“Be careful, Sierra. You’re just the right amount of leverage someone would need to get Logan right where they want him.” His voice is tight and there’s something not right about it. It’s the first time I realize that he’s on something. Not drunk, but something different. Like he’s more intense. That he thinks he’s stronger and more powerful than he really is.

I take off, scrambling up the beach toward the boardwalk, trying not to gain too much attention. The only thought in my brain is to get to Logan. I won't be safe until I’m in his arms.

Logan

My bike is worth at least twelve grand, and if I had the time and freedom to really sell it to someone who would appreciate it, I could get that much. But in my current situation, I’ll take ten.

Theo was with me when I bought it. He was the one who tried to talk me out of it, if you could believe it. I realize now that Theo wanted something different for me, to push me away from his way of life, rather than welcome me in, in hopes that I might end up differently.

He told me to get a reasonable car that was good on gas, but I wanted freedom. I wanted the open road and the wind in my face. I wanted something powerful and dangerous because I could make those decisions for myself, for the first time in my life.

No one was going to stop me.

And it feels like I’m selling that freedom away on the internet to a complete stranger right now.

I listed the bike last night on a few indie sale sites, and I woke up to a ton of requests. But not one of these guys really knows what she’s worth. Or what she meant to me.

My hand glides across the leather seat. I know I need to message these guys back, but I can’t. Something is stopping me.

Murph and I had a long conversation last night about what I need to do. Sell the bike. Be rid of Hale, pay off my debt, and walk away scot-free. And I can’t fucking wait for that.

But the cost is more than I can handle right now.

It’s making me anxious. Jumpy for something I can’t put my finger on.

Murph also seems to think that I should find a way to keep Sierra around. As if that’s really an option for me. As if being with me would actually be an improvement in her life.

He doesn’t get it.

The crowd is heavy today, but business is slow. I’m just sitting on my bike watching the traffic walk by when a familiar face grabs my attention. She’s across the street, but her expression has the hairs on the back of my neck standing at full attention.

Something’s wrong.

Fuck.

When she spots me, she takes off in a full run, bolting across the street, making one car slam on his brakes and lay on his horn. I jump out to the street to reach her and give the asshole behind the wheel a piece of my mind.