“Because they knew by calling me that I would set out to find you myself?”
“No, because they knew of our rapport with the Knights. Why else would the caller assume that you might believe I would call Red if I were in some kind of trouble?”
Kaleb scratched his nape. Damn, but he had acted the fool, even if he hadn’t one hundred percent believed the caller. He had, though, organized a rescue mission due to that phone call. “But I didn’t believe it without question, at least not fully.”
“No, but you believed it enough so that you set out that night, organized a ride straight into the waiting trap. And whoever the caller was counted on you doing so.”
* * *
Tamera sat at the wooden table of Murphy’s Tavern looking much like a fish out of water, twirling a ringlet of red hair around her forefinger. She wore fishnet stockings under a tight, black leather skirt, with five-inch patent leather heals to compliment the outfit. On top she wore a white halter tank that dipped well into her cleavage. In truth, with her fiery-red hair, Suzi thought she looked smoking hot. Most the guys in the place were guilty of ogling her, and yet Tamera seemed completely oblivious to the attention. The large barkeep, who had to stand at least six-foot-eight, with shoulders like a linebacker, made his way toward them.
He seemed friendly enough as he stopped by several tables and talked to the various patrons who filled his bar on a Tuesday night before making it to their table in the back of the crowded room. A smile crawled up Tamera’s cheeks. Obviously she knew the giant of a man by the warm look she bestowed him with upon his approach. Even dressed a bit more conservative, Suzi still felt a tad out of place as well where most patrons wore jeans, cowboy boots, and either T-shirts or flannels. Tamera and Suzi’s attire was much more suited for the bar around the corner, the Blood ‘n’ Rave. Country music and the din of conversation made it difficult to carry on normal conversation. Murphy’s Tavern had the reputation of being a rowdy bar at times with some guys having more braun than brains.
Tamera rose as the owner stopped at their table and leaned down to give her roommate a bear of a hug. “Hey, beautiful. How’s my favorite niece?”
“I’m great, Uncle Lyle. You’re handsome as ever.”
“This ugly mug?” He chuckled. “Couple of beers on the house?”
Placing her hand on his large biceps, Tamera raised her voice to be heard. “A couple of pinot noirs and you have a deal.”
Lyle turned toward the bartender, used his fingers to indicate a couple of glasses, then shouted, “Pinot noirs,” over the loud hubbub.
Tamera’s uncle had barely put his backside into a seat at their table when two long stemmed glasses, half-filled with the deep red wine, were set on the table in front of them. “You going to introduce us, Tamera? Or do I need to embarrass myself and make assumptions this lovely lady doesn’t even know you and came here just to see me.”
He winked, followed by a deep robust laugh that rumbled up from his chest. Suzi already liked the barkeep. Rounded cheekbones and deep set eyes, gave him that teddy bear appeal that made her want to wrap her arms around his waist and squeeze. In short, the big guy looked harmless, and a whole lot of fun. No wonder his bar was filled to capacity on a weekday night.
“I’m sorry. Suzi, this is my mother’s little brother, Lyle Murphy. He owns this establishment.”
“Little?” Suzi laughed, extending her hand, which he took to his lips and briefly kissed the back of. “I’m Suzi Stevens, your niece’s roommate who can’t seem to stay out of trouble. I’d say you are anything but little, Mr. Murphy.”
“Oh, please don’t call me mister. That’s my dad’s name. I’m Lyle. I don’t answer to anything else accept maybe ‘Hey, asshole,’” he said rubbing the bridge of a crooked nose.
Obviously he had been in a fight or two, resulting in a broken nose. By the size of Lyle, she had to wonder what broken bones the other guy received. Anyone would be a fool to call a man the size of Lyle an ass.
“I doubt anyone would call you that.”
“You’d be surprised when it gets late and you have drunks not wanting to call it a night. I call them a cab, and I get called asshole.” He looked from Suzi to Tamera. “What brings the two of you in tonight?”
Tamera held her glass to her lips and took a sip of the deep red liquid, before replying. “Do we need a reason?”
