Chapter Thirteen

"This little beauty has all the amenities," George's voice rose as if he was extremely excited.

Adira looked over the two-tone hatchback and couldn't keep the frown off her face. "This car is from the seventies. The only amenity it has is guzzling gas."

Hunter snickered. "Come on, George. I know you can do better."

George sighed. "Well, it was worth a shot. I inherited that stupid hatchback when I took over this fucking business."

"Something in this century would be nice," Ares said.

George looked around, as if they were being watched. "Okay, I do have a cute little two-door in the back lot."

"Show us," Hunter ordered.

George emitted another drawn-out sigh. "You're gonna make me lose a profit, aren't you?"

"You mean, we're not going to allow you to price gouge her?"

"Ug. Fine. This way."

He led them around the small office and unlocked the fence. The gravel parking lot was full of broken cars but he led them around a rusting Volkswagen bus and Adira saw a cute red sedan, shining in the sunlight.

"Oh," she said, surprised. "It's perfect."

George clapped his hands. "Excellent! Now, as for the price…"

"That car better not be a penny over two grand," Hunter interrupted.

"Because that's her budget," Ares remarked.

"Two grand!" George cried. "No, I can't. I'd lose money."

"Funny you mention money." Hunter crossed his arms. "Because if you sell that car for two grand, I'll make sure two grand is off the money you owe the Death Riders."

"Jesus fucking Christ," George groaned. "Okay, fine. Steal the fucking car from under me. It's not like I'm trying to run a business or anything."

Hunter patted him on the head. "Good boy. Write up the paperwork. I don't want to be here all day."

He held out his hand to Adira and she took hold of it, as he led her back to the front of the office. When she glanced up at him, he smiled and gave her a wink.

****

She headed back to Livia's, pleased with how the weekend went. Although she hated the hangover, she was thrilled to check that off her bucket list. A motorcycle was in the driveway, so she parked on the street. When she entered the small house, Courtney and Livia were on the back deck, laughing and drinking beer. Her waved at her to come out.

"So, how was your first Death Riders party?" Livia asked.

"Loved it, until I woke up this morning," Adira replied.

"Not a fan of hangovers?"

"Nope." She popped the p .

"Well, have a seat and grab a beer," Courtney said.

"I'll pass on the beer," Adria said with a smile, but she did sit. "What are you two doing this evening?"

"We were just talking about that." Livia tilted her head. "There's a fair happening the next town over. Wanna go?"

She looked between them. "I don't want to intrude on your date night."

"Hey, no intrusion whatsoever."

"Oh!" Her eyes widened. "I forgot. You've got to see my car."

"You bought a car?" Livia stood up and gestured for Courtney to follow.

"Hunter and Ares took me to this guy named George and forced him to sell it to me for cheap."

Courney snorted. "Fucking George. Sleazy car salesman."

They stepped outside and she proudly pointed to the cute little car. The cherry-red paint gleamed in the late-afternoon light.

"Wow," Livia said, sounding impressed. "I love it."

"Me too. Now I can drive myself and not bother you two, so please don't worry about me."

Livi frowned. "Of course, I'm going to worry a little. We need to get you a cell phone."

"Maybe when I get my first paycheck. This car pretty much depleted my money. Let's go and have some fun!"

A few minutes later, she pulled behind Courtney's motorcycle as he led them along winding roads until they reached the fair. Event staff directed her into a large field where all the cars were packed like sardines. She slid her purse under the seat after grabbing some money in case she wanted something to eat or drink.

The only fair she'd ever attended was a fund drive her father put on every year, that basically consisted of a bunch of homemade desserts, arts and crafts, and a few bouncy houses for the children. Adira walked through the crowd, eyes wide as she took in all sorts of rides and game booths. What caught her eye immediately was the large Ferris wheel in the center. Just as she stepped in line to buy tickets for it, an arm slid around her waist and pulled her into a muscular chest. She recognized Hunter's scent and relaxed into his embrace.

"What are you doing here?" she asked as she turned her head to look up at him.

"Courtney texted me and Ares where you were going."

This perplexed her. "Why? It's Saturday night."

He didn't answer as they reached the ticket booth. A book of twenty tickets was the cheapest one she could buy, but before she could slide her money over, Hunter slapped down a twenty-dollar bill, grabbed the book, linked their fingers together, and led her over to the Ferris wheel. He thrust the entire book at the attendant.

"We're staying on for a few rounds. Got it?"

The poor kid gulped. "Y-yeah. Sure, man. No prob."

They sat in one of the seats and Hunter brought the safety bar down. Then he turned toward her and wrapped his hand around the back of her neck to yank her into him and kiss her passionately. For the first rotation, all she felt was him. The world centered around Hunter. When they finally came up for air, she realized they were at the top. The exciting drone of the fair below was nothing more than a buzz. She and Hunter were in a cocoon and she snuggled against his chest.

"I wasn't going to come," he admitted softly. He brushed fine hairs around her temple. "I'm supposed to be working. But when Courtney texted me, I was uncomfortable with the idea of you being by yourself at a fair."

She thought that was sweet but didn't want to break the mood between them.

"Thank you," she said.

He kissed the top of her head. "For what?"

"Being here."

The wheel went around again and again. By the time Hunter motioned to the kid at the controls that they wanted off, twilight had faded to night. He took hold of her hand, twining their fingers together. It was no surprise that he was an excellent shot and won her a little stuffed dragon. She indulged in all sorts of unhealthy food, like funnel cake and cotton candy. They caught up with Courtney and Livia once, to say hi. She let Livia know she was heading back to the house, and Livia blew her a kiss. Then Hunter led her back to her car and made sure she was secure before leaving to find his bike.

Adira realized she was going to have to be very careful not to fall for him and Ares. She didn't want her heart to break any more than it had.