I folded my arms across my chest in defiance. “Well, that’s just too bad.”
His eyes glazed over. He looked like he might actually implode, his face turned blood red. “Dammit, Jo. This isn’t a fucking game. You’re in danger. Stop dicking around.”
“You’re not telling me anything that I don’t already know. The judge ordered me to babysit you and that’s what I intend to do.”
It made my belly somersault the way he just stared at me. Finally, he broke his gaze and stormed off into the other room.
“Shit.”
I followed him and waited a few minutes to see if he would calm down.
“We’re just going to have to agree to disagree. I know the situation and I’m not thrilled about it either, but we have to see this through. When it’s all over, you can go back to your life, and I can go back to mine.”
“Back to your boyfriend,” he stated.
“Back to my career, back to my apartment, my life, and yes, back to my boyfriend.”
“You weren’t thinking about him last night.”
“Ronin, don’t do this. Last night fucked with both our heads. We have to be able to focus on your case. From now on, we’re strictly attorney and client. Got it?”
“Got it.” He slammed the front door behind him as he marched out.
I watched from the window and spotted him talking to Herc. He pointed to the apartment, straddled his bike, and roared away.
I fought the urge to vomit. My nerves were shot and all I could think about was drinking another beer. I decided that I needed to get something in my stomach. I checked the cabinets, but found nothing but bachelor food.
Good job, Ruth.
I settled on a bowl of cereal. I had started eating when I noticed a slip of paper lying on the counter. Ronin’s list of names from the night Numar was murdered. I recognized most of them, but there were a few that I didn’t, which would be a good place to start.
I tried to go back to work, but the altercation with Ronin proved to be too much of a distraction. Something had changed. He was close to snapping, on the edge and full of rage. I wondered if he had found some information that he chose not to share.
He didn’t want to have to worry about keeping me safe, which is exactly what he ended up doing. Every single time. He didn’t give two shits about himself. Classic Ronin.
My cell phone rang, causing me to jump.
Dammit. Ronin had really gotten into my head.
“Jolene Miller.” I answered the call even though I didn’t recognize the phone number.
“Ms. Miller, glad I caught you. This is Thomas Garner. I was hoping I could get you to come in for a meeting. Could you spare a few minutes tomorrow?”
“Well, Mr. Garner, that depends.”
“On?”
“Whether it’s worth my time or not.”
“There’s only one way to find out.”
I wasn’t certain, but I suspected the arrogant jackass was mocking me. Not a good sign. I also knew there was no way I was going to pass up a meeting to get inside the prosecutor’s head.
“Fine. I’ll come down tomorrow. This better be good.”
“Great, see you then. Have a great evening, Ms. Miller.”
“Right, until tomorrow, Mr. Garner.”
Whatever he wanted to talk to me about couldn’t be good. If he had any information that would help Ronin, he would be an idiot to share it with me.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
(Ronin)
I balled up my fists and paced the tiny office behind the bar. “You explain to me how someone got my gun out of my room if it wasn’t someone on the inside.”
Ruth shook her head, pursing her lips.
“Dammit Ruth. Do you know something or not? And don’t give me that ‘bitch knows nothing’ bullshit.”
“No, I’d tell you if I did. But you can’t go off all halfcocked either. These are some pretty serious accusations.”
“I don’t see another way around it.” I raked my hands through my hair. I had thought about this from every angle.
“What’s your next step?”
“I’m gonna talk to Jesse. I’m running out of options. He’s acting strange anyway. Need to clear the air.”
“Yeah, Jo was here earlier. She sure does have her sights set on seeing this thing through. I hope you’re not complicating things.”
I shot her a knowing stare. “Why would you say that? Did she say something?”
Ruth stood and moved to the front of the desk. “She didn’t have to. I just know that you two have a history. I’d hate to see you both lose sight of the bigger picture here, and so would Jesse. That much I do know.”
“Thanks, but I think I can handle it. Where’s the old man?”
“He and Jimmy had a run, but they should be back by now. Check the house.” She tugged on his beard. “You know that I’m just worried about you, right?”
I gave her a peck on the cheek. “I know, momma.”
“Good,” she said and sat back down at the desk. “Now, go take care of your business. I got work to do. And stop being such a fucking hot head. It doesn’t get you anywhere.”
She was right. I had a real problem with punch first and ask questions second. In my past experience, people always had an agenda. That’s a hard, and dangerous, habit to break.
I strolled over to the house looking for my prez. I followed the voices coming from the backyard, surprised to find most of my brothers hanging out, even the prospects. Yet, I knew nothing about the little pow wow.
With Ruth’s words echoing in my head, I tried not to jump to conclusions. Damn, that shit was hard.
“Looks like I missed a call.”
Everyone stopped what they were doing and turned their attention in my direction.
“Hey brother, what’s going on?” Clint got up from the pile of bricks he was perched on to shake my hand.
“Nah, you didn’t miss anything. Just having the boys report on their runs.” Jesse said, taking a long drag off his cigarette.
Stoner and Zombie were busy passing a joint back and forth, stopping to offer me a toke. I welcomed the mind numbing effect. After taking a long hit, I passed it back to Stoner, ignoring Zombie.
