Rumbling Thunder

by B. F. Harrolle

  “I know,” he sighed. “Do you still love him? Because I know you did. You were hurting pretty bad when you first got home.”

  At first, Rainy studied him for a minute, then she stepped up next to him. Placing her hand on his arm, she looked him right in his eyes. “Dad, you don’t have to worry about me. As for John Decker, he’s like Pedro. Yes, I’ll always feel something. But no, I’m not still in love with him.” It’s not like he’s the guy I fell in love with. He’s an FBI agent. I fell for the biker. The bad boy. You know women like bad boys.”

  “So I’ve heard. You okay?”

  “Yes, Dad. After all, I have you. And you’re the only guy I love.”

  Donavan grinned at her, even if she was like her mother and couldn’t lie for anything. “Let’s get the act on the road, shall we?” Grabbing his car keys, they set out to rent a truck.

  Two hours later, Donavan was walking out of the house with a box and setting it into the back of the rented truck. “Excuse me.”

  Donavan turned at the sound of the voice. “She’s not here, Son.”

  “I know. I wanted to talk to you, Mr. Graystone.”

  “John, isn’t it?”

  “Yes.”

  Donavan turned and started to walk back into the house. “We can walk and talk.”

  Decker came up beside him as they walked towards the house. “I love your daughter.”

  “I figured as much,” Donavan said, going up the stairs with Decker behind him.

  “I don’t know how to make it up to her. I want to more than anything.”

  “You can’t.” He bent over to lift a box, and Decker did the same. Now on the move again, He said, “You have to move forwards, not go back.”

  “How do I do that? She obviously hates me.”

  Back at the truck, Donavan said, “You don’t sound like a man who’s had many relationships with women.”

  “Yes, I have.”

  “Then what’s the big deal with Rainy?”

  “I never loved one before.”

  Now Donavan laughed. “Hit you like a brick, didn’t it?”

  “I don’t understand what’s so funny, Mr. Graystone.”

  “No, I bet you don’t. I’m not laughing at you, Son. But I’ve been there. Just like you, I was a lady magnet. I could have my pick of anyone I wanted. I dated a lot. Then one day, a fellow dancer talked me into going to Glendale, California with her. I had a thing for her. Her name was Sundae. She was blonde and beautiful. A prima ballerina, and my dance partner.”

  “And you fell madly in love with her?”

  “No. We dated, but it was my best friend she married. They still are.” He smiled at the thought of Sundae. “No, on this trip, I met her cousin. Who happened to be a street whore.” Drecker frowned at him. “Yeah. Now she wasn’t a raving beauty. In fact, she was a heroin addict, and so skinny, it was painful to look at her. Her complexion was ruddy, and this little bitch had an attitude from hell. She had been on the streets for five years, and her family didn’t know where she was. Then one day, her brother found her and brought her home. And here she was, and she didn’t want to have anything to do with them. She sat about two hundred feet from her family. And when she saw us looking at her, she turned her chair around to give us her back. Sundae had tried to talk to her, but she would walk away. There was music playing, and I decided to teach her a lesson in manners. I walked out to where she was seated and took her hand, pulling her to her feet. And though it was raining, I put my arms around her and led her into a dance. It was just a slow dance. No talent needed for that. But Sundae had told me that her cousin wanted to be a dancer. That it was their dream as children. And the cousin resented her. Sundae became a star, but the cousin became a prostitute. I stepped away from her and said, “You can’t dance. Maybe you should do us all a favor and go back to the streets.” And that’s when it happened. She looked down, then she looked back up at me with her beautiful blue eyes shimmering with tears. Not only did she break my heart, but she also stole it. No other woman can say that. Only her, even to this day. And I won’t trade her for anything.”

  “I know about your family, Mr. Graystone. Rainy told me all of it. I didn’t believe her, of course. That is, until we saw the billboard. And thank God that picture didn’t favor her much. But I have to say, you do tell a better story then your daughter with more detail.”

