All the Way Page 27

  These were all things Layla hadn’t even thought about since Kenny’s death. Her heart clenched with resistance, until she finally began to soften her views. Absorbing the freedom surrounding her, Layla gradually released the negativity toward the machines she’d labeled as death traps.

  She embraced the moment.

  In that moment Layla understood her brother’s passion for motorcycles. Breathing in the peace left in the wake of understanding, she hoped with all her heart she could find Robby and tell him this. Before it was too late. Before he pulled away from her forever. Or wound up dead. She shuddered, and shoved the thought out of her mind.

  As they rode on and became part of the scene, Layla felt something wild well up inside her. She wanted to participate, not just sit on the back of Blake’s bike and watch. She wanted to feel a sense of freedom, too.

  But as they approached the Sturgis jail, it looked like the slow-moving procession made a U-turn and paraded down the other one-way strip back to the beginning.

  More time to watch for Robby, she supposed. Possibly from a vantage point she hadn’t tried before. Speaking of vantage points…

  A secret smile inched across her lips. Layla decided to have some fun of her own.

  “So what do I do?” she asked Blake, leaning forward and tensing her thighs. “Just stand up, balance my legs against your back, and lift up my shirt?”

  “Hell no.” His hand swung back and gripped her thigh. “You just sit tight where you are. Nobody sees my girl naked except me.”

  “But if I’m higher I’ll have a better chance of seeing Robby. Besides, I don’t want to miss out on the full experience.”

  “I’ll give you all the experience you can handle tonight—with no audience.”

  Layla exhaled loudly, crossed her arms and sat back, pretending to be annoyed. From beside them came Tanner’s chuckle.

  “Enjoying yourself?” Blake snapped.

  “Immensely.” Tanner checked out a woman doing what Layla had just threatened a moment ago.

  An hour later she got her wish to participate, in an act that tamed her adventurous streak into submission. At the corner of an intersection, Blake guided the bike backward with his feet, revved the motor, then gunned it straight for a building, Tanner beside him.

  Have they lost their minds? Layla held on tight as they zoomed past a mob of people and into a place called the Full Throttle Saloon. She shrieked. Somehow plaster and beams didn’t come tumbling down around them.

  She peeked through her lashes and saw an open layout, where bikers could pull their motorcycles right up to the bar. It took a couple of minutes for her heart rate to normalize after that one, quenching her need to walk on the wild side.

  That was as much adventure as she could handle.

  They shared a celebratory shot of tequila at having made it to Sturgis. Layla felt she deserved it, after undertaking most of the journey on a motorcycle—something she’d sworn never to do. Blake seemed to have this adventurous effect on her. She was starting to like it. She wasn’t sure she wanted to go back to what her life had been like before this trip. Would things be different between her and Blake once they returned? The same? Strange? Good?

  Layla wondered. Would her brother be surprised that she and Blake had rekindled their romance? Would he be happy? Or would he withdraw like before? Distress pinched between her eyebrows.

  Tanner made a lewd toast with his root beer bottle, since he didn’t drink alcohol. Hearing the words, she burst into laughter. It pulled Layla from her thoughts of Robby.

  Blake’s lips quirked. “From now on, keep it clean in front of my girl. You’ll corrupt her.”

  “Yeah, that’s me, Miss Innocent,” she said with an eye roll.

  “Don’t worry, baby, I’ll help change that one night at a time.”

  “I can hardly wait.” Their arms slid around each other. Then Layla made an addendum to the toast. “And here’s to finding Robby, bringing him back home safe.”

  “Amen,” Blake said.

  The brothers eyed each other, then raised their drinks to their lips. Layla wished she knew what secret information silently passed between them. Then decided maybe she’d rather not know. She was worried enough as it was.

  Blake was her guide and support through all of this. If he had doubts, frankly she didn’t want to know them. She had exhausted her reserves of optimism.

  Ironically, blind faith was all she had left.

  *

  Blake and Tanner parked their motorcycles and the three of them continued the tour on foot.

