by Siobhan Muir
“Fuck.”
I raised my eyebrows at her soft exclamation and she grimaced.
“Something wrong?”
“Yeah, the Denver Tribune reported on the death of ADA O’Donnell before our affiliate did. Dammit.” She shook her head. “I wish my phone hadn’t been dead.”
“What are you talking about?”
She blinked and looked up at me as if remembering where she was. “Oh, nothing. It’s a big story and it sucks that our competitors got to it before we did.” She dropped her gaze back to the phone. “And they didn’t even get the details right. Jeez. I really gotta get to work.” She shot a look out the window again.
Her anxiousness sparked my own and I shoved my feet into boots to go start my bike. But her words on the death of O’Donnell sounded like first-hand experience rather than professional disdain. I zipped up my vest over my thick flannel shirt and headed out into the snowy day. Flint nodded to me as I passed and raised an eyebrow, tilting his head toward my place. I didn’t bother to respond but more than likely our security expert knew about Haley.
I’ll tell Loki soon enough.
I made it to the Barn and found my bike in its allotted spot. No one else was around beyond the Scooters who shoveled the yard. I thanked all the saints for this brief respite from the other senior members of the club, but I knew the questions would come soon. Of course, given who I was, I could pull off the Inscrutable Serenity(tm) look pretty well and very few people would push for answers.
Unfortunately, Loki’s rarely impressed with my skills.
All I had to do was get Haley out of the compound before anyone noticed and we’d be golden. Easy, right? Until the entire bloody club decided that’s when they needed to check their bikes too. Scott came in with Torch to work on their respective bikes. I nodded to them as I headed toward the door but didn’t stop to talk.
Then Attila stopped me halfway across the yard and inhaled deeply. Normally, this wouldn’t be a problem except Attila was a Moonsinger, what werewolves called themselves, and his nose told him more about people than body language. I’d showered but that wouldn’t stop Attila’s nose unless I’d doused myself with cologne.
Bloody hell.
“Where’re ye off to in such a hurry, Michael? We just got the yard cleared.”
“Yeah, I know. Good thing. I have to run an errand down in Fort Collins. I’ve been waiting for the storm to clear.” I straddled my bike and cranked the engine. It fired up with a gratifying rumble.
Attila narrowed his eyes. “What is that scent yer wearin’ now? Ye didn’t get some stink pretty, did ye?”
Despite my unease, I laughed. “No.”
“Are ye sure? Yer scent’s different. Kinda girly.” His eyes opened wide. “Have ye been visitin’ brothel finally?”
I had nothing against sex workers, but Haley wouldn’t appreciate being thought of as a prostitute. I shook my head and moved the bike toward my cabin.
“Weel, I know ye’ve been shaggin’ some sort of woman.”
He’d followed me closer to the door and I hoped Haley would have the sense not to come out where he could see her. Not that I had much hope of hiding her for long. I just needed to get her back to Fort Collins before I showed everyone that she’d be visiting more often. What kind of a role model was I to the other members if I just hauled off and deposited a woman in my cabin? Yeah, being the VP offered a few perks, but I preferred to lead by example.
Ever the rule follower. Luke’s sarcastic voice came through load and clear. I ignored him.
“Some sort of woman?” I snorted. “I’m sure she’d appreciate your observation, Attila. Now, bugger off. I gotta get down to Fort Collins.”
“Why are ye stoppin’ at yer cabin, then?”
“To pick up something I forgot while the bike warms up. I don’t feel like freezin’ my bollocks off on the ride down. You want a rundown of what I ate this morning?”
“Only if it’s pussy.” He smirked.
I gave him my best enigmatic smiles. I had enjoyed Haley’s pussy, several times, but that was my treasure to keep.
“Och, ye sly dog.”
“Dogs more your skill set.” I winked at his scowl as I dismounted and strode to the door. “But if you’re looking for pussy, I think there are a few honeys still in the clubhouse.”
“Kiss me arse.”
I pointed at the clubhouse. “Like I said, there’s probably a honey or two to do that for you.”
