After a few more rounds and winnings, I noticed a crowd gathering around me.
“How much are you up, doll?” asked a burly man wearing a black suit. He reminded me of a bouncer and I wondered if that maybe I was winning too much and I was in trouble.
“I think she must be up about one-hundred grand,” said one of the other players.
“That’s incredible,” he said. “How many hands did it take to win all of that?”
“Uh, I don’t know. I’ve been here for about an hour, I think,” I replied, giving the other player a dirty look.
The dealer, a woman about my age, nodded toward the clock. “Actually, it’s been more like two.”
“I should take my winnings and quit while I’m ahead,” I answered, laughing nervously. “You know, unlike those people in the movies. The ones who keep playing until they lose it all?”
“Sometimes it’s better to quit while you’re ahead,” said a person standing on the other side of me. “If I were you, I’d try another hand though.”
I turned and noticed that the man was blind.
“You think I should play another round?” I asked, biting my lower lip. I wanted to but something inside of me screamed to take my winnings and leave.
The stranger, who had dark skin, dreadlocks, and kind of reminded me of Stevie Wonder, grinned. “Sure. Why not? You’re in Vegas. You’re having a good time, and you’re ahead.”
“Okay. I’ll play one more and that’s it. You’re not going to tell me to go all or nothing are you?” I asked, amused.
The man grinned. “Never go all in unless you have a backup plan. Take it from me.”
Something in his voice gave him away.
Jordan Steele, you crafty little devil.
I wasn’t sure how he found me, but apparently he was up to his old tricks again. His disguise was good, but I was better.
“I agree. Having a backup plan is always a good thing,” I replied. “But so is having common sense. I’m going to take my winnings and get a room.”
Jordan’s smile faltered.
“Here,” I said to the dealer, handing her about ten thousand dollars in chips. “A tip.”
“Thanks,” she said, smiling widely.
Wanting to flirt with Jordan, while he was in his disguise, but not wanting him to catch on that I’d made him, I asked the dealer how much the suites cost in the hotel.
“I’m not sure,” she replied.
“Are you staying here?” asked Jordan.
“Yes.”
“Alone?”
“You know, my mother told me not to talk to strangers, especially in Vegas,” I replied, smiling.
He smiled back. “Wise woman.”
“The thing is, being wise can be very boring,” I said. “Which is what it’s been like for me the past few days. So… tonight, I think I’m going to have me a ‘what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas,’ kinds of nights.”
He didn’t say anything.
I hid my grin. “Well, everyone, have a good night. I know I am,” I said.
The other players wished me well.
I thanked them and walked away from the table.
From there, I cashed in my chips and checked into an expensive suite. Although I couldn’t see Jordan, I knew he was around and watching me like a hawk.
Smiling to myself, I took the elevator up to the room I’d reserved, ordered a bottle of champagne, and kicked off my shoes. Once the concierge delivered the bottle, I drew myself a bath, poured myself a glass of champagne, and got into the tub.
It wasn’t long before my cell phone went off. I reached over and grabbed it.
Jordan : Miss me?
Me: What do you think?
Jordan: I should be home soon.
Me: Good for you.
Jordan: Angry?
Me: Frustrated.
Jordan: I can tell. Let me do something about that.
I heard the click of the bathroom door and Jordan walked in.
“Surprised that I found you here?” he asked, walking over to the bathtub. He’d changed out of his disguise and was now wearing a pair of black trousers and a white dress shirt open at the collar.
I took a sip of my champagne and smiled. “No. I’m just surprised that it took you this long to find my room.”
He began unbuttoning his shirt. “How did you happen to know that it was me down there?”
“I guess I just know when the man I love is standing next to me,” I replied, watching as he undressed. “Especially when he’s never around.” My eyes filled with tears.
He took off his pants and got into the tub with me. “Jessica,” he said, cupping my face with his hands. He stared into my eyes. “I’m here.”
“Are you?” I asked, staring into his ice blue eyes.
“Yes,” he said. “And I’m never leaving you again. I promise.”
“What about tomorrow?” I asked, hating the way my throat was closing up and how emotional he made me. “Will there be flowers and maybe another note, apologizing that you had to leave again?”
“Tomorrow? Just flowers. You can’t have a wedding without them.”
I stared at him in confusion.
He grinned. “You still want to get married, don’t you?”
“To you?” I asked, the tears running down my cheeks.
“That’s the idea.”
Crying, I threw my arms around his neck and cried, “Yes!”
“There is one little issue.”
I stiffened up. Another catch? “What’s that?” I asked pulling away.
“You’re not going to be Jessica Steele. You’re going to be Jessica Stone. That is if you’d like to take my new last name.”
“I’m okay with that,” I replied, relieved that it was something so trivial. “What about your first name? You didn’t change that, did you?”
“No. It’s Jordan.”
“Phew. I don’t know if I could have lived with a first name change,” I teased. “Last name, that’s fine. First name… absolutely not.”
