“How?” Amelia felt like she was going to throw up.
“You talk to me and I'll help you. I'll give you the same deal that I gave to Jackie. She and her mother are being relocated. They'll have good paying jobs, a nice house in a nice neighborhood. They'll get to live a happy normal life. You can have that, too.”
It was on the tip of Amelia's tongue to tell the woman that normal was overrated, she'd much rather live her life. It might not be perfect but there was Danny, and at the end of the day he was what mattered to her more than anything. “What do I have to tell you?”
“Everything.” Harris replied.
“You're asking for a whole lot. You know that, right?”
“I'm aware. I'm also aware that you wouldn't be here if there wasn't a part of you that knows I'm right about them being dangerous. I think that you're scared, and I think that you're right to be. Tell me, does Danny have an insurance policy on you like Royal did on your sister? I spoke to the insurance company, they are contractually bound to pay out on the policy unless Royal is linked to the death. Do you want that?”
“I want whoever held that knife to pay.” Amelia avoided the question, but that didn't make the answer any less true. She wanted to find out who had taken them from her, but she knew that it wasn't Royal. He'd loved them too much. Had he snapped, it wouldn't have been so planned out and the knife wouldn't have been left behind. Even Train, it was after all his knife, wasn't capable of it. He might have hated her, but she believed that he'd loved Fiona and Taylor.
“If you want the killer to pay, if you want them all to pay, you've got to talk to me. You've got to tell me what you know.”
Amelia let the silence linger between them for a few moments. Really she just liked watching Harris start to squirm a bit. “And I will talk. First, I need everything you've promised me in writing, all official like. It's not that I don't trust you. If they ever found out, they'd never stop looking for me. Now Amelia took a deep breath. She could do a sign of good faith. Danny had told her that Harris would ask and she'd known it herself. “The knife that you have belongs to Train.” The information would be figured out eventually, once all of the other knives were printed. It was throwaway information; Danny had said so.
Harris smiled as if she'd just been handed an oversized check for a ridiculous amount of money. “That helps, Amelia, thank you.”
“Just get the papers drawn up. I'll call you.” Amelia rose to her feet. “I'm leaving. Don't bother having anyone follow me. You know where I'll be, at home with my husband.”
<#<#<#
Amelia didn't get sick even after she got home, she was proud of herself for that. She let herself into the empty house with a sigh. Danny had told her he had something to do but that she should go home and stay there with all the doors and windows shut until he called. There had been an edge to his voice, something that told her whatever task he was about to undertake was dangerous.
The thought that he might not come back made her feel sick to her stomach all over again, so she started to clean up to keep herself busy. Something had to make her mind turn off or she was going to go completely bat shit crazy. Danny would come back to find her sitting in a corner, rocking herself for comfort and humming an appropriately creepy song. So she swept and mopped floors, took down the curtains and threw them in the wash before starting on the bathrooms with a bucket and some bleach.
She was taking all the sheets and blankets off of the bed when she heard the front door close. For a moment she went tense, but then she recognized the sound of Danny coming up the stairs. He burst into the bedroom, and Amelia dropped the sheets in her hand as he grabbed her.
There was so much to be said, but they didn't say any of it. Instead he acted, his mouth crashed on her with so much force that she felt the impact in her teeth. The dull ache didn't stand a chance against the heat rolling through her. His hands were all over her body and it was suddenly hard to breathe because her heart was beating so fast.
He wasn't going to be slow and sweet. She could feel it in his hands and the way he was already hard and ready against her leg. He wore his cut and she could smell gunpowder on his hands. He'd been cleaning his gun; he was heading for a situation where he wanted to be prepared.
Amelia pushed him up from her. Confusion spread across his face but was replaced by hunger as she pulled off her shirt. She wore nothing beneath it and nothing beneath the shorts she'd thrown on, which Danny found out as he grabbed them and pulled them down. She was naked beneath him. He was still fully dressed.
She unbuckled his belt, yanked down the zipper and closed her hand around him. Danny let out a growl and pulled her hand away. Amelia nearly protested but then his hands were pushing her legs apart. “Oh!” She dug her fingers into his back when he pressed himself inside of her.
Amelia admired his restraint; she felt the way that he was holding back until her body finally took him all the way in. The feeling of fullness was enough to start a tight coil take root in her stomach. Danny began to move faster, long deep strokes that both took her breath away and made her whimper with pleasure.
The coil in her stomach grew, tightened and warmed her from head to toe as Danny shifted. He was off of the bed, her legs spread wide by his hands. His grip was tight and the change in position allowed him to slide even deeper into her.
Her body began to twitch. She was so close and figured Danny couldn't be far behind. The combination of him so deep inside of her and the roughness of his jeans against her skin made it impossible to hold back. Amelia thought she screamed his name. She couldn't be sure because everything went a blindingly beautiful shade of white. Slowly she floated back to the surface and reality, opening her eyes just in time to see Danny's mouth coming down towards her.
He kissed her frantically as the movement of his hips changed, quickened so that the sound of skin meeting skin filled the air. Danny bit down on her bottom lip as he came. She felt him pulse deep inside of her. “Fuck.” He ran his hands over her inner thighs. “Really hate to say it, but I've got to go, Baby.”
