Risk

by Grady, Samantha

  “First of all there is nothing wrong with my hair. Secondly it’s all about playing the game babe. Adam and his boys need a firm hand, they need to know if they try to screw me over they will pay for it. Vinnie, he’s a ruthless bastard if he can’t control you he wants nothing to do with you.”

  “What about Mika?”

  The smile instantly dropped and the dark look I’d seen in his eyes at Adams house was back. “Nothing, you don’t play any kind of game with Mika he’s too dangerous.”

  “I meant you not me.”

  “I know what you meant but you tend not to follow the rules. So I’m just letting you know the score, I’m fine helping you find dirt on Vinnie but you take a step in Mika’s direction I’ll show you exactly what it is I do.”

  Fear spiked through me at his words and the hard look on his face, Shark was not someone I would mess with. If he told me to stay away from Mika I would.

  My cell ringing had me jumping out of me skin. Spinning around I grabbed my phone picking up the call praying I didn’t sound as guilty as I was feeling. “Hey Jonah.”

  “Hey baby, you doing ok?” Jonah yelled over the sound of music blaring in the background.

  “I’m ok.” I said as calmly as I could while feeling Sharks eyes burning holes into my back.

  “Good, is Mason home yet?”

  “No, why?”

  “Damn ok, I’m on my way baby.”

  Shit, shit, shit. “Why honey?” Wow could I sound anymore fake.

  “A guy I know, Shark just text me saying he heard Vinnie was seen around our house.”

  Son of a bitch spinning around to ask Shark what the hell he was doing I found myself alone in the kitchen.

  “Ok see you soon.” I mumbled hanging up the phone before Jonah could say another word.

  Clutching the cell in my hands I went in to the hall to find it empty, opening the door I saw the back of Shark and his friend speeding away of their motor bikes.

  That sneaky little bastard.

  Jonah walked in the door twenty minutes after Shark left and I was still standing in the kitchen trying to think up an excuse for Shark having been at the house.

  Circling his arms around my waist he kissed my neck, “I thought you would be in bed. What are you still doing up?”

  Oh shit he knew, think, what was I doing up? Pizza box yes, “Hungry.” I said opening the box and grabbing a slice, shoving half the thing in my mouth.

  “Baby that pizza’s been sitting there for two days.”

  Oh no gross, eww, gross.

  Dropping the pizza and putting a hand over my mouth I darted to the bathroom.

  Locking the door I fell over the toilet spiting out the bad pizza.

  This was going great.

  “Baby, you ok?” Jonah yelled through the shut door.

  No, I thought washing my mouth out with mouthwash that had been there for God knows how long but anything was better then rotting food, freaking boys.

  Forget food and trying to act innocent I was going to bed; I could at least hide my face in the dark.

  Opening the door a concerned looking Jonah offered me his hand, “You ok?”

  “I’m awesome.” I said through what had to be the creepiest smile on the earth.

  “Right,” Jonah said lips twitching, “Want me to make you something to eat?”

  No sweet-cheeks I may never eat again I thought but instead said, “No thank you. I think I just want to go to bed now.”

  Still looking like he wanted to laugh his ass off, Jonah nodded his head.

  Leading me up stairs Miss Daisy trotted in front of us swinging her tail in the air. Miss Daisy, I should have used the freaking dog, told him I was letting her out pee, gosh I was bad at this.

  Once in the bedroom Jonah started to unbutton his shirt but stopped suddenly running his eyes from my head down to my toes, “Why are you dressed?”

  Oh hell, I was dressed, well time to go for broke. “I wanted to get dressed, gosh don’t get your man period on me.”

  Jonah’s mouth was literally hanging open. Blinking several times and shaking his head he walked slowly towards me. Cupping my face Jonah placed a soft kiss on my lips, “Are you having a chick moment?” He asked sympathy thick in his voice.

  My eyes about popped out of my head and my hand was inching to hit him, chick moment I’d show him a chick moment all right. “Grab a pillow on your way out and have goodnight.”

