Rough Road: A Bad Boy MC Romance, page 13
Moaning softly, she remained completely still, but as he began to thrust she came alive, throwing her arms around his back and writhing beneath him. Urged on by her fervent response, he pumped forcefully, dropping his mouth against her neck and drawing in her skin like a ravenous vampire, then slowing his strokes, he moved his lips to her breasts.
“I love waking up like this,” she murmured. “Can we stay in bed all morning?”
“Not today,” he replied, lifting his mouth from her nipples, “but soon.”
Abruptly straightening up, he grabbed her hips and pulled her into his pelvis. Plunging in and out, the heightened sensations of his unsheathed member urged him to quicken his pace. Giving into the carnal lust he drove himself like a jackhammer, turning her moans into high-pitched squeals, but as his climax threatened, he slowed his frenzied pumping. Continuing with strong measured, strokes, he gazed down at her flushed face, and watched her chest rise and fall with her ragged breathing.
“K-Koda,” she stammered, staring up at him with half-lidded eyes. “I’m so close.”
Pushing her knees up, a devilish grin curled his lips.
The position had never failed to send her over the top.
He let loose, pummeling her pussy until he sensed she was on the brink, then leaned over her, fisted her hair, and dove his mouth on hers in a demanding, devouring kiss. As her muffled wails grew frantic, her nails dug into his skin, hurtling him into his climax. Joyously exploding, his eyes squeezed shut.
His head began to spin.
Hot tingles rippled through his body.
“Koda...? Are you okay...?”
His eyelids fluttered open. Though he had no memory of slipping out and rolling off her, he was lying next to her on his back.
“Your heart,” she murmured, “it’s pounding so hard.”
“That was intense,” he managed breathlessly. “Like—really intense.”
“Did you black out?”
“Maybe—for a second. Having sex without a condom—it’s gonna take some getting used to.”
“It’s really that different?”
“Apparently,” he panted, then took in a long, deep breath. “The thing is, on my fifteenth birthday my dad gave me a box of condoms.”
“You’re kidding?”
“Nope. He said, don’t ever have sex without them, not ever, not for any reason, not until—”
“Until what?”
“Uh, I can’t remember,” he muttered, “but I never have.”
“You’re kidding?”
“It’s true, I swear, and I’d love to talk about it some more, but I need to get moving.”
“Hold on. You haven’t told me everything that happened last night.”
“I will over breakfast. I’ve got a busy day, and an even busier night.”
“You’ll explain that too, please.”
“Of course I will,” he said, kissing her quickly, still slightly giddy, “but I’m jumping in the shower, and no, you cannot join me.”
* * *
After a long, hot shower, Koda called Robbie and arranged to meet him at the garage, then trotted down the stairs to join Portia in the kitchen. She’d prepared a hot breakfast, and over scrambled eggs and bacon he gave her a rundown of everything that happened at the tavern with Sam, and the break-in at his garage.
“This is just crazy, and it’s scary, Koda. What are you going to do?”
“I’m tackling this asshole Eddie Calhoun head on.”
“You need to go to the police.”
“Portia, if I go to the police Sam might be arrested, and possibly Bebe as well.”
“What? No! He’s a victim, and Bebe’s just your bookkeeper.”
“He’s been covering up a money-laundering scheme, and it could be argued Bebe has too. I couldn’t figure out why Calhoun didn’t come directly to me. In the shower I had a thought. By putting Sam in the hot seat Eddie has tied my hands. He must have guessed I wouldn’t put a guy with a wife and four kids in the crosshairs of the D.A.”
“Shit,” Portia breathed, her eyes growing wide. “He’s probably been down this road a million times.”
“It’s so damn Machiavellian,” Koda grunted. “I’m sure he plans on approaching me at some point, but meanwhile he’s wormed his way into my business.”
“Evil. That’s what it is.”
“I agree, but now I have to go. I’m meeting Robbie, then I’ll head over to visit Bebe. She’ll be at church until eleven. I might take her to lunch.”
“Why don’t you bring her here?”
