by C. M. Steele
“You weren’t answering your phone, and I got worried. I’m doing extra projects for the next couple of days and won’t be around.”
Good. As much as I love my brother, I don’t want him to see me like this, feeling sorry for myself. “Thanks, bro. I’m glad I’ve got someone still.”
“I know it’s hard with everyone finding someone. Trust me, I get it, but keep your head up, Rox. It’ll get better in time.” Don’t they always say it? So why hasn’t it happened? Why can’t I forget Emiliano? It wasn’t like we had a relationship. We had one romantic night. Nothing more.
“Thanks.” He gives me a hug and then leaves for about twenty minutes before coming back with my drink and crackers. I doubt that I need these. They can’t mend a broken heart. Rolling to my side, I fall into a deep, exhausted sleep.
It’s the middle of the night when my phone pings with a text. “Cyber?”
Why would he be texting me?
How are you feeling, Roxie? It reads.
I’m fine. Does everyone know I’m sick? It had to have spread everywhere if he’s texting me. I’m closer to him than the other Riders; well, except for my brother, but he doesn’t message me this late.
Pretty much, small town missing it’s small bartender. Ah, so a night of drinking is the reason.
Thanks for the concern. I’m fine. I type back, feeling even worse than I did before.
Okay. Get some rest. Things will get better soon. I wouldn’t bet on that.
Chapter 7
Emiliano
“Fucking glad you’re alive, my brother.” Gavin reaches over and gives me a gentle hug. I’m still in the hospital, but at least I’ve finally got my wits about me. I’ve been out for two weeks. Two weeks of pain and anger that kept me under. Apparently every time I woke up, I’d be pissed and worried about Roxanne.
“Thanks, Gavin. I’m sorry about Milan.”
“Hey, so we push it back. Big deal. All that matters is you’re alive. The rest of the shit can sit.” I look at him skeptically because he’s all about the numbers. He knows that every day a hotel isn’t running up to standards that it moves closer to failing.
“Please. I know you’re panicking internally.”
“I’m doing my best. Most of the hotels have little to nothing to do with us. It’s just the Vegas location and setting up Milan. I told you Milan can wait. We’re doing some video conferencing for the time being, so it’s okay. Vegas, you still have your operations manager Magnus running the show.”
“How’s that going, though? I can’t remember much of the past two weeks. Other than I put Magnus in charge until I get on my feet.”
“It’s still running well. We’ve only had a few setbacks with disgruntled guests, and let’s just say Magnus doesn’t have your charm.”
“We need to make a list so I can smooth it over.”
“Already on top of it. So far, the hotel is doing well. Seems you’re not really needed there.”
“Thanks, asshole. So that means I can go get my woman.”
“Ha. Are you fucking nuts? First, we still have no idea who’s behind this. Second, you’re in for a fuck load of physical therapy before you’re allowed to travel. Your big head got even bigger after the explosion. You’re lucky your pretty face is still good or your girl might never come back.”
“Fuck off. Did you come here just to piss me off?”
“No, I’m here because you’re my best friend. Besides, your mother is losing her shit worried about you.”
“Damn it.” She’s in rehab from a broken hip. Years of dancing have taken a toll on her body so when she fell a month ago, she ended up needing surgery. I was supposed to go there Christmas Day.
“I’m surprised she’s not already in the lobby.”
“She was, but we sent her to the hotel to rest. Under triple security.”
“Let me see her, and then she has to go back home where she can be guarded properly.”
“You know I’m on it. Although your momma can be…”
“What did you say, Gavin?” Damn, she came out of nowhere. She never follows any damn directions even if it’s for her own good. I love my mother, but she should still be at the hotel.
“Nothing, Ms. Martín.”
“Such a cute liar. If only I was thirty years younger.”
“Madre,” I growl.
“There’s my baby. How are you, mijo?”
“I’m better. Although I wish you wouldn’t have come all the way over here.”
