“He’s wearing a black do-rag with white skulls. His neck tattoos are a tribal pattern, swirling up almost to his jawline and down his chest, and the scar on the left side of his neck that cuts through the tat. He’s wearing a leather vest, no shirt underneath, sleeve tattoos on both arms, too.”

Pax swiveled and viewed the area. “Got him,” he said over his shoulder. “Stay put.”

Excitement and nervousness interfered with Teresa’s ability to do her job. Customers leaned in wanting drinks. She filled orders as fast as she could, but her gaze split to where Pax met up with AJ and they made a circle around the place, no doubt trying to corner the guy. Teresa lifted on her toes, trying to find the tattooed guy, but he’d gotten lost in the crowd somewhere.

Ten minutes passed and Teresa was beginning to think AJ and Pax had lost him, but Pax finally returned to her bar.

“What?” she asked.

“The Fists left and their friend went with them. We caught sight of them climbing on their bikes and taking off.”

Dread felt like a rock in her stomach. “You didn’t get him?”

“AJ and the Thorns are going after him.”

Russ came up next to Pax. “I sent the guys to go with AJ.” He turned to Teresa. “Pax and me are staying here with you.”

“Why?”

“Because this might be a trap set to leave you unguarded,” Pax said. “We’re not going to let it happen.”

“Okay. So we wait for—what? To hear from AJ? Are they going to just follow them or catch them or what?”

“They’re going to follow them, and hopefully once they stop, AJ will alert the authorities and bring this guy in.”

She shuddered in a hopeful breath. Maybe this was going to be over soon. Maybe Joey would be free.

Russ slid his hand across the bar and squeezed hers. “Stay focused. It’s going to be okay.”

She nodded and squeezed back. She’d known Russ as long as she’d known AJ. They’d all been friends forever, since they were kids. Russ was like family to her; he’d seen her through some rough times. She’d leaned as hard on him during that dark period in her life as she had on her brother—probably more so because she’d needed some distance from Joey after the rape. Joey had been so damn guilt-ridden about the whole thing that she’d pushed him away, had needed space from him because she couldn’t breathe. But Russ had been there for her, to hold her hand and tell her everything would be okay, even though he’d seemed as hurt by what had happened to her as everyone else had been. He’d watched over her and kept people away when she wanted some time alone. She didn’t know what she would have done without him and the other Thorns.

And now he was here watching over her again. It was good to have friends, especially now when all she could do was watch the clock on the wall and hope and pray that AJ and the others were safe. They had no idea what they were riding into.

An hour passed and Teresa concentrated on work. The crowds hadn’t slowed down; in fact they seemed to be getting heavier, which was okay with her. Keeping busy kept her hands—and her mind—occupied. Pax stayed out of sight and away from her, while Russ planted himself at the bar next to her, keeping a low profile by removing his Thorns jacket and wearing a knit hat low over his forehead. His gaze scanned everyone she served, which gave Teresa a measure of comfort—now there were two of them scanning the bar.

“So how close are you to AJ?” he asked during a lull in customers.

“We’re just having some fun.”

“Seems like more than that.”

She wiped down the bar, then smiled at him. “Why do you think that?”

“I see the way he looks at you. Pax, too.”

She flicked her gaze across the crowded bar, finding Pax right away. Yeah, he was looking at her, his expression unfathomable as their gazes locked and held. She could read just about anything she wanted into the way he looked at her—concern, desire, curiosity, frustration—the list went on endlessly.

She turned back to Russ. “I don’t think either of them looks at me in any special way.”

“Then you’re blind. AJ’s in love with you.”

She laughed. “That was a long time ago, Russ. It’s not like that anymore.” Even if she wished it were, she’d been the one soundly preaching about not being able to go back to the past.

Russ took her hand. “Do you love him?”

She wasn’t going to have this discussion with Russ. “That’s not your business.”

“What do you have going on with Pax, then?”

“Again. None of your business.”

Russ lifted his chin. “What if I want it to be my business?”

The obvious shone in Russ’s eyes. How could she have been so blind and missed it all these years? Russ hung out at her bar all the time—at the bar itself. Talking to her, not the other girls, not playing pool with Joey and the other guys, but hanging out with her.

She searched her memories trying to remember the last time he’d brought a girl around to meet her.

Hell. Never. She’d just assumed he was like a lot of the other guys, never settling down and always dating different girls. But now she knew.

She’d been oblivious, because she and Russ had been so close. Not a boyfriend—more like a best friend type of guy. She just didn’t see him in a romantic way, and never had.

But apparently Russ saw her that way, and she’d totally, blindly missed it all this time because she’d had her head up her ass about her own issues.

She was such a moron. She laid her other hand over his. “Russ . . . I didn’t know.”

He half smiled. “Obviously. But now you do. Figured I’d better stake my claim since it looked like maybe AJ or Pax was going to.”

Oh, God. She so wasn’t good at this. “I don’t know what to say. You and I have known each other so long. We’re like—”

“If you say brother and sister, I’m going to puke on this bar.”

She laughed. “No, I wasn’t going to say that. We’re friends. Good friends. You’ve been there for me when I needed you and I appreciate it. But I just don’t have . . . those kind of feelings for you.”

“Feelings can change.”

She hated this, hated having to hurt him. “And sometimes they can’t.”

He withdrew his hand, the hope on his face dying.

Her heart died a little, too. This sucked.

“I’m sorry, Russ. I need to be honest with you.”

“No, it’s okay. I get it.” He swiveled around on his stool and resumed scanning the crowd.

She’d hurt him. That hadn’t been her intent at all, but what was she supposed to do—lead him on? There was no way she was going to do that.

She filled a few drink orders, then tapped him on the shoulder. “Russ.”

