by Chiah Wilder
The man’s face turned bright red as his nostrils flared “I know what you’re doing. You’re trying to pin the break-ins and murders of that pervert the papers have named the Lingerie Bandit. I won’t stand for this.” He began to stand up.
“Sit down. You’re not going anywhere.” It was McCue’s turn to smile. “You sure you don’t want that lawyer?”
“No.”
“Your shoe prints match the ones found at several of the crime scenes, many of the victims were either former students of yours or attended the college during the time you were employed there, and I’m more than sure your DNA is going to match the one we collected at the crime scenes.” The detective’s gaze never wandered from the killer’s.
Redman’s cocky demeanor crumbled. Looking stunned, he stared at McCue. “I don’t know what to say.”
“Just tell me what happened. We’re going to find out. We have search warrants in our hands and are ready to execute them at your residence and place of work.”
Panic spread over his face. “My wife likes an orderly house. You can’t have your men tearing it apart. It’ll just crush her if the house is out of order.”
“You’re the one controlling this. You can tell me about Deputy Manzik, and it’ll make things a lot better for your family. You don’t want them plastered across the breaking news, do you?”
“No,” he said in a low voice.
The detective sat sipping his coffee waiting for Redman to take the lead.
“It’s hard to believe this is happening. I didn’t mean for any of it to go this way. I only wanted to watch the women, but it got to be that it wasn’t enough.” He raised his eyes searching McCue’s for understanding.
Nodding his head, the detective said, “So you wanted to kick it up a bit to get the thrill back.”
“Yes. I wanted so much more.” He bowed his head, his shoulders slumping. “I always felt shame and disgust when I’d be home sleeping next to my wife. I’d promise myself that it would be the last time, but it never was. The urge was too strong….”
“So if you hadn’t been caught you would’ve continued raping and murdering women?”
“I was hoping not but I can’t really answer the question… I only know that I struggled with it daily.”
“And Deputy Manzik?”
“She was beautiful. I desired her when she was at the college. I’d seen her photo recently in the paper, and it reminded me how pretty she was and how much I wanted her. I took it as a sign, and I sought her out.” He rested his head between his hands. “I had a lot of time with her. I filmed our time together. I’m sure your deputies will find it. It’s about three hours, I think.” A long pause ensued before he cleared his throat. “I’m so horribly ashamed of the despicable crimes I’ve committed.” His voice broke and deep sobs shook his body and filled the small room.
Several hours later, Detective McCue exited the room, tape recorder in hand and nodded to the waiting deputy. “Take him to holding and start the process. I’ll send the charges over.” He walked out into the cool night air and breathed in deeply. Looking at the winking stars he whispered under his breath, “He’ll never hurt anyone ever again, Sharon. I’m just sorry I couldn’t have caught the sick sonofabitch before he killed you. Rest in peace.”
He turned around and went back into the building.
Chapter Thirty-Two
A couple of days later, Kimber sat in a chair by the window when Detective McCue entered her room. She loved looking out at the Rocky Mountains, the leaves on the aspen trees swayed in the breeze.
“What can I do for you?” she asked, gesturing for him to sit down.
McCue took a chair across from her. “How are you getting along?”
“Good. I should be able to go home in a few more days. I can’t wait. I’m going crazy in here.”
The detective looked around the room. “I bet you are. You’re looking good. Better than you did several days ago.”
“Has it only been a few days? It seems like a lifetime ago. I still can’t wrap my head around it, that Dr. Redman was the one who killed and raped all those women. And he was the one breaking into women’s houses—my house—to steal underwear? It doesn’t seem real. It’s like I dreamed it all. He was such a beloved professor and academic. He was going to be dean for the upcoming school year. It’s unfathomable. I can’t even imagine how his wife and kids feel. I’m just so grateful to be alive.”
She shivered knowing that if Throttle hadn’t called her when he did, she most probably wouldn’t be talking to McCue. The series of circumstances from Josh to Cara to Hawk made her sure her father had a hand in protecting her. Even from beyond the grave, he was still looking out for her. Her eyes shimmered as she focused on what the detective was saying.
“He never even had a parking ticket. No one can believe it. The Board of Directors is in shock, as well as his colleagues, friends, and, of course, his wife and kids.”
“I heard he pled guilty to all charges.”
McCue nodded in agreement. “He wanted to save his family from a trial. His wife is moving back to Connecticut to be with her parents.”
“So several of the other women went to the same college as me?”
“Yep. That’s how we got the lead—a guy who works for us went to school with a few of the women. He also knew Deputy Manzik had gone there. Funny thing is no one recognized him. I can’t understand that.”
“Why did he do all those horrible, depraved things?” she asked softly.
“I don’t know. I just solve cases and make sure the bad guy is punished. The head stuff is left for the mental health people.”
A silence fell between them, and the clatter of trays and metal utensils signaled that lunch was ready to be served. The detective stood from the chair. “I just wanted to stop by to update you. I thought you’d like to know you don’t have to rehash that night on a witness stand. Take care of yourself.”
“I will. Thanks for stopping by.”
