by Debra Kayn
"I got that," Lee said. "You won't hear or see Bantorus MC."
"Nine-fifty-five. Until then, nothing is solid." Tango walked a few feet away, turned, and said, "Take the road straight through town on your way back. I want them to see Bantorus colors riding unaware of Los Li's presence in town."
Tango walked off and continued around the corner of the building out of sight. There was no use following him. Tango would disappear silently, and only show himself when he wanted. Lee waited a few minutes and walked to his Harley. Time had finally arrived. He wasn't sure what tomorrow would bring, but the world would be a safer place.
The engine rolled over, and he popped the bike into first gear. He rode straight away from the gas station. The danger of tonight wasn't on his mind. All he could think about was what it'd feel like to have Shari warming his back and riding away with him, free of any worries, and safe from Los Li.
All he needed was a little more time. His family had to remain safe and he had to convince Shari to believe in him a little longer.
Chapter Twenty
Shouts of outrage permeated the door to the meeting room and infected the main room of the clubhouse. Shari hugged Risa to her, upset and confused. Lee had stormed into the club without saying a word to her, and the other bikers followed him into the room, locking the door.
Once Kurt's bellow reached the room, Risa emotionally clammed up and wouldn't answer any of the concerned questions from the girls. Shari spent the last half hour at Risa's side, supporting her friend.
"Everything will be okay," Shari said, for the sixth time.
Risa gave her another squeeze and inhaled sharply through her nose. "It will."
"Yes." Shari knew Risa lied to put the others at ease. "We'll handle this together like we always do."
Risa's strength prevailed and she took control. "All right, everyone. Let's just chill out and wait for the meeting to finish. There's nothing any of us can do, so stop guessing on what is going on."
Yet for Risa's strong attitude, her body shook. Shari couldn't miss the slight tremble or the higher hitch in her friend's voice.
"Risa's right." Shari looked at Lilly. "Have you talked to the others about the lineup for tonight?"
"I'll go through it all again, plus I have some questions." Lilly put her hand on Monica's back, giving Shari a look of understanding. "Can you girls help me? I'm wondering how many miners usually come out on a Saturday, and how we can cater to the preference of the majority of customers. I think if we..."
Lilly contained the others on the other side of the room. Shari noticed how experienced and calm Lilly remained in the face of a stressful situation. She might be young, but growing up as the president's daughter had taught her so much about the workings of a club.
Shari turned to Risa. "I don't know what's going on, but are you really okay?"
Risa nodded, but her eyes left Shari's face. "Yeah. Fine."
"Liar." Shari rubbed Risa's arms, bringing her attention back on her. "Whatever is going on will be over soon. The guys...you know they get pissy when there's a meeting. A deal goes bad, they cuss and break chairs. They yell, they punch each other, and then they're slapping each other's backs and grabbing a beer afterward. They met with the militia yesterday. It probably has something to do with a small order or scheduling their next run to take the motorcycles on the fleet."
Risa's fingers traced the scar on her cheekbone. Shari pulled her hand down. "Honey, don't go there. You have a man inside that room that will not let anything happen to you. Every single member has your back, and I personally will not let you out of my sight."
The moisture in Risa's eyes broke Shari's heart. The trauma Risa went through when attacked by tourists over a year ago left her fearful. Until now, she thought her friend was healing and putting her worries behind her. For a while, Risa never left the Bantorus property, and admitted she was scared to go into town. She'd overcome her terrors, and Shari thought her friend was healing.
"I know." Risa blinked and blew out her breath. "I'm okay now."
"Good." Shari stopped touching her and grinned. "Besides, all that yelling could be the club talking to Rain and informing him about Lilly running a strip club."
"Shit." Risa laughed, though it came out painful and forced. "That girl is going to cause so many problems staying here. Kurt put her on curfew as if she was still a teenager and insisted she stay in our house. He doesn't trust the men, he doesn't trust Lilly, and while I know she's up to something, I can't help but be glad for all the help lately."
Shari lowered her voice. "Is everything okay at home?"
