His Other Half (Patches Tarkio MC, #3) - Debra Kayn Page 0,64

atmosphere in the clubhouse felt off. Maybe it was her worry that Paco hadn't shown up at her apartment at all throughout the night that set her on edge.

The door opened, and Curley stepped out. "Priest wants to talk to you."

"That's why I'm here." She moved forward.

He blocked her path. "He'll meet you out here."

Her stomach rolled. "Is Paco inside the room?"

He shook his head. Her apprehension escalated. Paco would never miss a meeting. Tarkio was the most important thing to him.

Other members came out, glancing at her, and headed to the main room. Finally, after what seemed like a lifetime, Priest strolled out and motioned for her to go with him. She followed him down the hallway until they were alone.

Before she could ask what was going on, Rick and Jerry joined them, making her more nervous. Their bad mood was contagious.

Priest ran his hand down his beard and said, "Yesterday, Paco went to the reservation and never came back."

Her spine snapped to attention. "His Harley is outside."

Priest dipped his chin. "He took Rick's truck, so nobody would recognize him."

"Why would he go...?" She clamped her mouth shut. He'd gone for her. There was no doubt in her mind that he would do something that dangerous by himself.

How many times had he told her he'd take care of Askook?

"He's told me for weeks he was handling club business." She raised her hand to her shoulder and shook her head in confusion. "That's why he had someone watching the apartment because he was doing things for you."

Please, let there be a mistake. Tell me he's on a run or skipped town. I don't care if he left me. Just let him be somewhere safe.

Her lack of specific information about his whereabouts now seemed irresponsible on her part. She'd trusted him when he kept business away from her. Not believing it was her right to know the details, she allowed him to go on with his lifestyle.

It was better than him running off after Askook and getting killed.

Her chest squeezed the breath out of her.

"We know he went to the reservation." Priest softened his gaze. "We went looking for Rick's truck, intending to find Paco, and couldn't find him or the vehicle. Luckily, we know a patrol officer for Montana State that got called out on a fire this morning and found Rick's vehicle fully inflamed."

"What? He was in the truck?" Her knees gave out, and she caught herself on the wall. "Is he okay? Where is he?"

Priest grabbed her by her upper arms and held her up. "He wasn't in the truck. We suspect that Robert Shaw found him and got rid of the vehicle. We need to figure out a way to get on the reservation and look for him in case—"

"In case he's alive," she said, finishing his sentence.

Her heart splintered into a million pieces. Her worst nightmare unfolded in front of her, and she wanted to deny what Priest was saying. It couldn't be Paco. Not her Paco.

"We don't have a good track record with the Blackfoot people." Rick crossed his arms. "We won't make it far over the border on our motorcycles without tribal police stopping us."

Her heart beat wildly, echoing their words. She tried to make sense of them. Paco wasn't supposed to leave her. He was doing work for the club. He'd come back to her. Probably tonight. That's how they kept their relationship going. Paco would never go to the casino without telling her. He knew what it would do to her.

"Josie?" Priest's mouth tightened. "We can't ride onto the reservation.

She shook her head. "No, they wouldn't let you."

Askook would torment Paco. If he was still alive.

She sobbed, pressing her hands to her chest. This couldn't be happening.

She panted, unable to catch her breath.

"We're working on a way to find him, but it'll take time." Priest squeezed her biceps and then let go of her. "You're free to stay here, or one of us can take you back to your apartment."

She wanted Paco. Being at the clubhouse without him wasn't the same.

If he escaped Askook, he'd first go to her apartment or call her. She knew that with her whole being, he would make sure to contact her before Tarkio.

"I...I want to go back to my apartment." She pressed her hands to her cheeks. "Will you call me if he contacts you?"

Priest nodded. "We'll find him."

Rick led her out, spoke to Whip, who escorted her to her car. Her heart pulled her away