Page 49 of Ride or Die

Saint: Yeah, want me to come get you?

Riley: nah, the walk’ll be nice. See you in a bit!

Saint’s patience was paying off in real time, and he wasn’t half mad about it. He texted her the address of the shop and got back to Ryan’s possessed bike.

Chapter 14

Riley

The walk over to the shop from downtown was actually nice. The evening was warm and fragrant with spring blossoms, and it gave Riley enough time to work out all the nerves and embarrassment still lingering from her escape. Saint’s shop was on the edge of the industrial area, a block away from the quickly gentrifying neighbourhoods that she lived on the other side of.

When she got to the shop, Cookie welcomed her right in through the large bay doors with a loud bark, wagging his entire body.

She took a moment to truly believe that Saint wasn’t holding a grudge from the other morning, but it really seemed like he was only focused on fixing the engine of the large chopper in front of him.

Once she got bored of watching him and petting Cookie, she schemed how she might take his attention off the bike. It was proving to be a worthy opponent.

“What’s this do?” She stood in oversized boots and a hoodie that didn’t belong to her, that she’d tugged on over her office blouse and slacks. Saint hadn’t let her wear her flats near heavy machinery like the jack thing that held up the bike. The shop was cool and dark, bay doors letting in the last glow of dusk. A flashlight rested on the shelf next to her, shining a circle onto the wall. Helpfully.

“That’s the alternator,” he said, tightening a nearby bolt.

“It… alternates?” she asked. He glanced at her and then muttered something under his breath. Riley hid her smile.

“And this?” She pointed to another part.

“That’s the oil pan.”

She crouched and ran her finger along the edge. It came away sticky with black grease.

“Don’t—touch that.” Bullseye.

Saint’s shoulders rippled, and he set the wrench down softly.

“Are you doing this on purpose?” He twisted on his knee to look at her from under his ballcap. His coveralls were pushed down around his waist and tied in a knot, muscles shifting under his t-shirt. Stay on mission!

“Is it working?”

He rose to his feet and towered over her. A giggle slipped out at the serious expression on his face. He wasn’t as scary as he thought he was.

“Is this fun for you?” Saint asked, voice dropping into a low rumble. A shiver started at the base of her skull and swept down her back.

“Yes?” Riley carefully dabbed some of the grease on the end of his nose, anticipation twisting in her belly.

He went completely still.

His eyes were near black in the twilight, and she had an intense desire to run.

“You fucked up, sweet girl,” he said gently.

She let out a shaky breath and touched her greasy finger to his chin, smearing it along his jaw.

He blinked.

The low hum of cars and a bird trilling prettily from the bushes across the road were the only audible sounds in the shop.

This may have been a mistake.

“You should run.” Saint’s voice had a dangerous edge.