Naked Love

by Jones, Lisa Renee

  “I love you, Daddy.”

  “Love you too, baby girl.” He leaned forward, kissing me on the cheek. “What did you say, my love?”

  My mother sniffled, rubbing her eyes as I turned to look at her. “I said the same, sweetheart.”

  “There is just too much loving going on in this room. I need to go.”

  “Where are you headed off to today?” my pop asked as I grabbed my keys.

  “I have to work and then I’m headed out with the girls tonight.”

  “Mia and Suzy?” Ma asked.

  “Yep. It’s a girls’ night out. The boys are all going to play poker at Joe’s place while we have drinks.”

  “Just be careful,” he said as I kissed him quickly.

  “I will, Daddy.”

  “Call me tomorrow, dear,” my ma said as she walked me to the door.

  “I will, Ma. Love ya.”

  “Love you too, my sweet child.”

  After we kissed goodbye, I headed to my car feeling entirely different than what I’d felt when I’d arrived.

  Maybe I needed to give James another chance. Either that or I needed my head to be examined. I’d think about it over drinks.

  * * *

  I downed another shot of Patron, sucking on a lemon before I wiped my lips. My legs felt numb from the three shots I’d already ingested.

  “Izzy, you may want to slow down,” Suzy suggested, sipping her virgin something or other.

  “I got this shit,” I said, slurring my words as I threw the lemon on the napkin in front of me. Picking up my phone, I typed out a little message to James.

  Me: What are you wearing?

  I giggled, figuring I’d turn the tables on him. He wasn’t the only one who could send nudies.

  “Okey-dokey,” she whispered, rubbing her belly and frowning. “I can’t carry you out of here tonight.”

  Cocky Bastard: How much have you had to drink?

  Me: Enough.

  Cocky Bastard: Clearly you’ve reached your limit.

  “What?” I asked, missing what Suzy had just said.

  “I can’t carry your drunk ass out of here,” she repeated.

  I blinked, my vision partially clouded and my mind a little muddled. “Mia can do it,” I slurred, laughing before I typed another message.

  Me: You’re always so serious. Do you even know how to have fun?

  I set my phone down on the table, resting my head in my hand.

  “Bitch, I’ll roll ya out, but I sure as fuck am not carrying you anywhere.”

  “Whore.” I laughed, moving my head to rest on the table.

  “I think we should get the check,” Suzy said, touching my chair.

  I lifted my head, squinting toward her to bring her face into focus. “Don’t you dare! We’re not done here.”

  “What’s crawled in your snatch and died tonight?” Mia asked, polishing off her martini.

  “James.” I smiled, the dopy grin spreading across my face. I felt heat creep up my neck and settle in my cheeks. My entire body overheated. I pulled at the scoop neck on my shirt, trying to cool off.

  Cocky Bastard: I think I showed you a good time not so long ago. Let me remind you.

  Suddenly a picture of his cock, piercing and all, popped up on my screen. I blushed as I stared at it, almost in a trance.

  “He has your panties in a wad,” Mia teased, raising her hand to get the attention of the waitress.

  “He hasn’t been in my panties since last weekend,” I croaked with a frown as I scrubbed my hands across my face.

  “Missing him?” Suzy asked with a cocked eyebrow.

  “I kicked him out of bed.” I set my phone down on the table and looked at my girls with a giant-ass smile. I was proud that I’d kicked his ass out of bed.

  “You did what?” they asked in unison, moving backward as if I’d slapped them.

  Mia leaned forward, confusion all over her face. “Back the fuck up. You kicked him out of bed?”

  “Shameful,” Suzy muttered, shaking her head and staring with her beady blue eyes.

  “I did,” I yelped, slamming my hand down on the table. I tossed my head back and giggled, thinking that the entire situation was funny. I stopped when I realized that I was the only one laughing. “What?” I asked, calling over the waitress.

  “Why the fuck would you do that?” Mia asked.

  “Hello? James is a bossy fuck.”

  “He’s sexy too.”

  I smirked and looked at Suzy. “I know.”