He turned around and smiled at her. “Hey. I get it, Teresa. You want someone else.”

Yes, she did. Someone she wasn’t going to have. She understood not being able to have what you wanted.

“I’m sorry, Russ. You know I care deeply for you.”

He laughed. “That’s not making me feel better right now.”

His phone buzzed and he pressed his hand to his other ear to shut out the bar noise. His frowns as he listened made Teresa’s stomach tumble, especially when he shot a worried gaze in her direction. Panicked, she sent probably not-so-subtle signals across the room to Pax, who hustled over and waited with her while Russ listened and didn’t say much other than “when?” and “where?” and “how the f**k did that happen?”

Teresa chewed her lip and balanced on the balls of her feet until Russ closed his phone.

“What?” she asked, already knowing it was bad.

“Gunfight up in the hills.”

Her heart crashed against her chest.

“Anyone hurt?” Pax asked.

Russ shook his head. “My guys managed to shake the Fists. AJ suspected a trap when the Fists led them into a deserted area.”

“Okay. So what’s wrong?”

“My guys have the Fists holed up in the hills, but AJ is missing.”

“Missing?” Teresa’s stomach dropped to her feet. “What do you mean he’s missing?”

“He was with the Thorns, but as soon as the gunfire started they had to spread out for cover. After the Fists took off, my guys reconvened and AJ was nowhere to be found.”

Pax took out his phone and dialed AJ’s number. When he looked over at her and he wasn’t speaking, her pulse kicked up about ten notches. Pax closed his phone. “He might be riding.”

“Why would he do that? Why not stay with the Thorns?”

“I don’t know.” Pax rubbed his temple. “It doesn’t make sense.”

“He could be injured.”

Pax turned to Russ. “Did they say anything about the terrain of the area? Is it possible AJ could have taken a hit and gone off a cliff or something?”

Teresa fought back the well of tears burning her eyes. She would not fall apart. They didn’t know anything for sure yet.

“It was rocky and pretty steep. The Fists led them up there for a reason, so yeah, it’s possible. They’re still looking for him.”

“Shit. We need to head up there and help them search.”

“Shouldn’t we call in the authorities?” Teresa asked.

“No. We can’t,” Russ said.

Pax frowned. “Why not?”

“Look, man. A few of our guys . . . they’ve got records. Some aren’t even supposed to have left the state. They get caught in all this, they’re going back in the joint. I need time to get them clear, ya know?”

Pax hesitated.

“Come on, Pax,” Russ said. “They went up there to help. Don’t punish them for it.”

“Fine. But if we get up there and this is deep, I’m calling in the feds.”

Russ nodded. “Let’s go, then.”

“I’m going with you.”

Pax’s gaze snapped to Teresa “No.”

“There’s no way you’re going without me, Pax.”

“It’s too dangerous. You stay here.”

“I have to agree with Pax, Teresa. You shouldn’t be up there.”

She had to think fast, had to make sure she went with them. “What if this is a trap? What if they want me left alone?”

Pax considered, scratched his head, then sighed. “You’re right. But you ride with me. I don’t want you on a bike by yourself right now. It makes you vulnerable.”

“I still don’t think it’s a good idea,” Russ said. “Teresa should stay here.”

Pax shook his head. “Decision made. We’re all riding together. The two of us will just have to watch over her.”

Teresa laid her hand on Russ’s arm. “I’ll be fine.”

“Joey will kill me if something happens to you.”

She laughed. “I’m a big girl, and with the both of you looking out for me, I know I’ll be safe.”

That seemed to ease Russ a bit, because he nodded and they headed out.

The ride took seemingly forever. Teresa held tight to Pax, her lifeline, her strength, praying the entire time that AJ would be all right. Maybe AJ was hiding out, cut off from the others and unable to use his phone to let everyone know he was okay. She was determined to believe he was fine as Pax sped every mile through the curving roads leading into the hills.

It was late and not a lot of bikers were on the roads, especially when they turned off the main highway and onto a seldom-used two-lane. Remote, it seemed to stretch on forever as they rode higher up into the hills, the chill making Teresa’s breath visible as she snuggled closer to Pax for warmth. She was glad she’d worn her gloves and a neck warmer along with her leather jacket to keep the cold air at bay at these higher elevations, and she was grateful Pax had made them take the time to climb into their chaps, even though Teresa hadn’t wanted to spare a second before chasing after AJ. It was freezing up here.

This would have been a really great place for an SUV. With a heater. And a blanket.

Though there was nothing like an unobstructed view of the cloudless night sky, where it was just them and the stars and the thrum of the Harley’s engines as they breezed through the night. If it wasn’t for her worry over AJ, and her chattering teeth from the frigid cold, she could have enjoyed this ride. And even though she loved riding her own bike again, there was something to be said for having her thighs nestled against Pax’s and the heat of his body keeping hers warm. Despite the reason for this ride, she was almost relaxed. Which made her feel guilty.

She wrapped her arms tighter around Pax and laid her head against his back, soaking up some of his strength. They’d find AJ. They’d get the guy who killed Larks. This was all going to work out.

She caught sight of Russ coming up just to the right rear of Pax’s bike. She was about to turn and smile at him when she saw him lift a gun.

Panicked, she half turned in her seat. Was someone behind them? No, he wasn’t pointing that gun behind them at someone else, he was pointing it at them. What the hell was he doing?

She was about to scream his name when Russ zoomed up and fired. All she had time to do was grab on to Pax, but it was already too late. The bike swerved and everything tumbled into motion, including her. Pax hit the brakes hard, the squeal like a high-pitched scream. The rear tire went first, and they skidded toward the grassy embankment as the bike tipped over. Teresa flew off and had enough presence of mind to tuck herself into a ball as she tumbled down the grass, her body a living bowling ball rolling over and over.