“I’ve thought about this.” I rolled my finger over his smooth, bare chest. “I’m wondering if you could sink the money into one of your accounts, you know, one of the secret ones?” I noticed how his brows lifted ever so slightly.
“How did you know?”
“I didn’t for sure. Looking through your desk, I found information written on a notebook pad, account numbers and pass codes. I figured they could belong to overseas accounts.”
He sighed. “You mean you were snooping.”
“Yes, I was.” I had no qualms in admitting the truth. “That’s what you get for leaving me here alone.” I slid up beside him and leaned against the headboard.
“I think I can arrange something,” he said. “Tia deserves the money, and Diesel went to a lot of trouble saving it for her. Even if he dipped into shit he shouldn’t have to get it.”
“Blaze, that leads me to another question. You’re not hiding money because you’re doing something illegal, right?” My chest grew heavy.
“No, nothing illegal. Honestly, it’s for safe keeping. If I ever needed or wanted to get away, I could without leaving a trail.”
“You mean, if the ATF or local law enforcement wanted to arrest you for Diesel’s murder? Or stick you with a false crime?” I hated talking about this subject, but I had no choice.
He swirled his fingers on my bare arm. “Yeah, that would be a good reason for me to hit the road. There’s no way I’d do prison time for something I didn’t do.” The sincerity in his expression told me he’d thought a lot about this. “I also won’t be sent away for illegal dealings when I’m squeaky clean.”
“I understand. I need to tell you something.” I moistened my lips.
“That’s enough to make my ass pucker.”
“It’s nothing bad, at least I don’t think it is. Several weeks ago, before all of this chaos, I applied for a teacher’s position overseas.” He stiffened.
“Overseas? Where?”
“Italy. A small town by the name of Poppi. It’s between Florence and Arezzo.”
“How did this come about?”
“I went to a teacher’s conference and one of the instructors teaches for a private school in Poppi. I mentioned that the town sounded lovely and she asked if I’d be interested in applying for a position. I went out on a limb, thinking I could immerse myself into another culture, experience a different way of life. You know how I’ve always wanted to expand my horizons.”
“Are you saying you got the job?” His voice remained calm.
“I’m saying that I’ve been offered a one-year contract. It’s not a long time, but enough to experience things, to challenge myself.”
“Do you want to take it? To go there?”
“I don’t know. I really don’t. I mean, I’ve lost my teaching job here.”
“I can see that you really want to do it, Rena. It’s written all over your face.” He sat up and moved to the edge of the bed. “Maybe this is the answer for you.”
I picked at a thread on the blanket. “The answer?”
“You can get away for a while. Away from all of the shit that’s going on.”
My chest ached. Was he really pushing me to take the job? I didn’t expect this. “I think there are advantages—”
Knock! Knock!
Interrupted again.
“Shit!” Blaze got up, dragged on his jeans and went to the door.
I saw Sharp shift from one foot to the other, glancing past Blaze and offering me a look of apology. Sharp was saying something about an issue with a customer. I couldn’t quite wrap my brain around his words because I was too busy examining what just happened between Blaze and me. What had I been hoping for? Did I expect him to ask me to stay? To divulge his love?
Maybe…
If he did, I didn’t think I could leave him.
Yet, I couldn’t live here. I couldn’t be a part of Wings. “I’ve gotta go put out a fire. Okay?” Blaze pulled me from my thoughts.
“Okay. That’s fine.” I guess we needed some time away to think about things.
“I won’t be long.” He kissed me on the lips, pulled on a shirt and looked back at me. “We’ll talk when I get back.”
He left. I sunk into the bed and sighed.
My cell phone chimed from the nightstand. I didn’t want to talk to anyone. I didn’t want to let the world in.
When it sounded a second time, I grew worried.
Grabbing it, I looked at the screen. There were two missed calls from Daisy and a text message. I hit the message button and read…
“Rena. It’s important. Call me. Please.”
Hitting talk, the phone rang. Daisy picked up immediately.
“Hey, it’s me. What’s wrong?” I squeezed the phone tighter.
