The Samaritan, page 16
part #3 of Ghosttown Riders Series
He waited until Grady was down the steps before reaching for his phone and texting Lucy, one of his tenants. She offered to take out his dad for the day to keep him out of the way. The text was returned before he had the chance to put his phone down.
Lucy: We just got into town. Jack wants to see a movie, then we’ll get dinner. Probably won’t be back until after eight.
Caden: Sounds good.
He hit Send and sat back in his chair.
Lucy: Have you seen Rissa today?
He narrowed his brows. Women were tricky creatures, usually taking each other’s back. He was suspicious of Lucy’s question.
Caden: Earlier. Why?
He was waiting on her response.
Lucy: Just curious. I was going to invite her to come with us, but she didn’t answer her door this morning, and then when I went to go get your dad, her car was gone.
Caden gripped his phone so tight it could have broken in his hand. The heat rose from his chest to his neck in three seconds flat. He slammed his hand on the desk. “Fuck!”
His voice must have echoed through the entire building because when he darted down the stairs, Drake was standing in the center of the garage with his tools in his hand.
“What’s wrong?”
He stormed past him for the door. “You see Rissa?”
“No.” He could hear Drake’s steps following behind him as he threw open the door, sending it flying into the building wall. His aim was focused on her place, mainly the gravel spot next to her unit where she parked her car. Empty.
“Cade, hold up, what’s going on?”
Cade jerked his body around. “She’s fucking gone.”
Drake glanced over to the unit and twisted his lips. “I take it she didn’t tell you where she was going?” He raised his eyebrows.
Caden balled his fists and tightened his chest. His teeth grinded together so hard he felt a sharp pain in his molars. It didn’t stop him from continuing to grind them together.
“Calm down, man.” Drake spread his hands in front of him. His gaze jerked over his shoulder, and he lifted his chin. “Trax, man, you see Riss?”
Caden couldn’t even pull his stare from Drake.
“Yeah, after lunch, maybe one. Kase told her to get outta here.”
Caden’s attention was off Drake and pinned on Trax standing behind him texting on his phone. Trax was one of the lesser intimidating of the brothers. While he was tatted like the rest, he was younger, in his late twenties, he didn’t carry as much baggage as the rest. As he recalled from the few visits he made to the clubhouse, Trax was a favorite among the club whores. Of course, that was long before Cheyenne ever came on the scene. Often underestimated by others, but Caden had known him since he joined. No one fucked with Trax, and if they did, it was quickly regretted. He could hold his own, and when pushed, he was a brutal motherfucker.
“Where’d she go?”
“Don’t know. She took off right after she talked to Kase.”
“Where is he?” Caden breathed heavily.
Trax eyed him and then lifted his chin. “Warehouse.”
Caden stomped back past Drake. From the crunching gravel, he knew both men were following behind, but neither said a word. He ripped open the door and glanced around the room, finding Kase in the corner of the room talking with Rourke and Gage.
“What did you say to her?” Caden walked to Kase, not slowing as he got closer.
“Who?”
Caden stopped inches from his brother. “Rissa. What the fuck did you say?”
Kase’s lip curled, and he raised his brows. “Told her to find somewhere else to be.”
“Where’d she go?’
“How the fuck should I know, I ain’t the one fucking her.” He smirked. “But then again, from what I hear, you ain’t gonna be pounding that pussy any time soon.”
The blood rose from his chest to his face in a burning heat. Caden’s heart beat with a steady harsh pound. Drake had a big fucking mouth.
“Way to go, Romeo.”
It wasn’t often Caden got the first strike, but Kase was either getting older with slower reflexes, or he was the one underestimating his brother. Caden balled his fist and struck hard against Kase’s chin, knocking him back in a swift jerk.
“Shit.”
Caden heard the voices around him, but it did nothing to slow him down. When Kase turned back, he struck again, his fist colliding against his nose and his body heaving into him. Caden jammed his shoulder into his brother’s chest, sending them both to the pavement and knocking into a tool rack. The sharp blow to Caden’s ribs had him gasping for breath as the pain trickled down to his abdomen. Motherfucker and his hard blows. Kase had a mean punch. Caden fell back and jolted his head back when Kase’s fist connected to his chin.
