He patted me on the shoulder again. “Sure is. Keep it somewhere safe and spend it wisely.”
I pressed my tongue against the roof of my mouth and nodded. “I’ll do it, Brother.”
“I’ll help you get it loaded up,” he said.
I followed him to my bike, and finally overcame my emotions enough to speak.
“I uhhm. I’d like to. I’d like to give some of it to those fellas that came and saved me, Brother? The other guys.”
He barked out a laugh. “My brothers from another mother?”
I nodded. I owed my life to them, that much was sure.
He shook his head. “They don’t do it for money, or for fame,” he said. “They do it for the same reason we do. For the brotherhood.”
“But…”
He shook his head. “We’ll all go out and have a beer, how’s that?”
As he split up the money and loaded equal amounts into each saddlebag, I nodded. To understand the level of commitment those men had, all I needed to do was look in the mirror.
I had gained enough self-worth to know the man looking back at me was one exceptional human being.
Chapter Forty
Lex
I leaned forward and rested my chin against his right shoulder. “Where are we going, again??”
He tilted his head back. “South Oceanside.”
“To bid a remodel?”
“Something like that,” he said.
I relaxed against the backrest and let the wind clear my mind of everything but the feeling of flying.
In no time, we were off the highway and rolling slowly through one of the city’s fancy neighborhoods.
“This is nice,” I said.
“Not bad.”
A black Mercedes-Benz was parked in the driveway of a home in the middle of the block. In the yard was a realtor’s sign announced it was for sale.
I imagined what it would be like to live in such a neighborhood.
Adam pulled in behind the Mercedes and parked.
“What are you doing?” I asked.
“We’re going in to look at it.”
“To do some work?”
He nodded. “Long story. Bank foreclosure. Previous owner lost his job, and when they foreclosed on it, he got mad and tore the inside all to hell. It needs a lot of work.”
The home was a two-story with a three-car garage. The yard was landscaped beautifully, and had grass in it, which was something the homes in the other side of town didn’t have. I looked at the tall palms, got off the bike, and raked my toes through the grass.
“It’s got grass,” I said.
“Nice, huh? he asked.
“I love how it smells.”
He motioned toward the house. “C’mon.”
I followed him inside.
A man dressed in a black suit met us at the door. “Mr. Downey?”
“I’m Adam. This is Alexandra.”
The man shook each of our hands. “Greyson Winslow. I’ll show you around.”
Adam was right. The home had been damaged by the previous owner, but what remained allowed me to imagine the entire home free of fault without giving it much thought.
The windows in the back of the home had a view of the ocean. I hadn’t realized we were so close to the beach when we pulled in the neighborhood.
I stood at the windows and gazed out at the sea and imagined what it would be like to live in such a place.
There wouldn’t be any reason to ever leave.
A person could walk to the beach.
Or, make love in the living room while they watched the waves crashing against the sand. As Adam inspected for needed repairs, I stood and stared out at the sea.
And dreamed.
“What about the pool? Adam asked, bringing me out of my semi-conscious state. “Is it damaged? The pump? Filtration system?”
It has a pool?
I looked at him and then the realtor.
“No,” Mr. Winslow responded. “Oddly enough it’s working fine.”
Adam nodded. “Based on what I’ve seen, it needs $300,000 worth of work, and that’s conservative.”
“The bank has bids that range from $450,000 to $350,000,” Mr. Winslow said. “I’ll agree with that figure.”
Adam motioned toward the stairway. “Can you give us a few?”
Winslow nodded. “Take your time.”
We walked up the stairs, surveyed the master bedroom, and then Adam spent quite some time looking at the damage in the bathroom while I stared out at the ocean from my new vantage point.
He walked into the room and sighed. “Pretty rough.”
“It sure will be nice when it’s fixed,” I said. “How long will it take to fix it?”
He shrugged. “Six weeks with the right crew. Maybe five.”
“If you get the bid, when you’re fixing it, I want to come bone in here,” I whispered. “I’d love to suck your cock while I listened to the ocean.”
“You like it?” he asked.
“Pfft. What’s not to like. This place is awesome.”
He arched an eyebrow. “How awesome?”
“If it was fixed?”
He nodded. “Yeah.”
“Let’s just say I’d love to come back here when it’s done and have a night with you. Just one.”
“Just one?”
“As many we could get before they kicked us out,” I said.
He nodded. “Alright. I’ll give my bid.”
I gazed out the window, took one last look at the ocean, and smiled. The odds of coming back were minimal, and I knew it.
“You ready?” he asked.
I wasn’t, but I said I was. “Yeah.”
We walked down the steps and I realized Adam’s foot was getting a little bit better each day.
Heck, one day, we’d both be normal.
“I’ll be in touch,” Adam said as we reached the bottom of the steps. He shook Mr. Winslow’s hand.
“Good luck,” Winslow said. “The results will post on the 13th.”
Adam nodded. “Thanks, again.”
As we walked to the motorcycle, I took one last look.
Because it was nice to dream.
Chapter Forty-One
Cholo
I sat on the back deck as Mr. Bale practiced putting on his personal putting green. Beyond him, as far as I could see, was nothing but ocean. I took a drink of tea, looked at Downes, and then glanced at Parker.