Her sniffles rattled the line. “I got into a fight with a guy and he slammed me around. I don’t know where to go. I’m afraid he’ll come back.”
Sitting up and crawling out of bed, I slid into my shoes. “Have you called the police?”
“No, I didn’t. I can’t. I just need to get away.” I could hear the quivering in her voice.
“Okay. Don’t worry. I’ll meet you at my house in an hour.” I clicked off and quickly jotted a note for Blaze.
CHAPTER TEN
“I’ll make you a cup of green tea with honey. That’ll help.” I started to get up, but Daisy’s sob made me sit back down.
She wiped her eyes with a soiled tissue. The bruising around her eye was now dark purple. “No, I don’t want tea.”
“What can I do, Daisy? We should call the police. This guy hit you and he deserves to be in jail.”
She shook her head wildly. “No, I can’t. I won’t.” My cell chimed and I started to grab it from my purse at the same time a knock came at the door. Daisy slid to the corner of the couch. “Oh no. That could be him.”
“But how? He doesn’t know where I live, unless he followed you. Is that possible?”
“No. It’s not. I-I don’t think.”
“Okay. Stay here. I’ll see who it is.” I got up and went to the door, looking through the eyepiece. Dog stood on the other side. My stomach slammed into my throat. I remembered Blaze’s suspicions. But what if Blaze had been hurt? No one knew how to reach me by phone. What if Blaze just messaged me? Thoughts darted through my mind. I opened the door cautiously, but left the chain attached. “Yes?”
“I’m sorry, Bambi, but Blaze has been in an accident.”
I held onto the door as my knees weakened. My worst thought had come true. “What? Is he okay?” I lost all trail of logic.
“He’s been taken to a hospital. I’ll give you the address. Can I come in?” Dog asked.
“But why would you come all of this way? You could have called.” I didn’t trust him.
A wicked smile turned his lips. I stepped back as the door came crashing open, slamming hard into the wall. I stared in disbelief. “What are you doing?” I forced the words through tight lips.
Over six feet and as round as he was tall, Dog looked scary. A scowl marred his face, making his eyes dark orbs against a shiny, sweaty face. “Sorry, Bambi, but I’m the man that hit Daisy. I think I did pretty well.” He blew on his knuckles and swiped them down his cut.
My brain wrapped around his words. “Daisy, call the police,” I said. I didn’t get an answer. I looked at the couch, but Daisy wasn’t there. She stood by the fireplace and her sobbing had stopped. “Call them,” I demanded.
“Rena, I can’t do that,” she said.
“Why not?” No answer. I stomped toward the coffee table to grab my phone. “Then I will.”
The door slammed shut, the lock clicked and Dog had reached my cell before me. “What are you doing?” My body went cold.
“You’re a smart woman. You haven’t figured it out yet?” Dog grinned maliciously.
“Blaze isn’t hurt, right?” I asked.
“Wow, you do care for him.” Dog shook his head and scratched his bald head. “Can you
guess the rest?”
I looked from him to Daisy, seeing the guilt on her expression. “Explain it to me,” I said.
“I really liked you as a friend, Rena, but this must be done,” Daisy stepped next to Dog and rubbed his arm affectionately. “We want the money.”
The puzzle pieces were coming together quickly and I didn’t like the picture. “Dog, you’re the member who worked with Diesel dealing illegal firearms. What role did you play in this though, Daisy?” I wrapped my arms around my waist.
Daisy grinned, but didn’t say a word. Dog answered, “One night, Diesel got drunk and confessed he had money in a box. Getting sappier in his old age, he started talking shit about you, how he could trust you with a load of green when the time was right. He thought he had a target on his back and his days were numbered.” Dog laughed, showing a row of big, ugly teeth. “I tried my best to convince him to sink the money and invest it our little side business, but he refused. It’s like he felt so guilty how he treated you that he thought he owed you in some way. He didn’t leave me a choice.”
Bile rose in my throat. “You killed him.”
“Don’t even pretend like you care. You should be happy. He fucked everything and anything while he was with you,” Dog snarled.