  “Yeah, thanks. Anyway, back to you. What is it that you really want here, Son? Forgiveness?”

  “I want your daughter. Did she bother to tell you we’re married?”

  “Umm, no. In fact, she hasn’t said much about it. Any of it. And to me, that’s not a good thing.”

  “There were good times. It wasn’t all that bad. But when they placed her in the back of the truck, she knew what was going down. Anyway, she thought she did. She had no way of knowing that it was a sting operation. She was sobbing and calling my name. I wanted to do nothing more than to go to her. Put my arms around her and tell her it was going to be okay. However, I couldn’t blow our cover. Instead, I yelled at one of the bikers to shut her up and tossed duct tape to him to cover her mouth. That’s why she hates me, and I don’t blame her. But I want her back. I want what we had together again. Is that so wrong?”

  “I don’t know if anything is wrong when it comes to love. This marriage thing, is it real?”

  “By biker law it is.”

  “But not by state law?”

  “No.”

  “What I would do if I were you, is ask her to marry you again. As the man you are, not the biker you pretended to be.”

  Chapter 28

  Unforgivable

  The dancers had already left for home. Rainy walked out and from the time she saw him, her defenses went up. Her body stiffened as she moved past him. “I want to talk to you, Rainy.” Shaking her head, she moved off and kept walking towards her apartment.

  The sound of him calling her Rainy didn’t feel right. After all, he never had before. But she had made herself a promise not to give in. No, she hated men, never wanted another man to break her heart. And she knew she could do this, at some point he would tire and go back where he came from.

  The next day he was again standing in front of the studio when she came out. Walking past him as quickly as she could. “Have a good night, Rainy.” He said. All she wanted to do at that moment was hit him with all she had.

  Day three he was there again, she moved past him and never said a word.

  The next day was Friday and she was happy. She would be off early, and wouldn’t have to look at Decker when she got off for the day. In fact, she was going shopping for something she needed for her apartment.

  Walking out of the studio and no Decker, and there was a pang of disappointment. Looking around to see if he was close by, but he wasn’t, Come on Rainy don’t be an idiot. He’s slime and you know it. Why the hell am I looking for him?

  Letting out a long sigh she moved on. Turning onto the street where her apartment was located. “Good Evening.” She heard Decker’s voice. But she said nothing and moved faster to get into her apartment. Once inside she looked out her second-story window, but he was gone. He was the law and had to know he can’t stalk her. What was he up to?

  It was Saturday morning, and Rainy didn’t want to leave for the store to early. Making herself two eggs and bacon, she sat down to eat. Her phone chimed telling her she got a text. It read, “I still want to talk. It won’t kill you to speak to me. We can do it in person or by phone. Please, Rainy, just hear me out.” Rainy was furious. How dare he text her. Now she was getting angry. But she wasn’t giving in. She would not text him back. And how the hell did he get her number? Then she remembered he was an FBI agent.

  She left her apartment to catch a cab. “Good Morning,” she heard behind her and knew he’d been waiting. Never turning around to face him, she slid into the backseat of the cab.

  Now inside the apartment store. She was looking at bath towels. “That’s a nice color.” He said soft
ly and she knew he was right behind her. Rainy’s heart was beating so fast, it felt as if it might come out of her chest. Turning away she rushed out of the store, making sure she never looked his way. Now she was getting creeped out. Did he only want to talk to her? or was he some kind of creep.

  Sunday and no sign of Decker, Rainy was relieved. Monday again no sign of Decker. And now Rainy had mixed emotions. Even if he was following her, she knew he wouldn’t harm her. But if he didn’t stop she would call the cops on him. If for no other reason than to let him know she wouldn’t take his crap.

  When the weekend arrived and Decker hadn’t been around. She went back to the department store and bought some more things for her apartment. Returning home she walked right into Decker when she got off the elevator. “You need some help?” he asked. Fumbling for her keys Decker reached for her bags.

