She was home.
Smiling to himself, he began looking for a way in.
Chapter 36
Peyton
“I spoke to Phoenix. He’s going to send someone over,” Dom said.
“What do you mean?” I replied.
“He’s sending a prospect to your place. To keep an eye on things. In fact, he might already be there.”
I hurried over to the window and looked out into the darkness. I didn’t see anyone. “That’s not necessary. I obviously overreacted.”
After the stranger had left, I’d continued driving, still shaken. Instead of heading toward the clubhouse, however, I’d driven to Taco Bell and had a late snack.
“You said the guy looked like me,” he replied, not sounding convinced. “So, I doubt you overreacted, considering what’s been happening.”
“Who knows… maybe I just thought he looked like you because you were on my mind?” I said, wishing now that I hadn’t made him worry. He had enough on his plate as it was. I knew Dom was the kind of guy who wanted to protect everyone around him, and now this was stressing him out.
“You’ve been on my mind, too,” he said, a smile in his voice.
“Oh yeah?” I replied, sitting down on my bed.
“Definitely. I even told Ruby about you.”
“Oh, yeah?”
“I wanted her to know that I had a woman in my life.”
“I just hope she likes me.”
“I know she’ll love you.”
I grinned. “Is that what your spidey-senses tell you?”
He chuckled. “Speaking of senses,” he said in a low voice. “I think she has the same gifts as I do.”
“Really?” I replied, intrigued.
He told me a little bit about what they’d talked about and how her world had been filled with too many coincidences.
“They say it runs in the family.”
“Yeah.” He yawned. “It does. Anyway, I suppose I should let you go. I’m sure you’re tired, too.”
“I’m getting there.” My mind suddenly returned to the prospect. I’d almost forgotten. “Dom, I really think it’s a waste of time to send someone over. Why don’t you call Phoenix back and tell him to forget about it?”
“Can’t do that.”
“Of course, you can,” I said, noting the stubborn edge to his voice. “Seriously, Dom, I don’t need a bodyguard.”
“Look, you won’t even know the prospect is around. Just forget about him and get some sleep.”
It was obvious I wasn’t going to change his mind. I kicked off my tennis shoes. “I’d hate to have someone outside, wasting their time when they could be home in bed, sleeping.”
“Don’t worry your pretty little head about the prospect. Part of his initiation into the club is helping out in situations like this.”
I sighed. I had to admit, I felt a little relieved by the fact that someone would be watching over me. “Okay. If you really think it’s necessary.”
“Since I’m not around, it’s definitely necessary.”
“Oh, by the way, I picked up a few things at the store for Ruby.”
“You did? Like what?”
I told him.
“Wow, thank you. You didn’t have to do that,” he replied.
I stood back up and walked over to my closet. “I know. I just wanted to help. I know you have your hands full with the move and everything,” I replied, grabbing a robe.
“That will definitely help. She doesn’t have much.”
“Yeah, that’s what you said earlier. Anyway, she has you now. I’d say that’s more than a lot.”
“Thank you,” he said. “I just hope she sees it that way, too, someday.”
“She will. You two just have to get to know each other.”
“That’s what I keep telling myself. Anyway, I’m sure the dog helped.” He chuckled. “I guess I’m not above bribery.”
I looked over at Lucifurr, who was in his usual spot at the foot of my bed. He was curled up and sleeping soundly. He might not have been the most affectionate animal in the world, but I didn’t know what I’d do without him. “Admit it—you wanted a pet, too,” I said, smiling.
“Chilly was definitely, hard to resist. They’re a lot of work, though. I’d forgotten how much.” He groaned. “In fact, it looks like I need to clean up another accident.”
I laughed. “Okay. Call me, tomorrow morning?”
“Definitely.”
After we hung up, I turned off my bedroom light and peeked outside again, checking for the prospect. Not seeing anyone, I went and took a shower.
Chapter 37
Tarot
After hanging up with Peyton, I checked my messages and found one from Phoenix. He explained that the prospect that he’d sent over to her place hadn’t yet checked in.
Me - Who did you send over?
Phoenix – Hollywood.
Hollywood, AKA Jayce Morris. They called him Hollywood because he’d modeled for a short period in his late teens. He hadn’t meant for anyone to find out about it, but Brass was his cousin and loved to give him shit about it.
Me - I’ll try him. See how he’s doing and if he’s lost.
Phoenix - Okay, good. I’m not familiar with the area myself.
Me – No problem.
I scrolled through my contact list and found Jayce’s number. I sent him a message, asking him if he’d found Peyton’s place or needed help. He didn’t reply. A thought suddenly occurred to me and my stomach twisted. I quickly called Phoenix.
“Something is wrong,” I said, my heart pounding wildly in my chest. “I think Hollywood is in trouble.”
“Why?”
“He’s not answering and I just have this… overwhelming feeling that he’s in over his head.”
“You think he’s been hurt?” Phoenix asked, now sounding worried himself.
“Maybe. I just think we need to get more people over to Peyton’s. Something is about to go down, or already has. I’m certain of it.”
