Haunted General ePub

by Shirleen Davies

  From the instant Ghost had met Dani, he knew she’d be trouble. Trouble he didn’t need but had been unable to stay away from. They’d danced around the temptation before both succumbed to their mutual, smoldering attraction.

  An attraction which burned as hot now as it had the first night Ghost had gotten Dani into his bed. Then he’d ruined it with a few cruel words chosen to make her leave. She’d accommodated him.

  Months later, and even though he’d gotten her back into bed, it wasn’t the same. Their time at his house had been full of passion and desire. What she offered now was pure sex. A union meant to slake needs and nothing more. Quick, efficient, and without a hint of the deep feelings she’d offered in the past.

  Dani didn’t trust him, might not even like him, and was determined to never again allow him to hurt her. He didn’t have to like it, but he understood.

  Approaching the last leg of their journey to Liberty Lake, he chanced a fleeting look at her. Dani’s chest rose and fell in an even cadence, eyes fixed on the road ahead. They hadn’t spoken in over an hour, all because she’d been forced into an arrangement not of her making.

  “Sonofabitch…” Ghost’s voice trailed off, his gaze narrowing on a group of riders waiting along the side of the road. Slowing, he tried to make out their cuts, but needed to get closer. Before the SUV reached them, a group of three peeled off in front of him. Their cuts were clear.

  Eternal Brethren.

  Lifting a hand to the remaining riders, he shot past them, grinning when they pulled in behind the SUV. He glanced into the rearview mirror.

  “We’ve got an escort, Raider.”

  “About time those reprobates showed some interest in us.” Raider tempered the words with a hoarse laugh.

  Despite herself, Dani grinned, recognizing the riders in front as Wrath, Rock, and Wrangler. Turning, she caught Ali’s wide-eyed stare at the men following on bikes.

  Her friend knew Rock, Ghost, and Raider were part of Eternal Brethren. After all, Dani had talked about them after leaving Liberty Lake. Ali also knew the three had been sent for training at WETC. An odd connection any way you viewed it.

  To her credit, Ali had never voiced her questions or pried into their backgrounds. Or asked why three outlaw MC members had been accepted into the elite training center.

  Since Dani had never confirmed her own conclusion with Ghost, she’d avoided conversation with Ali which might lead to further discussion.

  “Is that Rock in front?” Ali leaned toward the front, peering out the windshield.

  “Rock, with Wrangler riding next to him. Wrath, the club’s president, is in front. You’ll probably meet the rest back at the clubhouse.”

  “The hell she will, Ghost,” Raider ground out from his bed in the back. “Ali’s here to make sure I recover enough to get back on my bike. My nurse isn’t going to have any interaction with the others.”

  Ghost shot a look at Dani, who hadn’t seemed to hear. “Whatever you say, brother.”

  “Where are we going first?” Dani asked, still not looking at him.

  “Raider’s. We’ll make sure he and Ali are settled before going to my place.”

  He caught her slow nod out of the corner of his eye. If they were going to be tied together for days or weeks, Ghost had to find a way to break through the wall he’d helped her erect between them. Get her to forgive him for his inexcusable actions and words.

  Flashing his lights for the Brethren to see, he turned onto the road to Raider’s house. They rode a couple miles before he made a few more turns, the house coming into view. Ghost heard Ali’s sharp intake of breath at the beautiful, two story wooden structure surrounded by native plants. Wood steps and a deck led to the front door, while walls of glass provided views all around.

  Ghost parked, got out, and opened the back doors of the SUV. “You’re home, man. Once you and Ali are settled, Dani and I will go get whatever groceries you need.”

  With Ali’s help, he scooted to the edge of the SUV. “Don’t bother. The gal who cleans the place promised to have the refrigerator filled.” Reaching out an arm, he allowed Ghost to help him up the stairs and inside.

  Dani helped Ali with her bag and the few items Raider had taken to WETC. She’d been at his house one other time when he invited her and Ghost over for a barbeque. She’d been surprised at the size.