  “Are you going to be a hardass your entire life?” Mia asked, handing over cash to the waitress and shooing her away.

  “I wasn’t being a hardass.”

  “No, you’re being a pussy,” Mia spat.

  “Am not.” I stuck out my tongue at her and snarled.

  “And a child.”

  “I’m drunk,” I blurted, burping and covering my mouth.

  “Have you at least talked with him?” Suzy asked, taking another sip of her drink.

  “When is that baby going to pop out so you can drink with us again?” I asked, leaning over the table and poking her belly.

  “More months than I wish to count.”

  “It better have a pussy, dear Suzy. No more cocks in this family.” I sat back down just as the waitress approached. “Ahh, perfect timing,” I howled as I grabbed the drink off her tray and set it in front of me without spilling a drop.

  “We want it to be a surprise,” Suzy said, smiling.

  “Surprises suck,” I shot back. “To pussy!” I yelled, holding my glass high before taking a sip. To my shock, it wasn’t what I’d ordered. “What the fuck is this?” I asked, looking at the drink.

  “I cut your ass off,” Mia replied.

  “You’re such a party pooper.”

  “You’ll thank me tomorrow.”

  “Are you going to see him again?”

  I turned my head to look at Suzy as her words registered with me. My brain had to work overtime to process each phrase. Clearly Mia had been right in cutting off my drinks.

  “Who?” I asked, swaying in my chair.

  “For the love of God,” Suzy whined, looking toward the ceiling.

  “Is he there?”

  “Who?”

  “I dunno…God?”

  “Jesus, girl. Get your shit together,” Suzy scolded me, biting her lip to stifle a laugh.

  “Why? We leaving?”

  “Are you going to see James again?” Suzy said, leaning forward, almost resting her belly on the table.

  “You don’t have to be so serious,” I said, blinking slowly and opening my eyes wide. I felt like I was sitting there with my eyes closed, looking through slits.

  “Mia, I’m gonna choke her ass out. You talk to her.” Suzy leaned back in her chair as she glared at me.

  “James, Izzy. Are you going to see him again?”

  “Fuck,” I muttered, trying to look at my phone, but my eyes were almost crossed. “We were texting and he said I’m to call him as soon as I get inside tonight and he’ll be over after work tomorrow or at least that’s what he said.”

  “I like him,” Suzy said, a sappy grin on her face.

  “You would,” I said, resting my head in my hand. I felt like I had a bowling ball rolling around in my head. I just wanted to lie down for a bit.

  “Come on, princess. It’s time to get you home. You’re going to need your beauty sleep if James is coming over tomorrow,” Mia said, grabbing me under the arms from behind.

  I slapped her hands away. “I can walk.”

  “Fine, tough ass. I want to see this shit on those heels.”

  “I’m a pro,” I bragged, trying to climb off the high-top chair.

  “I’m filming this shit to blackmail you later,” Mia said, pulling the phone from her purse.

  “I’ll kill ya,” I said as I slipped, grabbing the table for support. I steadied myself and turned to her. “Mia, put that shit away and help me.”

  “You’re one craz
y bitch.”

  “You girls love me anyway.” I smiled, wrapping my arm around Mia as she helped me to the door.

  I must’ve passed out in the car, because before I knew it, I was sitting on the couch in my living room with Mia and Suzy.

  “Gimme your foot,” Suzy demanded, bending down in front of me and touching my leg.

  “What are you doing?” I asked, giving her my leg without hesitation.

  “Helping your hot-mess self get undressed,” she crowed, unstrapping my shoe.

  “I can do it,” I argued, falling back into the comfy cushions. “Just leave me here.”

  “Don’t you want to go to your bed?” Mia asked, standing behind Suzy.

  Mia looked like a giant Greek goddess from where I sat. Her long hair moved as if a soft breeze were circulating in the room. Clearly, I was three sheets to the wind and way beyond my limit.

  “No, don’t move me,” I begged. “Everything just stopped spinning.”

  “Fine.” Suzy stood and smoothed her pretty pink maternity dress.

  “Are you sure, love?” Mia asked, tilting her head and staring at me.

