by Erin Bevan
“Why?”
“He helps remind me of what I’ve gone through.” He stared at the logo. “And it helps me not be so scared anymore. When I was a boy, I had a bad father, too.”
“You did?”
“Yeah, I did. He used to give me some bruises, kinda like that one on your cheek.”
Nathaniel ducked his head and whispered, “How did you fight him?”
“I didn’t. I was too scared. My mom tried to protect me just like yours did.”
“Mary’s not my real mom. I don’t have a real mom or a dad anymore.” Nate glanced down at his bear.
Nathaniel felt orphaned…at seven. Another experience no child should go through.
“Mary loves you. She wants to be your real mom, and she wants to make sure you never get hurt again.”
“Is that what your mom did? Make sure you never got hurt again?”
“Yeah.” He nodded. “She did, or at least she tried real hard to make sure I never did, and my dad went away to a place where he couldn’t hurt me anymore.”
“Prison?”
How does a seven year-old know about prison? As much as it pained him that the kid had a rough start, he wouldn’t lie to him. “Yeah, my dad went to prison.”
“I hope my dad goes there.”
“Me, too, son.” He wrung his bandana in his hands. “My dad, he made me feel real bad about myself for a long time. Then, one day, I decided I never wanted to feel like that again, and I wouldn’t allow him to have that control over me.”
“What did you do?”
“I began to lift weights. I grew big and strong, and I swore to myself I’d never be hurt again.” Tank wrapped his bandana around his head.
“Why do you wear it on your head like that?
“Not only is this a reminder.” He pointed to the kerchief. “But it’s also my head gear. When I ride my motorcycle, I like to have something to hold my hair in place.” He tapped the top of his head. “I don’t want it to get messed up. You know, I gotta impress the ladies.” Not like his short hair could really get mussed, but Nate seemed to like his reasoning.
“You have a bike?” The kid’s eyes widened innocent and pure.
God, he prayed there was still some innocence left in this child.
“Yep. Sure do. In fact, we all do. You want to go see them?”
Nathaniel nodded as a slight smile touched his lips.
Tank’s stomach flipped. As anxious as he had felt to get back to Annie, being here, doing this with Nathaniel had been the right choice. He’d helped this kid smile.
“Okay.” He clapped his hands and stood. “Great. Let’s go. Hey, guys,” he called to the team in the kitchen. “Nate, here, wants to go see our bikes.”
“Hot dog,” Father said. “Let’s go. I’ve got the best one out there.”
“Yeah, for an old man,” Steele joked.
He heard Nathaniel let out a small giggle. The guys must have, too, because their bantering continued.
“Hey, don’t knock Harley. She’s my baby.” The leader poked a finger into the firefighter’s shoulder.
Swatting the old man’s hand away, Steele said, “Harley? That’s what you named your bike? How original.”
“Hey, I have my reasons.” Father placed his hands in his back pockets.
“Sure you do.” Steele nodded.
Tank leaned down and whispered to Nathaniel. “These guys are crazy.” He was rewarded with a huge smile.
Steele bent down on one knee in front of the boy. “Nate, you want to see a real bike, you’ve got to see mine.” The man pointed to his own chest.
“Dude, that granny ride? No way. I’ve got the real, deal,” Tank said.
“That little baby machine. Please,” Father ribbed.
Nathaniel let out another round of giggles. “I have an idea,” Tank interjected. “Let’s let Nathaniel decide. What do you say, Mary?”
“I think that sounds like a winner.” The mother smiled at her son then pulled him tight to her body. Nathaniel squeezed his stepmother back then shot out the front door. Mary glanced up at him. “Thank you.”
He nodded. “No problem, ma’am. Just doing my job.”
“Well, you’re wonderful at it.” She wiped a fresh tear from her eye.
His chest swelled more as he followed everyone out the door. He really could do this.
All three of the bikes stood on the curb in front of the house. He trotted down the steps and opened his arms like a game show host. “Okay, Nathaniel, which ride do you like the best?”
