“A contract to kill me?” I hold my breath and feel an icy shiver down my spine and goosebumps rising on my skin. God, Zoe, what kind of man did you get tangled up with?
Horse’s hand reaches out to touch mine and gives it a squeeze.
My eyes are still fixed on Mouse, and I only exhale when he gives a quick shake of his head and hurries to reassure me, “Not at the moment, they want you located and presumably taken.”
“Ethan St John-Davies, he’s behind this?”
“That’s the assumption we’re makin’.” Drummer butts in, “The identification of the person behind it is hidden, Wheels, but if there’s anyone fuckin’ else after you, we need to know.”
I’m what I would have classed as an ordinary woman, I am, or was a fashion buyer for God’s sake, and a fairly lowly one at that and probably now unemployed. I’m disabled in a wheelchair. I am not the type of person who’d have a contract put out on them! My mouth falls open, and although I’m ashamed to admit it, tears are pricking at the back of my eyes. Why, why the fuck me?
I come up with the only answer I can, “I’ve got to go to the police and tell them.”
You’d have thought I’d used the dirtiest swear word possible from their reaction. All three men sit back and glare at me with a look of horror on their faces. “No fuckin’ way are you bringin’ the heat down on us.” Drummer states firmly, “Your St John-Davies has the English police in his pocket. Horse tells us you found that out for yourself when they botched the investigation of the hit and run which injured you. Who knows how far his reach is here? And how are you gonna reveal how you know about the contract on you without givin’ away Mouse and the rest of us? I won’t fuckin’ have us dragged into it. The police will not be involved, nor any other authority.”
His obvious anger at the thought shows I don’t have any choice in the matter. But I don’t know what else I can do, so in a quiet voice overflowing with dejection, I tell him so.
Drummer, for all his authority, and daunting presence changes expression. His features soften, and a look of understanding and compassion covers his face. “You’re safe, Wheels, no one knows you’re here.”
“They can trace her to the airport.” Horse speaks for the first time, frowning as he realises we must have left a trail.
“Easily, yes, she used her own passport.” As I shudder and begin to doubt Drummer’s soothing words, Mouse continues, “But Dart and Slick weren’t wearin’ their cuts in the airport.”
“They could still recognise them.” Horse remains concerned.
“They could,” Mouse grins widely, “If the security cameras hadn’t suffered a virus about the time you arrived. It took them half a day to get the bug out of their system.”
At my look of incomprehension he continues, “Knowin’ you wouldn’t want your whereabouts broadcasted, Wheels, we took certain precautions when Horse said he was bringin’ you here. It seemed a bit over the top and paranoid at the time, but I do like playin’ with my toys. Worked to the good this time. No one knows you’re here, and the last place anyone would search for a woman in a wheelchair is a biker compound.”
My head slumps down into my hands; I can only hope he knows what he’s talking about and that he’s right.
Chapter 6
Wraith
Last night I jerked off to thoughts of the captivating woman in the wheelchair. This morning I wake up determined I’m not going to act on the strange attraction I feel towards her. Not only is she out of bounds to all us fuckers, but I’m a one and done type of guy, rarely, if ever, going back for seconds unless it’s with the sweet butts who know the score. Or who should. Briefly, I remember how Chrissy seems to think she’s exclusive with me, knowing I’ve got to shut that shit down fast. She’s got nothing special over the other girls, and it certainly wasn’t her I was thinking about in my shower. Uh uh. It will be no loss if I steer clear of her for now on. With the variety of pussy we get round the club, there’s no need to tie myself to one person. And that’s why I’ve got to put the Englishwoman well out of my mind. Someone like her, well, she wouldn’t expect to be kicked out of my bed to be replaced with someone else the next night.
So while I didn’t consciously avoid Wheels at breakfast—I’d been in a meeting with Drummer and Mouse at the time—it was a good opportunity to keep my distance. The less I’m around her, the less I’ll be tempted.
