Mettle: (Spartan Riders #2)

by J.C. Valentine

  The door slammed in Talia’s face so hard, her hair blew back off her shoulders. “Well, that was rude.” She stood there for a moment, dumbfounded. Did people really act that way outside of books and movies? Apparently so. Now she could see why Tucker had stopped seeing Bambi. But what was that she’d said about Tucker dumping her? Was that what he was telling people?

  Talia’s teeth gnashed together. It’d been hard enough to come back to apologize for her behavior, especially when she didn’t feel that she’d done anything wrong, but it enraged her to think that he’d gone off and told everyone that he’d been the one to break things off. Especially when he was the one who’d told her they were just having fun.

  “That asshole!” she hissed. To think she’d planned to ask for his forgiveness. “To hell with this.” She’d take whatever punishment Ingram gave her, but she was so done with all of this. The first thing she planned to do when she walked back into his office was demand a reassignment.

  Turning on her heel, Talia stepped down off the stoop and began marching for her car at the same time she heard the roar of engines turn down the street.

  Her steps faltered. Well, she thought with a mental sneer, it looks like the good old country boy is back just in time to feel my wrath. Reaching her car, Talia propped herself against the rear bumper, folded her arms across her chest, and waited.

  The flock of leather wearing, badass bikers rolled through the gates, revving their engines and making all kinds of ear-shattering racket that Talia was—curiously—crazy turned on by. Something about the low purr of a powerful piece of machinery acted like high-octane fuel to the libido. Similar to a muscle car on the prowl.

  The only thing that could make the experience any better would be a hot man behind the wheel to go along with it.

  And there he was. Second in line behind the bulk of male that she figured had to be the president was Tucker. Even though he was wearing the same black ensemble as everyone else in the troupe, his face obscured by his helmet, she could pick him out of a lineup with her eyes closed, she was so in tune with him.

  Her heart beat a little faster as she watched the men line up in front of the building, backing their bikes into their parking spots expertly. Dammit, she was supposed to be mad, and she was. It was just a little less fire and a little more sizzle than it was before they showed up.

  As Tucker dismounted, she tried to drum up that fierce sense of pride and indignation she’d been prepared to sling at him, but it was a failure from the start. Now that she was standing in front of him, she couldn’t seem to hold onto anything other than excitement.

  She could feel his eyes on her even before she could see them. Tugging off his helmet, Blake said something to Tucker as he began walking toward her, to which Tucker flipped his hand up in the air. She smirked, imagining the gesture to mean fuck-off. Which made her wonder what Blake had said to warrant such a response. But that hardly mattered when he was bounding toward her like a tornado on a path of destruction.

  Talia could see the strong emotion in his every step. Why did she get the sense that he was upset? When Tucker was just a few feet from her, he ripped off his helmet, and her stomach went into free fall when she saw that he was, indeed, upset.

  His eyes held a mixture of profound sadness and relief, the origin of which she had no earthly idea. Talia just knew that she had the instant need to run to him and wrap her arms around him and promise that everything would be all right.

  “What’s wrong?”

  “Are you okay?”

  They spoke at the same time, their words hurried.

  “You go first,” she acquiesced.

  “I went by your apartment, and you weren’t there. I thought…” He blew out a breath that sounded as if he’d been holding it for ages. “I’m so fucking glad you’re here. Why are you here?”

  “I had to come see you,” she jumped right in. “I wanted to apologize for acting like a total lunatic yesterday. I shouldn’t have made you leave.”

  His eyes softened and within seconds, he’d eliminated the space between them. Taking her into his arms, Tucker crushed her to him, burying his face in her hair. His big body shook, worrying her even more. “I never should have left. I was so stupid to leave you alone.”

  “I didn’t leave you any choice.”

  “There’s always a choice,” he said fiercely. Drawing back, he framed her face with his hands. “You’re really okay?” His gaze roved over her as if searching for injury.

  “I’m positive,” she assured him. “Tuck, what did you think happened?” She had to know. The way he was behaving was alarming.

