High-Sided: An Armed & Dangerous Novel (13 page)

B
y the time I got to my cabin, the sun began to go down. Micah sat on my front porch steps, tapping his watch. “Took your time, didn’t you?” he shouted. I shut off my bike and hopped off. “How did sweetcheeks take your apology?”

Huffing, I took my helmet off. “She didn’t. But at least she didn’t slap me, which was what I expected.”

Micah burst out laughing. “There’s still plenty of time for that. When are you going to see her again?”

I stormed past him toward the door. “Fuck if I know. She doesn’t want to be anywhere near me. I screwed up big time.”

Micah followed me into the cabin. “Yeah, you did, but I bet she doesn’t know the whole story, does she?”

“No,” I grumbled. “I was about to tell her, before you interrupted me.” There were things Kassie didn’t know, times when I did come back to tell her the truth, only to find her with someone else. After the last time, I’d figured she’d completely moved on. It was best to leave her be.

“Sorry, man. You picked a hell of a time to get back with your girl.”

I rolled my eyes. “I’m not trying to get back with her. She deserved the truth and I wanted her forgiveness. Looks like that’s not going to happen.”

He slapped me on the shoulder. “Give it time. I’m sure things’ll work out.”

“I sure as hell hope so.” My phone beeped with an incoming text.

Richard: Everyone’s gone. Meet you here.

Me: Be there in 10.

“He’s ready?” Micah asked.

“Yep, let’s get our shit and go.” Hurrying to my room, I grabbed my bag with all the equipment. I had five cameras that were left over from a case I solved over a year ago. They came in handy every now and again. I could watch the feed from my laptop or phone anytime I wanted.

Micah opened the door when he saw me approach and I locked it behind us.

“So tell me what happened today,” I said. He hadn’t been able to tell me much over the phone, since he’d been with the Hendrix racers at the time.

Micah groaned. “First off, let me say, most of the cocksuckers out this way are nothing but limp-wristed bitches. It took all I had not to beat the shit out of a few of them.”

I chuckled. “Not exactly the kind of people we’re used to.”

“No shit. I don’t see how any of them could be the ones we’re looking for.”

“True, but sometimes the worst ones are the people you least expect.” We’d seen it numerous times in our line of work.

“After tryouts, I rode to that hangout you told me about. I was invited to a party this weekend by Jacob Privette. Looks like word of my riding got around to the Hendrix team.”

I had no doubt. “Where is it at?”

A wide grin spread across his face. “Brad Hendrix’s house. I’m ready to get a good look at the cocky bastard.”

I scoffed. “Not much to see. He’s an ass.”

“Do you think he has it in him to kill someone?” he questioned.

We pulled into the shop’s parking lot and rode around to the back, so no one would see my truck from the road. The lights were off, but Richard stood by the back door with a flashlight.

“Don’t know, but we’ll be ready if he is.”

“How long are we gonna keep this charade up? We can’t stay undercover forever. What if whoever’s responsible doesn’t lash out again?”

Sighing, I shut off the truck and opened the door. “Then I guess we go home. Someone wanted me gone years ago and they achieved it, until now. With bringing me
and
Ethan back, I’m hoping it gets this person mad.”

“How long?” he asked, pushing the issue.

I wanted to say until the fucker was caught, but there was no telling how long that would be. “A month. Two, tops,” I replied.

He nodded. “All right. At least with riding, the chicks will be plentiful. I’ll see what all I can find out this weekend.” We hopped out of the truck and walked over to Richard, who held his hand out to Micah.

“It’s nice to meet you. I’m Richard.”

“Micah,” he said, shaking his hand. “Sorry for being a dick at your tryouts. It was all part of the plan.”

I snorted. “Tell that lie to someone who believes it.”

Richard chuckled. “It looked believable. If I didn’t know you two were partners, I would’ve thought you were enemies. You’re a good rider. Donnie was impressed with you.”

“He’s the owner of DB Racing, right?”

I nodded. “Yep. He’s a good guy.”

Richard opened the back door. “Donnie’s excited to see you again. He’ll be by the track tomorrow. We have a race to practice for. Think you can be ready in a week?”

Micah grabbed my bag and clapped my shoulder. “He’ll be ready. The boy’s been dying to race for years.” He winked at me and disappeared inside the shop.

“I’ll be ready,” I said, stepping past him into the building. “Where’s our first race?”

“Virginia speedway.”

I’d ridden at that track more times than I could count. “Excellent. I’ll make sure my bike is race ready.”

“You know we have mechanics who do that, right?”

“I know, but if someone got to my bike before, they can do it again. If I’m going to race, I’m going to be the only one allowed to work on it.”

