"We won't stay long." She turned down another street, within two blocks of the clubhouse.
"What did you say the man's name was that asked us to come?"
"Chrischris."
"Hm." Cami pressed her hand to her stomach. "I don't remember who that is. Was he one of the men who raided the casino?"
"I don't know. I think it was just Paco who went in."
"I was pretty out of it." Josie shook her head. "I don't want to talk about that anymore and ruin the night."
She nodded. There wasn't much they could say about that night.
The crimes that were committed would never go away. Paco had taken a life, and she was afraid there would be many more lost. The Blackfoot council couldn't turn a blind eye to what their own people were doing under their noses.
Pulling into the parking lot, she looked for an empty space. There were more motorcycles than the one time she'd been here.
"I'm going to leave my purse in the car." Cami slid her bag under the seat. "Are you taking yours with you?"
"No." She shut off the engine. "I guess we just walk in."
"Are you nervous?"
"A little." But, not for the reasons Cami suspected.
She had no idea what to say to Paco if he was here. She also wouldn't want him to think she was stalking him after having sex with him. The only reason she came was because Cami wanted to take up the invite after she mentioned Chrischris asking them to the party.
"Do I look okay?" Cami blinked, holding her eyes wide open.
"Beautiful." She smiled, knowing Cami spent most nights pacing the floor because the bags had taken up permanent residence under her eyes. "We'll stick together."
"Do you think it's safe?"
"You're asking me now?" She squeezed Cami's arm. "Yes, I think it's safe. They all helped us, right?"
"Right," mumbled Cami.
They got out of the car. She locked the doors.
The front of the clubhouse opened, and a few bikers strolled out, spotting them. Recognizing Curley, she raised her hand and smiled.
He stayed back and held the door open for them. "Nice to see you both."
"Thanks." She peeked inside. "Chrischris told us to come by."
"He's in there somewhere. Just ask anyone, and they'll get him for you."
"Thanks." She led Cami inside.
There was only one light on above the pool table. Music blared, making it impossible to hear any conversations in the groups of people hanging around inside. Most people had drinks in their hands. She looked over where the couch sat last time she was here and found many women hanging around the bikers. This time, they were all dressed—if bikini tops and skimpy shorts qualified.
She looked down at her jeans and top. Sure, the light cotton shirt had a deep V in the front with no sleeves, but she was clearly overdressed. Even Cami had on a pair of walking shorts with a T-shirt gathered at her hip with a scrunchie. She looked cute and happy, and she knew her friend was struggling, not wanting to bring attention to herself, so she dressed for a warm Friday night to fit in.
Cami leaned against her. "I changed my mind. Let's go."
Not questioning Cami's change of mind, she nodded, turning toward the door, and came face to face with Paco. He stood five feet away as if the wind blew him into her path. His hair sprang out from his head as he glared at her. The anger in his expression spread to his clenched fists and braced by a wide stance.
Grabbing Cami's hand, she pulled her friend around Paco, feeling her face burn with embarrassment. He hadn't known she was coming, and she should've stayed away. Going by his expression, he wasn't happy to see her.
Outside, Cami slowed beside her. "Did you see them?"
"Who?" She kept walking to the car.
"The women..." Cami moved to the passenger side and looked at Josie over the roof. "I think they're prostitutes."
"I don't know." She unlocked the door and popped the lock before sliding into the seat. Once Cami got inside, she said, "The women were there the day I waited for Paco to bring you back from the casino, so I don't think they are."
"Then, they want to be with those men?"
"I don't know that either." Lately, she found that was the answer to every question.
She didn't know if Paco was interested in her. She didn't know if he was going to see her again. She didn't know why she missed him. She didn't know why she cared. She didn't know if Askook was dead or which two men Paco killed. She didn't know if Paco was going to be arrested for the murders.
She didn't know anything.
Maybe she was foolish for thinking sex with him was something special. He was a lot older than her. She had no idea what men his age thought about getting together with someone. If he was someone her age, they'd be going with each other after sleeping together.
He probably had sex just to have sex, like those bikers in there with the women.
Cami slumped in the seat. "I thought I was ready to see those who'd helped me, but I don't think I am. Seeing them now, they're so different than what I imagined."
She wasn't the only one feeling out of place. When she finally came near Paco, she'd expected some sign of the intimacy they'd shared. A hello or smile, something. Certainly not anger coming from him.
The shock of the sweeping change in him wore off, and she found herself angry. How dare he act that way.
If he wanted a one-night stand, fine. If he never wanted to see her again, fine. But to deny they shared something wonderful together...frankly, it was cruel.
Age difference or not, a person who went out of their way and was intimate with someone else, should have the