  “Please just leave me here. Go home to your bossy-ass men and leave me in peace.”

  “Love ya, Iz,” Suzy said, patting my leg.

  “You’re a crazy whore,” Mia said with a small laugh as she bent down to kiss my cheek. “I love ya too.”

  “I love you bitches, but if you don’t get the fuck out, I’m gonna scream.”

  They threw their hands up as Mia said, “We’re going. I left aspirin and water next to you. You’re going to need them.”

  “Fuck off, bitches.”

  The sound of their heels grew softer as they walked toward the front door before I heard the lock engage.

  I sighed, happy to be alone in peace as I let my heavy eyelids close and drifted off to sleep.

  * * *

  “Wake up, beautiful,” I heard a man say in my dream. “Isabella.” The deep voice rang in my ear.

  As I felt something touch my lips, my eyes flew open to see a pair of green eyes staring back at me.

  I blinked, clearing my vision. The alcohol must have clouded more than just my eyes, because he looked like… Fuck. For the life of me, I couldn’t remember his name.

  “Am I dreaming?” I asked, reaching up and grabbing his cheek.

  “You have to come with me,” he demanded, letting me clumsily paw at his face.

  “No,” I said. My head fell back. I was too tired and drunk to deal with this fucked-up dream. “Lemme sleep.”

  “Thomas needs you,” the man said, waking me from my dream.

  “What?” I asked, sitting straight up and blinking rapidly.

  “Come on, girl. He’s hurt and asking for you,” the thick, gravelly voice whispered in my ear.

  “Oh my God,” I cried, pushing myself off the couch only to fall back down against the cushions.

  Thomas needed me. He was hurt. Thomas needed me. He was hurt. His words kept ringing in my ears as I tried to stagger to my feet.

  “Let me help you up,” Green Eyes said, wrapping his arms around me as he lifted me from the couch. “Hurry, Isabella. We don’t have much time.”

  “What the fuck are you waiting for?” I asked, laying my head on his chest as he carried me from the house. “I need to get to my brother.”

  Those were the last words I spoke before passing out in Green Eyes’s arms.

  17

  James

  I couldn’t sleep. It was two a.m. and Izzy still hadn’t called. I didn’t know if she was just being difficult or if I should listen to the nagging feeling in the pit of my stomach.

  Everything had been going smoothly since we’d started texting each other on Wednesday. We had worked out some issues and come to a general understanding. I knew shit would be rough, but this was fucking ridiculous. She couldn’t possibly be so cruel to not call. She had to know I’d be out of my fucking mind.

  I dialed her number, letting it ring until her voicemail picked up. I tapped end and redialed, but still nothing. Tomorrow, I planned to drive up to her place in the late afternoon and whisk her off to dinner, but I couldn’t wait. I had to know where the fuck she was. I’d probably get kicked in the fucking balls, but I’d go out of my mind if I didn’t know she was at home, safely sleeping in her bed.

  I grabbed the keys to my bike and started toward the door, but stopped. I tossed the bike keys on the table near the door and picked up the keys to my 1969 GTO. She had power and speed and I needed both right now.

  I sped down I-75 headed toward her house. I gripped the steering wheel, my fingers damp with sweat. I tried to control my breathing and nerves as I drove. Working myself up wouldn’t help get me there any quicker.

  What if something was wrong? My stomach turned as I thought about the possibilities. My mind, maybe, was a little too imaginative. If something bad had happened, I would’ve heard by now. Being in law enforcement and seeing all the bad shit in the world doesn’t help keep one’s imagination at bay. Every sick crime scene flashed through my mind, replacing the victim with Izzy.

  My blood turned cold the closer I got to her house. I hit redial over and over again until it went right to voicemail. I knew what that fucking meant. Either she had turned off her phone, it had died, or someone else had turned it off for her. There weren’t any other options.

  I slammed my fist down on the steering wheel, pressing my foot down against the pedal to pick up speed. I didn’t have time to waste with worrying about the cops pulling me over. They’d have to chase my ass down and follow me to her house if they wanted to catch me.

