Beyond Redemption: Joker (Serpents MC Las Vegas Book 1)

by Barbara Nolan

  She pulled open the pretzel bag and popped one into her mouth, then pointed to the candy. “You got a thing for chocolate?”

  “It’s kinda my addiction.” He pulled back the comforter and slid between the sheets.

  “You’re secret’s safe with me.”

  “You know you’re staying in a classy hotel when you drop fifty bucks on shit.” His gaze flitted around the room. “Never stayed in a place like this. Don’t leave New York much. Not into traveling.”

  “I’ve stayed in plenty of five-star hotels but never had as much fun as I’ve had with you the last few days.”

  Joker cupped Daisy’s chin and turned her face to him. “I hate what that fucker did to you.”

  “In all fairness, I did egg him on. I just didn’t expect him to have such good aim.” She grazed her bandaged cheek. “I’m an expert at covering bruises with makeup.”

  “And it’s fucked up that you should even know how to do that.” He finished off the Milky Way and unwrapped the Snickers. “You could rap me in the head with a frying pan, and I wouldn’t hit you.”

  “What made you think of such a dumb situation?”

  He shrugged. “Happened to me one time. This chick got so pissed, she tried to whack me in the head with a big-ass frying pan. I ducked and got it away from her, but I never laid a hand on her.”

  “What the heck did you do to make her want to hit you with a frying pan?”

  “She was cooking me dinner, and she caught me screwing around.”

  “If she was cooking you dinner, weren’t you …? I’m confused.”

  “She was cooking for me at the clubhouse, and while I was getting dressed in my room, this other girl showed up and things started to get going, and when the other one came up to tell me dinner was ready … You get the picture.”

  “So she’s downstairs cooking for you, and you’re upstairs screwing another girl?” Daisy huffed out a breath. “You’re lucky that’s all she tried to hit you with.”

  “Neither one of them meant anything to me.”

  “I got that. You give new meaning to the word dog.”

  “The point of the story is, I never have and never would hit a woman.”

  “Good to know.”

  He draped his arm over the pillows. “I had fun the last few days too, even though you were conning the shit outta me.”

  She bit her lip. “The first day I absolutely scammed you, but the second day—shopping, going to the beach—that was real for me, even at the club. I hated what I did to you, but I was so set on revenge. Somehow I thought it would make things right, but it only made me feel worse.”

  His gaze traveled to the digital clock on the bedside table. “It’s four in the morning. We need to sleep.”

  They lay amidst candy wrappers, chips, and empty soda cans, but she’d never felt so safe and secure. “We’re going to do this. We’re going to get Rico and keep the money.”

  “I know I’m gonna sound like a punk.” Joker ran his fingers through her damp hair. “You and Rico?”

  She tilted her head but stayed silent.

  “You gonna make me ask it?”

  She heaved out a heavy sigh. “No, Rico and I never slept together.”

  “Bullshit.”

  “If you weren’t going to believe me, why did you ask?” This tatted guy with the searing brown eyes had a way of twisting Daisy up and making her examine herself. Not a retrospection she enjoyed.

  “’Cause I thought maybe you’d be honest.”

  “I know you didn’t mean that to sound the way it did, right?”

  In her line of work, sex, or the promise of sex, usually went with the job. From an early age, sex was a bargaining chip and nothing more, and a man asking her questions and acting jealous threw her right off her game.

  He raked his fingers through his hair. “You already told me you’ve slept with random guys to get what you want, yet someone as powerful as Rico, no?”

  “Like you’ve never had random sex before? Geez, you just told me a story about some ridiculous girl cooking for you while you’re banging another. On the same day. In the same building.”

  Yes, her voice raised; yes, she was pissed, and yes, the best offense was a great defense.

  “You’re right. I make no excuses. I fucked random women since I was thirteen years old, and if you wanna hear about them, I’ll tell you. They didn’t mean anything, and yeah, I know that makes me sound like a douche, but they also weren’t dangerous pieces of shit that could wreck my life and take me down.”

