by Debra Kayn
Priest held out his hand. "I'd show you the door if you blindly accepted."
He shook, agreeing to talk. The idea of riding in solidarity, of going after a common problem, and having protection for his family appealed to him. But there would be risks, and he had to find out if those risks would benefit his family or harm them.
"I'll let Roddy give you the information on what you could expect the first year if you agree to ride with us during a probation period before going in front of the others to be voted in, or out. Then, we'll talk in a few days after you have time to think about it." Priest stepped away.
"Wait." He stepped closer to the president of Tarkio Motorcycle Club. "Regardless of what decision I make, I'm going after Dean. Now that I have proof that he's been spotted as close to two days ago near my family, I'm going after him tomorrow, and the next day, and the following day, until I get him."
"Then, you're going to have riders with you."
"I'll agree as long as there's someone staying at the apartments and protecting my family."
"Deal. We work together." Priest motioned for Roddy to step in, then he walked away.
Wyatt looked at his long-time employee and friend. "Tell me I didn't sell my soul to the devil."
Roddy chuckled. "Let's walk out back and talk. Then, we can plan how we can get that asshole."
Surprisingly, he felt better knowing Roddy was there to have his back. His children were safe at Banks' house, ironically, being protected by Tarkio already, and he wasn't a member. He made the conversation short because knowing Dean was hanging in the area of the apartments, he needed to get home to Joey and make sure she was safe.
Chapter 31
Joey
THE RED SHOES WERE ridiculously high. She stretched her legs and turned her feet, admiring them. It was only the second time she'd worn them. After trying to play pool in them a couple of weeks ago, she'd quickly found out that they made her calves tired when she had to stand on her feet for hours.
The heels were much more usable in bed. On her back. With Wyatt on top of her.
Standing, she walked the length of the bedroom. She felt absolutely silly, and yet sexy because she knew Wyatt would enjoy what he sees when he comes back.
The phone rang. Carefully walking into the kitchen, she answered the call. "Hello?"
"Joey," said her mom in excitement. "How are you?"
She squealed, looking all over the kitchen as if her mom was with her and not on the other side of the world. "I'm great. It seems like forever since I talked to you. How are you? Where are you?"
"I'm staying in a little village called Timbakwa. The visiting doctor has a satellite phone that I've been trying to connect with you for two days." Her mom's laughter cut in and out. "It's beautiful here. I wish you could see everything. The women make pottery, and there are wild animals that come right up to our tent."
Her chest squeezed, suddenly missing her mom. "I-it sounds awesome, mom. You're happy?"
"Deliriously happy. The children that are coming to us for checkups are thriving and thankful. The whole community has been welcoming to us."
"How long will you be there? Are you still in a safe area?"
"That's why I'm calling. My contract ends in two months."
"Are you coming to the states afterward?" Joey crossed her fingers.
"I've signed on to go to Italy."
"For how long?"
"Two years, and I know that's different than I'd planned. I'll send you a letter explaining everything. I just want to hear your voice. Tell me what's going on with you? Are you doing okay managing the apartments?"
The connection cut out halfway through her reply, then came back on. "Mom?"
"I'm here."
"I've met a man." Aware that she was standing naked in the kitchen, talking to her mom in South Africa, hit her as the craziest thing. "I wish you could meet him."
"Tell me all about him in a letter, Joey. Don't leave anything out. Are you in love?"
"Yes." She smiled to herself. "He's wonderful, and raising two kids on his own."
"Two? Oh, my Lord." Her mom laughed. "You must be busy."
She nodded. "You'd love them."
The connection crackled. "Are you still there?" asked her mom.
"I am. I can barely hear you."
"Write to me, Joey. I love you."
"I love you, too," she yelled into the phone on a sob. "I love you so much."
The buzz of the dial tone filled her ear. She hung up the receiver.
