Laced In Lies

by Colleen Helme

  “Uh… well, I was kind of thinking that. So what’s going on?”

  He let out a breath. “Well, I just thought I’d give you a heads up. I had to write a report about what went on in Paris, and… well… I mentioned that you went with me. Believe me, I hardly said anything about what you did, but it looks like it caught someone’s attention. Anyway, to make a long story short… my boss might want to meet you.”

  He heard me gasp, so he quickly continued. “Now… you don’t need to panic. I don’t know exactly why he’s interested, but it’s probably a formality, nothing more. Maybe he wants to thank you for your service. At any rate, I just wanted you to know.”

  “Okay… thanks. I appreciate it.”

  “He’ll probably just send a note in the mail or give you a call. But don’t worry. You don’t have to do anything you don’t want to.”

  “That’s a relief.” I let out my breath. “Well, thanks for letting me know. Uh… I’m glad you’re doing better.” We said our goodbyes and disconnected.

  “Who was that?” Billie asked. She was thinking that my face had gone pale, so it had to be something bad.

  “Oh… nothing.”

  Billie rested her hand on my arm in concern. “Okay. But Shelby… you’ll tell me if you’re in trouble, right?”

  “Oh… yes, of course. But I’m fine.” I smiled. “Thanks.”

  We finished up our lunch and said our goodbyes. I walked to my car, glad that I knew what was bothering Billie so I could let Dimples know, and they could work it out. That was the good part. Too bad Blake had called and ruined everything else.

  I got in my car and sat there in a daze. I didn’t think Blake would have called to warn me if his boss didn’t mean to get in touch with me, so I needed to prepare an answer and be ready to turn him down when he did. There was no way I was ever going to get involved with anything like Paris again.

  A little calmer, I started the car to head home. My phone rang, but this time the ring tone brought a smile to my lips. It was set to the tune of Devil Rider, so I knew it was Ramos.

  “Babe. How you doing?”

  “I’m good, thanks. You?”

  “Good. Hey… if you’re not too far from the Tiki Bar, the boys have something for you. Can you stop by?”

  “Yeah… I’m not far… oh wait… did you already know that?”

  He chuckled. “Maybe.”

  “Okay, I’m on my way.” We disconnected and, this time, I actually looked forward to going there. What could they have for me? Plus, I was grateful to have some time with Ramos and see how he was doing after last night.

  I pulled up in front of the bar and went through the main entrance. The bartender sent me a scowl, and I picked up that he wasn’t too happy to see me. With his attitude, he probably wasn’t happy to see anyone, so I decided not to take it personally.

  “Go on back. Big Kahuna’s waiting for you.”

  I got all the way to the pool tables before I found Big Kahuna playing a game with Ramos. “There she is,” Big Kahuna said, smiling. “Come on over here.”

  I strode to his side, and he pulled a cue stick from where it was mounted on the wall. Holding it in both hands, he offered it to me with his palms up and a quick dip of his head. “This is for you.”

  “Wow. Thanks,” I said, looking it over. “This is great.” From his thoughts I knew this was an honor, so I gave him a big smile.

  “So whenever you come, you’ll always have your own stick.” He was thinking that I’d done him a favor by keeping him out of the police report, and maybe I could help him in the future.

  I sighed… oh great. Not him too? Why couldn’t Blake have done that for me?

  Then I picked up that he was hoping I’d look a little closer at the handle because that was the best part.

  I glanced down and found some letters etched into the wood. “Wow. It has my name on it!” I caught Big Kahuna’s gaze and grinned. He smiled back, thinking that having my own stick in his bar was a real honor, and he hoped I appreciated it. “Want to play?”

  I chuckled at his sly grin, and took him up on the offer.

  The game didn’t take long. He took it easy on me, but even then I only got a couple of balls in the pockets. I did get a diet soda with a lemon though, so it was all good.

  Ramos hadn’t said a word, but he’d enjoyed watching the game, and he walked me to my car when it was over. There was a calmness about him that hadn’t been there before, and I wondered what was going on, especially after the heartbreak from last night.

  At the car, he turned to me. “I know Lacie’s not mine,” he said.

  “How?” I asked.

  “When we went after Luke, Dusty told me that after he’d talked to me at the club, he’d called her dad and had a long talk with him. Emil told Dusty he’d wanted to come back for years, but he didn’t think Jodie wanted him. After Dusty told him what was going on, Emil said he was coming no matter what Jodie wanted. Dusty also told me that Emil had always been involved in Lacie’s life, and that they had a great relationship.”

  He caught my gaze. “To be honest, it kind of took me by surprise when he showed up. But you have to admit that was a totally different reaction from the one I had.”

  “Yeah… but you had no idea she existed. Besides, Dusty was threatening you… and in the end… using you. Don’t forget about the pills.”

  Ramos let out a breath and nodded. “True. But when Luke didn’t show, and the motorhome was gone, Dusty made me promise to look after Lacie and Jodie if anything happened to him. That’s why I ran inside instead of staying with you.”

  He sighed and shook his head. “But I shouldn’t have left you there. You could have died, and it would have been my fault.”

  “Hey… you had no idea Stephanie was still out there. She was supposed to take Lacie inside, so that’s where I thought she was too.”

  He nodded, but still felt a lot of remorse for what had happened to me.

  “Uh… is that remorse for me, or because I wrecked your bike?” That got a grin out of him. I glanced around hoping to find it, but couldn’t see it anywhere. “So, where is your bike anyway?”

  “Come and see.”

  I followed him around to the parking lot in back of the bar and spotted a different bike than the one he normally drove. It was silver and black and pretty sleek, with only a small seat for a second rider. “What kind is that?”

  “It’s a Ducati.”

  “Did you buy it?”