  Grabbling the bag and pulling it away from him, she turned to face him, “Stay away from me. I’m calling the cops right now.” Pushing the door open she went inside. Keeping her promise she call 911 and reported him stalking her.

  ***

  An hour later two uniformed policemen were at her apartment. Decker heard them when they knocked on her door. He opened the door of his apartment that was right across from her’s. “I’m the reason she called you.” He stated.

  ***

  Rainy pulled her door open and couldn’t believe what she was seeing. Decker was talking to the police officers dressed in a tank top and a pair of shorts. He obviously was staying in that apartment. And it didn’t take her long to figure out she’d been out smarted. She listened in disbelief. “I’m an FBI agent, and I was working a case where this young woman was a captive of a motorcycle club. I know I remind her of that time period. And I’m sorry I’m unsettling her. But she had her hand’s full with heavy bags. I was only trying to help.”

  “You have any ID to prove what you’re saying?”

  “I do.” Decker went back into his apartment and bought his badge to the door to show them.

  “Why are you here in the city, Agent Decker?”

  “I like the city.”

  Looking at his badge the officer said, “So you decided to move here?”

  “Yes.”

  “Alright, just stay clear of the young woman.” handing his badge back.

  “I’ll try my best, but it’ll be hard seeing how we live so close to each other.”

  “You make sure you find a way, Agent Decker.”

  ***

  Even though she’s the one who called them, neither cop spoke to her. When they moved off she could only glare at Decker. The smug bastard, if he thought he was getting the last word, he didn’t know her too well. Rainy slammed the door as hard as she could. This was war and she was putting her armor on, full body. She went into her room and changed her clothes. Grabbing her phone, she left the apartment. And he was standing by the front door waiting for her.

  “All I want is to talk to you, Rainy. Why can’t you give me ten minutes of your time?” She stared straight ahead and kept on moving. She kind of expected him to grab her. But when she thought about it he never tried to touch her. Only the first day at the studio, he always addressed her by her given name. And he stood more than two feet away when he spoke to her. Why? Well, there was no time to worry about that now. He started this, she would end it. And she wouldn’t use a man to do so.

  She headed to the Deli across the street from the dance studio. That’s where she made her phone call. So she could watch and make sure he wasn’t anywhere close by. Then she would go to the penthouse and stay with Rosa until this mess with Decker was over with.

  ***

  Decker was drinking a beer and watching a football game when someone banged on the door. “Just a minute he called out.” And got to his feet to go and put a shirt on. Returning to the living room, he approached the door and looked through the peephole seeing Mary. He stepped back and opened the door for her, and waited for her to enter.

  “Why are you here?” and even before he asked he knew it wasn’t good. He hadn’t told anyone he’d rented this apartment. Oh, he knew she could find out that he had, but why would she want to know. No, he knew that Rainy called her.”

  Mary narrowed her eyes at him, “Just tell me one thing, John, have you lost your mind altogether?” he only stared back at her. “You’re stalking that girl.”

  His brows came together, “She told you that?”

  “Yes.” She said flatly, slipping her hands into her pockets, and glared back at him.

  “I wouldn’t say I’m stalking her, Mary. I only want to talk to her, to reason with her. She sees me as the bad guy. All I did was try and help her.”

  Mary gnawed on her bottom lip studying him, “I know you love her, John. But you’re making a complete fool of yourself. And you can pretty much end your career. On top of going to jail, is that what you want?”

  “Of course not.” He said running his hand through his thick hair.

  “Didn’t she call the police on you?”

  “Yeah, she did.”

  “That should tell you she doesn’t want anything to do with you, my friend.”

  “I only want to talk to her one time, and if she tells me to get out of her life, I will.”

  Mary walked over to the sofa and took a seat on the arm. “Why her, John. Why this girl? When you can pretty much pick and choose. You’re a damn good looking man, women are always checking you out. And here you pick some spoiled little rich kid. Did you really think you’re her type, or is it the money that you’re attracted to.”