Phoenix swore. “Okay. Let me call Brass. We’ll head over there ourselves and check things out.”
“Thanks, brother,” I said.
“No problem.”
We hung up and I called Peyton back. Unfortunately, she didn’t answer either.
Chapter 38
Blade
Blade was in the middle of jimmying the lock on Peyton’s back porch when he heard the distinct click of a gun behind him.
“Stop right there, asshole,” ordered a man’s voice. “And put your hands up where I can see them.”
Clenching his jaw, Blade raised both hands into the air and turned around. He’d been expecting a cop, but instead found himself face-to-face with a Gold Viper’s prospect.
“Damn, you do look a lot like him,” said Jayce, squinting in the darkness.
“That’s because I am him, idiot,” growled Blade, trying to throw the prospect off guard. “Now, put that fucking gun down or you’ll never get into the Gold Vipers.”
The guy hesitated long enough for Blade to knock the gun out of his hand and slam his own revolver against the prospect’s skull. He went down, unconscious.
Blade looked around the house, wondering if anyone else from the Gold Vipers was there, but didn’t see any signs. Satisfied, he raced back to the unconscious prospect and grabbed his cell phone. He noticed a new text message. When he saw that it was from Tarot, Blade smiled and replied back.
Everything is cool. I’m here now, he typed.
A few seconds later, Tarot’s response was exactly what he wanted to see.
Thanks, brother. I was worried. Keep us updated.
Will do, replied Blade.
The prospect began to moan and Blade kicked him in the head, shutting him up once again. Then he shoved the guy’s phone into his pocket and went back to picking Peyton’s lock.
Chapter 39
Peyton
After the shower, I checked outside my windows, again, to see if the prospe
ct had arrived. Not seeing anyone, I decided that it was probably what he wanted. To be undetected.
Yawning, I told myself not to worry about it, and walked over to my dresser. I grabbed a pair of shorts, along with a T-shirt, and changed into them. As I was hanging my robe back up in the closet, I noticed Lucifurr leap from my bed and head out the door. It was odd, considering that he usually didn’t move until early morning. Curious, I decided to follow him.
“You hear something?” I whispered, when I found the cat perched on the back of the couch, next to the living room window.
I moved next to him and peeked through the blinds.
Lucifurr hissed.
“Settle down, grumpy,” I mumbled, thinking it was me he was hissing at. Unfortunately, I was wrong.
“Yeah, settle down,” mocked a deep voice behind me. “Pussy cat.”
My heart stopped. I turned around quickly and found the man who’d been following me earlier, standing in my living room.
“Surprise,” he said with a smirk.
Gasping, I stumbled away from the sofa and tried running toward the front door, but he grabbed me around the waist and pulled me back, against his chest.
“What do you want?!” I screamed, struggling to get away.
He chuckled softly, next to my ear. “To play.”
Knowing that if I didn’t get away, I’d either end up dead or wishing I was, I elbowed him in the stomach as hard as I could, like I’d seen people do in the movies.
Grunting, he let me go, but not long enough for me to get away. Before I could take two steps, he had me down on the sofa, his knee pressed against my chest.
“Nice try, bitch,” he sneered, staring down at me.
Tears filled my eyes from the pain of his knee digging into me.
Where in the hell was the prospect?
“Please let me go,” I begged.
“I will, but not after you and I have some fun,” he whispered, pulling a switchblade out of his jacket and smiling cruelly. “You ever been cut before?”
I stared at him in horror. “No. Please, don’t,” I croaked, imagining the pain he could inflict.
He touched the end of the blade to my cheek. “I take it Tarot didn’t foresee you and I together. Or maybe he did, and just didn’t give a shit. By the way, they call me Blade. I bet you know why.”
I didn’t answer. Instead, I held my breath, my mind racing for a way out. I was going to die. I just knew it.
“They say he and I look almost identical.”
I wanted to tell him that he could never compare. From a distance, there was definitely resemblance, but up close… he was as ugly on the outside as he was on the inside.
He continued. “But, I’m taller and… much bigger,” he grabbed my hand and put it on his bulging crotch. “See?”
I wanted to vomit, I was so repulsed. Worse yet, from the look on his face, he was obviously getting off by scaring me.
I tried pulling my hand away, but he held it firmly under his. “You don’t play… you pay,” he said, tapping my cheek with the tip of the knife.
My eyes filled with tears. I nodded.
“Good girl.” He moved my hand along his hard-on. “I can see why he likes you,” Blade, said, staring down at me with lust.
“Oh, yeah?” I squeaked, relieved that he’d at least moved the knife away from my face.
“Um-hmm.” He ran his hand over my breasts and then down between my legs. “I bet you’re nice and tight down there.”
You don’t play, you pay…
His threat gave me an idea, and as horrible as it sounded, I didn’t want to die.
Trying not to show how disgusted I was, I licked my lips and forced a smile to my face. “So, I’ve heard.”
He gave me a surprised look.
My mind began to race. Although there was no way in hell I would have sex with him, even if it meant my survival, I could hurt him and take my chances.
