Texas Pride. Gerry Bartlett

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СКАЧАТЬ kidding. You were going to help me fight off the enforcer from the Skeleton Cruisers and his three thugs?” Billy kissed her wrist. “What a woman.”

      “Hey, we were in a public parking lot. I didn’t think it could go too far. I saw a security guard cruising the area and figured he’d be around soon. You know I lied about calling the cops.” Shannon took a breath. Adrenaline still spiked through her. Danger, excitement from the rides, and Billy pressed against her body had her stirred up. She was tempted to make a reckless decision.

      No, she needed to take her time with Billy. Rushing into something wasn’t smart. He might look like a hot, dangerous biker right now, but he still wanted to make decisions for her and she had to remember that.

      “Take me home, Billy. We both have work tomorrow, you know.” She saw his mouth droop with disappointment that the evening was going to end.

      “I do know.” He started to say something when his phone rang. When he saw the number, he frowned. “I’ve got to take this. Sorry.”

      “No, I get it. You’re always on call for your clients.” She stepped away so he could have privacy. Good. She needed to cool down. Because she was so very tempted to kiss Billy and let their chemistry make her decision for her. Again.

      “Shit. I’ve got to go.” He pulled on his helmet. “I’m sorry, Shan. I’ll take you home.”

      “It’s okay. I had a good time.” She smiled and touched his cheek. “And, look, I’m stone-cold sober.” She shook her head and climbed on the back of the bike. He was solemn, not even cracking a smile as he started the engine. Whatever the call was about, it was serious. Of course, he was a criminal lawyer. Someone might have landed in jail.

      Shannon sighed and leaned against him. She could think of a dozen reasons why starting things with Billy again was a bad idea. But holding him as they drove through the night, it was easy to forget them. He still wanted her, even after all the mess they’d been through. There was something very seductive about that. Very seductive.

      Chapter 4

      Billy thought he’d done a decent job of hiding how that phone call had him tied in knots while he was with Shannon. Now he had to arrive at the county jail on the back of Albert’s motorcycle since he hadn’t planned to get his car back until morning.

      When he climbed off the bike, he got some looks from the cops clustered in front of the glass doors of the massive jail near downtown Houston. It was time for a shift change so there were more men standing around than usual. A few he recognized.

      “Pagan.” A sheriff’s deputy stepped into his path. “Not your usual ride. Where’s the rest of your gang?” He nudged one of his buddies and they cracked up.

      Billy knew better than to start something. He just smiled. “Even lawyers like to cut loose now and then. But the bike isn’t mine. I’m sure Slash would take it really hard if something were to happen to it here.”

      “Yeah, I bet he would.” The deputy eyed the bike. “I’m a veteran too. Slash is all right, though some of his crew needs a firmer hand. I’ll make sure nobody touches the bike, though it looks like somebody already did.” He frowned at the dent in the tailpipe. “Good luck in there. I heard she’s been making quite a lot of noise.”

      Billy winced. “Thanks for the warning.” He’d been afraid of that ever since the phone call. Now he knew his connection to the perp was common knowledge. Shit. When the deputy stepped out of his way, Billy headed on inside and passed through the metal detectors after emptying his pockets. He knew this place too well. By the time he got to the women’s lockup, his stomach was churning. Damn it. Tonight of all nights, when he’d been feeling so good, she’d pulled this.

      “Sally Marie Winthrop.” He gave the name to the clerk and showed his identification. “I’m her lawyer.” He sat and waited while they sent for her. The smells and the sounds were always the same. It wasn’t a place he wanted to ever visit, much less come to see a woman he knew and was supposed to love. He heard his name called and headed for the room the clerk indicated. He found Sally slumped at a table. What the hell was she doing in an orange jumpsuit? It didn’t suit her and was a bad sign. Her dark hair was matted and she looked like she’d washed off her usual makeup. When she raised her face, he could see her eyes were bloodshot.

      “Billy, sweetheart, you’ve got to get me out of here.” She didn’t bother saying thanks for coming. Of course. He was always going to be there for her. He’d promised his mother on her deathbed to take care of Sally.

      “Aunt Sally, I’ll do my best.” He sat across from her and took her shaking hand. His mother’s sister. If ever there was a reason for him to hate drinking, it sat right here. Sally was only forty-six years old, his mother’s baby sister because of what his grandmother called a “change of life” accident. She looked closer to Gran’s eighty-four.

      “They won’t let me smoke in here. Nazis. And this is all a big lie. I only had a few belts. Was driving home from bingo when that cop pulled me over. I know I wasn’t going over the speed limit. Didn’t do a damned thing to make him stop me.” She squeezed his hand. “He made me get out of the car when he saw I was driving on a suspended license.”

      “You still had a couple of months to go on that last DUI, Sally. The arrest report says you were weaving and hit a construction cone.” Billy dropped her hand and sat back. How the hell was he going to get her out of jail this time? Third strike and it was a miracle this was only the third time she’d been caught driving when drunk. At least she hadn’t hurt anyone. Yet.

      “I can’t just sit at home, Billy. I go crazy. The bingo hall is only a few blocks away.” She ran a hand through her hair and seemed surprised when it got tangled and she had to jerk it free. A few dark strands came with it and she cursed. “Look at me. The guards were so mean. Just because I threw up when I got here. Ruined my outfit. They gave me no privacy. Stuck me naked under a shower. The water was cold, Billy.” She started crying, big heaving sobs.

      “Sally, honey.” Billy got up and walked around to hug her thin shoulders. His heart broke for her. But, damn it, why the hell couldn’t she pull herself together? He stopped when a thought struck him. “Gran wasn’t with you, was she?”

      “No. It’s her night for Dancing with the Stars. She likes bingo but you couldn’t blast her out of her recliner on a Monday night when that show’s on. She bitched at me for driving but I got the car keys anyway.” Sally wiped her eyes and grabbed a tissue from the box on the table to blow her nose. “She’d hid them in a coffee can.” She snorted. “Like I didn’t know that trick.”

      “It’s her car, Sal. And she was only doing what I told her to do. You weren’t supposed to drive. If you want to get out, call a cab or Uber.” Billy sat across from her again. Damn it, what now? He’d paid for her to dry out after the last DUI and yet here she was again, reeking of alcohol. A couple of drinks? Not if the way she smelled was any indication.

      “I can’t afford to pay for a ride. Renee was supposed to pick me up, but she forgot.” She grabbed another tissue. “She’s got a new boyfriend. Me? I’ve got nothing, Billy. Can you blame me for wanting to have a little fun?”

      “I blame you for getting behind the wheel after you drank too much. You could have killed someone, Sally. Then what? You want that on your conscience?” Billy leaned forward, sick of what had become a familiar scenario. “I’ve a good mind to leave you in here. Let you sweat this shit out of your system in jail.”

      “No, СКАЧАТЬ