by Jamie Begley
“It’s a big file.”
“You wanted everything I could find on Killyama. It’s in there. Viper also asked for a copy. Guess he’s worried about the IOU he promised.”
“I asked for her information before, and you couldn’t get it; how’d you get it now?”
“Emails are the windows to the soul, my friend. Remember that.”
Crash maneuvered his joystick with a dexterity that Rider couldn’t keep up with. Rider slammed his own controller down on the floor when his spacecraft erupted into a ball of flames.
“Besides, I don’t know what you’re bitchin’ about. I gave the folder to Shade a year ago and told him to pass it on to you. I just updated it when Shade gave it back to me last week.”
“Thanks.”
Irritated, Train left the bedroom, anxious to read what was contained in the folder. If it weren’t so late, he would call Shade. The brother had promised to pass any information he had found on Killyama.
When he returned to his room, he found both Sasha and Jewell fast asleep.
Turning off the light on the nightstand, he then turned on the one at his desk before opening the folder and starting to read.
He was dead tired. By just the first page, it was hard to keep sleep at bay. By the end of the folder, two hours later, though, any desire for sleep had disappeared.
Closing the folder, he locked it in his drawer, wishing the women weren’t sleeping in his bed so he could take his frustration out by punching a hole in a wall.
He had always known that convincing Killyama to join The Last Riders was a forlorn hope. What he had just read proved it.
His cell phone ringing had Train lifting it to his ear, even before he saw it was Viper calling.
“Did you read it?”
“I just finished. I’m going to kick Shade’s ass in the morning.”
“I know. He’s not answering his phone.” Not trying to hide his own fury, Viper’s voice cracked like a whip through the cell phone.
“What are you going to do?” Train asked.
“What am I going to do? What are you going to do? You’re the one with the hard-on for the bitch. I told you the brothers aren’t going to open their arms to her, anyway. It’s not like you were serious about her, or are you?”
“I told you that I thought she would make a good Last Rider … if she could tone down her aggressiveness toward the other women … and men,” Train added as an afterthought. “The problem is, from Crash’s report, Killyama is not only business partners with them, they’ve been in her life since she was a little girl.” Train brought his fingers to his eyes, pressing hard until he saw spots as he tried to figure a way out of the box he found himself trapped in. “If Hammer and Jonas find out I’m trying to convince her to join the club, they’ll talk her out of it.”
“Crash is sure they aren’t related?”
“Crash doesn’t make mistakes. There isn’t a way of knowing for sure until he, or I, can find out who her father is. No father is listed, and her mother still lives in Jamestown.” He sighed. “It couldn’t have been easy growing up without a father. He thinks either Jonas or Hammer dated Killyama’s mother at one time and drew close to her, stepping in as father figures.”
“They did a hell of a job training her to take care of herself.”
Viper’s compliment was well deserved. The skills they had taught her had earned the respect of The Last Riders on more than one occasion.
“It explains how she took Raul down. She made a pretty penny when she collected the bounty on him.”
“She shared the reward with Jackal and Fade’s family. She makes good money working with Hammer and Jonas. Now I can understand why she didn’t jump on the chance of me buying her a new car for saving Winter’s life. I wish I had read Crash’s report before I gave her my IOU. Money, I can come up with. What’s making me nervous is her possibly asking me to track down any felons she’s searching for. I need some breathing room after looking over my shoulder for Raul.”
“What about the promise you made to me? The only reason I took the shit she was throwing at me was because of Raul. I didn’t want to hurt her in the crossfire. When Shade called in the IOU when we saved Fat Louise, Shade cashed it in. You told me the club wouldn’t interfere again between her and me.” The members had agreed that, if he could talk Killyama into joining the club, they would give it a trial run to see if she could earn any votes.
Train held his phone away from his ear. The loud laughter had Sasha turning over in her sleep.
“Don’t blame me. I put her IOU in the pot to be fair to everyone who helped. If you hadn’t been drunk off your ass, you would have seen Shade was bluffing. You lost that pot because you wanted to.”
Train clenched his jaw. “Are you saying I sabotaged myself?”
“I’m saying, don’t bet more than you’re willing to lose.”
“I was already drunk when you threw it in the pot,” Train reminded him. “I was the one who was sabotaged.”
“Looks like you’re going to have to get that woman the old-fashioned way.”
“How? She won’t talk to me.”
“I don’t know. That’s your problem to deal with. I caught my woman.”
“Not without some help. Who was the one who helped Rider carry that fucking big tub into your new house?”
“Brother, I didn’t say I wasn’t grateful. I don’t know why you’re bitching at me. I’m not the one cock-blocking you.”
Viper was right. Train had fought wars that were easier than trying to seduce Killyama into his bed. She had been the one to walk away from the brief sexual encounter without a mark. He swore, if he thought hard enough, he could still feel her lips on his neck as she told him to fuck her harder.
His hand shook as he held the phone. He had to have her again. This time, in his bed. Whether it was just the two of them or others, he would leave that up to her to decide, but he had to get her there first.
“Shade says I’m wasting my time.”
“Maybe you are. It’s not like you don’t have enough pussy to keep you busy.”
