GRIPPED (Romance Mystery & Suspense Box Set)

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GRIPPED (Romance Mystery & Suspense Box Set) Page 34

by Abbott, Alex


  She also tested the air quality in certain industrial plants and in auto body shops where paint fumes were prevalent. Today she headed to Big Red’s Auto Body Shop, a first for her. She’d never been there as Ricky, a co-worker, normally handled it. She didn’t really trust Ricky. Word was he could be bought off for a price, allowing certain shops and restaurants to remain open if they paid him under the table. Ginger wondered if Big Red’s shop was the same way.

  When Ginger drove up to the shop in her silver Toyota Camry she noticed all the Harley’s parked outside. Now she remembered. This was the home of the Wicked Warriors Motorcycle Club. She’d heard the stories growing up, how the club dealt drugs and sold illegal firearms back in the day, with numerous murders going unsolved, but in the recent past the club managed to turn its evil ways around. But rumors still swirled through the town streets, and once you have a certain reputation, it’s difficult to erase all the bad blood.

  Ginger looked over at the original building which now held the club’s headquarters. It held a huge sign over the door that read ‘Wicked Warriors Motorcycle Club’ in bright orange letters. A diagram of a skull and crossbones was etched into the sign below their name. Not the best way to run from an illegal past, Ginger thought.

  She turned and headed into the auto shop, pulling her coat’s hood over her black hair. The cold winter days were about to do her in. Ginger hated the winters in the north, and decided one day she’d move south to sunny Florida and live in a home with an orange tree in the backyard.

  Ginger was raised an only child, but the stereotype of a spoiled brat didn’t fit her at all. Her parents were responsible and ensured she understood the value of a dollar and how to be independent. They wanted to bestow these traits onto their daughter in case anything ever happened to them, which was a good thing since they both died in a car accident when she was 22. Five years later, Ginger had a good paying job, a condo, and five year old vehicle that was paid for. She knew her parents would be proud of her level headedness. But Ginger was lonely and felt that her life was lacking an important ingredient, like excitement and thrills. She dated many men, and her beautiful dark eyes and hair made her a catch, but everyone her friends set her up with were either too boring or only interested in themselves. She longed for the thrill of a man who wasn’t part of the normal day to day boredom in which her life had fallen into. Yet, that kind of exhilaration can come with a price and Ginger wasn’t sure she had what it took to venture into parts unknown. Whether she liked it or not, she was about to find out.

  *****

  Ginger walked through the front door of Big Red’s and into a small office where Lily sat behind the desk.

  “Hi, I’m Ginger Lawrence from the Health Department.”

  “Hello…wait right here Ms. Lawrence while I get the owner.”

  Ginger looked around the office which had a professional air about it. The receptionist had a nice glass topped desk and the waiting area adjacent to the office was large with nice comfy chairs and a large screen TV with plenty of vending machines for snacks and drinks. She was a little surprised, knowing the reputation of the owners.

  Suddenly the door to the body shop opened and a man walked through. He dove his fingers through his thick brown hair and Ginger could see the ripples of his abs through his white t-shirt. Normally she wasn’t taken aback by good looking men, but this guy had an animalistic aura about him that ignited a flame Ginger never felt before. She felt slightly nervous, an odd feeling for her. But with her mundane existence, she rather welcomed the sensation all the same.

  The man reached out his hand to shake hers.

  “Hi, my name is Justin Taylor and my father owns the place. Is Ricky sick? He usually does the inspection.”

  “Hello, I’m Ginger Lawrence, and yes Ricky is out sick. He has pneumonia and been in the hospital for a few days so I’m taking over some of his assignments.”

  Justin was intrigued the moment he saw the dark haired beauty. Most women he came in contact with were also beautiful, but with a hard edge. Seems as though that’s the only type of women he attracted, and while they were good for a lay, he didn’t want to settle for that. A sweet girl with a good head on her shoulders is what he pined for, but with his tattoos and biker reputation, most of them ran in the other direction.

