“Can I join you?” I asked when I neared him.
He didn’t look up, just kept his focus on the stage. “I’m not interested. Keep moving, sweetheart.”
“Not interested in what?”
He flicked his eyes at me. “Sorry. Thought you were someone else.”
“Like a hooker?”
He shrugged.
“Well?”
“Well, what?” He looked at me, confused.
“May I join you?”
“I’m not very good company, but . . .” He waved a hand, offering me space at his booth.
“I don’t need good company,” I said, sliding in.
It wasn’t long before a cocktail server took our order, paying extra-special attention to Jack.
Leaning back, I made myself comfortable and listened to the soft rhythm of the band. The sound was nice, calming.
“I never pegged you as a jazz guy,” I said.
“I’m not really. But it’s close to the hotel, and I just wanted to relax a bit.”
“But not in your room like Mrs. J. and the ladies?”
“I’m bunking with Hank,” he said. “Let’s just say that with all of the driving, he’s not in the best of moods.”
“How are you holding up?” I asked.
“Fine.”
“Physically, maybe. But what about your heart?”
“Still ticking.”
“You know what I mean,” I said.
The server returned with our drinks. Jack took the beer from her hand and gulped half of it.
“I know what you mean, but I don’t have any answers for you,” he said, setting the bottle in front of him.
“You don’t have to have answers. I just thought you might like a sounding board.”
He took another sip and leaned back, eyeing me. “Maybe you’re the one who needs a sounding board.”
“Rand has had the unfortunate privilege of being it, but it’s always nice to talk to friends too.” I stirred the cocktail in front of me, watching the ice swirl. “Fine. I’ll start. Annie is free, and Brett has to kill me or his entire family will be wiped out. That’s it.”
“I already know that. Just like you already know that Andrea is on some crazy vendetta to get even with me. It was college, for God’s sake!”
“You mean she’s still mad about you switching the sugar and the salt?”
“That, and a few other pranks. Really, it was all in good fun.”
“And she’s still mad about it?”
“You’ve seen her around me. She turns into a mad screeching animal.”
“Then avoid her.”
“I do. But it’s been nearly impossible.”
“Why? It’s not like you travel in the same circles.”
“We have recently. After the bar shut down I checked the help wanted ads.”
“It’s only temporarily closed!”
“I know, but I still need money to live. So I looked around and found that the cooking school we had gone to was hiring two aids.”
“Oh, no. Don’t tell me you and Andrea were both hired.”
He nodded. “It’s been hell. And that was only orientation. We don’t officially start for another week.”
Sitting back, I studied him. I had no doubt it’d been hell. Just witnessing a couple of altercations between the two wasn’t pleasant.
“Is it worth it?” I asked.
He shrugged. “I’ve always liked the school and the teachers. It’s something that I’d be good at. And it was nice being back.”
“Is that the kind of career you want?”
“I never thought about it much. I’ve always known I’d work at the bar, and I was happy there. But if the bar didn’t open again, I think I’d like to try teaching. It’d be a change.”
“Then I guess proceed with caution. Mrs. J. has been taking nunchuck lessons, in case you need some self-defense pointers.”
He smiled. “I think I can hold my own. But a pair of earplugs might come in handy.”
“Did you like her?” I asked.
“Andrea?” He looked as if I had asked him to mate with the devil. But, maybe that’s who he thought she was.
“Yes, before the pranks. When you first started school.”
“I thought she was pretty,” he admitted. “She has those crystal-blue eyes. But she was always a know-it-all. Thought her work was the best and no one’s opinion mattered. Team work was a nightmare.”
“And so you started playing tricks on her.”
He grinned. “That was the most fun I’d had in my entire life. Watching her reaction: priceless.”
“Then you should be happy,” I said. “Looks like you’ll be able to have more fun in the near future.”
“A few more pranks for old time’s sake?” He nodded thoughtfully, his grin widening. “You know, I think this sounding board stuff might just be working. I’m suddenly feeling much better.”
