by Sarah Osborn
“Ah, Mr. Samson. Please take a seat.”
Small and somewhat wizened, Mario De Luca looked like the kind of old guy who spent his days feeding pigeons in the park. Samson knew, though, that appearances could be deceptive. The man opposite him was the head of one of the most powerful families in Nevada, maybe even the whole of America. One nod from him, and he was a dead man. “I really appreciate you agreeing to see me at such short notice, Mr De Luca.”
“You saved my nephew’s life in Attica. I’m indebted to you.”
Samson shrugged. “Wasn’t gonna stand by and watch him get kicked to death by those assholes. Anyone would’ve done the same.” Anyone who knew who his uncle was, at least.
“But they didn’t, Mr. Samson. You did. Now, if you don’t mind, I’m a busy man. What do you need?”
“It’s kind of delicate, but I need information.” He hesitated. This could easily backfire if he didn’t choose the right words.
De Luca frowned. “Go on.”
“Is there any reason why you or any of your capos would be looking to branch out into California?”
“Someone has approached your club?”
“I ain’t keen on naming names, not even to you. I ain’t a rat. I just don’t want the Freaks treading on anyone’s toes or getting caught up in any wars that don’t concern them.”
“That’s a very admirable sentiment, and I don’t wish to put you in a difficult position, so I will say only this. My organization is not looking to expand its operations right now, and I have no intention of doing business with your club. Am I making myself clear?”
“Crystal.”
“Is that all?”
“Pretty much for now. Thank you for your time.” Samson stood and held out his hand.
“It was a pleasure, Mr. Samson.” For such a frail-looking guy, his handshake was surprisingly firm. “You do realize that I will find out who it was who approached the Freaks, and when I do, there could well be consequences?”
“As long as it doesn’t blow back on the club, it ain’t none of my concern.”
“And if it does?”
Samson smiled. “I guess you’ll discover that the Freaks aren’t the little two-bit organization you think we are.”
“Is that a threat?”
“Nope. Just saying how it is.”
De Luca chuckled. “Can’t make up my mind if you’re brave or stupid.”
“Way I see it, don’t make much difference when it comes to war. The Freaks and your family have had a good relationship for a long time. I want to see that continue. That’s why I came to you. But by doing that we will have pissed someone else off. So when you go in guns blazing, please remember who gave you the heads up.”
“You know what? I think I like you, Mr. Samson. If you ever decide to swap your leathers for a suit, give me a call. There’s always room in our organization for a man like you.”
I’ll stick to what I know, I think. Besides, ain’t any Italian blood running through these veins.”
“That’s too bad. Now please, don’t let me keep you.”
As he walked back to his bike, Samson released a breath he didn’t know he was holding. He was still no nearer to finding out why Moretti wanted to get into bed with Vince, and he couldn’t shake the feeling that the club was being used as a pawn in a much bigger game. At least, though, Samson now knew that whatever it was that Vince was planning hadn’t been sanctioned by De Luca.
As soon as he arrived at the Vegas clubhouse, he headed to the flophouse out back. It was hardly salubrious, but there was a bed, and there would be coffee in the morning. He sat heavily on the bed and pulled out his cell. “Hey, baby girl. How you doing?”
EIGHTEEN
Since Lottie was born, Deke had never been away for more than a few nights, and Emma had expected to miss him, and to worry. She just hadn't been prepared for just how much.
She answered her cell on the second ring. “Hey. How's Vegas?”
“Same as it always is. I won't be staying longer than I have to. I should be ready to come home in a day or two.”
“Good, cuz I really miss you.” She resisted the urge to tell him she thought he should rest up a while. Wild horses couldn't get him to admit it, but his body couldn't take riding for days on end anymore. He was in pretty good – hell, really good – shape for a man of his age, but he'd accrued a lot of injuries over the years, and they'd all taken their toll. While Emma hated and feared the club, she dreaded the day when he'd have to finally admit that he couldn't ride anymore. The fallout from that was going to be monumental. So for now, he pretended that he was fine after long runs, and she pretended to believe him. “Deke...”
