by Jamie Begley
Rider looked down at her hand, somehow sensing she didn’t do it often. The inflexible expression that had been on his face since Curt had appeared at their backs lightened, returning to the one she was more familiar with. “You like to dance?”
His fingers tightened on hers when Carter stumbled toward the bar and nearly barreled into them. Helping her dodge him, Rider moved her safely away.
Lowering her eyes to the floor, she felt safe for the first time in so many years she had lost count. It seemed like fear and terror had been trailing behind her like a dark shadow, waiting for the opportunity to strike when she least expected it.
“I do, but I’m afraid I’m not very good at it,” she confessed, dropping his hand to turn toward the small sectioned-off area that Mick had formed into a dance floor.
“You did okay last night when I danced with you.”
“That’s because it was a slow dance.” The song blasting out from the old speakers hanging on the walls was anything but slow. Not knowing what to do, she basically just shifted her weight from one leg to the other.
“Mick, play some slow music!”
She gave Rider a dirty look at his yell that had all the men staring at them. “Where’s your sense of adventure? You could have taught me some moves.”
Sin was in his eyes and in his grin as he took her hands and pulled her closer to his body. Her nipples pebbled when she found herself plastered against Rider’s chest.
Releasing one of her hands, he brought his to her ass as he parted his legs until she was straddling a long thigh wedged between hers.
“Is this adventurous enough for you?” he mocked, watching her reaction.
“Are you making fun of me?” Jo scrunched up her face in a pain-filled mask.
Rider lost his amusement, straightening away from her and dropping his hands from her.
Jo burst out laughing. “Sucker. I was just joking.” She took the step he had put between them, laying her hands on his chest and making sure she gave herself breathing room so she could restore her raging hormones to a manageable level. One that didn’t freak her the hell out.
“Damn, I never expected you to have a sense of humor.” He moved her slowly around the dance floor, keeping the distance she had initiated.
“I guess we both have things to learn about the other.” She mischievously waved toward Mag when she caught sight of her. “You should ask her to dance. She would love it.”
“Is that another attempt at humor?” He stopped moving, staring down at her suspiciously.
“No. Come on; it would make her night,” she urged.
He seemed to be considering it for a second, making her think he was a really nice guy and that she had underestimated him.
“No.”
“Come on; be brave.”
“I’m afraid of her.”
“She wouldn’t hurt you. She’s all talk.”
“That’s what I’m afraid of. I’m afraid that mouth of hers would make me want to wring her neck.”
“That’s not nice.”
“It is what it is.”
As a new song started, Jo tried to return to the bar, but Rider didn’t release her, still dancing.
“I’ll make a deal with you. I’ll even give you two options, because I’m a really nice guy.”
Jo continued to dance with him, curious about the deal he was offering.
“I’ll dance with Mag. I’ll even make sure she’s invited to a Last Rider’s party … if you go out with me on another date.”
“What’s the other option?” Jo warily prepared herself. When Rider wanted something, he could be as charming as a snake handler. However, she had to give him the same consideration he had given her when she had asked him to dance with Mag.
His easy smile showed his even, white teeth. “You can give me a good night’s kiss after I help you get Mag back inside her cabin.”
“I’m not crazy about either of those choices.”
“Then I guess Mag isn’t dancing.”
Jo looked to where Mag was talking to Mick at the bar. She hadn’t seen the woman so happy since Jo was a little girl and Mag was running drunks off with her broomstick.
“I’ll go out with you again,” she relented. It would be a gift to Rachel and Cash, too. The woman would quit moaning about being ready to die, at least until after she went to one of The Last Riders’ parties.
“Are you still joking?”
“No, I’m serious. I’ll go out with you again.”
His smile disappeared at her capitulation. “I should have made myself clear before you agreed. I’m not dancing a slow dance with her.”
It was her turn to smile. “I wouldn’t expect you to. She’ll be happy with a fast one.”
“Cool. We’re on the same page. You sure you won’t be jealous?” he teased.
“I don’t think I have anything to be worried about. Mag doesn’t wear perfume. She wears Bengay.”
16
“Good night, Mag.”
Rider stood outside the bedroom door, listening to Jo and Mag after he had excused himself to go back to Cash’s truck for her wheelchair.
“You sure you don’t want me to sit in the living room until Rider leaves?”
“No, I want you safe and snug in your bed while I drive him home. I’m going to take him as soon as I walk out of your door, so you don’t have to worry.”
Rider could hear her sarcastic snort from the other side of the door.
“That bastard only needs a second to get in your panties. How do you think Cash caught Rachel? It’s how my husband caught me, God rest his soul. Don’t underestimate that no-good son of a bitch.”
Rider almost reached for the doorknob, wanting to strangle the bitch. She was calling him names after rolling over his toes with her wheelchair numerous times when he was dancing with her, and he suspected he felt a hernia growing inside him from carrying her most of the night. The least Mag could do was put in a good word for him.
“Is Rider related to Cash and your husband?”
“No.”
“Then I’m good.”
