UNDER REVISION - Road Rage, Dark Shadows MC (Book 1)

Running Away? - Silver

Silver 

Dodger. Ash's VP.

My heart thunders in my chest, already fully aware of what I'll see on the backs of their cuts when they turn around: a white flaming skull with curved horns curling up out of it, surrounded by smoke. I look behind Dodger and find two more officers right on his heels, Tracer and Cannon. I don't know any of them that well, but I know they shouldn't be here.

Not in this diner, not in this town.

I'm also very much aware that they all know who I am, all their eyes on me as they walk through the diner to claim a booth in my section. There's no surprise on their faces and I shove my hands into the pocket of my apron, hiding the tremble in my fingers. As Dodger slides into his seat, his smirk grows, as if he can sense my nervousness. Sweat gathers under my arms and in the curve of my lower back as I fight the urge to flee.

"Silver?" Agnes' voice is muffled, as if she's talking underwater. I look at her, finding her frowning at me. "Are you okay? You've gone as white as a sheet."

"Oh. Um, y-yes." I stammer out, but it's obvious I'm not actually reassuring her. I keep my eyes firmly on her, refusing to look over at the booth and the bikers who've made themselves way too comfortable. "Actually, I-I just got a bit light-headed." I tell her. "I haven't eaten enough, I think. I'm gonna see if Sarah can cover me for a break." I give my friend a flimsy smile, even as the other server sidles up next to me, already having caught my last words.

"You want to run out before serving them?" Sarah is my age, if not a little younger, and can come across as pretty flighty. I've tried getting to know her, but she's pretty talented at not talking about herself and diverting attention. I respect that, so I don't push, and we all pretend that the sneakers she wears every day don't have a hole by her toes. Sometimes, I'll slip half my tips in her apron, although I don't think she's noticed yet.

Whatever's going on in her life, I hope it helps.

Right now, she's fixated on Dodger and the others, eyes running over the leather of their cuts and visible tattoos with apparent interest. I could tell her that Dodger has an old lady, but the other two are available...but I'm firmly pretending I don't know them from Adam.

"Only if you aren't busy..." I say instead.

"Oh, no problems!" Sarah grins, smoothing her hair back, before pulling out her pen and pad. She sashays over to the table, and amusement filters through my panic, her confidence always amazing me. I don't know if bikers are even her type, but she'd never let a thing like that stop her. I know bikers weren't my type, but it also feels like I've never really been attracted to anyone except–

That thought is enough of a reminder that my feet start moving. With a quick wave to Agnes, I turn on wobbly legs and head for the back room where we store our belongings, untying my apron as I go. Without pausing, I throw it on a table and quickly head for the back door, with my heart feeling like it might pound right out of my chest. I'm only 22 and it feels like I might be able to have a heart attack.

They can't be here. This is Oakfield, not Willowbank. And why, out of all the places to eat, would they come here? Elsie's Diner isn't decked out for tourists. It's more of a local favorite, so even if they're just passing through, there's no real reason for anyone from Dark Shadows to stop–

"Running away?"

I come to a grinding halt just outside the door, the only sound my heavy breathing and the door slamming behind me. The deep, rasped question still echoes in my ears, but I don't want to turn around. I already know what I'm going to find, but it feels like my body is being controlled by someone else, like a puppet on a string, and it turns without my permission.