I laughed. “Just take it slow. You don’t want all-out war.”
He shook his head. “I know how far to push the envelope. She has a short fuse, if you hadn’t noticed.”
“I noticed. I also noticed that she can be really nice too.”
He shrugged dismissively, then eyed me. “Your turn.”
“I think we problem solved enough for tonight.”
“Don’t hold out on me. That’s not fair.”
“But you know everything. And I’ll probably be dead tomorrow, so what’s the point?” I said it to be flippant, but it stabbed like a saber.
“Don’t say that,” he scolded, then sighed. “When Mrs. J. rounded us up and told us to hit the road, I couldn’t believe the story she told us. I thought for sure she had lost her mind. Then I heard over the radio about Annie, and I knew it was for real. I know you have to be worried, but we’ll join up with the Comets tomorrow. She can’t touch you with all of us near. In fact, you shouldn’t be here.” He quickly looked around the room as if Annie might be lurking in the next booth. “I’ll pay the bill, and then we’ll head straight for the hotel.”
“I can’t. Sylvia is supposed to meet me here.” I scanned, looking for her. “I thought she would’ve been here by now. Maybe she’s still at the store.”
“What store?”
“Across the street. When I saw you, I had been waiting outside for her. I told to meet me here. She was at the register.”
“Maybe she decided to drop the bag off at the hotel before joining us.”
“It’s possible,” I said, but I doubted it. Once Sylvia knew a bar was the next destination, she rarely tarried.
“Why don’t we check the store?” he suggested. “I’ll pay the bill on the way out. We shouldn’t stay here longer than we have to. I don’t know what I was thinking.”
“Andrea.”
His lips curved, fighting a grin. “Yeah. I guess.”
We slid out from the booth and maneuvered through the club. In the short time we were there, the bar had filled, making it much more crowded and difficult to navigate through.
“Meet me by the door,” he said, wedging through to the bar. “I’ll take care of the tab.”
I nodded, relieved that I didn’t have to try to wade over. When I finally made it to the door, I found there was nowhere to stand on the inside. Stepping outside, I found it just as crowded. It must be late and the night crowd was descending upon the clubs. Since I didn’t have a watch to check the time, I took out my phone. My eyes caught on a new text. The same five-digit number.
How did he get my new number? I’d only had the burner phone for a couple of days. And if he had the information, surely Brett and Annie would have it by now too. Now scared, I glanced around me, finding every unfamiliar face suspicious and threatening. As I turned to flee inside to find Jack, a hand wrapped around my arm, holding me.
I screamed.
Chapter 15
My ear-piercing scream gained attention. Those near me stopped, wondering what was wrong—or perhaps wondering why an old lady had
a twelve-inch phallic clutched to her chest.
“Cripes, Mars! You nearly gave me a heart attack. Why did you scream?”
“I’m so sorry, Sylvia. I was scared, and then you grabbed my arm.”
“I was trying to get your attention,” she said. “So many people out tonight.”
Jack bulldozed his way out to the sidewalk. “Did you scream? Are you okay?”
“Sylvia scared me,” I said. “Did you hear me inside?”
“The whole club did.” He glanced at Sylvia, only to have to stare at her again. “Why are you holding that?”
I felt his presence. Brett. He was here. It wasn’t the cold chill I had felt before at the gas station. This was a warm warning. Brett was close, and if Jack heard my scream from inside the bar, Brett was sure to have heard it.
“We’re drawing too much attention,” I said. “Let’s go back to the hotel.”
“What about the bar? Dinner?” Sylvia asked.
“Brett’s here. I can’t stay.”
Jack and Sylvia quickly scanned the crowd. “Where?” they both asked.
“I don’t know. I’ve been able to feel his presence before. I feel it again. He’s close.”
Without further explanation, Jack and Sylvia walked on either side of me, closing the gaps. We tried to hurry to the hotel only a short distance away, but our progress was slow as we weaved through the milling crowd.