The boy’s eyes grew wide as he took slow steps and walked around the three bikes, examining them each carefully. He held his hand out then pulled it back quickly, like the flames on Steele’s chopper might actually burn him.
“It’s okay,” Father said. “You can touch them.”
Nate lifted his hand and rubbed an open palm down the body of Steele’s bike, then he lifted one arm to reach for the ape hanger.
“You like it, man?” Steele stepped beside the kid. “This one’s mine. Fire engine red just like a fire truck.”
“You like fire trucks?”
Tank saw the glint in Steele’s eyes change for a brief second at Nathaniel’s question, then his eyes turned back up to match his smile. If Tank hadn’t of been looking at the firefighter, he would have missed the changing facial expression.
“I sure do, son. I’m a firefighter.”
“Cool!”
Tank reverted his gaze back to Nathaniel. The boy’s eyes got big again, and his heart split a little. The kid found a new hero.
“Whose is this one?” The boy pointed to his bike, and his heart gave another little jolt.
“That’s mine.” Tank straddled the metal frame.
“It’s gray, like his hair.” Nathaniel pointed to Father’s head.
The leader let out a bark of laughter. “Kid, you’re funny.”
“My bike is not gray,” he corrected. “It’s gunmetal, but you’re right.” Tank tapped the kid on the arm and smiled. “Jack’s hair is gray.”
“Can I go for a ride?” Nathaniel hugged his bear tighter.
“Nate, baby.” Mary scooted closer. “I don’t think these gentlemen have time—”
“No, it’s okay.” Father reached into his saddlebag. “We brought a helmet just for him.”
“Oh, can I go, Mom. Please?” The kid bounced on his toes, a full-blown smile showing on his face.
“I don’t know, Nate, honey. You’ve never been on a motorcycle and—”
“I’ve only wrecked twice, ma’am.” Tank mocked seriousness.
Steele sucked back a snicker.
“In all honesty, we did a background check on this one.” Father slapped his shoulder. “His driving record is clean, and so is Blake’s and my own. We’ll be very cautious.”
“Oh, okay, but just for a little bit and just around the block.” Mary pointed a finger at the men.
“Yeah!” Nathaniel tossed his teddy to his mom and grabbed the helmet. Father strapped it on for him.
“I like your enthusiasm kid, but first things first. You have to have a biker name. Mine’s Father.” Jack pointed to himself then hooked a finger at him. “This is Tank, and that’s Steele, and you’re…” He glanced the child over then stared back at the kid’s teddy bear. “You’re Bear. Now, Bear, who do you want to ride with? Steele doesn’t have an extra seat, so it’s either me or Tank.”
Nathaniel shot a quick finger toward him, and another ounce of pride filled Tank’s chest.
“Tank it is. Hop on kid. Let’s go.”
“I’ll stay back with Mary, if that’s okay with you?” Steele asked the mom.
“Sure,” the woman said all too quickly.
“Well, then, let’s ride, boys.” Father saddled his bike and revved his engine.
“This is so cool,” Bear squealed.
“Yep.” Tank placed the kid on the bike’s seat in front of him and barricaded the boy with his arms. “Hold on, Bear. This’ll
be fun.”
The boy giggled all the way down the street.
Chapter Ten
Tank entered his home with three take out bags. “Hey,” he called to JoJo. She sat on the sofa with the remote in her hand watching some trashy woman’s show. “What’s that garbage on my television?”
“Real Housewives of Houston.”
“Wouldn’t figure you for a girl to watch something like that.”
“I’ve got to get my smut from somewhere.” She placed the remote on the coffee table. “What’s in the bags?”
“Food. You hungry?”
“No, I’m still good from Steele’s omelet.”
He glanced around the kitchen and down the hall. No sign of Annie. His heart raced until he glanced on the counter where her keys lay earlier. Still there.
“Where’s Annie?”
