P T E

my first plan—the one in which, once Arlene departed and I returned to my house, I walked im

heir island vacation spirit, they saw their daughter on her knees in the living room with her head in between legs of a bare-chested man, whose jeans were open and

g room and the rest of the

sis. In particular, this wasn't my worst story; it was only the last one I had to tell Dad and Mama Melinda.

to dial Dad

the rough, Big Ben belonged to a biker gang. However, I knew Big Ben

changed. She wasn't much, b

, if ever. Not in twenty years, unfortunately. Arlene, Isabelle's lone friend, gave me the heads-up that Isabelle's problems were a little worse t

, Big

reason to go shopping. It was named Grind. Yet Grind was fantastic. It contained several nice things. There, I purchased my windshield wiper fluid. They were the greatest vehicle mats I've ever had when I purchased new ones there last year. And when I w

. They were quite cool and constructed motorcycles and automobiles. I had read an article on the location in a magazine. From the photographs, I could see why movie stars and other famous people bought cars and b

ead. It wasn't like Arlene's, was it? It was made of faded tan leather, featured a six-inch tuft of fluffy fur at the sleeves, a short, cozy fur lining, a little quilting around the high waist, and was lined with fur. The bargai

as risked, noth

er. My objective was to inquire if anyone there knew how I might contact Big Ben because I didn't have his mobile number. Huge Ben, a tall, broad, heavily tattooed, long-haired m

ig Ben," and started to approach

-o

didn't hide the fact that one look

e peeing my pants to attempt to recall the movements I'd lea

Big Ben said again, "Do not com

you," I assured hi

d she send you? That w

he c-word wasn't as offensive in Biker Club as it was in the

re I could. "Jesus

t of your ass, spin that gorgeous tai

l. He was frightening me, but he wasn't com

ask at hand, took a dee

t—or, to be more precise, frightening b

nd me," I eventuall

, "I'm okay with

the sound effect thing, and my gun blast was nothing near as excellent as hers, but I forged forward. "No, hone

"Isabelle is not okay. Isabel

me sigh a lot, so I had experience and was good a

you two were n

, "No, darli

a

, "What did

"You don't w

ops lookin

oba

t's not the reason she's

but if the police are pursuing her

" I said

ig Ben said, his gaze s

staring at when a deep, grav

write books about them. I also wanted to inspect them closely. His hair was long and waved, but not too so. It was mostly black pepper, with a salt and pepper effect. The pepper on his salt and pepper goatee, which hung a little too long at his chin in a gigantic cool

rom staring at Big Ben over my sh

again when his blu

and he hissed, "Hey,

ore s

wz

she's okay. She's with me," and as I turned to face

stare fixed me and commanded, "Shut

g and went back

ioned, "Does Sandr

tanding next to me

nued, "How many mo

rlfriend, brother; she's a friend o

Finn, urged, "All r

s Giabella," and when Fin

d his lips gen

abe

ore s

nd of my name. It has alw

it after heari

o are you?" he b

him "I.... ummm.... I

hed that, darlin'. How d

nd Finn's entire, solidly built body suddenly went elec

money, brother," in a voice that was as least a

aren't close. Like I mentioned

e's enemy's bl

uh-oh-