“I can’t believe he found us so fast,” Sylvia said.
I believed it. With the entire gang of ladies and bikers helping me, it’d be simple for him. He’d even know what hotel . . .
I halted. “If he’s here, he knows where we’re staying. We’ll walk straight into him.”
“Is there a back door?” Jack asked.
“Should we even attempt it?” Sylvia asked. “We’d be stuck in the building with him.”
“The others are in there,” he said. “It’s no good to anyone if we start splitting up.”
“Let’s check the back, then,” she said. “But as soon as I get to the room, I’m bolting the door.”
I didn’t want to tell her that locking the door to Brett would be useless. It’d be like saying, “don’t cross that line.” He could, and he would. Thankfully, my room was paid for in cash. He’d have a harder time finding me.
“Maybe everyone should move into my room,” I said as we ducked through the alley. “He’ll find the rest of you before he finds me.”
“Have the bikers and the ladies stay with you?” Jack asked as if I was cracked. “That’s sixteen people in one room.”
“That’s okay, Mars,” Sylvia said. “If Brett finds us, we’ll tell him we’re on holiday. I can stall him by giving him a personal tour of my new things,” she said, waving the johnson.
That wouldn’t stall him. It’d make him run. But it also meant that the girls might just be safe. I doubted he’d lay a hand on them. But that was the Brett I thought I knew. There was no telling what hitman Brett Thompson would do.
My heart withered a little more. By the time we reached Boston, I doubt I’d have much of it left.
Harvard!
Harvard was near Boston. I could leave tonight, hide out at Evan’s, and meet up with everyone the next day.
But, how would I get there? Damn. No, it was a bad idea. I couldn’t show up at Evan’s apartment. It wouldn’t be fair to involve him in this.
“I don’t like this,” Sylvia said, her footsteps slowed. “There’s hardly any light back here.”
Jack stopped. “Let’s turn around.”
She nodded. “It’s better out front where there are witnesses.”
We rushed back out to the front and crushed in through the revolving door. It jammed, trapping us. We couldn’t move forward or backward.
“My johnson is stuck,” Sylvia panicked. “My johnson is stuck!”
“Yank it out,” Jack yelled.
“I can’t! It’s stuck!”
“Use the lube,” I hollered, crushed to the window like a splattered bug. I groaned as Sylvia fumbled in her bag, elbowing me in the back.
“It won’t open,” she cried. “I can’t get the seal off.”
“Use your nails,” Jack ordered.
“I tried!”
“Give it here,” Jack growled. In his fight to get the bottle, he also elbowed me in the back. “Shit!”
I felt it as soon as he cursed. The extra-large bottle of love oil rained down, oozing down the glass, trickling down my arms and neck, and coating the floor.
We all hollered as Sylvia’s toy slipped out from the door and we fell into the lobby, sliding to a turbulent stop at the concierge desk.
Groaning again, I stood only to slip in my slick shoes, falling back into a heap on top of Jack.
He cursed. “Take off your shoes, both of you!”
“He’s here,” I squeaked, eyeing Brett across the wide lobby. “Brett’s here!”
I ripped off my shoes, abandoning them as I ran full speed to the closing elevator. “Hurry!” I yelled, punching the open button so Jack and Sylvia could make it in time. As soon as they rushed in, I punched the closed button. “Close, damn it!” I repeatedly hit the button until the doors finally began to move.
I took a breath, relieved that we were safe in the elevator. Right before the doors closed, I looked up and saw Brett still across the lobby. Our eyes met, and it was as if the Sledgehammer had taken a swing at me. His eyes were dark, angry. And then the doors closed.
“As soon as we get to our floor, run to your rooms and warn everyone you can,” I said.
“What about you?” Sylvia asked.
“I have to warn Rand.”
Jack shook his head. “No, I’ll stay with you. I can call Hank and the others from your room.”
I nodded. If he wanted to stay with me, I wouldn’t say no.