He could hear the scrambling of boots and the cursing shouts spread across the warehouse. He ambled to his side, balling his fist and landing another blow to Kase’s temple as he lunged toward him.
“Fuckers fighting over pussy, is that what you two bitches are doing?” Rourke hooked his thick arm over Caden’s chest and pulled him back from Kase. If not for Trax mirroring the same hold on his brother, Kase would have taken another shot. Drake stepped between the foursome, spreading out his arms.
“Calm the fuck down.”
Kase snorted and spit out a wad of blood inches from Caden’s foot. “Tell him to calm down. I didn’t start shit.”
“Brother,” Rourke said. It was uncommon for any brother of a club to call out another brother, especially a president, but Rourke had been around for years and knew them both. If anything, Rourke was fair.
Kase ripped his arms from Trax’s hold and stepped forward. Drake stood between them, but that didn’t mean much. Drake may be able to hold his own, but Kase was a force. If he wanted Caden, nothing could stop him. Come at me, motherfucker. Caden glared, feeling the crease between his brows deepen and his cheeks burn.
Kase pointed at Caden. “Fucking pussy bitch, Cade. Sucker punch? That’s how you come at me?”
“No fucking sucker punch. The only pussy here is you. Not fucking see it coming doesn’t make it a sucker punch, it makes you fucking too old to see it coming.”
Rourke tightened his firm grip and backed up two steps.
“All this for pussy?” Kase said, wiping the blood from his nose, smearing it across his cheek. “Told you I wanted this place cleared, so I told her to get lost, asshole.”
“Not your place to tell her anything,” Caden snapped.
Kase snorted. “At least I didn’t tell her to fuck off, right? But you did.” He snickered and shook his head. “Listen, Cade, ya wanna fuck around with Fruity Pebbles while she’s here, I don’t give a shit. Get your dick sucked and send her on her way. Who fucking cares?” He narrowed his eyes, and his jaw tightened. “But don’t put your shit on me. If you fucked up with her, it ain’t on me. What is on me is this stock moved, and I ain’t about to let your fun hole get in the way.”
Every muscle in his body tightened at the profane reference to Marissa.
“Settle,” Rourke said, low enough so only he could hear.
Caden yanked from Rourke’s hold. Drake moved forward to stand in front of him. Kase was right. This shit was on him. He drew in a harsh breath and waited for the guys to leave. It was apparent everyone needed space, including him.
Caden held Drake’s stare long enough for Trax and Rourke to pass. He darted his gaze to Kase, who kept a wide distance, but his glare was aimed back at his brother. “Told her to go away until seven, asshole. You weren’t such a fucking hothead, I woulda had time to mention that.”
Son of a bitch could have told him in the first place, and he knew it. Caden jerked his body, following his brother in his sight until he walked out the doors.
Drake rested his hand on his shoulder. “Call her, she’s got a cell, right?”
“I don’t fucking know her number.”
Drake choked back a laugh. “You don’t know?”
Caden turned his glare on his best friend. Yeah, it was fucking crazy he didn’t know her number, but hell, she was living fifty feet from him. He hadn’t needed to call her.
“Look, man, check her place. If all her shit is still in there, she’ll be back.”
Caden growled. “What if it’s not?” He didn’t expect an answer, nor did he want one.
Chapter Eleven
“No, Maggie, I said five minutes fifteen minutes ago. Come on, it’s almost dinner time.”
Marissa smiled as the little girl, Maggie, came down the slide, landing on her butt for the tenth time. She probably could have landed on her feet, but she seemed to enjoy plopping off the end of the slide. She patted her butt, wiped off the dirt, and slowly made her way to her mom. Blonde ringlet curls covered half her face. Dirt smudged along her cheeks, and her bottom lip pouted in protest at leaving the park.