  “I’m not sure what’s going on right now but I’d really rather not sleep on the couch.” Jonah whispered his face slightly red looking like an innocent boy who’d just been told off.

  Damn he was too cute to stay mad at and honestly I was feeling a little bad that I’d set him up throwing him straight into the shark’s mouth. Ha literally, mental high five for me. “Fine you can sleep with me but if you wake up missing a nut you cant say I didn’t warn you.”

  Kissing me again Jonah walked into the bathroom, as soon as the door shut I fell on to the bed.

  If I could get through the night without spilling all my secrets it would be a miracle.

  ****

  Twelve thirty couldn’t come fast enough, I’d been walking a high wire of guilt and fear that Jonah would find out what I was up to with Shark. I was not cut out for this secretive stuff, my stomach was queasy, I was sweating uncontrollably and every time Jonah looked at me I was sure he knew what I was doing. That haunted look I hated was showing in his eyes and he seemed distracted.

  From his odd behavior I was sure I’d been found out and there was no way he was going to let me out of the house. But when I told him my plans to go see Ty and do some more packing he didn’t put up a fight not even about me going alone. Something was wrong and it had nothing to do with what I was up to.

  Waiting for the car to warm up I watched Jonah staring at me from the front door. Something was really bothering him, I’d asked him what was wrong at breakfast this morning but all I got was a mumbled later and Denny slamming his dishes in the sink and stomping off. From Denny’s reaction I figured it was some kind of brotherly fight that would blow over. But I was still worried.

  Waving to Jonah I let it go for now and drove towards my apartment.

  I’d just parked my car in front of my apartment when a beat up red truck pulled up dangerously close to my car.

  “Get in china doll we don’t got all day.” Shark yelled in a thick county accent that surprisingly matched his outfit. I had to do a double take badass Shark was dressed like a cowboy, hat and all. “What part of get in don’t you understand?”

  Shaking it off I climbed into the truck. “I didn’t realize we were dressing up for this.” I chuckled.

  “You hating on cowboys?” Shark asked speeding out of the parking lot.

  “No I’m actually a fan. I’m just not sure why you’re dressed like one?”

  “What I can’t be a cowboy?”

  “No it makes sense actually, I thought you got that bleach blonde hair because you were some kind of surfer boy stuck in Colorado, I had no idea you got that hair from being a cowboy.”

  “Shut it china doll, my mama raised me on a ranch it’s in my blood.”

  “So how come you’re not working on a ranch?”

  “The same reason Jonah and Denny aren’t working in a tattoo shop my father screwed my family over.” Shark said his light mood turning sour.

  Ok subject change time. “Why do you call me china doll? I have a name you know?”

  “It’s safer that the bad people in town don’t know your real name.”

  “That sounds smart but Shark, really?”

  Looking at me in disbelief Shark shook his head “We’re done talking.”

  Someone was a little touchy about his name. Oh well the scenery was beautiful, the sun was out and the wind was blowing through my hair, who needs Shark’s sarcastic voice talking anyways.

  A little while later far outside of town Shark turned into a gated ranch. As we got closer to the house a man that looked li
ke Shark only a bit older, his brother I was guessing, walked out on to the porch with two little boys running after him.

  As soon as Shark was out of the car the two boys ran straight for him.

  “Are you here to babysit us?” One of the little boys’s screamed.

  “Not today buddy but maybe next week ok?” Shark said hugging both boys to his legs.

  “They actually let you near children? Surprising.”

  “Ha ha.” Shark sneered rolling his eyes at me.

  “Shane what are you doing here?” A brunette woman asked sticking her head out the door.

  “Your real name is Shane.” I screeched covering my mouth with my hand, “That’s fantastic.”

  “Keep it up Olivia and I make you owe me a marker instead of this little thing being done out of the kindness of my heart.”

  The older looking Shark was starting at me with the oddest look on his face making me feel a little uncomfortable. “Jessica, take the kids inside.” He said not talking his eyes off me.