Tamera and Suzi, given the option, wouldn’t normally have chosen Murphy’s Tavern as a night out, and Lyle undoubtedly knew that. It was more of a known hang out for the Sheriff’s Office and their ilk. Cara Brahnam would be more likely caught here knocking back a few than Suzi ever would. At least before meeting Kane anyway. Suzi couldn’t help wonder what Kane and her childhood friend were up to. Suzi had heard from Cara at least a couple of times since they left town six months ago, their whereabouts unknown, but it had been at least three weeks since her last call. Cara’s grandfather being a resident in the nursing home Suzi worked for, Cara had checked in frequently on his welfare.
She used the excuse she had wanted to make sure the old man behaved himself in her absence, when Suzi knew Cara worried about his health and well-being. The thought brought a smile to her face. Grandpa Brahnam had a way with the ladies at the nursing home and was way too ornery to die. Suzi had taken a job as the resident LPN at the Pleasant Care Nursing Home shortly after Cara and Kane had left town as her way of helping Cara, knowing that she would feel comfortable leaving her grandfather in her capable hands.
Suzi planned to go back to school to continue her education so that she could get her RN license, and open up her career opportunities now that she had put the Sons of Sangue behind her, or at least she had until Kaleb came crashing back into her life. She supposed she was partly at fault. But how could she have known her trip to the Rave, out of concern for his welfare, would end as it had?
“No, sweetheart, but I suspect you have one anyway. What can I do for you?”
“Suzi needs a pretend fiancé.”
And she did, but Tamera could’ve at least forewarned her. Suzi damn near spit the wine she had just taken a sip from. Heat rose up her neck and warmed her cheeks. Tamera had said they were stopping by to have a drink with a family member. That family member now sat at their table scrutinizing her. Probably wondering what ailment she had that she couldn’t get a boyfriend on her own. She had a disorder all right in the name of Kaleb Tepes. The corners of his lips lifted his cheeks as he slowly smiled, then guffawed, so much so that they now attracted the attention of several nearby tables. Suzi leaned forward, placing her chin on her palm. Sure it was all fun and games … at her expense. She’d definitely kill Tamera when they got home, if they even made it that far.
Her uncle finally contained his mirth and smiled widely at Suzi. “So you’re in need of a pretend boyfriend? Or are you looking to shack up, darlin’?”
Suzi knew he jested, trying to lighten her embarrassment, but it wasn’t helping. She rolled her eyes, then placed her left hand out so the bauble on her ring finger reflected in the low lighting.
Lyle whistled. “That’s some rock.”
Suzi grimaced. “It’s a fake.”
He studied her for a moment, then said, “So why the pretend fiancé, and why now do you need to produce him?”
“I was hoping to dissuade someone’s unwanted attention.” Suzi leaned back in her chair. “I thought the ring alone would do it. I was wrong.”
“So you need me to appear with you somewhere this man happens to be. He sees me with you and what? Backs off? “ Lyle patted her ring hand that now lay flat on the table, then gave her fingers a warm squeeze. “You need me to rough him up too, darlin’?”
She looked at Tamera, giving her the stink eye. Telling Suzi about her little plan beforehand would have been preferable. But then again, maybe Tamera knew Suzi would’ve never agreed to such an outlandish scheme.
“I’m sorry, Lyle. Tamera shouldn’t have brought you into my mess.”
Lyle’s warm b
lue eyes held her gaze. “Why not let me decide what I should get involved in? Tell me about this problem you have.”
“I’m not even sure that I need someone to run interference.” Suzi sighed, on the verge of tears. She quickly blinked away the wetness, before anyone commented on her misery. “I allowed someone to believe I had a fiancé.”
“Because you didn’t want his interest?”
She shook her head. “I’m pretty sure he doesn’t want anything to do with me. He hates me and he makes sure I know just how much.”
Lyle’s forehead creased. “Why would he care if you had a fiancé then?”
“I used to date his nephew.” Suzi looked to her lap, anywhere but into the caring eyes of Tamera’s uncle. How would she ever explain her and Kaleb’s complicated non-relationship? “I never really dated Ion. But this guy … he believes I did. Thought I was all kinds of wrong for him, I’m sure. Then when his nephew died tragically, he thought I was the biggest bitch on the face of the earth for not reacting as he thought I should. I mourned his loss. I really did. But I missed my best friend. Not a lover. That’s something Hawk will never understand.”
