Outlaw - By Nicole James Page 0,29

you could set up a meet for tomorrow? Score you some big points with Mack. With the patch over, and all.”

Chuck studied Cole a moment. “Yeah. Okay. I’ll make a call.”

“Sweet. Let me know.”

“Okay.”

Cole walked away.

Returning to the picnic table, Cole sat down next to Angel. He looked over at Mack, who was sitting on his other side. “You headin’ back tonight?”

Mack puffed on a cigar. “Yeah.”

Cole nodded. “I got some unfinished business with Chucky. I’m gonna stay until tomorrow.”

Mack glanced at Angel, then asked Cole, “You need some guys?”

“Yeah.”

Mack nodded. “Take who you need.”

“Thanks.”

Mack stood up. Cole stood up with him. Mack looked from Cole to Angel. “Been a very successful trip.”

Cole nodded. “Yeah.”

They slapped each other’s backs in a bear hug. “Thank the lady for me,” Mack said in his ear.

They broke apart.

Cole looked in his eyes. “Will do.”

“See ya back at the clubhouse tomorrow?”

Cole nodded.

Mack walked off. The six brothers standing around the table stayed. Angel noticed the rest leaving.

Cole sat back down. He put his arm around her, pulled her close, and kissed her. He pulled back, and looked up at someone beyond Angel’s head. “We all set?”

Angel turned her head and saw Chuck standing at the end of the table.

Cole could feel her instantly tense. He tightened his arm around her.

“Yeah. Said he can meet us around 10am tomorrow.”

Cole looked at Crash, and back at Chuck. “Where?”

“There’s an abandoned rest area out on I80.”

“How long will it take to get there from here?” Cole asked him.

“Fifteen or twenty minutes.”

Cole nodded. “Great. Mack said to pass on his appreciation for making this happen.”

“Cool.”

“So, we’ll hook up in the morning?”

“Yeah. Okay. Got some real good weed over there if you want,” Chuck offered, nodding toward the group at the fire.

“Me and the lady are gonna go find us a spot.”

Chucky looked at her, and smiled. “I know a nice little spot just over that hill.”

“Yeah. I heard you do,” Cole replied in a deadly voice, his eyes taking on a predatory quality.

Chuck smiled, and walked away.

When he was gone, Cole gave Angel a squeeze. “You okay?”

“No.”

He pulled her close, and kissed her forehead. “I’m right here, baby. Don’t worry about him. He’s never gonna touch you again.”

She nodded.

He looked down at her, and brushed a stray lock of her hair out of her eyes.

“Now what?” she asked.

“Now we find us a place to crash. You don’t mind sleeping on the ground again, do ya, baby doll?” He smiled down at her.

She groaned.

“How’re we gonna handle this tomorrow, Cole?” one of the brothers asked.

Cole took a hit off his beer, and looked around to make sure no one would overhear. “Here’s what I’m thinking. First light tomorrow two of you head out on I80. Look for that abandoned rest area he was talking about. Scout it out. See if it can be seen from the interstate. When you find it, call me. Me, Angel and Crash go with Chucky to the meet. The rest we play by ear.”

“Wyatt okay with this?” Crash asked.

Cole nodded. “He’s done with Chucky.

Cole stood up, and pulled Angel with him. “Come on, babe.”

Chapter Five

Cole had his back to a tree trunk, and Angel wrapped in his arms, nestled between his legs. His blanket was thrown over them. Someone nudged his leg with a boot. He squinted up into the early morning light.

“We’re headin’ out.”

“Yeah. Okay,” Cole replied quietly. He watched as his two brothers walked off toward their bikes. He pulled Angel closer. A moment later, he heard the engines fire up.

Cole’s gaze took in the yard and field around them. Everyone appeared to be passed out. The bonfire was smoldering. As he heard the engines fade into the distance, he kept watch, making sure no one followed them out. Pulling his cell out of his pocket, he flipped it open. 5am.

Angel stirred. She opened her eyes, and tilted her head to look up at him.

Cole leaned down, and kissed her lightly. “Go back to sleep, baby doll. We’ve got hours yet.”

She snuggled against him and soon drifted off again.

Within the hour, Cole’s cell phone vibrated. He flipped it open, and put it to his ear. “Yeah.”

He quietly listened to the report. They’d found the rest area. Overgrown. Far enough off the road. Perfect setup. An underpass just before it. Perfect place for the rest to wait, unseen.

Cole ended the call, and flipped his phone closed. He stroked Angel’s back, looking down at her, wondering how he was going to let her go