Flameover: An Everyday Heroes World Novel (The Everyday Heroes World)

by Esther E. Schmidt

  I grab a chair and pull it out. I place the two mugs with fresh coffee in front of us and sit down next to her.

  “I have reason to believe someone wants your company and isn’t afraid to step over a few bodies to get what they want.” I give her my suspicions and watch closely how she takes it all in.

  “Someone? As in one person? Because you also mentioned they.” Even if she still has her emotions simmering behind those stormy light gray eyes, she also radiates calm and determination.

  All of this gives me the knowledge this woman is strong enough to handle every single detail we discovered.

  “I’ve mentioned how I would handle everything, right?” I wait for her to nod before I continue. “Trust me when I say it’s not going to be simple and it’s going to get worse before everything gets better and handled. Okay?”

  “Why don’t you just spill the details instead of building it up? I feel as if a bomb is about to go off and all you’re doing is dancing around it, waving your hands,” she mutters and grabs her mug, taking a sip from her sugary sweet coffee.

  “I am going to explain about three things we stumbled across and each one apart from one another might be weird or just a coincidence, but this shit is piling up and raising the hairs on the back of our necks. I mentioned Gordon before Denise walked into the kitchen. And please remember what I told you about Broken Deeds MC, how we handle cases and solve them for the government. Some of what we’ve discovered isn’t on the record and we have our ways of obtaining information.”

  I rub the back of my neck and think of a way to explain without freaking her the fuck out, and yet it’s unavoidable.

  “Due to all the information piling up we have reason to believe this has been coming for quite some time. Meaning someone, perhaps with help from others, is trying to obtain the company. Your father’s death—”

  “Anaphylaxis. Peanut allergy. There was a late meeting at the office and they ordered food but my father took some into his office after the meeting. They think there was some kind of mix-up because he doesn’t touch anything peanut related. His throat closes up at the mere scent of it and I didn’t understand how it could happen but someone explained how peanuts might have been used as a tiny ingredient without anyone realizing it.” She releases a deep sigh. “Everything was a haze, a shock. He never should have died, not from something like that. I just . . . I don’t know, what are you saying? Someone deliberately put peanut powder or oil, whatever, in his food to kill him? But the company would go to me . . . wait, someone set fire to my house, they wanted to kill me too? How would they get their hands on the company if I died too? I don’t understand.”

  “I have a gut feeling Gordon wanted to scare you, get you to come live with him. Hell, maybe he’d marry you to gain all your belongings and then kill you too.” I’m thinking out loud here because I haven’t thought things over yet. “But I think it all started long before your father’s death. Were you aware he was in the process of selling the company?”

  She nods absently. “He talked to me about it. He knew I had no ambitions to run the company because I really enjoy only a small part of the business.”

  “Organizing conventions,” I confirm because this is actually how we met and when you ask her about it, she raves and raves as if it’s her greatest passion.

  “Yes, and he was going to make sure most of the employees would keep their job in case of a merger, sale, or whatever he had in mind. I’m not sure of the details because nothing was in the final stages, he was just thinking of ways to make it easier for all of us in the future. That’s the reason why he hired Paula. She functions in between us and the company since my father wanted to step back and also wanted less pressure.”

  “Due to recent hospital checks?” I question, knowing very well the old man had some heart issues they were trying to map out.

  “He had a routine checkup and they discovered the muscles of his heart were unusually thick along with his blood pressure being off. They wanted to do more testing but it was as if he received a wake-up call. He wanted to step back and focus on other things he enjoyed like spending more time with Denise, me, golf, whatever.” Her finger traces the rim of the mug. “The last few weeks before he died were both scary and amazing with the extra time he made for us to spend together.”

  I take her hand and place a kiss on top of it. “I’m so sorry, sweetheart.”

  I hate turning this discussion again but I need for her to focus on the danger she’s in. “I’m not sure you’re aware of this but did you know the person who your father wanted to hire instead of Paula died under suspicious circumstances?”

