“I’m still so damn wasted,” Noe said as he walked into the small room and plopped down on a chair. “I forgot how crazy the parties get around here.”
“Did Cheetah and Vi treat you right?” Shark moved away from the bar and sat down on a chair across from Noe. He handed his friend a cup of coffee.
“Oh yeah. They’re hot as hell. I may have to stay one more night before I head back to Phoenix.” Noe brought the mug to his mouth.
“I got four damn calls from Blueman. Who the fuck calls at two in the damn morning? Doesn’t he know we’re all too damn drunk and high to hear anything?”
Noe laughed. “He needs to come to a biker party.” He put the coffee down. “Have you talked to Mia?”
“No. Forget about her, bro. She’s a cunt. She always thought she was better than us. That’s why Ma was always beating her snobby ass.”
“She can be a bitch, but she’s still your sister. Talk to her.”
“All she wants to talk about is Finn. I’m bored with it. I hope the asshole rots in prison. She wants me to give money to help him get an attorney. Fuck that! I’m not giving shit.”
“Yeah, she was talking about the fucker to me too. She’s kinda obsessed with it.”
“She’s a snotty bitch. You can do better.”
“I thought you were all for it,” Noe said.
“I was, but then when you told me the way she dissed you when you were in Durango a few weeks ago, it pissed me off. You don’t need some cunt treating you like that.”
“If we’re together, I’ll teach her who’s boss.”
“She needs a good thrashing,” he said, placing the phone against his ear. Gesturing Noe to be quiet, Shark lightly tapped the table with his finger as he waited for Blueman to pick up.
“Why the fuck didn’t you pick up the phone?” the gang leader asked.
“Why the fuck did you call me at two in the goddamn morning? I don’t hear shit when I’m partying hard, and that’s what me and the brothers did last night. Whaddya want?”
“Confirm our meet up next week.”
“Yeah … about that—I need to postpone it.” Silence crackled between them. “Did ya hear me?”
“I heard. Do you have the money?” Blueman’s voice was cold with a sharp edge to it.
“That’s why I need the continuance. We’ve almost got it all but just need a bit more time to get the rest.”
“I heard you fucked up the attack on the Night Rebels’ businesses. What the hell were you thinking in sending two-bit dealers and pimpled-faced teens to do your job? I don’t have too much confidence you’re gonna pull this buy off.”
Anger rushed through Shark. “We’ll pull it off just fine, and what we did in Alina doesn’t concern you. We got our own score to settle with those fuckers. It had nothing to do with getting money.”
“Even so … you fucked it up.”
Shark gripped the side of the table with his hand so hard his knuckles turned white. He wanted to tell this smug punk what he really thought of him, but Shark needed to keep cool because the Satan’s Pistons needed the drugs to double or maybe even triple their investment. They needed to get back on their feet, then they wouldn’t have to send out amateurs to destroy the damn Rebels—they’d do it themselves.
“We’ll have the money in a month.”
“Three weeks or the deal’s off,” Blueman answered.
“Okay, but cut the attitude. You’re not working with a bunch of losers here. I know the score—you need our money. I checked you out. Your club is near broke after that sting operation took down some of the heavy players and the feds took away your assets, so don’t act like gangster-of-the-year with me.”
Noe guffawed, and Shark and he bumped fists. Another long pause. For a few seconds, Shark cursed himself for losing his temper and blowing the deal.
“Maybe your check should extend to your family as well.”
“Are you telling me I’ve got a fuckin’ traitor in the brotherhood?”
“Your blood family. I’ve had one of my men watching your sister, Mia Decelles—a.k.a. Stiletto.”
Confusion spread through him. “What the fuck does she have to do with any of this?”
“It’s what I do. It’s good to know about the people I’m dealing with, even their family members. It gives me some insurance, you know?”
“Leave her the fuck alone. She’s not a part of this.”
“You don’t fuck me over, and I won’t need to do anything.”
“I’m telling you again—leave her the fuck outta this.”