He flipped me off, but stomped toward the clubhouse with my laughter following him. Maybe I aroused more than just his suspicions. I took one more glance about before I opened my cabin door and looked for Haley. I found her at the window.
“Damn, how can that guy be wearing a kilt? It’s freezing out there. I’m sure his balls are the size of marbles by now.”
I laughed. “Attila would be terribly offended and required to lift his kilt just to prove you wrong.” I scanned the yard to make sure no one was around. “The yard and road are clear. I can take you to Fort Collins now.”
“Great.” She gathered up her dress and purse as she headed for the door, but she stopped and looked up at me with a smile. “And no, I don’t want to see under his kilt. Well, not much, anyway.” Then she winked and darted out the door.
I slammed the door of the cabin as hard as I did the one on my jealousy and tried to school my expression. But the idea of Haley being anywhere near Attila’s dick sent a spike of discomfort through me.
What the hell is wrong with me? I was older than time and had never suffered such petty emotions as jealousy. And the Goddess had chosen Haley for me. What did I have to be jealous about?
Maybe that you haven’t told her and she could pick someone else before you do?
I told my inner voice to piss off as I handed her the extra helmet. Haley pulled it on over her head and sat on the back seat, waiting for me without a word. I settled in front of her and rolled the bike off its stand, steering toward the gate as my gut churned.
Fortunately, no one stopped us getting out of the gate, though I did catch some raised eyebrows from Quan-Yin as I passed her. I didn’t often take honeys on my bike with me and since they could see Haley’s face, they must have found it odd now. I nodded as we slid through and hoped I wouldn’t catch the first degree when I got back.
I didn’t have Blutooth speakers in the helmets so it was a silent ride down the mountain. Despite the cold, the trip was beautiful with the hills and trees glowing brightly in the morning sunshine.
She directed me to an apartment complex with external entrances in covered walkways. Covered parking lined the sidewalks out front and Haley had me pull up behind a sage green Subaru. She tapped my shoulder and slid off the bike before doffing the helmet.
“Thank you for the ride and…and everything.” She handed me the brain bucket and I traded it for the bag of clothes. “Thanks. I’ll get Dollhouse’s sweats back to you after I wash them.”
I nodded, the words of who she was to me beating against my lips, but I swallowed them down. “I took the liberty of adding my mobile number to your phone. Call if you need anything, Haley. I’ll be there.”
“Oh, I couldn’t ask you to do that.”
“You didn’t ask. I offered. And I’m serious. I’ll be there.” I met her gaze and tried to convey my sincerity. “It’s no trouble.”
She bit her lip and I wanted to crush her into a hug, but she stepped back and nodded. “Okay, I’ll keep that in mind. Thanks again for the ride.”
She turned and hurried up the steps to the second floor landing then waved before she disappeared into the covered walkway. I made note which building and which staircase before I threw the bike into gear and headed back up toward the compound.
Though I’d been tempted when I added my phone number, I hadn’t checked anything else in her phone. But something bothered Haley about the night I’d found her in Denver and I suspected it had something to do with the murder of the ADA.
My next move
was to ask Neo to look into it, and research who the ADA had hacked off. My gut told me it was more than the usual organized crime or disgruntled common criminals.
And I needed to talk to my brother about Haley and who she was to me. Because I’d need him to back me up when I faced Loki. The Concrete Angels MC was generally fearless when it came to the press or the authorities. But Haley was a truthseeker and that could make things very uncomfortable with the Elder Races among the membership.
****
Haley
“You have to get out of here, Haley.”
That’s never a good thing to hear the moment I step into the office. I’d been floating through my morning after I called to tell my boss I’d be late. Having Michael take such good care of me, along with his divine sexiness, was enough to derail my usually frenetic mind. But Tori’s efforts to turn me bodily toward the door and shove me ahead of her brought the holiday to an end.
Holiday? Jeez, Michael’s British accent is totally getting to me.
