High-Sided (Armed & Dangerous #3)(15)

“Think you still got what it takes?” Micah asked.

“Fuck if I know, man. I guess we’ll see when we get there.” My stomach was in knots and not because of riding. Pulling out my phone, I scrolled until I found our superior’s number with the FBI, and pressed send. He always answered within two rings.

“I thought you were on vacation,” Kincaid greeted.

I wished I was. “There’s been a change of plans. I’m in Franklin, North Carolina right now with Perry. We’re investigating a murder and other illegal activities involving the racing team I was on years ago. I have a feeling more shit’s about to go down.”

I could hear papers scrambling around in the background. “Who ordered this?”

Micah perked up, clearly hearing Kincaid’s demanding tone. “I did,” I said.

“Why the hell would you do that without consulting me first?”

I could see Levi’s face in my mind, how eager he was when I’d first started riding with him. I owed it to him to figure out what happened, even if I did get reprimanded. “The man who was killed was a good friend of mine. I have to find who did it before more of my loved ones are involved. I’m going undercover as myself, as a racer for Bennett Racing.”

“So this is personal,” he said.

My teeth clenched. “Yes. I need to do this, sir.”

The line went quiet, before I heard him sigh. I was fully prepared to get suspended. “Then do it,” Kincaid murmured. “I’m sorry you lost a friend, and I understand you want to find the killer. I would want to do the same thing.”

Eyes wide, I turned to Micah. “So we’re good to pursue this?”

“For now, but if something comes up, I’ll need you back here. I can’t have you getting paralyzed like you did the last time you tried to race.”

“That’s the thing, Kincaid. It’s looking like my accident was anything but. I owe it to myself to find out who f*cked me over.”

“Yeah, I suppose you do,” he agreed. “Keep me updated with your progress.”

“Will do,” I said, then hung up. Looking to Micah, I smirked. “You ready to do this shit?” We had a plan in place, now we just had to execute it.

Micah rubbed his hands together. “I was born ready.”





Kassidy


I’d barely slept the past several nights, and last night had been no different. My eyes felt like sand had been ground into them, and my mind was foggy. All I could see were images of Levi and Logan swirling through my brain. Why the hell did he have to show up now, after all these years? I thought for sure he’d try to come see me, but he didn’t. A week had passed, and nothing. It wasn’t like I would return the conversation anyway, but it was kind of a smack in the face. It was stupid to think he’d changed after all these years.

I was on my way over to my father and Angela’s house, so I could catch him before tryouts. With our recent reputation for disaster, I’d be surprised if potential riders showed up at all. The garage door was closed, but their front entrance was unlocked.

I opened it slowly, peeking my head inside. “Dad?” I tiptoed inside, not sure if Angela was still sleeping. “Dad, you here?”

A set of pots clanged together from the kitchen, and I heard Angela’s voice. “He’s not here, sweetie. Why don’t I make us some breakfast before you head over to the track?”

“Sounds great.” My stomach growled and it was probably because I hadn’t eaten much in the last few days.

I turned the corner and Angela was already at the stove, scrambling eggs. Her blonde hair was in a messy bun and she had on a pair of yoga pants and a T-shirt. She was my stepmother and I loved her, but she was nothing like my mother. My mom was down to earth and never cared much about fashionable clothes. Angela always wanted to take me shopping and to get my hair done.

“I can’t believe we’re already having tryouts. It feels too soon,” I grumbled, taking a seat the table.

Angela scooped some eggs onto my plate and sighed. “I know, sweetheart. It sucks. But you have to know your father didn’t want to do this so soon. It’s just, you all still have a business to run.”

She had a point, but it still hurt to think about life going back to normal. Nothing was going to be normal without Levi. “Thanks for cooking me breakfast, Angela. I swear I didn’t come over here to eat your food.”

“Oh, enough of that nonsense. I’m glad you came,” she said, setting the bacon on the table. “It gives us a chance to catch up.” She fixed herself a plate of eggs and joined me at the table. “Is there anything you want to talk about? Maybe something to get your mind off everything?”

I shoveled huge bites of food into my mouth and sat back in the chair. There were a gazillion things I wanted to say and they all involved Logan. “Not really,” I lied.

Picking up her coffee cup, she stared at me over the rim, the steam billowing into the air. “You sure? I seem to recall a certain young man who made his way back into town.”

I stiffened and clenched my teeth. “Logan can kiss my ass.”

She sipped her coffee and stared at me, as if she could see the turmoil I felt. “You always have Sean.”

The way she said it made me tense, almost like she meant it in another way. “He’s a good friend,” I said, gauging her reaction.