Page 2 of Riding with the Bad Boy
“Babe.” Elliot’s face went serious.
“What? I’m protecting my friend.” She stared back at him. “All we have to do is make a call.”
“What kind of call?” I asked. The room was deathly silent.
It was a known secret that all of us knew Sunny and Elliot had some sort of past they never talked about. We all had our different suspicions, but none of us ever came right out and asked. For a long time, I thought they might be in the witness protection agency, but I was now beginning to think their past might be government-related. They had this way of talking that felt like they were part of one of those secret agencies you see on television shows. The kind where some ex-spy comes out of retirement to take down the bad guy they could never seem to catch while on the job. I was like eighty-nine point nine percent sure out of all of us, I was the closest to the truth.
Elliot put on a smile that didn’t come close to touching his eyes. “It’s no big deal.” He shook his head. The smoothness of his voice giving me con artist vibes from every heist movie I’ve ever watched. “Just a few friends we know.”
There it was again. They were fully government. They had to be. I looked at Hailey, and her smile spread. She was thinking the same thing.
“I think you should leave Belle and her fiancée alone.” I decided to change the subject some. “I’ve known her since I was a kid. She’s fine.” I didn’t talk about my childhood and I wasn't about to start.
“But you also haven’t seen her since you were what? Ten? People can change.” She pointed out.
That was true, but I couldn’t believe Belle had changed enough that I needed to worry about going to her wedding for the weekend. She had seemed fine when we went to Memphis for her bachelorette.
“I’ll be fine. I simply need to figure out how to get down there.”
“You could fly,” Parker threw out. “A last-minute ticket will probably cost ya, but I can have Archer check into it.” He offered up his business partner’s services.
I shook my head really fast. “I don’t fly.” There was no room for discussion in my tone. “I’ll just find another car for the drive.”
“Where are you going in Tennessee?” Dermott asked.
“Some town called Saddleback.”
“I think that is where they are having the Steel and Smoke Motorcycle Rally that Rocco is going to.” Dermott smiled. “I think he is leaving next Friday, too.”
“So?” My heart pounded in my chest. There was no way he could be suggesting what it sounded like he was suggesting.
“The two of you could go together.” He nodded as if he just came up with the best plan ever.
“I don’t think so.” I shook my head.
“Why not?” His brows drew together.
“Yeah, Danielle, why not?” Hailey had a half smile on her face.
“Because.” I drew in a long breath. There was no way I was going to admit that Rocco and I had been casually sleeping together for almost a year.No way in hell.
It wasn’t anything serious, which was exactly how both of us wanted it. Neither of us did relationships, and we weren’t jealous people. At least not normally. There had been a few occasions where I found myself a little more annoyed by the rumored partners he had around Heartland Falls, but I never brought it up. We had agreed not to be exclusive, and it wasn’t as if he was the only man who had ever been in my bed. He was just the hottest and most talented lover I've ever had.
“Because?” Hailey pushed. I had a feeling she was the only one, other than Ginger, that had an idea that anything was going on between us, but like a genuine friend, she kept it to herself.
“Because I don’t want to inconvenience him.” I smiled at her. That sounded like a good excuse.
“I’m sure it won’t be an inconvenience.” Dermott kept going. “It’s a long drive, and I’m sure Rocco would appreciate the company.”
“Me too.” Hailey nodded. I was going to slap her if she kept this up. “And it would be a great way for you two to get to know each other better.” Her smile was a sneaky as an used car salesman.
“I’m good.”
“Hailey’s right.” Dermott was not letting this go. “Rocco is a great guy. I’ve known him since we were kids, and I’m sure he would be happy to do you a favor.”
“Do who a favor?” I didn’t have to turn to recognize that deep, smoky voice.
My body tightened with anticipation. Memories of that voice in the dark of night washed over me. I swallowed down the wave of desire that pulled at me to turn right into his arms.