  “It’s nothin’, sugar. You’re okay, and that’s all that matters.”

  Annnnnd…she’d found her anger again. Narrowing her eyes, Talia said, “Don’t you dare brush me off and treat me like I’m some kind of frail little woman who can’t handle a bit of truth.”

  He gave her a placating smile. “It’s club business, sugar. It’s a need-to-know kind of thing. You understand.”

  “I understand that you’re treating me like I’m not your equal,” she growled.

  “Now, sugar—”

  “If you even think to treat me like one of your bimbo rabbits or whatever the hell you call them, then you can forget everything I said because I will walk out of here and you won’t ever see me again.” Her mouth pinched in a mocking smile. “You understand.”

  Tucker’s eyes darted back and forth between hers, taking her measure, no doubt. He must have realized that she wasn’t messing around, because he released another sigh, this time longer and more resigned. “You’re gonna be difficult, aren’t ya?”

  “You bet your ass I am.”

  Pleasure spread across his face, creating fine creases around his eyes and mouth. It was there and gone in an instant, replaced by steel determination. “Last night, some women in the area were abducted. Likely they were sold into the human trade business.”

  Her heart slammed against her ribcage, her blood racing like wildfire through her veins. Unconsciously, Talia leaned in closer. Hopefully, the mic would pick up every word with crystal clarity.

  “And what do you and your friends have to do with any of it?”

  The muscle in his jaw began to tick as he mulled over his words. Finally, he said, “The club and I have history with a man we think is behind the operation.”

  Oh, shit. This could be the lead they’d been waiting for. She needed a name, something they could run with. “What man? Do you know his name? And again, what does any of this have to do with you?”

  “The less you know, the better,” he said cryptically, and the firm way in which he said it made it clear that it was a dead end where she was concerned. “All you really need to know is that we’ve been keeping a bead on him and his men. We’ve been trying to get ahead of the storm in order to prevent what happened last night from going down, but so far he’s managed to stay a step ahead every time.”

  “I still don’t understand why you’re involving yourselves. It sounds dangerous.” Her mouth gaped, remembering the way he’d looked at her when he saw her standing there. “Is that why you looked so worried when you saw me? You thought I was one of those women they took?”

  His fingers tightened on the back of her neck, pressing down on the tendons. “When you didn’t answer your door, I thought you were gone. I thought he’d gotten to you. If it wasn’t for my brothers talking some sense into me, I would still be out there looking for blood.”

  Warmth spread through her, and Talia turned her head to kiss his calloused palm. “I don’t know what to say.”

  “There’s nothing to say. You’re here. That’s all that matters.”

  “Do you forgive me?” For some reason Talia couldn’t pinpoint, his answer meant more to her than just getting on his good side. She needed his forgiveness, to know that he wasn’t mad at her.

  “Sugar, there is nothing to forgive.” Bending down, Tucker placed the gentlest, sweetest kiss on her lips she’d
ever experienced. It wasn’t seductive or lascivious. It just felt…real.

  After a few more minutes of make-up kissing, Tucker released her. Taking her hand in his, he led her into the clubhouse, past his friends, and toward his bedroom.

  “Is this the part where we have crazy, sweaty make-up sex?” she asked, already planning which part of her attire to get rid of first to expedite the sexy times.

  Tucker chuckled. “As fun as that sounds, I kind of made a promise I can’t back out of.” He flicked a look over his shoulder that definitely wasn’t giving off any good vibrations. “Blake invited us over to his place tonight, and by invited, I mean demanded. Dinner starts at six. I hope you’re hungry.”

  TWENTY-ONE

  “Babe, grab me a beer,” Blake called to Gabby.

  Gabby, who had just finished placing a couple of dishes on the table and was heading back inside for more, paused with one foot poised above the first step and lifted a single eyebrow his way.

  It took Blake a moment to feel the heat of her stare, but when he did, he turned to look over his shoulder and flashed her a seriously sexy smile. “Pleeeeease.”

