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  “Sweetheart, after what you’ve been through, you need time.” He cupped her face in his hands. “We don’t have to rush anything.”

  She nodded. Thankful for his understanding, yet still yearning for that closeness.

  He drew her into his arms and held her close. “Let’s just get some more sleep.”

  He lay down, keeping her snug against his warm, solid body. Holding her. Protecting her. And soon she felt herself drifting off to sleep again.

  *

  Steele dragged himself from Laurie’s warm, soft body and pushed himself from the bed. He didn’t want to leave her side, but he knew she’d be hungry and he wanted to go out and get something for her to eat. After that, they’d be on their way. He knew she’d be anxious to get home. And her brother would be anxious to see her and know firsthand that she was okay.

  He went outside, the late afternoon sun casting long shadows on the ground. He mounted his bike and headed to the small town only a few miles further along the highway.

  He went to a drugstore and bought a bandage for Laurie’s ankle, then he pulled into a small diner and ordered some burgers to take out. As the cook flipped the patties on the grill, Steele paid.

  “I take it you’re traveling with friends,” the man behind the counter asked.

  Steele eyed the man. He wore a blue and white bandana around his head and his long, gray hair was tied back in a ponytail. And his arms were inked.

  “Why you asking?”

  “Just a friendly heads-up. Some cops come in here asking if we seen a crew of bikers in the area. Said there been some kinda trouble up at some big wig’s country house nearby.”

  The cook handed the bag of burgers to Steele.

  “Just figured I’d let you know.”

  Steele nodded. “Thanks.”

  Steele went outside and stowed the burgers in his hard carrier, then mounted the bike. The cops must have found Donovan and now he’d set them on their trail.

  No matter. This was a complication he did not want, but he’d handle it. First things first. Go back and warn the crew.

  He started up the bike, then sped back to the motel.

  When he arrived, Magic, Dom, Wild Card, and Shock were sitting on chairs outside the rooms drinking beer. Rip and Raven were nowhere to be seen.

  He saw the curtain pull back on his room and Laurie peer out. As he stopped his bike, she hurried out of the room. She was still limping and he wanted to get her to a doctor to have it checked out.

  “Where’s Rip?” Steele asked.

  Shock pointed at Rip’s room door. Steele walked over and knocked. A moment later, Rip opened the door and peered out.

  “We have trouble,” Steele said. “The police have been asking around town about us. They’re sure to be checking the motels nearby.”

  Rip grabbed his cell as he stepped outside, then dialed.

  “Killer, it’s Rip.” Rip paced back and forth as he listened.

  “Is everything okay?” Laurie asked, concern in her eyes. “Do you think they found Donovan and he’s convinced them to come after us?”

  Steele placed his hands on her shoulders and locked gazes with her. “He hurt you, remember? You have nothing to be afraid of.”

  She shook her head. “No. If he wants to make trouble, he’ll do it. If he wants to get back at me … or you … he’ll do it. He’ll buy people off if he has to.”

  Steele glanced toward Rip, who had paced several yards away and was speaking intently on the phone.

  “He won’t buy off Killer. He’s a true friend.”

  Rip slipped his phone into his pocket and walked toward Steele, his expression grim. Laurie reached for Steele’s hand and he enveloped it in his.

  “Well?” Steel prompted.

  Rip glanced at Laurie, then back to Steele. “They found Donovan a few hours ago at his house. He was dead.”

  Laurie sucked in a breath and Steele squeezed her hand.

  Rip gazed at Laurie again. “And the police are looking for you.” His lips compressed in a tight line. “You’re wanted for questioning.”

  Also by Opal Carew

  Bliss

  Forbidden Heat

  Secret Ties

  Six

  Blush

  Swing

  Twin Fantasies

  Pleasure Bound

  Total Abandon

  Secret Weapon

  Insatiable

  Illicit

  His to Command

  His to Possess

  His to Claim

  About the Author

  Opal Carew is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of fifteen previous erotic romances for St. Martin’s Press. To learn more, visit her on the Web at www.opalcarew.com.

  This is a work of fiction. All of the characters, organizations, and events portrayed in this novel are either products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.

  RIDING STEELE: CROSSROADS. Copyright © 2014 by Opal Carew. All rights reserved. For information, address St. Martin’s Press, 175 Fifth Avenue, New York, N.Y. 10010.

  www.stmartins.com

  Cover design by Danielle Fiorella Cover photographs: man © Mr.Big-Photography/iStockphoto.com; motorcycle © Ramon Espelt Photography/shutterstock.com eISBN 978-1-4668-7838-9

  First Edition: November 2014

  eBooks may be purchased for business or promotional use. For information on bulk purchases, please contact Macmillan Corporate and Premium Sales Department by writing to [email protected].

  RIDING STEELE

  Get ready for the ride of your life.

  Don’t miss any of the installments in this sexy serial!