An hour passed and Teresa concentrated on work. The crowds hadn’t slowed down; in fact they seemed to be getting heavier, which was okay with her. Keeping busy kept her hands—and her mind—occupied. Pax stayed out of sight and away from her, while Russ planted himself at the bar next to her, keeping a low profile by removing his Thorns jacket and wearing a knit hat low over his forehead. His gaze scanned everyone she served, which gave Teresa a measure of comfort—now there were two of them scanning the bar.
“So how close are you to AJ?” he asked during a lull in customers.
“We’re just having some fun.”
“Seems like more than that.”
She wiped down the bar, then smiled at him. “Why do you think that?”
“I see the way he looks at you. Pax, too.”
She flicked her gaze across the crowded bar, finding Pax right away. Yeah, he was looking at her, his expression unfathomable as their gazes locked and held. She could read just about anything she wanted into the way he looked at her—concern, desire, curiosity, frustration—the list went on endlessly.
She turned back to Russ. “I don’t think either of them looks at me in any special way.”
“Then you’re blind. AJ’s in love with you.”
She laughed. “That was a long time ago, Russ. It’s not like that anymore.” Even if she wished it were, she’d been the one soundly preaching about not being able to go back to the past.
Russ took her hand. “Do you love him?”
She wasn’t going to have this discussion with Russ. “That’s not your business.”
“What do you have going on with Pax, then?”
“Again. None of your business.”
Russ lifted his chin. “What if I want it to be my business?”
The obvious shone in Russ’s eyes. How could she have been so blind and missed it all these years? Russ hung out at her bar all the time—at the bar itself. Talking to her, not the other girls, not playing pool with Joey and the other guys, but hanging out with her.
She searched her memories trying to remember the last time he’d brought a girl around to meet her.
Hell. Never. She’d just assumed he was like a lot of the other guys, never settling down and always dating different girls. But now she knew.
She’d been oblivious, because she and Russ had been so close. Not a boyfriend—more like a best friend type of guy. She just didn’t see him in a romantic way, and never had.
But apparently Russ saw her that way, and she’d totally, blindly missed it all this time because she’d had her head up her ass about her own issues.
She was such a moron. She laid her other hand over his. “Russ . . . I didn’t know.”
He half smiled. “Obviously. But now you do. Figured I’d better stake my claim since it looked like maybe AJ or Pax was going to.”
Oh, God. She so wasn’t good at this. “I don’t know what to say. You and I have known each other so long. We’re like—”
“If you say brother and sister, I’m going to puke on this bar.”
She laughed. “No, I wasn’t going to say that. We’re friends. Good friends. You’ve been there for me when I needed you and I appreciate it. But I just don’t have . . . those kind of feelings for you.”
“Feelings can change.”
She hated this, hated having to hurt him. “And sometimes they can’t.”
He withdrew his hand, the hope on his face dying.
Her heart died a little, too. This sucked.
“I’m sorry, Russ. I need to be honest with you.”
“No, it’s okay. I get it.” He swiveled around on his stool and resumed scanning the crowd.
She’d hurt him. That hadn’t been her intent at all, but what was she supposed to do—lead him on? There was no way she was going to do that.
She filled a few drink orders, then tapped him on the shoulder. “Russ.”
He turned around and smiled at her. “Hey. I get it, Teresa. You want someone else.”
Yes, she did. Someone she wasn’t going to have. She understood not being able to have what you wanted.
“I’m sorry, Russ. You know I care deeply for you.”
He laughed. “That’s not making me feel better right now.”
His phone buzzed and he pressed his hand to his other ear to shut out the bar noise. His frowns as he listened made Teresa’s stomach tumble, especially when he shot a worried gaze in her direction. Panicked, she sent probably not-so-subtle signals across the room to Pax, who hustled over and waited with her while Russ listened and didn’t say much other than “when?” and “where?” and “how the fuck did that happen?”
Teresa chewed her lip and balanced on the balls of her feet until Russ closed his phone.
“What?” she asked, already knowing it was bad.
“Gunfight up in the hills.”
Her heart crashed against her chest.
