Total pages in book: 52
Estimated words: 47822 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 239(@200wpm)___ 191(@250wpm)___ 159(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 47822 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 239(@200wpm)___ 191(@250wpm)___ 159(@300wpm)
“Sting said to take care of you all and treat you like family. Also, didn’t think you’d want your girl riding long distances without the proper gear. Girl said she’d never been on a bike before.”
Crush stuck out his hand. “Appreciate it. You let us know when you need a favor. Any time, any place.”
“Oh, don’t worry.” Boon grinned. “I won’t be shy.”
We followed Timber, the VP, back out into the yard and around to the front of the building. The air smelled like cedar chips and exhaust. I thought I caught the scent of cooking meat in the breeze, like someone was grilling upwind. I glanced at River as we walked. She tucked her hair behind her ear nervously but had a steady stride as she walked with us. Like she’d made her peace with whatever weird shit was about to happen next.
* * *
The drive out of Castle Rock was silent for maybe ten minutes, until River finally spoke up. “So… why am I here? You know, like, really.”
I glanced at Crush, letting him field that one. The highway stretched ahead of us, trees flanking either side creating a natural tunnel effect as we headed north toward Seattle. The late afternoon sun filtered through the branches, casting dappled shadows across the road.
“Our grandmother likes to create adventures for people she cares about who she believes need a little fun,” Crush said finally, his gaze on the road. He drove while I rode shotgun and River sat behind Crush in the big-ass Bronco Boon had loaned us. “She’s always been that way. Says a little adventure --”
“-- is good for the soul.” River joined Crush as my brother repeated our grandmother’s mantra.
“So this whole thing… the secret codes, the burner phone, all that cloak and dagger stuff at the nursing home… it’s just a game?” River sounded confused.
I couldn’t help but chuckle. “Yes and no. Maggie doesn’t do anything without a purpose, but she definitely has a flair for the dramatic.”
The landscape opened up as we approached Seattle, the Cowlitz River glittering to our left, Mount St. Helen’s snowcapped peak visible in the distance whenever the trees thinned enough to give us a glimpse. It was beautiful country out here, all misty greens and blues. So different from Florida.
“I can’t believe I fell for it,” River said, but she didn’t sound upset. If anything, the relief and budding excitement lit up her face. “I mean, I questioned what she was telling me right up until I got to the stupid library and found the note and the cash.” Her gaze snapped forward, probably to the rearview mirror to meet Crush’s. “I didn’t spend any of it, by the way. I still have all of it.” She pulled a small envelope from her duffel in the seat next to her and handed it forward.
“Hang on to it,” Crush advised. “I like the idea of all of us having some cash.” He glanced back in the mirror at River. “Assuming you still want to continue. No one is making you, but we’re more than happy to take you on this adventure.”
He smiled, and it struck me how I hadn’t seen my brother truly relaxed since we’d figured out what was going on with Gina back when Claw was still vice president. The mere thought of what we’d put Falcon’s woman through, however unintentional, was enough to make my stomach knot. It had been because of Claw and his private feud with another former member, Hammer, that Gina and another young woman, Scarlet, had been traumatized. We’d fixed the problem. Hammer and Claw were dead, and Gina was now with a man who loved and protected her. Scarlet too. In fact, Scarlet was now the old lady of Mars, a member of the Iron Tzars club in Evansville, Indiana. The resulting cultural shift in Grim Road had been for the better. We no longer kept secrets from each other. At least, not many, and nothing that could potentially come back on the club.
The silence stretched for a few minutes as we rolled on. River watched the scenery passing with a pensive look on her face, but she didn’t seem upset. More like she was reflecting on what was happening and what her next move needed to be.
Finally, she broke the silence again. “I’d like to continue on. I can’t do it by myself because I can’t decipher her messages, so if you guys have better shit to do, that’s fine. I’d appreciate a ride home if you don’t want to do this, though.”
“Of course we’re doing this,” I said, turning in my seat to face her directly. “Maggie tries to pretend we don’t know what she’s up to, but she set this up for all of us, not just you.”
River’s face lit up with that unfiltered excitement again, and something warm unfurled in my chest. Dangerous territory. “So Seattle’s next,” she said, leaning forward between the seats. “Pike Place Market. I’ve never been there, but I’ve heard it’s amazing.”