A knock came from the other end of the apartment. Hurrying out of the room, holding her arm across her breasts to keep them from bouncing wildly in all directions while she kept her balance on the heels, she got goosebumps. Only with Wyatt would she risk total embarrassment if it was one of the tenants stopping by because their toilet kept running.
"Who is it?" She peered through the peep-hole and lowered her arm, shaking the nerves and the adrenaline from talking to her mom out of her body as Wyatt told her to open up.
Hiding behind the door in case anyone walked by the apartment, she let him in. He cocked his head, peering around the wood and swung the door closed. She stood in front of him in all her glory.
His gaze heated, and he pressed her against the wall. She screamed out in shock, pushing at his shoulders.
"Oh, my God, your leather jacket is freezing." She trembled, panting hard as her body fluctuated from warm to cold.
He captured her mouth, stealing her breath. His cold hands roamed the length of her body as far as his fingertips could touch. The extreme contact left her dizzy, and she held his head, kissing him deeper and wrapping a bare leg around the outside of his jean-covered thigh.
Wyatt hooked his hand under her leg, pulling her closer, pressing the hard ridge of his cock against her. The denim rolled over her clit, and her body tightened.
He pulled out of the kiss and stood back, unzipping his leather coat. "Walk, tiger."
She could barely stand on her own. He'd come in hot and heavy, and she was right there, aroused at the sight and feel of him.
He stripped off his shirt. His broad chest heaving, expanding. She took a step, testing her balance. His full attention gave her the grace to move. And she moved, putting all her female swagger in her hips.
Her hair brushed her lower back with each step. Highly aware of every inch of her skin in his view, she turned her head and looked over her shoulder, beckoning him with her eyes to follow.
Wyatt undid the buckle of his belt as he walked behind her. She turned and stepped into the room, crooking her finger, provoking him in the same way he always had with her.
The pop of the buttons releasing their hold on the fly of his jeans filled the room. She quivered, dropping her gaze. He fisted his cock, pulling the hardness from the confines of his boxers sent her back, reaching for the mattress. She sat down, spreading her legs and leaving her feet encased in the high heels on the floor.
Wyatt's tongue came out and wet his lower lip. His predatory look centered on her pussy as he walked forward and dropped to his knees. Leaning back, she braced herself on her hands.
Nothing prepared her for the sight of him kissing his way up her inner thigh or the whiskered caress of his beard against her skin. He widened her legs, lowering his head, and—
"Oh. God." She panted, fisting his hair with one hand.
His tongue lapped between her legs, flicking over her clit. Her legs trembled at the onslaught of pleasure.
The coolness of his body became too warm, heating her. His moans and slurping vibrated against her. She pulled his hair, her lower body working on its own, pressed against his face.
Wyatt reached up and palmed her breast, squeezing and kneading. She raised her leg and hooked his lower back. Her deep, red heel flashing in front of her.
Needing to feel his weight on her, she tugged on a groan. Wyatt raised his head, moving forward, pushing her down on the bed. He settled between her legs and thrust into her.
She
moaned loudly, grabbing for his face, kissing him deeply. Her aroma and wetness in his beard had her bucking against his body.
He pushed up on his hands and pulled his cock back and then plunged. Her breath caught in her chest. Grabbing the front of his chest, she dug her fingers into his muscles.
"Tiger?" Guttural moans rolled out of him as he pumped hard into her in a frantic persistence.
She grabbed his hair, held him in front of her. Through her body having a mind of its own, there was something in his eyes that confused her. A vulnerability she'd never seen shown. As if he opened himself up for her to judge. She brought his head down and kissed him.
Her legs tightened around him. The red heels he requested helped her hold on.
His movements became frantic, erratic, out of control. All that motion on her pussy wound her up tightly, and she fed off his urgency.
"Wyatt," she murmured against his lips, slipping her hands under his arms and to his back. "Baby..."
He became relentless, filling her with confusion. His desperation contagious, everything inside of her focused on him. Her orgasm built. She uncontrollably writhed against him, pulling him closer, pulling her closer.
