reek. A sudden, violent shudder ripped through the chassis of the

nst the dashboard. "Dammit!

as tall and broad-shouldered, his dark suit jacket pulling tight across his back. H

uring from under the hood. "We are going to miss th

ight hand, thumb finding the heavy black r

les up the road," he said, voice

ched under their leather shoes. Dust co

orrugated iron structure came into view. F

ve got to be kidding me. You think some back

the half-open rolling metal door. The sharp cl

usty interior. The air smell

justed to the sh

er, slid halfway under the chassis of a lifted truck. Greas

ic clankin

he creeper rolled out from un

ks of grease smeared across one sharp cheekbone. Her eye

His mouth op

ng a heavy-duty wrench. His eyes narrowed. He could smell it on

ignature playboy smile. He took a step

the heavy wrench onto a metal t

said. One word.

ished. He choked o

himself in front of Pierce. His presenc

ice was deep, carrying the weight of a ma

y shifted her

. The air in the

en her eyes flicked to his left wrist. A li

wiped the grease from her fingers. T

res. Cash.

gures? For a backwoods mechanic?" He re

single hand. Pie

pulled out a thick stack of crisp hundred-dollar bills. He

ate didn't change. She swept the stack i

. Ricky jumped from the

ig. Go get

fired up the rusted tow truc

ell over

d motorcycle sitting on a stand. His

, not looking at her, "is professional-grade racing

rigid. The muscles

y between Graham and the bike. H

rned, voice dropping to a whisp

like a cornered leopard. He didn't feel insulted.