Jordan grinned. “Just don’t call me ‘Judge’,” he said. “That chapter in my life is finally closed.”
“For good?”
“For good.”
I smiled. “So, how should we begin this new chapter?”
“I have a suggestion,” he said, touching me intimately.
We started the chapter with sex. Lots and lots of it.
Meanwhile, back in Jensen
Thirty-one
Terin
After Cole and I stepped out of the shower, he went into the kitchen to make us something to eat while I checked in with Walters.
“Did you talk to Cole Johnson?” he asked.
“Yes,” I said, lowering my voice.
“What did he say?”
“He was shocked and claimed he didn’t know anything about Ronnie and Pete. He also has an alibi for last night.”
“What’s the alibi?”
“He was working at Griffin’s.”
Walters sighed. “Even without one, I’m sure he didn’t do it. Someone wanted us to find that card so we’d divert our attention to Cole. Besides, who carries around a business card with one’s own name written on the back?”
“True.”
“Someone is trying to frame him.”
“The same person who called in the tip yesterday?”
“Maybe, although we thought it was the Devil’s Rangers and now one of them is dead.”
“Would one of the Devil’s Rangers kill their own V.P. just to frame Cole?”
“Yes, if there’s more going on than we know. These clubs act like it’s all about the brotherhood and trusting each other, but that only goes so far. Especially when you’re dealing with a club like the Devil’s Rangers.”
“So, you think it was an inside job?”
“Sure. If someone higher up than Ronnie ordered one of the club members to take him out, I bet the person wouldn’t blink an eye. It would just happen.”
&nb
sp; “Do you think Schmitty could have ordered it?”
“It’s possible. Look at the mess Ronnie’s created while Schmitty’s been on his road trip. Not to mention, being out of town is also a good alibi for the club president.”
He had an excellent point.
“I know these clubs. I’ve been following them for years and have learned to never rule anything out. Especially inside jobs.”
“So, what’s the next step?”
“I’m waiting to see if we can identify who was on the video footage and if they get any prints or DNA from the crime scene, other than what’s expected.”
“Okay.”
“I’ll let you know if we find out anything. Meanwhile, enjoy your day off and we’ll see you bright and early tomorrow.”
“Sounds good.”
After ending the call, I walked into the kitchen, wearing one of Cole’s T-shirts, and found him making ham and cheese omelets.
“Those look delicious,” I said, peeking around his shoulder.
“Thank you. Why don’t you make yourself at home and I’ll fix you a plate?”
I went and sat down at the kitchen table while Cole finished the eggs. His home and his kitchen was nicer than mine and I wondered where his money came from.
“You’re quiet,” he said, bringing the plates over.
“I was just thinking,” I answered, staring down at the food. “You know, I don’t think I’ve ever had a man make me breakfast before. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.” He nodded toward the clock. “It’s more like lunch, but I can eat eggs any time of the day.”
“Me, too.”
We began eating and I had to admit, the silence was a little awkward. He noticed it too.
“So, are you thinking again?” he asked, looking at me.
I took a sip of coffee. “I’m always thinking.”
“Don’t think too hard. It’ll stress you out.”
“Easier said than done,” I replied. “So, tell me more about yourself, Cole Johnson. And I’m not talking about club stuff.”
He grinned. “What do you want to know?”
“What are your hopes and dreams?”
Cole laughed. “Right now? I’m hoping to get my hands on some condoms so that I’m able to dream with a smile on my face tonight.”
I smirked. “What makes you think that we’ll be having sex again?”
“You’re still here, aren’t you?”
“I’m hungry.”
He gave me a devilish grin. “So am I.”
Thirty-two
Cole
After breakfast, I talked Terin into taking a ride on the back of my bike. She put her clothing back on and we cruised around for a couple of hours.
“Did you want to stop by your place and change out of your work-clothes?” I asked her, after stopping at a drug store.
“No, that’s okay.”
“Are you sure? You’d be more comfortable.”
“I’m fine,” she answered.
I had a feeling that she didn’t want me knowing where she lived. I didn’t say anything, but it annoyed me. Especially after the last several hours.
We got back onto my Hog and I asked if she was enjoying herself.
She smiled. “I forgot how much fun it is to be on one of these things. How hard is it drive?”
“Drive? Hell, they’re easy to drive. It’s the other people on the road that make things difficult. You have to try and anticipate everyone’s moves and hope they’re paying attention so you don’t die.”
“I can imagine.”
“But, if you’re interested in learning, I definitely wouldn’t let the other idiots on the road stop you. They have courses that you can take and they’re only around ten hours to complete. So, you should be able to fit them into your busy schedule.”
“What about a motorcycle?”
“They provide you with one of those as well.”
She put the extra brain bucket I’d loaned her. “I’m going to have to check it out.”
“Really?”
“Yeah.”
“Cool. Then we can go riding together once you learn.”
Terin just smiled.
On the way back to my place, we stopped at the grocery store and picked up a couple of ribeye steaks, two potatoes, mushrooms, and a bag of salad.