  My heart jumped out of my chest as my phone rang. When I looked down at my phone, I expected to see Izzy’s number flash across my screen, but it wasn’t her. I pressed speaker, placing the phone on my dash.

  “What the fuck?” I barked as the call connected.

  “Where the fuck is Izzy?” Thomas asked, breathing heavily.

  “I’m on my way to her now. What the fuck is going on, Thomas?” I gripped the steering wheel so hard I could have snapped it from the dashboard.

  “Flash just called me. He said Izzy was in danger. Somehow Rebel found out who she was. He knows who I am too. Find her, James, and do it now!” he roared, a loud slamming noise filling the air.

  “I’m pulling on her street now,” I growled, looking around the neighborhood as I sped down the road.

  “I don’t know who knows what at this point, brother. Find my goddamn sister.”

  “On it,” I barked, fear gripping my insides.

  “Call me back. I’m headed that way with Flash in tow.”

  “Give me five,” I replied, stopping the car in her driveway. I tapped end, jumped from the car, and ran up her front steps.

  Turning the doorknob, I realized that it was locked. I reared back and kicked in the door.

  “Izzy?” I thundered, flipping on the light in the entry.

  With no sign of her, I walked down the hallway to her bedroom, but it was empty. Her bed hadn’t been touched.

  “Izzy?” I continued yelling, running from room to room, but she wasn’t there.

  A lump formed in my stomach and I felt like throwing up. Izzy was gone and Rebel fucking knew about her and Thomas.

  I walked toward the front door and something on the floor caught my eye. Turning, I saw a single shoe lying on the floor and her phone on the coffee table.

  I ran from the house, dialing Thomas as I jumped back in the car. “She’s gone,” I bit out, slightly winded and in a total panic as I started the car.

  “Gone or missing?” he asked, anger oozing in his voice.

  “One shoe on the floor and her phone on the coffee table. She’s missing.”

  “Fucking Rebel,” Thomas muttered, his breathing growing harsh and loud. “Flash and I are an hour out. We need to figure this shit out and what our next move is.”

  “Fuck,” I hissed, trying to think of where they would’ve gone.

>   “Stay the fuck there and make calls. Do not leave in case she shows up. We’ll be there in sixty.”

  “Hurry the fuck up!” I snarled, and hung up as I climbed out of the car.

  Once back inside, I dialed Bobby and began to pace. Ring. Ring. Where the fuck was he? Ring. I didn’t have time to wait for his lazy ass to pick up the phone. Ring.

  “Hello,” a groggy voice said.

  “Bobby, wake the fuck up. Izzy’s been taken and Thomas’s cover may have been blown.”

  “Wait, what?” he asked through a yawn.

  “Jesus, fuck. Thomas called me tonight. Said Izzy was in danger and that Rebel found out who he is.”

  “Fuck,” he spat, a loud thump sounding on the other end of the phone.

  “Get your ass out of bed,” I growled, ready to jump through the phone and choke his ass.

  If my life—or Izzy’s, for that matter—depended on this asshole, we were in fucking trouble.

  “I’m up. Let me make some calls and get back to you,” he said, disconnecting the call.

  “What the fuck?” I yelled, my voice echoing through the house.

  I called everyone I knew—local law enforcement in Leesburg, DEA, and FBI. All were working to bring down the MC, but the problem was that no one communicated with each other.

  No one had seen Rebel. They’d lost track of him when he left the compound hours ago and he hadn’t been spotted since.

  Just when I was about to start climbing the fucking walls, I heard a car outside followed by two sets of footsteps up the stairs. Reaching for my gun, I drew as Thomas and Flash burst through the door.

  “What the fuck did you find out?” Thomas asked, looking around the room.

  “Nothing. No one knows shit,” I ranted, running my fingers through my hair.

  “Flash made some calls on the way here. Everyone is searching for them. They can’t get far without us hearing about it.”

  I glared at Flash. “Did you open your fucking mouth?” I asked, charging toward him.

  His mouth dropped open and his eyes grew wide as he stepped backward to avoid my grasp. A set of arms grabbed me from behind, pulling me away.