True North

by Beth D. Carter

  “Oh. Sure,” Givon replied. “You clean it up and it’s all yours.”

  “Thanks,” North replied. They stood at the winch that connected the trailer to the truck. “You unwind it and I’ll guide the bike down.

  It didn’t take long to park the Nightster and maneuver the empty trailer to the side of the house. Givon leaned over and sniffed North. North pushed him away.

  “What the hell?”

  “You smoked.”

  “What are you? Part bloodhound?” North asked, scowling.

  “Man, I knew I should’ve bet you.”

  “Fuck you,” North groused then ruined his tough guy look by smiling. “I’d never place a bet with you ‘cause I’d lose. Allis settling in?”

  “We’ve only been here a few minutes,” he answered. “I hope she brings a little warmth to the house.”

  “Why? Is your heater not working?”

  “No, I mean family warmth.”

  “Oh. Like decorating?”

  “Sorta.”

  “Unless it involves motorcycles, I’m shit for interior designing.”

  “Yeah, I kinda figured that.”

  North grabbed his arm. “Look, Giv, I’ve been having some crazy thoughts about Allis.”

  “You too? Thoughts on what she’d feel like naked and how she’d taste? Those kind of crazy thoughts?”

  “Well, shit,” North said with a sigh.

  “I was actually thinking of inviting Leo, Merrie and Braden over for dinner.”

  North blinked. “Well, shit.”

  “You’ve said that already.”

  “Yeah. Didn’t diminish the implication.”

  Givon laughed. “Come on. Grab your duffle bag. Pick whatever room you’d like.”

  Allis sat on the couch, waiting for them to walk in. She smiled shyly at them.

  “I’ve put coffee on,” she told them.

  “Thanks, sweetheart,” North murmured. He dropped his bag by the door and walked over to kiss her on the top of her head. “How’re you feeling?”

  “Sore,” she admitted.

  “You got pain medicine?”

  She nodded. “They gave me a prescription but it knocks me out. I don’t want to sleep just yet. I want to see my home.”

  North smiled and held out his hand. When she placed hers in his, he gently helped her to stand up. Then they turned to Givon.

  “Well, roomie? Lead the way.”

  Along with the living room and the huge kitchen and dining room combo, Givon pointed out a laundry room, a half bathroom, and a sunroom that looked out toward the mountains. After the ground level tour, Givon led them up the stairs. It took Allis a little longer since she had to go slowly and rest between each step, but he didn’t mind. He liked watching North help her. He had thought jealously might be a problem, that he wouldn’t be able to handle seeing Allis in North’s arms, but that was far from the feelings coursing through his system.

  “There are five bedrooms,” Givon announced. “With two and a half bathrooms and a full attic.”

  “Jesus,” North muttered. “Overcompensating much?”

  “Fuck you,” Givon replied good-naturedly. “My bedroom, the master, is at the end of the hall. I use the bedroom next to it as my home office. The other three are available.”

  A full bathroom faced the stairs and there was a linen closet next to it. Toward the left were the other three bedrooms. Allis inspected each one.

  “I’ll take this one,” she said, pointing to the smallest of the three.

  “Are you sure?” North asked. “Why don’t you take this one?”

  He pointed to the largest of the three.

  “I have nothing,” she replied, “which is actually less than your one duffle bag. Besides, you’re a lot bigger than I am, so I’m thinking the bigger bed will suit you better.”

  “Actually, you do have things. I’ve got several bags of clothes for you in my truck.”

  “What?” she asked, flabbergasted. “How?”

  “I stopped off at Walmart before I came here.” He shrugged. “As much as I would’ve loved to see you walking around in nothing, I think clothing is more prudent.”

  Red stole over her cheeks.

  “So, it’s settled,” Givon said. “North, unpack your things. Allis, I’ll run down and get those bags. I think tonight we’re going to have a little celebration.”

  Allis put a hand out to the bed and swayed a little. Givon and North both jumped forward to grab her.

  “What’s the matter?” North demanded.