“I'm not doing anything stupid, baby girl. I've just got some people I wanna talk to is all.”
She knew – she just knew – that he didn't have to be doing this. This was Bay View's problem, and he could've just sat back and let them deal with any crap that came their way, but Deke still thought like a nomad and would look out for any chapter, even those which he had no great love for. “I know, just come home safe.”
“Always. I'm gonna try an' catch some sleep, I'll talk to you tomorrow. I love you.”
“I love you, too.”
All their conversations had been short and sweet. Just him checking in whenever he got the chance. Emma wasn't sure whether it was for Deke's benefit or for hers, but hearing his voice eased the pain of separation a little. She hung up and lifted Lottie from her crib – Emma hated sleeping alone. “C'mon little one, come and sleep in Mommy and Daddy's big bed.”
~ oOo ~
“Samson, baby. It's been too long. Come on in.” Samson allowed the tall, immaculately dressed woman to lead him into the small, stylish apartment. “I'm sorry I don't have long – I have a client due in half an hour.”
“It's okay, Max. I won't keep you. Just need to ask a couple of questions is all.” He followed her into her kitchen and took the offered beer.
“And here was me thinking this was a social call.” She chuckled. “Not that you can afford me these days.”
“Never could, darlin'.”
“Maybe I could offer you a discount.” She licked her lips. “Although I don't ever remember you paying.”
“Nah. I'm good.” He tapped the gold band on his finger. “I'm a married man now.”
“Wow! I never thought I'd see the day. She must be really something.”
“She is.” He leaned on the counter. “You used to work for Valentino Moretti, right?”
“Yeah, it was a long time ago, though. It's been a lot of years since I worked the strip.” Maxine frowned. “What's this about, Samson? You know as well as me that Valentino is a dangerous man. Please tell me your club isn't thinking of going into business with him.”
Samson shook his head. “He's approached the club. I'm just making sure that we have all the facts before a decision is made.”
“I don't know how I can help. He still sends his errand boys 'round for tribute, but I haven't seen him for years, and I don't think many of the girls I used to work with are around anymore.” She ran a perfectly manicured nail down his chest. “You sure this isn't just an excuse to partake in a little Maxine pleasure?”
“Tempting though that is – you're looking real hot, darlin' – no. Word is that Moretti is looking to expand. I guess I'm just trying to find out why. Thought maybe you might have some ideas.”
“I'm just a hooker, Samson. I might be a little better packaged these days. But I'm still just a cunt for hire. I'm hardly privy to the workings of the De Luca family. Maybe you should ask him.”
“I did.”
“You did? Wow. I don't want to know how you managed that. It would be easier to see the pope.” She frowned. “Shit, baby. If he couldn't give you the answers you needed, I'm guessing you're right and Valentino is branching out on his own. That's a dangerous game.” She scrolled through her cell and wrote a number on a scrap of paper. “A friend of mine used to dance in a club he runs.
I dunno if she'll be of any help, but she was a favorite of his for a while, before he got too free with his fists and mashed up her face.” She laid her hand on his arm. “Be careful, Samson. If he gets wind that you're sniffing around....”
She left the rest unsaid, and he smiled. “It'll be fine, I'm just in town looking up some old friends, is all. I'll be back home in a couple of days.” He bent and kissed her cheek, then downed the last of his beer. “I better get outta your hair. Take it easy, Max. It was real good to see you.”
“You too. Maybe we could hook up before you leave – just for a drink or something.”
“Don't think that's a good idea, darlin'.” He picked up the scrap of paper. “Thanks for this. Take care, I'll see myself out.”
It had been a long shot, going to Maxine, but Samson was hitting a brick wall at every turn. He was also well aware that the weak links in any organization were the women. Not the ol' ladies and wives, but the strippers and whores who were invisible most of the time. Moretti was dangerous, and word on the street was that he was rapidly falling out of favor with his father-in-law, De Luca. But no one seemed to know what he was planning or why he'd want to go into business with the Freaks.
