The whole drive home we were trailed by bikes. It felt kind of weird, like we had some sort of royal escort. Then I remembered the other bikers. It went from weird to downright scary. I didn’t let Lexie think this was the case. I acted like having a motorcycle club escort us home from a shopping trip was something that happened every day. She played along, joking and talking about her various purchases. But her eyes flickered behind us every now and then. When we made it to the sign welcoming us to Amber, most of the bikes veered off. Except one. One that followed us the entire way home. Another bike was parked outside our house when I pulled up which had Killian leaning against it, his shades watching the car’s journey.
Lexie leapt out of the car to run over to him.
“Don’t worry!” I yelled to her back. “Your humble slave will carry your considerable purchases inside.”
She waved a hand. “Thanks, Mom,” she called distractedly.
I shook my head as I got out of the car and prepared to get the bags. Tattooed hands snatched them before I could even understand what happened. Stormy eyes met mine. “House. Now,” he barked.
I jumped at his harsh tone.
“Mom!” Lexie yelled, interrupting the stare off I was about to commence.
“Yeah, doll?” I called back, ripping my eyes away from Zane.
“Is it okay if Kill and I go to the movies?” she asked, her eyes flickering to Zane a moment.
I chewed my lip. Things had obviously been serious, considering the escort we got home. I assumed whatever was going on was in Hope, and Lexie would be okay going to the movies in the late afternoon. If she wasn’t, things would seriously have to change with Zane and I.
“Sure,” I told her and Zane’s form stiffened. I ignored this. I moved away from him to make my way over to the couple.
Killian’s face seemed to be as hard as Zane’s, although his eyes softened looking at Lexie. It was a look which exceeded his seventeen years. “Hey Killian,” I greeted him warmly.
“Mia,” he nodded. I guessed that counted as a warm greeting.
“You both know my rule about motorcycles,” I said firmly. I threw my keys in Killian’s direction. He caught them with one hand. “Therefore you may take Betty. Lexie only has her learners permit and I do not trust her not to crash it. Her mad skills in most things are yet to translate into knowing how to control what we call a motor vehicle,” I told him seriously.
“Hey!” Lexie started to protest.
I silenced her with a knowing look.
“Be careful,” I warned him, my eyes reminding him of my murder threat. He nodded tightly.
He pushed off his bike and grabbed Lexie’s hand. “Let’s go, Freckles,” he told her softly. “You can tell me all about your struggles with the complex process of driving on the way,” he teased lightly.
Lexie gave me a scowl and I blew her a kiss before she turned her back. I made my way back to a tense Zane, who watched my car reverse in the driveway.
“Killian looks funny driving Betty,” I commented, tilting my head. “I’m surprised my car doesn’t like, eject such a masculine being out of a such a girly car.”
My joke didn’t defuse any tension. Zane grabbed my elbow roughly and dragged me into the house.
“Hey!” I protested, ripping my arm out of his grasp. “Careful with the merchandise, buddy!” I rubbed my arm slightly.
Zane dropped the bags at his feet and stalked towards me. I backed into the closed door without even knowing until he had me boxed in.
“Would you like to tell me,” he began on a quiet tone, “what the fuck you were doing in Hope?”
I took a breath and moved my eyes to meet his, unsure of what made him so furious. “Shopping,” I told him honestly.
“Shopping?” he repeated quietly.
I nodded. “Evidence is right there, officer.” I nodded to the bags.
He slammed his open palm against the door and I jumped at the explosion of anger. It was only clothes. Jeez.
“Is everything a fuckin’ joke with you, Mia?” he half yelled.
I didn’t answer because I think that was a rhetorical question.
“You need to tell me exactly what happened with Logan,” he demanded.
I quickly recounted the interaction with the other biker that had Zane all riled, hopefully to get an explanation as to the origin of such rage.
He was silent for a moment when I finished, his frame scarily still. He seemed to be holding himself back from doing something.
I swallowed my fear. I knew he wouldn’t hurt me. “Those guys, they’re not your friends, are they?” I asked the question I already knew the answer to.
Zane didn’t speak, only shook his head slightly.
“Me and Lexie,” I began slowly, my face draining. “We’re not in danger, are we?” I asked in slight horror over the fact I had just sent me daughter off to the movies.