  He now stood gaping at her, “I do not believe you just said that to me. I thought we knew each other better than that. Hell, Mary, we’ve been partners for ten years now. And you believe I’m after her money?”

  “I’m sorry, John. And you’re right I do know better. And I also know how much this girl means to not just you, but we all love her. She became a big part of our lives in a short amount of time.” Letting out a long sigh she went on, “I’m just trying to make you look at this the way the law will see it. You’re following her and rented the apartment across the hall from her. And no matter what you call it, that’s stalking, my friend. And do you even know what this kid is worth?”

  “I know she’ll get a large amount of money when she turns 25 years old.”

  “She sure will, 2.5 billion dollars.” Mary laughed, “You can close your mouth now, John.”

  He moved around the room, confused and not knowing how he should feel. He took in a deep breath. “Maybe you’re right, maybe she feels she’s too good for the likes of me. I really never thought of her having that kind of money. I’m just so lost and I don’t know what to do.”

  “That’s easy, come back to Virginia with me. And then after you’ve had time to process all of this, I want you to sit down and write this girl a letter. Tell her how you really feel about her. And don’t hold nothing back.”

  “If she won’t even talk to me what makes you think she’ll read the letter?”

  “The letter is for you, not her.”

  He gave her a uncertain look, “Now who’s crazy?” he snapped.

  “It will help you sort out your feeling. And you need to think about something, John. Rainy Graystone didn’t fall in love with an FBI agent. She fell for a badass biker.”

  “I’m the same man, Mary.”

  “Maybe she doesn’t see it that way. I think she needs time also. After all, this was a hard case for all of us. And how do you think she feels, maybe all she wants is to go on with her life and leave this nightmare behind her. Isn’t it enough to know she’s able to do that? To have her life back? No matter how she feels about any of us, I’m happy for her. Not only did she come out of a bad situation alive, but she’s thriving.”

  After a few minutes, he stopped pacing the floor and stood, looking out the window. Folding his arms over his chest he said, “You’re right, the best thing I can do is get out of here. I’ll leave first thing in the morning.” />
  “No, we both will.” Mary put in as she made herself at home.

  Decker knew she was right about everything. He needed to leave, he had to get over this woman, before something dreadful happened. And he knew right where he was going, back to his father’s cabin just as soon as he could take the time off. There he could think, and maybe get a grip on his raw emotions.

  Chapter 29

  The Letter

  One year later, Rainy stood next to Quinn in the kitchen of the penthouse. “Rainy, we’re going to the movies tomorrow night. Why don’t you come with me and Denny?” Quinn asked as she peeled potatoes.

  “I don’t want to be a third wheel,” Rainy stated, working on the salad.

  “I was thinking about that, and thought, why don’t you ask Pedro to come with us?”

  Rainy stopped what she was doing and looked at her sister. “Pedro, of all people. You’re kidding, right?”

  “No. I mean, you guys get along better now. And it’s not like it’s a date or anything.”

  “The answer is no! I’m not that hard up, Quinn.”

  “Really? When was the last time you went on a date, Rainy?” she asked, not looking at her, still peeling potatoes.

  Turning to look at Quinn, Rainy said, “Is there a law that says I have to date?”

  “No, but there’s a law that says you have to live. I think you gave up after Decker left town.”

  “What does Decker have to do with any of this?”

  “You’re still in love with him.”

  “No, I’m not.”

  “Oh yes, you are. And the part I don’t get is why you wouldn’t even talk to him.”

  Rainy sucked her teeth. “There wasn’t anything to say. He threw me away like I was a bag of garbage. How would you feel if Denny did that to you?”

  “Maybe I would get his side of the story before I passed judgement on him. I mean, it’s like you tried and convicted Decker and wouldn’t let him speak. And you made him leave New York.”