The clucking of Blueman’s tongue irked the shit out of Shark. Then in a very steady, cold, and low voice, he asked, “Do you know your baby sister is sleeping with the enemy?”
“What the fuck are you talking about?” he growled.
“A Night Rebel is filling her holes.”
Now it was Shark’s turn to grow silent. As Blueman’s words began to sink in, adrenaline pushed through him as white-hot rage filled his veins. “You’re fuckin’ wrong. If you want this sale to go through, you’ll shut your lying motherfuckin’ mouth!” Shark’s voice grew louder and louder with each word until he was shouting.
“I’m just telling it like it is. Why the fuck would I lie about it?” Blueman asked, his voice cool as ice.
“Just shut the fuck up about it. We’re doing a business transaction and that’s all. It doesn’t involve my family. You still in, or do I take my business to Los Malos?” Shark’s nostrils flared.
“You got exactly three weeks. Eleven p. m. at the warehouse. I sent you the address,” Blueman replied.
“We’ll be there, and you and me don’t need to talk no more.” Shark cut the call then tapped in Mia’s number. On the second ring, he hung up then paced around in circles trying to understand what Blueman’s game was.
“Man, you’re pissed off. What the fuck did Blueman say to you?” Noe asked.
Shark stopped in his tracks and looked at Noe. “When you saw that dude with Mia at the gym, was he wearing a cut?”
Noe jerked his head back. “No. Why?”
“Did you see a Harley in front, or in the parking lot of the gym that night?”
Noe shook his head. “What’s this all about?”
“Blue-asshole-man told me Mia’s fucking a Night Rebel. Did you see any MC tats on the guy?”
Noe’s eyes widened. “No damn way. Mia wouldn’t do that. The dude with her looked like a fighter. He definitely wasn’t wearing a Night Rebels patch tatted on his back. He looked like he could be a biker or a rocker.”
“What was his name?”
“Uh … something military-sounding.”
“Who’d she say he was again?”
“A brother of one of her friends who was an MMA fighter. I still can’t believe that about Mia. This asshole’s trying to get you riled up.”
Shark scrubbed his three-day-old unshaven face. “But why? What’s the point in pissing me off? And why the fuck would he make up that BS about Mia? Something isn’t making sense here. He knows she’s my sister, so he’s not bullshitting about someone keeping tabs on her. Fuck!” He picked up his empty shot glass and hurled it across the room where it hit the front of a steel cabinet and crashed to the floor.
“Just ask Mia.”
“Yeah. I’ll give her a call later on, and if I find out it’s true, the fucking Rebel is dead. I’ll show Mia what happens to bitches who disrespect me and the brotherhood.” Shark kicked the chair over.
“If she’s guilty, I’m with you all the way, brother. I just remembered the fucker’s name: Army.”
Shark made a mental note of it, then yelled over for Tikka and Pinkie to come and relieve the tension from his body.
Chapter Nineteen
“You finally screwed him,” Ronica said a bit too loudly, and Mia hushed her as she glanced around the salon.
Grabbing her wrists, Mia dragged her friend to the break room and shut the door. “I don’t want my private life to be the topi
c of discussion for the next week. Anyway, I didn’t tell you anything.”
“You don’t have to—you’re glowing like a damn thousand-watt bulb.” Ronica leaned over near Mia’s ear, her eyes focused on the closed door. “Was it incredible or a huge disappointment?” she asked softly.
“It was phenomenal,” Mia said, her emotions bubbling like a glass of champagne.
“I knew it would be, or at least I hoped it would. It was a gamble. Sometimes the real good-looking ones with an attitude make the most mediocre lovers, but Army had the whole badass vibe going so I suspected he was the real deal.” Ronica sat down and crossed her legs. “Did you fuck him out of your system?”
Mia giggled. “That’s all we did while I was there. We did it in the shower, on the loveseat, on the floor, and on his bike when he took me for a ride to the most beautiful place I’ve ever seen. The view alone—”
Ronica held up her hand in front of Mia’s face. “Wait … go back. You guys screwed on his motorcycle? That sounds uncomfortable and dangerous.”
