“If he shows up tomorrow, then he is in the clear.” What if they were wrong? It was possible that Wesley came inside through some other means. Maybe he broke in. It was possible that the waiter was just another innocent guy who was looking to make an honest buck. She stood. There was no point thinking about it. They still had work to do. Whatever was meant to happen would happen, and in the meantime she also needed to earn her money.
By mutual, silent consent, the girls began setting up the tables. By the time the police officers came out with Johnny, the pub was set to receive the customers. Johnny glanced around and nodded in approval. He didn’t say anything as the officers walked over to Riley. “We’re going to check this doll for fingerprints. In the meantime, we ask that you be careful.”
“What if this is a joke?” said Miriam.
“Do you have any information that shows that it could be one?” asked one of the officers. Miriam shook her head. He turned his attention back to Riley. “In that case, we will assume that it’s a message from the man who is stalking you. We urge you not to move alone or remain by yourself in the house or in the pub. Limit your movements and watch carefully.”
She had done that for all of her adult life. “Yes, of course. Thank you, officers.”
After they left, she resumed her work. Chance strode by. “I have told Ryan to keep his eyes on you.”
“I doubt he would come inside a pub full of customers and stab me though.”
He grimaced at her description. “I wouldn’t put anything past this guy.” He enveloped her in a hug. The feel of his arms around her boosted her courage. And yet she also felt uncomfortable. He was going through this mess because of her. “Be careful. That’s all I ask.”
Overwhelmed by his concern, she nodded as he let her go. “I will do what I can.”
“Try to do better than that.” He kissed her lightly on the lips and then left.
“If I had a guy like that, I would never let him go.” Miriam sighed. She’d been shamelessly eavesdropping on their conversation. “Johnny is pissed. He didn’t want Chance to call the police, but I was so impressed when Chance stood his ground.”
And he would probably pay for that. He’d told her a little about his conversation with Mathew. She had a feeling that he didn’t share everything. Obviously, the Comanche Sons wouldn’t be happy that he dragged the police to their bar. Now, he might face serious repercussions. The longer she stayed her, the more trouble she brewed. Now it wasn’t just her life at stake, but all those who were around her. With that message, Wesley served two purposes: First, he told her that he was still around, waiting and watching. Second, he let her know that he could access any place of hers without much trouble. It meant that Chance wasn’t safe because he hung out with her, nor were Ryan, Jane, Miriam, and even Johnny.
She had led all these people into a lot of trouble.
“Let’s just get back to work,” said Riley. “I wouldn’t want to irritate Johnny even more.”
“As if he is going to do anything to you. The guy adores you because you are his best worker, even better than me.”
“You can be just as good if you stop texting and checking your phone every five minutes.”
Miriam grinned as she took out her phone. “Social media is something special, Riley. You should try it. I got three new friends requests today on Facebook. Must be the people I met last night at this great new club. Hey, you should come check it with me. Chance can come, too. I’ve got this hot date and let me tell you…”
As Miriam chattered and talked, Riley did the work she was paid for. Her mind was ablaze with fears and concerns. It was time to do what she should have done ages ago. She’d become weak. Chance had made her so. It was difficult for her to make the hard decisions that she used to make so quickly. She would have to fix her game.
Even though she was quaking inside her fear, Riley did her job. She served the customers, delivered the orders, and even joked. Long ago, she had learned to compartmentalize her fears and put them in one corner of her mind so that they didn’t take over her life. If she gave vent to them, she wouldn’t be able to do anything else. Johnny came out three times to check on her progress, as if he expected her to implode, but she was always firmly in control.
“How are you holding up?” said Ryan when she came to deliver another order.
“I am fine. Nothing to worry about.”
“It’s a huge thing for anyone. If it was me, I would want to go back home and crawl under the blanket for a few hours,” he said.
She wanted to do the same, but Riley learned ago that staying still would get her killed faster. She tilted her lips in a smile. “I’m really ok, Ryan. Thanks.”
“Hey, sugar, can I get a beer?” said a man as he lumbered forward. Huge, tall, and bearded, he oozed an air of authority that she couldn’t quite ignore. “Quickly.”
“Yes, sir.” She walked over to the fridge and picked out a beer. When she handed it over, he opened it and drank some. “Where is the manager of this place?”
“That would be Johnny. He is out back.”
“Run down there, sugar, and tell him that Mathew is here.”
Mathew. Mathew. Where had she heard the name? The way he talked and looked, it was impossible to say no. Riley had the distinct feeling that this man belonged to the motorcycle club that owned this bar, and he was here because of the incident that happened in the morning. Strolling down the corridor, she knocked on Johnny’s office door.
“Come in,” he said.
She opened the door a little. “Some guy named Mathew is here.”
“What the hell are you doing, woman? Get him. Wait. I will go myself.” Springing up from his chair, he strode down the corridor ahead of her.
