Page 68 of Desperate Justice

A blush tinted Allison’s cheeks. “Diana Lexington, I have a good mind to yeet you into tomorrow.”

Diana’s smile seemed strained. “You mean throw me into tomorrow. That’s what Mom and Dad would say. Not yeet.”

With a wave, her sister headed away. As she rode off, Allison shuffled her feet. “I, um, apologize for her.”

“Why?” He dug his hands into his jeans pockets.

“She comes up with the most absurd ideas.”

“Is it so absurd?” He gave her a long, thoughtful look. “Spending the night with me?”

Her blush deepened. Allison looked past the rows of bikers, of men and women wandering up and down the aisles, admiring bikes. “No, it’s not, but... I mean, you and me.”

Damn, he liked seeing her blush like this, knowing the idea of them sleeping together did it.

Allison waved a hand. “For that, I’m not as inclined to shop for a dress for her wedding this weekend.”

To his surprise, she winked at him. “In fact, I’m thinking of making a special appearance. She wants to have the wedding at our cabin in the woods in the yard by the creek. I’m considering running through the forest naked, screaming about Bigfoot. Care to join me?”

Rafe laughed. It felt good to laugh and release all the tension he’d been carrying on this trip. “Sounds like a plan. Do we run together or do you take the lead and I follow?”

“I should take the lead because, with that beard of yours, they might even believe I’m being chased by the mighty, mythical Sasquatch.”

Pretending to be offended, he stroked a hand over the beard stubble. “Hey, I’m not that hairy.”

Allison cocked her head to one side. “Dunno. Haven’t seen the whole package yet.”

And then, as if realizing what she’d said, she blushed again. He grinned, finding her reaction charming.

This kind of flirting was the type to lead to something... What, he wasn’t certain, but he knew for a fact he was enchanted with Miss Allison Lexington, expert trauma nurse practitioner and motorcycle slow cone competition champion.

Sam wended through the crowd, joined by Keith and Debbie, walking Comet. “Congratulations, Ally! You’re fantastic.”

“We were thinking of celebrating your victory over steak and beer,” Keith added. “Join us?”

“Maybe later,” he said slowly, looking at Allison, who didn’t seem enthusiastic about a group dinner.

Sam caught Rafe’s look and grinned. “We’ll be at the Pine Tree Pub on Main if you want to catch up with us. Or not.” Sam waggled his brows.

Thankfully, Sam hustled the couple away before anyone started asking questions. Allison lifted her head and looked at him. She had the most amazing brown eyes. Up close, flecks of green sparkled in them like shining emeralds.

“Shall we go to dinner, Supervisory Special Agent Rodriguez?”

“After you, Allison Lexington, motorcycle winner extraordinaire,” he murmured.

Tonight was going to be a special night, indeed.

CHAPTER 17

He chose the steak restaurant Allison had wanted to try out. During dinner, right in the middle of a delightful story Allison told about her favorite city to visit, Rafe’s cell rang. He was ready to let it go to voicemail when he recognized the caller.

Greg Whitlock. He excused himself and asked Allison to order the cheesecake dessert.

Once more, the job came first. Rafe sighed.

It had to be important for Greg to call. The DEA agent was deep undercover in the same seamstress shop where Diana got her wedding gown altered. He’d found out the real owner was Hernandez, not the woman listed as the owner. The shop was yet another legitimate business laundering money for the drug lord.

“Rafe. Gotta make it quick.”