by Hope Stone
“Make-up sex is not so bad after all,” he panted.
Colt
I woke up to a throbbing hand and a mouthful of hair. I swiped the hair from my face. It was Amber’s long, luxurious mane of glory. I rolled over to face her. She had rolled onto her side and was sleeping soundly. I admired her curvature and the groove of her back. I ran my finger down her spine to her round buttocks. She was all woman—a heavenly sight to wake up next to for me. The peace she exuded made me calm. I rolled on my back and examined my hand. Not too bad, but it still hurt like a motherfucker. I flexed to check the range of movement. It should be back to normal within the week as long as I iced it. I stretched out from top to bottom, looking around to check out Amber’s room. I saw a closet on the left-hand side, two bedside drawers, a few big teddy bears in the corner, and a desk with girly things on it—perfumes, bracelets, and earrings.
We were lying right under a large window, and the early light was streaming through. I moved my large frame from the bed and into the kitchen. Her curtains were drawn, and I could see the magnificent view she had. It looked right out over the back of the mountains. I could just make out the faint outline of them. My mind flashed back to last night and that the Russians killed a man in front of Hector. There was no chance of him snitching because it involved him. The reason we were there was because of him.
I rummaged through the cupboards to look for coffee or tea. I wanted to make one for Amber before she got up. I knew she had to go to work. I eventually found what I was looking for.
My mother would say I did a man look if I couldn’t find something. I shook my head when I thought about her. I was eternally grateful for her support. She was a rock. I put the water on the stove and let it boil. I placed two cups down from the cupboard and filled both with a teaspoon of instant coffee. I knew Amber liked sugar in hers, so I pried open one of her canisters and added some.
I heard a yawn and soft feet coming around the corner. A very sleepy and cute Amber came into the kitchen with a bedsheet wrapped around her. I opened my arms wide for her to enter. With a dopey smile, she fell into my arms and laid her head on my chest. I ran my hand through her tangled web of thick blond hair.
“I know. I know, it needs a good brushing.” She smoothed her hair down over my fingers, still leaning into my chest.
“No. I like it. I should be able to brush it for you. I brush my horse’s tails.”
She looked up then to my wide grin, lightly tapping me on the chest. “Did you just call my hair a horse’s mane?”
“Yes, I did. But not in a bad way. I love it. Your hair is so thick, that’s all. It’s luscious like you.” I touched her soft lips with mine. As she kissed me back, the water boiled. She released me as I poured her coffee and handed it to her.
“Thank you, sweety. How is your hand today?”
“It’s a lot better. Thank you.”
She took the first sip of her coffee and scanned me up and down. I had my jeans back on and was shirtless. “Hot damn, you look good in the morning. I look a mess,” she exclaimed in mock disgust.
“You don’t at all. You look like a sexy siren,” I assured her.
She blew the steam off her coffee. “I think I’ll keep you. You’re good for my self-esteem.”
I laughed at her, kissing her on the head. “Going into work today?” I asked.
“Yes. Back to saving the world.”
I rubbed her back. “I have a lot to do today. Bella is back from her grandma’s, your brother is working with me, and I have to go clear up some other things.”
It seemed like she only heard me say other things. “What other things?” She walked to the kitchen table and sat down.
“Just fixing up some things from last night. Nothing you need to be concerned about.”
I sat my cup of Joe on the counter. I didn’t know if I would have time to drink it.
“You’re never going to tell me about last night, are you?”
“You don’t need to know, Amber. Plus, you’ve done enough for me.”
“You saved my brother’s life, Colt. So I think it’s the other way around,” she said quietly.
“It’s nothing to me and easily solved. I’m going to hit the shower and get ready.”
“Okay.”
I dove into the shower and washed off the remnants of our lovemaking. I came out fresh and squeaky clean, ready to handle whatever the day threw at me. I kissed Amber goodbye and left, thinking that after all the battles I’d endured, maybe things were turning around for the long term.