  “Let me show you the way to the shop.” Lily had taken her place back behind the desk and smiled at Ginger as she walked by, then nodded to Justin, as if to say ‘you better get her number.’ Justin was way ahead of her.

  Ginger took the report and clipboard out of her satchel. She took her job seriously and wasn’t about to be swayed by the rugged handsomeness of the man before her, although she admitted to herself, it was difficult not to stare at him.

  Justin was having the same difficulty. It wasn’t often he was taken aback by a female’s beauty. But it wasn’t just her looks that had him salivating, but her friendly yet professional manner. Of course her skirt allowed Justin to drink in her long legs which didn’t hurt in the least. He tried not to stare at her tiny ass in the tight skirt, but it was difficult. He could see the rest of the guys snickering in the corner. Bunch of lame asses, he thought. He loved them, but damn he didn’t want them to mess it up for him.

  “I can answer any questions you might have,” Justin said as he showed Ginger around the auto body shop.

  “Oh I’ve done auto shops before, but thanks,” Ginger answered. She could have kicked herself as she turned away from his disappointed face. She was so use to being independent she didn’t recognize the times she should invite someone into her space, especially the gorgeous Justin.

  Ginger turned around just as Justin was ready to walk back into the office.

  “Wait, why don’t you show me the shop’s ventilation system.”

  Justin smiled and said, “Right this way.”

  Ginger made her inspection of the ventilation system and took a reading of the oxygen levels within the painting room. Everything seemed to be in order. She was slightly surprised, not expecting state of the art equipment, but the owner performed a good job of keeping the environment healthy for his workers.

  When Ginger finished, she let Justin know everything was in working order and she planned to file her report with an excellent rating. Justin thanked her and asked if she’d like to join him for lunch. Ginger looked at her watch and was surprised it was almost noon. Time flies when you’re working around a handsome hunk.

  “Sure,” Ginger said as she put her clipboard back into her work satchel.

  “How about I drive us to the café in town.”

  “Not on your Harley I hope.”

  “No, I wouldn’t do that to you in this weather. We’ll take the SUV.”

  The boys gave Justin a smartass salute as he grabbed the keys.

  “Take care of Dad until I get back.”

  “We always do,” Trick, one of the club members answered. “Hey, is Connor coming in today?”

  “Ask Lily, she should know,” Justin answered as he put on his coat and escorted Ginger to his black SUV.

  They made small talk on the way, just the usual of where did you grow up, are you from around here, and any jealous boyfriends or girlfriends in your past. Their rapport was easy for both of them. Justin felt immediately at ease with Ginger, like he could be himself without having to put on airs. She liked his humor and his edginess, something that was missing on most of her recent dating escapades.

  They ate their lunch and lingered over coffee. Ginger knew she should get back to the office, but she’d rather stay and continue her conversation with Justin about how the Wicked Warriors motorcycle club evolved into a legal commodity from its criminal days. She found it captivating information and Justin was happy to talk about it. Most women he dated didn’t want to talk or have the intellectual ability to hold down a conversation. It was a refreshing change to actually have a smart discussion with a woman besides his sister. Plus both of them were enjoying the view. Ginger was captivated by Justi
n’s emerald green eyes and his 3 day old beard, and he was mesmerized by her full lips, dimples and dancing brown eyes that twinkled when she smiled.

  The two were having a wonderful time, something neither one had had for a long time. Unfortunately their time was limited as a tragedy was unfolding and would start with the ring of Justin’s cell phone.

  *****

  “Hey Lily, where’s your worthless fiancé?” Trick asked.

  “Right here,” Connor answered as he walked through the office door at Big Red’s.

  “About time dick face.”

  “Hey, lay off my baby, he had a fever this morning. You feeling better babe?” Lily asked.

  “Yeah you feeling better baby?” Trick teased.

  “Yes I am,” he said to Lily. “And fuck off,” to Trick.

  Big Red walked in from the waiting room where he had been visiting with a few customers, his portable oxygen tank trailing behind him.

  “You been ill Connor?” Big Red asked.