“Don’t you have to work tonight?” she asked me.
“No.”
“Is that the only place you work? Griffin’s?”
“Nope. I work part-time at Black Diamond Restoration. It’s an auto body shop.”
“Really? I had no idea,” she answered. “What do you do there?”
“I’m one of the paint technicians.”
“How long have you worked there for?”
“About three years now.”
“Interesting. Do you like it?”
“Yeah. I’d like to be able to put in more hours, but I’ve been so busy with the club.”
“When are they going to patch you?” she asked.
“I don’t know. I haven’t been with them long, so it might be a while.”
“But, you’re going to be Tank’s brother-on-law soon, right?”
“Yes, but you have to earn your way into the club. Gain everyone’s trust,” I said.
“You say that like it’s not an easy task.”
I just shrugged and put my helmet back on. “Nothing is ever easy. Are you ready?”
“Yes.” She slid her arms around my waist and we headed back to my place. Once there, we put the groceries away, marinated the steaks, and made use of some of the condoms. Afterward, I fired up the grill and we made dinner together.
“I’m glad that you have a healthy appetite,” I said, watching her eat. We were sitting outside, having dinner on the patio. “And aren’t one of those girls who eat nothing but salad or brown rice.”
“To be honest, I don’t eat like this all the time. Although, I enjoy it. My schedule is so crazy though and so I eat a lot of fast food.”
“I do too, but it’s nice to sit down and share a meal like this with someone. We’ll have to do this again.”
She didn’t reply.
“I don’t know about you, but I’ve had a hell of a good time today,” I replied, cutting into my steak. “And could get use to this.”
“You realize that I’m not supposed to be here,” she said softly. “I could get fired.”
“Not if you don’t get caught.”
Terin didn’t say anything.
My phone began to ring.
It was Tank.
I sighed. “I need to take this. I’ll be right back,” I said standing up.
“Sure.”
“I got your message about Ronnie and Pete, earlier. Sorry it took so long to get back to you,” said Tank.
“It’s not a problem,” I told him. “You have any ideas about who might have done it?”
“No. Wasn’t one of us,” he said. “Unless you went vigilante and took care of business yourself.”
“Hell no.”
“Raina was with me all night, so I know she didn’t do it,” Tank said, sounding amused.
I smiled.
“Had a detective drop by, about twenty minutes ago. This prick named Bronson.”
“What did he want?”
“He was trying to find out if we knew anything about Ronnie’s murder and then he started asking some questions about you and Detective Terin O’Brien.”
I clenched my jaw. “Like what?”
“Personal ones. I think he was trying to find out if you two had something going on.”
My thoughts returned to the gym and our stalker. I wondered if the person had sent something to the police. I swore.
“You thinking about that guy who had your phone?”
“Yeah,” I replied. “He might be trying to get her fired.”
“Did you check your phone to see if he sent the photo to anyone else?”
“Hell yeah I did but it looks like he j
ust sent it to Terin.”
“He might have used his own phone to take another picture.”
“True.”
“Is something going on between you and the cop?” asked Tank.
“Just sex,” I admitted.
“So you did bang her.” Tank laughed. “Nothing wrong with that.”
“Is that all he wanted?”
“I guess that Hoss talked to him about some shit, too.”
“About what?”
“He told me that he was discussing Facebook and internet scams with the guy and asking for advice. I don’t think Bronson was able to help him out with anything though. He looked just as confused as Hoss.”
“The old man just needs to stay off social media,” I replied.
“No shit. So, are you at work right now?”
“The shop? No, not today.”
“You’re welcome to stop by tonight. Raina and I are making burgers on the grill.”
“I’m actually in the middle of dinner.”
“Oh, shit. Sorry. I’ll let you go.”
“It’s fine. You need me for anything tonight or tomorrow?”
“Not tonight. Why don’t you check in at the clubhouse around ten a.m.?”
“Will do.”
“Later, brother.”
“Later,” I said and then hung up. I walked back outside and sat down. “Sorry about that.”
“Who was it?”
“Tank,” I replied. “Looks like someone named Bronson was asking him questions, earlier.”
“Bronson? About Ronnie and Pete?”
“Yeah and about us.”
“What?” she said sharply.
“He asked Tank if you and I were seeing each other.”
She set her fork down. “Dammit. That nosy, sonofabitch.”
“Do you think he might be the one who took the picture at the gym?”
“No, but I wonder if it’s someone Bronson might know though,” said Terin, standing up. “I’m sorry, Cole. I’d better get out of here.”
“Hold up,” I said, pushing my chair back.
“This was a mistake,” she answered, her eyes filling with fear. “I don’t know what the hell I was thinking.”
I walked over and put my hands on her shoulders. “Terin. It’s okay. Just, calm down.”
“Easy for you to say,” she replied. “You’re not in danger of losing everything you’ve worked for.”
Loving The Biker (MC Biker Romance) Page 13