Josie coming into his life, gave him the fight he'd needed to walk a narrower path. He revved the engine, accelerating onto the interstate. Sure, he had the club, and until he fell in love with Josie, he would've sworn on his life that Tarkio was all he needed.
But that wasn't true.
Josie gave him life. A last breath that kept him alive.
The simple fact that he was thinking about her after receiving news that would normally strike fire in him to go and take out all of Tarkio's enemies to save all they'd accumulated over the years told him he was in a good place.
He was in the right frame of mind because of Josie.
Life was about priorities.
He would talk to Priest when they got back to the clubhouse. Then, whatever happened, he would make sure he got back to Josie. The most important thing was to keep her safe. Then, the first chance he got, he'd go after Shaw.
Tarkio would always be there for him. He wanted Josie to have that same security. The club needed to remain strong and financially stable to support the families.
And if something happened to him, he'd know Josie was taken care of.
Back at the clubhouse, he walked inside with the others. The officers who represented all the Tarkio members waited for them in the meeting room at the table. He took his chair. While Priest filled in the others, he leaned over to Curley.
"I'm riding out after we're done," he murmured.
"Wait."
"I only need five minutes." He lowered his voice more. "Brother, I have to see her with my own eyes."
Curley caught his gaze. "Take five and then get your ass back here."
He dipped his chin and went back to listening in on the meeting. Tapping his thumb against the arm of the chair, he bided his time.
As much as he watched for any activities surrounding Shaw to filter off the reservation, he would be careless if he ignored that the fucker probably watched his every step and knew someone else was watching over Josie.
He trusted Whip to watch her while he was gone. But he had to see Josie for himself.
Chapter 26Josie
The car refused to start. Josie turned the key in the ignition again. Nothing.
"What do you think is wrong?" Cami locked the passenger door.
She pressed against the seat and let her hands fall to her lap. "I put gas in it on Friday, so it's not that. Maybe the battery is dead."
"Try starting the engine again."
To make sure she'd given it her best try, she stomped on the accelerator while she turned the key.
"It doesn't even make that rurr-rurr sound." Cami scrunched her nose. "What should we do?"
She looked in the rearview mirror. Kent, a Tarkio member, sat on his motorcycle behind her. Paco had given him instructions to escort her and Cami to the clubhouse.
Hating to cause trouble when she understood the club was busy handling business, drawing Paco away the last couple of weeks, she sighed. "I'll go tell Kent what's going on."
"We can take my car instead," said Cami.
"Okay." Feeling better about the plans.
Paco waited for her at the clubhouse. It was her only chance to see him tonight because he was scheduled to go on a ride at eleven o'clock.
She stepped out of the car and locked her door behind her. Kent got off his motorcycle and approached her.
Kent's piercing blue gaze looked between her and Cami. "What's wrong?"
"My car won't start. We're going to go in her car." She stepped away. "We'll hurry."
"Don't speed."
She nodded and hurried over to the passenger side of the car in front of her. All the bikers were gruff and bossy. She wasn't going to argue with him. If he wanted them to skip to the clubhouse, she'd do it if it meant seeing Paco.
When the car started, she relaxed in the seat. They usually took her car because it was in better shape than Cami's vehicle. Her old Honda was the first thing she ever bought for herself, and had worked four years during high school at the casino, saving every penny, to buy it as a reward for graduating with honors.
"I haven't taken very good care of my car." She blew out her breath. "I know how to check the oil, and I add some every few months, but since working at the body shop, I know there are filters and tune-ups that all vehicles need. I can't believe I was irresponsible with the only thing I have to get to work."
Cami glanced at her. "Well, you do have a man now. Paco can help you."
"I wouldn't want to bother him." She looked out the windshield. "He's so busy lately."
"Not too busy to come and visit you for an hour or two every night before riding off again." Cami grinned. "You better be careful, or you'll end up preggos."
"Stop." She laughed. "We're careful."
"So was I." Cami snorted. "But everything worked out okay. I'm happy."
"Does that happiness have to do with Chrischris?"
"Maybe." She turned onto the street, heading toward the clubhouse. "He's too good to be true. I'm not letting myself get my hopes up."
"But—"
"Nope." She shifted in the driver's seat. "The baby comes first, and what is good now might not be good after I deliver."
"I would think it would," she said softly.
"I don't know. A crying baby who needs me around the clock isn't exactly going to draw Chrischris closer to me." Cami pulled into the clubhouse. "Though I'll admit, I'm excited to see him tonight. I just wish that...Oh, nevermind."
"What?"
Cami sighed. "We haven't had sex. I don't think he wants to because I'm pregnant."
"Maybe he's waiting."
"Maybe, but I see how the other bikers act. They're like the Energizer bunnies hopping on any girl who walks by them at the clubhouse." Cami glanced at her. "I want him. Just once. You know, to see how it