“Tough. I wish my baby wasn’t in the hospital either, and that your siren was at your side.”
“How do you know about her?”
“Mijo. You talk about her all the time, even in your sleep. Although I must say, you better hope that they don’t have cameras recording your words. Damn, those could steam up some pages of a book.” She fans herself. Then, her face turns serious. “I’m worried for you. We could have lost you.”
“Lo siento, Mamá.”
“There’s nothing to be sorry about. You need to get your butt better and start working on who did this so I can have some grandbabies soon.” As soon as I can, I’m going to work on those babies. I miss Roxanne so much I can barely breathe.
My mother leans over and kisses my cheek and holds my hand. My heart breaks for her, because after all she sacrificed to give me the best and keep me out of trouble, someone still tried to kill me. “I love you.” She kisses my cheek again and walks out with her own security.
I’m finally out of the hospital, but I might as well be stuck there because I’ve been given strict orders from the doctors. I’m pretty much on bedrest or in physical therapy.
“Here’s your cane.” Magnus hands it to me as Gavin and I exit the vehicle outside the hotel.
“Thanks.” It’s a nice motherfucking cane, but I’m hoping to avoid having it when I go to see my woman.
I’m currently staying on the second floor in one of the nicer suites. Not that our hotel doesn’t have the best, but it’s nothing compared to my old one. After getting situated, I go down to my temporary office just off the conference center we had at the hotel. “Come on. I’ll get you a cup of coffee and the upcoming schedules.”
Gavin’s been doing his best to keep me from freaking out about getting to Roxanne, but I’m ready to get my woman.
“We are no closer to finding out who did this than we were last week.”
“I know, but I can’t wait much longer. Every day without her feels painful. I’m sure my recovery would be better with her.”
“Or your ass would be freaking about her safety. Never mind all the fucking you’d talk her into even though the doc hasn’t clear you for much.”
“Listen, Gavin. I know I’m lucky to be alive, but that doesn’t mean that I can take this lying down.”
My phone goes off, and I slide it off the end table to see it’s Roxanne’s brother, Blade. “What’s up? Please tell me she’s okay.”
“She’s fine. I’m checking to see if there’s an update. My guys can go down there and do some snooping around the area for people talking.”
“I can handle it.”
“So you say, but she’s my baby sister and I’ll do what I have to do to protect her.”
“I don’t need another motherfucking lesson that I’m not capable of caring for her like she deserves.”
“Calm down. I’m talking to Cyber today to start digging deeper because something doesn’t add up.”
“Obviously someone’s out to get me, and they easily got into my system.”
“Cyber’s working with Indy on it. If anyone can find the connection, it’s him. Do you have any obvious enemies?”
“Other than the local mobs? No.”
“Well, he’ll do a check on them. Get better.” He ends the call, and I’m a little annoyed that he didn’t tell me more about my woman. I look up her photos on my phone. Even though it broke during the explosion, the information along with the added memory card were transferable, so those few can
did shots I stole before she ran were all I had.
After a full day of getting up to speed, I go to bed with my thoughts on Roxanne.
Chapter 8
Roxanne
I’m pregnant. It’s not even a question in my mind.
Emiliano apparently kept one of his promises. “I’m putting my baby inside you,” he grunted against my ear. How many times had I played that memory over in my mind as I slept?
“So are you going to tell Martín about the baby?”
“Ah,” I screech. Cyber shocks me out of my thoughts, causing me to jump out of my skin. He has the nerve to smirk at me, tempting me to kick him in the shin. He’s lucky I’m behind the bar.
“Sorry. Well, are you going to tell him?” he presses.
“What the fuck are you talking about?” I bark out, trying my best at denying the truth to both of us.
“Don’t play dumb.” He doesn’t look pissed. Instead, he seems impatient as if I owe him something, but I cave.
The tilt of his head and frown as he waits makes it hard for me to continue to deny. “I haven’t told anyone because we’ve all got a lot on our plates right now.”
