“I remember you getting plastered and making a scene, then having one of my men carry you out to the car and dump you in the back.” He took another puff of the cigar, then blew the cloud in her face. “I also recall your loud mouth and having to shove my cock down your throat to shut you up.” He grinned at that.
Sitting back on her haunches, Jodi glared up at him. “What happened to you? You used to be nice. Now you’re just like all the other assholes, thinking you can treat me like a piece of trash just because I opened my legs.”
“Shouldn’t give the milk away for free, mujer.”
“Why do you have to talk like that. This is America. You know I don’t understand that crap,” she snarled.
In a flash, Ricky lunged at her. His large hand enveloped her face and shoved, knocking Jodi back on her ass. Teeth bared, he said, “Significa que perteneces. I own you.”
“You don’t own shit!” Jodi spat back.
Ricky’s hand came up as if he was about to backhand her. Scrambling to her feet, she dashed across the room and claimed a place by the picture window overlooking the lap pool out back while she caught her breath. It wouldn’t be the first time he’d hit her. After a while, she’d learned that if she got out of his way fast enough, he usually cooled down. Usually.
His voice, deathly calm despite the violence she knew was lurking beneath that pretty, polished facade, came from a distance. She breathed a little easier, knowing that he wasn’t inclined to finish the job. Yet. “Don’t ever speak to me that way again. I don’t tolerate disrespect from anyone, especially not a woman. You hear me?”
“Yeah,” Jodi growled under her breath, “I hear you.”
At times like this, her thoughts carried her back to the little home in the quiet neighborhood, back to Blake and their son. It was then she wondered if she’d acted too hastily, if she shouldn’t have stuck around a little longer and given Blake a chance to prove his worth. Maybe she could have settled into the role of wife and mother. Then again, settling was exactly what it would have been. She deserved better than that.
Inevitably, she knew that it never would have worked between them. Blake wasn’t the kind of man that wanted more. He was content to live an average, middle-class life. Jodi wasn’t. She never would be. A few bumps and bruises on occasion were a small price to pay, so she shook off the nostalgia and reevaluated her new life.
She had everything she could desire. And Ricky? He was just a man. She didn’t need his love or affection to enjoy herself. All she needed was his money, and things were right as rain.
Since he refused to take her out, Jodi considered other options to amuse herself. Maybe she’d order in, swim nude beneath the stars, or find another one of Ricky’s guards to have fun with. They might be willing to die for him, but they sure didn’t mind sampling everything he had to offer in the meantime.
A knock at the door interrupted her musings. Jodi didn’t bother to turn and greet the man who entered a moment later. Her interest started and stopped with Ricky’s wallet.
“You’d better have something good this time,” Ricky drawled, his Spanish accent thick and husky from the smoke.
“Sir,” the guard she recognized to be Antonio by his toneless voice said, “We’re all set. Our contact has assured us that if we stick to the plan, everything will go off without a hitch. The men are all waiting downstairs, and Juno has everything ready for the…” Watching his reflection in the glass, Jodi saw him glance over at her. “Everything is secure.”
In all this time, she’d failed to gain any of their trust. What was a woman to do when her very presence was reviled. Sticking to the periphery, Jodi found her place in the shadows, right where Ricky wanted her. When he had use of her, he’d let her know. Until then, she was to remain quiet and unobtrusive or suffer the consequences.
But that didn’t mean she didn’t listen, collect. They hadn’t been together long, but Jodi had learned the art of appearing impassive. While they hadn’t let down their guard around her, most of the men in Ricky’s company had loosened their tongues enough that she could turn State’s evidence if she had half a mind to, and they’d all go down. One phone call, that’s all it would take. But first, she had to make sure her future was secure.
Stubbing out his cigar, Ricky sat forward on the couch. “Are you sure we can trust the gringo?”
“Yes, sir.”
He nodded slowly. “Bring the cars around in one hour. Have the men ready for anything.”
“Yes, sir.”
Antonio clomped from the room without another word. Such a follower, he was, Jodi mused. Out of all the dominos, he’d fall the hardest.
“So,” she said, abandoning her post, “I see you’re finally going to collect the money that bitch stole from you.”
Standing, Ricky tugged his shirtsleeves and adjusted his cufflinks. “I don’t give a fuck about the money. I have money enough to last for generations. It’s the principle. That cabrona stole from me, and no one steals from Ricky Cruiz.” The look he leveled Jodi with made her heart skip a beat.
Did he know?
Clearing her throat, Jodi lifted her chin as she sank down gracefully on the ottoman once again. Inspecting her French manicure, she said, “Well, I hope you make her pay. That bitch needs to be taught a lesson.”
Ricky’s smile was terrifying. She almost felt sorry for the person behind its inspiration. Almost. “Oh, she will be. I have something special in mind for her. When I’m through, she’s going to realize that not even having an entire MC behind her can keep her safe.”
Goose bumps pricked Jodi’s skin. “I love when you talk like that, so savage.” Rising once more, she crossed to Ricky. Standing in front of him, staring up into his cold, dead eyes, she fingered the plunging V neckline, tracing a fingertip over her cleavage. “Is there anything I can do to help things along?”