  Her eyes go wide. “I . . . I . . . it skipped my mind but my father did mention it. He hired the one Gordon suggested out of the five who were qualified since he was dealing with some other things at the time. It turned out to be Paula.”

  I didn’t know this little detail but it surely spikes my attention. “Do those two have a history?”

  “Not that I’m aware of. Gordon and my father were both present during the interviews. My father and Gordon each had their own preference when it came to picking the right person for the job. When the candidate that my father had in mind for the job suddenly died, the other person got the job.” She swallows hard. “Do you think Gordon killed him so Paula could get the job? Or somehow Paula knew and she killed the other one?”

  I give our joined hands a little squeeze. “I don’t want you worrying about any of this but I also don’t want you to be left in the dark either. I keep repeating myself, but I’m handling it, okay?”

  “Okay,” she softly replies.

  “Come on, let’s go check if Denise found the crayons I bought her a few days ago and is in fact making art of the rock instead of the walls, since I have reason to believe my parents would allow her to do anything she wants.” I can’t help but chuckle, remembering what I did when I was her age.

  Lee snickers and says, “She might have your DNA but she’d never color the curtains, Kain.”

  “Ah, I hear you’ve been talking to my mom, huh? Don’t believe everything she tells you.”

  Lee gives me a loving smile. “I think it’s adorable how the both of them love you unconditionally. Not to mention they’re your adoptive parents and how either of you never mention it and it’s as if they are your real parents. Though the both of them shared stories with me from your biological father. What I’m trying to say is . . . They’re good people. Denise is lucky—” Her throat clogs up and she can’t finish her sentence.

  “I’m the one lucky enough to expand the family I was honored to be embraced by. Now, away with all that mushiness and negativity and let’s enjoy ourselves for the rest of the day. I’m tired enough as it is and have another shift tomorrow morning. I’ve asked my mother if she could pick up a few things for me and I saw the kitchen was indeed stocked, so I’m going to cook for my two favorite women.” I stand and lean in close.

  Without hesitation she leans her head to the side and closes the distance to connect our lips. Her tongue goes in search of mine and it makes me groan. With all the stuff we just discussed and how easy we seek comfort and affection from one another, it makes our connection feel even more solid. As if everything falls into place for the two of us, embracing the second chance we’re getting and to do right by our daughter.

  I regretfully pull back and murmur, “We have to stop or I’ll ravish you on the kitchen table.”

  Her cheeks flush and to my surprise she boldly says, “We should because I’m tempted to let you, and I have a feeling you’re on a personal mission to knock me up so I have no other choice but to stay with you.”

  The corner of my mouth twitches. “Knocked up or not, you never had a choice, Lee. You were meant to be mine the first time I laid eyes on you.”

  She reaches out and cups the side of my face with her hand before she feathers her lips against mine for a breath or two. “I think it’s the other way around, Kain. I was the first one to notice—”<
br />
  I don’t let her finish her sentence and slam my mouth over hers, because none of it matters, it’s all in the past. Kissing and moving forward leaves one less thing to worry about; we’re solid.

  My parents decide to stay for dinner and with all the info in the thick file I discussed with Lee, I ask for them to stay another night because I have a twenty-four hour shift the next day. I hate leaving Lee and Denise alone with just a prospect to keep an eye on them.

  Even more when I know Gordon is coming over when I’m not there. I should have asked her to reschedule but I’ve kept the dude at arm’s length since the day she was injured. They have to meet since there is some paperwork for her to sign.

  Besides, I need for him to be oblivious to our suspicions since he’s my number one suspect for killing her father and setting fire to her garage. Hence the reason I want more than one prospect keeping an eye on Denise and Lee. I give another glance over my shoulder at the house and grab my phone to call Archer. He picks up on the second ring.

  “Hey, Pres, it’s me, Kain. Any updates since yesterday?” I question and straddle my bike.