“Thanks, but not a chance,” he replied, rising to his feet. “I plan on being extremely paranoid until this is over.”
“The envelope with Sam’s tickets is on the counter.”
“Thanks. I’ll be picking up some cash from my safe at the garage to help tide him over.”
“Koda,” she said softly, standing up and stepping close to him. “You are such a good guy.”
“It’s not Sam’s fault he has to go into hiding.”
“I’ll say it again,” she murmured, circling his neck with her arms, “you are such a good guy. The best.”
“About tonight—”
“Don’t change the subject. You are, and it’s okay to accept the compliment. When Mom and Dad get home I’ll make them listen.”
“Yeah, well, good luck with that,” he said with a sigh. “Anyway, about tonight, I’m not sure how late I’ll be. I’m thinking around eleven or twelve, but I’ll let you know.”
“Is it okay to call you if something comes up?”
“You can call me any time,” he muttered, wrapping her into his arms. “Shoot, I almost forgot. Can you call FencesForAll? It’s Sunday so you’ll get their voicemail, but leave a message and ask them to send someone over to the repair shop as soon as they can.”
“Sure, but Koda, please be careful.”
“Always,” he said, dropping his voice, and unable to resist, he lowered his lips on hers in a soft, loving kiss.
“I wish I could come with you. I could wear a blonde wig and dark glasses.”
“Bye, princess,” he said with a chuckle, then petting the dogs, he started toward the kitchen door.
“Uh, Koda... did you remember your gun?”
Pausing, he looked over his shoulder.
“What do you think?” he said with a wink, then closing the door behind him, he strode to his bike.
* * *
Though getting Sam safely to the airport was a simple plan, Koda ran it through his mind endlessly as he rode to his garage. Wanting Sam to have written instructions, he settled at his desk and made the list of directions. Placing the sheet of paper into the envelope, he removed twenty-five hundred dollars from his safe, stuffed it inside, and sealed the flap with tape.
He glanced at his watch.
Robbie was late.
Walking to the window, Koda was reaching for his phone when Robbie rolled in. Though relieved to see him, as Koda watched the young, muscled guy stride toward the garage, Koda instinctively knew something was wrong.
“Hey, Koda, sorry I’m late,” Robbie apologized, entering the office.
“Is everything okay?”
“That depends on what you mean by okay. I had a visit from an asshole called Eddie Calhoun. He made me an offer he thought I couldn’t refuse. Sorry. I had to say it. That old Godfather movie is my mom’s favorite. She’s Italian.”
“Go on,” Koda said, keeping his voice even though his gut churned.
“He told me to plant these here in your garage.”
Reaching into his backpack, Robbie dropped four tiny black boxes on Koda’s desk, along with a package of what looked like blue putty.
“What’s the blue stuff?” Koda asked, picking up the substance sealed in thick plastic.
“Eddie told me to take a small amount and press on the back of the camera, then push it against where I’m placing it. He said the stuff sticks to anything, but once it’s exposed to air I’ll only have a couple of minutes before it turns hard.”
“Did he threaten you?”
“Yeah. He said if I didn’t do as he said I’d be visiting my mom in the hospital, but if I did he’d pay me a thousand dollars. That asshole didn’t scare me for a minute,” Robbie spat. “Whatta fuckin’ jerk. He’s just like Jason, my mom’s old boyfriend. What a dick.”
“I don’t understand,” Koda said, growing increasingly worried.
“Jason started hitting her, so I hit him back—and I mean bad—then I shoved my gun down his throat. Told him if he ever laid a finger on my mom again I’d blow his fuckin’ brains out and dump his body where no one would ever find it. He sent a couple of guys after me. They both ended up in emergency. Hah! He hasn’t been around since. Mom has no idea why he stopped calling and showing up, but she doesn’t care. She’s just happy and relieved.”
“Where did you learn to fight like that?”
“I’m a kickboxer,” he said proudly. “My instructor says I’m the best he’s ever seen. He wants me to compete, but I’m not into that. Fuckin’ Eddie Calhoun! What a horse’s ass. No one hurts my mom.”