  “I met Rico after I came to Miami for a … meeting.”

  “Like a job interview?”

  “I guess, if con artists and criminals have job interviews. You know what they say: networking is everything.” She pressed her lips together. “I heard he was the man to connect with here, and he heard I had crazy skills.”

  “Skills?”

  Daisy lowered her eyes in a death stare. “Conning people. Apparently, some of the deals Jerry and I did in Vegas became somewhat legendary, and Rico was intrigued.”

  “And you looking the way you do, and him being this big player, he never put the moves on you?”

  “You’re not going to let this go, huh?” When he stayed silent, she sighed. “Full disclosure. We had one, rather quick, interlude in the men’s room at Mambo, but after that, we were both smart enough to know that business and pleasure should never mix.”

  “You were at his place tonight.”

  “Yes, to get him to lose his shit so I could take the money.” She motioned to her face. “Mission accomplished.”

  “Hmmm.”

  “We were business partners. That’s it. He uses his penthouse as his office. In our business, renting space on Biscayne Boulevard is not an option.”

  “Makes sense,” he grumbled.

  “Can we please stop talking about this?” She leaned against the pillows and rested her head on his shoulder. “We’re going to figure all this out.”

  Joker lay awake long after Daisy fell asleep. She’d answered his question about Rico. He didn’t like the answer, but he sensed it was the truth. Then, his mind ticked off all the different ways the next few days could go, and all of them ended in certain disaster. His OCD kicked in, and his brain designed lists and outlines.

  First, he brought two hundred thousand dollars to Miami only to get conned by a hotter-than-fuck woman, who was so good that he never saw it coming.

  Second, this same woman falls into his arms, begs for mercy, and tells him that the club he did time for, fought for, and bled for sold him out. Fuckin’ Digger set him up, and the two hundred thousand dollars was for his own execution.

  Joker didn’t know where the next few days would lead, but it was too late to turn back, so the only way to go was forward. His mind drifted to a job he did with one of the Raiders: They’d chased this sucker who’d owed the club money into a six-story walk-up. Stupid shit had kept running up the stairs until he’d gotten to the roof. When they’d cornered him on the roof, he’d realized the only way to go was down.

  Kinda the way Joker felt now—as if he were standing on a narrow ledge, balancing on one foot with nothing but dead air and space, and the sure feeling that one slip and he’d free fall. A high-wire act without a net.

  Chapter Fifteen

  Joker’s few hours of sleep were plagued with twitches, and nightmares that began in the middle and had no end. He’d eased out of bed more exhausted than when he’d lain down. Now he sat on the shaded balcony, watching the first beachgoers set up their towels and chairs while studying their carefree actions with a mixture of awe and … jealousy.

  In his thirty-three years, he couldn’t recall ever feeling that free and laidback. Bullshit drama had occupied most of his life since childhood. What a fucking depressing thought. He sucked deep on his cigarette and watched Daisy through the glass. She’d been on the phone since they’d gotten up, making arrangements for their next few days.

  Earlier, she’d outli
ned a plan to meet up with Esteban in the Keys, pull a switch, and end up with the money free and clear. It sounded complicated, crazy, and fucked up—and not at all how he would’ve handled it—but he supposed she was right. Shoving the barrel of a gun into somebody’s mouth wasn’t the best option, although it usually got results.

  She pulled on the sliding glass door and stuck her head out.

  “I’m having some things delivered to the room, and I already spoke to Darius about getting us a car. That way, your motorcycle stays in the garage. Much too conspicuous, and I’m sure way too loud. If this is going to work, we need to stay under the radar.”

  He nodded and took a hit on his cigarette.

  She pointed at the smoke. “You know that’s going to kill you, right?”

  “I’ve been riding with an outlaw MC for the last thirteen years, and after finding out I got a price on my head, a hotter-than-fuck con woman dreams up a plan that has no chance of working.” He holds up the cigarette. “Makes these look kinda safe.”

  “You’re right. Smoke away.”