I’m not going to be able to duck her for long, though; she’s going to be around the clubhouse for the next few months, so the sooner my cock gets the message she’s off limits the fucking better. And there it goes. As soon as I fucking see her wheeling herself out of Drummer’s office and back into the clubroom I feel myself swelling just at the sight of her. What the fuck is wrong with me?
While a particular part of me wants to get up close and personal I force myself to stay leaning at the bar, observing instead of approaching. She’s gone as white as a fucking sheet, paler even than I noticed last night and it’s not hard to fathom why. Prez had updated me earlier, I didn’t see the necessity to crowd the room by staying and hearing it all over again nor risk, in front of Drum, getting the predictable hard-on being in her presence would cause; he’d give me fucking shit for that.
Putting my strange sexual attraction aside, this whole business is worrying. Mouse’s ability to access the dark web is one of the reasons he’s so important to us. Fuck, we use good use of it ourselves for club business, so I’m acutely aware of the dangers lurking beneath the surface of the internet and the bottom dwellers that skulk there. The type regular citizens like her would be in total ignorance of. She’s staring vacantly ahead as she enters the main room; my features tighten, and I feel anger growing on her behalf. Not only has she suffered such devastating injuries, but now she’s being hunted by people who, without our protection, would quickly find and destroy her. And all because she did what any of us would do: she helped a friend.
But what’s this going to do to the club? As VP, that should be my primary concern. At the moment there’s only Drummer, Mouse and myself who are aware of this latest development, but at the next church we’ll bring all members up to speed. Knowing my brothers, the now real confirmed threat against her will only strengthen their resolve to offer her protection. But we have to consider the risk to ourselves. Fuck knows what shit this might bring down on our heads.
Horse has planted her by a table and is approaching the bar with the obvious intention of getting her a drink. My eyes move from her, and track him, only out of idle interest, and I see him stop half-way and answer his phone. I don’t hear his side of the conversation, and his expressions are hard to read. But as he glances back to his companion quickly before he’s resuming the conversation, I gather it’s got something to do with her.
Once finished, he continues to the bar, and waves Hank over, heaving a heavy sigh as he does so.
His tight expression makes me ask, “Problems?”
Leaning forwards with his elbows on the bar, he turns his head, “No, not really. Well, it wouldn’t normally be an issue. Word’s got around pretty fast that I’m back and I’ve been offered a rush job in Vegas. Someone dropped his bike and wants the decal restored. Before next Saturday!”
“Huh. Weekend biker.”
He gives a small grin, “Yup, I did the original paint job for him last year. I just didn’t expect to get work this early.” Again he throws a look over his shoulder to the woman in the wheelchair.
I realise immediately where his problem lies. “You don’t want to leave Wheels alone?”
Lifting up his hands and putting them down again in a ‘what can I do’ gesture, he replies, “I’d hoped to be here to help her settle in. She’s shit scared of what I’ve brought her to.” He sighs, “But the work would be good. Especially if I get exposure at the Vegas rally, but I don’t like the thought of leaving her alone, not just yet. I knew I’d have to, but she’s out of her depth, hasn’t settled in, and on top of that she’d just been given some devastating n
ews.”
I throw him a quick nod, enough to let him know I’ve already heard about the contract out on her. “How’s she takin’ it?”
He heaves a sigh and shrugs, “Just like you’d expect. She’s scared stiff. Despite St John-Davies’ henchman paying her a visit, I don’t think she believed he was so serious about finding her.” He nods at Marsh and orders two coffees, and two brandy shots to go along with them. “From what Josh told me about her friend, Zoe Baker, and the lengths she’ll need to go to keep out of his reach, St John-Davies doesn’t like to lose. My reading of it is, whatever the value of Sophie to him, by running she’s issued a challenge.”
“And he’s someone who doesn’t like anyone to get the better of him.”
“That’s my interpretation.” Horse winces, agreeing with my assumption.
As Marsh busies himself with the coffee machine, I examine Horse. Wondering not for the first time why he’s taken Wheels under his wing and, like last night, whether there’s more to it. Man’s lost his wife, but he could be getting over that by now. And he’s reluctant to leave her alone. “You fuckin’ her?” I ask him bluntly.