“Anyone hurt?” Pax asked.
Russ shook his head. “My guys managed to shake the Fists. AJ suspected a trap when the Fists led them into a deserted area.”
“Okay. So what’s wrong?”
“My guys have the Fists holed up in the hills, but AJ is missing.”
“Missing?” Teresa’s stomach dropped to her feet. “What do you mean he’s missing?”
“He was with the Thorns, but as soon as the gunfire started they had to spread out for cover. After the Fists took off, my guys reconvened and AJ was nowhere to be found.”
Pax took out his phone and dialed AJ’s number. When he looked over at her and he wasn’t speaking, her pulse kicked up about ten notches. Pax closed his phone. “He might be riding.”
“Why would he do that? Why not stay with the Thorns?”
“I don’t know.” Pax rubbed his temple. “It doesn’t make sense.”
“He could be injured.”
Pax turned to Russ. “Did they say anything about the terrain of the area? Is it possible AJ could have taken a hit and gone off a cliff or something?”
Teresa fought back the well of tears burning her eyes. She would not fall apart. They didn’t know anything for sure yet.
“It was rocky and pretty steep. The Fists led them up there for a reason, so yeah, it’s possible. They’re still looking for him.”
“Shit. We need to head up there and help them search.”
“Shouldn’t we call in the authorities?” Teresa asked.
“No. We can’t,” Russ said.
Pax frowned. “Why not?”
“Look, man. A few of our guys . . . they’ve got records. Some aren’t even supposed to have left the state. They get caught in all this, they’re going back in the joint. I need time to get them clear, ya know?”
Pax hesitated.
“Come on, Pax,” Russ said. “They went up there to help. Don’t punish them for it.”
“Fine. But if we get up there and this is deep, I’m calling in the feds.”
Russ nodded. “Let’s go, then.”
“I’m going with you.”
Pax’s gaze snapped to Teresa “No.”
“There’s no way you’re going without me, Pax.”
“It’s too dangerous. You stay here.”
“I have to agree with Pax, Teresa. You shouldn’t be up there.”
She had to think fast, had to make sure she went with them. “What if this is a trap? What if they want me left alone?”
Pax considered, scratched his head, then sighed. “You’re right. But you ride with me. I don’t want you on a bike by yourself right now. It makes you vulnerable.”
“I still don’t think it’s a good idea,” Russ said. “Teresa should stay here.”
Pax shook his head. “Decision made. We’re all riding together. The two of us will just have to watch over her.”
Teresa laid her hand on Russ’s arm. “I’ll be fine.”
“Joey will kill me if something happens to you.”
She laughed. “I’m a big girl, and with the both of you looking out for me, I know I’ll be safe.”
That seemed to ease Russ a bit, because he nodded and they headed out.
The ride took seemingly forever. Teresa held tight to Pax, her lifeline, her strength, praying the entire time that AJ would be all right. Maybe AJ was hiding out, cut off from the others and unable to use his phone to let everyone know he was okay. She was determined to believe he was fine as Pax sped every mile through the curving roads leading into the hills.
It was late and not a lot of bikers were on the roads, especially when they turned off the main highway and onto a seldom-used two-lane. Remote, it seemed to stretch on forever as they rode higher up into the hills, the chill making Teresa’s breath visible as she snuggled closer to Pax for warmth. She was glad she’d worn her gloves and a neck warmer along with her leather jacket to keep the cold air at bay at these higher elevations, and she was grateful Pax had made them take the time to climb into their chaps, even though Teresa hadn’t wanted to spare a second before chasing after AJ. It was freezing up here.
This would have been a really great place for an SUV. With a heater. And a blanket.
Though there was nothing like an unobstructed view of the cloudless night sky, where it was just them and the stars and the thrum of the Harley’s engines as they breezed through the night. If it wasn’t for her worry over AJ, and her chattering teeth from the frigid cold, she could have enjoyed this ride. And even though she loved riding her own bike again, there was something to be said for having her thighs nestled against Pax’s and the heat of his body keeping hers warm. Despite the reason for this ride, she was almost relaxed. Which made her feel guilty.
