Open Life (Open Skies #5) Read Free

her someplace safe.”
    “And where is that?”
    “A safe house in Denver.”
    “What makes it so safe?” Julie said. “Is it protected by the police?”
    “No.” Dillon accepted another coffee from Manny. “It’s owned by a private security company, run by a guy named Matt Kingston. He uses it to hide witnesses and clients.”
    “And which one is Maria?” Jake said.
    Dillon paused. “Neither.”
    “So…” Jake’s voice trailed off. “Why is she in danger, then?”
    “Because her sister is.”
    “Gabi?” Maria was finally startled out of her shocked silence. “Is she OK?”
    “Yes and no. Gabi was attacked last night at a bar in Denver called Dangerous Curves.”
    “She works there,” Maria said. “She cleans.”
    “Yeah, I work there too. I’m a bouncer.”
    The others stared at him, taking in his height and width and hard face. Yeah, Dillon Saunders was the epitome of the kick-ass bouncer, no doubt about that.
    “What happened to Gabi?” Maria said, feeling that this was the most relevant thing to know.
    Dillon sighed again. “OK – long story short. She witnessed a murder a few nights ago and she ran. She hid out at Curves for two days, but somehow these guys found her. They tried to grab her last night, but they didn’t manage it, thanks to our bartender. Gabi’s now staying with him and she’s worried about you, Maria. She’s afraid that these guys will come for you next.”
    “Me?” Maria’s lips were almost numb, making it hard to speak. “But I don’t know anything.”
    “No. But they may think you’re leverage.”
    “I’m not leverage in any way. Gabi and I barely even know each other. We’re half-sisters and we only met for the first time in our whole lives a year ago.”
    “Yeah, I know all of that,” Dillon said. “But these guys might not and even if they do, chances are they won’t care. They’ll just want something to force Gabi to turn herself over to them. They’ll hurt you bad to make that happen, believe me.” Those green eyes were cold again. “We’re dealing with the worst of the worst here.”
    “Who?” Julie said. “Who are we dealing with?”
    Dillon paused at her use of the word ‘we’. He supposed Julie and Jake were now as involved as he was, in their own way. “You ever heard of the Fallen Angels?”
    They all paled.
    “The motorcycle club?” Jake said.
    “Yep.”
    “Holy fuck,” Julie said, startling Dillon a bit with her language. “Gabi witnessed a murder committed by the Fallen Angels?”
    “She did.”
    “Oh, God.” Julie bit her lip. “No wonder Gabi hid.”
    “Yeah.” Dillon ran both hands through his hair. “So you see who’s involved, yeah? And this is why I need to get Maria out of here and somewhere safe.” He turned to her now and spoke to her directly. “I’ll take you back to Denver and King and his team will keep you guarded in the safe house until this is all sorted out.”
    “King?” Julie muttered under her breath to Jake.
    He shrugged and muttered back, “I guess he’s the man in charge.”
    “King is Matt Kingston,” Dillon explained. “He and my boss Jax Hamill sent me here to get Maria.”
    “So… wait.” Maria was struggling to catch up. “So Gabi’s hiding and I’m supposed to go in to hiding too, right?”
    “Yep,” Dillon said.
    “For how long?”
    Dillon shrugged. “I have no idea. Until King can talk to the MC Prez and negotiate your safety.”
    “So – you mean days?”
    “Probably longer.”
    “And what – I’m supposed to sit in a safe house in Denver that whole time?” Maria’s eyes were wide with disbelief. “Not work, not leave?”
    “Yeah, that’s the plan.” Dillon was getting impatient now. “Is that a problem?”
    “Well, yes. Julie and Jake’s wedding is in two weeks and I’m handling everything for it. I have to stay here and finish that.”
    Dillon was literally speechless. He stared at her like she’d suddenly sprouted a second head. “You –