A sigh rips from her. “I did call it in, it’s done. Now we need to get out of here and let them do their job.”
I’m absolutely stunned she would leave a scene and I’m pretty damn sure she’s reading the anger visible on my face because she stops and steps into my personal space.
“You agreed to work with me on this. You wanted this, now you need to follow my lead. This is how we handle things. If we run into situations that need to be handled by the proper authorities, we call it in and they send people over. If we stay, we get in their way and need to go through the routine of being taken in and have everything on file. Precious freaking time wasted. Now move your ass because I have a solid lead I need to explore. Another thing I can’t do by myself and have to swing by someone who is brilliant in this line of work. Now…are you coming or staying here? If you’re staying here you need to give me the keys to your SUV.”
“You’re not driving my damn SUV, or any other car I own for that matter,” I grumble.
She snorts and I swear she mutters, “Dudes and their precious transportation nonsense. If it isn’t a bike you can’t touch or ride, it’s their freaking car.”
The thought “I’m not letting her near Sunny,” pops into my head. Yes, I absolutely named one of my cars. Growing up with my father’s friends made it possible to work on a vintage car when I was a teenager and their ways rubbed off on me. It resulted in a well maintained black 1967 Chevrolet Impala. It’s stunning and the reason why I named her Sunny. As in the sunshine heating the road on a warm day creating a mirage.
Okay, I might understand why she just voiced her opinion because those bikers she’s always surrounded with probably are the same way when it comes to their bikes. I rush after her because she’s leaving the house and didn’t exactly ask for my keys. And the things she just said actually make me question if she’s capable of hotwiring my car.
Thankfully she’s heading for the passenger side. Once we’re buckled in, I have slight doubt if I should start the car. Turning toward her, I let her know, “Even if it’s your usual, it still doesn’t sit right with me to leave the scene. He could come back, you know.”
“Pull out and park there.” She’s pointing at a spot across the street.
I do as she says and I don’t have time to question her before a black car comes speeding down the street and parks in the driveway. Two men jump out and head inside while I hear sirens starting to get closer.
“Now can we leave?” she says with a hint of defeat in her voice.
I pull out and grumble the words, “Sorry I doubted you.”
Yes. I can be civil when needed.
“They always work fast when we call it in. Sometimes they get there so fast it almost seems as if they are lying around each corner stalking us. But I guess it’s a good thing. I don’t have to tell you one can’t leave a scene unattended. It’s probably the reason they are there as soon as the call gets in. But I hope this also shows you we do follow procedures, not just the normal ones. But I guess the company your father co-owns also has their own procedures seeing how they work with contracts. Hey, did you know—” she says and turns her body slightly to me. “Turn left here.”
She points and rattles off some more directions before she continues as if she didn’t instruct me where to go. “Many years ago, when they founded Broken Deeds MC, my father signed a contract with the government. So, it’s almost the same as with your dad...only mine has an ongoing one. Well, not so much my dad being in charge anymore and all.” Her shoulders sag and her voice sounds small when she finally says, “I guess this will be my last case with the new president now in place. I mean, being the president’s daughter is one thing, but the sister of one is another step back because I never was a biker to begin with. Hell, they made me go through the extensive training out of the country to make sure I could handle myself in any situation. Okay, I really thought it was badass and wanted to do it myself, but still. Yeah, this is it. Oh, I just thought of something.”
“That you rattle when you get all relaxed and close to someone?” I chuckle in an effort to lighten the mood because with everything she just mentioned I know it’s damn hard on her.
She rolls her eyes and merely says, “Get used to it.” She grabs her phone, taps it and puts it against her ear. “Hey, do you have time for me? Won’t take long, I promise. Yes. Okay. Thanks, be there in ten.” She tucks her phone away. “Does the name Rod Breckensteijn ring a bell?”
My gaze swings her way for a breath or two and then I drag it back to the road in front of me. “I’m guessing you’re aware of the fact we served together.”