After I swallowed, the flavor of the tea came to life. “That tea is something,” I said. “Wow.”
“Peach, today,” Downes said. “One of the late Mr. Ward’s favorites.”
“The former owner?”
He nodded.
Mr. Bale looked down, focused on the head of the putter, and then swung it smoothly. The ball rolled to the other side of the green, paused slightly, and then rolled to the left a few and fell in the cup.
Mr. Bale looked at me. “The game of golf, Mr. Downey, is lost or won right here.”
“On the green?” I asked.
He nodded. “Everyone gets on the green in two or three strokes, and they’ll four putt their way into a loss. I have vowed not to step onto another course for as much as a glass of tea until I’m capable of a sub-par round at Torrey Pines’ south course.”
Torrey Pines was a world-renowned course in La Jolla that overlooked the ocean. “Do you think you’re ready?”
He nodded. “I do.”
He walked up the steps, onto the deck, and sat down at my side. “Downes said you have a proposition.”
“I do.”
He took a sip of tea. “I’m ready to hear it.”
“Before you respond, know either way, there’ll be no hard feelings,” I said.
“Nor will there be on this end,” he said. “I can assure you.”
I wished it was that easy. It never was. But, if Mr. Bale inherited as much money as he said he had, doing what I was about to ask him would be rather easy for him. There was a
risk, but it was minimal for him.
I’d tried everything I knew to try and give a bid for the home on the beach, and nothing would allow me to buy it without having the IRS crawl up my ass about spending cash.
Undoubtedly the FBI or ATF would be next, and with me being part of an MC, there’d be ongoing criminal enterprise language brought up, and I’d be spending my life in prison.
I needed a way to launder the money, and I needed it quick.
I had four hours to figure out a way to buy the home, get the money deposited, and turn in my bid.
A pipe dream. That’s what it had become.
But, it didn’t hurt to ask.
I took a deep breath, exhaled, and then began. “Through the course of my employ, I’ve saved a large amount of cash. I’ve reached a point that I’d like to buy a home, and I’m incapable of doing so, due to my assets all being cash.”
He wiped the sweat from his glass of tea, and gave me an intent look. “You’ll need to make a bank deposit with a check or have a wire transfer done. Those methods will satisfy the IRS, as long as there’s a reason for the influx of funds.”
“Something like that,” I said. “But it would have to be legitimate, yes. For safety’s sake.”
“Are you asking for an advance for the work on the bathrooms? If so, I have no problem--”
“No,” I said. “It’s not that. It’s considerably more money than that.”
“I see. What are your thoughts?”
I hated to ask, but he was my only choice. I hoped my asking didn’t sever ties with him, and I began to second-guess my decision to make the proposition.
“Mr. Downey?”
“Sorry. I was thinking. I think I’m just going to wait. Nevermind.”
He clasped his hands together, leaned forward, and locked eyes with me. “I’m not above taking a risk, Mr. Downey. The greatest rewards in life are provided to those who take the greatest risks.”
I smiled. “I’ll give you $1,550,000 in cash in exchange for a deposit into my account in the same amount. And, if you agree, I’ll provide the work on the bathrooms for free.”
He stood and crossed his arms. “I wouldn’t dream of doing such a thing.”
My heart sank.
As I sat hoping he hadn’t lost respect for me in asking, he cleared his throat and continued.
“I’ll pay for the bathrooms,” he said. “I asked for the work to be done, and I’ll pay for it. Is that the only concern? The deposit?”
I swallowed hard. “Yes, Sir.”
“How promptly?”
“I’ve only got a few hours.”
He looked at Downes. “Call Hec, will you?”
Downes pulled out his phone, stood, and pressed his fingers to the screen. As he walked away, I looked at Mr. Bale.
“If we can get this done, it’d be a dream come true for me. I’ve been saving for ten years or more, and then I came into some money. I’ve got a deal on a house that needs a lot of work, but it’d be worth twice what I’m paying when I’m done.”
“Mr. Downey?” Downes said from behind me.
I turned around. “Yes?”
He cupped his hand over the phone. “Mr. Hec Astur on the phone for you. He’d like your routing and account numbers.”
I looked at Mr. Bale. “Don’t we need to…I’ll have to get you the cash, and then…”
“We’ll resolve that issue later. Take care of Mr. Astur’s needs. He’s old and cranky.”
With my heart racing, I took the phone from Downes’ hand. “Adam Downey,” I said.
“Hec Astur,” he said. “If you can provide me the pertinent information, I’ll see to it you’re paid promptly for the work you’ve performed. If you’d like to bring an invoice by the office later, it’ll keep the IRS off both our respective asses. Let’s see, the transfer amount for the work is…$1,550,000. Is that correct?”
“Uhhm. Yes, Sir.”
“Do you have the banking information for your institution?”
I shoved my shaking hand into my pocket and pulled out my wallet. After retrieving a check from my wallet, I read him the information.
“Have a nice day, Mr. Downey. You’ll have your money in an hour. Glad we could be of assistance.”
