “—to rest your feet. Make sure to avoid touching your legs to the hot exhaust. You’ll do great, Kara.”
She stared at the big bike. “Is it like riding a bicycle?”
“Yeah. Once you start, you never forget.” He winked at her. “Just like sex.”
Oscar hurried toward the stairs.
“I don’t have time for this guy. Oscar’s a black hole with convos and a biker wannabe, and I’ll never get rid of him. Get on the bike. Please,” Jace urged in a low voice.
Gingerly, as if mounting a horse, she hoisted a leg over the thick black saddle. She did exactly as Jace instructed, and as he climbed on in front, she took the helmet from him.