“Robbie, what did you do to Eddie?” Koda asked, trying to keep his voice calm though his heart was thumping.
“Jeez, Koda, I’m not an idiot. I listened and said, yeah, sure, show me the money. He had some sleazy guy with him. Polished fingernails, expensive watch, really slimy. His name was Dean. Whatta couple of dickheads. I pretended I was trying to figure out how the cameras worked, but I turned one on and recorded everything. I thought maybe it could be evidence or something, you know, if you ever go to the police.”
Though he’d always thought Robbie was a smart kid, Koda hadn’t realized just how switched on he was.
“Take a seat, Robbie,” he said, gesturing to a chair, then sitting down himself, he took a minute to gather his thoughts. “Did he touch your phone?”
“Hell, no. I told him I didn’t have it on me.”
“Where was it?”
“In that cargo box you gave me. I keep it in the secret compartment.”
“You don’t carry it with you?”
“I’m not addicted like everyone else. My phone belongs to me; I don’t belong to my phone.”
“Damn, Robbie,” Koda muttered, shaking his head. “You’re full of surprises.”
“I’m serious. People spend their lives staring at that stupid screen all the time. It’s bullshit.”
“You might have a point, but back to business. Where’s the cash he gave you?”
“Here,” Robbie replied, pulling an envelope from his backpack. “I don’t want any of that bastard’s blood money.”
Quickly donning a pair of gloves, Koda placed it in his safe, then reached for his wallet and withdrew five twenty-dollar bills.
“This is for—”
“No! You don’t have to pay me,” Robbie said earnestly. “I want to help.”
“Take it,” Koda said firmly. “You’ll be getting Sam out of here safely and I’m paying you to do it. No arguments. Buy your mom something nice. That will make you both happy. The two of you deserve it.”
“Uh, okay, thanks, Koda,” Robbie said sheepishly, accepting the notes and stuffing them into his pocket.
“Here’s the plan. It’s very simple, but that doesn’t mean things can’t go wrong, so stay alert.”
“I always am, but I’ll be extra cautious.”
“Good. Ride over to Sam’s, shoot the breeze for a few minutes, then ask to use the bathroom, but take him with you and give him this envelope,” Koda said, handing it to him. “All the instructions, his tickets, everything he’ll need is in there. He’s going to take his family to the Emerson Mall to supposedly do some shopping. That’s where he’ll meet you. Be in your station wagon on the rooftop parking area at eleven-thirty. I’ve told him to leave his car keys under the floor mat in his car, but when he meets you, ask him if he remembered just to be sure. Have everyone stay low as you drive out, and stick with them at the airport until they’re through security, then call me. Any questions?”
“What if they’re being followed?”
“He’s going to take the two boys into one store, and his wife will take the girls into another. I’ve told them to buy new clothes and baseball caps, and walk out with the old clothes in the shopping bags. Anyone following them will be keeping track of them by the clothes they’re wearing. That’s how it’s done. It’s much easier to spot a bright red shirt than a person’s face.”
“Koda, that’s brilliant.”
“Not really,” he said with a grin, then leaned forward in his chair. “Robbie, thank you, and I don’t just mean for helping Sam. Not everyone would have come to me and told me about a visit from a guy like Eddie Calhoun.”
“Sure they would.”
“No, they wouldn’t,” Koda said firmly. “When you get back from the airport I want to talk to you about another job that’s equally important. Are you interested?”
“Hell, yeah.”
“Stay safe, and just for today, will you please keep your phone on you? I might need to reach you.”
“For you, Koda, yeah, I’ll keep my phone with me,” he said with a grin, then pausing, his face growing serious, he added, “I’ll do whatever it takes to bring this scumbag down. Any bastard who threatens to hurt a woman needs his ass kicked into hell.”
Chapter Sixteen
Koda uploaded the recording of Eddie’s threatening visit with Robbie to his computer, deleted it from the tiny camera, then he and Robbie placed the devices around the garage. Two stared at the floor, one toward the back wall, and the last looked into a corner of the office. Downloading the app on his phone, Koda entered the password Robbie gave him, and they shared a grin as they looked at their handiwork.
