His Other Half (Patches Tarkio MC, #3) - Debra Kayn Page 0,24
propped open the back door. Music filtered out into the night, much softer than inside. He sat beside Cami and propped his elbows on the table.
"Ever been to a ZZ Top concert?" Chrischris looked at Josie when he asked.
She shook her head. "Mötley Crüe came to the Rez when I was a teenager. The, uh, casino hired a bunch of us from the school to help with parking, tickets, and stuff. That's the only band I've listened to in person."
Chrischris looked to his left at Cami. "How about you?"
"Aerosmith. I went last year with a friend." Cami looked down and then back up with a grin. "It was to celebrate my twenty-fourth birthday, so I don't remember all of the night."
Chrischris chuckled. "So, you do drink...sometimes?"
"Sometimes, but not anymore." Cami's hand went to her stomach without even realizing it.
"The baby." Chrischris nodded. "That's smart. I've watched my sister have three kids. Sharon, that's her name, she's a good mom, too."
Fascinated by what was happening or not happening in front of her, Josie watched the other two. She hadn't seen Chrischris talk more than one sentence at work, and he seemed truly interested in Cami.
The music changed. Cami asked him about his tattoo on his forearm.
Josie looked over at the open door, knowing Paco was inside. What was his deal?
For a guy who'd gone out of his way to help her, his rudeness seemed misplaced.
She chewed on her lip. While she'd fantasized about killing Askook, she had a good reason. She knew deep down that taking someone's life brought consequences in not only this life but in the next life. Any punishment would be better than Askook owning her.
But, Paco hadn't known her or that her dad sold her to Askook. He hadn't known Cami.
As she tried to understand his reasons for what he'd done, she also accepted her part in pushing him to help.
She slumped on the bench of the picnic table. She was responsible for him killing a man.
She swiveled on the picnic table to stand.
"Where are you going?" asked Cami.
Flustered that it'd taken her that long to figure out her part in what had happened, she needed to start making it up to Paco. "Inside. I'll only be a few minutes."
She hurried toward the door and walked down the hallway, knowing where she was going from the last time she was here. In the main room, the party was going stronger. Naked women danced around with each other. Some of the bikers paid attention to them, others not so much.
Scanning the crowd, she spotted Banks standing by a table with his arm around Mrs. Banks—who'd she'd met a few times at work, but talked to almost every day when she called to speak with her husband.
Going over to the couple, she stood back, not wanting to interrupt their conversation with the other bikers, and unable to hear what they were talking about over the loud music. While she waited, she looked around for Paco. It would be easier to go directly to him, but she had no idea where he'd gone.
"Hey, Josie." Banks backed up a step to include her. "I didn't know you were coming. Do you need a beer?"
"No, thanks." She took a deep breath. "I'm looking for Paco."
"I...nope, haven't seen him." Banks leaned toward the others, speaking out of her hearing, then looked at her. "Roddy said he spotted him outside about five minutes ago."
"Thanks." She walked toward the door, weaving her way through the crowd, and pushed outside.
Paco and another man stood in front of her car. He caught sight of her before she was halfway to him and stormed over to her. Grabbing her elbow, he led her to the corner of the building where there was no one around.
"You shouldn't be here." He ran his hands over her face.
Feeling a slight tremble in his touch took the sting from his gruffness. She put her hand on top of his, stilling him.
"I came because Chrischris wanted Cami here for some reason." Urgency kept her talking. "But I need to talk to you." She brought his hands down, holding them tightly in her grasp, keeping him in front of her. "I'm sorry about what happened. I hate that you are the one dealing with the consequences of what happened at the casino."
His body stiffened, and he frowned. Her pulse pounded, knowing she wasn't saying things right. That any apology wouldn't be enough for what she'd put him through.