Shadow laughed, giving me a gentle squeeze. “Is Jane staying with you tonight?”
“I don’t think so. She’s pissed at her husband, but she’ll probably still go home.” I shifted to face him. “Why?”
“I want you to behave badly.”
I grinned, licking my lips. “We’ll make sure that happens, then.”
In the end, Otter and Shiloh left early, taking Sharon with them, and Jane got a ride from Dylan who’d stayed sober to be the designated driver.
Wanting to be close to Sharon, I insisted on going back to my place instead of staying at the club, and I made sure some bad behavior happened before we finally slept.
* * *
“Why don’t you just do your class live from here?” Shadow asked as I piled my hair on top of my head.
“There’s not enough room, honey.”
“There would be if you moved the sofa.”
I rolled my eyes in his direction. “And who’s going to move the sofa every time I have a class?”
“Me.”
“I have three days this week that I’ll need you to move the sofa. It’s just easier to do it from the studio.”
“Dylan’s with you then.”
I sighed. “I already agreed to that. What’s wrong?”
He wrapped his arms around my waist. “Just got a bad feeling.”
“Well, stop it,” I ordered. “Everything’s good. I wear my necklace any time you’re not with me, which I love, by the way.” I stroked his cheek. “I’m covered.”
“Don’t go anywhere without Dylan.”
“I won’t,” I promised.
He leaned down and kissed me, and it quickly grew heated. I groaned, pulling away. “And stop trying to distract me with your mouth.”
He grinned. “No promises.”
“Are you following me to the studio or is Dylan coming here first?”
“I’m following, then hangin’ around until he gets there.”
“Let’s go, then,” I ordered, and slid my shoes on.
Shadow followed me to the studio, and we arrived to find Jane slamming all manner of things down on the floor. She was obviously pissed, so Shadow walked away, and I stepped closer to her.
“Mother fucking—”
“Janie?”
She looked up at me with tears streaming down her face, a huge bruise surrounding her right eye.
I dropped to my knees beside her. “Oh my god, Jane, what happened?”
“I told Frederick I wanted a divorce.”
“And he hit you?”
“Yes. After he drained my savings account. He’s hidden the money and I have no idea where.”
“Well, you can’t go home.”
“I have nowhere else to go,” Jane said. “But yes, I can’t go home.”
“You can stay with me.”
“Honey, you don’t have room.”
“I will make room,” I said, taking her hands and squeezing them. “You can crash on the sofa. Or take my bed, I don’t care.”
“Did you say your man hit you?”
This quiet, angry question came from Shadow who was standing in the doorway of the yoga room.
“He stole her savings, too,” I said.
Jane nodded. “But he’s not my man. Not anymore.”
Shadow pulled his phone out of his pocket. “Hey, brother. Got a second to do some money retrieval?”
I frowned as Jane and I stood.
“Yeah. Posey’s friend, Jane.” He handed his phone to Jane. “Talk to Rabbit. He’s gonna find your money.”
Jane looked confused but took the phone from him and put it to her ear. “Hello?”
I closed the distance between me and Shadow, and he wrapped an arm around my waist.
“Do you really think Rabbit will find the money?”
“Hell, yeah. He’ll probably do a little more than that, too. Just sit back and wait for the magic.”
I smiled up at him. “She’s coming to my place tonight.”
He sighed. “I heard.”
“Can you live without pussy rights for a day?”
He kissed my temple. “Nope. We’ll have to be quiet.”
Students began to file in for the first class of the day and I had to pull away from Shadow. He followed Jane back to my office and when Dylan arrived, waved goodbye as I was in the middle of a class.
The second I had a break, I rushed back to my office where Dylan and Jane were chatting. “So?” I asked. “What did Rabbit say?”
Jane smiled. “He found the money.”
“That fast?”
“Yep. He also asked me if I wanted any evidence of our marriage erased.”
“No way,” I breathed out. “Can he do that?”
“Rabbit can do anything,” Dylan said, proudly.
“So, are you going to have him do that?”
“Hell, yes,” Jane said. “Now I just have to get all my stuff out of our condo without seeing him.”
“We’re gonna help,” Dylan said.
“Now you can buy a little house,” I said. “You probably won’t have to rent if you don’t want to.”
Jane grinned. “This is very true.”
“Rhett can help find you something. Do you want me to call her?”
“Just send me her contact info. I’ll call her,” Jane said.
I pulled out my phone and sent her the contact card, then it was time for my first massage client, so I left Jane with Dylan and focused on my work.
Thankfully, the day flew by, and then Jane followed me home where we rummaged through the fridge and cupboards to find something for Jane to cook.
Shadow texted me and let me know he was going to be late, but Otter was home, so I was covered, as was Jane, and that he’d see me tomorrow.
Me: Or you could come over after.
Shadow: It’ll be late, late.
Me: I’ll leave door unlocked for you.
Shadow: No. I’ll get spare from Otter.
Me: I’ll leave the extra under mat by back slider. Keep it.
Shadow: Yeah?
Me: Yeah.
Once dinner was ready, I collected Sharon, left the spare key under the mat, then spent the rest of the evening in easy company until I fell into bed.
