Rough Road: A Bad Boy MC Romance, page 21
Chapter Twenty-Five
Detective David Monroe was studying Eddie Calhoun’s body. While the other victims had been killed by a single shot to the head, Eddie’s murder had been vicious. The shooter had been proficient, and he’d wanted Eddie to suffer.
“Yep, this was personal,” David grunted.
“Excuse me, sir,” Barry said, stepping into the room.
“Yes, Officer?”
“Has anyone told you about the tire, sir?”
“I know they’ve been slashed?”
“Except for one on a van in the garage.”
David frowned.
“Just to be clear, are you saying all four tires on all the vehicles were slashed, except one tire on a van?”
“Yes, sir.”
“I’m done in here. Show me.”
“Also, a threatening letter has been found in Calhoun’s office,” Barry continued as they left the room. “Looks like it came in an envelope with some white powder. Harmless stuff, like talc.”
“Interesting. By the way, I haven’t had a chance to ask you about your chat with Dakota King. Anything to report?”
“He was evasive, but I definitely got the sense he was under threat. I think you might be getting a call.”
“What was your impression of him?”
“Good guy, straight shooter, but canny, if you know what I mean.”
“Yep, I know what you mean.”
They’d reached the garage, but before they entered, David ordered Barry to put fresh booties over his shoes, and did the same himself.
“Okay, where is this one good tire?”
“It’s that black van over there, sir. The back right wheel.”
Stepping up to the van, the detective studied the tire, then crouched down next to it.
“Come beside me, Officer. What can you see from where we are?”
“Uh, the back of that one car, and the door into the house.”
“But you can’t see out of the garage.”
“No. This van is in the way.”
“Suppose you’re not the shooter, just someone here to make mischief. You’ve disabled all the cars by cutting their tires, and you’re here about to finish the job but you hear a shot. What do you do?”
“Well—I can’t get out because I might be seen... I guess I’d hide.”
“You’re scared. You have seconds. Quickly, where do you go?”
“Uh, it looks like there’s only one place. Behind that cabinet.”
“Go on then.”
Barry scrambled backwards.
“Now what do you see?”
“If I stick my head out I can still see the trunk of the car and the entrance to the house, but that’s it.”
“Stay there,” the detective said, marching back to the door that led inside. “Now what can you see?”
“I can make out your size and height, but that’s all.”
“And you’re in the dark!” David declared, starting back toward him. “Stand up and carefully step away.”
Moving slowly with his eyes lowered, the detective stood quietly by the van and nodded his head.
“Officer, I believe we have a witness. Make sure forensics covers this whole area. Tell them to pay close attention to the cabinet and the ground beside it.”
“Sir, I think I see something,” Barry murmured, staring at the polished concrete floor.
“What is it?”
“Kitty litter. I’m sure of it.”
“Kitty litter? There are no cats here, or have I missed something?”
“No, sir. No cats, but my girlfriend has two, and when they kick the litter on the floor it sticks to the soles of my shoes. It drives me crazy.”
“Good work! Find the boys and send them over here, and I want to see that threatening letter.”
* * *
While Portia was busy packing, Koda had stowed the large bags of dog food, Antony and Cleo’s beds and favorite toys in the Land Rover. The dogs had followed his every step, then excitedly bounded up the stairs ahead of him on his way to Portia’s room.
“I’m all set,” she declared, walking out of her closet wearing a floppy hat, large, dark sunglasses, and a bright red scarf around her neck.
“You look like a cover model.”
“Thanks. That means you will too when you put this stuff on.”
“Not funny!”
“It was your idea.”
“Don’t remind me. Good grief,” he exclaimed, picking up the suitcase. “How much have you crammed into this thing?”
“You said I can’t come back here, and we don’t know how long I’ll have to stay away,” she replied, then taking off her sunglasses, she moved closer to him and quietly said, “Going to your father’s house after all this time... you know I haven’t been there since high school.”
“Yeah,” he said, softening his voice. “Walking in with you—this will be a serious trip down memory lane.”
“It feels weird, but I’m looking forward to it. “
“Me too. I’m glad I didn’t sell the place. Let’s get out of here.”
Moving quickly down to the garage, they loaded the dogs into the back, then climbing in, Koda hunkered down in the passenger seat as Portia settled behind the wheel. He’d leave Portia and the dogs at his father’s home, dress in the hat, scarf, and dark glasses, and return. He’d wait a short while, then roll his bike into the lane that ran behind the large estates and head to the tavern.
He’d often considered selling the family home, but clearing out all the furniture and sorting through everything had seemed a daunting task. He paid a housekeeper to stop by twice a month, and a gardener when needed, but he mowed the lawn himself. Grateful the house was empty, clean, and ready for them, he was sure it would be the perfect hideaway.
* * *
Walking through the motor court in front of Eddie Calhoun’s house, Detective Monroe studied the flat tires. The rubber hadn’t been randomly knifed, but precisely punctured with a spike. It was not the vandal’s first rodeo.
“Here’s the letter, Detective,” Barry declared, walking up and carrying a plastic evidence bag.
