His Other Half (Patches: Tarkio MC Book 3)

trying to do. Concentrating on the baby, which the doctor confirmed was doing well, gave her something to focus on.
But she'd heard the cries at night as Cami struggled to push what had happened to her out of her mind and the fragility that clung to her everyday life as she moved throughout the day.
Banks had given her five days to stay home with Cami, and over the last week, when she'd gone back to work, Cami survived alone in the apartment by herself during the day. She'd stayed by the phone and kept the apartment locked. Help was only a call away, and of course, Josie had checked up on her multiple times and ran home for lunch every day.
"Your parents are going to be happy to see you." She let go of Cami's hands and moved over to the couch, picking up a bag.
Cami joined her, gathering the rest of the sacks. "Talking about my parents..."
"Hm?"
"It's good that they're coming to see me. I can tell them the story about how I was irresponsible for taking off." Cami wrinkled her nose. "And tell them I'm pregnant."
"Cami," she said softly. "They're your parents. They love you."
"I know, and that's why I don't want to stress them out."
"You need support."
"I have you."
Letting the subject drop, she nodded. One lie always grew until it would be impossible for Cami to hide what really happened to her. Maybe when that time came, she'd be strong enough to face how close she was to losing her life and the baby.
"I don't want the Tarkio members getting arrested when they saved my life. Deep down, I know my parents wouldn't either, so I feel okay about keeping this from them."
Their crimes were committed for Josie. She was the one who asked them to go to the casino. If it wasn't for her dad selling her to Askook, Cami would've continued living her safe life.
"Okay, let's get you all set up in your apartment." She opened the door, looked out, and stepped two feet to her right, and waited for Cami to unlock the door.
Keeping watch behind them, she would never let down her guard again.
Cami walked into the apartment and stopped. Josie followed and shut the door.
"Does it stink in here?" asked Cami.
"It's only because the apartment has been shut up." She put the sacks on the floor. "Let me open the window—"
"No, don't." Cami inhaled deeply. "I'll clean and light a couple of candles. I'm sure you're right, and once I stay here, the smell will go away."
Feeling the same kind of hesitation about leaving the window open, she nodded. The older apartment complex was single-story apartments that ran side by side in a row. Anyone could walk behind the building and enter through an open window. They lacked the security that came with bigger and newer apartments.
Josie yawned. It'd been a long week back at work with the added stress.
"Go to bed." Cami snagged her hand. "You're dead on your feet."
"Put the phone by you." She hugged Cami. "Call if you need anything. Even if you change your mind and want to come over."
"I will." Cami walked her to the door.
She bit her lip to keep from reminding her to lock the door. Cami wasn't forgetful or naive. She knew the importance of staying safe.
While Cami was home, Banks had told them both that Robert Shaw was still alive.
None of that mattered because Cami was back, safe, and the baby growing inside of her.
"Night," she whispered.
Cami leaned her head against the edge of the door. "Go inside, and then I'll shut the door."
Once in her doorway, she smiled at her friend, and together they closed their individual apartments and turned the lock. Standing in the room, she looked around at the space.
The kitchen and sitting room were one area with a bathroom and small bedroom off to the side. As big as most people's living rooms, it was comfortable for her. She only needed a place to sleep and eat.
She kicked off her shoes, leaving the lamp on by the couch, and went into the bedroom. Having taken a shower an hour ago, her thick hair still hung damp past her shoulders. She sat on the edge of the bed, braided her hair, and slipped out of her clothes.
Crawling into bed naked, she grabbed her radio alarm clock on the nightstand and set her alarm for six o'clock. Tomorrow was Saturday, and her Friday at work. She'd have Sunday and Monday off. Her hope to see Paco would have to wait until then.
Scooting deeper into bed, she pulled the blanket over her shoulder and closed her eyes. Each day for the last two weeks, she'd watched for him to show up at the body shop. She never had a chance to thank him for everything he'd done to help her, and she wanted to check and make sure he was okay.
He'd been injured during the rescue. She bunched the pillow under her head. In the off-chance he had no one to take care of him, she could help. When she'd spent the night at his house, he'd let her have his bed while he'd taken the couch. In his room, there were no signs of a woman living with him or even visiting him.
But he could have a girlfriend who had her own place. That was always a possibility.
She couldn't stop thinking about the feelings he evoked in her. Ever since he'd helped her, she went over and over the things he'd said and done. It was as if she was missing something. He acted like they had a connection, and when he looked at her, she almost believed there was something there, hovering around the edges.
But that was crazy. She hadn't known anything about him before, not even his name. She still knew nothing about him.
Every conversation between them, she came away as if he understood her.
With everything happening, she hadn't found time to understand what was happening to her. A