  “No Dad, just a 24 hour bug. I’m ready to get at it.” Although Big Red wasn’t his biological father, the boy asked if he could call him dad when he was 8 years old. Big Red felt honored that Connor would bestow that privilege upon him, so the moniker continued into adulthood.

  “Are you sure?“ Red asked Connor. “You can take the rest of the day off if you need to. You’re a hard worker and you deserve it.”

  “Naw, I’d be bored. Besides, I’ve got to keep an eye on these jerks so they don’t try anything with my girl.”

  Lily laughed. “Don’t worry,” Lily said. “I can take care of myself and these boys know better than to mess with me.”

  At that moment the front door opened and Justin and Ginger walked through. Justin introduced Ginger to Big Red and Connor.

  “I’ve been hearing a lot about the both of you, and Justin’s sister Amy,” Ginger said with a smile.

  “Except for Amy that had to be a boring lunch,” Big Red laughed.

  “Not at all, it was quite interesting, especially about the club’s origins and how you’ve guided it through the years.”

  Big Red liked her immediately. It wasn’t just her kind demeanor or that he thought she was trying to say all the right things. Red could spot a bull shitter a mile away and Ginger wasn’t one. She was genuine and he could see already how his son’s eyes lit up when looking at her. Big Red didn’t like to jump to conclusions, but he had an inkling that she might be the one for his son…if the boy didn’t mess it up.

  “Well I better get back to the office, I’m late already,” Ginger remarked. She said her goodbyes and Justin walked her to her car.

  “I hope I’m not being too forward, but would you like to have dinner tonight?”

  “How about I cook something at my place?”

  “Oh, I don’t want to put you out.”

  “No no, I love to cook, but it’s hard to do for one person. This way I can test out a new recipe I‘ve been wanting to try.”

  How could Justin refuse? Ginger gave him her address and phone number. Their journey was just beginning and it would be a tumultuous one.

  *****

  Ginger was excited. She hadn’t felt this stimulated by a man in, well forever. She thought of Justin, his dark brown hair softly touching the collar of his leather jacket, the bulging abs under his t-shirt, and those stunning green eyes. Ginger shook her head to clear her thoughts. What’s wrong with me, she thought. I’m acting like a school girl. But the excitement springing from her chest was difficult to beat down. And she rather liked it too.

  She chopped and diced the tomatoes, onions and garlic for her lasagna and the lettuce, cucumbers and hard boiled eggs for the salad. Cooking provided comfort for Ginger. Some people grow gardens, others paint or create crafts, but Ginger’s passion was cooking. Her mother taught her how to cook at a young age, and it was something that bonded the two closer together. She felt her mother’s presence whenever she cooked and that brought her peace. However, this evening she could barely keep her mind on the recipe’s instructions. “I better get this recipe right or he’ll never be back,” she told herself.

  Before she knew it time got away from her. Ginger looked at the clock on the stove. She had 15 minutes to get ready before Justin got there. CRAP! She tore out of her housecoat and into a low cut blouse and jeans. As she was applying her lipstick she heard a knock at the door.

  When she opened it Justin stood holding a bottle of wine.

  “I hope this is alright. I’m not up to date on wines, but it’s red,” he laughed.

  Ginger laughed too. “It’s perfect.”

  They ate their dinner starting with the salad and then the main course was served with breadsticks. Justin ate like he was starving and Ginger loved watching him. At one point he looked up from his plate and said, “I’m sorry…it just tastes so good!”

  “Don’t be sorry, I’m glad you’re enjoying it. Like I said before, I love to cook but it’s difficult to make lasagna for one.”

  “I cook for my dad and me, but I have to admit it’s not that great. I do well to open a can and heat something up on the stove.”

  “Maybe I could cook for your dad sometime as well.”

  “He’d love it. Sometimes my sister Amy will fix us a home cooked meal, but she’s busy with her job and son, so it’s not often we get such a treat.”