“I want her.” Train wasn’t afraid to admit he had a fascination for the woman. He just wanted her on his own terms.
“I don’t know what to tell you. Have you thought about asking Shade for his advice? They seemed to have gotten along when she paid off her debt.”
“Son of bitch didn’t even tell us that Killyama is a bounty hunter, and I know he knew. He kept telling me she could kick my ass. I should have known he wasn’t joking around. The fucker doesn’t have a funny bone in his body.”
“Raul didn’t know what he stepped into when he decided to attack Aunt Shay’s house. Crash sent a couple of Killyama’s arrest records; Raul didn’t stand a chance against her. Killyama is used to trapping deadly felons.”
“I read them.” Train began massaging his temples. He was getting a headache just thinking about the reports he had read.
“You should still ask Shade. But I’m going to give you a piece of my own advice … From one brother to another, watch your balls.”
3
“Wait … Killyama!” Jonas swung his arm out, blocking her from following the bail jumper down the dark alleyway.
Killyama skidded to a stop. “He’ll get away!”
“He’s not going anywhere. Hammer is moving the car to head him off. He’s already called the cops. Let them flush Crawford out.”
Damn, Killyama knew Jonas was right, but she had been looking forward to taking Crawford down. The scared pussy was determined not to go back to jail.
She saw the blue lights nearing them as they waited at the front of the alley. Putting her Glock into the holster at her hip, she pulled out the required paperwork she would have to show to the officer responding to Hammer’s call.
Holding her hands up in the air when she saw two cops getting out of their car, she told them, “I’m Rae Stokes with No Escape Bail Bonds. I have an armed jumper who ran down the alley. I have anot
her bondsman blocking the end.”
The two police officers cautiously entered the alleyway, followed by others who had just arrived, while one stayed behind to check out her paperwork and their identifications.
Killyama bit back her irritation. She had wanted to be the one to flush Crawford out and have the pleasure of handcuffing him.
The officer had just handed back her paperwork when the other officers came out of the alley with Crawford, whose cooperation disappeared when he saw her.
Trying to struggle out of their restraining hold, he snapped, “Fucking bitch!”
“I’m the bitch? I paid fifty thousand to bail your sorry ass out of jail.” Her professionalism slipped a notch at his foul language. If she didn’t have so many eyes on her, she would punch his fucking lights out.
Jonas moved in front of her so Crawford wasn’t near her as he was loaded into the squad car, telling her, “Hammer is here with the car.” He then nodded toward the SUV parked on the street behind her.
Killyama angrily spun on her boots. “I don’t need anyone trying to protect me from the jumpers.”
“I wasn’t protecting you. I was protecting him.” He strode next to her, his long legs easily beating her to the vehicle.
Killyama opened the car door and jumped inside. It had been a long day of pursuing Crawford, and it wasn’t over yet. In fact, it was after midnight before she left the jail where the jumper had been booked in. When the paperwork was done, she called dibs on the backseat, stretching out her legs to relax.
“You want me to find a hotel, or am I driving you home?” Hammer asked before they exited the parking garage.
“Let’s go home. I can drive if you’re too tired.” Killyama scrolled down the text messages she had been too busy to answer during the day.
Hammer didn’t answer as he pulled out onto the street.
“Everything okay in the office?” Jonas turned to look over his shoulder, watching as she read her messages.
Her lips tightened as she dropped her phone into her lap. “Yes, Venny said it was a slow day.”
“Thank fuck. I need a day off. It’s good to have you back.” Hammer didn’t take his eyes off the road as he gave the compliment.
“What? Did you hear that, Jonas? Aw, I knew you liked working with me.”
“What choice do I have?” Hammer flicked the blinker as he accelerated to merge onto the interstate. “It was hire you, or attend your funeral when you got your ass killed. Besides, you can run faster than me and Jonas.”
“A turtle can run faster than you two,” she good-naturedly insulted the men in the front seat.
Jonas passed her a bottled water. “You have anything planned this weekend?”
“I have to go to a party that The Last Riders and Destructors are throwing.”
Killyama didn’t miss the look the men shared.
“The two clubs are having a party together?” Jonas was the one to ask the question they were both curious about.
“It’s not like you’re thinking. Jesus, I tell you one little secret about The Last Riders and you think all MCs are like them. The only thing the Destructors have in common with The Last Riders are motorcycles.”
“You think so?” Hammer shook his head, disbelieving.
“I know so. What else could we have in common?”
“You seriously don’t think the Destructors are doing some of the same women in their club?”
“Maybe, but at least they don’t let others fucking watch.” Killyama crushed the water bottle in her hand. “If you’re so damn interested in The Last Riders, I’m surprised you two didn’t join when you got out of the service.”
“Neither Jonas nor I needed a club. We had families to go back home to.”
“That one-room cabin isn’t a home.”
“It is to me. Besides, me and Jonas wouldn’t fit in with The Last Riders. Most of them were in the Navy; we’re Rangers. We lead the way.”
She made sure Hammer and Jonas heard her mock gagging noises as they fist bumped in the front seat.