  The loud music is cut off by the slamming of a door.

  “Party still going on or did the fun start early?” I wonder out loud.

  “Baton is an asshole who thinks getting his dick stepped on means he needs an all-nighter to prove it still works,” Archer grumbles. “Some of the guys kept him company to make sure he doesn’t leave the clubhouse.”

  “Damn,” I mutter. “He tried to approach the girl again? The dude has balls, you gotta give ’em that.”

  “Why do you think I kept him at the clubhouse? Ganza poured enough liquor in him to knock two dudes out but he’s still slurring how he’s gonna claim her and drag her off to the clubhouse. I’m gonna lock his ass up in the basement as soon as his lights are out.”

  Ever since Baton rescued the mayor’s daughter, he’s been trying to see her but she’s being protected and Baton was placed on a no contact list. No matter the contacts we have or the fact we’re basically above the law, Baton doesn’t stand a chance with getting anywhere near this chick.

  “Might be the smartest thing to do if you can’t think of a way to let the girl contact him to let him know she isn’t interested. But knowing Baton, even that won’t stop him from claiming her. He has this theory how she’s the other half of his soul because they connected instantly.”

  “They didn’t connect instantly,” Archer growls. “It was an instant reaction. He needed to silence her in an effort to save her, his hands were occupied by two guns he needed to shoot those idiot kidnappers so he kissed her and she kissed him back and grabbed on, allowing him to walk right out with her. Come to think about it, it’s fucking insane but brilliant at the same time.”

  “Meh.” I release a short chuckle. “He got creative and saved the day, it’s the after effect that sucks ass.”

  “Yeah,” Archer sighs. “Well, to get back to your question, I don’t have any other information yet, though Ganza was working on something and I hope he has new info for you in a few hours.”

  “Okay, Pres. I’m going on a twenty-four-hour shift. With everything going on maybe we need to put either another prospect inside the house or one of our brothers. I have a gut feeling about this shit surrounding my old lady and I’m not liking it.”

  “Understood. I’ll swing by tomorrow afternoon and bring a brother along with me. Your folks will stay there until your shift is over?”

  “Yeah, no need to force their hand to stay,” I reply with a big smile on my face.

  “I can imagine. Those two are thrilled to be grandparents. And to be honest, you sound happy too, brother,” Archer says and adds, “All of us are happy for you. I hope you’ll bring them to the clubhouse soon.”

  “Will do, Pres. I’ll let you know when since I would need your mother to be there too,” I tell him and I don’t need to add the actual words since he knows exactly what I mean by this.

  “Do I have to warn you about the two weeks’ timeframe, brother?” There’s a little warning in his voice.

  “I’m going to explain it to her tomorrow. I’m hoping she will get inked on the same day.”

  “Here’s to hoping.” Archer chuckles. “See you tomorrow, Kain.”

  “Tomorrow,” I grunt and disconnect.

  I might not have thought all of this through. I claimed Lee as mine and she’s aware she’s my old lady, but she’s not aware of what it all entails when a biker of Broken Deeds MC claims his old lady. The moment the claim is set the biker in question gets inked. The old lady also needs to get the property patch inked. If she doesn’t, she has two weeks where her loyalty is tested.

  Loyalty toward her old man and toward the club. If she passes, she needs to get inked within those two weeks, if she doesn’t—and the two weeks are up—she will get inked and loses the right to pick the spot; it will become a club decision. Needless to say, we take our claiming seriously. This said, up till now all property patches have been inked voluntarily.

  I have no clue how Lee will react when I explain all of it to her, though I do know she loves the ink on my back. But I am very much aware of the fact she doesn’t have any ink herself. My mind has been a whirlwind of thoughts on the ride to work and when I park my bike, I try to clear my head. Time to focus on work.

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  – LEONTINE –

  “No, Gordon,” I sigh. “There’s no need to be worried, I’m fine. And honestly, it’s none of your business.”

