In Bed With The Outlaw Read Online Free Page A

good guys.
    No, these men were dangerous.
    If I didn’t understand that, this mission was doomed.

2
    N o time for rest , I was already up and working at six thirty the next day. I had half an hour to go, then the rush would come in, all the regulars who waited for the diner to open at seven would stream in like a horde of zombies. Despite being in the middle of nowhere, Francis brought in a hefty amount of business. He treated every customer like royalty, making sure that he got repeat visits.
    My shift was going fine. I didn’t even have time to think about the Blessed Bastards, until I heard the roar of engines and saw everyone peer out their windows, then glance back like they hadn’t, not wanting to draw attention to themselves. Beefy Bastards with wild beards entered and the diner went silent. When the first in line, a wide, lumbering man the same age as King, gazed upon them, the chatter started again.
    King walked in next. Then more Bastards. A lot more than I was used to. Usually they needed only one booth, but they were able to fill four of them today. Distancing myself, I folded napkins at the waitressing station, allowing Kim to get their order. Peeking over, she smiled pleasantly my way.
    Her apron flapped as she hurried back. “They want to talk to you.”
    “Weird,” I said with a shrug. I didn’t want her to think I was pulling tips away. If Kim knew I was also being paid by the FBI while working, she would rightfully be furious. Before I left, I should really give her a going-away present. Right before I went into witness protection, I would do one last nice thing for somebody.
    As I approached, I noticed Red sitting at the same booth as King. Interesting timing. It was King, that other barrel-chested fellow, and a younger twenty-year-old. Behind Red was Lee. Their backs were together on the flimsy leather seat, giving me the impression that they were trying to make it as uncomfortable as possible for one another. Red remained staring at his menu. Lee flashed me a sickening grin.
    This was bad.
    But what did I expect? Infiltrating The Blessed Bastards wouldn’t be easy.
    At least acting the part of the scared, helpless female was an easy role to fall into around them. As I drew closer to the group, Red caught my attention. My body thrummed, excitement coursing through me, remembering how it was on that bike. I had this dire need to wrap my arms around him to ride it out.
    King gave me a polite nod, waking me from my Red-induced stupor.
    “How you doin’, sweetheart? You feeling better today?”
    My order sheet wavered. I swiped out my pen and stabbed it, showing them that this would be all business, not personal.
    “Much better. What can I get you boys?”
    All eyes were on me. Not one eye on a menu. No one even touching a menu. Except for Red. He kept his head down.
    It seemed that our meeting at the side of the road was now common knowledge. Why? I could only assume it was because Red stood up for me, driving a wedge between him and another Bastard. Lee and the others in his booth clocked me hard.
    “Coffee all around. Black for me,” King said.
    No one else said a word.
    I prepared myself for something. What, I had no clue, but I prepared myself. It was too quiet.
    Then it happened. Lee gave me a slap on my behind. I flinched and looked horrified, because I knew that everyone heard it. The echo of his slap on my rear cracked through the whole diner.
    “Extra sugar for me, babe,” he added, “and I wouldn’t mind you on the back of my ride after.”
    “Fucking Lee,” Red grunted with a clang, throwing himself from his seat. I understood how he got his nickname now. His face was a bright, furious red. His brothers, once smiling at the comedy of it all, jumped into action.
    He blocked me back with one hand, his other balled into a fist, ready to pummel Lee.
    “Tell me you didn’t just do that,” he seethed.
    Lee swung out from his booth. He spread his arms wide, inviting Red to throw a