Without Shadow.
The last thing I thought about as I fell asleep was that I didn’t like sleeping without him, and in the future, would avoid it at all costs.
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
Posey
“HI, MAMA,” I said, answering my phone as I grabbed my keys out of the bowl by the door. Shadow had been called in for another shift at the firehouse, so Dylan was waiting outside to follow me to the studio.
“I haven’t talked to you in a week,” she said, her tone one of admonishment.
“I know,” I breathed out, pulling open the front door.
“Right. Dinner tonight. Bring your man.”
“He’s working, Mama. But I can be there. Six?”
“Yes, perfect,” she said, and hung up.
I smiled. Typical Mom. She said her piece and didn’t tend to overstay her welcome in the form of words.
I pulled up to the studio, just as my phone rang again. “Mom, I told you—”
“It’s me, baby.”
“Oh, sorry.” I chuckled. “I wasn’t expecting you to call.”
“Had a minute and wanted to hear your voice.”
“Are you okay?” I asked, unlocking the door and heading to my office.
“Rough rescue today. A pregnant woman. Someone rear ended her on the Talmadge and slammed her car into the side. Airbag may have hurt the baby.”
“Oh my god,” I breathed out. “I wish I could wrap my arms around you right now.”
“Me too,” he said. “How’s your mom?”
“She’s good. I’m going to her place for dinner tonight.”
“Oh, yeah?”
“Yeah. I wish you weren’t on shift. She wanted you to join us.” I dropped my purse on my desk, then
leaned against it.
“Another time,” he said. “Soon.”
“Okay, honey.”
“I gotta let you go. I’ll see you tonight.”
“Be safe.”
“Always,” he said, and hung up.
I had a blissfully breezy day, especially with Dylan helping me prep between classes. He was the best non-employee I’d ever had, and I planned to talk to Shadow about hiring him on an official basis.
“You really don’t have to hang around while I’m with my mom, do you?” I asked him as I locked up the studio.
“I do.”
“Well, then you’re at least going to need to come in and eat with us.”
“Nah, you just visit with your mom. I’m good.”
We’d reached my car and he waited for me to climb in, closing my door with a grin. I pulled out of my parking space and then headed to my mom’s with Dylan following in his truck.
I asked him one more time if he would come in, but he refused, so I walked into the house, and closed the door behind me.
“I’m here!” I called out, setting my bag on the bench in the foyer.
“Kitchen,” Mom called back, and I walked in to find her pulling a lasagna out of the oven.
“I didn’t have time to stop for wine,” I said, pulling her in for a hug. “Sorry.”
“It’s alright, sweetie, I have plenty.”
“What can I do to help?”
“Open a bottle of red,” she said.
“Merlot?”
“Please.” She grinned and I grabbed the wine opener. “So, tell me all about this new man.”
“He’s pretty spectacular,” I said. “Of course, I’m still worried he’s too good to be true.”
“Just don’t give too much of yourself away, honey.”
I didn’t admit that I’d already given him all of me. I was falling in love and I was falling hard.
Mom slid the lasagna back in the oven and grabbed wine glasses. I poured and we sat in the family room while we waited for the lasagna to cook the rest of the way.
“What’s happening with the studio?” she asked. “Are you going to renew the lease?”
I shrugged. “He wants to raise the rent over five-hundred dollars. I’m not sure I can afford to renew the lease.”
“What will you do?”
I sighed. “No idea. I have savings, but it won’t last forever.”
“You’ll figure it out.”
“Yeah. You might not have been able to teach me to cook, but you did teach me to pivot when I had to.”
She grinned. “This is very true.”
The timer dinged, so my mom headed back to the kitchen, just as her doorbell rang.
“Are you expecting someone else?” I asked.
“No. It’s probably a delivery.”
“I’ll get it.” I walked into the foyer and pulled open the door, finding myself lifted off my feet and kissed for all I was worth. “Oh my god, what are you doing here?”
Shadow grinned down at me as he set me back on the ground. “Shift ended an hour ago.”
“I know, but you were going back to the club to sleep.”
“I can sleep when I’m dead. Wanted to meet the woman who made you.” He cocked his head. “You good with that.”
“Yes, absolutely. Come in.” I kissed him again. “Where’s Dylan.”
“Sent him home,” he said. “I brought beer and wine. Wasn’t sure which would work better.”
“She’s going to love you, you know,” I promised as I closed the door behind him.
“Posey, do you need help?” Mom called.
“Well, it’s a rather large delivery,” I called back, taking Shadow’s hand, and leading him into the kitchen.
Mom was washing her hands at the sink, and craned her head, then grinned wide.
“Shadow got done early,” I said.
“Oh, that’s fantastic. Welcome.” She dried her hands and gave him a big hug.
For the rest of the evening, Shadow was introduced to one of the dozen things my mother cooked really well, and Mom was introduced to one of the best humans on the planet.
It was a perfect night.
* * *
Two weeks later, Jane had found a gorgeous little bungalow just outside Savannah and put an offer in on it. It was accepted. She was still staying with me but would be moving into her new place in a few weeks.