  “No. It’s on loan while mine’s getting fixed.” But he was thinking he might want a change. As much as he liked the classic style, this one was pretty awesome too. “Want to go for a ride?”

  I laughed. “You know I can’t pass that up.”

  He grinned and unclipped the helmets from the bike. Handing mine to me, he was thinking that his life was pretty good, but maybe it was time to make some changes. Then his thoughts turned to driving the bike, leaving me to wonder what kinds of changes he was thinking about.

  We took off, and the only thing in my mind was hanging onto Ramos and enjoying the ride. We didn’t go too far, but it was enough to get a feel for the bike. It was smooth and sleek, a lot like Ramos, but I liked the old one better.

  We pulled up next to my car and got off the bike. “So what did you think?” he asked, leaning against the seat.

  “I liked it. But I have to admit, I like your other bike better. It’s a little more comfortable than this one… for me anyway, but…” I shrugged.

  “Yeah. That makes sense.” He liked them both, but he’d probably stay with the one he had. “Glad you came.”

  “Me too.”

  He took a deep breath and glanced at the helmet in his hand. “Uh… after last night…” He caught my gaze, then glanced back at the helmet. “I saw them together.” He was thinking about Jodie, Lacie, and Emil. “The way Lacie ran to him… then Jodie… it was easy to see that she loves him.”

  I nodded, picking up that he was talking more about Jod
ie than Lacie. I waited for him to continue, knowing it was hard for him to talk about this.

  “It made me realize something.” This time he caught my gaze and held it. “I want a relationship with my brother. I think I’m ready to let him know I’m alive.” He sighed and shook his head. “I’m tired of always going it alone, you know? Do you think that would be okay? I don’t want to put him in danger or anything, but…”

  “I think that’s a great idea. I’m sure Javier would want you in his life too. He’s such a great guy. I’m certain that if you explained your circumstances and took precautions he’d be fine.” I grinned widely, then gave into temptation and threw my arms around him in a big hug.

  Surprised, it took a moment for him to put his arms around me, but then he straightened and held me tight. He started thinking that if he got a hug like that every time he talked about his brother, he’d have to do it more often.

  “Ha, ha.” I pulled away. “When do you want to do this?”

  “I don’t know.” Now that he’d made the decision, the small worry that Javier would be disappointed in him came to the surface, and he began to doubt that it was the right thing to do.

  “Hey… of course it’s right. The fact that you’re alive will make up for it. He’s a grown man… give him a chance. Besides, what have you got to lose?”

  Ramos shook his head. He’d never meant for me to hear that thought. “Can’t keep anything from you, can I?”

  “Nope. But you know I’m right.”

  “Yeah, I guess so. You have his email address, right? Maybe you can help me figure this out.”

  “Sure.” I could still hear some doubt in his mind, so I continued, “I know this is a big step for you, but I really think it will be worth it.”

  He let out a breath, thinking that facing a cold killer or a hardened criminal seemed easier than reaching out to his own brother. “All right. I’ll do it. Thanks Shelby.”

  “You bet.”

  He nodded and then slipped on his helmet and got on the bike. As he drove away, I couldn’t help the sense of satisfaction and happiness that came over me. This was a huge step for Ramos, but it was a good one, and all of the sadness from last night finally left my heart.

  Since I was close to Bella’s Bakery, I made a pit stop for some Dirty Johnnies. They’re the best brownies in the world, made with layers of cookie dough, chocolate brownie, and creamy fudge frosting. Since I had neglected my family for the last few days, I wanted to bring them something special.

  I pulled into my driveway and found Chris, Josh, and Savannah all playing basketball together. With a smile on my face, and all the love in my heart, I opened the box and set it on the trunk of the car, then hurried to join them.

  Devil Rider

  He came riding into town they say

  Like thunder crashing on a cloudless day,

  Demons chasing him from the past

  Riding behind coming at him fast.

  Bringing the storm, bringing the rain

  Stirring the breeze, flowing with pain.

  Chorus:

  You love me, then leave me, you devil rider.

  Hold me close, don’t let go, you devil rider.

  Break my heart, take my soul, you devil rider.

  You broke my heart, you took my soul.

  His lips full of promise, his eyes full of fire,

  Offering me nothing but hot with desire,

  His breath on my face, the touch of his hand,

  Lights me on fire like a red-hot brand.

  Nowhere to run, nowhere to hide,

  Caught in his web, pulled to his side.

  Chorus

  Gone with the wind blowing hot and low,

  Leaving me empty and oh, so cold.

  Dying embers float away with pain,

  Shattering my heart in an endless rain.

  Breaking the bonds, breaking the chains,

  Taking my soul, leaving the pain.

  Chorus

  Thanks for reading Laced In Lies: A Shelby Nichols Adventure!

  I am currently hard at work on Shelby’s next adventure and promise to do my best for another thrilling ride.

  If you enjoyed this book, please consider leaving a review on Amazon. It’s a great way to thank an author and keep her writing!

  BONUS! Click here to listen to the complete sound track of Devil Rider by Creatures of Habit on You Tube and feel free to leave a comment!

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  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  As the author of the Shelby Nichols Adventure Series, Colleen is often asked if Shelby Nichols is her alter-ego. “Definitely,” she says. “Shelby is the epitome of everything I wish I dared to be.” Known for her laugh since she was a kid, Colleen has always tried to find the humor in every situation and continues to enjoy writing about Shelby’s adventures. “I love getting Shelby into trouble… I just don’t always know how to get her out of it!” Colleen lives in the Rocky Mountains with her family. Besides writing, she loves a good book, biking, hiking, and playing board and card games with family and friends. She loves to connect with readers and admits that fans of the series keep her writing.

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  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SAeWm03ZGf8