“He didn’t deserve to die.” Daisy’s chuckle made me look at her. “What do you find so funny? How could you do this?”
“Pretty easily actually. You’re so damn trusting, Rena. But you never trusted me enough to talk about life as Bambi. My feelings were a little hurt. I deserve an award. I played a role so well, you had no clue that I was there, attempting to get to know you enough so I could watch your every move. You know, so when you got the cash, I had easy access. Dog and I had no clue, though, that you’d rush into the arms of Blaze, making this harder than we thought it’d be.”
“What do you want?” I took a step back. The backs of my knees pressed the coffee table.
“Simple. We want the money,” Dog said.
“I don’t have the money.”
“Yes, you do!” Daisy snapped. “We saw you go into Diesel’s house. We’d combed every inch of that stinking place and couldn’t find the green. Diesel told you where it was hiding, right? Damn, we wouldn’t have this shit to worry about if Blaze hadn’t been watching your house the day of the memorial. We could have snuck in and taken care of this already.”
Dog snickered. “Diesel thought he was being cute when he told us to fuck ourselves, that he’d never tell us where the money was. We even threatened your life and he still didn’t squeal. Stupid son-of-a-bitch!”
“He was losing his mind anyway. Good riddance.” Daisy cackled. “Dog has promised me the world. I won’t fucking go back to working at some dress shop and watching rich bitches blow cash. I certainly won’t continue wiping snotty noses of brats either! My time has come and this is my opportunity.”
“That’s how you always wore designer labels.” I could see the greediness in her expression. How did I not see this other side of her? “I thought you were my friend,” I whispered.
She snorted loudly. “Honey, no one is your friend in this life, especially when you have a large bank account with money that doesn’t belong to you.”
“And it belongs to you and Dog?” I had to keep them talking. I wanted to believe Blaze would suspect something was wrong.
One corner of Daisy’s mouth dropped. “Just hand the money over, bitch!”
“So everything you talked about with me, it was all a lie to keep watch on me?”
“Aww, don’t look so heartbroken. I liked you, honey. That’s why I want this to be as easy and harmless as possible. Give us the money and we will be on our way. You’ll never see us again.”
“What about your relationship with the gym teacher at school? How was he a part of this plan? Or did you just enjoy fucking him with the maid uniform on?” I watched Dog’s expression go cold. It worked. He didn’t know about Daisy’s affair.
Daisy’s face paled. Dog rubbed his forehead. “You told me you flirted with him just for show,” he ground the words between his clenched teeth.
“Are you going to believe a cunt like her?” Daisy sighed.
“How’d she know about the maid outfit? You said it was for me.” Dog’s color looked close to a pale blue.
Daisy rolled her eyes. “This isn’t the time. Do you remember why we’re here? Money. It’ll only be a matter of time before Blaze comes looking for her.”
“Blaze will be busy for a long time. I made a mess on that purchase order at the shop and he’ll be separating order numbers until his eyes cross.” He snarled and rubbed his chin. “Give us the money. You can live, Bambi.”
I couldn’t trust anything either of them said. And I certainly wouldn’t hand Tia’s money over to criminals. “Like I said, I don’t have the money any longer. It’s out of my hands. And even if I did have it, I would never hand it over to two scoundrels like both of you.”
“That’s a crying shame.” Dog took a step forward, reached into the back of his waist, and withdrew a gun. The nozzle glistened in the light and fear made my spine stiff. “It looks like you’ve just lost your value to us.”
“But I’ll tell you where it is.” I jumped at the sound of Blaze’s voice behind me.
Dog’s gaze raised and the corner of his mouth jerked. Daisy’s gasp echoed off the walls. Neither of them expected this turn of events so soon.
And neither did I.
I looked over my shoulder, seeing Blaze standing in the shadows by the doorway of the kitchen. Seeing him brought hope, but I couldn’t let him give the money away. “No, Blaze. They don’t deserve it.”
“You okay?” he asked, concern making his expression dark.
“I’m fine.”