I pulled up to the house and noticed Hector was already at the front fences, slogging away.
“Hey, you’re hard at it already. You good out here? It’s pretty hot.”
“Yeah, I could use a glass of water.” He wiped his brow. It looked like he was trying to shake off last night.
I went inside and grabbed a bottle of water for him and one for me. I switched over to my cowboy boots and took him the water.
“Hey, brother. Stop for a minute.” As he gulped the water down, I studied him. I squinted from the heat picking up. “You worried about that guy last night?”
“No, and yes. I mean, I’ve seen someone overdose. I’ve seen a person die before, but not like that. I don’t know, it was kind of scary.”
I nodded my head solemnly. “Like I said, you ain’t cut out for that lifestyle. What you saw was a scumbag being eliminated. If he wasn’t shot, he would have killed you or me.”
Hector twisted his lips as he thought about it. “Yes, I know. He came out of nowhere, though. How did we not see him?”
I shrugged my shoulders. “I mean, who knows? He was probably lying down in the grass like we were on the hilltop.”
“I guess,” he mumbled.
“You check the horses?”
“Yep. Sure did. That Moonlight is a hell of a horse.”
I swatted away the flies from my face. “She sure is. Hey, I want to take you somewhere today. I want to give you some extra backup.”
“Backup?”
I looked at him again. “Yes. I want you to meet my brothers in the MC, The Outlaw Souls.”
“Ah, okay. Are we headed there now?”
“No time like the present,” I claimed.
“Okay. Sounds good.”
I went inside to grab my keys, and we drove over to where the trouble started. This would be my first time seeing all the boys in action. I pushed the ugly monster of fear back down. We came up to a large warehouse with a parking lot in the back. It had a few neighboring businesses, but not many.
As we parked, I saw Diego with his long hair and greasy towel come to the front of the warehouse. He was there with a few of the other Outlaw Souls members. Vlad happened to be there, too. He was puffing on a cigarette, looking like the Grim Reaper himself.
I looked over at Hector as we approached, and he looked like a scared little rabbit.
Vlad gave me a hard handshake, and Diego brought me in for a warm hug. Two very different men, but brothers nonetheless.
“Hey, hey, if it isn’t Mr. Cowboy himself!” Diego gave me his big rosy smile, a refreshing change from all these diabolical, hard-nosed criminals.
“It’s me.”
“Glad to hear you’re out now,” Diego said, looking hard at Hector.
“Hey, guys, I want you to meet Hector. He’s with me. I wanted to bring him in so he could check out the bikes and see how it’s done, Diego.”
Diego smiled and summoned him in. “For sure. Any friend of Colt’s is a friend of mine.”
I walked a step behind with Vlad. He spoke out the side of his mouth. “If you want back in, just say the word.”
“No. Never again.” I clenched my jaw hard. I was pissed that he was even asking me. Vlad’s cold eyes surveyed me. The guy was pure darkness.
“All right, all right. The operation is much smoother now. We are, you know, doing some things a little differently.” He moved his hands side to side like a weighing scale.
&nb
sp; I sneered as we walked over to the bikes resting on the platform station. “I’ve heard that before. No, no. I’m good now, Vlad. Number one, my girl would kill me. Second of all, I did my time. Third, I’m focused on running the farm. Ryder offered me a job here to work with Diego, but given the way Diego and Hector are hitting it off, this might be his gig.”
I nodded at both of them getting on like a house on fire. Hector was talking in an animated fashion and making all kinds of noises.
“You’re right. I commend you, and we will be forever in your debt for not snitching. If you need anything, you call,” Vlad responded.
“I will, brother.”
“Much respect, Colt.” He put a fist to his heart. “I have to slip out. I have errands to run.” He didn’t give me time to respond. The master of darkness, as I liked to call him, slipped away without saying goodbye. I watched his black Jeep ride out.