  They talked for a bit then moved to the living room with their wine glasses in tow, sitting beside each other on the couch. It wasn’t long before Justin, who was use to moving fast, slipped closer to Ginger. He put his arm around the top of the couch behind her and then tilted her chin so it met his gaze. He tenderly kissed her lips, and then slipped his tongue into her mouth. Ginger opened her lips willingly, that spark growing in her chest to a flame. Normally it wasn’t in her nature to move so swiftly, even though to most women this was nothing, but to Ginger kissing and fondling on the first date were not the norm.

  Justin slowly moved his hand from her face down to the V of her low cut blouse. He rubbed between her breasts with his fingertips. Ginger could feel that flame burning into a bright blaze as she became ever so wet. Justin dug his tongue deeper into her mouth. He could taste the sweetness of the wine on her tongue and lips. His desire was burning deep as well. His member became erect and hard. He wanted to feel it inside her, but not sure if she was ready yet. Ginger was filled with desire, almost feeling weightless from the arousal her body hadn’t felt in a long time.

  Justin’s fingers traveled ever so slowly under the shirt’s fabric towards Ginger’s breast. She could feel his fingertips as they lightly brushed the top of her right tit. Her clit pulsed with anticipation and desire. His tongue in her mouth and hand traveling below her bra was sending electrical jolts down her limbs and up towards the nipples of her breasts. Justin could feel the heat as well. His cock had swelled and it ached with a craving to have this woman who had mesmerized him so.

  At that moment Justin’s cell phone buzzed. He’d set it on the coffee table in front of the couch and it bounced on the wood top as it vibrated. Justin ignored it, too intent on his mission. A few seconds later they heard the tone that a message had recorded. Justin and Ginger didn’t lose a beat and their hunger for each other grew even stronger.

  Suddenly the phone chirped again. Justin halted his kisses and paused.

  “I hate to stop,” he whispered. “But my dad is in a bad way and I should check to see if it’s him.”

  “Of course Justin.” Ginger leaned back and fixed her hair and adjusted her blouse as Justin leaned over to pick up his phone. He hit the screen with his finger when he saw it was Big Red and said hello.

  “Justin your sister is missing. Aaron just called and he can’t find her. Her car’s not at home either. He’s been calling and calling her cell and no answer.” Big Red sounded frightened and Justin knew he shouldn’t be stressed like this.

  “Dad where are you?”

  “I’m at the club with Trick and Merlin. I sent one of the p
rospects to go and stay with Aaron until I could get a hold of you.”

  “Why is he just now calling about her?” Justin looked at his watch. It was 8pm.

  “He just got home. He went to a friend’s house for dinner. He already okayed it with Amy last night.”

  Justin could tell his old man was getting more upset by the minute.

  “Okay dad, I’m on my way.” Justin hung up and looked at Ginger.

  She heard the conversation and knew something was terribly wrong.

  “I’m sorry but I have to go,” Justin said as he got up from the couch and put on his jacket.

  “Of course. Is there anything I can do to help?”

  “Not at the moment, but thank you. I had a wonderful time tonight Ginger.”

  “I did too. But now go, find out what’s going on.” She could tell by his worried face that something wasn’t right.

  Justin leaned over and gave her a quick kiss goodbye and left out the door. Ginger held her fingers to her lips. The flame was now an ember. She was worried however. Something didn’t feel right, but she had no idea just how bad things would get.

  *****

  When Justin entered the clubhouse, his dad was surrounded by Lily, Connor, Trick, Merlin, Tank, and two of the prospects. Old ladies and a few other club members sat at the bar or the tables.

  “What do you know,” Justin asked.

  “Not anymore than I already told you on the phone,” Big Red replied. His face was pale and Justin was worried about both him and Amy.

  “What about work? Has anybody called them to see if she made it there today?”

  “I tried Justin,” Lily answered. “But their offices are closed.”

  “We’ve got men out combing the streets looking for her car,” Connor answered.

  Justin walked over to him and slapped him on the shoulder. “Thanks brother.”

  “I think we better call the cops and let them in on this,” Justin said.

 

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