  “There are at least two guest rooms.” Dani headed down a hall. “Raider’s room is right there.” She nodded to the last door. “This would be the most convenient, and it has a connected bath.”

  Ali set a small bag on the bed, walking to a set of sliding doors leading to a deck. “This is fine. It’s, well…much bigger and nicer than I’d imagined.” She turned toward Dani. “Raider said he’s a mechanic. He works on motorcycles.”

  Dani was saved from answering the unspoken question when Ghost stepped inside the bedroom. “Raider’s settled, the refrigerator is full, and the place is clean. Do you want me to show you the house?”

  Wrapping both arms around her waist, Ali shook her head. “I can find my way around.”

  Reaching into a pocket, he held out a card. “My phone number and address are on the back. Wrath’s number and Rock’s are there, too. Don’t share the information with anyone.”

  She gave a terse nod. “I won’t.”

  “If you need anything at all, call us. There’s a truck and Jeep in the garage. Keys for each are in a kitchen drawer.” He moved closer, her uncertainty bothering him. “Are you okay with this, Ali?”

  His question seemed to shake her out of an odd bout of unease. “Fine, Ghost.”

  Studying her a moment, he backed away. “My place is less than half a mile away.”

  “I can come over anytime you want company, Ali.”

  Ghost interrupted. “Only if I’m with you, Dani. I’ll bring you over as often as I can.”

  Her glare bored into him. “You mean I won’t even have that small amount of freedom?”

  Grabbing her shoulders, he gave her a slight shake. “You still don’t understand, do you?”

  Lips parting, she closed them at the controlled fear in his eyes.

  “You were targeted. Not once, but twice.”

  Ali sucked in a sharp breath, unable to move, watching the play of emotions on her friend’s face.

  “That’s right, Dani,” he gritted out, his voice hardening. “Parts of a canister bomb were found in your office. Your office. Parts of others were found in the main areas and supply room. Nothing was found in Sully’s or Kell’s office. Only yours.” Dropping his hands, he took a step away. “You’ll not be out of my sight until the attacks are solved. Get used to it and deal with it.”

  Leaving the room, he turned toward Raider’s, giving himself a few minutes to calm down. Sully or Kell should’ve told her. Ghost had argued with them over it, insisting they were making a mistake by keeping the details of the blasts from her.

  “Yeah, all’s good.” Raider held the phone to his ear. “Give me a couple days before anyone comes over, Wrath. Appreciate it.” He ended the call, going on alert when Ghost walked in, exasperation clear in his features. “Something’s happened?”

  “No. It’s Dani.” Sitting on the edge of the bed, he pressed his palms against both eyes. “That damn woman’s going to be the death of me.” He glanced at Raider. “A slow, painful death.”

  Adjusting his back against the headboard, Raider picked up a bottle of water. “What did you expect? She’s Sully’s daughter. Strong and independent. Except no one’s allowing her to make any decisions right now. Add that to whatever the hell you did to her a few months ago, and…” He shrugged, finishing the water in four gulps. “Give her time. Let her get used to your charming, magnetic personality.”

  Ghost glared at him. “Then?”

  “Then you grovel.”

  Rasul braced himself for the call Abdul-Bari Zahir would expect. A call he’d make once he found himself down the mountain in an area offering cell service.

 
He’d ditched the vehicle down a ravine off a narrow, dirt road miles from WETC. Unless someone had superior tracking skills, it wouldn’t be found for days. Maybe weeks.

  Before letting the vehicle go, he’d changed into tennis shoes, a long sleeved blue shirt, University of Arizona cap, and removed the fake beard and mustache. As remote as the location seemed, it was less than two miles to the convenience store on the edge of Pine Glen. An easy trek for an avid hiker.

  He’d been stupid at the center, reacted instead of staying with the plan. Letting them drive off, then pulling out to follow would’ve been the smart move.

  He should’ve kept himself in check. Should’ve followed them, waited for the two to return to the center, then detonated the truck bomb at the entrance to WETC. In the span of a few seconds, the truck occupants and at least two guards at the gate would’ve been eliminated.

