"I work for Banks in the office of the body shop." She shrugged. "I've seen a lot of the club members visit there, but I don't really know them."
"I'm sure. They're a hard group of guys to get to know." Nicole tilted her head. "You're not going to eat with me sitting here, are you?"
"I appreciate you bringing me dinner. I do. But I'm not hungry." Not used to small chitchat, she refrained from offering more excuses.
Raised not to talk, just to hear herself speak, she was reminded why she and Cami got along so well. Neither one of them needed to keep a conversation going and were content to be in each other's company when silence fell between them.
They kept their talks to important things, like Cami getting pregnant after seeing a man for only two weeks. Her friend hadn't planned on starting a relationship with him—Troy. At the time, he'd come to Missoula on business and left, knowing they enjoyed a good time.
The low-life loser denied fathering a baby when Cami had called him with the news and told her to stay away from him.
The future scared Cami, but not once had she not wanted the baby, even though she knew her parents would be disappointed in her.
She'd promised to help Cami in any way she could. It wasn't time for her friend to be alone.
Exhaling the fear that Cami wouldn't survive or she'd lose the baby after the abuse she was going through, she glanced at Nicole. Guilt over her part in the bikers going to the casino hit her. She'd given no thought to the others, putting themselves at risk of losing their family—which was unlike her. It went against everything she believed in not to think of others first.
She understood Nicole was here because her man was out there, risking his life for her. Yet, the other woman brought her dinner and sat with her, trying to put her at ease.
"I'm sorry Priest isn't here." Her heart thrummed as she faced the results of her decision.
Nicole waved her hand. "I would tell you I'm used to him disappearing on club business, and I am, but it's hard. Just like it's hard on you."
"Do you know what they're doing?" she asked before she could stop herself.
"Somewhat." Nicole looked down at her hands before meeting her gaze. "I know it has to do with the casino, so I can't fault him for helping."
The hair at the back of her neck bristled. "You don't like the Blackfoot Casino and Resort?"
"My opinion has nothing to do with the casino." Nicole sighed. "I had a bad experience with one of the men who is no longer working there."
"I'm sorry."
"Why would you be?"
"I'm Blackfoot."
Nicole's gaze softened. "You're not responsible for what other people do."
"You're a rare person who believes that," she said quietly.
Nicole beamed. Josie managed to hold it together, even though she was confused about why that'd make the other woman happy to hear.
"I'll let you get back to reading your magazine." Nicole stood. "It was nice meeting one of Paco's friends. If you need anything, don't be shy about asking someone. The guys might appear rough and standoffish, but they'll help you."
Josie nodded and watched Nicole walk over to the group of men, ignoring the women. She couldn't picture Nicole with the president of the motorcycle club. There was nothing hard or bitter about her. She flowed into the room, wearing a long, billowing skirt that hung low on her hips. The halter top left her midsection bare. She looked feminine and soft, and as it was proven, approachable.
Cami would've liked Nicole. Would like.
She forced herself to look away and stare down at the magazine, minding her own business. She wasn't here to make friends or have these people like her.
The pictures blurred in front of her, and she lost track of how many motorcycles she'd counted. She blew out her breath. Paco had to save Cami. A life without her friend would be unimaginable.
She glanced at the clock on the wall. The bikers had left six hours ago.
Standing up, she moved away from the table, and all eyes in the room looked at her. Warmth flushed her skin. She hadn't tried to run off, but that's what they were watching for her to do.
One of the men approached her. She looked at his patch on the front of his vest. Wyatt.
"Restroom?" she asked.
"I'll show you." He walked ahead of her toward the hallway.
Staying back from him, she followed. Around the corner, he stopped and pushed open a door.
"Thank you," she said, stepping around him.
"Not a problem." He leaned against the wall.
He obviously was going to wait for her. She shut the door and inhaled a deep breath. Away from the others, she bowed her head and closed her eyes, fighting the panic rising inside of her. What had she done?
She'd sent men into a war zone, where they could lose their life. Not only were Cami and the other two women who were kidnapped in danger, but every single Tarkio member who'd gone to the casino for her.
There was no doubt in her mind and heart that Paco was responsible for gaining their help. She'd begged him to go after Cami, and he'd done it for her. The other members had done it for Paco.
A rolling shudder swept through her body. What Paco had whispered to her before he'd left came to her in a dream. There was no possible way for him to know her thoughts unless he was Thunder Bird, but that was something only the elders believed in.
Her generation, raised on Blackfoot land, were skeptical of the old tales.
But how would Paco know her thoughts, unless he was her spirit guide?
She used the toilet, washed her hands and face, and left the restroom, no closer to getting the answers she needed. Right now, she needed to concentrate on Cami coming home and the bikers returning safely back to the clubhouse.
Wyatt walked with her to the main room, where she sat down at the table again. She looked around the area for Nicole, but the woman had left.
Staring at the girls around her age, her heart pounded. One woman had taken off her top and danced bare-chested in front of a few men, who seemed content to let her show her body. Having never seen such blatant sexuality in a group setting, Josie looked away.
She'd heard of clubs where women danced topless or naked for men in Missoula, but she'd never gone to any of them. On the Rez, women remained covered their whole life. Only boys were allowed to run naked around others until they reached puberty. As a little girl, she often thought that was unfair. It wasn't until she was older when she realized her people protected females from the ugliness around them.
Then, the Blackfoot Tribal Government built the casino and let men who held more power than the elders run the gambling and entertainment establishment. For as long as she remembered, there were always rumors surrounding Askook and the others in charge. When women started disappearing, everyone linked their disappearance to the evil that resided on the reservation.
She thought her life wouldn't be touched by the corruption, but her father fell powerless to those running the National Indian Gaming Commission and started working with Askook.
She glanced at the women again. They were free with their bodies, and she wondered if they had a choice if they chose to leave the clubhouse. She was held captive at the clubhouse because Paco ordered the others to keep her safe. Yet, the women seemed to enjoy themselves and their time here.