“What? Why? What the hell is going on?” I tried not to trip over my own feet as she propelled me down the hallway away from the glassed in newsroom.
“Some detectives came in looking for you and went directly to Hank.” She hustled me back out to the elevators in the lobby.
“Wait, what detectives? What are you talking about?”
She grimaced and shook her head. “I didn’t catch everything, but it sounds like they think you saw a murder last weekend.”
“What?” I swallowed hard and hoped my face didn’t reflect my unease. “I didn’t see a murder, I heard it and reported it anonymously. How the hell did they know to come here?”
“Carl must have sold you out.” Tori scowled. “I told you that guy was lower than pond scum. And why didn’t you tell me about this murder you witnessed?”
“Keep your voice down.” I glanced around then dragged her toward the windows overlooking the street, conveniently next to the door to the stairs. “I didn’t tell you because my phone was dead. And it was the fuckin’ ADA who was murdered, Tori. I didn’t really want to let them know who saw it.”
“Why not?”
“Because it was a hit and if they’re willing to take out the ADA, they’re not gonna think twice about a fluff reporter for the Fort Collins Bugle.”
Raised voices came out of the office. “You couldn’t keep your mouth shut, could you, Carl?”
“Hank—”
“Tell us where we can find her, Mr. Cortland.” The detective sounded frustrated.
“I’m outta here.” I headed for the door.
“Just don’t go home. And call or text me when you get somewhere safe.”
Right. Where was I supposed to go?
I swallowed hard and ran down the stairs. The stairwell was empty so I didn’t have to hide my hurry, but once I hit the ground floor, a took a moment to settle myself so I didn’t look panicked to everyone.
I inhaled a deep breath and stepped through the door, trying to look at ease. Just a fluff reporter headed out on a regular ole assignment. I kept my head turned from the most obvious cameras, wishing I had my winter hat to hide my hair. I really needed to get back to my apartment, but now Tori told me not to go there. Where the hell could I go?
Think, Haley!
I nodded to a few people I passed as I headed for the front doors of the Bugle. I didn’t want anyone to really notice me, but if I acted like I didn’t see them, they’d know something was up and would tell anyone who asked. And for some reason my gut told me I didn’t want the cops catching up with me.
Maybe I’ve been spending too much time with the Concrete Angels.
Yeah, well, I trusted my gut more than I trusted people, and if it said keep my head down, I’d do it. I had to find a place to hunker down until I could figure out what was going on and who was really looking for me. I knew the cops wanted to talk to me about the ADA’s death, but I didn’t know which of them were part of this weird group of crooked law enforcement officials. I thought of Tori’s list and blinked. Was that the Backlog the killers had been talking about? I had Tori’s list, but I didn’t know if the two detectives in Hank’s office were on it.
Shit, who the hell can I trust?
I could trust Jeff. He’d do anything for me, but I didn’t want to lead any crooked cops to him. I looked both ways before I crossed the street, trying to think of somewhere I could go and someone I could call. I couldn’t visit Jitters because that was my favorite place to go, and the first place they’d look. I tried to think of what Jason Bourne would do. I didn’t have any special training, but I had some idea on how to avoid people from all the romantic suspense books I’d read. First step was to avoid all my usual places. Which is why I couldn’t call Jeff. Or go home. Or hang out in Jitters.
I kept walking past the coffee shop and headed toward the open-air mall two blocks down. I could lose myself in a couple of those stores while I figured out what to do. I kept an eye open for police officers. No doubt they’d report my whereabouts to the detectives if they saw me. I kept my strides purposeful but unhurried even though my heart thundered in my chest.
Just as I reached the first shop in the mall, a pair of cops riding those Segway things rolled around the corner. I took an immediate left and found myself in a novelty shop with items like boob mugs and rubber dog shit. I hid behind a rack of naughty card games and whoopi cushions until the cops passed by. I pretended to browse the t-shirts with images of comic book characters as I waited to be sure they’d gone, wracking my brain to figure out what to do.
Who could I call for help?