“You know Eddie will be pissed when he sees those camera angles,” Koda remarked.
“Hey, what do I know about setting up stuff like that? Besides, I can handle myself.”
“I’m sure, but you can’t kick the shit out of a bullet.”
“No, but I can kick the gun from a guy’s hand before he has a chance to shoot!”
“Confidence is a good thing, but Robbie, don’t let your guard down, especially not with a gangster like Calhoun.”
“Yeah, you’re right, Koda. I’ll be extra careful.”
“Come on, I’ll walk you out,” Koda said, moving to the door. “I’ve got some stuff to do around here before I take off.”
They headed outside, but when they reached Robbie’s Harley, a thought crossed Koda’s mind.
“Shit! I’ll bet there’s a tracker on your bike.”
“A tracker? You’re kidding?”
“I wish I was.”
“But there’s nowhere to put one—is there?” Robbie asked, his eyes roaming over his precious motorcycle. “What’s that? Behind the license plate.”
“There you go! They put mine under the seat.”
“What should I do?”
“Toss it a couple of miles from here. They’ll think it fell off. Now go, and like I said, keep your eyes peeled.”
Putting on his helmet, Robbie climbed on his bike, and starting up the noisy engine, he rolled through the gate and turned into the street.
Making a mental note to warn Hank and Jake about the cameras that evening, Koda began moving barrels against the gaping hole in the fence. The chore took longer than he’d expected. By the time he’d finished, he was late heading off to Bebe’s, but as he hurried across to his bike, his phone rang.
The number read unavailable.
He paused, then decided to accept the call.
“Hey, Koda.”
“Leo!” he exclaimed, feeling a rush of relief. “Thank God. Where the hell have you been?”
“Here and there.”
“Why do you always talk in riddles?”
“Comes with the job.”
“Are you in town?”
“Yep. I’ve been getting the lay of the land. It’s best to remain invisible while I do that. I have a lot to tell you.”
“But it has to be in person, right?”
“You got it.”
“Where would you like to meet up?”
“There’s a pool hall on 53rd and Elm. Do you know it?”
“Uh... yeah, but that’s home to the Tornadoes. I’m not sure that’s a good idea.”
“Don’t worry about it. I’m an honorary member,” Leo replied with a chuckle. “Any friend of mine is welcome, and they know you’ll be coming.”
“I assume you’ve worked for some of the members.”
“Yep. Long story.”
“Are you sure about this? The Tornadoes aren’t exactly model citizens.”
“I’m sure. How does two o’clock sound?”
“Okay. I’ll be there.”
“Ring the doorbell and tell whoever answers you’re there to see me. You won’t have any problems.”
“Hey, Leo—just how much shit am I facing?”
“With Manny, Moe, and Jack out of the picture your odds are better. Do you know who I’m talking about?”
“Of course.”
“With them no longer a threat I’d say you’ve got your work cut out, but it’s doable. I’ll leave it at that until I see you.”
* * *
Eddie’s bronze Bentley rolled quietly down the alley behind Bebe’s home and stopped at her back gate. Dean was behind the wheel, seated next to him was one of Eddie’s thugs named Jimbo, while Eddie and Arthur Peabody sat in the back seat. Arthur, an IT whiz kid who took care of Eddie’s computer needs, fidgeted nervously beside him.
“Calm down, Arthur,” Eddie said testily. “The woman’s gone. No one will even know you’ve been here. Just remove any mention of Willow Wines and Ace Building Supplies from her computer, load the spyware, and you’re done.”
“I hope that password is right,” Arthur muttered anxiously. “What if she comes back?”
“Stop worrying. She’ll be in church for a while yet,” Eddie assured him as Dean stepped from the car and opened the door.
“But breaking into a home,” Arthur continued. “I’ve never—”
“Arthur, this is important,” Eddie said brusquely, cutting him off. “You’re starting to annoy me, and you don’t want to do that.”
