turned around and scanned the yard outside. Nerves filled her being at Curley's house alone instead of in the comfort of her house in Superior where she knew everyone.
"Wait. Faye," yelled a male voice.
She stuck her head out the doorway and found Cal jogging toward her from the side yard. "What in the world are you doing here? What were you doing in the backyard?"
How had he known where she was staying? She held on to the doorknob, prepared to shut the door if he came too close.
"I've been trying to get ahold of you, but you weren't answering the phone. I thought you might be outside." Cal stopped and gulped for air. "Angela told me where I could find you. Stephanie had an emergency. Her mom got in an accident with Jeff in the car. It doesn't look like her mom is going to make it."
"Oh, my God." She dropped her bag at her feet and stepped outside. "What about her son?"
"I don't know." Cal shook his head. " She's falling apart and needs you at the hospital."
"Which one?" Her heart raced.
"The community hospital in Superior." He looked at his watch. "It's taken so long to find you..."
"I'll go to her." She shut the door, locking it.
Hurrying to the driveway, she was halfway to her car and remembered the engine light had come on. It was an hour drive to Superior.
"Wait." She backstepped toward the house. "My car is acting up. I need to call someone to come and get me."
"There's no time. If something happens to Stephanie's boy, she's going to—"
"Don't say that." She worked her lips in worrying, not knowing what to do.
"Come on. You can ride with me." Cal stood at his car. "It'll be faster."
Worried for her friend, knowing how important her family was to her and she took care of everyone herself, she slid into the passenger seat. Adrenaline flowed through her. Stephanie was the hardest working woman she'd ever met. Every spare minute was spent taking care of her son and her mom. She must be scared out of her mind.
Cal raced down the road. A motorcycle headed toward them.
She sat straighter, squinting to see through the windshield. Recognizing Curley on his Harley, she grabbed the dash.
"Stop. That's Curley. He can take me to the hospital," she said.
Cal stomped on the gas pedal. The car shot forward.
"What are you doing? I want you to stop." She banged the dash with her fist, her gaze following Curley as he sped by them going toward home.
She looked at Cal. He concentrated on the road. Sweat rolled down his temples. Coldness filled her chest.
The hair on her arms stood up, and she knew her friend's emergency was a lie. Cal wasn't taking her to the hospital.
And, Curley had no idea where she'd gone.
Chapter 33
Curley
Curley pulled into the driveway and shut off the engine. He rubbed his hands together. The long fucking week had every joint in his hands aching from the hard miles he and the other Tarkio members on his crew put in on the roundtrip to California.
It was a successful trip. Tarkio was satisfied with the production level on the marijuana crops, and certain the recent added security during pick up was for the best.
He swung his leg over the Harley and stood.
Once he had Faye in his arms, he planned to take her to bed and not get up until it was time to go to work tonight. Sleep would come when he died. Right now, all he needed was his old lady.
He undid the strap, holding his duffle to the backseat of his Harley, and carried the bag to the house. Keeping his eyes on the door, he expected Faye to run out and greet him.
When she hadn't come outside, he grinned. Maybe she was taking a shower or prettying herself up for his arrival. Obviously, Rick had given her the message that he would be home because her car was parked in the driveway.
He tried the door handle, glad to find it locked. While she was safe when he was around, she needed to take extra precautions when alone. He'd made many enemies throughout the years. Wearing the Tarkio patch, put a target on his back. One he willingly wore with pride.
Using his key, he let himself inside. Faye's bag sat in his path on the floor, and he tossed his duffle, moving her things to the side.
"Faye?" He walked through the living room and peeked in the kitchen before going