Bad Beat (Regulator Biker Series Book 1)

by Carolina Mac

  ***

  AT NOON, JACKSON registered for a two o’clock tournament, and we headed to Café Bellagio for lunch. He left the table twice to take private phone calls and I called on inner reserves to keep my cool. He offered no explanation of what was so pressing in Toronto.

  At one-thirty I walked him back to the poker room and kissed him for luck. With Jackson happily occupied for the next few hours, I was free to explore other avenues.

  In the smoke shop, I bought a newspaper, picked up another coffee, and returned to our room. Renting a house would solve several problems. It would give us a place for the bikes, a yard for Angel and a kitchen for me. I circled three possibilities and made a call.

  An hour later, I checked on Jackson in the tournament and told him I was going out. He scowled and shook his head in the negative, but he couldn’t leave his game. He was not wearing his happy face as I left the poker room.

  I stood in front of the hotel until the real estate agent I had called picked me up. I climbed into the passenger seat of her Honda Accord and she introduced herself.

  “Mrs. Talbot, I’m Pam McAvoy.”

  I smiled and nodded. She was an attractive woman in her fifties, with dyed blonde hair, a little overweight, but well dressed and friendly. Her red skirt accentuated her generous behind. On our way to the rentals, she chatted non-stop and gave me a fifteen-minute run down on everything Vegas. She had grown up here and wasn’t a transplant like most of the population.

  The first house we viewed was on a busy street, boasted an inground pool, three bedrooms and a double garage. The pool took up most of the yard and there was no grass for Angel.

  The second offering was on the outskirts of town, the property was large, but in a desolate area with very few trees and the house was boxy and ugly. By the time we reached the last house on the list, it was after four in the afternoon and the temperature had climbed into the high nineties. The heat hit me like a sledgehammer when I stepped out of Pam’s air-conditioned car. I sucked in a big breath.

  “It’ll be a little cooler in the house, even though the air isn’t on,” she said, unlocking the front door. This house is furnished, that’s why it’s more per month, but on the other hand that might save you a lot of hassle.”

  “It definitely would. I’m thinking of buying in Vegas, but I want to live here for a while, get to know the neighborhoods before I decide on a permanent location,” I said.

  We toured the house and it ticked most of the boxes. Medium sized modern kitchen with stainless steel appliances, a breakfast bar, three bedrooms, master with ensuite, and a large yard with grass and a few mature trees—trees being at a premium in Vegas. The features Jackson would love were the three-car garage, the internet and the proximity of the house to the strip.

  “This one is the best of the three,” I said after Pam had finished her spiel. “I’ll take it. Do I have to be approved, or can I just rent it on the spot?”

  “The owner trusts me to screen the applicants, so I believe I can safely say that you can rent it now. The other people I have on the list have not come up favorably in the financial area of their applications.”

  “My problem is not financial, her name is Angel, and she is not happy being stuck in a room at the Bellagio.”

  “That’s what you told me on the phone. It’s just you, Angel and your husband?”

  I nodded. “Just the three of us.”

  Pam opened her briefcase on the kitchen counter and pulled out a rental agreement. “Since the house is sitting empty, I can offer it to you for the first of October, or you could backdate to September fifteenth and pay month to month on the fifteenth. There is a two-month notification clause, so you are bound by that and I need two month’s rent up front.”

  “September fifteenth works for me. Would you like a check or cash?”

  “Check works better for me if you don’t mind.”

  I wrote a check on my US account, handed it to Pam and signed the rental agreement. She presented me with the keys and showed me which doors they fit. “Enjoy your new home. I’d love to find you a house when you’re ready to buy.”

  “You’ll be the first person I call,” I said, tucking her card into my wallet.

  We chatted about shopping in Vegas on the way back to the hotel. There was a whole list of things I needed to buy, to set up housekeeping in my new digs, and Pam knew where to get the best prices on anything and everything. I was bursting to tell Jackson about my afternoon.