His head shoots around sharply, “No I’m bloody not!” he scoffs, “She needed help, and I was in a position to give it to her.” He seems disgusted at the very thought. Then he touches his earring, twisting it round in his ear and gives me more. “She reminds me of Marie, my wife. Not in looks, but that fucking accident. Marie never had a chance to live her life, Sophie does. I don’t want anyone to take that away from her.”
The relief that shoots through me when he admits it’s only a platonic relationship is out of all fucking proportion. Trying to ignore my irrational reaction, I try to give him some reassurance, “No one knows she’s here, I trust Mouse on that, so I don’t see a problem with you going to Vegas. I know how you don’t like turnin’ a client away. We’ll look out for her.” Thinking quickly, I realise I could put a prospect on her, give her the feeling that she’s being protected. And I open my mouth to suggest just that when different words come out before I have a chance to filter them, “If you’re worried about leavin’ her alone, what if I keep eyes on her, for you?” Why the fuck am I offering to do that? Don’t I have enough to do as VP without babysitting a cripple?
But it’s too late to take them back; Horse looks like I’ve answered his fucking prayers; this job in Vegas must be important to him. “I can’t ask you to do that.”
“You’re not askin’, I offered. It will only be for what, a week?”
“Should be, hopefully, less. It’s too good an opportunity for me to want to miss. I’d like to leave this afternoon if possible, get a head start on estimating how much needs doing.” His hand slaps me on the back, “Thanks, Wraith. That would be a load off my mind knowing you’re watching out for her.” His eyes scan the room that’s almost empty this time of day, but I know what he’s thinking.
“Drum’s scared us all off of her,” I assure him. “She’s off limits to everyone. No one’s gonna take advantage of her.”
He shrugs, “Can’t help worrying about her. It’s more her nervousness about being here, than not trusting your brothers.”
“Come on,” I pick up my drink and help him out by carrying the shots as Horse takes the two coffees, “Let’s go break the news.”
When we get back to the table, I notice Wheels has a little more colour in her face now. Hearing a contract’s out on you, particularly for someone like her must be shattering, but looking at her I can see she’s starting to deal with it, instead of letting it overwhelm her. But when Horse explains his predicament, her face falls again. She looks down into her coffee laced with brandy, and her lovely sleek blond hair flops forwards over her face. My fingers itch to brush it back.
Horse quickly tries to put her at ease, divulging our solution and her gorgeous blue eyes come to meet mine. Fuck, I don’t think I’ve seen such expressive orbs before, and they seem to be seeing straight into me.
“You’re the Vice President; you must have better things to do than watch out for me.” She tells me what I already know, her face creasing but whether she’s worried about herself or me, I can’t say.
She’s right, but I brush it off, “You won’t be a bother, and you’re safe here, Wheels.” Even as I reply, I wonder how true that is. Protected from the man who’s trying to find her for sure, but safe from me? My cock starts to grow hard as I wonder about the wisdom of spending extra time with her; it certainly doesn’t seem bothered she’s missing a leg. The rest of her makes up for that. But she’s off limits, to you, to everyone.
Horse drains his drink, “It’s hopefully only for a few days, Soph. You’ve met Crystal, and Wraith can introduce you to the other old ladies; they’re a good bunch. And I’ll be back before you know it.”
I can see she’s not happy, and realise she’ll be uncomfortable and most probably disorientated in an outlaw biker club that has to be so alien to anything she’s ever known. But now she impresses me, pulling herself up straighter, showing a little more backbone than I’ve seen so far, she nods at him, “Horse, don’t worry about me. You’ve got me here safely; I can’t ask more than that.” Reaching over she puts her hand on his arm, “Now I know about the contract and how far Ethan will go to find me, well, but I think you’re right. He’ll never think of looking for me here. So thank you. Now you go to Vegas and do your job.” She gives him a warm smile, and I wish it had been directed at me.