He nodded in agreement. “As you wish. I’m just glad to have you back . . . even if it’s only temporary.”

The words made my chest ache. I hadn’t realized how much I missed being a part of the team, or being on this side of the state. Charlotte, North Carolina had been my home for so long, I’d grown accustomed to city life. How was I ever going to go back?

The answer was simple . . . I didn’t want to.

“I
can’t believe he’s back,” Madison squealed.

I had to hold the phone away from my ear. “Yes, unfortunately.”

“How can you say that? You’ve been in love with him forever. Now that you know he didn’t actually want to break up with you, that has to mean something, right?”

“No. That’s where you’re wrong. He’s been gone for eight years. Things have changed.”

“You’re single as fuck, sis. The only thing that’s changed is that we’re older. Do you know if he’s seeing anyone?”

Blowing out a sigh, I leaned my head against the couch. “Why, so you can play matchmaker? No thanks.”

“No worries. I’ll ask him myself when I come into town this weekend. You might be mad at Logan, but I’m not. What he did years ago sucked, but he did it for you. I’m sure he has reasons why he never came back, right?”

“I guess. I don’t know.”

She scoffed. “You didn’t even ask him?”

“I did, but he never answered. Besides, all of this is easier said than done. You weren’t the one who had her heart broken.” I bit my tongue as soon as I said it. The line went quiet and I felt horrible. “Sorry, Maddie. I wasn’t thinking.”

“It’s okay. I guess it wouldn’t be so bad if I didn’t have to see him all the time. Luckily, this weekend I get a break. It’ll be nice to spend time with you.”

“I feel the same way.”

Maddie had been dating Dallas Easton, one of the NHL’s star goaltenders for the Charlotte Strikers, on and off for a little over a year. She’d wanted to be exclusive, but he couldn’t handle the commitment. With her being a sports reporter, she had no choice but to still interview him after the games. I’d seen her on TV with him, and as her sister, I could see the pain on her face. I couldn’t imagine having to do that with Logan.

“I’m sorry I didn’t make it to Levi’s funeral. I know you needed me.”

I did, but I understood she had a job to do. “It’s okay, I had Sean. And speaking of Sean—you’re never going to believe this—Angela
knows
about me and him.”

She gasped. “Oh my God, are you serious? What did she say?” Maddie was the only one who knew we had an intimate past. She’d walked in on us making out on more than one occasion.

“She gave us permission to see each other if we wanted. Of course, I said no. Sean and I are over. I love him, but not like that.”

“Holy shit, that’s insane,” she exclaimed. “I wonder what he’s going to say when he finds out the truth about Logan?” I groaned. He wasn’t going to like it. “Do you think he’ll get pissed? I’ve seen the way he still looks at you. You might not be in love with him, but I can’t say the same for him.”

“I don’t want to think about that. I’m actually trying to set him up with Janie. You remember her, don’t you?”

“Oh yeah, she’s nice. I think she’d be good for him,
if
he can get over you.”

“I agree. Wish me luck on it though.” I glanced at the clock and it was getting late. “All right, Maddie, I’m gonna head to bed.”

“Okay. Can you do me a favor though?”

“What?” I had a feeling it was going to be more of a demand than a favor.

“Please talk to Logan. Like
really
talk to him. From what you told me, you’re not the only one who got hurt. Logan’s a good guy. If you hadn’t snatched him up all those years ago, I definitely would have. He’s more my age than yours anyway.”

Just the thought of her going after him pissed me off. “I don’t think so, Maddie.”

“See? You’re angry. That means you still care. I knew once I sparked a bit of jealousy, you’d think differently.”

I rolled my eyes. “Goodnight, sis.”

She burst out laughing. “Night, Kass. See you soon.”

We hung up and I looked at the clock again. I wasn’t tired, and I needed more answers. I initially thought this afternoon’s talk with Logan would satisfy my need for closure, but it didn’t. I wanted to know
everything.

Heart racing, I hurried to my room and grabbed a thin coat. “I can’t believe I’m doing this,” I said. Once I tied up my shoes, I locked the door behind me and opened my garage. Instead of riding my motorcycle, I decided to take the dirt bike. If I took the road, it’d take me longer than it would to get through the woods.

I started up my dirt bike and let it warm up while I geared up with my helmet and gloves, making sure the light attachment for my helmet was charged. Logan was in for a surprise. He knew I could ride on the road, but I bet he’d never guess I could ride the dirt too. My bike was ready, so I took off through the woods, the light on my helmet guiding the way across the trail. It was dark and a little chilly as the wind blew past me, but it was exhilarating. The night was clear and the moon shone overhead, casting the trees in a mystical glow. It was times like this that made me appreciate what I had in life, even if there was a lot of heartache and pain.