Page 36 of High Velocity

“Could be a weird coincidence.”

“I don’t believe that any more than you do.”

“You’re right.”She linked her fingers with his.“Come on.Go make sure everyone’s okay then we head home.I think we’ve had about enough excitement for one night.”

Roark snorted.“Yeah.”He raised her hand to kiss it then led them back inside.

His people were already cleaning up the mess and getting the other patrons settled.

“Comp everyone two drinks each for the night,” he told Barbie and Brantley.They’d let the other servers know.“You good?Because Charli and I are headed out, but I can stay if you need anything.”

“We’re good, boss.Go enjoy your gal.”

Roark chuckled.“Thanks, plan to.”He kissed Barbie’s cheek.“Have a good night.”

“What, no smooch for me?”Brantley teased.

Charli went up on her toes and kissed his cheek, surprising him.“Keep everyone in line.”She winked.

Barbie laughed.“Oh, I like her.Come back soon, Charli.”

“Plan to.Good to meet you both.”

They said their goodbyes then Roark walked them to her car.As he drove them back to Charli’s, she got busy on her phone.

“I knew I’d heard that name before.Tinsley Corporation bought out a few mills up north.Then they revamped the entire operations and stiffed the existing employees, giving them an ultimatum.Accept their terms or find work elsewhere.The mills were non-union, so many stayed because they had no other alternative.”

“Fuckers.”

“Yeah.Looks like they’ve got operations in a few other states.Nothing good about them yet they’re still in business.I hate companies like that.Big bullies.”Charli suddenly sucked in a breath.“Bullies,” she mumbled.

“What?”Roark asked.

“That guy, something also seemed familiar about him.”She faced Roark.“Todd, from the track, twenty years ago.What the hell was his last name?”

“Damned if I know.”Roark now recalled the incident with him mouthing off about Charli then his dad setting him straight.“Maybe I saw him once after that night, but then I left for the service.Never saw him again.”

“We need to talk to Bradley.He’ll remember.Then we need to do some checking, because I think that guy is Todd.”

Roark eyed her then concentrated on the road as he got them home, pulling the Nova into the carport.

“If that’s the case, has he been here the entire time, or did he leave and return?And if he’s working for Tinsley, which pretty much looks like he is if he’s driving their registered vehicle, then he’s up to no good.”

“Tiger doesn’t change his stripes.Or in this case, a rat.But whatever, we’ll figure it out.Now, let’s go relax.”

They exited the vehicle, and Charli led them into the RV, locking the door but not bothering with any lights other than the dim one that’d been left on above the kitchen area.Roark plopped down on the couch, releasing a long breath as he dragged his hands down his face.He then startled, and his eyes flew open when Charli began working on opening his jeans.

“If you want me naked, all you have to do is ask.”

“Shush.Just sit there and let me do my thing.”

Their eyes stayed locked on each other as Charli loosened his belt and undid his fly.She pulled the material apart just enough to free his cock.And when her hand wrapped around it, Roark couldn’t contain the deep sigh.

“You’ve got a lot of tension that needs to be dispelled.”She grinned.

Roark merely grunted then groaned when her mouth suddenly engulfed him.His head hit the back of the couch, and his hips couldn’t stop an involuntary pump.

“Fuck, yes.”