  THINKING THE TOURNAMENT would be over when I returned, I made a quick stop at the poker room to check. One table remained and Jackson was still playing. He made the final table. I was so excited for him. He looked up, saw me and grinned. I gestured that I would be back, and went to talk to the reservation clerk about checking out the following day and canceling the rest of our stay. The hotel was understanding and allowed me a refund for the balance of the week. I went upstairs to tell Angel the good news. She was excited to see me and more excited when I put her on her leash and took her out.

  “Tomorrow, you’ll have your own yard,” I told her in the elevator. After our walk, I tucked Angel back upstairs and returned to see how Jackson was faring at the final table.

  Down to three players. I sucked in a breath, hoping for Jackson to go all the way. He had already made it to the money. Players that had been eliminated were standing around the final table watching the end of the tournament. Seat four looked at his cards and pushed all-in against seat two and was eliminated—pocket eights against Ace-King. Seat two chatted with Jackson for a couple of minutes, they shook hands and split first and second place money.

  Jackson was beaming after he was paid out and made his way over to me. “Did you see that, baby? I made it all the way.”

  “I certainly did see it. Congratulations.” I gave him a quick hug. “You were amazing. Feel like getting some dinner?”

  “My treat, I’m rolling in it.” He laughed as he flashed the wad of bills. “Where were you all afternoon?” His smile faded as he reached for my hand. “I looked for you on the break.”

  “I was touring Las Vegas.”

  He scowled. “Baby, you shouldn’t go out without me. It’s not safe.”

  Why isn’t it safe? Because it’s Vegas?

  “I was with a real estate woman that knew kung fu.” I laughed but Jackson didn’t. “Seriously, I rented a house.”

  “You always surprise me, Annie. I never know what you’re thinking. Sounds good to me. I’ve been on edge about the bikes being in that fuckin’ parking garage.”

  I nodded. “I realize you’ve been checking on them every couple of hours. The reservation desk is cool with us going in the morning and they refunded the balance to my visa. What we need to do is shop for stuff like sheets, towels, and household items. Houses are so cheap to rent in this town, and it’s only five miles from the strip.”

  Our server came by and Jackson ordered drinks. “The hotel is too expensive. I couldn’t see how we could stay here very long, baby. I was worried.”

  “Never worry when I’m on the job,” I leaned over and kissed him. “You only have to concentrate on poker, that’s your job.”

  “My first job is looking out for you, baby,” he whispered and murmured, “poker will always be second.”

  The waitress arrived with our beer and we ordered.

  “How long did you rent the house for?”

  “Month by month.”

  “Jesus, Annie, I told you I couldn’t be gone more than a couple of weeks.” He raised his voice, the vein tensing in his neck.

  “You can fly back whenever you want to. We’re not joined at the hip.” I retreated into my silent mode and tried not to think about hanging around Vegas alone.

  After dinner, we retired to our room and made plans for the morning departure. I listed things we would need immediately for the house, and wrote down the locations of the stores Pam had told me about. My grocery list was so long it had Jackson laughing and eased the tension between u
s. “I don’t want you to starve.”

  “I’ll never starve with your cooking, Annie. You cook better than any restaurant.”

  “Thanks, honey, I’m going to reward you for saying such nice things about me.” I stripped off my clothes and threw them in the air as I strutted over to the bed.

  CHAPTER NINETEEN

  JACKSON TIPPED THE bellman after the Hummer was loaded. I jumped into the passenger seat, realizing I was not the best one to guide this awkward rig out of the parking garage and through downtown Vegas. Pam had drawn a little map, showing the easiest way to get to the rental house from the strip. I gave directions to Jackson, hoping I wouldn’t lead him astray. After only one wrong turn, we arrived and he pulled the Hummer into the driveway.

  “Baby, this looks like more than twelve hundred bucks a month.”