“Yup. Did you keep in touch?”
I give a little shake. “No, regretfully, we didn’t.”
“Well, good thing we’re about to give him a quick visit so you guys can catchup. Oh, and you should probably know, just so you can prepare, he’s Broken Deeds MC.”
“No way.” I smile, because there’s one thing I do remember about Rod. “He always did have a love for motorcycles. I think he owned three back then. How many does he own now?”
She reaches out and places a hand on my thigh. Her voice is soft when she says, “Own? I think one or two. Ride? None. He lost both legs in an accident three years ago. He’s in a wheelchair.”
“Damn,” I grunt. “I didn’t know.”
Esmee rubs my thigh. “That’s why I’m telling you. I knew you two served together and I would have told you sooner, but I guess it slipped my mind. Seeing we’re heading there now, I didn’t want you unprepared. Rod is strong, cheerful, full of life, and a tough asshole to deal with. Yes, he had his moments a few months after his accident but his brothers pulled him through, along with his old lady, Brenda. They remodeled his house and he’s very active when it comes to his job and the club, you’ll see.”
“I guess I will,” I mutter and let everything roam inside my head.
“You see, most of the bikers of Broken Deeds MC are connected in some way. They either served together or know who served with who. They found a place where they can function, have a family to fall back on; a purpose. Sound familiar?” The satisfying tone in her voice implies the similarities between Cole Security Forces and Broken Deeds MC.
I decide to ignore the discussion and luckily, I have my escape. “We’re here,” I grunt and park the SUV.
Esmee also drops it and is already stalking toward the house. There’s a wheelchair ramp leading up to it but other than that it’s a normal looking home with a nicely maintained garden with flowerbeds. A woman with dark hair opens the door, grabs Esmee in a hug, and welcomes her inside.
“Cullen, this is Brenda, Rod’s old lady,” Esmee says and that right there explains the flowerbeds.
“Well, what do you know…I always thought Rod was too ugly to catch the attention of a beautiful woman,” I state and offer the woman my hand.
She blushes and right when she takes my hand, I hear Rod growl, “Get your shiny fuckin’ fingers off my woman, goldilocks.”
My head tips back and I can’t help but bark out my laughter. I shake my head. “Oh, come on now, tiger, you know I only speak the truth.”
“Times change, my man,” Rod says as he comes into view. Still the same guy, minus two legs.
I take a deep breath and let a grin spread my face as I take in an old buddy I haven’t seen in years. Though it’s a good thing Esmee told me about him first so I’m allowed to be thankful for him being here instead of shocked about the fact he lost two legs.
I reach for him, not caring one damn bit about the fact my eyes slightly burn as I slap him on the back and croak, “Good to see you, my man.”
“I could say the same, but I won’t,” Rod grumbles and I can’t help but laugh again.
“Asshole,” I snicker and keep a huge grin on my face while Esmee and Brenda are staring at us.
“Come on, show me what you got for me, Esmee, before this pussy starts to weep.” Rod snickers and gives me a hard shove against the shoulder.
Rod takes it but Brenda grabs Rod’s forearm. He releases a deep sigh and tells Esmee, “Is it okay if I get back to you in a few hours?”
“Absolutely, just shoot whatever you find to my phone when you have the time,” Esmee cheerfully replies and gives Brenda another hug while she whispers some words.
Rod points at me. “Don’t be a stranger. You come visit sometime soon, okay?”
We shake hands and I give him my promise I’ll swing by in the next few weeks. Within a few minutes we’re back in my SUV and heading for my cabin.
“Mind telling me why Brenda stepped in and we were ushered out of there lightning fast?” I quickly shoot a glance her way and notice her attention is on her phone before my eyes go back to the road ahead of us.