I returned my gaze back to look at the lineup of bikes. Diego had come a long way from the beginning of opening the Merced chapter. He had three regular guys working in the shop with him, and ten bikes were in front of us, all of them ranging from dirtbikes to choppers to crotch rockets.
“Hector, what do you think?” I asked.
“I’m freaking out right now. That’s the new Ducati. Custom painted. Man, I wish I knew how to fix these beasts. I mean, I got a basic bike, but these puppies are next level.”
“You’re in your element, I see.”
I signaled to Diego. Hector had no idea, as he was busy checking out the chrome detail on the bikes.
“Hey, man, do you think you could take him under your wing, in terms of the shop? Teach him some things?” My voice was lowered from the earshot of Hector.
Diego didn’t hesitate. “Yes. I need an extra pair of hands, and he can help out on the paperwork, too. I’ll teach him the ropes. Leave the kid with me. We’re legit here. I don’t know what Vlad told you, but I wouldn’t even think about heading back that way with him. Never was you, Colt.” He tapped me on the back. “I know you were trying to get money for the family, so I respect it. Stick to your horses.”
“I hear you. I’m not anxious to go back to that hellhole any time soon.”
“Good. Let me talk to him.” Diego winked. “Hey, young man. How about you come work with me? We got some rides going on, too. We head up to Yosemite sometimes. What do you think about that? Twenty dollars per hour as a trial, and as you get better, I’ll raise the salary.”
“Are you serious? Isn’t this supposed to be Colt’s gig?” He looked at me
“This is your gig, brother. I’m happy for you. You’re a better fit for it. Follow your passion.”
“Well, shit, then hell yeah, I’m in! Thanks!”
Watching Hector beam with excitement made me realiz that I wasn’t following my own passions. That had to change. I had an idea, but I needed to run it past Bella first.
“Hey, now you know where your new workplace is, you can come here and start. I have to go pick up Bella.”
Hector dapped Diego. “Thanks for the opportunity. When do I start?”
“You can start tomorrow if you want. It’s up to you. Or you can come at the start of next week. I’ll put you on the books right away.”
Hector put his hands on his head. “No, I’m going to come tomorrow. Better I start sooner rather than later.”
The balance of life was slowly being restored.
Amber
“Still sleeping with the cowboy?”
My mug slipped from my fingers, but luckily, it was on a carpeted floor. The caramel-colored liquid contained in the cup flew out, staining the rug.
Lucy held her throat with her fat little fingers, laughing so hard I thought she was going into a spasmodic fit.
“What the hell is wrong with you? Why do you keep saying that?” I bit back at her with force. We were in the breakroom by ourselves, which was unusual there, as there was usually someone trying hard to escape their cases or gossiping at the water cooler.
“Because I saw you kissing him outside the grocery store. I knew from the glow up you had when you got back from the prison.” My mouth was agape, and I had a hard time pulling it back shut. “Oh, don’t worry, honey. Your secret is safe with me. I’ve had a jailbird a time or two. Lots of fun, isn’t it?”
I grabbed a rag from the kitchen and cleaned up the coffee as best I could. “I don’t know what you’re talking about, Lucy, and I’m not sure who you saw, but it wasn’t me.” My feeble attempts to cover up were not working in my favor. She narrowed her eyes at me.
“Come on now. You’re only fooling yourself. But if that’s what you want to do, it’s all good. We got training today?” She switched the subject.
“Yes, we do at eleven.”
“I’ll see you then.” She winked and carried herself back to her desk.
As I retreated back to my desk, I checked over my paperwork. I pulled up Colt’s file. Now the visits would back off because Bella was back in her father’s care. I made some notes and finalized my report. Technically, I was due to see Bella in six months to check in. A wry smile lifted on my face because I knew I would be seeing Bella in a couple of days. I daydreamed about my future with Colt. We hadn’t really talked about it, though. I presumed he would start back up on the farm. It dawned on me that I didn’t really know where I stood with him.
How would I fit into his life? Was he over the death of his late girlfriend? Even as his social worker, I was supposed to ask him these questions. I guessed that my primary concern was making sure Bella was okay. My big, strong cowboy didn’t talk so much about those types of things.