  “Toronto prices, it would be double that, sugar. I’m sure.”

  “I love those red tiles on the roof. Looks so…..”

  “Spanish?”

  “Yeah, Spanish. Let’s check out this mother of a garage.”

  “I thought you would like the garage.”

  “Thing’s so fuckin’ big I can hear an echo in here,” he hollered. “Love it baby. Smells like fresh paint.” He raised one of the doors.

  “Come on, Angel. I want to show you the yard.” I opened the back door in the garage and waited for her. “You can run free out here, girl.” Angel took off on an inspection tour of her new yard. She sniffed carefully all the way around the wooden fence.

  Jackson walked out to take a look. “Not as big as the yard at Hawthorne Lane, but big enough for one dog,” he nodded. “And there is some shade.”

  “Come and see the inside,” I motioned for Jackson to come in through the patio door after he’d given his approval to the yard.

  “Yep, looks okay. The kitchen is roomy.” He sat on one of the stools at the breakfast bar.

  “I’d offer you a beer if we had any.”

  “I like it. Everything we need and only five minutes from the poker rooms. You are a genius.” He came around the counter and held me in his arms. “I love you, Annie.”

  “I love you too, cowboy. More than you know.”

  “Let me put away the bikes, unload the Hummer and we’ll go get some beer and celebrate.”

  While Jackson was busy with the trailer, I unearthed Angel’s food and bowls in the back of the truck and brought them in. I filled her water and made a mental note to buy her a new toy while we were at the store.

  Jackson brought the luggage in, and we took it to the bedroom. He peeked into the ensuite. “Huge tub and separate shower.”

  “Big enough for two.”

  “We’re on the same wavelength, baby.” He opened the closet door and stood the gun case on its’ end inside and to the right. “Maybe we can find a better spot for the guns when we get back from the store. If we need them in a hurry, the closet is no good.”

  WE RETURNED FROM our shopping trip with the Hummer loaded with linens from Bed and Bath, housewares and groceries from Wal-Mart, and beer from the corner liquor store.

  “That was some shopping marathon, baby. I need a beer to recover.” Jackson checked his phone and returned it to his pocket.

  “Let’s have one before we unload, and a couple more after.” We sat on the stools in the kitchen, downed a couple of cold ones, and unpacked the groceries. “I’ll start putting these away and make lunch while you get the other stuff, sugar. You must be hungry.”

  “I’m starving, Annie, fuckin starving,” he shouted, as he went out to the truck.

  Jackson brought the rest of the bags in and put them on the table. I made pastrami sandwiches on rye bread and dished up potato salad and coleslaw. I opened two more beers and set it all on the breakfast bar.

  “Ready for a starving customer,” I said.

  Jackson laughed and was walking towards the food when his cell phone rang on his belt.

  “Who would call?” he said, a puzzled look crossing his face. “Only Rusty and Billy have my cell number.”

  The look of fear in Jackson’s eyes when he answered the call had me sucking in a huge breath. “What? Sit down, sugar. You don’t look so good.” I hurried around the island and wrapped my arms around him.

  “That was OPP in Kingston. My Dad escaped from Millhaven with two other cons, and the cops wanted to know where I was and if he had contacted me. They killed two guards during the escape and they’re wanted for murder. FBI has been put on alert and the OPP will be talking to Las Vegas Police now that they know I’m here. He gave me a number to call if he shows up.”

  “Oh, my God, Jackson. He was going to get out in three years or sooner if his appeal was successful.” My legs had turned to mush.

  Jackson covered his face with his hands. “He’s a follower, Annie. Always been in a bike club and has that mentality bred into him. Just like me.”

  “You’re not like him, sugar.” I stroked his hair.

  “I was headed down that path, before you, Annie. If the boss hadn’t made me swear I’d take care of you, I’d be…” he couldn’t continue.

  For the next twenty minutes, I held Jackson in my arms and tried to console him. He knew his father better than anyone, and the effect this news was having on him didn’t bode well.