“Well, if that’s settled, I’ll go get my stuff sorted and be off.” His eyes question her.
“Yes, you go, Horse. I’ll be fine.” Again the corners of her mouth turn up as she reassures him.
The fact she makes no protest confirms their tentative relationship, and it’s clear she doesn’t feel placed to make demands on a man she hardly knows. But what’s he’s done for her so far has made her feel comfortable with him, and I’ve yet to prove myself to her. Subtly I adjust myself under the table, if she gets sight of her very physical effect on me; I doubt I’ll get far earning her trust.
Horse finishes his coffee and stands up. He nods his goodbye to her, and then beckons to me, “A word?”
Telling her I’ll be back shortly I get awkwardly to my feet and follow him as he takes his empty cup and glass to the bar. These Brits have good manners; I’d leave mine for the prospects to pick up.
I follow Horse round the corner into the games room, in the middle is a pool table, and to the side, the arcade machines. Only one in use this time of day, and I give a quick grin as I see Adam thump it and swear loudly. Obviously, he’s not doing well. Adam’s the only brother who seems to prefer personal time playing games rather than using the sweet butts. But he’s a good man, despite his strange addiction.
A cough brings me back to my companion. After checking we’re out of Wheels’ line of sight, he passes me a small box, and tells me quietly, “These are her painkillers. Only give her them when she needs them. I’d prefer not to leave them with her. Just as a precaution. I’m not certain I trust her. Especially if things get too much, now she knows about this darn contract.”
My brows rise as his words sink in. As I realise the implication I can’t help stepping back until I’m able to cast a glance at the woman sitting at the table. A suicide risk? Fuck, what have I taken on? Perhaps it’s not surprising knowing what she’s been―is―going through. At least the thought has the same effect as an icy shower on my cock. Here I am thinking about getting into her pants while she’s obviously in her own hell. I make a mental note to keep a careful eye on her, and subtly to let at least some of my brothers know to be aware so they can watch out for her too. Jerking my chin as a signal I understand, Horse turns and leaves.
I watch her as he goes, her eyes tracing his path across the clubroom, her growing tension at the loss of his company palpable.
Essential now, after what he’s confided in me, I know I need to make her feel more at ease. Leaving her too long alone would be a mistake. Returning to the table, I make
a suggestion, “Why don’t I give you a tour of the place? We’re not your average biker club, you know.”
A small smile comes to her face, “Not that I would know what that looked like anyway,” she laughs softly, “But thanks, Wraith. I’d like to have a look around.”
Thinking once again how pretty she is when she smiles, I finish up my beer as she drains her coffee. Having some experience watching one of my brothers in a similar situation, I’ve noticed she’s been wheeling herself, and understand it’s important not to take her independence away. So I check, “Shall I push, or d’you want to do it yourself?”
Her head tilts to one side as if she’s surprised I’ve asked, then she throws me a grateful nod, “I’ll do it myself, thank you.”
Without giving myself away, I glance quickly at her bare arms. There’s hardly any muscle on them, so doubt she’s done much more than moved her wheelchair around her home up to now. I’ll watch for any signs of fatigue, and be on hand to help if she needs me. But for the present, I’ll let her have her way. She’s such a tiny thing; I could pick her up and carry her, no problem. Hmm, that’s given my cock ideas now. Fucking thing! But I can’t go there. Uh uh.
“This way, then.” I walk by her side as I take her around to the back of the club. Now we’re not bothered about too fancy a site, but over the years we’ve made real inroads into clearing a lot of the buildings that were too fire damaged to restore, and now there’s a good sized area outside where we have a few fire pits and hold barbeques when the weather’s accommodating. And, our pièce de resistance, one of the original three swimming pools in full working order. Kept that way by the prospects of course. Having to clear it of used condoms and bottles after a party isn’t much fun.
She halts her wheelchair and turns to look up at me, her eyes wide, “A swimming pool?”
“Yeah, it gets put to good use in the warmer months.”
Turning Wheels (Satan's Devils MC #1): A Blood Brothers Spin off Page 10