"Oh, yeah." Risa waved off Shari's concern. "Except I feel like shit every morning and today I threw up before Kurt rushed us to the club. Whoever decided pregnant women should also have morning sickness should burn in hell."
Shari bit her lip. Risa might feel awful, but before today, she looked beautiful and content over the news of her pregnancy.
"It'll pass," Shari said, wondering if she was in Risa's shoes how she'd react to the news of a baby and how the obstacles of living a biker lifestyle coexisted.
Both Lee and Kurt were raised within the Bantorus MC club. She respected Kurt's authority and talent for blending club and family. Lee, while deciding late to establish himself within the club, came already devoted to his MC family, but she hadn't learned what chased him away for so many years. Going by his relationship with Kurt, the love he had for his brother was steady and deeply ingrained.
There were so many unanswered questions surrounding Lee. She bit the inside of her lip. She probably would never find out what made him the man he was today.
Natalie walked slowly out of the kitchen and joined Risa and Shari. "Everything okay?"
"That seems to be the popular question of the day," Shari said. "But, on a high note, I'm hanging out here tonight while Lilly takes over Silver Girls."
Natalie raised her brow. "Don't kid yourself. You'll be locked up in Lee's room."
Shari opened her mouth, shut it, and decided not to talk about her and Lee's sex life with Remmy's old lady. Risa leaned over and hip bumped her, and then covered her mouth, running out of the room.
Natalie moved to follow, and Shari stopped her. "Morning sickness."
"Ah." Natalie nodded, staying in the room. "That sucks."
"Yep." Shari studied Natalie.
As an old lady, Natalie was also new to the club. Shari couldn't ask her any personal questions about Remmy without coming across nosy and out of line. She looked away, hating the awkwardness between them. They were friends, but neither one of them could forget that Shari had a physical relationship with Remmy prior to Natalie showing up in Federal.
Remmy remained friends with Shari, but he never sought her out when she was alone, because he respected his wife. He kept things public as she expected he would, because he was a good man. Through all of the newness, Natalie remained friendly with her, and at times almost sisterly, but Shari could feel both their curiosity about each other hovering in the air. She understood, because if one of the other women had slept with Lee, she wouldn't know how to act either.
"How's Lee?" Natalie asked.
"Good." Shari faced her. "Sometimes I think it's hard for him to go from being on the road all the time to staying in one place, but he's adjusting."
"I imagine that is hard." Natalie lowered his voice. "Remmy's worried about him. He views Lee and Kurt like his sons. Maybe you guys could have for dinner at the cabin soon, and just hang out with us for a few hours."
"Really?" Shari tilted her head. "Are you sure?"
"Positive," Natalie said.
Natalie swept her hair over her shoulder and smiled. A burst of happiness settled around Shari. The offer came from the heart, and she would gladly share dinner with them.
"Then, yes. I would...we would love to come over." Shari hugged Natalie, pushing her luck. "That means a lot."
"To us, too," Natalie said.
"Whoa. I leave for a few minutes and
plans are made without me. What'd I miss?" Risa scooted in between them.
"Dinner at my house. You and Kurt can come too. I think Remmy would like a night to hang out with the Ramchett brothers, don't you think?" Natalie asked.
"Kurt would love it," Risa said.
A door slammed.
Risa reached out and squeezed Shari's hand. She returned the gesture, prepared for whatever the news was that caused the tension between the men.
Kurt reached the main room first, sought Risa, looked her up and down, and then strode through the room in three giant steps, planting himself in front of her. "Angel?"
"I'm okay," Risa wrapped her arms around Kurt's waist.
Sawyer joined the group, wearing a frown. Shari bumped elbows with him, and mouthed, "Are you okay?"
He shrugged and went back to watching Risa. "Are you sick?"
"I'm fine, Sawyer. Just queasy," Risa said, leaning into her husband.
Kurt kissed her forehead. "Can you hang in here a little bit longer?"
"Sure." Risa laid her head on Kurt's chest.
"Sex," Sawyer blurted.
Kurt reached out and grabbed Sawyer's shirt, shoving him out of the group. "Not now, man."
Sawyer came forward again. "No, I'm not talking about me and Risa having sex. Fuck no. She's your old lady. I'd never do—"
"Shut up before I lay you out on the floor," Kurt said.
