Killyama tried to climb into the front seat, but Jonas wouldn’t budge. Giving up, she had to listen to Sasha talk about Train’s attributes until they reached the interstate, which took an hour. When she ran out of things to say about him, she started talking about Rider. Apparently, he wasn’t as perfect as Train, because she started discussing Crash after five minutes.

“Oh, my God. Will someone shoot me already? Bitch, I know you’re making this shit up.”

“I’m not lying, I swear. If you take me back, they won’t be mad anymore. Well, maybe just a little.” She stared at her beseechingly then started crying again.

Killyama reached into the console, taking out the tissues and handing them to her.

“Thank you. Do you know if the other women prisoners are going to beat me up or make me their bitch?”

Killyama rubbed her forehead. They were still two hours away from the jail.

“You’ve been watching too much television. You’ve been in jail before.”

“I was only there for two hours before Moon bonded me out.”

“Moon must have someone in his back pocket to have you bonded out so fast.”

Sasha wiped her eyes with the tissue. “Not enough to manage to get the charges dropped. Please take me back.”

“Running away doesn’t solve anything. You need to face the charges. Were you just going to hide out for the rest of your life?”

“No, Diamond was trying to fix things for me.”

“Diamond and The Last Riders were putting their ass on the line by protecting you. It was only a matter time before the authorities in Ohio grew tired of waiting for Knox to arrest you. Would you be happy if Knox was arrested? Or Diamond lost her license to practice law? You say you care about Train and Rider; would you have cared if the State Police came knocking on the clubhouse door and one of them were hurt trying to sneak you out?”

Shamefaced, Sasha stared down at her lap. “I didn’t think of that. I’m so used to Viper and Moon taking care of things that I didn’t consider they could get hurt.”

“You’re a grown-ass woman. The only one who needs to be handling your business is you. Do you know how many women are behind bars because they trusted a man?” Killyama shook her head at the woman. “Do what you have to do to get this trouble taken care of without getting any of your friends hurt, and then get a new start on a future you control.”

Sasha’s crying stopped, and she remained quiet for the rest of the trip. Killyama expected her to start the waterworks again when they stopped at the jail and she helped her out of the back seat, but she remained calm.

Killyama watched as she was taken into the in-take room while Jonas filled out the paperwork. She could see Sasha pulling out her empty pockets.

Killyama asked a standing guard nearby if Ron was on duty. Then she asked if she could talk to him.

Waiting impatiently for him to show, Killyama watched as Sasha was told to remove her shoes by a female guard. The woman’s lips were beginning to tremble again.

“Hi, Rae. How can I help you?”

Hammer and Jonas frowned at her in puzzlement as she turned toward Ron.

“I have a favor to ask.”

“I’ll see what I can do. What do you need?” Ron was one of the few men she had grown to like since she had started working in this field. He was fifty years old and thirty pounds overweight, with a wife who was as in love with him as he with her.

Killyama walked to the side so no one could hear their conversation. “Could you give the woman I brought in her own cell and make sure no one messes with her? If you can lose her paperwork for a few days, I would appreciate it.”

“What was she wanted for?”

“Theft. She’s going to get her charges cleared. Her ex framed her.”

“We’ve heard that one before.”

“I believe her.” At his doubting look, she put her hand on his arm. “Come on; she’s scared.”

“She should be.”

“Please.”

He sighed heavily. “Okay, but this is the last time. When are you going to stop listening to the sob stories these runners are feeding you?”

“I guess when you get promoted out of here, I won’t have anyone to help me out.”

“You’re too kindhearted. The last one you tried to help was back in jail the next day.”

“She’s different.” Killyama gestured toward Sasha. “When she gets out of here, she won’t be back.” Viper would see to that.

“Fine. I’ll watch out for her.”

“I’d hug you, but I don’t want the other guards to get jealous,” she teased him good-naturedly.

“Better not. Deb gets mean when she thinks someone is flirting with me.”

“You think I can’t take her?” Killyama grinned.

“Hell no! You might be younger, but I married a tough cookie.”

“I guess we’re not fated to be together, then.”

Ron blushed. “I better get back to work.”

“Thanks, Ron.”

“We done?” Killyama asked as Hammer and Jonas took the paperwork from the officer at the desk.

“Yes. What were you talking to Ron about?” Hammer asked.

“Nothing. I was just asking him about his wife and kids.”

“Sure you did,” Jonas said, handing her the completed paperwork.

“I saw the hundred you slipped him.” Hammer pushed the button so the guard would open the door for them to leave.

“You need to get your eyes checked.” Killyama swiped the keys away from Hammer. “I’m driving.”

Getting behind the wheel, she started the SUV. “It’s getting late. How about we stay the night?”

“You never want to stay the night. What’s up?” Hammer took the gum she had been about to put in her mouth, throwing it out the window.

“Nothing. I had a long night, and we have a long drive. I’m tired.”

“That’s cool with us. We can get an early start in the morning.”

“I’m going to take a couple of days off. We can rent a car before we find a hotel room for me to use until I come home.”

Jonas nixed the idea. “We’re not going back home without you.”

“I need some space and rest. I’m not going to get that with you two here.”

“You believe this bullshit, Jonas?”

Jonas leaned forward, sniffing the air. “I smell the bullshit, too.”

“You’re going to stick your nose in it, aren’t you?” Hammer looked at her with disapproval.

She knew they weren’t going to believe whatever lie she came up with, so she admitted, “Yes.”

“Then I guess we’re all staying,” Jonas stated.

“What’s the plan?”

Killyama grinned at Hammer. “When you’re dealing with someone who has a lot of power and who can get a lot of strings pulled, you know what you have to do?”

“What?” Hammer and Jonas both asked.

“You have to call the puppet master.”

12

Train watched the SUV pull out onto the road. Then he started to go inside the clubhouse to get his wallet and keys.