The Gamble by Eve Carter

Author:Eve Carter [Carter, Eve]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Belmonte Publishing, LLC
Published: 2017-05-15T18:30:00+00:00

Cam

AJ laid a hand on my arm and said, “You gave it a shot, man.”

I pursed my lips and threw him a glance. Right now would’ve been the time I tossed him one of my sarcastic remarks, but I didn’t even have it in me.

“Hey, man. Not all’s lost,” he said. “Maybe you can give your phone number to Carrie, and she’ll pass it along to Allie. At least you know she’s safe and who knows; maybe she’ll get in touch with you once she gets to wherever she’s going.”

I looked at Carrie, hopeful she’d agree. But before I could ask, the rumble of tailpipes drew our attention to the front of the brewery. Outside on the street, along the sidewalk cafe, five motorcycles rolled past in formation. The three of us swiveled our heads in unison, and Carrie said what we were thinking, “Black Vandals. That’s Jade.”

Her eyes followed the motorcade until she could no longer see it out the front window. We were positioned near the hostess podium by the entrance and that heavy monstrosity of a door in the small alcove. It was a small building to house a brewery and a restaurant. That left little room for patrons to stand between the bar and the entryway alcove.

The rumble faded and I turned back to find Carrie still gazing at that entry alcove. I turned to see what had her so captivated. There was a figure, obscured by the shadows of the dark alcove, leaning against the wall, head tipped up and a soft-sided travel bag over one shoulder. There were so many people in this sardine can of a space I couldn’t get a clear view. I squinted and stepped in the direction of the alcove, but was blocked by the hostess, a menu in her hand, waving a party of four to their table.

The figure moved, adjusted the bag, and spun to walk into the bar, head down, driving a path straight to the back of the room.

“Allie!”

I pushed through the customers, calling her name, trying to intercept her before she dodged out of sight. “Allie!”

Her head popped up, fear flooding her eyes, until recognition dawned, then surprise. I lurched through the crowd, like I was diving for a long pass. If I could catch a football, I could catch an arm in a crowded restaurant. I snagged it and she stopped in her tracks.

“Cam! What are you doing here?” Then her eyes landed on AJ, behind me now. “And AJ...w-w-what…”

She darted a glance to Carrie. “Carrie?”

Carrie stepped up and said, “What’s going on, Allie? I thought you left. Why were you coming in the front door? Jade’s MC just rode by. You gotta be careful.”

Allie took me by the arm and tugged, answering Carrie as we all walked. “I know. I know. I had to duck back in here. I went out the back way, but then I saw the Vandals.”

Carrie and AJ followed as Allie guided us to a small table far in the rear of the restaurant seating area, near a back hallway.

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