Page 26 of Savage Ends

He and Rusty got out of the trailer and were running toward their bikes when they were thrown to the ground, and ringing filled Pat’s ears.

The trailer had a bomb, and it had just been detonated.

****

Ava’s feet hurt fromspending all day on them at the fabric shop, and now as she worked on Saturday night at the coffee shop.There were a lot of late working locals, who were talking about the trailer blowing up.She was only paying half a mind to the story.Listening to gossip was not something she liked to do.

She served coffee, listened to people talk, sliced cake, served up cinnamon rolls.She checked on Lauren, who was cleaning the kitchen and seemed quite happy in her little world.

Ava was happy.Only, she had yet to see Pat.It was still a little early.As the hours ticked on, and ten o’clock rolled by, she had a feeling he was not going to come.By two in the morning, it was time to close shop.Lauren thanked her, and they closed together.

Ava got into her car and drove back home, where she got Bernice.She was tempted to stay at her mother’s, but she really needed to get back to her apartment.Driving home, she parked, and then walked with Bernice to the main building.Typing in her code, she walked in and went straight to the elevator.Bernice stepped inside with her, and they made their way up to the third floor where she lived.She couldn’t stand heights.The third floor was far enough off the ground for her.

Stepping into the main hall, she went to her door, flicked the locks open, and stepped inside.Instantly, Ava knew she wasn’t alone.Bernice growled, and she reached into her bag for her pepper spray.

“It’s me.”

Bernice stopped growling, and Ava quickly flicked on the light to see Pat sitting in one of her chairs.

“Pat?”

He got to his feet and stepped toward her.

“How did you get into my apartment?”she asked.

“I have my ways,” he said.“I wanted to come and see if you’re all right.”

“You want to check on me?What about you?It was your bike that was targeted.People were talking about a trailer exploding today.Is that true?”Ava asked.

He nodded and came toward her.He wore his leather cut, and the serious expression on his face made part of her think she should run, but she didn’t.She was not afraid of Pat.She stood her ground.

“It’s true?”

“Yes.It’s true, and I can’t give you any more details.You’re not going to see me at the coffee shop for a while.”

Disappointment hit her hard.“I’m not.Why?”This was not fair.One of the reasons she loved working in that coffee shop was the prospect of getting to see him.Tonight, and several days he hadn’t been there, were just boring.She missed him.

“It’s for your own safety.Something is happening, and I can’t tell you about it.I’m not going to let it affect you.”He reached up and cupped her cheek.

“But ...what about what you said?”Ava asked.

Her cheeks were on fire.They were burning.She had no idea what to do.

“That hasn’t changed, Ava.I want to fuck you, but it’s not safe to be seen with me.”

Every fiber of her being was telling her to listen to him.It wasn’t safe, and he was only promising sex.He was a biker.Sex was all they were going to get.

“Then come here,” Ava said.“You were able to sneak in here, I’m sure it won’t be hard.I want ...what you want.”

Pat just stared at her and didn’t move.He wasn’t sure he even breathed.

Ava couldn’t believe what she had just said.

He cupped her face and tilted her head back.She had no choice but to keep looking at him.She did not want to look away.He captured her heart, her soul, her very essence.She doubted very much that he felt the same way about her.

“Say it,” he said.

She licked her lips.There was no point in asking him what he meant.She knew what he meant.