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"We’re almost there," Oz says as an answer

"I asked abouteyes check the rearview ain "They’re safe At least they were the last time the club checked in"

I close my eyes as the tension escapes from my neck "Why couldn’t you say that?"

"Because I don’t kno long that will remain true and I’m not about false hope" Before the shock of his words can set in, he continues, "The club’s with them, but the next couple of hours are critical Your job is to lay low and not contact anyone Do you understand?"

No I don’t understand any of this I drawte?"

Oz switches the hand on the wheel and leans against his door "Olivia’s"

Olivia’s My head hits the back of the seat "Oh" Oh

"I spend a lot of time there Sometimes more than at my own home," he says, and before I can respond he continues, "And here we are"

My breath is stolen fro cabin with everylit up like a Tho the wraparound front porch are rosebushes tangled with vines of honeysuckle It’s beautiful, picture-perfect and surely not the place where bikers live

"Shocked?" There’s a bite in Oz’s voice and it causes me to stare at him He parks the truck off to the side of the house and shuts off the engine "Considering what most people think of us, shocked is the most common reaction"

Because they are bikers and thisthis place is gorgeous Oz swings out of the truck and I’m surprised when he meets me at my side, opens the door and then offers ht I didn’t notice it on the way up, but now facing the prospect of down, I have a respect for the two feet He has a strong hand It’s a bit rough, but not sandpaper It’s a hand that leads, not a hand that follows, and I really shouldn’t be thinking too much about this anyround, Oz pulls onrasp and he doesn’t fight the distance I crave "The next time someone calls, can I talk to , scary guy doesn’t appear so big and scary as his eyes soften "Let’s go inside We’ll knowtoin danger "What if this was soet uys kept my father fro"

"What if this is a--" air quotes "--?"