“I figured as much.” Amelia propped herself up on her elbows. “I'm assuming that you still can't tell me anything?”
“If I could, I would.” He leaned down, kissed her. “Just trust me. And keep the doors and windows locked.”
“Be careful,” Amelia said, because there was no way to articulate what she wanted to say. She scooted back on the bed, reached for her discarded shirt. “It'd be nice if you came back.”
“I will. I promise.”
“Don't.” She slid the shirt on and shook her head. “Don't promise what you can't. Please. Just be careful and pay attention.”
“Alright.” He smiled as he fixed his belt. “I can handle that. And I mean it about the doors and windows.”
He was gone seconds later. Amelia remained on the bed, her body still tingling from their encounter until long after the sound of his bike had faded. If he'd meant to ease her mind by seeing her before he went who knows where to do who knows what, he hadn't succeeded. Sure, there was still a warmth through her whole body, but it didn't reach her mind. The neverending stream of thoughts and worries was back, the loudest one screaming that Danny was scared.
If he was scared, she should be absolutely terrified, and she was.
Chapter Eleven
Danny was uncomfortable, very uncomfortable, with all the changes in the routine that they'd established for the drops. First off, they'd never been to this location before. The fact that it was an abandoned church didn't bring him any comfort. In fact, it made the discomfort worse because former church or not, it was a decaying building on the edge of a town that seemed to be tucked in for the night. There would be no one to hear if things went sour.
He didn't like that it was only three of them tonight; he was riding with Royal and Buster while the rest of Nightshade held down the fort at the bar. They'd cause enough ruckus to keep the attention of the police outside but hopefully not too much attention. The change
to the routine that bothered Danny the most was the fact that Joseph and Mark Miller were there to personally receive the merchandise instead of sending one of their minions to do it. All of these things added together were just a recipe for disaster.
Mark approached them first. “Where is it?” He demanded in a tone that suggested he was more keyed up than he had been the last few times they'd met, which was saying something.
“Relax Mark, we've got every last bit of it. And we're all friends, right?” Royal kept his voice even, but Danny knew that he was on edge, too.
The question hung heavily in air until Joseph came forward. “Yes, we are friends. And you've come through for us when it mattered.” He gave Mark a sharp look which clearly said he needed to shut up, but he didn't.
“They're not all here. Where are the others? This isn't what we agreed to.” Mark's voice rose with every word until he was shouting.
Danny's hand went to his gun. He saw that Buster had done the same, but Royal shook his head. “We had to change some things around. We've still got a bit of attention from the police, but that's not important. The important thing is we did what we said we would. You have your merchandise as promised. That is all that should matter.”
“He's right.” Joseph nodded. “What's important is that the job was completed as required. Royal, you've done well considering the trying circumstances you are under.” Danny felt like he could relax, but the feeling was short lived. “I also have a favor to ask. We have something that needs to go back into the states and be delivered, this evening, to an address in Detroit.”
“Not a problem.” Royal spoke in a smooth and confident tone, but Danny knew that he also felt uneasy. He didn't even look over at Buster because he could only imagine his expression. “Let's get on with it. Time is money, right?”
“Right.” Mark replied. “If anything goes...”
“Enough!” Joseph wasn't known for losing his temper, so Mark stopped speaking; he even took a step back. Joseph handed Royal a sheet of paper. “That's the address. The package is rather small. It's also delicate, so use proper caution.”
<#<#<#
The second drop-off spot was just outside of Detroit. It had been easy to cross the border; they were familiar faces, so the guards didn't give them much shit. Things could always turn, though; it didn't pay to get complacent. They were one heightened threat level away from getting caught, and everyone knew it.
The house didn't look like a drop spot. In fact, Danny noticed toys strewn over the front lawn and a swing set on the side of the house. He exchanged a look with Buster, who moved forward to check the perimeter of the house.
“You need to take a breath, Danny, relax.” Royal advised. “Tonight was a success. We've still got our heads attached. Now we get to go home to our wives.” He let out a laugh that had nothing to do with humor. “I've got a feeling all this is going to be the highlight of my night. I'm sorry for whatever shit Amelia gets from her because of this.”
“If Missy crosses the line again, if she lays hands on Amelia, I will deal with her.” Danny watched as Buster came around the other side of the house, obviously satisfied that it was safe enough for them all to approach the front door.
Personal matters were quickly put aside as they walked forward. Royal rang the bell, and they waited. A female voice called out that she'd be right there, and a moment later the door was opened by a suspicious looking brunette. “Did Joseph send you?”
“Yes.”
“Well, come on in, then.” She stepped to the side.
“You got a name, Sweetheart?” Buster questioned.
“Everyone has a name. I don't want to be rude, but I don't want you to know mine. And I don't want to know yours, but when Joseph asks, you tell him I did what he wanted.” She glanced up the stairs. “Give it to me now and go.”
“Who else is home?” Royal questioned.
The woman went visibly pale. “It's just me and my daughter here. She's thirteen and she's sleeping so please, I don't want any trouble.”