“I knew something was wrong when I saw your note. I left the shop immediately. Thank God.” His harsh expression told of his inner turmoil. He moved closer, next to me.
“That’s far enough, Blaze,” Dog barked, aiming the gun at Blaze. “You really are a stupid man. No bitch is worth losing your life over.”
“You say that because your bitch isn’t worth the sweat off my brow.” Blaze sniffed.
Daisy stepped across the room toward Blaze. Her hand lifted with her palm open as she moved in. I grabbed her wrist tight. My patience was gone. “You lay one hand on him and you’ll meet a side of me that your mom didn’t even warn you about.”
“You fucking, bitch. How dare you threaten me.” Her mouth twisted as she bared her teeth.
“We don’t have time for a cat fight. Blaze already said he’ll tell us where the money is.” Dog held the gun steady.
“On one condition,” Blaze added.
“Friend, you’re not in a spot to be dishing out conditions,” Dog laughed.
“And neither are you, if you want the money.” Blaze was calm and collected, while every bone in my body shook.
Dog’s jaw tightened. “Name it.”
“Let Rena go,” Blaze said.
“That can’t happen.” Dog rubbed his bald head with his free hand.
“Then showing you green won’t happen.” Blaze’s jaw lifted in a challenging tilt. He looked dangerous and rough.
“I’m not going anywhere,” I interjected, meeting Blaze’s narrowed gaze.
“Yes, you will,” he whispered.
“No. I won’t leave you.” I remained steadfast.
“Fuck this lovebird shit. Neither of you are leaving this happy foursome, not yet anyway,” Dog growled.
He reached for me, pulling me hard against his side. His fingers gripped my flesh painfully. I cried out and Blaze dashed forward until Dog placed the gun against my temple. Blaze stopped, his jaw turned steely and his eyes were cold. “Let her go.” His words were low and threatening.
Dog pressed the cold nozzle harder. I closed my eyes, expecting this to be the end, but it didn’t come. I opened my eyes, but I couldn’t get my lungs to work.
“I bet you’d do anything to keep her saf
e, right Blaze? So, tell me where the money is and I’ll think about letting her live.” Dog’s sweat dropped on my arm. I didn’t move a muscle. His breath was warm against my cheek, smelling heavily of whiskey.
“Under the floorboards in my office. Move the desk and you’ll see where the board is loose,” Blaze said without hesitation.
I whimpered.
“Daisy, go out and get the rope,” Dog commanded. He pulled the gun away and held it to my back. I was able to breathe better. Daisy did as he requested. “You better hope I find it. If I don’t I’m coming back and killing you both, but Bambi’s death will be slow and torturous while you watch,” he snarled.
Blaze had his harsh gaze targeted on Dog and he looked like a bull ready to charge. I knew he wouldn’t take any risks though. Dog would shoot one of us before we could blink.
“You know you won’t get away with this,” Blaze growled.
“I’m already three quarters of the way there, buddy.” I could feel the shaking increasing in Dog’s hand. More sweat trickled onto my arm.
“Remove your hands from her now. You got what you wanted.” Blaze folded his hands into tight fists.
“And have you do something completely stupid? Not going to happen.”
The door opened and Daisy returned with a long rope swung over her shoulder.
“Take the gun so I can tie them up. Don’t take it off her, you hear?” Dog handed Daisy the weapon and took the cord. “Get on the floor.” Dog demanded of Blaze who didn’t move at first. “I’m losing my tolerance. Get on the floor or your girlfriend will pay the price.”
Blaze’s jaw tightened and I swore I could hear his teeth breaking as he lowered to the floor. “There, now see how easy this can be when you’re cooperative. Now you.” Dog waved me over and pointed to the space beside Blaze.
Daisy gave me a hard push, sending me to the floor. I landed on my knees and slid into Blaze’s shoulder. A pain shot through my head.
“Back to back.” Dog had the gun again, pointing and waving it carelessly.
I quickly moved, pressing my back against Blaze’s. Dog bent close, twining the rope around us.
Leather for Two: Wings of Steel MC Page 13