“Brenda is pregnant. Second time. They lost the first one at twelve weeks and it’s been very rough for the both of them. No one knows yet, but I noticed the difference in her face when I dropped by sometime three weeks ago and asked her. She broke down and told me how she was pregnant again but so very scared something might happen so she would lose the baby. We talked for hours and even if I didn’t feel like a big help, Rod texted me that night how she was so much lighter and less worried. They have passed the three month mark now and are going for a sonogram this afternoon. They have a rule set in place when they have appointments concerning the pregnancy. They don’t do last minute things until after they’re back. And they are right. Less stress and full attention where it should be; solely focused on them. Besides, it can wait. Sure, I would like to know if he can retrieve what I hope she drew last. But, like I said, it can wait.”
“You’re right, it can wait, everything else is static noise when you need to focus on the important things life grants you with.” I take a moment before I ask, “And those guys you called over to Jen’s house, will you get some sort of report from the guys who arrived at the scene and took over?”
Esmee winces at my words. “Normally, yes. Now? The report will land on my brother’s desk and he will know I’m working a case and will pull me off. But it couldn’t be helped, I needed to call it in.”
I let her words go over in my head and yet again this woman surprises me. This country might give Broken Deeds MC free rein and yet they do follow their own code with everything. I guess my first impression due to a rough encounter we were thrown in is something that needs tweaking.
And who can blame me? From the outside it’s confronting and everything seems fishy, yet the more I’m seeing and experiencing myself makes everything seem logical and reasonable.
And it’s not because Esmee has managed to get underneath my skin, it’s the way she’s open and honest to show me every step she takes. A solid look on the inside how Broken Deeds MC works. Though, this is what I wanted when I reached out to her; I’m just doing my job. Except the weight of guilt is now slowly eating away at me.
Where she’s open and honest, I have ulterior motives. There is no other way to explain, no matter how much I sugarcoat, or twist the truth…bottom line…it comes down to a form of betrayal. And I hope I can wrap up this case without her ever knowing what my job was in all of it.
“You did the right thing,” I tell her, and the guilt weighing down on me makes me add, “I have a feeling you will always do the right thing.”
The grateful smile she shoots my way hits me straight in the chest and I have to rub my sternum to soothe the ache.
“Change isn’t something you’ll always see coming. Doesn’t mean it’s bad, it means you’ll have to adjust,” she absently says as she stares out the window. “Though my link with Broken Deeds MC is solid, being a woman who is not an old lady really doesn’t have a solid connection. I love what I do. I don’t need the cash to do my job and I have enough to last me a lifetime due to the investments I made with the help of my uncle, Broke. But I’m not a person to sit on my ass and do nothing but smell the flowers. I could do something else to put my brain to work; to feel useful. Maybe work security or become a PI, bounty hunter, whatever.”
“Or come work for my father,” I reply without thinking.
Her head whips my way but I have to keep my eyes on the road. I have no clue why I said it, I just knew I had to. And to be honest, I’m pretty damn sure my father would love to have her, he literally said he’d hire her.
From the corner of my eye I see Esmee turning her head toward the side window as she whispers, “Or go work for your father.”
I release a deep breath, knowing she accepted my words and my opinion along with it. The rest of the ride to my cabin is in comfortable silence between easy banter. After a few hours we finally arrive at my cabin, which is more like a big triangle. I built a large porch around it and love to spend most of my time here when I’m not working.
It’s an escape. The peaceful surroundings of the forest, the nearby lake I can see when I’m sitting on the porch, is everything. And even if Makenna wasn’t moving into my house for the time being—because she’s redecorating her own—I would have taken Esmee to my cabin no matter what.
We need this; somewhere quiet and secluded, just us for the time being. Even if we have a case to solve, I don’t want any distractions, and if I could shut off all points of communications, I would.
Dammit, maybe I should come clean and tell her the reason I was stalking her in the first place. Get rid of the guilt eating at my very soul because every time I look at her it takes my breath away how much I long to spend my time with her to plan a future together. Shit. She’s deep underneath my skin already.