His grunts came painfully out of him. In the back of her mind, she spoke words of comfort, but they never passed her lips.
Her lower stomach rolled into a vibrating ball. Jerking, she arched her hips against him, needing that one touch, that one skim, that one...yes. She convulsed around him. Her pussy bearing down on his cock in ecstasy.
In that second, at her tightest, his cock pulsed bigger, repeatedly, and his warmth filled her as he climaxed. Jolt after jolt of pleasure bonded them together.
Wyatt shuddered in her arms. She held him tighter as his weight came down on her. As her sexual tension released, soothing her, her concern for him only accelerated.
He planted his face in the crook of her neck and rolled to his side. She curled around him, stroking his head.
His heart beat wildly against her. She squeezed out the tears, clouding her vision. The drops rolled out the corners of her eyes and into her hair. A quaking breath zapped all her energy.
Something had happened between the time he'd left her to the time he'd returned. If it was a problem with one of the kids, he wouldn't be here. She feared his inner turmoil had to do with her. Her mind went instantly to him, moving away, moving out of the apartment, taking the kids with him. He'd brought up the subject before and then seemed to put the idea on the backburner.
She lifted her head and looked at him. He gazed back. She smoothed the lines around his dark eyes.
"Talk to me," she whispered.
"I've been asked to join Tarkio Motorcycle Club." He rolled to a sitting position on the bed.
Prepared for something else, she shifted and sat beside him. "That was nice of them."
His shoulders rounded, and his gaze softened. "Only you would say that."
"What am I not understanding?"
"A membership is..." He tightened his lips over his teeth, completely making his mouth disappear in his beard. "It's a life-long commitment."
"What happens if you change your mind and want to quit?"
"Members don't quit." He stood and hitched his jeans up, looking back at her. "You'll be wearing those heels again."
She glanced down at her feet, warming from the promise of having a next time with him.
The sex had been frantic and powerful. She'd forgotten about wearing the shoes.
Standing, she grabbed an oversized T-shirt, knotted it at her hip, and slipped on a pair of panties. She followed him into the kitchen and took the glass of water he handed her. Leaning against the counter, she studied him.
Despite the sex, he remained preoccupied, tense. His forehead remained lined, and the muscles along his shoulders and upper arms bulged and twitched.
"Did Travis get off to the party okay?" she asked.
He finished drinking the water and put the glass in the sink. "Yeah. He was pumped about going. Paco gave him a ride to Banks' house."
"That's good." She smiled. "He deserves to be away from adults and around kids his own age before school starts in two days. Maybe he'll find out some of the Tarkio kids go to his school and he can start the year off with instant friends. I know it was hard for him to start at a new school at the end of last year. At his age, boys are shy."
"What are fourteen-year-old girls?" asked Wyatt.
"Oh, you don't want to know." She laughed. "I think you sailed through with Jess. She's really in tune with other people's feelings, which makes her unique and special."
He caught her wrist and pulled her over to him, embracing her. She pressed her cheek against his bare chest and melted against him.
"I don't have to worry about the kids when they're at Banks' house." He pulled up the hem of her shirt and slid his hands underneath her panties to cup her butt. "I trust the Tarkio members around you and the kids."
"Does that mean a lot to you?"
"Yeah, it does."
She tilted her head and looked at him. "I get that they all ride motorcycles, but what is required of you if you join the club?"
He squeezed his hands. "Meetings, socials, and things I won't be able to share with you."
She leaned back. "Say what?"
"I'll be sworn—"
"I'm joshin'." She planted her hands on his chest. "I get the secrecy that's required. Did I ever tell you that my grandpa was an Elk member?"
"No," he said.