  Parading was great, but this was Blake’s favorite part. As they walked along the strip, familiar faces came up and greeted them. Each time someone new approached, he caught Layla’s curious glance.

  Finally, she came out and asked, “How do all these people know you?”

  “Tanner and I served as directors for a while at the Cleveland Chapter H.O.G. meetings. It’s a big group, numbering in the seven hundreds. We raised a lot of cash for different charities.” He shrugged. “People take time to recognize that sort of thing.”

  “Really?” Her eyes shone with admiration. “That’s great you guys are into that. What does hog mean?” she wondered, swiping at the sheen of perspiration that glistened on her forehead.

  He made a mental note to get his pale beauty some sunscreen. “The letters stand for Harley Owners Group,” he explained. He took her hand and they wound their way around groups of bikers clustered along the sidewalks. “Basically a bunch of people coming together for the love of motorcycles and to give back to the community.”

  “Oh.” She tilted her head. “No kidding?”

  “Your brother’s band played at one of our functions. They opened for Tanner’s band. He got all his friends to show, and they helped us raise funds one year.”

  “I had no idea…”

  He winked. “Not the group of renegade rednecks you expected, is it?”

  “No.” She glanced around at the packed streets containing this well-behaved mob. “Is that why they don’t call in the National Guard at an event like this?”

  Blake shrugged. “Not necessary. We police ourselves.”

  “What about the…what did you call them? The ones Robby’s riding with—the one-percenters?”

  Squinting beneath the shaded brim of his hat, he searched for the right explanation. “It’s a sort of an unspoken, co-exist rule.”

  “Wow, that’s surprising.”

  “Not really, once you get to know these people. This is a rally of freedom, all about living out loud and having a good time.”

  “WFO,” Tanner announced. Blake shot him a look and refused to interpret. Though a minute later, when he let go of her hand and walked inside a shop packed with Harley-Davidson gear, Tanner leaned down and murmured, “Wide Fuckin’ Open.”

  Blake glanced over his shoulder, saw Layla stifle a grin. He threw his brother an I’m not amused look and stepped inside. He told Layla, “This is my buddy Frank’s shop, the one who should have our room ready. And hopefully some information on Rob.”

  “Blake, Tanner—how are the brothers from Cleveland?” Frank boomed as the door swept closed behind them. His barrel chest nearly burst the buttons on his patch-covered vest.

  “Still kicking ass and taking names,” Tanner said to the man who walked out from behind the counter upon their arrival. They crossed the room to each other, the soles of each man’s boots leaving imprints on the floorboards, dusty from all the foot traffic. The three took turns exchanging burly claps on the shoulder.

  “Frank, I want you to meet Layla.” Blake introduced Layla to their old friend, who lifted Layla’s hand to his mustache-covered lips as they greeted each other.

  “This is the girl you’re staying with upstairs?” Frank asked with a nod overhead.

  “The one and only. I take that to mean you found us a spot.”

  He nodded. “But it’ll cost you.”

  “You know I’m good for it.”

&nb
sp; “And you know rooms in Sturgis are booked eight months to a year in advance.”

  “An emergency came up.”

  “You’re lucky you have friends in high places.” Frank grinned at him.

  Blake explained to Layla, “Frank owns a lot of property in Sturgis, and kicks everybody out for the week before, the week during, and the week after the rally.”

  “It’s a town built for six thousand people,” Frank added, “but for three weeks a year it caters to almost to half a mil. Things get tight.”

  “I guess rooms are a hot commodity,” she said.

  “So are pretty ladies,” Frank said with a twinkle in his eye. “Blake, if I’d known your girl was this good looking I might’ve given you a discount.” Layla beamed at him.

  Blake drawled, “I’ve known you over ten years, but it’s my girl who gets you to bend over backwards.”

  Tanner slapped a consoling hand on his shoulder. “Sorry, bro, I just don’t think you’re his type.”