  That would’ve been the smart move. Rasul had no doubt Zahir would reprimand him for the mistake, perhaps remove him from this job, send him to another cell.

  He had no intention of leaving this part of the state. There was more to his interest in destroying WETC and the people who ran it than the cause.

  Reasons Zahir knew nothing about. With luck, he never would. Although Rasul doubted his personal vendetta would bother Zahir. Not as long as they achieved their goal. Which triggered another question. Rasul still didn’t understand the ultimate goal of the attack on WETC.

  The leader of the New Mexico cell hadn’t given permission to destroy the entire complex. Zahir had been quite specific to hit the one building, then approved Rasul’s return to destroy one vehicle, this time assuring casualties. It was as if his leader wanted to draw out the process, increase the anxiety of those at WETC. The lack of aggressive action also increased the risk to Rasul.

  His frustration rose with each step down the winding dirt path to Pine Glen. Understanding Zahir took time and effort. Speaking in riddles, the man could turn a phrase, twist a meaning, leaving those under his command either in awe or confused. Rasul almost always fell into the second category.

  Stopping at the edge of the trail, he scanned the area below. The convenience store would take another ten minutes to reach. A grim smile appeared.

  Pulling out his phone, he reviewed what he planned to tell Zahir. Although he sat in a small building across the border in New Mexico, Rasul had no doubt he’d already heard of the bombing. And the fact there were no casualties.

  Punching in the number, he steeled his resolve. One more step for the cause and the achievement of his personal mission.

  “We agreed you are not to contact me on this phone.” Dave Pender paced away from the stucco building, continuing on the asphalt pavement until he reached a remote spot in the expansive parking lot. “What’s so important you can’t contact me through the regular channel?”

  “I’ve changed my mind about going after the Brethren.”

  “About time.” Dave shifted the phone to his other ear, looking around. “Do we have to talk about this now?”

  “Yes. I’ve gotten word Ghost, Raider, and two women returned to town late today. It means all the Brethren are back in town. It’s time to strike.”

  “I assumed the bombing at their clubhouse a few days ago was by your order.”

  “Hell no. Our fucking VP did that all on his own.”

  “Shit,” Dave blew out.

  “When I called him on it, he argued I’d given my approval before taking the wife and kids out of town last week. It’s a bunch of bullshit.”

  Pinching the bridge of his nose, Dave gave a low snort of disbelief. “The guy’s going to bring us all down if you don’t get rid of him.”

  “You know the situation. I’ve got to find a way to get rid of him that doesn’t bring the national prez down on me. That doesn’t change my decision to go after Wrath and his men.”

  “You haven’t shared the truth about the Brethren with anyone else in the club, have you?”

  “Fuck no. It stays between you and me.”

  The answer gave Dave a few seconds of relief. At the sound of voices, his stomach clenched. “I can’t talk any longer.”

  “We need to meet. Tonight at eleven. The usual spot.”

  “That’s tight for me.”

  “Be there. This isn’t going to wait.”

  Feeling moisture gather on his forehead as the voices grew closer, Dave’s jaw clenched. “Fine.”

  Shoving the phone into his pocket, he nodded at the three people walking past. Heading back to the building, he replayed the entire conversation. There’d been no mention of his name or his contact’s. The fact they’d spoken of the Eternal Brethren didn’t worry him.

  Still, taking the call had been stupid. They should’ve stuck to their usual protocol. Connecting by secure phone after midnight had worked in the past. It would take one mistake for him to be made, arrested, and sent to prison for years. With what he’d done, maybe for life. A shiver ran through him.

  He couldn’t continue in the role he’d been forced to accept. Desperate, needing money, Dave had succumbed to the deal offered. Never had he imagined how deep it would go, how far he’d be sucked into a life far from what he’d planned.

  One more operation. He’d complete one more, then get his wife and son out of the country, to the house he’d purchased and the huge bank account just waiting to be spent. His girlfriend would be collateral damage.

  One last operation, then he’d pack up his family and disappear, with no plans to ever return.

