In the Wind Read Online Free Page B

through family, friends, and the club. Except Sawyer bailed on Ellsberg. If she remains here, we might finally put our past behind us. Instead of comforting me, this idea feels like just another reason to force her home.
    Before going to breakfast, I tell the woman at the front desk that I'll be staying for a while. Smiling, she focuses her gaze on the tips of my hair where pink paint remains. She seems to know my story, and I'm again struck by the size of this place. Skipping the hotel breakfast, I head two doors down to a busy Denny's where I'm seated by a little Mexican gal. She takes my order and avoids looking too directly at the pink in my hair. Despite her quiet nature, I suspect she's part of the local gossip scene.
    "Do you know the McLaughlin family?" I ask when she refills my coffee.
    "Everyone does."
    "Would you know how to get a message to them, Sabie?" I ask, looking at her nametag.
    "Me?"
    "You or someone around here."
    Sabie glances around as if nervous. I suspect she fucking with me though. Shrugging, she pulls out her order pad. "What do you want to tell them?"
    "Jace Todds wants to make an appointment to speak with them and Sawyer Johansson. I won't leave town until we've spoken."
    After Sabie walks away, I wonder how long before Sawyer or her friends respond. A few sips of coffee later, I'm surprised to see her return.
    "You can come for lunch at their house. Eleven o'clock. They're having BLT sandwiches and fries."
    Thanking her, I get the distinct impression of being hunted. My thoughts return to the paintball games at the Johansson property. The club uses them to keep guys sharp. Cooper also likes to see who doesn't work well with others. He's always testing his people and looking for weaknesses.
    The world feels more crowded than when I was young, and I know our enemies always search for our weak spots. Likely Cooper worries about Sawyer being outside his power radius. After all, his only weakness is his family.
    I wish I could claim my only weakness is my family. I worry about too much. I never know how I'm supposed to react. I watch others more than use my gut. Back when I was starting out, the Reapers enforcer Judd once said my insecurities would get me killed. While I hide my fucked up thinking better than I used to, it's not really gone.
    I feel my insecurities gnawing at me when I arrive at the McLaughlin property. What happens if I can't convince Sawyer to come home? Cooper made it clear I wasn't returning to Ellsberg unless I had his sister with me.
    Once the gates open slowly, I ride down a long road shadowed by large trees. I understand why Sawyer likes this place. Of course, if she misses Ellsberg, home is waiting for her.
    I park in front of a massive house and realize I've underestimated the McLaughlin money. Growing up around the Johanssons, I thought I knew rich.
    "Come on in before the heat gets you," a tiny Asian woman says from the door.
    Stepping onto the front porch, I wipe my feet. The woman looks me over, and I feel insecure about my black jeans and tee. Inside though, a mustached older fellow wears only boxers, a red robe, and cowboy boots. Yeah, maybe I'm actually overdressed.
    "You the boy Johansson sent to take the filly back home?" the man asks, stopping in front of me.
    "Yes."
    "JJ McLaughlin," he says, shoving out his hand and giving mine a hard shake. "Pink is a good color on you."
    My hand goes reflexively to the stained hair. "There was a little confusion last night."
    "Oh, I'm sure there was," he says, gesturing for me to follow him down a hallway. "Sawyer has made her feelings pretty clear about remaining in Texas. Now, I'd like to help out Cooper. I respected Kirk a hell of a lot, but I can't blame Sawyer for wanting to stay. I mean, we are talking about Texas here."
    We enter a large room with windows reaching up towards the sky. I try to hide my awe. I think my expression remains cold, as I've trained it to be over the years. JJ isn't looking at me though. He's still