He was also reluctant to admit it to himself, but the reason he was running around like a headless chicken had less to do with wanting to avoid a war, and more to do with the fact that he hated sitting on the fucking sidelines all the time. He'd tried to settle down, and he loved Emma and Lottie more than he could ever express, but, shit, he'd missed this. If he decided to go nomad again, it could be the end of him and Emma, and he couldn't bear to think about life without her, but he was stagnating, and it felt like he was losing his identity. He sighed. What does a man who already owns a Harley do when he has a midlife crisis?
~ oOo ~
Bobbi, the girl Max had hooked him up with, lived in a trailer park a few miles out of town, and had been reluctant to talk to him, but money talked, and it was clear she wasn't in a position to turn it down. Samson sat on her threadbare sofa and lit a cigarette. “Max said you used to work for Moretti.”
“Yeah, up until a few months ago.” She grabbed two beers from the fridge and handed him one before sitting next to him. “Max said you were part of that biker gang.”
“Yeah. Moretti has approached some of my brothers in Cali. I just wanna be clear what it is we're getting into before a decision is made.” He pulled his wallet from his pocket and laid a hundred bucks on the table. “You got any ideas?”
She shrugged. “Valentino has been doing business with a European guy. I'm not sure of his name - Albert something - this guy is bringing girls in from Russia or somewhere. They're real young, and I know Mr. De Luca doesn't want them working his clubs. This Albert has a club somewhere near Reno and is looking to set up in California.”
“You have the name of this club?”
“No, but I could probably get it for you.” She eyed the cash on the table.
“I'd appreciate that.” He placed the half-finished beer on the table and stood up. “I'll be in town for a couple more days. You've got my number, call me when you have something.”
There was nothing else he could do until the girl called him, so Samson headed back to the clubhouse. He'd been planning on heading home in the morning, but it looked like he'd be staying for another couple of days at least. Hopefully Emma wouldn't be too pissed. As soon as he pulled up outside he took out his cell. “Hey, baby girl.”
NINETEEN
Emma had tried her best not to get pissed at him. She knew – probably better than him – that he missed being on the road. He never complained, but she saw it in his eyes when his nomad brothers came by. And while she never doubted his love for her, she knew he'd needed this. So when he'd called, she hadn't argued or complained about how hard it was to paint when she had a teething baby. And he didn't need to hear that she couldn't sleep alone anymore.
She was worried, though. Spike had swung by earlier and was surprised that Deke was away. Whatever he was doing, wasn't with the club's knowledge, and although she trusted him, what happened in Vegas stayed in Vegas, and if he wasn't there on business like he'd told her, he must be there for pleasure. Maybe it wasn't just the road he missed. Maybe... She shook her head. No, Deke wouldn't cheat. He wasn't perfect, but he was an honorable man, and he'd never lie to her.
Pushing her fears aside, she picked up her paintbrush. Hopefully Lottie would stay asleep, and she could finally get this piece finished.
~ oOo ~
Bobbi had called him the next day; Samson guessed she needed the money. He knocked on the door, but getting no answer, tried the handle. The door was unlocked and, calling her name, he walked in. Shit! The place had been torn apart, and Bobbi lay in a pool of blood, her face unrecognizable, on the living room floor. He crouched down and gave a sigh of relief as his fingers felt the flutter of a pulse.
As he reached for his cell, the door flew open again. “Get down of the floor with your hands where I can see them.”
Fuck, this was bad. Really bad. “She's still breathing, you need to get an ambulance here. Now.”
~ oOo ~
“Hey.” Emma closed the chicken run and wandered over to the bench under the tree. “How's Vegas?”
“It's just got a whole lot more complicated. I ain't got a lot of time, so I need you to listen carefully. I've been picked up by the local PD.”
“Shit, Deke. What for?”
“They're charging me with attempted murder. It's bullshit, baby girl, I was just in the wrong place at the wrong time. Call Bugs, he can arrange a lawyer.”
“Okay. Shit.” She ran her fingers through her hair. “What happened?”
