Free Fat Louise by Jamie Begley Page B

and climbed into the truck without stopping, and Jane jumped in behind her, sitting next to the door. Cade got behind the steering wheel, peeling out just as a disheveled, bloody Raul ran toward them.  
    “Bailey!” His scream had Bailey turning around to look out the back window.  
    “Let me out.”  
    “No way. We’re going home.” Jane jerked Bailey back around, flipping her future ex-brother-in-law off.  
     
    Chapter 9  
     
    “Where did you get those grenades?”  
    “I found them.” Jane thought she heard his teeth grinding.  
    “You could have killed Raul!”  
    “I tried hard enough.” Jane stared back at her sister, refusing to feel guilty. Those women deserved their freedom more than Raul deserved to be alive.  
    “Where are we going?” Jane asked a still angry Cade.  
    “To a friend of mine’s house. He’ll hide us for a couple of days until we can get out from the roads or have a plane flown in to meet us.”  
    “How far away is it to your friend?”  
    “Not far. Still, not only will Javier’s men be searching for us, but because of your stunt at the hotel, I had to ask around if anyone saw you, so Carlos has found out I’m in town, and his men are looking for me.”  
    “So, we have two separate gangs trying to kill us?” Bailey squealed.  
    “Yes.”  
    Jane had to bite back her smile, because it was obvious Cade had reached his limit with her and Bailey, and Bailey looked like she was about to cry over her lousy excuse of a husband. Jane was the only one taking everything in stride. Of course, she was the one causing them all the problems.  
    “What’s so fucking funny?” Cade snarled.  
    “Life is looking pretty damn good right now.”  
    While the cab filled with a strained silence, Jane leaned her head against the window and closed her eyes. She hadn’t had very much sleep since she had left the States, and it was catching up with her. Her bones ached she was so tired, and she almost fell from her seat when Cade came to a sudden stop.  
    “What’s wrong?” Jane tried to blink the sleep from her eyes.  
    “Nothing. We’re here.” Cade turned off the truck then stared at the house a few feet away.  
    “Then why aren’t we getting out?” she asked, confused.  
    “I’m waiting for a signal,” Cade answered, continuing to make no move to get out.  
    Jane looked at the house and saw a light suddenly come on in the front window.  
    “Everything’s okay.” Cade opened his truck door, stepping out.  
    Jane fumbled with the door handle, almost falling out, but Cade managed to catch her before she hit the ground.  
    “I didn’t realize it was so high up,” Jane mumbled, taking a step out of his arms.  
    Cade helped Bailey out before taking each of their arms to lead them to the house.  
    “Afraid your payday will get damaged?” Jane smarted off, instantly regretting it when his hand on her arm dropped away.  
    “I thought you may need some help.” Cade’s quiet voice had Jane feeling ashamed of herself, especially when he paused and reached back inside the truck to pull her backpack out from behind the seat, handing it to her. She didn’t know what it was about him that had her always snapping at him. Jane noticed he still maintained his grip on Bailey, who leaned farther into his side for support.  
    Cade knocked briefly on the door, and when no one answered, he opened the unlocked door then ushered them inside.  
    A tall, dark-haired man came in from what Jane assumed was the kitchen.  
    “Well, Cade, what trouble have you managed to get yourself into this time?”  
    *  *  *  
    Killyama parked her car in the parking lot of The Last Riders’ clubhouse where several of the bikers were standing around talking. She glanced down at her watch. The factory where they put together and ship out survivalist gear would have closed for the night.  
    Pasting her usual scowl on her face, she climbed out of her old, puke green car, and