Page 6 of Diesel's Perseverance
“Let’s go outside,” he said.
As Myla walked back to the front door, she noticed how everyone now glanced her way, and a few even smiled at her. The whole experience was a bit surreal. Did Diesel and his gang hold that much control in the town?
“Tell me about Freddy,” he said the minute the glass door closed behind them.
“He’s in trouble.”
Diesel stomped his foot and shook his head. “I fuckin’ knew it. What kind of trouble did he get himself in, and why the fuck isn’thetelling me all this?”
Myla pressed her lips together while looking around. Leaning forward, she whispered, “He killed somebody.”
“Freddy? What the fuck.”
“I didn’t know where to go. When I came home that night, I found a shit ton of blood and no Freddy. I wasn’t sure what had happened. At first, I thought he’d been wounded or even killed.” She fought back the sob rising in her throat.
Diesel shifted from foot to foot but didn’t say a word.
Taking a few deep breaths, she pressed several fingers to her left temple to quell the throbbing that had been a constant for the past three weeks.
“So, he called and told me he was in San Diego. Said he’d send for me. I didn’t believe him, but I didn’t tell him that. I haven’t heard from him since.”
“He hasn’t returned any of my calls. Did he tell you he killed someone?”
“Just that he’d done something real bad. I was shocked and scared when his business partner called claiming Freddy had killed his brother.”
“Did you see a body?”
“No, and that’s what’s got me mixed up. I mean, Freddy could’ve gotten rid of the body, but there weren’t any traces of blood anywhere except a big pool of it in the family room area. So when Peter told me his brother had been murdered, I was shocked. I still am.”
“Do you believe him?”
“Yes… no… I mean, I don’t know what to believe. I know Freddy and Peter had some major disagreements. Freddy kept telling me Peter was cheating him.”
“What do you know for a fact?”
“Freddy’s gone and I tried to clean up a lot of blood at our house. I’m not even sure if he’s in San Diego.” She brushed her wind-blown hair from her face. “I’m freaked out.”
“Where have you been since all this shit’s gone down?”
“Here.”
A look of surprise washed over Diesel’s face. “And you’re just telling me now about Freddy? What the fuck, woman?” he said, brows drawing together.
“I’ve been trying to find you. I don’t have your number and no one in this damn town would tell me where your clubhouse is. I’ve been dragging my butt all over town, going into places I’d never step foot in just to try and find you. Every time I’d see a motorcycle, I’d scope it out. I’ve probably got a reputation around here as being a real nut. After seeing the bikes in the diner’s lot, I came in to check it out. I’m happy to connect with you finally. So don’t act like I haven’t been trying to find you and don’t care about Freddy.” Her voice choked.
“Okay, take it easy. I was just asking a fuckin’ question, that’s all.”
“It’s the way you were asking it.”
His gaze skimmed over Myla, and a softness eased the lines on his forehead. “Where are you staying?”
“At the Redwood Lodge. It’s not too far from here.”
“I know it. Let’s head over there so we can have some privacy. I want to knoweverythingthat’s been going on with my brother. I’ll follow you.”
The drive to the hotel wasn’t long. Myla kept glancing in the rearview mirror at Diesel. She couldn’t believe she’d found him and they’d finally met after all this time. He looked much different than she’d imagined he would. Somehow she’d pictured him resembling a boxer who’d taken too many hits in the ring. When they had corresponded while he was in prison, Myla always had the impression that he’d look like someone who’d been dealt a lot of crap in his life. She pictured deep lines etching his face, some scars for sure, and a scruffy beard. Boy, was she ever wrong. The guy had dark wavy brown hair that reached his collar and seriously blue eyes. Almost devastatingly blue—full-on field of cornflower, cloudless spring sky, perfect blue. Diesel was damn good-looking.
The subtle tap of Diesel’s motorcycle against the back bumper of the BMW startled her. She glanced up, saw the green light, and stepped on the accelerator pedal.I can’t believe I zoned out like that. What the hell’s wrong with me? Freddy’s in big shit, and I’m thinking about his brother’s blue eyes? How lame isthat?
