Read Online Meeting Danger (Danger #1) by Allyson Simonian, Caila Jaynes - Free Book Online
Authors: Allyson Simonian, Caila Jaynes
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will spill out then.” He provided the details about the weekend’s itinerary that he’d learned during the card game.
“You take care of yourself, Cam.”
“I will.”
Camden tossed his phone aside and dropped onto his bed for a few hours of sleep before he had to get up to join the brothers on the run. Hopefully tomorrow—no, today —would be the day he finally learned something useful.
CHAPTER 12
Newburgh, New York
At the roar of the approaching motorcycle, Autumn’s pulse spiked. It never failed. Whenever she heard Butch’s bike pull up to the house, a sick feeling would come over her. She’d spend the next minutes wondering what kind of mood he was in. Then he’d come in and she’d be able to gauge how the rest of the night would go.
But since the night he’d choked her, her dread of being around Butch had grown even worse. Obviously, he hadn’t wanted to kill her that night, so what had been his intention? To punish her? Terrify her? He’d certainly succeeded. The past several weeks had felt as strained as those when she’d first lived with him.
The front door swung open and Butch strode in whistling. As he shrugged off his riding gear, Autumn tried not to stare. Would the fact that he was in a rare good mood mean they’d have a peaceful night?
“We’re going on a run this weekend.”
She gazed at him. “To where?”
“The Poconos.”
Autumn thought of Kristen. Would she be going? It was unlikely, especially since the weather was still a bit cold for riding. Disappointment rose as she followed Butch into the kitchen.
“When will we leave?”
Butch uncapped a beer. “First thing in the morning.”
Autumn walked to the counter, picked up a plate, and glanced out the window. “I’ll pack for us after dinner.”
Between the cold weather and Butch’s moods, this past winter had seemed endless. She’d felt even more trapped than usual. Now spring was officially here, blooms were visible on the trees. It would be nice to get out into nature and the fresh air . . . even if it was with Butch.
• • •
The next morning, Autumn strapped on her helmet and looked up at the sky. It had rained overnight but the sun was out now, drying the wetness and providing some welcome warmth.
Because Butch had slept late, they were getting a late start on the run. It was past ten o’clock now as he locked up the house. Autumn climbed onto his bike, breathing in the fragrance of cherry blossoms.
She grabbed hold of Butch’s waist as he climbed on and started the bike. Once he turned out of the long driveway, he opened up the machine. Autumn closed her eyes as the wind blew hard against the face shield of her helmet.
It had been months since she’d been on Butch’s bike. That winter they’d mostly used his truck for the few outings and shopping trips they’d taken, since the weather was too cold and the roads were often icy or covered with snow. He was good on a bike, and riding was pretty much the only thing she enjoyed doing with him.
She drew in a slow breath. With the soothing noise of the bike drowning out everything else, it wasn’t too hard to put her troubles out of her mind.
Butch made a right turn and they passed an old Victorian house that Autumn had always liked. The couple who’d bought it the previous year had already done a lot to fix it up. It looked nothing like the dilapidated structure it had once been. Rotted siding had been replaced and a new roof put on. But it was the new paint job that had really made the difference. The green color and contrasting creamy trim made the house look bright and cheery.
The owners were outside now, taking advantage of the nice weather to work in their yard. The man pushed a mower while the woman weeded the front beds. A pang hit Autumn’s chest at the thought that this was what a normal couple looked like.
As the roar of Butch’s motorcycle approached, the woman looked up. Her face immediately pinched into a frown at the sight of
“You take care of yourself, Cam.”
“I will.”
Camden tossed his phone aside and dropped onto his bed for a few hours of sleep before he had to get up to join the brothers on the run. Hopefully tomorrow—no, today —would be the day he finally learned something useful.
CHAPTER 12
Newburgh, New York
At the roar of the approaching motorcycle, Autumn’s pulse spiked. It never failed. Whenever she heard Butch’s bike pull up to the house, a sick feeling would come over her. She’d spend the next minutes wondering what kind of mood he was in. Then he’d come in and she’d be able to gauge how the rest of the night would go.
But since the night he’d choked her, her dread of being around Butch had grown even worse. Obviously, he hadn’t wanted to kill her that night, so what had been his intention? To punish her? Terrify her? He’d certainly succeeded. The past several weeks had felt as strained as those when she’d first lived with him.
The front door swung open and Butch strode in whistling. As he shrugged off his riding gear, Autumn tried not to stare. Would the fact that he was in a rare good mood mean they’d have a peaceful night?
“We’re going on a run this weekend.”
She gazed at him. “To where?”
“The Poconos.”
Autumn thought of Kristen. Would she be going? It was unlikely, especially since the weather was still a bit cold for riding. Disappointment rose as she followed Butch into the kitchen.
“When will we leave?”
Butch uncapped a beer. “First thing in the morning.”
Autumn walked to the counter, picked up a plate, and glanced out the window. “I’ll pack for us after dinner.”
Between the cold weather and Butch’s moods, this past winter had seemed endless. She’d felt even more trapped than usual. Now spring was officially here, blooms were visible on the trees. It would be nice to get out into nature and the fresh air . . . even if it was with Butch.
• • •
The next morning, Autumn strapped on her helmet and looked up at the sky. It had rained overnight but the sun was out now, drying the wetness and providing some welcome warmth.
Because Butch had slept late, they were getting a late start on the run. It was past ten o’clock now as he locked up the house. Autumn climbed onto his bike, breathing in the fragrance of cherry blossoms.
She grabbed hold of Butch’s waist as he climbed on and started the bike. Once he turned out of the long driveway, he opened up the machine. Autumn closed her eyes as the wind blew hard against the face shield of her helmet.
It had been months since she’d been on Butch’s bike. That winter they’d mostly used his truck for the few outings and shopping trips they’d taken, since the weather was too cold and the roads were often icy or covered with snow. He was good on a bike, and riding was pretty much the only thing she enjoyed doing with him.
She drew in a slow breath. With the soothing noise of the bike drowning out everything else, it wasn’t too hard to put her troubles out of her mind.
Butch made a right turn and they passed an old Victorian house that Autumn had always liked. The couple who’d bought it the previous year had already done a lot to fix it up. It looked nothing like the dilapidated structure it had once been. Rotted siding had been replaced and a new roof put on. But it was the new paint job that had really made the difference. The green color and contrasting creamy trim made the house look bright and cheery.
The owners were outside now, taking advantage of the nice weather to work in their yard. The man pushed a mower while the woman weeded the front beds. A pang hit Autumn’s chest at the thought that this was what a normal couple looked like.
As the roar of Butch’s motorcycle approached, the woman looked up. Her face immediately pinched into a frown at the sight of
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