Kimber watched Detective McCue walk out of the room, a feeling of intense relief washing over her. Later that afternoon, she’d meet with her counselor to work on the anger she’d felt since she began feeling better. It’d take time for her to come to terms with that night, but she’d have to be patient if she ever wanted to feel safe and whole again.
“Lunch, miss.” The service woman placed the tray in front of Kimber, then left the room.
Kimber removed the metal domes and grimaced: soggy green beans, a piece of chicken, mashed potatoes with congealed yellow gravy, and red Jell-O. She replaced the domes over the food.
I can’t wait to go home. I can’t wait to be with Throttle.
* * *
The day after she came home from the hospital, Throttle moved his things into her house. He immediately insisted that she didn’t need a visiting nurse to clean and change her bandages. Two times every day, he’d take off her bandage, wash her wound, apply the medicated salve, and redress it. His gentle hands soothed her and made her fall in love with him all over again. When he was tied up with church or work, one of the old ladies would come over.
Cherri and Addie were the ones who usually came over because they didn’t work outside the home. Whenever Cherri came by to help, she’d bring her darling daughter, Paisley, who was such a good assistant to her mother. On the days Addie came by, she brought her daughter Hope, who was still shaky on her chubby little legs. She was so precious, and the love Kimber saw in both Cherri’s and Addie’s eyes when they looked at their children made her consider—for the first time ever—about starting a family. She wondered if Throttle wanted marriage and kids. She wasn’t sure how he’d feel about it.
She was over-the-moon in love with him, and the fact that he loved her too—and told her—made her life complete. She never thought she’d hear those words from him, being that he was a hardcore biker and soft, romantic words weren’t in his vocabulary very often.
Kimber was blown away at how the club pulled together to help he
r during her recovery. The old ladies were a godsend. Each night, one of them would bring over a dish for dinner. Cara always brought over wonderful Italian dishes, while Cherri’s specialties were delicious chili and enchiladas. Addie was the casserole queen; Kylie made simple, healthy dinners; Baylee delivered takeout from Big Rocky’s and Imperial Garden; and Belle made the best fried chicken Kimber had ever eaten.
Some of the other old ladies, like Doris, Bernie, Marlene, and Sofia, came by to help with the house cleaning and the laundry. For the first time since her father died, she didn’t feel alone; she had Throttle and the Insurgent family behind her.
After dinner that night, Throttle pulled her close to him and kissed the top of her head. “What did the doctor tell you today?”
“That I’m doing great and can go back to work next week. She wants me to limit my heavy lifting for another month, but I can start working full time. I can’t wait. I’ve been so damn antsy this past week.”
“You sure you should go back to full time so soon? Why don’t you start back at part time and see how you do?”
“You worry too much. I’ll be fine. If it seems like too much, I’ll lessen my hours.”
“I worry about you because you’re important to me. You’re part of me.”
She turned her head up, looped her arm around his neck, and drew him to her. “I love you so much. I’m so grateful you came into my life.”
“I’m the lucky one. I was alone and didn’t even realize it until you entered my life. When I saw you with the knife in you… Fuck, babe, I was seized with fear for the first time in my life. I realized I want you in my life. Not just for the summer or a year, but forever. You’re the only one for me. I want you to wear my patch.”
Tears sprang into her eyes as she looked into his love-filled ones. “I’d be honored to be your old lady and ride beside you.”
“And sometimes behind me. I gotta have you pressed against me.”
She shook her head. “Okay. Sometimes I’ll ride behind you and press my boobs to your back. Does that work?”
“Fuck yeah. And give me some hand action in the front too,” he teased. He ruffled her hair. “You make me proud. You’re a kickass mechanic. Hell, you fix a bike better than I do. Even better than a lot of the brothers can, and if you ever tell anyone I said that, I’ll deny it. And you totally know how to handle a Harley. I haven’t seen a woman handle a Harley the way you do. You’re independent and strong, but you’re a soft, sexy lioness in the bedroom. I love you, babe—every fuckin’ part of you.”
Her insides exploded from his words and for a minute she couldn’t talk, she was that overcome. “Throttle, I love your rough side, and your soft side that most people don’t see. I love that you care about your sister and play silly games and have tea parties with Olivia. You are the best thing that has happened to me and I’m never letting you go.”
“No worries there ‘cause I’m not leaving.”
She drew him close to her and kissed him, parting her lips to allow his tongue in.
And he kissed back. Wet. Deep. Hard.
“It’s been so long, babe. Did the doc say we could fuck? I miss being inside you.”
Since the stabbing, she hadn’t been able to do much because she was groggy most of the time with pain meds and the stitches were healing. As she became stronger, they fooled around, but he hadn’t been inside her since before the incident. Her body craved him and the connection they had every time they fused together. They shared something fierce and hot, and she wanted him all the time, which worked out perfectly because he wanted her just as much.
“She gave me the okay.” She smiled seductively at him.
His eyes brightened, and she burst out laughing. He acted like he won the lottery or something. Shivers spread through her; it was always a turn-on to know how much he desired her. And only her. The club women, the hoodrats, the one-night stands—all the trappings of easy sex were gone. He was hers, and only hers, forever.