“We weren’t moving.” Mia laughed. “We were on top of a peak, and it felt like we were the only people in the world. I’d never had sex on a bike, but it was so good. Army left the engine running while in park, and the vibration was like a huge vibrator. Anyway, it was awesome.”
“Is that a biker thing?” Ronica pursed her lips.
“I don’t know. He told me it was the first for him, so that made it even more special for me.” She laughed again.
“What’re you thinking about? Your cheeks just turned red.”
“He kept revving the engine up and it made everything so much more intense.” The memory of one of the most powerful orgasms she’d ever had made her clench her legs as she leaned against the counter.
“So he sends you flowers, wines and dines you, agrees to wait until you screwed, and he knows how to screw. Sounds like a keeper.”
Mia’s eyes sparkled. “He is. I’ve done something totally scary—I’ve fallen for him.”
“Big time?” Ronica’s gaze widened.
“Yep.” She covered her face with her hands. “I know it’s crazy. I’ve only known him for a month. I never fall this fast.”
“You never fall period. When’s the last time you’ve been in love after high school?”
Mia shook her head. “Never—not even in high school. I was too busy playing mom to have friends let alone a boyfriend.” Her hands slipped down by her side. “Is this too insane?”
Ronica smiled. “No, I thinks it’s great. I told you the first day I met Army that he’d be a good match for you. Do you know how he feels?”
“He tells me he’s happy I’m in his life, and that he’s never been with a woman as wonderful as me. I know he feels the connection.”
“When are you going to see him again?”
“I’m not sure. It’s been only two days since I got back, and I’m missing him so much. I was supposed to go to the bike rally on Saturday, but I can’t swing it. I have a full day.” Mia opened the fridge and took out a bottle of water. “Do you want one?” She waved the bottle at Ronica who shook her head no. Mia twisted open the cap and took a drink. “I’ve been going on about me too much. How was your trip with Stuart?”
“It was fun. Aspen was so beautiful with all the trees changing colors. We had a very romantic time. Not as sex-filled and wild as your vacation with Army, but then, I like romance with my man.”
“Army does subtle stuff, and since he’s such a rough and tough guy, those are the things that touch me and are romantic. Like, after we banged our brains out on his Harley, he spread out a blanket and held me close while we watched an incredible sunset and the mist rise in the valley. Neither of us spoke—we didn’t have to. Sharing that moment together spoke volumes.”
“Well put. It is the simple things that show a man cares for you.” Ronica glanced at the clock on the back wall. “I better get going. My client will be here in a few, and I want to prep my station. When’s your next appointment?”
“In a half hour.” Her ringtone bounced off the walls and she pulled out her phone, hoping it was Army. She frowned when she saw Shark’s name.
“From your face, I know it’s not your honey.” Ronica chortled.
“It’s my brother Vic. I’ll see you later.” Mia put the phone to her ear as she walked over to the small locker area for the employees. “Hi, Vic.”
“Who the hell are you fucking?” There was a harsh edge to his voice.
Her insides turned to ice, and her stomach churned. The room spun around as she gripped the opened door of one of the lockers to steady herself. He knows! How the hell did he find out?
“Hello … Vic?” She stalled for time, pretending she couldn’t hear him.
“Mia? Can you hear me?”
Will he believe I can’t, or will it prove to him I am with Army. Second guessing her brother and mother when she’d been young had been a full-time job. Most of the times when she’d gone with her instinct, she’d gotten it right. Her gut was telling her to answer him.
“Vic?”
“I’m here. Fuck!”
“I can hear you. I was in the back room and my reception is usually shitty there. How are you?”
“I asked who you’re fucking.” He was hard and angry, and she cringed.
“I’ve never discussed my sex life with you—it’s just weird.” She laughed lightly as if this was a joke between brother and sister.
“Are you fucking a Night Rebel?”