  Gabby’s eyes narrowed, although there was nothing but love and adoration behind them. “That’s what I thought,” she said smartly, then, with Ash following on her heels, continued inside telling him, “Remember, don’t be a heathen like your father. Use your manners.”

  “Oh, I will,” he assured her, and Talia laughed.

  She’d been skeptical about joining Tucker and his friends for dinner, but she would be lying if she said she wasn’t eager to go. Gabby was the only friend she’d made in town so far, and she was itching for someone to talk to that didn’t have a penis. Being with the department, some days she felt as if she were drowning in a sea of them.

  “Sugar.” Tucker’s raspy, southern accent caressed her ear as he bent over her from behind and kissed the side of her neck. “You enjoying yourself?”

  Reaching back, Talia rubbed her hand down the side of his rock hard thigh. “What’s not to enjoy? Your friends are wonderful, the food is amazing, and the weather divine. Thank you for bringing me along.”

  “Don’t thank me. Gabby all but sent out death threats to get you here. She really likes you.”

  That was surprising. She and Gabby got along well, but she had no idea that Gabby liked her that much. It was flattering. Her gaze strayed to the open screen door, and she wondered if she should go inside and thank her properly.

  “I like her too,” Talia replied, “but I have to admit, it bites a little knowing that it wasn’t you issuing death threats to bring me instead. What’s up with that?”

  He chuckled under his breath. Kicking one long leg over the bench, Tucker plunked his butt down beside her, one leg on either side, so he faced her head-on.

  “You are always a challenge, sugar.”

  “I’ll take that as a compliment.”

  “Good. It was meant as one.” He grinned, inspiring her to do the same. Tucker was the kind of person the sun seemed to orbit around. He was lively and fun and down to earth all at the same time. Even though she had some things to work out surrounding him and the club, she enjoyed whatever time she got to spend with him.

  It was almost like being on vacation rather than constantly at work. It would be so easy to forget that she had a job to do…

  “The reason I wasn’t beating down any doors or threatening lives is because Gabby beat me to the punch. She took a shine to you at the party and sent Blake after me. I was just waitin’ on the invite before I said anything.”

  “Well, it’s nice to know I’m wanted.”

  His finger hooked beneath her chin. Lifting, Tucker’s eyes met hers. The intensity in his stare made her short of breath, and she waited for whatever he was about to say.

  “There’s a toolshed around the side of the house. What do you say we go check it out, and by check it out, I mean get nekkid and fool around.”

  “Tuck!” Talia hissed, eyes darting around.

  “I swear I’ll be quick! Five, ten minutes tops.” He moved in for a kiss.

  “Knock it off.” Talia batted his chest, laughing. “I am not doing that here, so you just get that idea right out of your head.”

  Tucker stuck out his bottom lip, pouting. “Awe, you’re no fun.”

  “Didn’t take the shed sex offer, huh?”

  Talia’s head whipped up, seeing Blake’s unabashed face looming over the table as he set down a second platter of steaks and potatoes wrapped in foil.

  “He tries the same line with every woman he meets,” he explained.

  “Dude, not cool,” Tucker scolded, eyes wide. “I have never used that line on anyone before. And it isn’t a line if it works,” he pointed out to her.

  “Well, it didn’t work, so I guess it’s a line,” she pointed out.

  “Now you’re just bustin’ my balls, sugar. Cut a man a break, would ya?”

  “Yeah, sugar, it’s just a little rub and tug around back. Nothin’ to get all worked up about,” Blake mocked. Rolling his eyes, he dropped down on the bench opposite them. “You know what your problem is, man?”

  “No, man, why don’t you enlighten me.”

  Sensing that things were headed in a direction she didn’t want to stick around for, Talia got up from the table. “You two can hash out your issues alone. I’m going inside to see if I can lend a hand.”

  As if they hadn’t heard a word she’d said, the men kept at it, exchanging words of insult and laughter that didn’t seem like they should go together but oddly did. Shaking her head, Talia went inside.