  While the kids were rounded up Shark led me on to the porch, “Is there a reason he is staring at me like that?” I whispered nodding to the man.

  “He’s trying to figure out what a girl like you is doing with me.” Shark mumbled.

  Once the kids and the woman were inside the man turned his eyes on Shark, “You in trouble Shane?”

  “No I am not in trouble. China doll here is looking to get our boy Jonah out from under Vinnie’s trigger finger.”

  Studying me intensely Shark’s brother rubbed his hand over his beard, “The law involved?”

  Sharks eyes flashed, his body tensed and with a slight shake of his head his brother nodded.

  Guess Shark wasn’t a fan of getting the law involved, come to think of it I wasn’t either that would be a very bad plan.

  Rubbing his beard again Shark’s brother looked at me, “What’s your plan?”

  “I was kind of hoping Vinnie has done something I can use against him.” I whispered feeling very shy under his stare.

  “Vinnie’s done a lot of stuff. Not a lot of it good. Let’s say you do find something, what makes you think Vinnie will take it and let Jonah out?”

  “I don’t know that he will but I’m hoping I can find something big enough that leaves him no choice.”

  “What is Jonah to you?”

  “He’s the love of my life.” I said honestly.

  “She wants what you have brother.” Shark said jerking his chin towards the house, “You can’t have a family with someone in the drug business.”

  A picture of Denny, Rachel and their beautiful baby boy popped in my head. I wanted a family with Jonah not today or tomorrow but one day, if I couldn’t get Jonah out, there would never be a ‘one day’. Tears were forming behind my eyes and by the look on the two men’s faces they were reading me as if I’d said my thoughts out loud.

  “Just getting dirt on Vinnie won’t be enough. You’ll need something that will rip his whole business apart and make other drug lords question him. Sadly for all involved I’ve got just the thing.” Bunching his eyebrows together and pushing his cowboy hat back Shark looked confused while his brother looked like he wanted to throw up. I had a bad feeling that whatever he had to tell was exactly what I needed but exactly what I never wanted to hear. “Before Jonah’s dad died he was trying to get out of business with Vinnie, it wasn’t a big secret, what was a secret was he was working with a police officer to bring Vinnie down for good. Jonah’s dad and the officer got the evidence they needed, a couple days later Jonah’s dad, mother and baby sister were all dead in a car accident.”

  Slapping my hand over my mouth I shook my head, no Vinnie didn’t, no one could be that evil.

  “What did Jonah’s dad find?” Shark asked his voice coming out shaky.

  “That I don’t know but I know the person that does.” Looking between Shark and I he chewed his lip with his teeth obviously trying to come to some decision. “No one can know about this person. Vinnie never knew about the officers involvement.” Nodding our heads Shark’s brother lips tuned up into a slight smirk, “The officer working with Jonah’s dad was Officer Owen.”

  “Owen as in Rachel Owen’s father, the girl Denny was dating.” Shark asked disbelief heavy in his voice.

  “Officer Owen is Rachel’s father yes.” Sharks brother said.

  “Holy shit.” Shark hissed through his teeth.

  Those words didn’t even cover it. Vinnie had...No he didn’t say that, he just said the accident happen soon after they got the evidence. I really didn’t want to know but I had too. “Did Vinnie have anything to do with the accident?” I asked barely managing to make my voice loud enough for them to hear.

  Looking at me Shark’s brother put his hand on my shoulder giving it a hard squeeze, “It wasn’t an accident, Vinnie made it all happen and he made sure Jonah wasn’t in that car.”

  Like someone had physically pulled my legs out from under me, my butt hit the deck. This was not the dirt I was looking for. Jonah had healed and put the accident behind him and from what Denny told me it took years for Jonah to get over it. How could I throw it all back at him and this time it would be worse much worse.

  “You don’t want to use this do you?” Shark whispered, crouching down in front of me.

  “No.” I whispered.

  “If that was your family wouldn’t you want to know the truth.” Would I? “Meet with Officer Owen get all the facts then make your decision.” Shark said softly running a hand over my hair.