Oh God! He knows. How? Noe? “A biker? No,” she lied. She ran the cool bottle over her forehead then down the side of her face and neck. “Why would you ask me that?”
“I heard you were fucking one of those assholes.”
“That’s absurd. Where did you hear that from?” Mia tried to control her breathing—the last thing she wanted was for Vic to pick up on her anxiety.
“Never mind where I heard it from. Who’s this Army dude Noe told me about? You dating him?”
“Not really. I told you I wasn’t attracted to Noe in that way.”
“Why didn’t you tell me you were with someone before Noe came to Durango?” Suspicion still laced Vic’s voice, but he didn’t seem as angry as he was when he first called.
“You wouldn’t listen to me that morning. You seemed hell bent to make us a couple.”
He grunted.
“I have to go. I have a client coming in. Business is real good.” Mia willed her pounding heart to slow the hell down.
“I’m gonna look into this a little more. I better not find out you’re bullshitting me.” A thread of warning wound around his words.
“I guess you don’t have anything better to do.”
“Go take care of your customer.”
The phone went dead and she covered her mouth and rushed to the bathroom. His words, his anger, and his hatred sickened her.
Several minutes later, she wiped her ashen face then brushed her teeth. As she left the break room, Chloe—another stylist—waved to her then stopped. “Are you all right? You look sick.”
“I’m fine,” Mia croaked. “Wrong time of the month.” She placed her hands over her belly, the corner of her mouth lifting into a weak smile.
“Bummer. I hate cramps. I’ve always got some Advil on me. Let me know if you need it.”
“Thanks,” Mia mumbled as she walked over to her station. She hoped she didn’t screw up Elizabeth Danby’s hair. She refused to acknowledge all the fear and panic and dread playing havoc inside her. I have to get through the day. I’ll think about all this later. Mia went to the lobby and gave Ms. Danby a huge smile then escorted her to the booth.
* * *
Mia sat in front of the gas fireplace watching the blue flame shoot up from under the fake logs, drinking a glass of white wine she’d bought on sale at the liquor store on her way home from work. The autumn air had a chill in it that matched the one that had been running through her ever since Vic had called. It was just a matter of time
before he’d find out that she lied to him, then he’d bluster around, ranting and raving and planning vengeance on her … and Army. She took a big gulp of wine then promptly began to choke—sputtering and coughing as she pressed her hand at the base of her throat. Startled by the sudden burst of noise, Snickers ran into the other room. “Shit,” she croaked as she rose to her feet and went to get some water. After a bit, all was back on track and she went back to the couch, sank down into the cushions, and stared at the fireplace again. The blue flame reminded her of Army’s eyes: flashing, burning, dangerous.
“Fuck you, Vic,” she muttered. The more Mia thought about the ridiculousness of the situation, the more she wanted to bash her brother’s head in. He’d always thought he was the boss of her, and he could be cruel just as he could be kind with her. She’d left their small town so she could escape from him and their mother. This shouldn’t concern him at all. But in his crazy mind, he thought everything about her was his business.
A small voice pricked the back of her mind, a voice she’d been ignoring since she’d found out Army was a Night Rebel. At that moment, she let it talk, and it asked if Army would be just like Vic. Would he leave her just because she was tainted by blood to Vic—Shark?
Mia leaned forward and retrieved her wine, taking a small sip. She didn’t want to think—especially after they’d gotten to know each other and shared so much as they came together in their want and desire for each other—that he would, or could, just walk away.
And what would I do if he did? Dammit … I don’t want to think about this. I’m putting the damn horse before the cart. Army had infiltrated her life, filling her mind even when he wasn’t around, and each time she thought about him, excitement surged through her blood like an elixir. What the hell did you do to me? The past few days they’d just spent together were a mixture of tender moments and fucking each other’s brains out. And … can he kiss. Damn. Each kiss had a raw intensity—fast breaths, hearts racing. When she’d arrived back home, hours after he touched her body, his smell still lingered on her skin.
Army Page 21