  “My back is really hurting,” she said in a strained voice. “I don’t think I’m much up for celebrating tonight.”

  “I’ll go get your pain pills,” Givon said, turning to bolt out the door. He ran downstairs to the kitchen where he’d placed all her paperwork and items from the hospital. She’d spent four days in the hospital and had assured Dr. Blake she’d be better protected at his house. He was extremely glad North was there to help take care of her. He scooped up the medicine container then opened it to shake out two white oblong pills. He got a glass, filled it with water, followed by quickly ducking into the laundry room located off the kitchen to grab one of his clean T-shirts. He didn’t mind washing clothes but he hated putting them away. Most of the time his stuff was piled high on the dryer.

  As he went back upstairs, he took the steps two at a time and entered her bedroom to see that she’d sat on the bed with North squatted in front of her, holding her hand.

  “Here,” he said and opened his hand.

  Allis gave him a wan smile and took the pills, swallowing them down with the water without a hint of protest. When she was done, North set the glass on the small nightstand.

  “I also brought you one of my shirts for sleeping in,” he said, holding it out to her. “Do you need help?”

  “Yeah,” she said. “I can’t raise my arm.”

  The hospital had given her an old set of scrubs to wear home and the men helped her to stand and carefully pulled the borrowed shirt over her head. Her breasts came into view and he had to beat down his raging libido at seeing her dusty rose nipples looking like succulent little berries. He wanted to take one into his mouth and suck until she writhed under him in pleasure.

  Averting his gaze from the perfection of her beautiful body, he helped her put the shirt on as North untied the drawstring pants and helped her step from them. They guided her down onto the mattress and pulled the covers up to her chin. Seconds later, she was breathing deep in slumber.

  North placed a gentle kiss on her cheek. As he turned away, Givon recognized the heat in his friend’s eyes because it burned through him. Yes, whatever it was that drew both of them toward this woman was potent and Givon was thankful she was safe under their roof.

  Chapter Ten

  Givon got to work a little early the next morning and was surprised to see his deputy, Charlie Earenflight, already there. Out of all his deputies, Charlie was the one who seemed most dedicated to his job. He was older than the other deputies, having served fifteen years in the military before beginning his law enforcement career. Givon found himself relying more and more on Charlie.

  “Morning, Boss.”

  “Morning,” Givon replied. “Why’re you here so early?”

  Charlie shrugged. “Couldn’t sleep. Thought I’d come in and try to get some work done.”

  Givon didn’t know all that much about his deputy’s personal life, except for the fact that Charlie seemed to be an insomniac.

  He poured himself a cup of coffee and headed to his office. His predecessor had had a predilection for cowboy hats and Givon hadn’t had the heart to remove the hat stand near his chair. At Christmastime, Sandy decorated it with lights. As he settled down to work, Charlie walked through the door, holding up a file folder.

  “I did a little digging on Michael Hiller,” Charlie said. “As expected, he was in the system on a drunken disorderly charge and a destruction of property, which was later dropped.”


  “No sexual crimes?” Givon asked, a little surprised.

  Charlie shook his head. “Five years ago a witness came forward and identified him and his truck as deliberately hitting some motorcycles in a bar parking lot just outside of Durango.”

  “That’s where Allis was working,” Givon said. “In a bar.”

  “According to the report, Mr. Hiller started the fight with a patron, got the shit beat out of him, went outside and ran over the bikes. He was arrested and booked but then the bikers came forward a few days later and dropped the charges. However, Hiller served a year in jail for the other charges.”

  “Who were the bike owners?”

  Charlie handed him a picture. “They were led by a man by the name of Perry Lester.”

  Surprise hit Givon between the eyes. “That’s Gray Dog, president of the Demon Devils. What was he doing in a bar in Durango when he has his own here in Destiny?”

  Charlie closed the file and laid it on Givon’s desk. “I’d be happy to help you ask that question.”

  Givon eyed his cup of coffee longingly. “Okay. It’s what? Nine in the morning? Should be a perfect time to wake up some bikers.”