JoJo pointed to the sliding glass door that sat partially open. Beauty sat on the dock down by the water, her toes lazily stroking the stream, her guard dog steady by her side.
“I’ve had one eye on her the whole time, but I figured I’d give her some privacy. She’s got a lot on her mind, not to mention, she’s in pain. Her bruises are starting to settle in, and extra strength pain reliever isn’t cutting it.”
“Should I take her to a hospital?”
“I’d let her decide that, but I doubt she’ll go. If she wouldn’t go last night, she’s not going to go today. She’s too afraid, and for good reason.”
He crossed the room in a few quick strides and stared through the glass. “What’s she wearing?” Her shirt and shorts fitted snuggly against her skin, much more attractive than the too big clothes he’d given her last night.
“She found an extra pair of clothes in the back of her car, but she’s going to need more.” JoJo shoved her hands in the pockets of her jacket. “I can bring her a couple of things, but I’m gathering if she is here with you she doesn’t have much money.”
Tank strolled back to the kitchen. “Yeah? Why you figure that?” He pulled Chinese takeout containers from the sacks.
“Because, if she had the funds to flee, I imagine she would have gone farther than ten miles from her fiancé.”
His self-esteem took a hit, but JoJo was right.
“Good point. We haven’t discussed funds yet, but if Duke controlled her like I think, then you’re right. She probably doesn’t have much.”
“I know you’re new to town, but let me clue you in on her fiancé, Duke Fields. He’s from money. Annie’s right—going to the cops about this, asking for help isn’t the best idea. His family has had their influence in the politics of this town for a long time. Besides.” She shrugged. “I only know one good cop, and he doesn’t live in this jurisdiction.”
Just picturing an image of a police officer in his mind made him want to break out in a sweat. He kept his head down and continued his task with the food to distract him.
“I can break in to Duke’s place. Get her some stuff.”
He stilled his hands. Breaking and entering. This woman was a little…nuts. “I don’t know. That doesn’t sound safe.”
“Well, it’s either that, or spend money and buy her some clothes. I don’t know about your income, but mine is enough for me and me only. The tattoo parlor doesn’t pay a whole lot. Speaking of which, I haven’t seen any tats on you.”
“That’s because I don’t have any, and I could say the same for you.”
“I like to ink on others, not myself.” She shrugged.
Turning, he pressed his back against the counter. “I hear you about the money, though. I have a little, but not a lot. My first paycheck hasn’t come in yet. If we could get her some of her things that would be good, but still…the idea. It’s risky.”
The glass door whooshed open a little more. Al barreled into the kitchen and plopped his belly on the cool tile. Annie stood just inside the house. “What are you guys talking about? My stuff? Risky?”
“Annie.” His heart raced and he longed to gaze down her legs. Another time. Another place. He flipped a thumb to the daredevil. “JoJo thought we could sneak into your house, and get some of your things.”
“My locket.” Her hand flew to her chest, and her eyes widened. Hope spread across her face for a brief second before her shoulders slumped.
If his instincts were right, that locket was a special gift from someone she loved.
“Your locket?” JoJo asked.
“Yeah, it was from my dad.”
Bingo.
“But, I don’t know if breaking in is such a good idea. I do have a little money. I could buy some things.” Annie bit her bottom lip.
Undoubtedly, her concerns were the same as his. Why risk going near danger when you don’t have to?
“I don’t mean to pry, but how much is a little?” JoJo asked.
“About five hundred. It was my tip money for the past two weeks. Our wedding money. I like to build up a larger amount before I deposit it in the bank, so I put it in the cookie jar until then.” She shook her head and crossed her arms.
“I can’t believe I remembered to grab the cash out of the jar, but none of my clothes. My purse was by the stupid smiling pig. I grabbed the money and ran without giving anything else another thought. Deep down, I guess a part of me thought I wouldn’t ever go through with actually leaving him. That I would be back, so there was no need to grab anything else.”
Tank took a step closer. “You don’t have to go back. Ever.”
Glancing from him to JoJo and back to him again, she nodded. “I know. Thanks to you guys.”