“I dunno. I kinda walked in on a crime scene, but I swear to you, I had nothing to do with this. Problem is, the cops found me with a girl who'd had the crap beaten out of her, an' they ain't inclined to believe me. I got no chance of making bail unless she wakes up an' puts 'em right. Just call Bugs, baby.”
“I... I.. okay. Deke?”
“You do believe me? C'mon, Emma, I don't hurt women, you know that.”
She wanted to, but she had so many questions. “Who is she?”
“Just a girl. I just wanted to talk to her is all. Looks like someone got to her before I got the chance.”
“Talk about what?”
“It don't matter. Shit, I gotta go. Call Bugs. I love you, baby.”
“I love you too. Bye.” Emma hung up and stared at her phone. She'd always know that he ran the risk of getting arrested, but beating a girl half to death? Deke would never do something like that.
~ oOo ~
“What's going on, Bugs?” Emma led Deke's President into the kitchen.
“I'm not sure, sweetheart. According to the lawyer, Samson found the girl just moments before the pigs turned up. She's in a pretty bad way, and they ain't sure she's gonna pull through.” Bugs sat down and rubbed his forehead. “This don't look good, Emma. I'm sorry, but unless she wakes up, he's looking at life. She's just a hooker, and he's got a record for violence. There ain't no way they'll waste resources looking for someone else.”
“You believe him, though?”
“Of course I do. Either he's been set up, or it's just real bad luck. There's no way Samson would hurt an innocent woman, you know that.”
“So why was he there?” Emma wasn't sure she wanted the answer. “He told me that he was in Vegas on business, but Spike didn't know he was there.”
“He was, Emma.” Bugs took her hand and gave it a squeeze. “The only people who knew why he's there is me an' him. I dunno who this girl was, and Samson ain't sayin' much, but I'm guessing she had some information for him.” He frowned. “Tell me you don't think he's guilty.”
“I... I don't, but...” She turned away. “What information would a hooker have?” She wanted to believe Bugs, but she knew that if he had to, he'd lie to protect his brother.
“I don't know. I wish I could tell you more, an' as soon as I know anythi
ng, I'll let you know. He's gonna need to know you're behind him on this, sweetheart. We're doing everything we can to get him out. You just gotta stay strong until we do.”
“And if you can't?”
“We will.” He kissed her cheek. “Just hang on in there, and if there's anything you need, call me.”
TWENTY
“Hey, little one.” Tiny took her bag and, throwing it over his shoulder, led Emma through the airport.
Deke had been locked up for three weeks now. The three hardest weeks of Emma's life. It wasn't just that she missed him, although she did, of course. Over the years, they'd probably spent more time apart than they had together. This time, though, was different. He had refused to say why he was with this girl. And as she remained unconscious and had, so far, showed no sign of waking up, it was looking more and more like he was going away for a long time. Emma wanted to believe that he'd just been there to talk to her, but his reticence did nothing to allay her suspicions, and it seemed to her, that everyone was just covering for him. She knew he hadn't beaten the girl, Deke would never do that, but she couldn't shake the feeling that the reason he was so eager to jump on his bike and ride to Vegas in the first place was that she was no longer enough for him.
Tiny touched her arm. “You okay?”
She wasn't, and right now it felt like she'd never be okay ever again. “I'm fine. Thanks for this, Tiny.”
“Any time, Emma, you know that.” As soon as they reached Beth's car, he took Lottie from her and secured her in the child seat. “Beth's really looking forward to see you.”
“Will you be okay with watching Lottie while I...”
“Sure, but Samson really wants to see her, little one. Ain't fair to keep his kid from him.”
“I'm not, but this time I think it's better if I go alone.” She sighed. “I know you think I'm wrong, but I don't think prison is a good place for a baby, and Deke and I really need to talk. Maybe next time..”
“There ain't gonna be a next time. Samson didn't hurt that girl.” Tiny frowned. “You know that, right? Jesus, Emma, this is Samson we're talking about. Your ol' fucking man. You can't believe this bullshit the prosecution is saying.”