“It might not be the right time to do it, but he needs to know you’re carrying his baby,” he adds. A million and one questions go through my mind.
“How the fuck do you know about it?” I blurt out the first one.
“I’ve been keeping an eye on you since Vegas. I know damn well you were getting it on with the guy that night. I’m your brother’s friend, and yours. I don’t want to see you hurt, but I know it’s too late for that.”
“How about you mind your own damn business?” He throws his hands up and walks away.
It drives me nuts how much Cyber knows. Why is he spying on me? Why is it not the right time?
Just then, I overhear the news reporter. Some are gathered on the sofa watching Beast on TV.
“You know that little scar on your eyebrow adds another sexy element to your persona. The ladies are probably loving this segment.” Mary’s probably fuming right now. I know I would be.
“Well, the only lady I care about is my wife. She’s the one whose opinion matters to me.” Way to go, Beast! I watch on, scowling at the jackass on TV clearly hitting on a married man.
“Rumors are that it’s your former assistant who fled the day you nearly died.”
“I can’t say exactly. I’d hate to think that someone that close to me did this, but at this point, it can’t be ruled out. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to make the most of the time I have while I’m at the office.”
“Thanks again for your time, DA Brandon.” Beasts heads into his building, and then the same reporter who was flirting turns to the camera to address the anchor in the studio.
“It’s great to see DA William Brandon back to work after nearly being blown to bits a few weeks back. He’s a determined man, and his wife must be a lucky woman.”
The in-station anchor says, “You sound envious. I know I am. Congratulations to the newly married Mrs. Brandon. You’ve got the cream of the crop.” They go to commercial, and I’m betting it’s because they’re all hot and bothered by Beast.
“Damn, that man was trying to scam on your hubby. I’d fuck his ass up,” I say, coming up to stand behind the sofa.
"That's hilarious. That woman in the studio is blushing.”
"I'm going to kick her in the cunt in about a minute. Beast is lucky that bitch was in the studio and not outside interviewing him, or I'd fuck them both up."
"Ah, come on, he's just doing his job,” Jackson says, taking a seat on the sofa next to Mary. That’s a dangerous position, and he better watch out because I can see the venom in Mary’s eyes from here.
She calms down and smiles at him serenely. “I'll remind you of that the next time a man comes into Penny's bakery and flirts with her."
Suddenly, his expression changes and he throws his hands up. "Okay. You got me there."
"Damn right. Excuse me. I need some more food.” Mary stands and marches toward the kitchen while I follow behind, needing some food myself.
"Shit. Working in a bar got her a little feisty,” Cyber says. I give the fucker a glare that would make most men cower, but he shrugs.
"Or she just loves her man and almost lost him twice, so fuck off, Cyber."
As soon as the door closes behind us, Mary whispers, "Wow, do you and Cyber have a thing going on?"
"Hell, no. He's a nosy ass." I stare at the door, hoping Cyber can feel my anger.
"Uh oh, did he like scope out your browsing history or something?"
Fucking hell, he probably did on top of following me. "Something like that, but I don't want to talk about it." It comes out a little harsher than I mean it to. Mary’s one of my closest friends, and that’s saying a lot because I’ve known Morgan for years.
"You know, you and I are super close. You can tell me anything. I won't tell anyone."
"Yeah, I know." I want to say it, but then she’ll worry and let it slip to Beast, and then somehow it’ll get to my brother who will kill Emiliano with pleasure.
She pats my hand and then says, “Okay. I'll give you some time alone." As she leaves, I’ve suddenly lost my appetite. I’m just going to go home and sleep before my shift at the bar. I sneakily leave and make it home within twenty minutes.
“It’s going to be a busy night,” Blade says when I finally wake up from my long nap. I look at the clock on the wall as I let out a yawn.
“Shit. It’s that late?”
“You seem tired. Are you okay?”