  * * * *

  The last time he’d set foot inside this bar it had been a tense situation, to say the least. Givon eyed the Demon Devils’ personal property with all the enthusiasm of looking at a rattler. He thought he’d prefer the snake more. At least the reptile was straightforward and honest about its intention to strike.

  “Watch your back,” he told Charlie.

  “Always do, Boss.”

  Givon banged on the bar’s door and waited. A minute later, he banged again and this time it opened abruptly by a young man wearing a vest that proclaimed him as a prospect to the Devils. He looked disheveled, with knotted long hair and an odor that proclaimed he was in desperate need of a shower.

  “I’m here to talk to Perry Lester,” Givon said, deliberately using Gray Dog’s real name. He was met with a bleary blank-eyed stare.

  “Who?”

  “You know him as Gray Dog.”

  “Oh,” the man said and closed the door in their faces.

  Givon shot a quick glance at his deputy. Charlie wore his grim poker face. They didn’t have long to wait. The door reopened and this time a full member ushered them inside. The bar was just as dark and dank as he remembered, although empty. The décor was eighties paneling that hosted a plethora of tasteless naked women, beer and motorcycle posters. The rank smell of cigarettes, stale alcohol and unwashed bodies lingered in the air.

  A moment later, the sound of boots stomped across the upstairs floor, heading toward the stairs. He and Charlie turned to watch a scowling Gray Dog appear.

  “What the ever-loving fuck do you want?” the old biker growled.

  Givon gave him the most pleasant smile he could muster. “Good morning. We’re here to ask you about Michael Hiller.”

  “Who?”

  “Michael Hiller is the man who knocked over your bikes outside Durango five years ago.”

  Gray Dog gave an obnoxious snort. “Five years ago? Really? I’m supposed to remember this?”

  “You should,” Givon replied. “You dropped the charges, which I find interesting since I know the one thing a biker holds value on is his wheels. So I asked myself, why would a biker drop the charges then not take revenge?”

  Gray Dog crossed his arms across his chest. “I don’t know but this sounds like the beginning of a great story.”

  “I know this is a stupid question but where were you two nights ago?”

  “I think we’ve played this game before, Sheriff.”

  “Humor me.”

  “I was here, with all my men.”

  The biker’s fake, syrupy smile rang all of Givon’s warning bells. He shot a quick look at Charlie and saw that his deputy had noticed the emphasis as well.

  “So you have no knowledge of Michael Hiller or the reason why he came to Destiny?”

  “I don’t remember this man so no, I have no knowledge whatsoever of his reasons.”

  “No paybacks I should know about, after you got your revenge?”

  “What revenge, Sheriff?”

  Givon figured as much. “Don’t suppose you’d let me look around your bar?”

  “You suppose right. Now, as lovely as this conversation has been, I think you’ve overstayed your welcome and I have a warm bed waiting for me upstairs.”

  At that moment, a man stepped from the shadows. It startled Givon that he’d never seen him lurking in the darkened corner. Long dark hair and flat eyes colder than ice made Givon’s danger warning shoot sky high. A snake tattoo wrapped around his forearm. He recognized Gunner Smith right away from Merrie Walden’s case.

  “If you hear anything about Michael Hiller, you’ll be kind enough to let me know, correct?”

  “Oh,” Gray Dog said mockingly. “You’ll be the very first person I call, Sheriff.”

  There wasn’t much else Givon could say to that, so he and Charlie backed away and out the door. They didn’t say a word until they both sat in the SUV.

  “What d’ya think?” Givon asked.

  “He’s lying,” Charlie said. “His eye twitched when you mentioned Michael Hiller’s name.”

  “Why wait five years for payback? The Demon Devils are well known throughout Wyoming. It would’ve been easy for him to track down Gray Dog.”

  “Are we sure it’s payback?”

  “No. The other possibility is he that was working with—or for—the Devils.”

  “Doing what?”

