by Debra Kayn
"What?" Jess laughed. "Does that mean I don't have to spend the fifty cents?"
"Sh." She winked. "Top secret."
"Coolio." Jess slipped the money into her pocket. "Thanks."
Changing her clothes from the washer to the dryer, she started the machine. "I'll see you in a little bit."
"Okay." Jess waved over her shoulder without turning around.
Happy that Jess got out of her bad mood after she and Wyatt left earlier, she planned to go prep for tomorrow when the tenants would pay their rent.
Chapter 20
Wyatt
OUTSIDE THE APARTMENT, Travis threw a tennis ball against the brick wall. Wyatt backed his Harley up into the parking spot. It was the last Saturday he'd need to work for a while. Carr Construction signed off on the new construction today, and on Monday, they'd be working on a forty percent addition up in Rocky Butte.
He got off the motorcycle and grabbed his tool belt
"Dad!"
He looked at Travis, spotted the yellow ball flying through the air, and caught it. "Go long."
Travis took off jogging. Wyatt dropped his belt and bag, brought his arm back, and let the ball fly.
His son caught it on the run. He gathered his things and walked toward the apartment. Travis ran up to him. He slung his toolbelt over his son's shoulder, letting him pack the weight.
"Why are you home early?"
"Carr Construction finished the house, and we have plans for the night." He slung his arm around his son. "Where's Jess?"
"In the apartment with Joey."
"Let's hustle them up so we can go."
"Where?"
"Damn, son. Don't you know what people do on a Saturday night? I'm taking Joey out, and you and your sister are going to a party with a bunch of other kids." He opened the door.
Joey's head turned, and he caught the moment happiness settled on her face and she smiled at him. He reached out for her. She ignored his hand and walked right into his embrace.
"Good day?" she asked, stretching to her toes and puckering her lips.
He kissed her. "Yeah, better now. We're all going out."
"Where?" piped Jess.
"You and Travis are going to a party, and we're going over to the Tarkio Motorcycle Club clubhouse." He patted Joey's ass. "If you want to change, go get ready. I want to leave in a half-hour."
"Uh, what does a person wear to a biker clubhouse?" Joey headed toward the door. "What are we doing there? Is it a party? A dinner? A bunch of bikers standing around?"
He chuckled at her curiosity. "Jeans or shorts, a shirt. Whatever girls wear."
"Oh, my God, Dad." Jess spread her arms. "A party? If this is a little kid's birthday—"
"It's not. A guy named Banks opens his house for the kids of the Tarkio members. He swore it was people thirteen years old to twenty years old. Nobody there needs looked after, so I expect you guys to be cool and not do anything stupid." He whipped off his shirt. "I'm jumping in the shower."
"Okay, okay. I'm going home to get ready." Joey blew a kiss and went out the door.
Leaving his kids to get ready, he showered. Putting on clean clothes, he toweled off his beard and hair, sweeping his hands through the strands. The ride there would dry everything.
"Let's go," he shouted, walking out of the bathroom.
"Wait." Jess walked past him, putting on mascara and holding a small mirror. "I don't know where my thongs are."
"Wear your sneakers," he said.
She snorted. "No way. It's hot out, and I'm wearing shorts."
Travis stood by the door, wearing the same clothes he had on all day. A minimalist, his son wasn't at the age where he cared what he looked like. Though he got a whiff of deodorant when the kid walked past him, maybe his son was starting to realize there would be girls at the party.
"Let's go get Joey. You guys will go with her, and we'll drop you off. I expect you to stay there until we show up." He ushered them outside.
"Will there be beer there?" asked Travis.
"No, son. It's a teen party." He glanced at Jess, knowing what he had done as a teenager. "Probably, but be smart. Watch out for your sister."
"Well, can we have fun, too?" added Jess.
"A little." He grinned. "But, not too much."