“Hmmm, I might have something in mind.”
She grinned, anticipating his line of thought. “Fuck me before you go? Do it hard, give me all your hate.”
“You want my hate?” Upper lip curling, Ricky’s expression was every bit as savage as he was as he unzipped his fly. “Then get down on your knees and beg for it.”
TWENTY-SIX
The phone call came that afternoon. Gabby was just sitting down for lunch. She hadn’t been prepared for what the voice on the other end of the line had to say. Shane, her ex-boyfriend, was dead.
Since they wouldn’t release the details over the phone, and Blake refused to let her leave the house, he went in her place to find out what had happened.
Now she sat in the same place she’d received the news, waiting for Blake to walk through the door and tell her that it was natural causes. Except she couldn’t think of anything natural that could result in the death of an otherwise healthy male who hadn’t even reached middle age yet. Sure, he was disabled and required round-the-clock care, but so did people twice his age.
Her suspicious mind was hard at work, trying to throw all kinds of horrific scenarios at her, but the one that topped the list involved the one man who threatened to destroy her entire world.
Ricky Cruiz was never far from Gabby’s thoughts. Since escaping his capture, and Cruiz slipping through the back door to freedom, a cloud of unease had been following her. She wasn’t the only one. Blake was always watching, always waiting. He’d even taken to sleeping with his gun under his pillow.
It was all they could do to try and live a normal life when so much still hung in the balance, but try they were. Living with one foot in the grave wasn’t living, and neither was living in constant fear.
Some small part of Gabby hoped that Blake would come home and tell her that Cruiz was the root of Shane’s death, that way they had a starting point on where to look for him, placing them one step closer to finishing this war that’d been ignited between the two clubs. More than anything, she just wanted all of this to be over so she could go on with her life without having to look over her shoulder.
Ho
wever, Gabby mostly wanted to hear that Shane had slipped away in his sleep. She no longer loved the man, nor did she hold much respect for him after the position he’d placed her in, but she would never wish the likes of Cruiz and his vicious gang on anyone. Shane wasn’t a good person, but he didn’t deserve to die at the hands of that monster.
Her stomach turned just thinking about it. The worst was not knowing. But no matter what had happened or would happen as a result, she knew that Blake would keep her safe. He was a good man.
Her hand went to her abdomen, cradling the new life they’d placed there together. God willing, everything would work out, and they’d get through this to see their child born healthy and strong.
Smiling to herself, Gabby thought of how drastically her life had changed for the better since meeting Blake. She loved and had the love of Blake and his son, she had new friends and family that couldn’t be more loyal, and she was happy. That was the best part of all of it. Considering not that long ago she’d been living in hiding, cut off from the rest of the world, it was a novelty. She never could have imagined being here, now, but she was, and she’d be damned if she’d allow some criminal to take it away from her.
The sound of Blake’s motorcycle in the driveway alerted her to his arrival, and Gabby bolted from her seat to meet him at the door. The moment he stepped inside, questions tumbled from her mouth.
“How did it go? What did you find out? Was it Cruiz?”
He held up his hand. With a tired sigh, Blake shrugged off his leather jacket followed by his vest and moved toward the kitchen. Gabby was hot on his heels, the anticipation reaching levels so high, it might actually kill her.
“It took some convincing before they’d release anything to me,” he began as he retrieved the gallon of milk from the fridge. Knowing he’d drink it straight from the carton if given the chance, Gabby rushed to grab him a glass. “Thanks.” He smiled softly, and that one gesture told her that any news he had wasn’t good.
Filling the cup, he handed her the carton to put back and leaned into the counter for support, clutching the glass in one hand against the center of his chest. “Once they knew who I was to you, and I explained that you were too distraught to come yourself, they gave me his belongings. The only thing they’d tell me is what they said to you over the phone. He passed away early this morning.”
“So there were no signs that pointed to foul play?” she asked, puzzled. She’d been so sure.
“I don’t think they’d tell me even if there were. At any rate, I asked Tucker to look into it. He’s got some kind of contacts left over from his days in the military. Hopefully, we’ll get something from that.”
“Well, what do you think? Does this look like something Cruiz would be involved in?”
“Honestly, I don’t know. My gut says yes, but in my head, I can’t help thinking he’s got bigger fish to fry.”
“Like me, you mean.”
His expression folded. Setting his glass aside, Blake came up to her, pulling her into his arms. It was then that Gabby realized she was trembling. “No, teach, I didn’t mean nothin’ like that. I’m sure he’s forgotten about you already.”
“Is that why you’re always on edge?” Gabby pulled away, putting some distance between them. “I know every time you leave the bed at night to look out the windows. I see when you tense up at every sound. You’re expecting him to come back.”
“Gabby—”
“I am too,” she whispered. “It’s like I can feel him out here, waiting for the right moment to strike.”
“Shit.” Blake had her back in his arms in a blink. “I got you, teach. Nobody is getting past that door without me knowing it. You’re safe.”
“And my parents? How do I keep them safe?”
“I have men on them around the clock, you know that. Nothin’s getting by them either. We’ve got our bases covered.”
