Page 71 of Allegiance
She gripped the edge of the back counter to steady herself as a wave of dizziness hit her. Her heart raced a million miles a second as she stood there gaping at Tank, with him looking just as shocked to see her. For a split second, she thought he’d stumbled into her bistro for a sandwich to take back to the print store, but that notion faded when her eyes landed on the leather vest he wore—the one with all the patches, just like the other bikers.
A long silence filled the space between them. He held her gaze, and she saw…sympathy? Or maybe embarrassment?It didn’t matter, because the unequivocal fact was that he was a member of that vile biker gang, and he was here to steal hers, and every other tenant’s money.
Cougar’s voice sliced through her shock. “Quit fuckin’ around and gimme the money.”
Looking away from Tank, she threw the envelope across the top of the case.
All the anger she’d been suppressing for weeks bubbled to the surface. “Take it and get the hell out ofmyrestaurant.” With her chin held high, she glowered at Cougar.
The biker snatched the envelope, counted the bills, and slowly put it inside his vest—the one that looked like Tank’s.Tank! I can’t believe he’s mixed up in this.
“I’m gonna figure you’re on the rag, sweet cheeks. But next time you pull that shit, I’m not gonna be so nice.” He nudged Tank with his elbow. “I told you she was feisty.”
Lena’s eyes darted to Tank’s. He pursed his lips, then turned around and headed to the door. The back of his vest readJagged Outlaws MC Nomad.
Cougar threw her a kiss as he followed Tank out.
“Get the fuck out of my place! You’re the worst kind of people!”
Tank kept walking without looking back, and Cougar laughed. She slammed the door so hard behind them, the glass rattled in its frame.
“I can’t believe this! Dammit!” Covering her mouth with her hands, she let the tears stream down her face.
She cried for what felt like hours. A mixture of raw emotions—sorrow, anger, regret, anguish—washed over her while her thoughts were filled with doubt and confusion. How could the man she’d given her heart to turn out to be a cold-blooded outlaw who participated in extortion? The Tank she knew wasn’t the Tank she’d seen that night.
I can’t believe any of this.Suddenly, everything seemed overwhelming: Tank, the protection money, Fitzgerald, the corrupt sheriff.Why am I even bothering?She pushed her hair behind her shoulders and shook her head. “ I give up. I’m done. I’m getting the hell out of here.”
A sense of relief washed over her once she made the decision. She’d call Felicia and tell her the good news, that she was moving back to San Francisco—her hometown, where her friends loved and supported her.
After securing the doors, she trudged toward her car in the lot behind the eatery. Hearing footsteps behind her as she neared her vehicle, she walked faster, but it did no good. Just as she pulled out the keys to the SUV, Tank was beside her.
“Lena—”
She spun around and threw the keys at his face. “Leave me alone!”
He stepped in front of her. “It’s not what you think.”
“It isn’t? Did I imagine you in my restaurant tonight? That you stood there and let that fucking bastard talk to me that way and take my money? Then you walked out and went to the next vendor.” She placed her hands on his chest and tried to push him away, but he didn’t budge an inch. “I don’t ever want to see you again. Stay away from me!”
He placed his hands on her shoulders. “I didn’t know the place was yours.”
Shoving his hands away, she stepped back, out of his reach. “That’syour explanation? It’s not only fucking stupid, it’s irrelevant. The point is, you’re taking people’s money, and you’re involved with what happened to Gus.” Gasping, she covered her face with her hands, realizing he was a part of that. “God, poor Gus. You and your dirty gang put him out of business.”
“Lena, please. I know you’re upset—”
Her hands dropped to her sides. “Upset? Upset is when I wasn’t picked for a catering gig, or when I don’t win a cooking contest. No, I’m not upset—I’m furious. I’m seething with so much anger that all I want to do is beat the shit out of you!”
Tank stepped back and put his hands on his hips. “Take a punch or two at me, I won’t stop you. I feel like shit about what happened tonight. I’m sorry I’m the cause of your pain.”
Lena glowered at him, clenching and unclenching her fists.
“You have to trust me, Lena.” He reached out to touch her cheek, but she smacked his hand away.
“I don’thaveto do anything but get the hell away from you and this fucked-up town. Trust you? You don’t even know the meaning of the word. You’re a liar. I don’t even believe the thing about Quinn now. You probably had her make those calls, and you didn’t answer them. You’re despicable!”
“I already told you about Quinn. Let’s not bring old shit into this.”
“I don’t believe anything you say, so it’s best if you stop talking.”