“You were probably worried they would see the needle dicks you two are packing.”
“They would have been jealous.”
Killyama held on to the armrest as Hammer’s boasting had him swerving from taking the lane that was an exit. She needed to make sure her living will was up to date.
“Now I really want to throw up. Talking about your dicks is creeping me out.”
“You were the one who brought it up.”
“It’s not like we’re related,” Jonas spoke up. Killyama could see his grin in the dark.
“Yes, you are. You’re like honorary uncles.”
“It’s an honor?” Jonas’s grin grew wider.
“Hell yes. Well, you are. Hammer’s more like a distant cousin.”
“That’s cute, kid. Hear that, Hammer?”
“You only like him more because he bought that motorcycle for you on your sixteenth birthday and taught you how to shoot a gun. I gave you a car. I never hear you thanking me for that.”
“Believe me; I have thanked you several times, and so have my friends.” Killyama’s mind went back to the numerous times the car’s spacious back seat had been used instead of a motel room.
Hammer turned on the music, and Killyama relaxed back in her seat. She was growing tired of the drive from Knoxville to Jamestown. It would be easier to live there, but she couldn’t bring herself to cut ties with her friends. Hammer grouched about it constantly. Even Jonas was getting fed up with her excuses.
When Hammer had opened his business in Knoxville after he had left the service, he had expected her to move there, too, but she had nixed that idea. Killyama couldn’t leave her bitches behind for the job she had begged him to train her for. They needed her to watch their backs. Two of them might have husbands now, but they still needed her. Or, that was what she told herself. She refused to name the real reason she remained in Kentucky.
She hated herself for the two hours she had spent alone with Train. It had the side effect of not being able to get him out of her system.
The Last Riders should tattoo a warning label on their backs: once is not enough. Every time she was near him, he could make her body quiver in need as if she were an addict begging for a fix.
Closing her eyes, she thought back to the day she had shown up at The Last Riders for her ride. She remembered being so cocky as she leaned against her car with her arms folded, glaring at Rider as he made yet another excuse on why he couldn’t take her out on a ride that Shade had promised for saving Lily’s life.
Train had been working on one of the bikes, watching the argument with an amused expression. Inwardly, she had begun to feel humiliated that Rider obviously didn’t want to take her out. Men were intimidated by her, yet she had hoped The Last Riders were different.
Seeing Shade and Lily show up to witness Rider standing her up had made it even more embarrassing.
“Hey, girl,” Killyama had greeted Lily, not removing her glare from Rider.
Folding her arms even closer against her chest, she had decided to turn the tables on Rider. She wasn’t about to let even more people see her humiliation if she could help it.
“What’s going on?” Shade asked.
“I was supposed to give her a ride today”—Rider nodded his head sharply at Killyama—“but my bike won’t start. She thinks I’m fucking with her.”
“Babe, if you were fucking with me, I’d hope I would know it.” She grinned evilly at the furious Rider.
Rider’s face turned red. It took everything she had to keep from laughing at him. It was like taking candy from a baby.
“I meant that I wasn’t trying to get out from giving you a ride.”
“I know what you meant. Do I look stupid?”
Silence met her question.
She was dressed in leather pants and a black T-shirt that had a skull with a dagger in the eye. It read: “Come and get me.” Her makeup was dark and smoky, and her biker boots ha
d metal spokes sticking out. She was willing to admit she was dressed like a ball buster, something that worked to her advantage. No one was stupid enough to insult her directly.
She could see Rider was becoming flustered.
Better him than me, Killyama thought to herself.
“We’ll have to make it another day. I have to order a part,” Rider hedged.
“You’ve already put me off three times. I’m tired of this shit. Forget it.” She turned around, opening her car door as she gave Shade a smirk. “The Last Riders don’t know how to keep their word. Good to know for future reference.”
“I’ll give you a ride myself,” Shade stated.
Killyama made a mental note that Shade didn’t like anyone calling out The Last Riders’ inability to keep their word.
“No offense, but I don’t ride with a man who’s got a woman at his back.”
Shade was grinding his teeth so hard it had his wife looking at him worriedly.
“I’ll give you a ride,” Train offered, setting down the tool he was holding.
This time, Killyama remained quiet, tilting her head to the side as she studied the man. The fucker knew she was trying to get them all pissed off.
Since becoming friends with Beth, she had talked to the men intermittently, so Killyama had gotten a feel for their personalities. Beth had described Rider as being funny and easygoing, which was why she had wanted to get to know him better. Beth had never mentioned Train. If she had, Killyama must have missed it, being more interested in Rider.
She took a deeper look at Train, seeing he had a dangerous edge to him. He was the kind of man you would jump off a cliff with, not caring if you were going to hit rocks or seep into a beautiful ocean of blue.
Rider’s flirtatious demeanor and good looks drew in women like a lure, whereas Train’s dark looks were somber. He didn’t need to bait the trap; he was a shark who would grab you and unwillingly pull you under. Train wasn’t like Rider. He wasn’t frightened of her, and his dark eyes gave no insight into his true personality. However, she had never run from the unknown, and she didn’t plan to start now.