“Hawk? As in the Sons of Sangue Hawk?” Lyle asked, one of his brows rose.
Great, he knew Kaleb. For all Suzi knew, Lyle wouldn’t want anything to do with the president of the MC. Who in their right mind would? Even one of Lyle’s size was no match for the biker, not to mention the Sons take them all on type mentality. No one went up against the MC in town.
“Yes, that Hawk.”
He slowly nodded, probably trying to think of a polite way to get out of this scheme he had been unwittingly brought into. Instead, Lyle surprised her by saying, “So where do you want this meeting to take place?”
Suzi’s gaze widened. “You’ll do it?”
“Can’t have the MC bullying my fiancée, now can I?”
She wanted to leap from her chair and give the big guy a hug. Hopefully, Kaleb would see her with Lyle and that would be the end of their ridiculous arrangement. After all, Lyle being easily six-foot-eight would intimidate most men. But then again, Kaleb wasn’t anything like most men, and Lyle’s sheer size wouldn’t scare him off, not when he could easily take Lyle in a fight.
“Hopefully I don’t look old enough to be your father. I’d hate to come across as some kind of pervert.”
Suzi smiled. “You don’t look anywhere old enough.”
“Well, trust me, I am. So what’s the plan?”
Chapter 9
Suzi walked the black and white tiled corridor, heading down the long hall with a tray of meds balanced on the palm of one hand. Her soft soled shoes lightly squeaked off the freshly polished surface. The whirring noise of the machine could be overheard as the janitor polished the hallway of another wing. The previous night’s events came to mind, more specifically Lyle Murphy and his acquiescence to help Suzi with her fake fiancé issue. Tamera, and her sincere desire to help, had not thought the scheme entirely through. Sure, her uncle towered over most men, but Kaleb and the MC were far from normal. Suzi knew if Kaleb wanted to he could easily hurt Lyle in an attempt to scare him off. The last thing Suzi wanted was to put Lyle in harm’s way. Hopefully, Kaleb would see that her intended was indeed real, be a man about the whole ordeal, and release her from this ridiculous notion of being his personal feeding vein.
Too far into the game plan now to back out, Suzi knew she’d just have to carry through with their cockamamie plan and hope the barkeep didn’t get harmed in the process. She’d never forgive Kaleb if he laid one finger on Tamera’s uncle. Lyle had agreed to help Suzi out of the kindness of his heart, knowing full well what the MC and Kaleb were capable of. She certainly couldn’t allow Lyle’s mercy to be repaid by Kaleb’s desire for revenge against her.
But for now, she had a job to do with patients who needed her attention on them and not her thoughts on tomorrow night’s feeding of Kaleb and the many possible dire outcomes. Lyle had agreed to accompany her to the Blood ‘n’ Rave, where he would do nothing more than show up as her fiancé, proving to Kaleb that the man on the other side of the ring did exist. Suzi hoped he believed the ruse and would let her out of being his personal donor when there were so many others more than happy to step up and take her place. Suzi didn’t think she’d survive many more feedings without desire muddying up the entire mess.
Dear Lord, deny it all she tried, but Kaleb had brought her to the precipice of what promised to be one hell of an orgasm, regardless of how she had fought against it, then denied her the culmination, pulling away just before she reached the brass rings. Storming from the club with any dignity on trembling thighs and weak knees was almost impossible. But somehow she had managed to square her shoulders and walk past Draven, though she dare not spare him a glance should he look at her with pity, and out of the club into the brisk night air which certainly helped to cool her ardor. Suzi didn’t think she could withstand more nights of endless sexual torture. It was imperative that Kaleb believed her relationship with Lyle and release her from being his personal blood bank. If he didn’t, then she would make him wish he never met her. If he thought her the biggest bitch when Ion died, then he had no idea what would be in store for him if he continued to tease her. She would turn the tables on his sorry ass and leave him begging her to fuck him.
Bless his black heart, but that would be a cold day in hell.