“What about my runs?”
Jimmy X stood, appearing anxious, almost uncomfortable. The man had a horrible poker face. “Son, we know you have a lot on your plate.”
I bowed up. “Yeah, well, I need to keep some bread and butter on that plate. How do you suppose I do that if my club cuts my runs?”
“Doesn’t matter. You’ll be gone soon enough. The only thing you’ll need is three hots and a cot.” Zombie laughed.
Adrenaline rushed through my veins. I lunged for Zombie, snatching him up by his shirt with one hand and rocking his jaw with the other. I got in a few good licks before Stoner, Clint, and a prospect were able to restrain me.
“Zombie! Head out!” Jesse snapped. “You, inside.” He pointed at me.
My pulse raced, with my chest heaving. I pumped my fists. It felt damn good to take out some pent up frustration.
Stoner appeared confused, like always. Jimmy X walked Zombie out the gate, clearly attempting to smooth things over. Clint and Jesse were whispering off to the side.
I didn’t know whether I was just being paranoid, or if there was a major shift taking place within the ranks. Either way, it fucked with my head. I waited inside for Jesse, who was sending everyone else on their way. When he came in, he grabbed two cold beers, handing one off to me before settling in his chair.
“It’s time we catch up, son. Tell me where your head’s at because you’re not looking so good.”
My insides tensed. “Where my head’s at? I’m on trial for a murder that I didn’t commit. My club doesn’t seem to give a shit, and my income’s been jacked. Where do you think my fucking head’s at?”
“First, no one is jacking your income. This is temporary to keep you straight. Second, your club is your family. Don’t you ever f
orget that either. I reassigned your runs to keep you on the up and up during your trial. You’re not alone in this. I’ve got the boys working it from another angle. Third, and most importantly, you need to remember who the fuck you’re talking to, understand?”
I flared my nostrils. I knew that Jesse was right, but it didn’t ease the blow. Taking orders should be easy when it’s all you’ve ever known. I tried to remember that when I felt like busting up a face.
“Sir.”
“Good.” He leaned back and lit another smoke. “Now, where are you and Jo on this whole trial bullshit?”
With my insides twitching, I guzzled half my beer and tried to steady my breathing. “She’s busy doing whatever she does, filing shit and interviews. I’m working on a list for a time line of the night that Numar was killed. That gun was in my room. Someone had to have access to get it out to frame me.”
“That’s a good plan, I guess. How’s she doing?”
I sighed. “You know her, hard headed as fuck.”
Jesse gave a proud smirk. “Yeah, I don’t know where she gets that shit from. Me and Jimmy went to see Fugi.”
“Are you fucking kidding me? You went to see the Pistol Kings?”
“Calm your ass down. You know that it had to be done. We’re trying to stop a slaughter. I can’t have my family, including you, caught up in a war. Fugi recognizes that Numar was a bad seed. I’m hoping to strike up a truce, come to an agreement.”
“That’s like admitting that I did it,” I stated, gripping my beer until all of the blood drained from my hand, revealing stark white knuckles.
Jesse puffed on his smoke. “I’m not gonna lie. It didn’t go as well as I’d hoped.”
“Is this about a deal?”
“You know better than that. It’s about keeping our family safe. Fuji wants you in exchange.”
“And you believe that if you serve me up on a platter that he’ll keep his word?”
Jesse shook his head. “Hell no. And no one is serving you up anywhere. That’s also why Herc is to stay with Jo twenty-four seven. No exceptions, got it?”
“Yeah, got it. And trust me when I say that he’s taking the position seriously.”
“Good deal. In the meantime, we need to figure out who the hell had access to your room. We’re in this together, son. Above all else, remember that.”
I didn’t like the way my instincts were screaming at me.
“Need to watch your back. Fugi’s got soldiers everywhere. And if you need anything, you let me know. Cash, whatever.”
“Yeah, thanks.”
My president and mentor gave me an embrace as we parted ways. I took the long way across town, hoping to clear my head. My world was crashing down around me and Jolene was caught up in the dead center. The only person who could help me was the one person that I had to alienate.
Jo.
I pulled into the apartment complex and was relieved to find Herc standing his post.
“Hey big guy. Everything solid?”
The oversized teddy bear grinned and nodded. I cupped him on the arm, indicating a job well done.
“Need a beer or smoke?”
Herc violently shook his head while tapping his finger to his temple.
“Ok, good idea. You need to stay sharp.” I left a beaming Hercules standing guard and unlocked the apartment. All of the lights were off. No sound or sign of anyone around. I checked the bathroom. Nothing.
I gave a light knock on the bedroom door. Nothing. I knocked harder. Nothing.
Shit.
I twisted the knob and found it locked. When I didn’t hear anything, I started pounding on the door with both fists.
“Jo, are you in there? Open the damn door!”
I pounded louder, rattling the doorknob at the same time. “Jo, dammit”
Just as I got ready to break the motherfucker down, I heard her voice coming from the other side. Sweat poured from my forehead, my heart thumping wildly in my aching chest.