  Chapter Thirteen

  Switching on the lights, Ghost took a cautious look around the bottom floor of his home. Behind him, Dani stood rigid on the porch, a hand clenching the handle of her computer case.

  She hadn’t said a word since leaving Raider’s. Didn’t spare him a glance. Ten minutes had passed as if they were thirty, his hands clenched on the steering wheel.

  He’d thought, hoped, by the time they made the drive from Pine Glen, she’d become used to the idea of staying with him. Seeing the way her features twisted as she stared inside, understanding flashed through him.

  Dani’s memories of him and this house weren’t good. Ghost didn’t know why he hadn’t thought of it before. The great times they’d had for two weeks meant nothing after the way he’d ended it.

  “You going to stand on the porch or come inside?” He rested her suitcase on the floor, waiting.

  Stepping over the threshold, Dani turned toward a guest room on the other side of the house. Ghost figured her intent before she got five feet away. Catching up, he gripped her arm.

  “No, darlin’. You’ll be staying in my room.”

  “It’s not necessary. The guest room is fine.” There was no anger in her voice, just resignation at her circumstances.

  “Do I have to repeat what I said on the way over from Pine Glen?”

  Closing her eyes, Dani tugged her arm away. “I don’t have memory loss.”

  Stifling a grin, he reached out, hand caressing her hair before resting on the back of her neck. “Let’s put your things in the bedroom and talk. Protecting you isn’t going to work if you fight me every minute.”

  “There’s no need to talk, Ghost. I get that I’m here because of your promise to Sully. It’s just neither of us wants me here.”

  “That isn’t true.” Letting his fingers stroke down the soft lines of her neck, he saw a flicker of surprise in her soft brown eyes. “I want you here.”

  Squaring her shoulders, she stepped out of his touch. “Well, I don’t want to be here. I won’t fight you. In fact, I’ll do all I can to help find and stop the threat. Then I can get out of your life for good.” She didn’t wait for his reply before continuing down the hall to his bedroom.

  “I don’t want you out of my life, Dani.”

  The softly spoken words had her stopping, making a slow turn to face him. “Of course you do,” she responded, her voice showing a hint of doubt.

  Taking a step closer, he held out both hands, palms up.
“You’re wrong. I’ve been wanting to find a way to get you back into my life since soon after you left.”

  Features sobering, her eyes narrowed. “Right, Ghost.”

  “It’s true.”

  She wouldn’t allow herself to believe him. Refused to trust anything he said about the two of them.

  “You may believe it now, but we both know after a few days, a couple weeks, whatever demons own you will rear their nasty heads. When they do, it’ll be a repeat of what happened before. I don’t know what haunts you, Ghost, but whatever it is keeps you from any real relationship. Right now, you’re lonely and I’m convenient. The same as at the center.”

  Anger buzzed through him, but he tapped it down. She’d hit a nerve, but he damn sure wouldn’t admit it. “You couldn’t be more wrong.”

  Dani didn’t let his words sway her. She’d been the recipient of both his charm and his anger, and refused to live through the latter again.

  “Let me put it another way. I’m not interested in anything you have to offer. Our hot times between the sheets were great, what I needed to relieve the stress of my job. Beyond sex, there’s nothing. Sorry if you want more, but…” Shrugging, she hoped the lie sounded convincing. It hurt to say the words, but would hurt worse if she gave in to his bullshit.

  “If that’s the way you want to play this, Dani.” He grabbed her bag, nodding toward the hall. “Might as well get settled. I’ll fix something for us to eat, then we can both get a decent night’s sleep.”

  When she didn’t budge, Ghost moved past her, going straight to his bedroom. “You can pick whatever side you want. Don’t worry about me touching you, because I won’t.”

  Leaving the bag, he stalked out, Dani staring after him, her heart heavy. Seems she’d made her point. She should be relieved. Instead, she felt an almost crippling sense of loss.

  Cara Mortenson McCord dropped a stack of folders on the desk of her new paralegal. She’d been interviewing for the right person for weeks, never thinking it would take so long to find the right fit.