  Ribald comments sailed back and forth between him and the guys before Blake finally steered the conversation to what they were anxious to hear. “Frank, have you seen that kid I described over the phone? I figured for sure he’d come here. Every year I return from Sturgis I rave to him about your shop. This is where I always get his souvenir. You carry some of the best T-shirts in the business.”

  Layla’s hands found her hips. Her eyes narrowed. “Is that where Robby got the one that says ‘The best things in life are dangerous’?”

  He faked a blank look. “I don’t know what you mean.”

  Folding her arms, she relented. “I guess it doesn’t matter. As long as we find him, he can wear any T-shirt he wants.” She sent a hopeful look to Frank. Blake’s chest tightened, wishing he knew some way to make Rob materialize. Then maybe the frown between her brows would finally melt away. “My brother’s pretty distinctive, easy to spot, I’d think. Anyone you’ve seen resemble his description?”

  Frank passed his glance between all three of them and shook his head regretfully. “Afraid I haven’t.” His compassionate gaze settled on Layla. “Real sorry about that.”

  The hope seemed to drain out of her. Blake slid an arm around her waist and tucked her against him. She felt small in his arms. His hold tightened. He kissed the top of her head, murmuring how things would work out, that everything would be all right.

  Layla blinked several times before she looked up again. “Thanks anyway. If he happens to come here, by chance, will you let us know?”

  “Straight away.”

  “Thank you,” Layla said quietly, turning to leave the store.

  A thought struck Blake. “Wait. There might’ve been someone else with him.”

  Tanner arched a questioning eyebrow. Frank waited.

  Layla gasped. “You don’t think Jack would—”

  “No,” Blake assured quickly. “Not Jack. The other guy, the passenger he brought with him when he met us outside the fair.”

  “Why him?”

  “Because he knew Rob.”

  Layla’s lips parted. “How do you know that?”

  “There were signs. Things he did to give me clues. He did the ‘peace-out’ thing Rob does when he says goodbye.”

  “So?”

  “So trust me, he knew Rob. There’s a connection there. I can feel it.”

  “Why didn’t you tell me all this?” She sounded hurt.

  “Because I didn’t know how it all came together.” He told Frank, “The guy wears a worn black baseball cap. Stands a few inches shorter than me, five-eleven or six-feet. Black eyes and light brown skin skin. Super-thin goatee. Two hoops in his left ear. Talks with a tough-guy, city accent.”

  “He trouble?” Frank gathered.

  Blake squeezed Layla’s waist before he said, “I’m not sure yet.”

  “Then I’ll keep both eyes open for the kid. The room you wanted is upstairs and ready whenever you are.” Frank tossed Blake a set of keys.

  Blake caught them. He thanked Frank again, told him that he and Layla would be back with their things that afternoon, and they’d stop down to touch base again tomorrow morning.

  “Did Jack’s passenger really know my brother?” Layla tugged at Blake’s arm as though begging for reassurance, her eyes wide with worry. “Is Robby in worse trouble than we thought?”

  His heart ached for her. “I don’t know anything for sure. But it doesn’t hurt to be cautious and investigate all angles.”

  Layla paused outside the door to Frank’s Harley-Davidson shop. Blake hung back with her where she stood on the bottom step and stared at the crowded streets. A cloud seemed to pass over her eyes, dimming their sparkle with a shadow of despair. “Where do we begin?”

  “Well…” Blake rubbed the back of his neck, which had grown damp beneath the fall of his hair. His hat only partially deflected the heat of the blazing midday sun. “Frank was our best hope, but he wasn’t our last.”

  “Nah, not even close,” Tanner added, backing up a few paces to join them. Sometimes Tanner’s devil-may-care attitude annoyed Blake, but right now he was grateful for his brother’s cocky, laid-back style. “Needle in a haystack is easier to find when you’ve got a magnet. We can stop by places along the strip for now, drop names and descriptions, and check back later.”

  Layla brightened marginally. “That might give us something to go on.”

  Tanner continued, “Our best bet on finding your brother will be after the sun goes down.”

  “When the gangs come out to play,” Blake informed her.