“Good, thank you.”
Removing a pair of glasses from his jacket pocket, the detective read the threatening note.
“There’s a lot of information there,” Barry continued. “Whoever sent it didn’t expect Calhoun to get bumped off and his letter found.”
David dropped his chin and looked at Barry over the top of his spectacles.
“Probably true. By the way, I just spoke to the captain. You’re now officially part of this investigation.”
“Thank you, sir!”
“You’re welcome,” David replied, taking the letter. “Hello asshole. Nice way to start a note,” he muttered. “This is my official resignation. I’m out. I’ll leave you with a tip and a warning. Those bearded jokers are useless. It only took me five minutes to shake them. Bearded jokers,” David repeated, raising his head. “That confirms my suspicions. They worked for Calhoun and were following his orders when they broke into King’s garage. This might get them talking. Now the warning,” he recited as he continued to read. “I did your bidding, and you’ve made a shitload of cash. Move on. Find other pigeons. Leave Koda and Bebe alone. Ah, so now we know Koda has been pressured, but who is Bebe? Any ideas, Officer Parker?”
“None, sir.”
“We need to find out. What else does this character say? I’ve removed the bug from Bebe’s office, and I may be gone, but I’ve made arrangements with some friends of mine. She has 24-hour protection. If you try to mess with her, they’ll be there to greet you, and I’ll make sure you receive another package, but you won’t just end up smelling like the sissy you are, you’ll be deathly sick. If you’re lucky enough to survive it won’t be for long. B. Do you know if this letter was in plain sight?”
“I did ask, and yes, it was sitting on top of his desk.”
“Then B would have taken it if he’d been the killer. Any theories?”
“Yes, sir. B was working for Calhoun, but didn’t like what he saw, and he could be the one who slashed the tires.”
“I agree. Finding him is a top priority. Anyone who’s smart and brazen enough to enter a compound like this without raising the alarm will probably have a record, and he’s obviously friends with Koda and a woman named Bebe. We shouldn’t have too much trouble tracking him down.”
“Koda invited me to his bar,” Barry said thoughtfully. “I might pick something up there.”
“Stop in tonight, and run a check on his staff, his service providers, accountants, everyone. You’ll probably find Bebe.”
“Yes, sir.”
“Things are looking good. We have a witness and a victim. We should have answers soon.”
* * *
Though Koda was surprised no one appeared to be following them on their drive from Portia’s house, he suspected everyone attached to Eddie would have been distracted by the massacre at the compound.
“I’ll pick some groceries up on my way home from the tavern tonight,” he said as Portia drove slowly into the garage of his father’s home, “but there should be some bits and pieces in the refrigerator. I come here quite a bit, and the housekeeper is kind enough to make sure there’s always milk and a few provisions.”
“Do you ever stay overnight?”
“Sometimes, usually when I’m in a pickle. When I’m sitting in the living room in front of a fire with a drink, I swear I can hear Dad’s words of wisdom.”
“I wish I’d known him better.”
“He was a very smart man, and a great husband and father. I think he would have liked more kids. Anyway, let’s go inside. You’ll find it hasn’t changed much.”
The garage led into the kitchen, and as the dogs excitedly leapt from the car and trotted inside, he hurried after them to open the back door to the backyard.
“I’d forgotten how much room you have out here,” Portia remarked, standing at his side and watching the Rottweilers earnestly sniffing along the fence line. “They’ll love being here.”
“I hope so. I’ll bring in their food and get your suitcase.”
“Koda,” she murmured, moving close to him and wrapping her arms around his neck, “thank you for taking care of me.”
“Thank you for letting me,” he said softly, loving the smell of her, and the feel of her body lightly touching his.
“Do you remember... that night?” she whispered.
“How could I forget?”
“Can I see your old room?”
“Sure.”
Arm in arm they moved into the hall, following it to the door at the end. As he opened it and they stepped inside, she sank against him.
“It’s exactly the same. It even has that amazing furry bedspread.”
“Portia, I’ve never told you this,” he began hesitantly, “but—that night—it was the first time for me too.”
“No! But you were so confident. You were like, Mr. Accomplished.”
“Far from it. I guess we just jelled, even back then, even when we knew nothing,” he murmured. “Standing here, it feels like it happened yesterday.”
“Yeah,” she said with a sigh. “That was probably the best night of my life.”
“Probably?”
“Okay, it was,” she admitted, smiling up at him. “Had you planned to try to have sex with me?”
“Hell, yeah, I planned it. I could barely think or eat or act normally for days beforehand.”
“Really?”
“Really, and when I brought you in here, my heart was beating so hard I was sure you could hear it.”
“Is it beating fast now?”
He smiled.
“Pretty much,” he replied, softening his voice. “When I took your hand,” he continued, wrapping his fingers around hers, “and you closed yours around mine and squeezed, I thought it would jump right out of my chest.”
“Like this?” she said, tightening her grip.
“Yeah, like that. Then I led you across to the bed,” he continued, moving slowly forward, “and I wondered if I’d make it across the room without tripping.”