Famous last words. Gabby couldn’t help being a naysayer. She had seen the ugliest parts of life, so she knew just what kind of stuff nightmares were made of. She had the scars to prove it.
“I’m just afraid,” she said, resting her cheek against his chest. “Here we are having a baby and we don’t even know if we can keep Ash and ourselves safe. I can’t help feeling like we’re being irresponsible.”
Hooking his finger under her chin, Blake lifted her head up to look into her eyes. “We’re not going to stop living our lives because one sick fuck wants to take it away. We start doing that, and he wins, you feel me?”
She nodded mutely.
“I want to hear you say it, teach. We’re not going to let that fucker win. You feelin’ me on this?”
Her lips twitched. “Yeah, I feel you.” How could she not? Every day he proved how strong and resilient he was, adaptable to a fault. Blake was one hell of a man. Her man. God, she loved him.
TWENTY-SEVEN
Blake was sitting in one of those old white, weathered rockers on his front porch when Tucker rolled up the drive and marched up the porch steps. He plunked himself down in the adjacent chair and released a huff. It’d been a long-ass day.
“Asphyxiation.”
“Shit.”
Tucker nodded. An old friend had been able to access Shane Allen’s coroner reports, and when Tucker read the files, he knew shit had just gotten deep. Or, rather, deeper than they’d been. Everyone knew that Ricky Cruiz was going to hit back, they just didn’t know from what direction or when. Now, they did.
“I’d like to say I feel bad, but after what he put Gabby through and the blowback that we’re dealing with, the fucker should be glad we didn’t decide to take him out first. He’s like the gift that just keeps on givin’.”
“You can say that again.”
“He’s the gift that keeps on—”
“Shut the hell up,” Blake barked with a full belly laugh. “You want a beer or somethin’?”
“Nah, I’m not plannin’ on hangin’ around long.”
“Seein’ your girl tonight?”
“Plannin’ to drop by at least, see what’s on tap, if you know what I mean.” He grinned and winked. Blake chuckled. Tucker pulled in a breath. “So, I feel like every time I see you, I’m dumpin’ bad news on your doorstep and runnin’, but…”
Looking away, Blake stared out across the lawn. “What’s up?”
“The fire. I was gonna wait until church, but with this Shane thing, I don’t think it can wait.”
“Let me guess, Cruiz’s hallmark is all over it.”
“In a roundabout way,” Tucker hedged. Blake’s dark eyes slanted his way. “Pulled a partial plate. It tracked back to Jodi. Looks like she’s Cruiz’s backdoor.”
Blake snorted and lifted his beer to his lips. “I’ll bet she is.”
“Repo’s been doin’ some digging too and we think this is going to come to a head a lot faster than we all thought.”
“Fuckin’ money. Makes people goddamned crazy.”
“That’s just it. I don’t think it’s so much the money anymore, but the principle of it. I think Cruiz was just looking for a reason to come at us.”
“And the money was his catalyst. Great.”
“Yeah.” Tucker bit his tongue, but Blake saw what was going on inside his head regardless.
“Gabby’s not to blame here. She can’t help that some psycho’s fixated on her.”
“I didn’t say anything, man. I got nothin’ against her. Gabby’s good people.”
“Yeah, she is, but that doesn’t mean I don’t see how everyone looks at her. You all think if she hadn’t come into our lives, we’d still be sittin’ pretty, but Cruiz has had his eye on our patch for years.”
“I know. He’s been movin’ in slowly but surely for some time now. It was only a matter of time before we went to war with him. Just happens to fact that Gabby’s bein’ here moved up the date.”
Blake sipped his beer. “Always said it was better to get shit out of the way than let it fester.”
“Truth.”
r /> “Pisses me the fuck off, but what can you do. Bastard wants a fight, he’s got one.”
“Damn straight, and tomorrow, we’ll get started planning our next move.” Slapping his thigh, Tucker stood. “I should take off before it gets too late and Talia refuses to open the door.”
“Hmm, better watch yourself,” Blake said with a teasing lilt in his voice. “Sounds an awful lot like a marriage.”
“Man. Fuck. You.” Tucker laughed. Blake laughed.
Ash appeared out of nowhere. “Quarter for the swear jar!”
Tucker looked down at the jar that was already half full of silver and groaned his displeasure even as he started digging in his pockets for some change. “Isn’t he over this yet?”
Blake shrugged. “He’s saving for a trip to Yellowstone this time.”
“At the rate he’s going, he’ll have saved enough to pay for college. Here ya go, kid,” he said, dropping a handful of metal into the jar without bothering to count it, “don’t say I never gave ya anything.”
“Thank you, Uncle Tuck!” Ash singsonged then skipped back inside the house.
“That boy…”
“Is a ray of fucking sunshine,” Blake filled in with a note of warning.
Tucker held up his hands, laughing once again. “Just like his daddy.”
“You’d better believe it.” He scowled.
Tucker started for his bike but paused at the head of the stairs. “Just so you know, it doesn’t matter one bit where Gabby came from or what kind of baggage she brought with her. She’s your woman now, and that means she’s family. All of our family.”
There was a beat of silence, followed by Blake clearing his throat. “Thanks, bro.”