"Shit." Sawyer thrust his fingers into his hair. "All I meant to say was having sex gets rid of morning sickness."
Shari, Kurt, Risa, and Natalie stared at the youngest lifer in Bantorus MC. Sawyer's shoulders drooped. Shari offered an understanding smile, but Sawyer ignored her.
"It's true. My mom was a midwife," Sawyer said quickly, looking around at everyone.
Risa gasped. "That's wonderful to know, Sawyer."
Shari cupped her elbows and remained silent. She'd spent many hours with Sawyer, talking about his family, but he'd never spoke a word about his upbringing to any of the bikers. He'd had the perfect childhood with multiple siblings, a loving mom, and a hardworking father. Then his dad developed cancer and passed away when Sawyer was a teenager. He joined Bantorus at eighteen and sent most of his money he earned home to his family.
"Thanks, brother," Kurt said. "Why don't you go check on the girls, huh?"
Instead of watching Sawyer walk away, Shari stepped to the side and looked for Lee. Cutter talked with Alana and Jojo, Germ sat with Carrie on the couch, Stripper, Muff, and Crain gathered around. Even the prospects were listening in on the conversations taking place.
Ink's back faced her and he had his hands plastered on the wall in front of him. Shari shuffled to the left, and drew back at seeing Lilly cornered by Ink. The deep dimples set on each cheek and Lilly's firm mouth concerned her. Lilly always bounced around the club in the best of moods. Maybe Risa was right and there was more going on with Lilly than a young woman spreading her wings and growing up.
No stranger to chaos, there was one person missing at the club. Her stomach rolled.
Lee.
Kurt put his hand on her shoulder and guided her back toward Risa. "Sweetheart, can you come with Risa into the meeting room?"
Shari nodded, anxious to get some answers and find Lee. "Sure."
She followed Kurt and Risa into the hallway. Risa reached behind her, and Shari grabbed on to her hand, thankful for the support.
Inside the room, she quickly scanned around the table and the far wall. Dead weight settled on her shoulders and she let go of Risa. Lee wasn't here.
"Where is he?" she asked, looking up to Kurt. "Where's Lee?"
Everything she wanted to ignore came to her at once. Uncle Ted in danger, Risa attacked, Remmy kidnapped and beaten. Lee gone.
She shook her head, backing out of the room. "No..."
"Honey..." Risa stepped toward her.
She put out her hands. "I have to go find him."
"Shari," Kurt said. "We're here to talk to you."
"I can't. I have to go." She whirled around, intent on searching for Lee herself, and ran into a solid wall of muscle. Hands gripped her upper arms and held her on her toes. She stared up into Lee's face.
His eyes took her in and softened. She flung her arms around his neck and held on tight.
"I thought you were gone. I thought you left me here." She closed her eyes. "I thought something happened to you, and I'd never see you again. I thought you gave up on us. I thought—"
"Sh." His broad hand caressed the back of her head, while holding her tight. "I'm right here. I had to make a phone call."
She raised her head, silently questioning him. He'd already told her that whatever was going on involved her uncle. "Tell me, please."
"I will." He led her over to a chair at the table and sat beside her.
Kurt sat at the end in his president's chair with Risa on his lap. Lightheaded and worried, she looked to Lee for answers.
"The job I came here to do ends tonight." Lee placed his hand on her thigh.
Warmth came from him, and she linked her fingers with his, needing his strength. She was afraid to hear more.
This was the end.
Tonight, their time together would be over.
Lee held her gaze. "Half of the club is going on lockdown, including you, Kurt, Risa, and Natalie. The other girls are going to town and dancing as planned. Since the girls already know you're staying back, there's no need to tell them that you're in lockdown."
"I don't understand. Why just us?" she asked.
Lee looked at Kurt and nodded. She glanced back and forth between the two brothers.
Finally, Kurt said, "Lee's going to town to take care of business, but he wants you locked down tight, and I'm not letting Risa out of my sight. Remmy wants us to watch over Natalie while he helps out at the Sterling Building."