He stood up and pulled her with him. “Let’s go to the bedroom. We gotta make up for some lost time here.” He nuzzled her neck, licking her favorite spot right under her ear.
“What’re we waiting for?” she breathed.
He lifted her and carried her into the bedroom while she peppered his face and neck with kisses. He laid her on the bed and slowly unbuttoned her shirt while she quivered under his touch.
She adored him, and their love amazed them both.
It came when they’d given up on asking for it to come.
The End
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Acknowledgments
I have so many people to thank who have made my writing endeavors a reality. It is the support, hard work, laughs, and love of reading that have made my dreams come true.
Thank you to my amazing Personal Assistant Amanda Faulkner who keeps me sane with all the social media, ideas, and know how in running the non-writing part smoothly. So happy YOU are on my team!
Thank you to my editor, Kristin, for all your insightful edits, excitement with the Insurgents MC series, and encouragement during the writing and editing process. I truly value your editorial eyes and suggestions as well as the time you’ve spent with the series. You’re the best!
Thank you to my wonderful beta readers, Kolleen, Paula, Jessica, and Barb—my final-eyes reader. Your enthusiasm for the Insurgents Motorcycle Club series has pushed me to strive and set the bar higher with each book. Your dedication is amazing!
Thank you to my proofreader, Amber, whose last set of eyes before the last once over I do, is invaluable. I appreciate the time and attention to detail you always give to each book.
Thank you to the bloggers for your support in reading my book, sharing it, reviewing it, and getting my name out there. I so appreciate all your efforts.
Thank you to Carrie from Cheeky Covers. You put up with numerous revisions, especially the color of Kylie’s fingernails and the tattoos until I said, “Yes, that’s the cover!” Your patience is amazing. You totally rock. I love your artistic vision.
Thank you to the readers who support the Insurgents MC series. You have made the hours of typing on the computer and the frustrations that come with the territory of writing books so worth it. You make it possible for writers to write because without you reading the books, we wouldn’t exist. Thank you, thank you!
Throttle’s Seduction: Insurgents Motorcycle Club (Book 7)
Dear Readers,
Thank you for reading my book. I hope you enjoyed the seventh book in the Insurgents MC series as much as I enjoyed writing Kimber and Throttle’s story. This rough motorcycle club has a lot more to say, so I hope you will look for the upcoming books in the series. Romance makes life so much more colorful, and a rough, sexy bad boy makes life a whole lot more interesting.
If you enjoyed the book, please consider leaving a review on Amazon. I read all of them and appreciate the time taken out of busy schedules to do that.
I love hearing from my fans, so if you have any comments or questions, please email me at [email protected] or visit my facebook page.
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A big thank you to my readers whose love of stories and words enables authors to continue weaving stories. Without the love of words, books wouldn’t exist.
Happy Reading,
Chiah
ROCK’S REDEMPTION
Book 8 in the Insurgents MC Series
Coming in October 23, 2016
Rock is the ripped, handsome Sergeant-At-Arms for the Insurgents MC. Being one of the
club’s officers, women clamor to share his bed. The biker’s more than willing to oblige as long it’s a short-time hookup; long-term relationship is not part of his vocabulary.
He’s only been in love once—a long time ago—and the end result was shattering. He learned his lesson: keep his heart encased in steel.
The tragic night that sent him to prison is over even though it still simmers inside him. But once he joined the Insurgents MC, he vowed to leave the past darkness and disappointments back in Louisiana. He’s embraced his new life of brotherhood, booze, easy women, and Harleys. It suits him just fine. Some things are best left alone, especially a pretty brunette who destroyed his heart.
Easy sex has become his mantra.
Until his past crashes into his life….
Clotille Boucher is the wealthy, spoiled girl who’d stolen Rock’s heart many years ago. From a young age, family loyalty was drilled into her, so when darkness engulfed her and Rock, fleeing seemed to be the only way out for her. Deciding to make a new life for herself, she didn’t count on having to pay for the sins of her brother.
Just when her life doesn’t seem like it could get worse, a face from her past gives her a glimmer of hope. Shamed that Rock has to see how far she’s fallen, she pretends her life is exactly what she wants, but his penetrating stare tells her he’s not buying her act.
Fearful that the secrets of the past will catch up with her and Rock, her inclination is to do what she does best—run away. Only problem is, Rock’s not letting her slip away so easily this time.
Can two damaged people learn to trust one another again? Will Rock be able to reconcile the demons that have plagued him since that tragic night? Does Clotille offer him redemption or destruction?
As Rock and Clotille maneuver the treacherous waters of their past and present, someone is lurking behind the shadows to make sure the truth never comes out.
The Insurgents MC series are standalone romance novels. This is Rock and Clotille’s love story. This book contains violence, sexual assault (not graphic), strong language, and steamy/graphic sexual scenes. It describes the life and actions of an outlaw motorcycle club. If any of these issues offend you, please do not read the book. HEA. No cliffhangers! The book is intended for readers over the age of 18.