Joey stepped out before he could knock. He whistled, taking in her bare legs, the shirt that scooped down, showing the tops of her breasts. She had her hair all fluffed up and loose, her eye makeup extra dark, and bright red lipstick on. This was a different Joey than he'd seen before. At the bar when playing pool, she looked sexy in a classy way. At home, she looked like the girl next door.
Tonight, she looked like she belonged on the back of his Harley or spread against a wall with his cock in her.
Her eyes widened, and she jingled her keys. "I'm ready."
"Yes, you are." He walked clear around her, looking at her body from all angles.
"Wyatt." She laughed. "Save it."
"I'll save it." He smacked her ass. "Let's get the kids to the party. You can follow me. Banks lives up on Hillshire Rd."
"I don't know where that is."
"That's why you're following me," he said, making her laugh.
He settled everyone into the car, jogged over to his Harley, and led them away from the apartments. With Joey looking like sex on two legs, he looked forward to the night. There was something about the way Roddy had invited him to the party at the clubhouse and came up with a way for his kids to be safe while he spent time with Joey, which led him to believe there was more behind the invitation than a simple night out.
After dropping the kids off, he made it back to the clubhouse in ten minutes. Joey pulled in beside him and got out of the car before he toed the kickstand.
He stood. "What's the hurry?"
She flew at him, kissing him deeply. Taken off guard, all he could do was brace himself.
And keep them both on their feet.
And enjoy the taste of her.
Joey pulled back. "Do you know I haven't kissed you like that in forty-nine hours."
He squeezed her ass cheek. "Work will be easing up for the next few weeks. I'll be getting home earlier and not working on Saturday."
Her eyes widened. "That makes me a happy camper."
"Let's go inside."
She held on to his shirt. "Hang on a sec. Why are we really here?"
"Roddy invited us."
"Uh-huh." She narrowed her gaze. "It seems weird."
"Weird or freaky?" He wiggled his brows. "Because I'm all in for freaky."
He got a laugh out of her. Looping his arm around her shoulders, he walked inside. Instantly, he knew something was up.
Chapter 21
Joey
MUSIC BLARED OVER THE humongous speakers to Joey's left and right. A sea of leather filled the room, moving, making waves. Every few seconds, a woman would break through the crowd of broad shoulders. Through all the chaos, she focused on the pool table in the corner of the room.
Knowing Rabbit was a frequent player at Riverside Bar and belonged to Tarkio, she should've thought ahead of time to throw more than twenty dollars in her pocket. If there was a chance that she could play, it would be a bonus.
She looked at Wyatt. No, she wanted to spend the night with him.
Wyatt leaned close. "Do you want a cooler?"
"I need to drive."
"I told the kids we'd pick them up at eleven o'clock. You've got three hours before we have to drive."
She nodded. "Okay. Just one."
He left her side. Pushed by the crowd, she worked her way around the outside of the room and stood by the pool table. It only took a few minutes to realize it was a friendly game. Both players had little skill and the woman with the halter top and shorts on seemed to be entertaining both men.
Wyatt found her and handed her a bottle. "Interested?"
She shook her head, grinning. "Only in you."
"Damn right, and you better stay interested." His eyes softened, and he
put her between his legs as he leaned against the back of a couch.
The atmosphere gave her freedom to hang on her man. The kids were away. Everyone else in the room was doing much more than getting handsy. Maybe she was high from the pot smoke hanging heavily in the air or in love, but within the clubhouse, she felt truly free to behave however she wanted with Wyatt, and free to show him how she felt about him.
Roddy joined them. Joey turned around to give them a chance to talk, and Wyatt pulled her back—her back to his chest— and wrapped his arms around her waist. She watched the pool game in front of her, letting him talk with Roddy behind her. With the music, it was difficult to hear, even when Wyatt included her and put his mouth on her ear.
A familiar face appeared at the table. Seeing Rabbit here wasn't surprising, but he seemed different amongst his biker friends or maybe it was the chick hanging on his side and his hand draped over her shoulder and cupping her breast. He noticed her and lifted his chin. She waved. Unlike Charlie, Rabbit never bothered her.