One name shot to the forefront of my mind and the faux leather vests hanging on another rack against the wall seemed to cheer me on. Michael. Right. If I needed to avoid the cops, who better to call than the VP of a notorious biker club?
I exited the novelty shop and headed deeper into the mall, hoping to lose myself in the crowd. I stopped with my back to a shop’s wall and pulled out my phone to text Michael. I didn’t need anyone listening in to what I said. I hit send and bit my lip as I let my gaze rang around me.
Come on, Michael. Check your damn phone.
Two or three minutes passed before I swore and glanced at my phone. Where the hell was he? I scowled and debated making an actual call. But the longer I stood still, the easier it would be for the cops to find me.
I swallowed hard and brought up his number. Just do it, Haley. My hands shook as I dialed Michael’s number, but whether in excitement or nervousness, I didn’t know.
“This is Michael.”
The deep voice on the other end of the call made my heartbeat slow in relief and my knees go weak in delight. What’s wrong with me? Every time I heard his voice, the world seemed brighter and sweeter, while I just wanted to melt into a puddle of pleasure.
“Michael, it’s Haley. Have you, uh, got a minute?”
He chuckled and I wanted to wrap myself up in the sound. “For you, I have all the time in the world.”
I couldn’t help my smile. “Thanks. I kinda need your help. I got to work today and there were people there looking for me. I got the hell out before they saw me, but my friend suggested I not go home.”
Michael’s voice grew sharp. “Are you all right? Where are you now?”
“I’m in the Mountain Shadow Mall on 28th street.”
I shot a look around. A mall cop wandered between the bath store and the lingerie shop. I shifted my path into a clothing store for hipsters, figuring a person on the phone wouldn’t be that out of place.
“Hang tight. I can be there in ten minutes. I’ll meet you outside the burger place on the corner. You know the one I mean?”
I nodded and peered out the store windows for the cop. “Yeah, I know it. The one with the name of a Beatles song. I’ll be there.”
“Right. I’m on my way. See you soon.”
Michael ended the call and I shoved my phone in my purse before I wrinkled my nose at the clothes and headed out the door. What t
he hell was I going to do for ten minutes? I considering buying a cup of coffee at the Dunkin’ Donuts, but I didn’t have any cash on me and I was pretty sure the cops would be tracking my credit cards when they couldn’t locate me. I’d watched enough CSI and cop TV shows to know how they tracked people.
Which meant it was going to be hard to get money without them noticing. Maybe there’d be a way to get to my account and empty it before anyone caught on. My mind worked over and threw out possibilities as I meandered down the mall, pretending to browse. I looked enough like a regular shopper that when a cop did spot me she didn’t even blink or look twice. My heart tried to beat its way out of my chest, but I kept walking and she didn’t stop me.
Sweet glory, I gotta get out of here. Had it been ten minutes yet?
Chapter Nine
Michael
“Neo, I need you to look up Assistant District Attorney Patrick O’Donnell.”
“Any reason you wanna look into an ADA?” Neo’s voice held reserve but I could hear his fingers on the keyboard.
“I have myriad reasons, but suffice it to say it has to do with a woman.” While I wasn’t into airing my personal affairs, I knew that would catch his attention and make him work harder.
“Would that be the woman you had on the back of your bike when you hightailed it outta here this morning?”
I grimaced as I put up the gas nozzle and tightened the cap on my bike. So much for leaving under the radar. “It might.”
“She got a name?”
“As it happens, she does, but right now I’m more interested in ADA O’Donnell, what happened to him, when and where.” I had the sneaking suspicion I already knew.
Neo snorted. “All right, Schnoz. I’ll have something for you when you get back.”
“Right.” I ended the call and shoved it in my pocket as I started the bike.
The sun played hide-n-seek with the clouds as I continued my ride back home. Something Haley had said kept my mind going over the time we’d spent together. I wish my phone hadn’t been dead. She’d been talking about the night I brought her up to the compound, when she’d been spooked of the cops and running from something. My gut told me it had something to do with the ADA.