"When I stayed with him in the summer, I was able to go to the socials and hang out with the other kids. I also remember asking him about what happens at the private meetings he had to go to when he'd leave me with one of the older ladies at the apartment while he was gone for the evening. He never would tell me, and honestly, he made belonging to the Elks feel like a secret society, with a secret handshake, and blood oaths exchanged. Instead of worrying me, it was fascinating. For the longest time, I thought it would be cool to join...but alas, all the fun stuff is only for men." She shook her head in amusement and swallowed. "You know, I think you should join."
"Why?"
"Because I've seen how they helped you when Travis went missing and at the parties, you get along with them all. You're comfortable."
"Are you comfortable around them?"
"I liked the women that introduced themselves to me. I like Rabbit..." She snorted when Wyatt's gaze narrowed. "Oh, come on. He's a good pool player, and he's not a jerk about me being a woman who kicks his butt."
"So, you'd be okay if I joined?"
She nodded. "I'd be happy for you. I have my pool nights. You can have your bike, um, club nights."
His upper cheek twitched. He took the news with little reaction. His contemplation still hung around the edges of his mood.
"You already joined, didn't you?" she asked.
"No. Not yet." He inhaled deeply. "But I will."
"Why aren't you happier?"
"There's something I need to do before I give Tarkio my answer, and I need you to be patient with me and not ask too many questions because I can't talk about it." He kissed her forehead. "Can you do that for me?"
She would do anything for him. "Is it dangerous?"
"I'll be fine."
"Promise?"
"Yeah, tiger. I promise."
Chapter 32
Wyatt
CLOUD COVER DARKENED the sky. Wyatt parked beside Curley under a pine tree in the middle of the block. It was Labor Day, and the extra traffic made it difficult to view who was in every car that went by.
Throughout the day, they'd staked out multiple spots around a mile radius of Mountain View apartments. If Dean came and went, he and six of the other Tarkio members hadn't spotted him yet.
"It's been hit and miss." Curley exhaled smoke from his cigarette. "This week is going to make things difficult. It's a holiday today, schools in the area start tomorrow, and the Grizzles have a football game on Friday. That always brings out-of-town guests i
nto Missoula."
He wasn't planning on going anywhere. Until he caught Dean, Roddy and Carter would oversee Carr Construction.
"Does Tarkio have anything to do with the drugs distributed through Montana?" he asked.
Curley looked at him and refused to answer.
"I'm not asking your business. I want to know who Dean is connected to. Maybe I could pay a visit to a couple of his associates and beat some info out of them on where to locate him." He spit on the ground. "Tarkio seems to know how the drugs flow around here and who is responsible."
His hands were tied. He had no idea who Dean and Claudia had hung around with. Until her death, he hadn't even known that Dean was the one giving his ex the drugs.
Curley remained silent, scanning the area. Wyatt never expected an answer to his questions. Saying them out loud let Tarkio know he had an open mind. He knew their business leaned toward crimes. They were after Dean, afterall.
"Check out that guy coming out of the laundromat," said Curley.
Wyatt gazed across the street and up half a block. He took in the black hair, the baseball cap, slim build, and disregarded him. Dean had blondish red hair.
The man's gait caught his attention. He recognized the wide-spaced walk with the outpointed feet.
His pulse sped up. "That's him."
He started his Harley, checked for traffic, and cut across the lane. Once he got his eyes on Dean again, the noise of his motorcycle starting had alerted him.
"He's going down the alley," he yelled, motioning Curley to follow Dean, while he throttled the bike to the end of the block and went around the building, planning on cutting off Dean's escape route.
Adrenaline flowed through him. He could almost taste the end.
Getting answers meant nothing to him anymore. He wanted Dean gone and his family safe. Turning on the back street, Curley came into view, shaking his head. Damnit.
He counter-steered and turned in the narrow space. Racing back to the main road, he searched each side of the street. Dean couldn't have gone far. He was on foot, and there was no parking in the alley for him to have hidden a car.
Circling back around, he retraced his route, looking above the laundromat. There were rooms rented out on the second floor. All four windows had their drapes drawn. He wasn't going to see Dean watching from above.