Glad she wouldn’t return to Duke, the reality of her situation began to settle in. Five hundred wouldn’t get her far if she decided to leave and start over somewhere. And five hundred was about all he had to spare, too. Even combining their funds wouldn’t get her far. And her necklace. He could see how important the jewelry was to her by looking in her eyes.
But her story wasn’t adding up to what JoJo had just told him.
“Wait,” he began. “If Duke is from means, then why is your wedding money in a cookie jar? And only five hundred? I get it’s your tip money, but—”
“Duke’s parents are born and bred southern tradition. The bride is to pay for the wedding, and they’ve made sure not to lend a penny. That means the wedding is on me, and his parents have a guest list of over five hundred. Being a waitress, that kind of money can take a while to build up.”
Who the hell are these people?
“What about his money? Do you have access to it?” he asked.
“No.” She shook her head. “None of it. We share a joint account, but there’s not much in it. Last I looked, we had two thousand in there—all the money I’ve been saving up. So, combined total, I have twenty-five hundred.”
“Sweetheart, I’m going to be real with you. If Duke is as controlling as we all think, he’s already swiped your money out of that account. All you can count on is that little bit of cash you’re holding on to.” JoJo glanced at Tank. “What if we asked the Guardians for help? See if the guys would pull together and take up a collection?”
“No.” Annie shook her head. “I’ve already been enough of a burden. I won’t allow them to give me money.”
“Well, then it looks like we don’t have much of a choice but to go back and get your belongings,” JoJo said.
“Duke’s not just going to sit back and let me get my things. No matter how many of your guys you have standing guard. He won’t allow being publicly humiliated. He’s dangerous. I don’t know how far he would go to save face.”
If he’s so monstrous, why did a woman like her stay with a guy like him?
“I figured as much. That’s why I’m going in,” JoJo ordered.
This woman barely grazed five feet. She reminded him of one of those yippy small dogs that thought it was a mastiff. Too big for her own boots. “JoJo, I really think we should stop and think about this some more.”
“What’s there to think about? She needs clothes
and I know how to get them.” JoJo gave him another one of her you’re a moron looks.
“I can’t let you do that,” Annie interjected. “As much as I would like my things, especially my locket, I can’t let you risk your life.”
“I agree with Annie. This sounds too dangerous.” Despite the little gal’s hard edge, this plan sounded precarious, not to mention idiotic. He didn’t dislike her enough to put her in such a bad situation.
“I’ve had experience with stealth, guys. It wouldn’t be my first time going in and retrieving some items.”
Not her first time?
“Annie, do you know his work schedule?” JoJo asked.
“Yeah, he worked last night, and he’s scheduled to work tonight.”
“And with you gone, do you think he’ll stick to his schedule?” he asked.
Annie turned and looked out the glass door again. “Yeah, I do. He may be mad, but right now, he can get away with lying. He can tell people I’m sick or I’ve gone to visit my mother. He’ll try to act like everything is normal. After all, he’s got his campaign in mind right now.”
“Okay then.” JoJo clapped her hands. “We go in tonight. What time does his shift start?”
“Seven.”
“Tonight? Wait. No.” Tank shook his head. “JoJo, you should sleep on this. Think it over.”
He wanted Annie to have her things back, too, but something this dangerous should be well planned, thought through. Not rushed.
“Tonight.” The little woman commanded. “I’ll come back about six. We’ll figure out our plan. If I go in right when he’s getting to work, there is less of a chance of getting caught.”
Getting caught. Shit.
“In the meantime, draw a layout of the house. I’ll need to make sure I have it down before I go in.” JoJo reached in a box and pulled out an eggroll. “Later.” She held the roll in the air as a salute.
“Be right back,” he said to Annie and followed the Guardian out the door. Once they were both on the front porch, he held a hand out to stop her. “I don’t like this.”
“You don’t have to.”
“Damn it, JoJo, I’m serious. This is dangerous.”