Shadow wasn’t a big fan of having Jane around all the time. Not because he didn’t like her, but because we had to be quiet when enjoying each other. I had to give him props, though. He only complained occasionally. And he was good with distraction in the form of whisking me away to his room at the club whenever he wanted to fuck me in a particularly dirty way.
Which was often.
This was probably why I was a little more sore than usual today. I used to worry about how much cardio I was getting, but not so much anymore. Shadow was a workout and a half.
Jane had an errand to run, so she’d dropped me off and I opened up the studio alone. I had a class starting online in twenty minutes, and she was teaching as well, but not until noon. As I got everything set up in my office, my phone buzzed on the desk.
Shadow: Where the hell are you?
Me: At the studio. I told you I was going in with Jane.
Shadow: You were supposed to wait for Dylan.
Me: Jane and I were together. I didn’t need to wait.
Shadow: What do you mean were?
Me: She’s running errands. It’s fine. Watch the class.
Shadow: Lock up until Dylan gets there.
Me: Yes, my liege.
He sent me a crown emoji and I chuckled, setting my phone back on my desk. I grabbed my laptop and got it positioned where I needed it, then started the live feed.
* * *
Shadow
I forced down my concern, telling myself Dylan would be there within minutes, and Posey would be fine. I was currently at the club waiting for Doom and Doc to arrive so we could converse about the information I’d discovered on the fires relating to the club.
I’d had a shift at the firehouse yesterday and came straight from there to the club since Posey was working early. It looked like Doom and Doc were running late, so I decided to log on to Posey’s live feed. If I couldn’t touch her this morning, at least I’d be able to see her.
I took a seat in the great room, turning my phone sideways to watch and smiled as Posey started the class. Jesus, she was beautiful.
“Good morning, everyone,” she said, then winked. “And Shadow if you’re watching.”
I chuckled, and she began a stretching routine.
I glanced away briefly to grab my coffee mug when I heard her say, “What are you doing here?”
I turned back to the screen just to see her grab her neck and fall to the ground, then the camera shut off and I lost the feed. I dropped scalding hot coffee on my lap as I knifed up off the sofa but ignored the pain as I made a run for my bike.
“What the fuck, brother?” Shutter called. “I thought you were meetin’ Doc.”
“Something’s happened to Posey,” I bellowed. “Call Dylan and tell him I’m on my way.”
I climbed on my bike and raced over to Posey’s studio, arriving to find Jane in a panic while Dylan was on the phone with Rabbit attempting to get information about the feed.
“What happened?” I demanded from Jane.
“I don’t know.” She threw her hands in the air. “I came in, everything was unlocked, and Posey’s office is trashed.”
“Did you see her live feed?”
“Yes, that’s why I’m freaked.”
“What was her schedule?” I asked. “Did she have a client after her class? Do you have cameras?”
“Yes, we have a doorbell cam thingy, but I already checked it. There was nothing on it.”
“Fuck!” I bellowed, making Jane jump. “Sorry,” I grumbled, and rushed to Posey’s office. “What did you find?”
Dylan s
hook his head. “Nothing yet. Rabbit’s workin’ on it.”
“I want Shutter to grab a truck and head to Carl’s,” I growled. “Tell him I’ll meet him there. If that little fucker’s done something to her, I’m gonna rip his dick off.”
“Brother, I’m fuckin’ sorry I wasn’t here,” Dylan said.
He looked wrecked, and as much as I wanted to rage, it wasn’t his fault.
I nodded, and took off again, arriving at Carl’s just before Shutter.
“What’s goin’ on?” Shutter asked as we made a run for Carl’s door.
“The fucker’s got Posey,” I growled, banging on the door.
There was no answer… no surprise.
“Stand back,” I said and put a boot to the lock. The door popped open and Shutter and I rushed inside.
“What the hell?” Carl squealed, running out from the back with a baseball bat over his head. “Get out of my house.”
“Where’s Posey?” I growled.
“I don’t know.”
“You fuckin’ liar.” I grabbed his neck with one hand and the bat with my other. Shutter assisted by getting the bat away as I slammed Carl against the wall. “Where the fuck is she?”
“I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
“The place is clear,” Shutter panted out after checking every room and closet.
“You’re gonna take a little trip with us,” I threatened. “And you’re gonna tell us exactly what we want to know.”
Shutter pulled zip ties from his back pocket, secured Carl, and then hit him hard enough to knock him out. I threw the man over my shoulder and carried him to Shutter’s truck, throwing him in the backseat and climbing in beside him.
I’d have someone pick up my bike later.
* * *
Posey
I couldn’t open my eyes and I couldn’t figure out why. I was sure I was trapped in some kind of nightmare. You know, the ones where you open your mouth to scream, but nothing comes out?
I tried to move, tried to force myself to wake up, but I soon realized I was already awake, but I was tied down. I had a blindfold on and a gag in my mouth. I screamed, but the sound was muted behind whatever was in my mouth. I was on something bouncy and I guessed it was a bed of some kind.
I couldn’t reach my necklace to press the panic button as my hands were tied behind my back, so I did my best not to panic. I needed to think.
Fanning the Biker's Flame (Dogs of Fire: Savannah Chapter Book 8) Page 14