Rabbit held up his hand, clutching a whiskey bottle, and pointed to the table while lifting his brows. Because the music prohibited them from talking, she slid her hand into her pocket and held up the twenty-dollar bill and shook her head.
Wyatt put his lips on her ear. "You selling yourself, tiger."
She took a drink of her cooler, turned her head, and kissed him. "You buying?"
"Name your price," he said against her lips.
She smacked her lips against his and turned, finding Roddy gone. Slipping her arm around Wyatt's neck, she swayed to the music while he kept his boots planted on the floor and his butt on the back of the couch.
Finishing her drink, she leaned over and put the bottle on the floor. When she straightened, three women surrounded her.
One woman leaned close to her and said, "I'm Dawn. This is Roxanne and Lisa. Do you want to come and meet the other ladies?"
She glanced at the woman at the pool table. Dawn grabbed her arm and shook her head. "That's no lady."
Understanding emerged, and she pulled Wyatt's head down to her level and said, "I'll be back."
He nodded and let her go. She followed the three ladies, ready to get the introductions made and meet everyone, so she could get back to Wyatt.
Chapter 22
Wyatt
THE MINUTE JOEY WALKED off with the other women, Priest approached Wyatt and motioned him to follow. He understood the invite to tonight's party in the clubhouse came for a reason, and he was about to find out why the motorcycle club opened their doors to him.
He'd asked Tarkio for help twice in the past. Once to help find Travis, and again to hunt down Joey.
Agreeing to update them if Dean came around or contacted him apparently wasn't enough payback. They wanted something else from him.
He understood the unspoken rules, and if the same thing happened next week, next year, he wouldn't hesitate to ask for help again. His family came first, and he would do anything to make sure they stayed safe.
Taken to an empty room in the back of the clubhouse, he remained standing when Roddy followed them inside and shut the door. The quietness, after having the music blasting in his ears, pounded despite the seriousness of the meeting.
"How are you doing, Carr?" Priest stepped deeper into the room and leaned his back against the wall.
"I've got no complaints." He looked at Roddy. "Except that my woman is out there, and I'm in here. I can't say I'm enjoying not knowing what is happening to her when she's surrounded by strangers.
Priest held up his hand. "You have my word that no one will touch her. The ladies are getting to know her and doing what women do when they gather."
"When it comes to my family, I'm not willing to trust someone's pretty words."
"Smart." Priest dipped his chin. "I'll get right to the point of having you here tonight. Tarkio has spotted Dean in Missoula."
"When?"
"The night you called Roddy and asked for Tarkio's help in finding your woman." Priest took out a piece of paper from his pocket and handed it to Wyatt. "You'll find the make, model, color of the vehicle he's driving. It's not registered in his name."
"Who's vehicle?"
"Our sources have told us it's registered to a car dealership in Spokane. We're assuming Dean stole it, slapped on some Montana plates. That's not our concern, so we never dug deeper." Priest pushed himself off the wall. "He was parked across the street from Kingston Bar."
His body tensed. Dean could have easily gotten to Joey before he'd found her. She never would've known what was coming because she had no inkling of the destruction Dean could cause.
"What do you want from me?" Knowing Dean had crossed the line, he wanted him out of his life.
"I want to know why Dean Miller is after you," said Priest.
He shook his head. "It's anyone's guess. I've put up with him off and on over the last twelve years after he married the mother to my children. My problems were always centered on Claudia and how she needed to take responsibility for her kids and stay off drugs."
"While the drugs were in the house and her husband was her supplier..." Priest shook his head. "Do you think your kids would have information—"
"Back the fuck off." He stared Priest down. "My kids are off-limits. If anyone approaches them, questions them, or involves them...at all, I will come after you, and your brothers won't be able to stop me."
"We're looking at all angles, boss," said Roddy.
"I understand that, but my kids are fucking kids. I don't want them involved." He turned to leave, the conversation over with as far as he was concerned.
"Carr," said Priest.