  Givon shrugged. “Now that part I haven’t figured out yet. But I’d bet money that once Michael Hiller got out of prison, the Devils swooped him up.”

  “Work for us or get an unmarked grave kind of thing?”

  “Yep.”

  Givon started the vehicle and drove out of the bar’s parking lot.

  * * * *

  Allis sipped her ice tea as she sat in the porch chair watching North pull tall weeds up from their roots then toss them into a pile on the side. He had settled her in the chair with a lap blanket earlier as he went off to revert the barn back into something workable. Much to her delight, he’d shucked his shirt not to long into his task, giving her a great view of bulging muscles all hot and sweaty from the intense, laborious work.

  It was better than cable television.

  In fact, Hollywood could make a reality show off North working just like this. Women would be glued to their sets watching this little peep show. She giggled as she pictured housewives setting their DVRs to record a show about a half-naked man working in the dirt and weeds. Colorful tattoos decorated the upper parts of his arms. She particularly like the red wolf howling at the moon stenciled on his back. The name of his club stamped below it in no way distracted from his handsomeness. They just added to his bad-boy allure.

  She shifted and pain lanced through her, although it wasn’t as intense as the previous few days. Yes it hurt, but it no longer stole her breath. Allis suspected it was because she’d slept so long last night. A good night’s sleep did a body good.

  And from her view, North must be getting some fabulous sleep.

  When her ice tea was finished and the noonday sun had passed into the realm of later afternoon, North finally stepped back from his work, picked up his discarded T-shirt and proceeded to wipe the rivulets of sweat running down his body. Her pussy clenched as she imagined washing him, slowly running the soapy cloth over those washboard abs. Excitement stirred in her belly, rousing all the butterflies that had settled for the afternoon. They were a constant flutter whenever she was around North and Givon. Each man aroused her in different ways. Givon was her support, her rock. North was her safety net as well as her ignition. She could only imagine what it would be like to have both men surrounding her, loving her. Filling her. It was a wet dream she hoped to one day fulfill.

  North flung his now dirty shirt over one shoulder as he walked back toward the house, his blue eyes narrowed a
gainst the setting sun and focused directly on her. Everything about him only intensified the need surging through her. Heat flooded his gaze, causing all her girlie parts to stand up and purr with desire.

  “You look a little flushed, sweetheart,” he murmured as he hooked one booted foot through the slats and crossed his arms over the railing to lean toward her.

  “And you look like you need a tongue bath. Ah, I mean sponge! Sponge bath.”

  He threw his head back and laughed. There was something fascinating about his Adam’s apple moving up and down that made her want to lick it before leaving a little love bite on his neck.

  North left the rail to walk around to the steps. He picked up a chair and brought it next to her. Before he sat, he leaned over to her and kissed her on the mouth. Her lips parted under his gentle probing, opening up to him. He twined his fingers through her long hair, gripping it and holding her head in place as he had his wicked way with her mouth.

  When the kiss ended and he pulled back, she let him go with a little whimper. She still wasn’t ready for sex but damned if her pussy wasn’t throbbing with need.

  “Hell, girl,” he whispered, adjusting his cock within his pants before he sat. “You got me harder than fucking stone over one little kiss.”

  A blush heated her cheeks, although she wasn’t sure why. It wasn’t as if she was a virgin. But North’s stare was hot and direct and he was practically eating her up with his blue-fire gaze.

  “I knew the first time I saw you that you’d change my life,” he said.

  She cocked her head. “The first time?”

  That sobered him and he nodded slowly. “I held you in my arms while Giv chased the man who had hurt you. I used my shirt to try to stop your bleeding. Your hair was matted and dirty and you were pale, so I didn’t know what you looked like, but everything inside me screamed to save you.”

  “I’m not just a pity case, am I, North?”

  “Pity? Believe me, sweetheart, the last thing Giv and I feel for you is pity.”

  That eased the tension she hadn’t realized she’d been carrying. She didn’t want to be a charity case, especially not to these men. She looked around the land, the barn, the tree—at the peace that surrounded her. “I feel safe here.”