“We're not here to give you trouble, Darling.” Royal spoke softly. “Where do you want it?”
“Leave it on the table,” the woman replied. She shifted to cross her arms over her chest, but her robe slipped. Danny saw the bruises on her upper arm and knew that Royal did, too. He also knew him well enough to know that violence against women was a huge trigger for him. This night was just getting better and better.
“He do that to you?”
The woman noticed her robe, fixed it quickly. “Leave it on the table and just get out.”
Royal placed the bag on the table and took out his wallet. “This is my card. If you have trouble, use it.” Before the woman could say a word, his phone began to ring. “And we're leaving.” He answered the phone on the third ring, just as they were walking out the door. “What's going on?” Danny knew that it was bad by the way that Royal's step faltered. “We're twenty minutes out.”
“What now?” Buster demanded.
“Another fire.” Royal replied. “Or more accurately, fires. The Mason house is burning and someone torched the Jeep. I'm sorry Danny.”
“Amelia?” Danny clenched his hands into fists and truly expected to hear the worst.
“She's fine. Monroe is with her at your place.”
“Monroe?” Danny would rather have had Train at her side, but Monroe was a good second choice. Amelia would be more comfortable with him.
“I'm guessing it's a long story. You head there. We'll head back to house, see if there's anything that we can do.”
Danny didn't need to be told twice. Royal said that it would take them twenty minutes to get back. Normally it would, but Danny rode fast and hard. He had a couple close calls but he managed to get to his house in ten minutes. He wasn't prepared for the sight of the burned out Jeep or police tape. He had to sit there for a minute, find some sort of calm because he didn't need to upset Amelia any more than she already was.
The Jeep was a complete loss; the tires had even melted down to the driveway. Whatever had caused the blaze had been intense. He moved up the porch and through the front door. He found Monroe on the other side, gun in hand. “It's just me.”
“Didn't expect you for another ten minutes.” James tucked the gun into his waistband. “She's in the living room. Hasn't said much since she called me.”
“Did she say why she called you and not Nightshade? No offense.”
“None taken. She didn't call the bar because she knew that Train was in charge and she hates him.” James managed a smile. “In her defense, she told me to make sure that I called him.” The smile faded from his face. “There's something else, you probably didn't notice it because it was dark. Let me show you.”
Danny followed Monroe outside, down the driveway. He hadn't noticed the graffiti all over the front sidewalk. “Rat? Why would they think she's a rat?”
“I wondered that myself, so I did a little checking. Harris is going around telling anyone who will listen that Amelia is a cooperating witness.” Monroe sighed. “And people saw her when she went to the station the other day. People are talking.”
“You got something that you want to ask me, Monroe?”
“Nope. Figure whatever you're up to is above my pay grade, so to speak. Just pointing out that someone thinks that Amelia gave Harris the club on a silver plate. Word around is also that she's close for charges in Fiona and Taylor's death.”
“Did you tell Train all of this?”
“Yeah, he got the short version of it, though.” Monroe ran his hand over his head. “Don't take this the wrong way, but I think that it's probably best if I spend the night on your couch.”
Danny bristled for a moment but realized that Monroe wasn't trying to imply that he couldn't take care of Amelia. He was just worried, too, and honestly, another set of eyes and ears wasn't the worst idea ever. “Thanks. I appreciate that.”
“No need. Go on and see to Amelia. I'm going to take a look around, make sure everyt
hing is as it should be.”
“Hey, you talked to Paco lately?”
“Actually, no. Called him the other day and didn't hear shit back. Why?”
“Don't know. He just popped in my head. Reach out to him again. Let me know when you get ahold of him.”
“Even if it's tonight?”
“No, you can wait until the morning smart ass.” Danny headed back into the house. Amelia wasn't in the living room any longer. “Amelia?” On a hunch he headed upstairs, found her in the bathroom starting to fill the bathtub with water. “I'm sorry, Baby.”
“I am so fucking sick of hearing those words. So sick. You're sorry. Everyone is sorry, and that doesn't do a damn thing for me.” She glared at him as she sat down on the edge of the tub.
He recognized the anger in her eyes and quite simply was surprised that it had taken her so long to lose her temper. Danny had known it would happen eventually but worried that now was a really shitty time for it to happen. “Babe.”
“No, don't babe me. I'm tired of all this shit raining down on my head. I'm sick of it. I'm sick of it all and there's nothing that I can do about it. There's nothing that anyone can do about it because apparently this is life.”
“We're going to find who did this.” Danny leaned against the sink. He wanted to go over and hold her, but she wasn't ready for that yet. So he'd wait. He'd gotten pretty good at waiting lately.
“Yeah, sure we are. We'll find them just like we found the people who killed my family. We did great with that. Just great. Now Harris is telling everyone that I'm informing on the club? Seriously? I mean, seriously!”
“I thought that James didn't tell you.”
“I overheard him on the phone. I didn't tell him what I heard because I was so pissed I was scared I'd slip up and tell him the truth. I'd tell him that I'm not a rat. I was doing what I was asked.”
Make It Right (Nightshade MC Book 1) Page 15