"We're going to get Miller, it's only a matter of time. With you or without you." Priest stepped forward, the lines on the president of Tarkio's face more pronounced, the closer he got. "You're one man with your eyes on a lot of people you love. I'm extending an offer of help to you."
He had a feeling no one ever turned down help from Priest. It probably wasn't healthy.
"At what price?"
"Your silence." Priest held out his hand. "Whatever happens. Whatever you witness. I want your silence that you will never speak a word to anyone, including your woman. Including your kids when they're older and have families of their own and you're an old man rambling about the good ol' days."
Without hesitation, he shook, sealing the agreement. Priest was right. He was only one man, and he could use the help. If they were lucky enough to capture Dean, his silence was a cheap payment.
"Feel free to go out and enjoy the party with your woman." Priest opened the door. "From what I've heard, your children are also enjoying their time at Banks' house.
The reminder of where he'd allowed his children to go put him on edge after the meeting. He had the urge to gather Joey and pick up Jess and Travis, to take them back to the apartment, and make sure his decision tonight hadn't caused any harm.
Chapter 23
Joey
JOEY CUPPED HER HANDS underneath the pipe in the bathroom of Apartment B2. It'd been several minutes, and no more waterdrops had fallen.
"I think that fixed the problem." She stood and shut off the faucet. "You must've caught the leak when it started."
Mrs. Danski smiled proudly, making her appear taller than five feet. "My hearing is still good, but my arthritis makes me slow."
She reached under the sink and grabbed the bucket Mrs. Danski had put inside the cabinet and dumped the inch of water down the drain. "Is there anything else you need me to look at while I'm here?"
"No, dear." Mrs. Danski waddled out of the bathroom.
Joey followed her to the front door. "Don't be afraid of calling if anything else goes wrong."
"You're just like your grandpa." Mrs. Danski patted Joey's cheek. "Except prettier."
"Prettiest woman I've ever seen," said Wyatt, waiting for her outside the apartment.
Joey laughed, though her stomach fluttered at the attention. "Mrs. Danski, have you
met Wyatt Carr?"
"You must be Travis's dad." Mrs. Danski's head went back as she peered up at Wyatt. "He's a sneaky boy. Always slinking around and hiding behind the bushes. I could barely get his name out of him."
"Let me know if he bothers you." Wyatt looped his arm across Joey's shoulders.
Mrs. Danski scoffed. "He's doing what boys do. I raised four of them. Of course, they're all grown up now and moved away with their own families."
"We'll let you enjoy the rest of your afternoon." Joey smiled and leaned into Wyatt. "This one promised me a romantic night, and I'm not going to let him get away without sweeping me off my feet."
Mrs. Danski cackled with delight. Joey hugged Wyatt to her and walked toward her apartment. The kids were at their grandma's house until tomorrow afternoon, and Wyatt wasn't due to work until Monday. Wyatt's mom knew to call Joey's number if anything was needed, which meant they could sleep in her bed, and she couldn't wait to be with him.
"You didn't have any problem fixing the plumbing?" he asked, opening her door.
"Nope." She went inside, kicked off her sneakers, and washed her hands in the kitchen sink. "Thanks to tagging around with my grandpa growing up, little fixes are easy. It's the big things that I have to call in a repairman for."
"Or ask me."
"I wouldn't bother you with repairs." She dried her hands and went into the living room.
He snagged her wrist, pulling her close. "It's not a problem for me to help you."
"I've set up a savings account to cover the cost of upkeep and make sure there's enough there for any emergencies that come up in the complex."
"You're not listening." He hooked her neck, holding her in place. "I want to help you."
She raised to her toes and kissed him. "Then, thank you."
"Thank me again." He captured her face and using his mouth, nudged her lips open.
Arousal hit her instantly, and her back arched, pressing her breasts against his chest. A moan slipped out and she stroked his tongue. She dropped to her heels and gazed up at him. He cupped her face with his hand and she pressed her cheek against his palm.
