“How about this evening after I close the tattoo shop?” he says. “I’ll make a few calls. I’m sure I can set something up. I’ll pick you up at your lake cabin at seven. Send me a text with the address and I’ll be there.”

“You’re that confident you can set something up with a phone call?”

“I can be extremely persuasive when I want to be,” he says.

I bet.

“Okay then. I’ll be ready for you at seven.”

“I’ll be on my bike, so dress accordingly.”

I frown at him. “You don’t own a car?”

He gulps down the remaining coffee in his cup.

“Sure I do. I rarely take it out. If you want to go anywhere with me, you have to be willing to ride behind me on the bike.”

“Not a problem,” I say. “I’m game if you are. Or we can drive my car.”

“No way. You ride or you don’t go.”

“Fine. I’ll ride. Are you a safe driver?”

“Guess you’ll find out.”

He stands up and grabs the tickets for both of our meals.

“See you at seven.”

I resist the urge to turn around in the booth so I can watch him walk away. It’s hard to take my eyes off him. I hear several people in the diner call out to him as he makes his way to the door, including most of the waitresses.

Sam Mason is a popular guy.

Too bad he won’t be hanging around Bardsville much longer once the ATF gets their hands on him.

Chapter Five

Sam

––––––––

I arrive at Lila’s cabin on the lake at seven o’clock sharp. My Dad always insisted on promptness from me and my brothers, so it’s a habit I’ve never broken. After having the shit beat out of me for being late more than a few times when I was younger, I learned quickly to be where you’re supposed to be right on time or early.

Jesse and Flint are both the same way. We never talk about the things that went on in our house. It’s better to leave things in the past. Bad memories need to stay buried deep where they belong.

Lila steps out the front door before I have a chance to turn off the bike. She doesn’t invite me in and instead waves a hand down her body.

“Am I dressed okay?” she asks. “I wasn’t sure what to wear.”

I take a long look. She’s wearing a pair of white shorts that could be a little shorter in my opinion and a white blouse with ruffles. The blouse is sheer and I can see straight through to the white lacy bra underneath. I would love to slip up behind her, slide my hands under the shirt, and cup her full breasts in my hands.

Shit!