Page 50 of Desperate Justice

Pride could easily get her hurt, or worse.

To his relief she nodded. “Okay. I get it. If Diana wasn’t with me, I’d go off on my own. Get it? I’m not one for following rules.”

He rubbed his neck ruefully. “I know. Who is this Dan? What does he do?”

Never one to miss anything, Allison shook her head. “Why? So you can do a background check and start questioning him? If it is him, I’ll handle it. It’s my business.”

“And it’s my group, and I make it my business to ensure everyone in the group is safe for the duration of this ride.”

Maybe because she was tired, she finally capitulated and told him. “Last I heard, he worked as a welder for Markey Brothers Construction in Oviedo, Florida.”

Rafe made a mental note to check into this Dan and question him about his whereabouts. If Dan was following Allison and did this, well, Dan would find himself on the receiving end of a little old-fashioned justice. If it involved Rafe’s fists and Dan’s mouth, well, so be it.

The thought made him nearly laugh. Rafael Rodriguez, straitlaced FBI man turned rogue biker.

“Good. Get your stuff and we’ll leave in ten.”

* * *

The weather held off for them through most of southern Georgia, but when they were south of Atlanta, Rafe radioed to Sam to take a break at the next rest stop.

Indigo storm clouds gathered north of them. As they pulled off, Rafe squinted at the sky. Time for rain gear and getting the hell off the interstate. He’d changed their route, sticking to the busy highway instead of the smaller and prettier back roads because chances were this Dan Johnson would take the less traveled route.

But now the hazards outweighed everything else. Even if they rode in the slow lane, avoiding the middle of the lane to skirt oil slicks, the traffic would grow worse around Atlanta.

Traffic was always bad around Atlanta, and Rafe didn’t want their little group breaking apart due to impatient drivers weaving in and out. With this threat to Allison, he’d make sure to check his mirrors to see if anyone followed them.

He made a quick call to Jase, asking him to find out everything and anything on Dan Johnson.

By the time everyone emerged from the restroom and they were donning their rain gear, Jase called back.

“Hey, Rafe. One Dan Johnson, background check. Guy is clean. No arrests, not even a traffic ticket. Pinged his cell phone and he’s riding through Atlanta now.”

Rafe’s mouth curled into a smile as Jase gave him the number. He thanked him and hung up.

Next, he dialed Dan Johnson’s number.

“Who is this?” Johnson demanded.

“Never mind who this is. I’m on the Teddy Bear Run and I have questions about Allison Lexington. I’m riding with her. What are your intentions toward her?”

A short laugh. “Intentions? None. Allison? Nice chick, but too independent for me. I like them needy.”

“Where were you last night?” Rafe asked.

“What’s it to you, dickwad?”

“Answer me or I have a few friends in law enforcement who will make certain you will stay stuck in Atlanta traffic, asswipe.”

He could almost hear Dan swallow his own spit. “I was staying at the Dollar Night motel in Lakeland City. Listen, buddy, I have no intentions toward Ally. She’s a friend, nothing more, and she made it clear about that last year. Last night I picked up a chick in Gainesville and we spent the night together. I can give you her number...”

Rafe hung up, pondering.

Sam, sitting next to him on his bike, looked amused. “Girlfriend problems with Allison? Or potential girlfriend problems?”

He palmed his cell and scowled. “Allison’s room got broken into this morning while she and her sister were at breakfast. Ally thought it was this Dan Johnson she had an affair with last year on the Teddy Bear Run, but the guy swears he was with another woman last night.”

Sam dropped the smirk. “Damn, Rafe. You believe him?”