  Daisy went back inside, and he took one last drag, then crushed out the butt. He’d just stepped back into the living area when there was a knock on the door. They exchanged glances as they both approached the door. He squinted through the peephole and saw a skinny guy juggling shopping bags and boxes.

  “Looks like the stuff you ordered.”

  Her eyes lit up as she released the deadbolt and chain lock.

  Joker stayed behind the door and out of sight just in case it was some kinda setup.

  Daisy greeted the guy in Spanish, accepted all the packages, then closed the door.

  “Just a few things we’re going to need.” She gathered everything up and brought them into the oversized bathroom.

  “Sit down.” She motioned to the couch. “I’ll be out in a few,” she said over her shoulder.

  He bolted the door, sat down and stretched his legs out, then propped his feet on the coffee table and laid his head against the couch.

  “Shit,” he mumbled, a short time later when she reentered the room. Had he seen her on the street, he would’ve never recognized her. “I thought you were bangin’ as a brunette but, fuck me, if you don’t look like every guy’s wet dream as a blonde.”

  She screwed up her lips. “I guess under the circumstances, I’ll take that as a compliment.”

  Daisy turned toward the full-length mirror on the door and adjusted the skintight hot-pink tank top, then smoothed her hands over the shiny black micro-miniskirt.

  His gaze was glued to the mirror as she examined herself from all angles, but the thing that really caught his attention was the lace-up combat boots. Joker loved her in heels, but he had to admit there was something about those boots.

  “Love the boots.”

  “Can’t run in stilettos, and you never know when we might need to make a fast escape.” She pushed the blonde strands over her shoulder and did a ballerina twirl. “You like?”

  “Fan-fuckin-tastic.”

  “We’re going to the lobby, where you’re going to act like some burnout with a sex hangover and I’ll be your paid entertainment. Rico has eyes all over, and the hotel employees notice everything and have no problem passing along information. Our job is to make sure they pass along that there was no sign of me, and that you’re high with some bimbo.”

  Daisy and Joker made their way through the lobby and up to the desk clerk. Perfect timing. Too late for tourists asking information and too early for check-ins. Just as Daisy predicted. Quiet, with a smaller staff and a guarantee that the desk clerk would remember them and their requests.

  It wasn’t hard to look fucked up. After all, Joker only had about three hours of sleep, making his already rough exterior look downright degenerate. He put on yesterday's clothes and hadn’t dried his hair after their late-night shower, which left it tangled and hanging around his scruffy jaw. Daisy’s battered face fit in perfectly, and the tank top and miniskirt nearly had the poor kid coming in his pants. The way it barely covered her tits and skimmed her ass was fuckin’ sinful and sure to be remembered.

  “May I help you, sir?” The clerk asked, eyes on Daisy.

  “Yeah, yeah.” Joker leaned on the counter like it was the only thing holding him up. “I’m in room 1015, and I wanna stay a few days longer.” He pulled Daisy to his side. “Ain’t ready to give up this fine piece of ass yet.” Daisy cuddled into him and practically whimpered. She was good.

  “Well, sir, let me check the reservations.” The clerk tapped at his computer while his gaze darted between them. After more tapping, he smiled. “Would three more nights work?”

  Joker leered at Daisy. “You think you can handle me for three more nights?” He slapped her ass and she giggled. Daisy wasn’t the type of woman who giggled, so this was some first-class acting on her part.

  Joker leaned further over the counter, and the clerk shrank back a few inches. “We’re also gonna need some stuff.” The clerk’s blank look made him continue. “Ya know, blow. The lady likes a little nose candy to get the party started.”

  Joker inwardly winced at how cheesy he sounded, but the clerk was showing equal parts of intimidation and intrigue. Perfect.

  “I know a smart guy like you can hook me up.”

  The clerk inhaled deeply, looked over his shoulder, then leaned in and whispered, “See the valet. He can help you.” Then, he quickly straightened and said in a normal voice, “Is there anything else I can help you with, sir.”