She wrapped her arms tighter around Pax and laid her head against his back, soaking up some of his strength. They’d find AJ. They’d get the guy who killed Larks. This was all going to work out.
She caught sight of Russ coming up just to the right rear of Pax’s bike. She was about to turn and smile at him when she saw him lift a gun.
Panicked, she half turned in her seat. Was someone behind them? No, he wasn’t pointing that gun behind them at someone else, he was pointing it at them. What the hell was he doing?
She was about to scream his name when Russ zoomed up and fired. All she had time to do was grab on to Pax, but it was already too late. The bike swerved and everything tumbled into motion, including her. Pax hit the brakes hard, the squeal like a high-pitched scream. The rear tire went first, and they skidded toward the grassy embankment as the bike tipped over. Teresa flew off and had enough presence of mind to tuck herself into a ball as she tumbled down the grass, her body a living bowling ball rolling over and over.
She finally slid to a stop and flopped onto her back. Dizzy, sick, her lungs felt like fire as she cast her stunned gaze up at the night sky. What had just happened? Disoriented and out of breath, she fought for her bearings. And her breath, which seemed to come in shallow gasps.
She’d hit her back and knew it had knocked the wind out of her. She couldn’t breathe, and the urge to panic was strong. The need to find Pax was stronger. She fought to maintain slow, calm inhales and exhales until she could breathe normally again, then she rolled to her side, careful to gauge for any injuries.
Other than feeling bruised as hell from her bumpy roller-coaster ride down the embankment, she was okay. Nothing was broken. She didn’t feel any sticky wetness sliding down any of her limbs, so she wasn’t bleeding. She removed her helmet and goggles and lifted herself on shaky legs, staying bent over to fight back the dizziness that still assailed her.
The gun. Russ had fired a gun at them. Why would he do that? And where was he? She searched the area around her, but dammit, it was dark and she couldn’t see, couldn’t hear anything.
No. Pax first. Pax had been thrown in the same direction. She had to find him, wanted to call out his name, but what if Russ was out there somewhere? He had a gun. He’d shot at them.
None of this made sense. She didn’t know what to do.
Until she heard a hissing noise. She stilled, trying to determine direction. What was that sound? Pax’s bike? She had to take the chance and start walking, though her legs felt like rubber. Unsteady, she maneuvered slowly across the steep terrain toward the sound.
There! Smoke rising and something metal glinting in the moonlight. She hurried as much as she could on her wobbly legs, Pax’s overturned bike taking shape as she got closer.
It rested, crumpled and bent, against a thick tree. She scrambled around the tree and farther down the embankment and found Pax lying on the ground, unmoving.
Oh, God. She dropped to her knees next to him and felt for a pulse, relieved to the point of tears when she found one.
“Pax,” she whispered, bending low so only he could hear her. “Pax, wake up.”
Nothing. She didn’t dare remove his helmet or try to move him, because she had no idea how badly he was hurt.
She pulled her hand away from his chest and lifted it toward the tiny sliver of moonlight.
Blood.
No. God, no. She unzipped his jacket and felt for injury, squeezing her eyes to blot out the sting of tears when she felt the blood seeping from his upper chest.
Gunshot. Had to be.
Dammit. Russ. Why?
She scrambled back up to Pax’s bike and flipped open his saddlebag, pulling out a blanket, a bottle of water and—yes, thank God—a first-aid kit, the whole time lifting her gaze toward the road at the top of the hill, hoping like hell she wouldn’t see Russ aiming a gun at her.
She hurried back to Pax and opened the first aid kit, then did what she could to staunch the flow of blood from his wound. But he needed to be in a hospital—now. She grabbed to pull her cell from her pocket, tears stinging her eyes as she realized it was in pieces, no doubt crushed during her fall from the bike.
Shit.
Pax stirred, his lids lifting.
She held on to his arms. “Pax.”
He turned his head to the side and grimaced lifting his legs, and Teresa could have cried for joy that he could move.
“Don’t move.”
“What the fuck happened?”
“Russ shot you, and the bike went down a hill.”