Drenched in relief when she finally opened the door, I thought that I might actually pass out. It opened up my eyes to my priorities. As long as Jolene was in the picture, I would never be able to focus on myself.
After telling her to pack up her shit and leave, I couldn’t stay in the apartment any longer. The walls were closing in and the only thing that I could think about was keeping Jo safe, and there was only one way to accomplish that - distance.
She was in danger because of me, again. I had to figure out a way to get her out of the picture. I took off without a plan or direction. Usually when I needed to blow off steam I would head to the bar, but I couldn’t do that this time. I didn’t have a safe place to retreat. Not anymore.
I stepped into the corner liquor store and picked up a bottle of Jameson. I drove around for a while on the backroads, catching some wind and trying to clear my thoughts. It left me physically sick to leave Jo like I did. The betrayed and confused expression that consumed her twisted face cut me to my core.
She could never love me like she used to, not after all these years. The baggage was too heavy. The family would never approve. So why was being with Jolene the only thing I could think about? The need was gnawing at my gut.
I slumped back into my old vices, and without realizing where I was going, I ended up parked outside the D&K Diner. I leaned against my bike and waited. It didn’t take long. Angela spotted me as soon as she stepped out of the side door.
“Wow, didn’t expect to see you here.”
“Yeah, didn’t expect to be here.”
She pulled her bright red lips into a seductive smile. “You don’t see me complaining, sugar. So, your little girlfriend couldn’t keep you satisfied, huh?”
The loaded question hung in the air like a tornado, fucking with my head. “You gonna hop on or not?”
She popped her lips and tilted her head. If she was waiting for me to beg, she had another thing coming. I cranked up the chopper, sending her into a tizzy. She threw one leg over the bike and straddled the seat behind me.
I fought the urge to slap her hands away as she threaded her long fingers together around my waist.
What the fuck am I doing?
Everything in me screamed to drop her off at home and haul ass. I soared through town, unaware of the threatening eyes on me and my not so discreet passenger.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
(Jolene)
Pain pierced my head. I attempted to pry open my heavy lids. I had spent most of the night constructing the time line. I tried to wait up for Ronin, but finally gave up and took another Ambien.
My mind had come up with every horrible scenario. When I asked Herc to go check on him, he simply shook his head, planting himself at my front door. I called Ruth, who reassured me that he was probably just handling business. I had even called his cell phone a few times.
Nothing.
As always when taking sleeping pills, I had to piece together the night before. Ronin had damn near lost his mind when I didn’t answer the bedroom door. The pained expression on his face nipped at me. Everything was spinning out of control and I hadn’t made any lead way on his murder case.
Shit.
Remembering the meeting with Mr. Garner, I crawled out of bed and started the coffee pot. My heart plummeted when I noticed the unslept on couch. I tried to reassure myself by telling myself that if something had happened to him, I would have heard by now.
I turned on the hot water and cried. The heaviness in my chest was just too much. I let the heat work on my neck as I doubled over and bawled, allowing my emotions to flow, ready to suffer through another day.
I struggled to push Ronin from my thoughts. Why was he so hell bent on compromising his own defense? After leaving Ronin one last message, I prepared for my meeting with Mr. Garner.
Feeling rejuvenated after my shower and almost an entire pot of coffee, I smiled at Herc and climbed into my car. The man took his babysitting job very seriously. I knew I should be grateful, especially since Ronin
didn’t give a shit about sticking around to keep me safe. He had washed his hands of me and it was for the best.
“Ms. Miller for Mr. Garner, please.” I checked in with the secretary and waited in one of the chairs lining the wall.
After a few moments, the tall, blonde gentleman I remembered from the courtroom appeared.
“Ms. Miller, thanks so much for making the time to come in today.”
He shook my hand and motioned for me to have a seat across from his desk.
“Yes, well, you knew I wouldn’t be able to pass on such a cryptic message. Why am I here, Mr. Garner?”
He spun his chair around in my direction. His smug attitude was doing nothing for my resolve.
“Ms. Miller, I’m sure you’re aware of Mr. Steele’s connection with the motorcycle club, the Executioners?” He mocked me by using air quotes with the word club.
“You know that I am.”
“Are you also aware of the fact that we believe that Mr. Steele wasn’t working alone when he shot Mr. Numar?”
There it was. He had tipped his hand.
“And this is where I’m supposed to ask how you got your information. You’ll play coy, hoping to bait me, and because I’m so naïve, I’ll let something important slip. Am I close?”
My bold words must have caught the man by surprise. He leaned back in his chair, searching my face as he rubbed his chin.
“You’re no fool, Ms. Miller. I’m sure you’re able to handle yourself just fine when it comes to jaywalking or shoplifting down in San Diego. Second chair isn’t anything to sneeze at. I’m not knocking that. You’re young. You have a long career ahead of you, but this is the real deal. Your boy is going down for this, as well as anyone else from the gang who’s involved. You might want to pass that message along to daddy.”
Now it was my turn to stare. My insides quaked. I stood to hide my trembling legs.
He stood, grinning, escorting me toward the door. “I hope I didn’t waste your time, Ms. Miller.”
X Marks the Spot (Executioners MC Book 1) Page 9