His Other Half (Patches Tarkio MC, #3) - Debra Kayn Page 0,30
foot into her sneaker. "Why would he do that?"
"From what I heard, he's, uh, been drinking and stuff. Slick and Hammer went over there to throw back a few beers with him since Promise...Tarkio's bar is closed, but he's not listening to them."
She'd had a lifetime of alcohol abuse in people around her, she shook her head. "He's a grown man. If he wants to drink, he—"
"It's more than that. He keeps asking for you, Josie," he said.
If he needed her, she would be there for him. It was the least she could do after everything he'd done for her.
"I'll go." She grabbed her purse, searching in the bag for her keys.
"'Preciate it." Chrischris looked around the room. "Can I use your phone?"
"Sure." She went to Cami while he made his call. "Do you know what's really going on?"
The other night, Paco had stayed at her apartment. He seemed sad and hadn't wanted to be alone. She understood that. He'd killed someone for her. The aftermath of his actions hit him hard. She wanted to be with him, too, and help him.
"He called to check at the clubhouse and apparently found out Paco had gone out of control. He never talked about why." Cami grabbed her arm. "Are you sure you want to go to him? It could be dangerous."
Cami knew her opinion about drinking and why she stayed away from alcohol. She blew out her breath. "No, but I owe him."
She had a feeling he was dealing with the reality of his crimes. Having no experience taking someone else's life, she wasn't sure how she would help him. All she could offer was to stay with him if he'd have her.
"Can you lock up the apartment for me when Chrischris is done?" She stepped toward the door.
"Of course," said Cami. "Be careful."
"I will."
"Hang on." Chrischris hung up the receiver of the phone. "Rick is going to swing by and follow you to Paco's house."
"I know where he lives." She stood in the open doorway.
"Still..." Chrischris approached her. "We don't want you out at night alone."
She tilted her head. "We?"
"We feel like Paco would want you protected." Chrischris lifted his chin. "I'll wait outside with you until he gets here. It'll only be a couple of minutes. Rick lives close. It won't take him long."
Cami shrugged, letting her know she had no idea what was going on. Josie went outside, staying close to the apartment to wait. Secretly, it pleased her that she wouldn't be alone. Until he'd mentioned her going out at night, she hadn't thought of her own safety in her worry about Paco.
Since she'd left the Rez, the one time she went out alone at night was when she went to the casino, wanting Askook to see her, so she could get to Cami and bring her home. That was a mistake, but her friend's life was at stake. She'd do it again.
Cami stepped out with her. She said softly, "I don't like leaving you alone."
"I'll stay with her until you get back." Chrischris put his hands in his vest pockets, standing off to the side of them. "She'll be fine."
She studied Cami. If her friend showed any hesitation, she'd stay.
"It's okay. I'm safe with him." Cami squeezed her hand. "I'm more worried about you."
"I'm sure the other Tarkio members will be there, too." She turned at the sound of a loud rumble. "I'll talk to you in the morning."
"Be careful." Cami waved to her.
She jogged over to her car, not knowing what would happen when she reached Paco. Glancing in the side mirror, she met the stern gaze of Rick. She hadn't met him, and if he'd shown up at the body shop before, she hadn't remembered seeing him.
All the Tarkio members were intimidating if she went by their appearance alone. But the stern face looking back at her was a shocking reality that she'd traded one group of men at the Rez who wanted to hurt her for a group of men who wanted to protect her. That kept her from freaking out.
The short ride to Paco's house ended when she pulled into his driveway. There were four motorcycles in front of her vehicle, and she made sure she parked off to the side in case they left first and could get around her car.
Walking to the door with Rick, she inhaled deeply. The connection she had with Paco was private. It was strange to have others around while she talked to him.