Escape From the Badlands by Dana Mentink

snapped. “That’s how you problem-solve.”
    Shane took hold of the tarp and pulled it back. All four of them stared into the trailer.
    It was Gleeson who finally broke the silence with a low whistle. “That’s unexpected.”
    Not entirely, Shane thought, eyes roving the empty space. If I tampered with the bike, I’d get rid of it, too.

SEVEN
    K elly watched in dismay as Shane rounded on Devin.
    “Where’s the bike? What did you do with it?”
    Devin fisted his hands on his hips. “I didn’t do anything. It was here. Someone must have taken it. Gleeson, do you know anything about this?”
    Gleeson shrugged. “Nah. I’m just here to race. Didn’t see anyone make off with it.”
    Chenko sighed, his face etched with fatigue. “All right. We’ll ask about it in the morning. I’m sure it just got parked somewhere, or a few helpful people are trying to repair it. For now,” he fixed eyes on Shane, “I don’t want to hear you going around accusing people of sabotage. I can’t stand that kind of bad PR, and I’d just as soon kick you out as let you do any damage. I’ve worked for years to make this race the prestigious event that it is, and I won’t have you messing that up. Do you understand me, Mr. Matthews?”
    Kelly held her breath, waiting for Shane’s response. He was livid; she could tell by the set of his broad shoulders. She moved near and put a hand on his shoulder, feeling the tension that lay there like a coiled snake. “Shane, leave it for now. Let’s go get something to eat. I want to check in on Charlie, too. Walk me to my trailer?”
    Chenko shook his head. “Not until I get an answer from him. Right now you have exactly zero proof that anything improper has happened. Mr. Matthews, do I have your word that you won’t start spreading rumors?”
    “You have my word.”
    Shane turned and followed Kelly. She caught the smile on Devin’s face, a smile of satisfaction. And triumph.
    She saw that Chenko noticed it, too. Suddenly he looked much older than he was. Shane followed her in silence. Before they went inside the trailer, she stopped him. “I don’t want Charlie to overhear anything that might upset him.”
    Shane still did not respond. The darkness made it impossible to read his expression, but his silence made her more uncomfortable by the minute. “I’m sure the bike was just moved somewhere else. We can find it in the morning, and then we’ll know for sure.”
    He blinked. “What does your gut tell you right now?”
    She shrugged, moving to go inside.
    He took her arm and turned her to him. Her heart hammered as she drew close, and the urge to trace the contours of his face nearly overpowered her.
    “Do you think I’m telling the truth?” he whispered.
    The past came rushing back to her. The day she held Charlie and told him her decision.
    I’m going to raise him.
    The haunted look in his eyes as he’d stared at the child. I can’t, he’d said. I love you, but I can’t. I’m sorry.
    And that was that.
    Anger and hurt swirled together, as strong and bitter as the day he’d left. Did she believe him? She wanted to lash out, to hurt him just as he’d hurt her so deeply.
    “Yes,” she found herself saying, surprised by her own words. “I don’t know why, but I do believe you.”
    His smile caught a sliver of moonlight, turning his face suddenly radiant. He pulled her close, into a gentle embrace. “Thank you.”
    She relaxed into it for a moment, his warmth pressing away the coolness of the night. It was bittersweet, and she would not allow herself to be swept up into a storm of emotion that would bring nothing but pain again. She pushed away. “You’re welcome. And before you ask, there was no contact information on past racers, just a list of dates of participation. It’s all been shredded, and even if it wasn’t, I couldn’t give it to you.”
    Though his heart sank, he managed a smile. “I appreciate it anyway.”
    “Come in and say hello to Aunt Jean. We