I checked the time on my computer. In just over an hour, I had a meeting with my new team to discuss their cases. Usually, the team meetings consisted of discussing caseloads and providing tips back and forth about what to do. Unprecedented cases would filter through the team supervisor, which was me now. My stomach churned a little from the unknown of the job and if I would be able to handle the tougher, more disturbing cases. My specialty was those incarcerated, but the child cases caused me a lot of distress. I eyed the pile of paperwork in my end tray, all documents to do with training a team and case files that were tricky. Sometimes, all I wanted to do was float away from it all. My mind was telling me that maybe I wanted to do something that was less taxing on my physical and mental health. All I saw was a crossroads.
I packed up my things and prepared for the meeting, set on the agenda for twelve seats. People from our team streamed in and took their seats.
“Hi, Marsha, welcome to the meeting.”
“Hi, Brandon, great job on that Hernandez case and getting it into the children’s court.”
Brandon wiped his brow. “Yeah, that was a tough one. Nearly broke my heart.”
“I hear you. Some of these cases can do that.”
“Lucy.”
“Amber. Sit anywhere?” She had this devious smile on her face, and my shoulders knotted together as soon as she entered the room. The remainder of the group came in, and I shut the door.
“Hi, everyone. I’m glad that you could take time out of your days to join me for the meeting. I wanted to let you know I am now in charge of overseeing your cases. Michelle has moved on to a higher role.” I looked around at their faces, and no one appeared disgruntled at the announcement, except for Lucy. “I can proudly say I have worked with each and every one of you in some capacity. It has been an absolute joy to do so. We can’t save everyone, but I know that all of you try your best. That’s all we can do.”
“We’re glad you’re here. You’re a wealth of knowledge,” Brandon said.
“I second that,” Cynthia, one of the longest-standing members of the department’s team, chimed in.
“So, I know we have an agenda, but let’s just open the floor. Do any of you have any problems with your current cases? Let’s help one another out. We can go around the room.”
Lucy put her hand up. My legs were crossed, but I squeezed them together
, invisible to the others.
“Yes, I have a question.” Her eyes danced with mischief.
“Go ahead, Lucy. You have the floor,” I answered curtly.
“What happens in a misconduct case? Such as if a social worker or department worker becomes involved with a client?” My heart stomped through my chest. My palms were sweating. I maintained my cool as best I could.
“Well, first, that’s a serious allegation, and you would need undeniable proof that something was going on. Remembering that we, as social workers, are involved with home visits and accessing certain services to assist our clients. You would need proof for such a claim, and then the next necessary steps would be taken.” My caramel eyes inflicted my coldest stare back at her.
She smiled. “Just wondering is all.” She rolled her eyes arrogantly.
Brandon sat forward in his seat. “Why do you ask? Do you know someone in that position, Lucy?”
She looked straight at me, and I maintained a neutral if not blank stare. “Oh God, no, no one from this team would do that!”
A few of the others mumbled under their breath before the meeting continued. Maybe Colt and I might need to cool it until compulsory visits were over. I didn’t want to jeopardize him or me. The meeting overall was productive and ended after forty-five minutes. The threat of blackmail from Lucy had me thinking vengeful thoughts. I had the opportunity to confront her as she was the last to leave out of the room.
“What exactly are you doing? I mean, what exactly are you trying to prove? Did I miss something?
Lucy’s dark eyes lit up with envy as she looked at me. “Yes, you can do no wrong in this department. You’re a goody-two-shoes, and I’m sick of it. You got that promotion, and I’m just as qualified as you for the role. In fact, I’ve had just as many cases as you.”
The root cause of the conflict was revealed. I blew out a strong breath. “Look, your time is coming. I don’t know why you would be in a hurry for the role. Better the devil you know. I work late nights, and up until now, I haven’t really had a life outside of helping other people. Think about it.”