Rider heard the sounds of the bed creaking and Jo moving around the room. When he saw the doorknob turning, he hurried into the living room, managing to sink down on the couch as the bedroom door opened.
“I’m coming. I’m just putting the wheelchair where Mag can reach it,” Jo called out.
“Take your time,” Rider called back. “I’m not in any hurry.” He knew that would set the old witch off again.
When the door snapped closed again, he knew he was right. Tempted to go eavesdrop again, Rider controlled himself, too afraid he wouldn’t be able to restrain himself from giving Mag the answers to her prayers.
“I’m sorry it took so long. I’ll drive you home.”
Rider rose from the couch, seeing the subtle hint of fear lurking in her eyes.
Giving her space so he wouldn’t brush against her, Rider turned to the other side of the couch. It had been a long time since he had been a gentleman, but he did remember how.
Going to the door, he opened it, politely waiting until she went through it before going outside. He also opened the driver door for her before going to the other side and getting inside.
“It’s cold tonight.” He started the conversation to relax her. With Mag and Mick so near her at the bar, she had loosened up, laughing and joking as he had whirled Mag’s wheelchair around the dance floor. Now, unless he could get her to relax around him while alone, he wouldn’t have a chance with her.
Jo might have blown off Mag’s comments, but deep down, it had only strengthened her reservations about him.
“If you ever need company on nights when you have to work, text me. I get insomnia at night, and it would give me someone to talk to instead of talking to myself.” He leaned comfortably back on the seat, turning to the side where he could study her.
Jo sent him a searching look as she made the turn onto the road that led to The Last Riders. “You ha
ve insomnia?”
Rider knew from experience that, to get other another person’s guard down, you had to reveal something about yourself while withholding the whole truth.
“Many servicemen and women do.”
“Rachel said you and Cash served in the Navy together.”
“I served with all the original members of The Last Riders.”
“The original members?”
“You know them all. Viper, Cash, Razer, Knox, Lucky, and Train.” He didn’t mention Gavin. So far, he hadn’t been seen in town.
Rider didn’t know how much Rachel had told Jo about The Last Riders, so he took the middle ground. It would keep him out of trouble with Viper while giving insights into the club that would correlate with anything Rachel had told her.
“Of course, Knox is no longer a member.”
“Of course,” Jo mimicked his answer, but Rider could tell she didn’t believe the gossip The Last Riders had spread around Treepoint.
“How does Monday sound for our second date?” he asked as the truck rounded the curve to the clubhouse.
“Wednesday sounds better. You have a date with Aly tomorrow night, and you always go out with Carly on Monday nights. Tuesdays are reserved for Claire. I wouldn’t want to step on her toes. She’s the only cashier at the gas station I like. She lets me fill my thermos for free.”
“You don’t mind stepping on Kelly’s toes?”
“No, I don’t go to the jewelry store enough to worry about it. I’ll have to take the heat when I see her at church, but she’ll get over it by the next week.”
“Living in Treepoint does have its disadvantage.” He didn’t make a move to get out of the truck when Jo brought it to a stop at the bottom of the steps that led to the clubhouse.
“Sometimes, but I love how close everyone is. My mother’s and father’s family lived here their whole lives. I’m the only one left now. It makes me sad that, when I die, there won’t be any Turners left.
“You’re still young enough not to have that worry.”
Rider could see her sadness as she stared out the windshield.
“Not only is my family not very prolific, they usually married at a young age.”
“It’s too cold and dark to have that depressing thought.” Rider wanted to reach out and touch her cheek, but he knew it would be rebuffed.
Jo gave a shaky laugh. “You’re right; it is. Thank you for dancing with Mag. She didn’t say anything, but I know she appreciated it.”
Rider doubted it. It certainly didn’t keep the witch from bad-mouthing him.
“I didn’t do it for Mag. I did it for you. You’re beautiful when you smile.”
He expected her to laugh off his compliment. Instead, she did something entirely different that tugged at his heartstrings.
“Rachel and Cash told me that you were joking around about losing your chance to buy Willa’s candy during the auction because you spent all your money on the date with me.” She opened the glove compartment and took out a small container, handing it to him. “I had Willa make me some this morning.”
Rider took the container, shocked at the simple gift. “I hope you didn’t have to pay the same price for it as Moon did.”
“No, she took it out in trade. I’ll be plowing the church’s parking lot the next snowstorm.”
“Like you wouldn’t have done it anyway. You have a soft heart, Jo.” To keep himself from losing the ground he had gained with her, he got out of the truck, taking his candy. “I’ll see you Monday. I don’t see Carly anymore.”
The light from the interior of the truck highlighted her surprised reaction. “Why not?”
“A couple of reasons.”
“Any of them to do with the way she talked to Jewell during the auction?”
“Jewell doesn’t carry tales.”
“She must not carry messages either. Night, Rider.”
Rider wanted to swear rather than close the door, but he didn’t. Stepping away from the truck, he cursed under his breath as he watched Jo drive away.
Getting close to Jo was like getting near a lava pit; you never knew when a spark would scorch you.