So, yes, Mathew was indeed someone important. When she got out, Johnny was just ushering in the man. As she crossed them, Mathew’s gaze followed her as if he knew exactly who she was. Riley felt uneasy. She strolled out into the main hall and resumed her work. By the time they called in the last order, her feet were aching. Chance was already seated on one of the stools, nursing his single beer that he always drank whenever he came in the bar, which was most nights because of her. The man sure had changed his life because of her, and all she had given in exchange were headaches and fights.
When the last customers stumbled out, Ryan closed the door. “Wow! It was a hot night today.”
“I hopped and skipped between tables. Who was that guy who talked to Johnny for half an hour in the office and then dominated that table over there for another two? The number of people who came to greet him was far too many,” said Jane as she counted her tips. “This was our busiest night ever.”
“That’s because that was Mathew, the second-in-command of the Comanche Sons. When people heard that he was here, they came in to say hello,” said Ryan.
Chance sat straighter. He finished the last of his beer and set the bottle aside. “Mathew was here?”
“Yep! I guess…Johnny must have told him what happened, and he came to see the situation,” said Ryan. “I haven’t seen him around for ages. He doesn’t usually come to the bars. The man is too busy establishing other businesses for the club.”
Riley exchanged a glance with Chance. They both knew what it meant. Once more he would be called to ask why he dragged the police into the club’s business. Of course, this time the situation was much worse. The police came inside the bar, and Mathew wouldn’t let it go that easily. She was enveloped in guilt. His work was affected because of her.
She couldn’t take it anymore.
“Let’s go,” she said.
Johnny came out of the back room. “Riley, wait. I need to talk to you.”
She exchanged another glance with Chance as she followed him. “What is it?”
“Close the door, please.” Johnny didn’t sit. Instead, he leaned against the table. “Look, Riley, you’re a great waitress. I like that you not only pull your weight but you also train and encourage others. If it wasn’t fo
r you, Jane wouldn’t have gotten a hang of things so quickly.”
She didn't even bat an eyelid. “But…”
He had the grace to blush. “But I can’t afford for the police to turn up here due to your issues. We don’t like such hassles. While I am sorry that you are going through this shit, it’s not our business and we don’t want to make it so.”
“So you’re firing me.”
“Letting you go,” he said. “I have even typed up a reference letter for you and given you two weeks of extra pay since we’re not giving you any notice. I am really sorry, but I have gotta do what the brass says, and they want you gone.”
She accepted the letter and the check. It was more generous than she expected. The references would come in handy when she got another job. “Thanks, Johnny.”
“You really have a lot of potential, Riley. If…all this hadn’t happened, I would have loved for you to take over as manager, but I guess that’s not meant to be.”
“No, I guess not.” She thrust out her hand. “Thank you, Johnny, for everything. I had a good time working for you.”
“It was a pleasure. Too bad…about what happened.”
She didn’t grace him with a reply. Instead, Riley strode out. She didn’t care. This was fine. Everything would work out. This sudden move was actually a big thing for her; it forced her to move into the right direction. Now, she knew exactly what she had to do.
Chapter Eight
Chance paced the living room. Temper and annoyance roiled deep in his gut. There was too much at stake here, and he couldn’t understand why Riley was so calm. Her composure frightened him more than the anger she sometimes displayed. His glance darted her way, as she flipped the channels on the remote, looking for something to watch.
“You should’ve protested,” he said for the umpteenth time. “How can they kick you out of the bar without any valid reason? It wasn’t your fault that the man accessed the place.”
“It happened because of me. If I wasn’t there, Wesley wouldn’t have come.” She shrugged. “And I am glad that they let me go. If they hadn’t, I would have quit anyway. He came inside, he actually interacted with some of them, and he could have decided to stab one of them instead of me.”
“That’s just conjecture.”
He could tell that she wasn’t willing to argue about this anymore. Chance’s gaze darted to one of the colored sketches she’d propped on the counter. It showed the park they visited the other day. The details of the bridge, the flowing water, and the ducks were perfectly drawn, so much so that he almost felt like diving into the water. He strolled forward and picked it up. “Can I take this as a gift for Simon? I am going today to have a conversation with him. He has a wall where he displays arts and crafts.”
“Sure.” She nodded. For some reason, he had the feeling that her mind was elsewhere. Was she planning to leave this town now that her job was gone?
He couldn’t bear it if she did so, but he didn’t quite know how to stop her. If he told her that he loved her, she might bolt faster than before. He simply couldn’t take the risk. Walking over, he sat beside her and took her hand in his. “You will be able to get another job without much problem. I know a few people…”
“Don’t bother, Chance. It might not be a bad idea for me to take it easy for a week or so.” She turned to smile at him. There was something sad in her eyes, something he couldn’t quite understand. For some reason, he had the violent urge to not leave her side. What if he came home and she was gone? No. She’d said that she wouldn’t do that to him. And there was much work that he had to do. “Why don’t you go ahead? I’m going to stay inside.”