The phone went dead.
I handed it to Downes and collapsed into my seat.
“What else can I do for you today, Mr.Downey?” Mr. Bale asked.
“Slow down the clock?” I laughed. “I need to get two places in a matter of hours, and riding that bike is killing my foot. I hit it on my steps again.”
He looked at Downes. “Fire up the B7, Downes. Would you? And take Mr. Downey wherever he’d like to go.”
He extended his hand. “I’d love to spend the afternoon, talking, Mr. Downey, but I have a friend who’s racing against the clock on a home purchase.”
I shook his hand.
As we walked to the garage, I wondered what could make a man so considerate. I decided as Downes was flying up the 5 at 140 miles per hour that Mr. Ward’s generosity must have changed him.
It was an easy conclusion to come to.
Because I knew his generosity changed me.
Chapter Forty-Two
Lex
It was hard for me to believe it had been three months since I started working at Mr. West’s restaurant, but it had been. The time had flown by. Sandy and I sat at the Crab Shack drinking our afternoon beer and solving the world’s problems one disaster at a time.
“It sucks he dicked you over,” I said.
“I knew he would. They all do, sooner or later,” she said dryly. “It just sucks. He was cool until he turned into a douche.”
I laughed. “That’s funny. Cool until he turned into a douche.”
“They all turn into a douche,” she said. “It’s just a matter of time.”
“Not Adam,” I said. “He’s as good as it gets.”
“I need a biker,” she said. “One like him.”
“All his friends are taken,” I said. “Sorry.”
She shrugged. “Figures.”
“Have to work tonight?” I asked.
She shook her head. “I think I’m going to quit.”
I couldn’t believe my ears. “What?”
“Yeah.” She twirled her hair with her finger. “If my life’s going to get better, it’s not going to happen from me working there.”
I knew how much she loved dancing, and it made me sad to think she was going to quit. “That sucks, though.”
She twisted her mouth to the side. “I dunno.”
“Coming up behind you,” she said with a nod.
“What?”
I spun around. “Oh. Hey.”
Adam kissed me and then sat down. “What’s up, Sandy?”
“Not much,” she whined jokingly.
He chuckled. “Sad much.”
“Her and douchebag broke up,” I said.
“Oh.” He looked at Sandy. “Sorry.”
“If any of your friends are single, let me know,” she said. “But only if they. You know…”
He shook his head. “I don’t know. What?”
“If they’re like you.”
“Handsome and kind?” he asked in a sarcastic tone
She let out a sigh. “Kind of wild, and, well, hung.”
He looked at me, then at her, and then looked at me again. “What? You guys talk about that stuff?”
I finished my beer, and then nodded. “All the time.”
He laughed. “I thought only guys did that shit.”
I shook my head. “Nope. We talk about sex all the time.”
He looked at Sandy. “Smoke’s single. According to the rumors, he’s got a cock like a mule, but I can’t say if it’s true or not.”
“Is that big?” she asked.
I spit out a laugh. “Like a horse, Sandy. He’s got a dick like a horse.”
She widened her eyes comically. “Okay. Is that big? Is a horse hung?”
“Ever hear
d the phrase hung like a horse?” Adam asked.
She shook her head. “Nope.”
Adam laughed, reached for her hand, and lifted her frail arm. After looking at it, he released her wrist.
“Horses have a cock about the size of your wrist. Hell, I don’t know, maybe your arm.”
She looked at her wrist and then at Adam. “Oh, wow.”
“Can you set something up, maybe? I asked.
He shrugged. “If you want. Maybe we can all go out.”
Sandy swallowed hard. “I’d. Yeah. I’d like that.”
He looked at me. “You ready?”
“Yeah,” I said. “I still don’t get why you had to drop me off at work.”
“Told you, he said. “We’ve got somewhere to go.”
“Okay, we’re out,” I said.
“I’ll follow you out.”
I tossed $20 on the table, and Sandy did the same.
After bidding farewells, we walked to the bike. Adam laughed as he handed me some ugly helmet.
“What is that?”
It was huge and had a dark black visor that covered the entire face.
“It’s a full-face helmet. And, it’s got a special visor.”
“It’s ugly.” I handed it back to him. “I want to wear mine.”
“Tonight, you have to wear that. At least for now.”
“Why?”
“Because that visor’s not see-through. You can’t see through it. I had it made special. For you. For tonight.”
I wrinkled my nose. “Why?”
“So you can’t see. It’s a surprise.” He held it at arm’s length. “Just put it on. Half an hour, that’s it.”
I sighed, pulled on the helmet, and buckled the strap.
And, my entire world disappeared.
The ride to wherever we went was interesting, to say the least. It was similar to sitting on the bike in the garage with my eyes closed, only better. I wouldn’t want to wear the special helmet all the time, but it was pretty cool wearing it on that evening.
After the bike came to a stop, he shut it off.
I waited for him to tell me it was okay to take it off, and then began to wonder what the surprise was. During the entire ride I was immersed in trying to figure out where we were, and had forgotten about the reason for wearing it.
F*CKERS (Biker MC Romance Book 7) Page 56