  Gordon glares at the prospect who is leaning against the wall with his arms crossed in front of his chest. It’s as if Kain ordered him to be in plain sight and keep an eye on Gordon while he’s here. This because in all the days this prospect has been here, I’ve hardly seen him. I don’t blame Kain, though. With everything he’s mentioned, I don’t feel at ease around Gordon.

  And that says a lot because I didn’t really like him to start with but he’s good at his job. Though everything makes me doubt his every move since Kain shared the information he found out. Like the papers in front of me Gordon wants me to sign. Each time I want to go through them he points at the dotted line, telling me he glanced through everything and all there’s left is for me to sign.

  See? Doubt. Normally I would trust him to make these decisions and the major things would be handled by my father or go through Paula first. And that’s the other tricky thing, I don’t trust her either.

  “You’re basically held prisoner, Leontine,” Gordon whispers as if he believes his own words.

  I sigh and shake my head, shoving the papers away from me. “Look, Gordon. I’m not being held prisoner by anyone.” I point at the prospect and raise my voice a little. “That prospect’s name is Jabba, he is here for me. Like some sort of a bodyguard. If I would ask him to help me into the car and drive me to wherever I want, he’d do so without blinking.”

  Gordon is giving me a skeptical look and the prospect looks bored but at the same time intrigued. I feel the need to rattle Gordon because I don’t like his misplaced concerns and to be honest, he freaks me out since he’s shoving the papers he’s demanding I sign back in front of me.

  I glare at Gordon and snap, “And if I would ask him to kick your ass he would do so with a big smile on his face and throw you out the door without breaking a sweat.”

  Gordon throws a glance at the prospect, who is pushing himself off the wall and is wearing a huge smirk.

  “This isn’t like you, Leontine,” Gordon says in dismay.

  “How would you know?” I hiss and instantly regret the way I’m allowing myself to react. I take another deep breath and control my voice when I tell him, “I would like for you to leave. I will go over all these papers and will get them back to you either later today or tomorrow.”

  “There is no need for you to go over them, they have been drawn up by our lawyers. I’ve gone through them and so did Paula. All that’s left for you is to sign,” Gordon says with a smooth as silk voic
e as he slides the papers back in front of me.

  The hairs on the back of my neck stand on end and it makes my gut twist. I grab the papers and stand up, putting most of my weight on my good leg.

  “I would like for you to leave,” I tell him again and he glances at the papers as if he will rip them from my hands at any second.

  “You’re going to sell the company, going through with what your father started, aren’t you?” The tone of his voice makes me swallow hard and take a step back.

  Pain shoots through my ankle and it makes me wince.

  Gordon grabs my forearm. “Think about the company, Leontine. Your father built it up from nothing and only wanted to sell because he couldn’t run it himself anymore. You don’t have to worry about anything, you have me. I’m here for you, and for the company. Together we can—”

  “Get your fucking hands off of her,” the prospect growls and doesn’t wait for Gordon to react but grips his wrist into a painful hold.

  Or I assume it’s painful due to the expression on Gordan’s face.

  “Take your briefcase and leave. She’s Kain’s old lady. They have a fucking daughter, asshole. He’s going to flip his shit when I tell him each word you just voiced. And for your information, when a woman tells you to leave, you fucking leave. You don’t grab hold or shove your demands in her face; you respect her by following through on her request.” The prospect doesn’t give him a second to grab his stuff but snags Gordon’s briefcase along with Gordon himself and pushes him out the door, shoving the briefcase into his stomach before slamming the door in his face.

  Jabba takes out his phone and by the looks of his thumbs flying over the screen, he’s typing a message. The next instant my phone starts to ring and I see it’s Kain calling me. I release a deep breath and answer on the second ring.

  “Are you okay?” Concern is lacing his voice.

  I plunk down on the chair and place my leg on another chair. “I’m fine.”