Her barb reminded him he needed to talk to Jewell, but he had someone else he needed to talk to first.
Seeing Viper’s lights were still on, Rider walked across the parking lot. He then went up Viper and Winter’s steps and knocked on the door. It took a couple minutes before the door was opened and Viper let him enter.
“You have a second to talk?” He kept his voice lowered, not wanting to disturb Winter and their daughter.
“It can’t wait until morning?”
“I’d rather get it over with tonight.”
Viper nodded, shutting the door behind them and leading him into the family room .
“What’s up?”
“I fired Curt tonight.”
“Why?”
“He disrespected the woman I was with.”
Viper’s face hardened at Rider’s brief explanation. “That woman being Jo?”
“It doesn’t matter who it was. She was with me. Curt went too far. I’m fucking tired of waiting to find shit out on him. I’ll take care of him myself.”
“One of the reasons we’ve had to wait is because Jo would want to know what happened to him if he suddenly disappeared.”
“She’ll be glad he’s gone. Why haven’t you or Knox told me and the other brothers that he broke into her house?”
“We have. You must have had your mind on something else and weren’t paying attention.”
“Well, I am now. That shit’s going to stop.”
“Why?”
“Doesn’t matter. If I deal with Curt, it gets him out of your hair and Jo’s.”
Viper planted his feet in a firm stance, crossing his arms. “And how are you going to accomplish that? We can’t have any more disappearances connected to us with us taking out Crash and Candi.”
“The Last Riders weren’t responsible for Candi’s disappearance.”
“Anyone searching for her will find the connection between The Last Riders and the Destructors.”
Rider shoved his hands into his jacket pockets. “I’ve never used my position as one of the owners to exert my influence. I’ve been content to let you and Shade runs things, but Curt’s made his last dime working for us.”
Viper stiffened. “Anything else you want to change?”
“No. I’m pretty cool about everything else.” The fire crackling in the fireplace had him seeking the warmth. Staring down into the glowing embers of the wood, he thought of home.
“You’ve never had a problem leaving me to take the lead. Why now?”
“It’s going nowhere waiting for Curt to slip up. He isn’t going to spill any secrets about any of his affairs with underage girls. None of his family or friends will either. They’re too afraid of him.” His gaze stayed on the embers, his mind far away in another state and place.
“You’re going home next month for the holidays, and we’ll be the ones stuck with the repercussions of firing Curt. He’s not going to take it without retaliation.”
“I hope there is. I won’t be taking my vacation. If there is retaliation, I’ll be ready for it.”
“You’re not going home?”
“No. What we’ve been doing hasn’t been working. Maybe this will shake Curt enough that he will make a mistake.”
“I wouldn’t build any castles on hopes and prayers. And for fucking sure I wouldn’t pin any hopes that Curt will give Knox something to charge him with.”
“Maybe so.” His leather jacket tightened as he shrugged. “But I’m the only hope Jo has of getting any justice.”
“We all want to see Curt pay. He’s turned his wife into a walking zombie with the medications she’s been given. None of the students who have graduated are saying a word, despite Winter’s pleas. Curt thinks he’s untouchable, and his family’s connections are proving him right.”
“The thing about people who think the
y are invincible is that they always have one fatal flaw. You want to know what it is?”
Rider could hear the smile in Viper’s voice as he answered, “You.”
17
The tow truck packed the slushy snow down as Jo navigated the back road. Turning the wheel, she turned onto another dirt road that was barely visible, low hanging trees scraping the roof of the truck. No one in town came in this direction, unless they were hunting game or scouting out a location to grow their pot plants.
“Damn,” Jo swore out loud when an overgrown brush scraped the paint on the side of her truck.
A quarter of a mile farther ahead, the road widened into a clearing. Bringing the truck to a stop, she waited as the late afternoon sunlight turned to dusk. She should have gone home to change into her coveralls before coming to the scheduled meeting.
Rachel and Cash had arrived back home late, apologizing for the delay by saying they spent too long talking to Tate and Sutton when they had picked up Ema. Jo had waved off their apologies, not wanting to miss her meeting.
Feeling grouchy that she could have taken her time and gone home to change, she was about to reach for her phone to send a text when she saw headlights in her rearview mirror.
The blue car went around her tow truck, the driver pulling alongside her.
Rolling her window down, she waited for the woman in the car to do the same thing.
“I was about to leave. You were supposed to be here twenty minutes ago,” Jo vented, glancing at her watch to confirm how late it was.
“Willa came into the store as I was closing my register. She wanted to give me advice on what I should and shouldn’t do when I go out with Rider tonight.” Aly rolled her eyes heavenward.
“I guess being late for your date wasn’t one of them.” Jo settled back on her seat, resting her arm on the door.
“It was weird as hell. I know without a doubt the advice she gave would irritate Rider, like I haven’t already figured him out since hanging out there. If I hadn’t heard The Last Riders were trying to hook you up with him, I would have fallen for it. Kind of made me disappointed in Willa, her being a Christian and all.”