“But you were so smooth.”
“I tried to be,” he whispered as they reached the footboard, “and I did this.”
Grabbing her tightly, he fell on the fuzzy cover pulling her with him, then rolled her over, climbed on top of her, and moved her hair from her neck.
“Then I attacked you like a ravenous vampire,” he growled, lowering his lips against her jugular vein.
“Please, Koda, do everything just like you did back then?”
“Only if you promise me something,” he breathed, moving his mouth to her ear.
“Anything.”
He paused, then feeling just as nervous, anxious, and excited as he had all those years before, he said, “Marry me.”
Chapter Twenty-Six
Koda’s proposal was the last thing Portia expected, and with the heady romance permeating the air she fleetingly wondered if her mind was playing tricks on her.
“I guess that’s a no,” Koda muttered, interpreting her silence as rejection.
“It’s not, not at all,” she stammered, heat flooding the back of her throat. “You really want to marry me?”
“Hell, yes, I really want to marry you! I’ve been crazy about you since I was fifteen. Make that thirteen. It took me two years to find the courage to talk to you. Really talk to you.”
“I never knew that.”
“There’s no reason you would, but I remember that day. Crazy to say it, but it feels like last week.”
“It feels that way for me too.”
“You remember?”
“Of course I remember. I was so thrilled. We sat under the tree in the park opposite the school,” she said wistfully. “It was wonderful. We were there for ages.”
“Then we were the talk of the campus. The rich girl and the rebel.”
“All my friends were jealous.”
“So were mine, and I kinda got off on that label too,” he said with a grin, “but your parents sure as hell weren’t happy.”
“It was tough at home, lots of fights, but being with you was worth it.”
“Then you went off to that Ivy League college, and every summer your mother or father took you off some place.”
“I know... so strange how we bumped into each other again.”
“I always kept my eyes open for you, but that was the last place I expected to see you,” Koda muttered.
“It must have been fate that brought us back together. I’d finally built up the courage to go to a BDSM club, walked in the door, and there you were.”
“When I saw you, princess—it was like time stood still. I wanted you all over again, but dammit, we’ve been back and forth too many times. I know you’re still a spoiled rich girl and I’m still rough around the edges, but we’re made for each other, and I’m tired of fucking around!” he suddenly exclaimed, then softening his voice, he said, “Marry me, Portia. I love you, I’ll always love you, but I won’t ask again. You either feel like I do or you don’t.”
“I do,” she replied fervently, a lone tear slipping down her cheek. “I’ve dreamed of being with you my whole life. Back in school I used to tell my girlfriends, I’m Princess Portia and he’s Koda King, but I don’t want to be his princess anymore. I want to be his queen.”
“Only you could come up with something like that. I’ll be honored to make you my queen.”
Lost in his words and her heavy emotion, she almost sobbed as he rested his mouth on hers, softly gliding his lips in a long, sensuous kiss. She could feel him popping the buttons on her shirt just as he’d done that special night, and when he slid his hand into the cup of her bra, she thrust out her chest and let out a muffled moan. His strong fingers kneaded her flesh until she frantically struggled to remove her blouse. As it fell away, he unsnapped her bra, slipped it off her arms, and pushed her back on the mattress. As he held her down and lowered his lips to her puckered pink nipples, she gazed up at the familiar ceiling, and the precious memory flooded her heart.
Her first time.
Illicit sex with her biker boyfriend.
“Remember this?” he growled, snapping her from her thoughts.
Unzipping her jeans, he suddenly flipped her over, yanked them over her backside and down her legs.
“Yes,” she said breathlessly, turning her head and looking back at him.
“What else?”
“You tore my panties in half.”
Grinning, he took hold of the flimsy underwear and ripped it apart.
“And...?”
“You slapped my ass.”
He landed a solid smack.
“Then I leaned over you,” he softly uttered, “and did this.”
Bending across her body, he clutched her hair and fervently kissed her before moving his lips to her ear.
“I told you I was going to make you mine,” he whispered, “and that I’d always watch out for you, and if anyone ever gave you any trouble they’d have to answer to me.”
“Yes,” she panted. “Ooh, Koda, it made me so hot.”
“Is it making you hot now?”
“So fucking hot.”
“It still stands, princess, and I’m going to make you mine all over again.”
He released her, and with her heart hammering, she closed her eyes and grasped the bedspread as he pushed slowly into her slick pussy. The first time hadn’t been easy, but she had begged him to persevere. When he’d finally thrust deep into her passage, she’d known in the deepest part of her soul, her heart would always belong to him.
* * *
Emotion sweeping through him, Koda pumped with powerful strokes. He’d fallen for the pretty rich girl with the devilish grin and naughty sparkle in her eye the first time he’d seen her. Finally, after a string of trials and too many years, his impossible teenage dream had become reality.
She’d agreed to be his wife.
Slapping her glorious backside as he rode her, listening to her cries and whimpers, he felt his orgasm building, but just as he neared the brink he abruptly pulled out. Quickly rolling her over and resting on top of her, he held her face between his hands.