  The kitchen counter was covered with dirty pans and dishes that had been used to prep the salads and various snacks Gabby had served, and the trash was overflowing. Taking a quick look around, Talia catalogued the motorcycle memorabilia and rustic charm of the fifties/sixties era dwelling, noting that everything was well-maintained and cared for. There were tons of pictures up on the walls and stacked two and three deep of the three of them—Gabby, Blake, and his son Ash. They were smiling in every single one. A happy little family.

  One day she’d like to have one herself. She imagined a son and daughter, close in age, maybe a dog and a cat, and a quaint house in the countryside. Or maybe in a little town like this one, sheltered from big city life, but not so far removed as to feel isolated.

  Tucker’s boisterous laugh carried in from outside, and for a brief moment, Talia allowed herself to picture him as the man starring in all the family photos. What would it be like to share a life with someone like him? Would he be a good father and husband? Or would he turn out to be another Brock?

  Shaking the thoughts loose, Talia moved deeper into the house. “Gabby? Are you in here?” It was a rhetorical question meant to announce herself more than anything.

  A terrible choking sound came from somewhere down the hallway to her right, straining and breathless. Talia rushed toward it, her hand automatically going to the small of her back where she kept her pistol.

  Where she usually kept her pistol. Dammit! It was still in her glove compartment where she’d had to leave it or risk discovery. Well, it was a good thing she was trained in hand-to-hand combat. If there was an intruder, they were about to get a rude awakening in the form of her fist being shoved down their throat.

  Tracking the sound of the disturbance to the bathroom door, Talia didn’t hesitate. In less time than it would take a person to sneeze, she slammed her shoulder into the door, knocking it free of its wooden housing.

  Screeching, Gabby fell back from her kneeling position in front of the toilet onto her ass. “Jesus H. Christ! You scared the bejesus out of me.” Clutching her chest, she gasped for breath. Talia noted the terror on her face that was quickly melting into relief, along with a fine sheen of sweat around her hairline. Also, the sickly white pallor of her skin was hard to miss.

  “I thought someone was trying to kill you. Are you sick?”

  Gabby waved her away. “Oh, this? No, no. I’m
fine. Happens all the time. I just need to throw some water on my face, and I’ll be right as rain again.”

  Talia sized up the situation, a terrible feeling churning in her gut. “Gabby…are you…you don’t have an eating disorder, do you?” It would make sense. The woman was the size of toothpick, curves for days, but still thin as a needle in her opinion.

  “An eating disorder?” Gabby snorted.

  “It’s not uncommon,” Talia told her. “A lot of women, especially working women in your position, suddenly finding yourself a stepmom and…everything, it wouldn’t be out of the question to feel overwhelmed.”

  Using the edge of the sink to pull herself up from the floor, Gabby turned on the cold water over the sink and cupped her hands under the stream. “Let me get this straight.” She splashed her face a few times then reached for a towel. “You think I’m making myself throw up? Why on earth would I want to do that? It’s the worst feeling in the world, like you’re choking and being smothered at the same time.”

  Blotting her face dry, she rehung the towel, then turned to face Talia. Her skin was red and blotchy now, her eyes puffy. She looked worn out.

  “I appreciate your concern, Talia, but trust me, I wouldn’t do this to myself willingly.” A look crossed her face. “Well, maybe that isn’t exactly true.”

  “Wait, so you’re not bulimic?”

  “Believe me, I love food too much to ever develop a disorder like that. Hell, my love of food is so strong, I can’t even lose my appetite when I have the flu.”

  Talia frowned, unsure what to make of her. She’d been so sure. All the signs were there… “Oh shit, are you pregnant?”

  Gabby’s eyes turned round as saucers and in a flash, she’d grabbed Talia’s arm, yanking her into the bathroom with her and closing them inside. “Shh! Don’t say anything. You have to swear you won’t tell Country or Blake or anyone.”

  “I won’t,” Talia assured her, panic gripping her because of Gabby’s own wild-eyed response.