  He went into the bedroom and I followed. He took the gun case out of the closet and opened it on the bed. “Where’s all the ammo, baby?” he asked softly.

  “In the suitcase with the bike gear.” I picked the right one, hefted it onto the bed and unzipped it.

  “Load all the guns, and wear your holster. He’s coming. I can feel it.”

  “How would they get across the border without passports?”

  “They can get fake ID in prison. You can get anything in there for a price.”

  “Why do you think he’s looking for you, Jackson?”

  “Probably needs money, a vehicle, place to hide out until the heat’s off and he’s not getting any of that from me. Not this time. Every time he was in trouble in the past, he would take my ride, all my money and make me help him, and he would end up right back in lockup. I had to start all over and get a new job, save for another Harley and make a fresh start.

  The one time I was broke and had no place to live, the boss took me under his wing and trained me to be his right hand in the club. He got me the manager’s job at the Harley dealership and gave me a place to sleep. I owed him everything.”

  “Is that why you agreed to look after me, in case something happened to him?”

  “Partly, but the biggest reason was… I was in love with you. I couldn’t help myself. The boss knew it and I’m sure that’s why he picked me.”

  My eyes filled with tears and I went into the bathroom to pull myself together. Now was not the time to mourn George. I had to be strong and help Jackson figure out what to do about his father. I did some deep breathing and walked back into the bedroom.

  Jackson was sitting on the side of the bed, loading guns. “Let’s get these fuckers loaded, and eat our lunch. My stomach’s growling.”

  “Want another beer?” I asked after we had eaten. “Should we talk about what we’re going to do if your dad comes here, so we’re both on the same page? You know how quick I am on the trigger.”

  “Let’s have a few and hash this out. No use pretending, he won’t show up, because he surely will. The story of my life.” He scowled. “One time, when I was in my twenties, I had this great job working construction. I was learning to run heavy equipment, I had my own place and I had saved up a couple of thousand when my dad found me. He beat me up and broke three of my ribs, then made me go to the bank and empty my account. I couldn’t work for two weeks after that. I lost my job, couldn’t pay my rent and he just disappeared. He never cared about me. Never.

  “Oh, my god, what kind of a man would do that to his own son? Don’t worry, sweetie, the cops will find him and lock him up again right away.” I gave Jackson a hug. “They escaped on Tuesday night
late and this is Thursday, so they’ve been on the move for almost two days. If they aren’t sleeping much, they could be here tomorrow or the day after, if they don’t hole up somewhere.”

  “We have no way of knowing what those assholes are thinking, so let’s be ready from this moment forward, thinking that they are going to bust through the door any fuckin second,” Jackson growled.

  “How would they have a clue where we are in Vegas?” I asked.

  “I didn’t mention the hotel when I visited him in prison, so all he has is Vegas. He doesn’t know your last name either. Can’t figure how he would put it together, but I know he will. Guaranteed. Some of his old contacts in the police department may help him out if he has any left. He was always big on greasing palms when I was younger. He would brag about having people in his pocket, and I didn’t really trig into what he was talking about until years later.”

  “You must have had one hell of a life growing up, sugar,” I said and mussed up his hair.

  “No worse than you, baby, growing up in foster homes. I had one parent and I realize now that I would have been better off without him.”

  “Jackson, there’s something I need to say, before this goes any further, and I’m going to be brutally honest with you.”

  “What, Annie?” He raised his eyebrows. “You sound scary serious.”

  “I am serious. Deadly serious. If it comes down to you or him, I want you to know that I won’t hesitate. I will kill him.” I inhaled.

  “I know that, baby.” He nodded. “I saw you kill Kenny Portsmith when he had the knife at the boss’s throat.”

  “I didn’t know you saw the shooting. The rest of that day was a blur after what happened, and I never realized who was there. Best not to think about it.”