  “One more thing. I’m expecting some friends.” Joker slid a hundred-dollar bill across the counter. “Make sure they get to my room.”

  “Yes, sir.” The clerk palmed the bill, plastered a huge smile on his face, and ogled Daisy one last time.

  They swayed their way to the valet desk, and Joker leaned into her ear. “If that little punk eyeballed you one more time ...”

  “Keep your head in the game.” She stroked his cheek. “Become the con.”

  No way was Joker making a buy, but he had to make it look good for the clerk. When he became occupied with another customer, they slipped back into the elevator and remained quiet until they were in their room.

  “I think we convinced him, and anybody else watching us in that lobby.” Joker raked his fingers through his tangled hair as they entered the room. “I gotta hand it to you, you’re good at this.”

  “Lots of practice.” Daisy touched her bruised cheek. “Been doing it for most of my life.”

  “I get it, and believe me, I love the look, but you already know where Esteban hangs out, so—”

  “First, we have to get out of South Beach. Rico has eyes everywhere, but they won’t be looking for a blonde. Plus, I don’t want Esteban to know we’re in the Keys until we are. The element of surprise works wonders to keep people off-balance, especially someone who thinks he’s untouchable.”

  She turned to the mirror and examined her reflection. “Looks like I can still get my slut on.”

  He wrapped his arms around her from behind. “Nah, babe, you’re much more than that.” She leaned back, rested her head on his chest, and for a brief second, her eyes flickered with defeat.

  “Deep down, I still feel like that. The dumb slut with guys lined up around the corner, but no one to talk to.”

  He tightened his arms around her. “I think you’re damn smart. Takes brains to run cons. If I was doing this job, I would’ve gone in busting heads.” Joker turned her toward him and kissed the top of her head, cupping her ass while admiring the rear view in the mirror. “This whole outfit has me hard as fuck, but I know we gotta stay on point.”

  She pushed back slightly and looked up at him. “There’s nobody else I’d rather be doing this with than you.”

  “Same.”

  Their declaration sounded sweet and tender except that they were talking about running a scam on a whacked-out cokehead and one of the players in the cartel.

  He reluctantly broke away and motioned to her. “I know
you didn’t get this outfit from those high-class stores downstairs.”

  “Pays to have friends in low places too. Some of them have a few of the glitzier shops over on Washington Avenue.”

  “And I suppose those friends are guys?” Just the thought of her with another man made his gut churn and his fingers twitch.

  “Most of them are gay.”

  “And the ones who aren’t?” he countered.

  “Will it make you happy if I say that from now on, you’re the only man I’ll screw?”

  “Yeah.” Joker laughed at the ridiculous role reversal. When did he ever care how many guys his partners did? Never.

  “Fine.”

  Her saying he’d be the only one lit him up from the inside. A strange feeling that left him off-kilter.

  “Aren’t you gonna ask me to do the same thing?” Ohh shit, I’m really starting to sound like a pussy.

  “Why, you want to screw men?”

  “Don’t be a wiseass.”

  She smirked at him as she uncapped a water bottle.

  “What do we do now?”

  “Hardest part of all—wait.”

  They flipped through television channels, laughed at a few ridiculous reality shows, and he smoked his way through half a pack of Marlboros until, finally, there was a knock on the door. They exchanged a look, and Joker motioned for her to go to the door while he slipped into the bathroom. He closed the door but left it open a crack—his every nerve on alert, sharp and on point.

  “Who’s there,” Daisy called through the door.

  “Room service,” the muffled voice responded.

  Bullshit. The snick of the deadbolt and the latch released, followed by the rumble of Spanish as two men pushed past Daisy.

  He watched them through the crack of the door. Timing meant everything, and he knew from experience he had to give them a few minutes to adjust and let their guard down just a little. Joker eased his hand to the small of his back, pulled out his gun and checked it, then began counting to ten. On seven, he cocked his elbow; on eight, he fisted the doorknob; on nine, he eased the door open—and on ten, he pounced.