“This is amazing,” she breathes and glances around to take it all in.
I grab our bags and the box with all the stuff from the case from my SUV and stroll past her.
“Come on, I’ll show you the inside.” I open the glass door and notice she’s still rooted to the ground, admiring the cabin. “Or you could stay there and I’ll hit the lights, it’s amazing with the whole glass wall from top to bottom.”
A slow smile spreads her face. “Yeah, I’d like that.”
I chuckle and step inside, hitting the lights for her and I swear her eyes twinkle as her gaze slides over everything.
She finally steps inside. “You really surprise me, Cullen. Fluffy pillows, designer table, the works. I expected a burly man cave.”
“I’m glad to prove you wrong, spitfire. Wait till you see the king-size bed I have behind this wall.” I shoot her a grin and she rolls her eyes.
“Makenna helped me with the interior. She goes a little overboard and it’s the exact reason why she’s staying in my place because she keeps changing her own house every few months. She can’t stand the smell of paint, so she escapes until the smelly phase has passed. Her words, not mine.”
“You’re a good brother.” Esmee smiles and sits down on the large couch to pull off her shoes.
“Did you want to relax or jump right into work?” I question and put the stuff down I was holding.
My phone starts to ring. I see it’s Lex; I answer and he starts to ramble instantly. “You never call, you never write…is that hot piece of ass keeping you busy? Did you find your way in…so to speak?”
I hate the fact Esmee can hear him in the silence of the house and it makes me cringe and tell her, “Sorry, I have to take this.”
And head out of the cabin for some privacy. Once the door falls shut, I let him have it. “She was standing right next to me, asshole.”
I don’t care if he has superiority over me, the way he addressed me was as a friend so I’m returning the favor.
“Meh, I didn’t say anything to jeopardize the case. So, I was right? About the hot piece of ass? Just tell me if she’s on top in the bedroom or submitting beautifully. You never know with these dynamite women and it made me wonder.”
“I’m not telling you anything about her, Lex,” I grunt in frustration and let my fi
ngers slide through my hair. “It’s none of your business and it’s my case. Besides, I’m not reporting back to you but have to answer to your superior and you know it.”
Lex chuckles. “Worth a try. I’m just messing with you. My brother always throws these questions at me and it made me wonder. But I’m not calling about the case nor the woman, I’m calling about next Saturday. Did you want to watch the game together? Miles suddenly needed to go out of town again, so instead of going to the bar alone, I thought we could go together. We could grab a few beers, talk, maybe find some chicks to keep us company. It’s been awhile since we had a few beers together.”
I glance back at the cabin and watch how Esmee grabs her bag and pulls something out. Suddenly a gut feeling hits me, and it clicks with the whole kinky side and yet it can’t be.
Though, I still hear myself ask, “Miles is out of town? When did he leave? Do you know where he went, what he’s doing, or how long he’ll be gone?”
“Why suddenly the interest in Miles?” Lex’s voice sounds hard before it changes into the casual one he was using before. “I mean, you never hang out with him, I’m your buddy.”
“Nothing, just wondering since he’s leaving your ass alone without a drinking buddy,” I lie and decide not to press the matter but dive into it myself later.
I have to be sure and do some follow up because if my hunch is correct this will be a shit-storm for everyone. And again, the fact is thrown in my face why Broken Deeds MC handles some cases.
“So, how about it? Game, beer, you and me, Saturday?” Lex tries again.
“I’m busy with work, raincheck?”
“Fine, you go and play with that hot piece of ass. I’ll find myself something else to entertain me,” he snickers and before I can say something, he hangs up on me.
I shake my head at the idiot, knowing he can’t see me but still I mentally roll my eyes at his insanity. His brother pops back into my head and I make a mental note to dive into it as soon as I have the time.
It might be just a coincidence, with suddenly leaving town, but I can’t ignore my gut feeling. I also have to keep this quiet for now since I could be wrong and jumping to conclusions.
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