Turning the corner to her wing, Suzi heard a familiar laugh coming from Grandpa Brahnam’s room. Thoughts of Kaleb quickly fled as she entered Cara’s grandfather’s room and found Cara Brahnam sitting on the edge of the bed, a large smile turning up her cheeks. Cara beamed, looking the definition of happy. It appeared that mated bliss had changed her life for the good. Kane must be treating her well. At least one of the twins was worth a damn. Suzi couldn’t be happier for Cara and was glad that her childhood friend had found that once in a lifetime love. She placed the tray of meds on a side table, well away from Grandpa’s reach, as Cara stood and walked over to Suzi and hugged her.
“It’s so good to see you,” Cara said.
“Well if it ain’t my pretty little nurse,” Grandpa said with a wink as he caught their attention.
Suzi smiled at the old man, squeezed his weathered hand and said, “You keep trying, Grandpa. Flattery will get you everywhere. Can I get you something? Are you hungry? It doesn’t look like you ate much.”
“Nope … and I don’t think I need those pills you brought either.”
“Sorry, but those you have to take.”
“Always bossing me around,” he grumbled, then turned to the television and aimed the remote at it. The chatter from the flat screen filled the silence.
Suzi turned to Cara. “When did you get back?”
“We just flew in this morning.”
“I could‘ve picked you up from the airport.”
“We rented a car,” Cara said. “We wanted to surprise everyone. We hadn’t planned on coming home yet, but club business needed attended to. Have you heard about it?”
Moisture gathered in Suzi’s eyes. “If you’re referring to Wheezer and Red Dot, yes, I heard.”
Cara blew out a stream of air. “So you’ve spoken to Hawk?”
“I wanted to make sure he was okay. Though nothing seems to faze him.”
“I don’t suppose,” Cara said. “So tell me … has Grandpa been behaving?”
“I’m sitting right here.”
They both smiled at the older man, earning him a pat on the knee by Cara. “You love it when we talk about you, Grandpa. It reminds you how much you’re loved.”
“Then that would’ve meant someone brought me peanut butter pie.” He pointed one gnarled finger at the dinner tray. “Do you see a piece of pie on that tray?”
“No,” Suzi said. “That’s because it isn’t part of your diet.”
“Bah! I’m ninety-two years old. I figure I can eat what I want and peanut butter pie is high on that list.”
“I’ll sneak you a piece
next time I come by, Grandpa. That is if you treat your nurses like the saints they are,” Cara said, patting the older man’s shoulder. “Now, you finish your meal and quit being so damn stubborn.”
“And take your meds,” Suzi added, then handed him a small paper cup filled with four tablets. “You take these and I’ll let Cara bring you that piece of pie.”
“You heard her, Grandpa. You finish your meal and take those meds, and I’ll make sure I bring you a treat tomorrow.”
Suzi threw the empty paper cup into the gray receptacle, then looked back at Cara. “You seriously rented a car? I would have gladly picked you guys up.”
“I know you would’ve. But it was all so sudden. We sort of just packed up, called the airport, and well … here we are.”
“Where’d you guys go?”
“Italy … to see Mircea,” Cara said, surprising Suzi. No wonder they kept their whereabouts a secret. “To see that Kane was available to me.” She skirted the issue in front of her grandfather’s ears.
“And?”
“He granted our wish.” Cara’s answering smile spoke volumes. “I wanted to tell you in person, that’s why I never mentioned it in any of our phone conversations. Mircea granted Kane’s wish to be mated with me.”
“Mated?” Grandpa Brahnam asked, proving he was listening in on their conversation.
They’d have to be more careful what they said in front of the old man. His gaze honed in on his granddaughter.
“What the hell does that mean? Is it a new way of saying you got hitched?”
Cara winked at Suzi first before turning to her grandfather. “I was waiting for the right time, Grandpa. When Kane and I went to Italy, we applied for marriage so to speak. It’s a bit different where he comes from. They call it mated.”
“So what? Your name is now Cara…?”
“It’s still Brahnam, Grandpa. The women don’t take on their mate’s name.”
“That’s crazy shit, you ask me,” he grumbled. “Should’ve gotten married right here in the States and done it right.”
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