  Tanner nodded. “My band is playing at The Full Throttle tonight. That’s a great place to scout around. With your brother being a musician, a live band could attract him. We might draw him right to us.”

  “You really think so?” Layla’s wistful tone fueled Blake’s determination.

  “I agree with Tanner. We’ve got a good shot of running across him tonight. We’ll make some stops, show them Rob’s picture, and spread the word to keep an eye out for him. Then we’ll come back with our stuff, check with our morning contacts. Relax for an hour or two, and then head to The Full Throttle after dinner. Sound good, baby?”

  “I don’t know about the relaxing part,” she admitted, “but the rest sounds fine.” She reached out and placed her hands on both men’s arms. “Thank you so much. Both of you. I would’ve gone home in tears by now if it wasn’t for you guys.”

  Tanner laced his fingers together and cracked them like it was all in a day’s work. “Just as long as the check’s in the mail, we’re straight,” he said on a wink.

  Blake smirked at his brother, then turned to Layla. “Did you really think, back when you blundered into the Handle Bar, I’d let you come all the way to Sturgis by yourself?”

  “I had no idea how persuasive you could be.” A sly grin slid onto her lips.

  Tanner rolled his eyes. “Spare me.”

  Chapter 23

  When Layla and Blake finally showed up at Tanner’s gig that night, Layla’s emotions balanced between despair and desperation. This might be their last, best hope.

  The day hadn’t produced a thing. They were no further along on their crusade to find and rescue Robby. A knot of tension twisted her stomach. Uncertainty plagued her.

  Though one thing was certain, Layla thought as she looked around. They didn’t call this place The Full Throttle Saloon for nothing.

  If the guys were right—she prayed they were—this seemed like just the place to attract the wild and rowdy gang they were hoping to find, with Robby in tow.

  There were whistles, shouts, and the heavy hum of voices, punctuated by the blast of pipes that seared the night air. It smelled like a barn, with all these bodies packed tight, beer taps flowing like sinks, leather everywhere. Exhaust fumes wafted through at intervals, carried into the open bar by the sultry breeze.

  Aside from the entertainment of bikes that roared in at odd intervals, there were dancers scattered around the saloon, which boasted enough floo
r space to compete with a warehouse. Women in various degrees of undress wandered through the crowd of rowdy, testosterone-crazed males, tying one on with the help of Budweiser and MGD.

  She spotted an unoccupied table in a distant corner near the stage, and they made tracks toward it. Layla led the way, more amused than scandalized by the number of masculine stares she drew as she walked through the crowd. However, it went both ways. She noticed the hungry female glances following Blake’s muscular form, his tanned arms and torso, his unbuttoned vest offering a delicious view.

  As they wandered through, the hands Blake planted on her hips didn’t deter any of the guys. It seemed a free for all, men grabbing an eyeful wherever they could get it.

  Normally, Blake wouldn’t take it this well, all these men staring and grinning at her. But she hadn’t heard a word from him. Was he too focused on searching for Robby in the crowd? She hoped his height gave him an advantage, since she couldn’t see a thing.

  When they reached their destination, he shoved the chair away with his boot and hoisted her onto the table with him, so she sat between his legs. They faced the stage. His arms came around her, and he stacked his forearms across her stomach, leaving no doubt who she belonged to. So he wasn’t immune to the stares after all.

  Tanner’s band turned out to be really good. Much better than what she remembered from the Handle Bar. Of course, at the time she’d been distracted searching for her brother. History certainly repeats itself . She frowned at the dismal thought.

  She couldn’t believe that the entire afternoon they’d spent going in and out of shops, stores, tents, and the “beer gardens” hadn’t given them any leads. Blake and Tanner asked the people they knew to keep a look out for a kid matching Rob’s description. It helped her feel proactive, but why hadn’t anyone recognized Robby?

  Were they completely off base? Was Robby even here in Sturgis at all? What if he wasn’t, and they were wasting their time combing the streets for nothing? Her stomach pitched and twisted again as questions piled up, a burden collecting on her heart.