“I’m fine. I’ve got to get ready. I’ll talk to you later.” I wave him off and return to my bedroom to get dressed. Weekends are always busy at Panhandles.
Chapter 9
Emiliano
Every day I count my blessings because my ass shouldn’t even be here, but it’s been over six weeks without my little siren. I miss the fuck out of her.
My old suite has already been demoed and rebuilt like nothing ever happened. Hell, even the security footage has magically been erased too. I’m still pissed that it disappeared because I haven’t found out who’s behind all of this, so she’s not safe until I do.
The police labeled it an accidental fire from a faulty device and shared that with the media, but the truth had been that a C4-like bomb had been left in the room to detonate at ten on the dot. Even so, the police had no more evidence than we did. If I’d been a minute sooner, I’d have met my maker. Fuck, if Roxanne and I had still been in bed, making love... I can’t even think about it.
Indy and Cyber are working on getting to these fuckers, but all I can think about is the next physical therapy session so I can get approved to fly. I need Roxanne by my side. I drop my head as I walk with the cane that Magnus picked out for me.
I call Cyber because for some reason, I’m doubting Indy’s loyalty. “We need to talk. How is she?”
“Acting like nothing’s wrong, but I see the way she looks at the happy couples around here.” Damn it. I hate having secondhand knowledge on my woman when I should be there with her making sure that she isn’t miserable. The longer I stay away, the worse it gets for me.
“She’s probably thinking I abandoned her.” My heart cracks more and more at that realization. I wish I could tell her how much I love her.
“Relax. She’s not going anywhere. You’re the one who needs to get better and nail these fuckers because Roxie needs you.”
“I know. It’s killing me. I have a feeling I’m being played by some on my staff.”
“I’m sure you are, but they’re quick to pass the buck. Everything still leads to the Amicis but at the same time, it’s too easy. I’ve been looking into their financials, and there’s no one on their payroll. On top of that, I’ve tapped their phones. I’ve sent you the audio on a secured file with Roxie’s birthday as the code. Listen, and we’ll nail the ones after you so you can get back to Roxie.”
“Thanks. You’re proving more loyal than
my own.”
“Don’t thank me. This is for Roxie. She’s crazy about you, and it would hurt her if something happened to you. Besides, it would kill Blade if someone hurt his sister. We’ll get the bastards.” We end the call and I play the audio.
“Enrico, have you heard anything from Martín?”
“No. He’s almost gone completely underground. I wonder if the stories are true. They say it was a gas leak in his hotel suite, but I call bullshit on it.”
“Do you think someone tried to get the bastard?”
“I do. I’m betting he’s probably pissed off a lot of people with his self-righteous ass. Fucking pussy.”
“Keep tabs on it because it could spell trouble for us if they think we had shit to do with it. He knows I’m sour about the deal.”
“Which makes you a prime suspect, but you’ve already moved on to another hotel.”
“Yeah, but you know how people are. Either that, or they could be after us next. Remember, we’re not the only ones in this area. The Fontana family wants my shit too.”
“True.”
“Get me tabs on all of them. I’m not letting anyone on my ass.”
“I’ve already grabbed some shit. This leads to Texas. That’s where Martín’s woman lives.”
“Shit. This could be over a woman. It’s fucking hilarious. I never met a woman that could make me fall to my knees. That’s his problem. Having a woman is pure trouble. Get me more and keep me informed.”
“Will do, boss.”
So they either know that they’re under surveillance, or they really don’t have anything to do with my attack and the threats on Roxanne.
A knock on my office door forces my attention away from the matter. Gavin strolls in. “How are you, Milo?”
“I’m ready to get back to my woman, and pissed that I can’t find the son of a bitch that did this to me.”
“We’ll get them. I won’t let anyone get away with this.”
“Who the fuck is it? I feel like I can’t trust anyone,” I say to myself, but the low rumble I hear from across my desk makes me aware that I insulted my best friend.