Marissa followed the little girl’s gaze to her mom standing at the end of the playground. Her lips were pursed fighting back a smile. This was probably a daily ritual between mom and daughter. Marissa ripped her gaze from the twosome, turning her attention to the two small boys playing on the rock wall. Boys, focus on the little boys. She took a deep breath, doing her best to not glance over again. A faint giggle broke her concentration, and she looked across the playground to the mother and daughter walking hand in hand out of the park.
She bit her lip, the pressure of her teeth doing nothing to release the stabbing pain in her chest.
This was probably not the best place to be right now. I should be on the road. After her blow up with Caden, it became apparent she’d been fooling herself into thinking she might be able to have something with him. A relationship would require honesty and opening up, two things she wasn’t prepared to do.
She’d called Ryan after Caden slammed the door in her face. It had been exactly what she expected. Awkward. In the past two years, he’d never reached out to her. Only Janelle. Just the sound of his voice brought her back to a time she wished she could forget.
The call was short. Janelle had insisted he call and tell her their news. They were parents again. A little girl. She fought against her tears. Ryan had a daughter; she did not. She took a long, deep, much needed breath and closed her eyes. Life moved on, even when she chose not to. Her eyes welled. Maybe it was what she needed. A good cry.
“Riss?” She blinked and searched in front of her. Did someone call my name? “Holy shit, it is you.” She turned her head and saw Trevor jogging over to her from behind the bench. His smile so big and wide. She blinked, quickly trying her best to dry her eyes. As he got closer, his smile faltered and his pace quickened.
“You okay? Are you crying?” The concern riddling his tone was enough to break her down completely.
She forced a laugh and shook her head. “No, I think it’s allergies.”
He eyed her suspiciously and moved around the bench to stand across from her. He smiled again, and she was pretty sure if he didn’t buy her excuse, he would at least let it go. He glanced over his shoulder at the playground and then his eyes landed on her again.
“Whatcha doing here?”
She shrugged. “Just hanging out. What about you?”
“Just got outta practice and was heading to Nick’s for subs.” He lifted his chin, and Marissa turned. Two boys and two girls made their way over. They all looked to be about Trevor’s age. High schoolers, such a simpler time.
“So, Drew, Matt, this is Marissa. I was telling you guys about her.” It wasn’t what he said but how his tone changed, which had Marissa quirking up her brow. Trevor laughed. “I only said nice things, I swear, Riss.”
Riss. He said it with a familiar comfortableness, as though they’d known each other for years. Both boys smiled. She didn’t miss the glance to her breasts. Unfortunately for them, she had a sweatshirt on, revealing nothing. She held back a giggle and turned to the girls.
“Hi.”
“Oh shit, I’m an ass.” Trevor walked over to the girls, planting himself next to the blonde who hooked her arm around his waist. “This is Kayla and Van.” The blonde, Kayla, waved and said hi as she snuggled deeper into Trevor’s side. By every outward appearance, she’d think she was his girlfriend, however, she looked way more interested in him than he did with her. The small brunette stepped forward and reached out her hand. Marissa had to twist her body around.
“It’s actually Vanessa. Nice to meet you.” She smiled, which made Marissa smile back. This one was sweet and getting a closer look; she was subtly beautiful.
“Nice to meet you too.”
“We gonna go? I’m starving,” Kayla asked, but Marissa noticed Trevor’s gaze was on Vanessa.
“Trev.”
He blinked, giving his attention back to Kayla and untangling her grip from his waist. “You guys go, I gotta get home soon anyway, homework and shit. I’m gonna catch a ride with Riss.”
One of the guys slapped him on the back, and the small group said their goodbyes. Marissa couldn’t help but notice Vanessa stayed away from the group by a few feet. An outsider. Vanessa seemed to sense her stare and gazed up. She gave a shy smile and waved. Marissa waved back and watched as the group made their way out of the park and Trevor took a seat next to her. His thigh touched against hers with such familiarity.
“Is Kayla your girlfriend?”
Trevor snorted and gave her a side glance. “She wants to be.”