“What if he comes in?”
“He can’t. You know that the locks are solid, and I am not going to be stupid enough to let anyone in,” she assured him. “Believe it or not, I do want to stay alive.”
Chance checked his watch. “I have still got a couple of hours. Simon said he wouldn’t be in before five in the evening.”
“Why does he want to meet with you anyway?”
“No idea. He said he will discuss whatever it is with me when he sees me,” he replied, feeling a little distracted as she shifted on her seat. The short dress that she wore skidded up her thighs to reveal creamy, smooth skin. His mouth watered at the sight. Lifting his hand, he put it on her thigh and felt her muscles quiver under his touch.
As always, arousal was instantaneous.
Carefully, she switched off the TV and set the remote aside. “I can think of a few ways to make the most of these two hours.”
He fondled her flesh, enjoying the way it trembled under the pads of his fingers. “Really?”
“Oh yes.”
His fingers crept up her skin until he found her velvety mound. Her panties were already wet. His finger stroked her center through the delicate cloth while his gaze locked with hers. It was erotic and sensuous to watch the expressions flit across her face while he fondled her. He put his palm on her mound and actually felt the quiver of excitement that lanced through her body.
Removing his hand, he grabbed her hand and tugged her up. When she stood, he beckoned her and made her sit on his lap. “I can never have enough of you.”
She ran a finger down his cheek. “Nor can I.”
Her lips captured his in a kiss that was hot and violent. He could feel the need that coiled and looped within her, as she tasted each nook and cranny in his mouth as if it was the last time they would ever make love. Her skin was hot under his, as he put his hands on her thighs to hold her on his lap. The touch of her was enough to drive him over the edge of insanity. His fingers looped under her panties and wriggled them off her hips. She rose up a little without breaking contact with his lips and allowed him to slide them off. After she stepped out of them, she settled on him once more.
As she kissed him, her tongue mingling with his in an age-old dance, his fingers bushed over her pussy. Sticky juices leaked out and coated his finger. Carefully, he inserted one finger inside her. She threw back her head and groaned while his hands settled on his shoulders and held on. Seeing her lose control made him even hornier. Yet, he wanted to take his time. He slid his finger inside and then brought it out again. Once more he repeated the move, and then again and again as she buckled over him.
Sweat lined her forehead as she jerked. The scent of her arousal filled his nostrils. Within the confines of his jeans, his cock was hard and ached with need. He wanted to pound in her moist depths. He longed to crush his pelvic bone against her while she buckled under him; but first, he wanted to reduce her to a mass of quivering muscles.
He desired to put his mark on her.
She was his, only his.
When his thumb found the sensitive nub within her pussy, her hands clenched on his shoulders. He felt her fingernails burn into his flesh through the shirt that he wore. Eagerly, she lifted his shirt up and jerked it off his head. Her head bent, and she bit the skin on his neck. The sweet bite heightened his desire. He pressed hard on her clit, and the orgasm that rippled through her was wild and stormy.
Taking out his finger, he held her with both hands on her waist. Her body vibrated from the aftermath of the orgasm. Bending her head, she kissed him once more. Her long, sensuous tongue caressed his lips and entered his mouth to lay claim to her territory. For a long time, their lips remained fused together. He tasted each inch of her mouth, relishing the way she sighed and settled over him.
Finally, she drew away. With her hand, she brushed back his hair. Her fingers traced the length of his face, down his throat, and then on to his chest. “You drive me crazy.”
He longed to say the words, but he swallowed them and instead said, “That was nothing. I have got more where that came from.”
Her fingers skipped over his chest, down to his lean stomach, and then pressed on the spot where his cock was straining against his jeans. “I have no doubt about it.”
As he gazed into her eyes, she fiddled with the buttons of his jeans. He raised h
is hips and helped her slide them off. Now, his cock rose high up in the air, saluting her beauty. Her fingers clamped around it. The gentle touch made desire slam into his heart. He could feel the heat of it, the need, and the passion that careened through every fiber of his body.
He wanted to possess her.
This aching need of his to own every inch of her body was frightening. Chance was quite aware that he never felt like this about another woman, and he couldn't quite understand the hold she held over him. It wasn’t just sex, but something more.
If he named these emotions, she would run away.
Rather than reflect on his feelings, he took off her dress and then her bra so that she sat naked over him. His hands pressed and squeezed her heavy, firm breasts. The curve of them, the shape of them, enticed him. He leaned forward and took one bud in his mouth. Chance felt it swell inside her mouth while she lifted her hips and positioned herself. Her juices rubbed over his cock, as it strained to reach deep inside her depths.
Defiant Loyalty (Comanche Sons Motorcycle Club Book 2) Page 6