The doors opened, and we bolted. Sylvia scurried down one hall, while Jack and I headed to my room down the opposite side. We made it into the room just as the staircase door opened.
Bolting the room door, I leaned against it. I couldn’t seem to catch my breath; my heart pounded as if it wanted to burst from my body.
I felt him again. Brett was right outside the door. Turning, I looked through the peep hole. Brett stood on the other side of the door, staring back at me with furious eyes.
He’d found me.
And then he walked away.
Why? Why would he walk away? He’d found me. Just like I could feel his presence, I also felt his acknowledgment of that connection. He knew I was here. And yet he just walked away. What was his purpose in coming if it wasn’t me?
“Come away from the door,” Jack said. He drug a chair over and wedged it under the handle.
“He’s gone. Brett was standing there, and then he left.”
“If he left, then he’s picking his battles. It’s not like you’d open the door for him. We’ll lie low tonight and meet up with everyone tomorrow.” Jack looked down at himself, covered in lubricant.
I cautiously peek at myself and found we were identically goobered.
He laughed, and I couldn’t help but join him.
“She yelled her johnson was stuck,” Jack sputtered, laughing harder than before.
“You told her to yank it out.”
We crumpled into a fit of giggles. My sides hurt as I fell into silent, body-shaking laughter.
When it subsided, I wiped the tears away, realizing they weren’t only from laughing.
“It’s okay, Mars,” he said, pulling me into a hug. “We’ll figure out what to do. In fact, we should be calling people to warn them.”
I nodded. He was right.
“I’ll start with Hank, Bob, and Mac,” he said. “You call the ladies and make sure they’re okay. Rand too.”
I nodded again and fumbled with my phone. How had all my fingers turned into thumbs?
Jack clasped his hand over mine, steadying them. “Brett’s moved on. You can relax.”
Maybe that’s why I c
ouldn’t relax. He might have moved on but now he was invisible again. He knew where I was, but I had no eyes on him and no idea what he was planning.
Taking a shaky breath, I steadied my hands and dialed Mrs. Janowski. She answered on the first ring.
“Sylvia briefed us on what happened,” she said. “We’ll be on guard all night. What room are you in? We’ll send a biker over.”
“No need,” I said. “Jack is with me.”
“Good. Make sure one of you stays alert at all times. I’ll call you once we have a plan set in place.”
My next call was to Rand. He didn’t answer as quickly as Mrs. Janowski did, but then again, I wasn’t sure if he’d answer my call at all. Over the past day he had been civil to me, almost nice. But I knew not to expect it to last long.
“Why are you calling me on this number? You know Brett can track it,” he barked. “We have adjoining rooms, for God’s sake. Knock on the damn door.”
In my high-adrenaline scatterbrain, I had automatically used my saved contact number without thinking. “I didn’t know if you’d be decent! And why is your phone turned on if you’re so concerned?”
“I forgot Lil and Mike’s number. I turned it on to get it. And then Emily decided to call, whining about poor, fucking Brett. And now you’re calling.” Rand cursed. “The asshole’s going to be breathing down our necks by morning.”
“He already is. I called to tell you he’s here at the hotel. I saw him, and he knows what room I’m in. I just wanted to warn you.”
“Are you okay?”
“Yes, for now. I’m locked in, and Jack is here.”
“Jack?” Rand questioned. “I knew you had something going on with him.”
“Like anyone in their right mind would get mixed up with me now,” I growled.
“We all have our types,” he muttered. “Knock if something happens.”
“Yes, because I could knock if I died.”
I distinctly heard him curse all women right before he hung up.
“Hank’s not answering his phone,” Jack said, frowning. “Bob and Mac haven’t seen him since he turned in.”
“Maybe he’s sleeping.”
“Possible, but he’s a light sleeper. Any slight noise wakes him up. As a kid, I tried to play tricks on him, but I could never get close enough without waking him.”
Biker Brigade Page 14