Risa's hand covered her throat and she whispered, "Los Li?"
"Yeah, angel. Lee's promised me that it ends tonight. You won't have to worry any more. Our baby will not have to worry," Kurt said.
Shari had never heard Kurt's voice go soft, and tears came to her eyes at the love he had for Risa. She cleared her throat. "Who's Los Li?"
"You tell her or I do. She deserves to know," Lee said.
Kurt gathered Risa to his chest and lifted his chin over his wife's head. "Go ahead and tell her."
Lee scooted his chair, braced his elbows on his knees, and held her hands. "This stays right here in this room, doll."
"Okay," she said, agreeing to anything to learn more about what was happening.
"Los Li is an affiliate gang ran by the Mexican mafia." He paused. "When your uncle warned you about the danger placed on you and hustled you to Federal, it was Los Li who put a hit on your uncle...and you."
"That's who messed up my apartment?"
Lee nodded. "Yeah."
She tried to raise her hand to cover her mouth, but Lee held onto her hands. "But you said it was going to be over today, so that's good, right?"
"Yeah." He inhaled deeply. "But there's danger involved, because some of the things that've happened around here were not random acts of violence, but deliberate attacks on Bantorus MC."
Shari turned and looked at Risa. She flinched, her heart pounding. "Are you saying Los Li came here looking for me, and that's why Risa and Remmy were hurt?"
Lee shook his head. "No. Los Li has been after Bantorus my whole life. Those attacks would've happened if you were here or not. You've met my step mom, Taylor?"
"Yeah..." She opened her mouth and closed it as it all made sense. "Oh, God. Los Li put the scar on Taylor's face too?"
Lee's grip on her hands tightened. "Los Li has hurt many Bantorus women and men, but I don't believe they've linked you to your uncle yet. As far as they know, you're a Silver Girl and belong to Bantorus MC. You'll be safe in lockdown. Kurt and a few others will stay here to make sure nobody touches you. When it's over, if we're successful in bringing Los Li down, you will be reunited with your uncle."
"We?" She held on to him tighter. "You can't leave me."
"Only for a little while," he said.
"No." She stood, shaking her hands and forcing him to let her go. "I just found you."
"Doll, listen to me." He stood, cupped her face, and forced her to look at him. "I'm not leaving you. I promise."
"He left me," she whispered. "He promised to come back, and he never did."
"Your uncle is in town, and he's coming for you as soon as the job is finished." Lee leaned closer and nuzzled her nose. "Believe, doll."
She sucked in a sob. All these years, she'd prayed her uncle would come back. She'd packed her bags a hundred times, prepared to walk away from Federal, from dancing, from Bantorus MC to find out what was going on, fearing the worst. She'd stayed up many nights debating whether she was a fool for believing in her uncle. In the end, she always had faith that he'd return.
Now Lee was going to leave her, and along with the pain, the worry, the fear, he was ripping her heart out. He'd given her every reason not to fall in love with him, and she did. She couldn't help loving him.
"Okay," she whispered, because he needed to know she was strong enough to take whatever happened.
"Yeah?" He kissed her softly. "A few hours. That's all I need."
"Why?" she asked, shaking inside. "I don't understand why you're a part of the Feds taking down the mafia."
"I’m a Bantorus MC lifer." Lee placed his forehead on hers. "It's all about payback, doll."
She jerked her head back. "No, just let my uncle and his men—"
"I've spent my whole life for this moment. I won't give it up for anyone, not even you. You have to accept that part of me. I told you from the start that being with me would hurt you," he said.
She swallowed her disappointment, hating the fierceness he portrayed when she knew that inside he loved deeper than most men and that's why he held on to seeking vengeance. If he wasn't the man he was, he wouldn't be protecting his club and risking his life.
Chapter Twenty One
The neon sign above the office of the Moondust motel flashed every two seconds. Lee took in the two-story, thirty room building with the room numbers spray painted on the asphalt of each parking spot and the 1970's flashing open sign in burnt orange. There was no doubt that the undercover agent operating the desk probably smoked a cigar and had porn playing on the desk computer to fit into his role—if they even had a computer in the place.