“What about Vanessa, does she want to be?”
He cocked his brow. “Gorgeous, right? So fuc….um, I mean she’s really smart too. But quiet and sometimes shy.”
“Maybe she’s just a really good listener.”
“Yeah, maybe. Not my type, though.”
“Doesn’t put out?”
Trev choked on the sip of his soda, and it sprayed everywhere. He leaned over laughing, gaining the attention of the parents in the park. “Oh man, that’s not what I expected to come out of your mouth.” He wiped his mouth and turned to her, smiling. “No, I’m thinking Vanessa doesn’t put out, but it’s not the reason. She’s just different is all.”
“That’s a bad thing?” Marissa stared back at the kids playing. “I’m different.”
“I didn’t mean it was bad. I just…she could do a lot better than me, is all.”
Marissa was surprised by his admission. Trevor seemed the type to have an abundance of confidence.
“Really?”
“Why do ya sound so shocked?”
“I think you’re pretty awesome.”
“Yeah?”
She turned her head, expecting a smirk but found serious eyes focused on her. It was as if he was waiting on approval. She nodded. “I think you’re great, Trev. Really special.”
The cherubs of his cheeks pinkened, and he looked away, but not before she caught the faint smile. She hadn’t spent much time around teenage boys in the past. From what she could remember from her own high school days, there wasn’t too much to them aside from parties, girls, and sports, but Trevor was different. A softer side he kept well hidden.
“So, why are you here?”
“Your uncle told me to scram until seven.”
He slowly raised his brows and smirked. “Uncle Kase used the word scram?”
She snorted. No, he hadn’t. His abrupt and demanding “find somewhere else to be” was heard loud and clear. Trevor pulled out his phone, glancing down quickly.
“You want to go get something to eat? I’ve usually eaten a whole pizza by now.”
“Why didn’t you go with your friends then?”
He shrugged. “I don’t know. I saw you here, you kinda looked out of place.” He turned his head, and his hair brushed past his forehead, making him appear older than sixteen. “You looked sad, so I figured I’d hang out with ya.”
This. The softer side.
Marissa gave one last look to the playground and unfolded her legs from being crossed, feeling the pins and needles. She gripped the edge of the bench and stared down at her feet. She was sad. She drew in a breath and craned her neck, staring up at the sky. It must have been past five at this point. Two more hours and she could head back, pack up, and be on her way.
Back to her old self of two years. She glanced over at Trevor. “My treat. Where are we going?”
“Riss, I got money.” He laughed as if her paying was ridiculous.
She smiled, shaking her head. “When was the last time a girl offered to pay for your meal?”
He snorted. “Never. You see what I eat. Don’t know many girls who can afford the bill.”
Marissa stood. “Well, I can, so come on.”
“Don’t say I didn’t warn you,” he teased.
She let Trevor pick the restaurant, and she was surprised by his choice. Of all the places most teenagers would choose, they went to the only family restaurant in town. It was small and dated but filled with a mix of people, half of them knowing Trevor. Most just said hi, others asked how Caden was. The daring few asked who Marissa was.
They took the back booth, and when Trevor ordered, she couldn’t hide her shock. How Caden could afford the grocery bill was beyond her. He ordered two cheeseburgers, double fries, mozzarella sticks, and a salad. The last item wasn’t his choice.
The waitress was turning away when Marissa called out. “Can he get a green salad too?”
The waitress didn’t hide her amusement, snickering. “Yes, he can.”
She turned back to find Trevor grinning. “A salad?”
“You have to balance out the grease. You’ll have clogged arteries by the time you graduate.”
She didn’t find the humor in what she said, but Trevor did. He howled in laughter.
They spent the next forty-five minutes talking. Trevor did most of the talking. From everything from sports to girls, the kid was an open book. He took the last forkful of his salad and chewed, giving her a wink. Even at sixteen, he was charming. Where he got that trait, she was clueless. Certainly not from his dad or uncle. She leaned forward with her elbows on the table just watching him. Maybe Jack in his younger years was charming.