  “Will you take me home now?” I asked not wanting to think about Vinnie, what he had done or anything really I just wanted to be with Jonah.

  Nothing like this should have ever happened to my sweet Jonah.

  Chapter 22

  The ride back to my apartment was quiet. Shark spoke for the first time while pulling into the parking lot. “You're going to have to tell Mason.”

  “Why?”

  “I can’t go with you to see officer Owen and I don’t think you should do it alone.”

  “Why can’t you go?”

  “He’s a cop I go with you I’ll find myself in handcuffs.”

  “What makes you think Mason will help or that he wont tell Jonah?”

  “I think you’d be surprised, you have those boys wrapped around your finger. Talk to Mason he’ll help you set up a meeting.”

  “Thank you Shark.” I said leaning over to kiss him on the cheek before I got out.

  Nodding Shark gave me a smile before driving away.

  Not wanting to waste a minute I got straight into my car and drove to the club. Parking in the back I had one thing I had to do before seeing Jonah.

  Taking out my cell I dialed my parents number. They may be sucky parents at times but they were still my parents. Jonah didn’t have his parents anymore and I knew for a fact that he would do anything to have them back.

  “Mrs. Rees speaking.”

  “What happened to us?”

  “Olivia?”

  “We weren’t the greatest family ever but at least we were a family. We didn’t just lose Alex and Nicky mom we lost how to be a family.”

  “Olivia we are not talking about them.”

  “No and that’s your problem. I’m not them mom, but if you and dad don’t start treating me differently you’re going to lose me too.”

  Sniffling and a small cry sounded through the phone, “They were my babies, I didn’t have control over them and I lost them.”

  “Control over them had nothing to do with it. It wasn’t your fault mom, nothing you did would have stopped him. It was his choice.” I said tears slowly escaping the corner of my eyes.

  “You say it’s not my fault but you think it was yours.” Because unlike her it real was my fault. “Olivia it is not your fault.”

  “I don’t have time now but there is things about Alex’s death you should know. I promise to come over soon.” I hung up despite my mother’s yelling protest at which point I broke down in t
ears.

  Now knowing what had happened to Jonah parents and Jonah never knowing had made me question all the secrets I was keeping about Alex and Nicky. I may not want to tell them but my parent deserved to know what really happened to their son’s and Jonah deserved to know what kind of person I really was.

  Pulling myself together I redid my make up hiding all the evidence that I was crying.

  Walking to the front of club Risk I thankfully didn’t have to wait in the long line as the one bouncer that knew me was on the door.

  The bouncer must have radioed for Jonah because he met me half way through the club.

  Jonah opened his mouth to speak but I quickly shut him up by covering his mouth with mine.

  Seconds into the kiss my hands were painfully fisted in his hair and my tongue was seeking out his.

  Gripping on to my hips Jonah pulled back, “What’s wrong?” he asked eyes full of concern.

  “Nothing I just missed you. Mind if I hang out for awhile?”

  “Not at all.” Jonah said pulling me into his side as he walked me towards his office.

  In the hall leading to the offices Jonah and I passed several people some I’d seen at the house, others I hadn’t but with each person Jonah became so angry his arm tightened around me to the point of pain and when he did speak it came out as a growl. “Give me a minute Olivia.”

  I didn’t even get to answer before Jonah was pushing me towards his office. Going into Jonah’s office, as I wasn’t left a lot of choice I heard Jonah stomp into Denny’s office slamming the door shut with a loud bang.

  “Nice of you to invite me to the meeting.” Jonah yelled his voice so loud I could hear it clearly even with the door shut.

  “You're not a part of what we were discussing so there was no need to invite you.” Denny replied harshly.

  “The hell I am.” Jonah shot back at the same time the sound of a glass smashing against the wall had me jumping back.

  “You said you didn’t want to be a part of it.” Denny shouted.

  “I don’t but Vinnie’s not giving me a lot of choice. Where the hell were you last night? If I don’t help you kill Mika’s boy Vinnie’s going to kill Olivia.”