“This is kind of turning me on,” I lied, sickened by my own words.
“You sound like a girl after my own heart.”
I fluttered my eyelashes. “I might be after something other than your heart. Maybe you should show me what you’re packing, big-boy?”
He stared at me for a few seconds, thinking.
“If you don’t think you can compare…”
His eyes hardened. “I can compare.” Blade crawled off me and stood up. He removed his jacket, his cut, and then his T-shirt. With an arrogant smile, he unzipped his fly and took out his penis.
I averted my eyes quickly. “Oh, my. You were right. It’s huge,” I replied, telling him what he wanted to hear. As far as I was concerned, him exposing himself felt like some kind of twisted mental rape.
“Damn right it is,” he said. “You ready for it?”
Shuddering, I noticed the knife out of the corner of my eye. He’d set it down on the end table.
“Take off your shirt. I want to see your tits,” he ordered, groping my breasts.
Instinctively, I backed away.
His eyes hardened. “Get over here,” he growled, grabbing my T-shirt. He tore it away and began fondling my chest again.
“Wait,” I said in a shrill voice, pushing him away and standing up.
Blade was about to reach for the knife when I smiled. “Let me take off my shorts so you can fuck me with that big cock of yours.”
He grinned. “Good girl.”
I knew I couldn’t just grab the knife. He’d see me reaching for it.
“Actually, why don’t you remove them,” I said, turning around by the end of the sofa, near the knife. I bent over and shook my butt playfully.
His eyes gleamed. “You have one fine ass.” He reached forward to pull my shorts down, and that’s when I grabbed the knife and turned on him.
“Hey!” His eyes widening in surprise
I had one chance and knew it.
I lurched at him with the knife, aiming for his chest, using all of my strength.
He blocked it, getting stabbed in the hand instead. He screamed in agony.
Terrified, I raced out of the living room and into the kitchen. Shaking, I grabbed a knife from the butcher block and ran to the sliding glass door. As I was trying to unlock it, he grabbed me by the back of the hair and yanked it cruelly.
“You’re dead, you cunt,” he growled.
Crying out, I somehow managed to twist around and plunge the knife into his shoulder.
“Bitch!” he roared, stumbling backward.
I tore out of the house, half-naked, but one-hundred percent alive and it was more than I’d hoped for.
I rushed down the deck’s staircase and was about to run toward my car when I heard moaning. Turning to look back, I noticed one of Dom’s friends from the barbecue hunched under the deck. He was slowly getting to his feet and appeared to be hurt.
The prospect!
I went to the injured young man, keeping a watchful eye on the patio door.
“Are you okay, Jayce?” I whispered, trying my best to cover my breasts.
Noticing my nudity, he swore and then averted his eyes. “I’m fine. Just a dumbass who fucked up. The question is, are you okay?”
“Yeah. He, um, he tried raping me,” I whispered, looking above us. “I stabbed him, though. I might have even killed the asshole.”
“Let’s hope so.” Jayce pulled off his vest. “Where is he now?” he whispered back, removing his T-shirt.
Suddenly, we heard Blade step out onto the deck, mumbling obscenities.
We both looked at each other.
“Gonna kill that bitch,” grumbled Blade, staggering above. “Shoot her dead.”
Jayce handed me his T-shirt and then motioned for me to follow him. Holding it against my chest, we ran to the other side of the house, behind some lilac bushes.
“My bike is parked up the street,” he whispered as I turned around and quickly put the T-shirt on.
“Okay,” I said, noticing how shaky my hands were.
“Since the bastard took my gun, we have nothing to protect us with right now. We’re going to have to make a run for it.”
“I’m surprised he didn’t shoot you,” I replied, noticing that Jayce’s head was bleeding.
“It would have been too loud.”
Which would have alerted me, I thought.
“Are you seriously okay?”
He touched the top of his head and smiled humorlessly, when he saw the blood on his fingers. “Other than a pounding headache and double-vision, just peachy.”
“At least your sense of humor is still intact. We need to get you to a hospital.”
He looked around the bushes. “Let’s just try and get out of here first. Come on.” Jayce grabbed my arm and we took off. As we were running away from my house, I heard the sound of gunshots.
“Fuck,” said Jayce, ducking as one bullet nearly hit him. “Come on.” He pulled me toward the trees and we cut through one of the neighbor’s yards.
“I’m parked down the next block,” he said as we ran in the shadows past another house. After two more houses, Jayce had to stop. He looked over his shoulder. “It doesn’t look like he’s following.”
“Maybe he’s too hurt?” I moved closer to him and noticed how bad he looked. His face was as pale as the moon and he was sweating. “Are you going to be okay? You look like you’re ready to pass out.”
Before he could reply, we saw a pair of headlights turning around the corner. It was a white van and moving slowly.
“Shit. That’s probably him,” said Jayce.
Suddenly, the owner of the house we were standing next to turned on the outdoor lights. Jayce and I quickly ducked back into the shadows.
Luring the Biker (The Biker) Book 7 Page 14
