Rough Road: A Bad Boy MC Romance, page 8
Chapter Nine
Koda and Portia were eating their dinner, trying to figure out how to learn the identity of the man pulling the strings.
“I can’t fight a ghost,” Koda said solemnly. “There must be some way to find out who he is and where he hangs out. Maybe Leo will come up with something.”
“I wouldn’t even know where to start,” Portia said with a sigh. “This seems to be impossible. Maybe you should cozy up to Benny after all.”
“Benny!” Koda exclaimed. “Princess, you’re a genius! That’s it. Benny’s bound to visit him at some point. I’ll do to him what they did to me. I’ll put a tracker on his bike!”
“What a great idea! Do you have one?”
“I bought a couple on impulse when I picked up the security systems, but I sure as hell won’t hide it under the seat. Nobody knows the inside of a Harley better than me. I know exactly where to put it. I also know where Benny is right now, and he’ll be there for a while.”
“Some dive, I’ll bet.”
“You got that right. Hazel’s Bar and Grill.”
“Figures,” she muttered, then taking a breath, she said, “We should take the Land Rover.”
“Princess, I appreciate the offer, but absolutely not.”
“Koda,” she said briskly, “you need someone keeping watch. You can’t mess with his bike and have your eyes on the door at the same time. And if he happens to glance through a window or steps outside he’ll recognize your Harley.”
“Well, yeah, but—”
“He doesn’t know the Land Rover! It will be easy for me to sit in the parking lot and stay on guard. It he comes out and you’re still working, I’ll jump out and set off the alarm.”
“That’s crazy. He’ll look right at you!”
“I’ll wear a hoodie and keep my face hidden. Where does he usually park?”
“By the trees at the side. He doesn’t like being jammed in by cars or other bikers when the place gets busy.”
“Perfect. I can drop you off at the sloped bank at the entrance. You’ll be able to reach his bike without being seen. The only time you’ll be vulnerable is when you’re actually putting the tracker in place.”
“There’s no way I’m putting you at risk.”
“What risk? I’ll be in the car!”
“I don’t know...”
“Koda, you can’t do this by yourself and you know it. You must have a lookout.”
Though he hated to admit it, she was right. If Benny was parked in his usual spot, it would be impossible for Koda to effectively watch the front door.
“Okay,” he finally agreed, “but make sure you stay near the entrance to the parking lot. Hopefully it’s far enough away he won’t recognize you if your hood slips down. At least I can get to his bike with no problem. There’s an overgrowth of brush on that bank.”
“Perfect.”
“Just to be clear. You’ll stay in the car.”
“Unless he appears, then I’ll step out, hit the alarm to warn you, turn it off, and get back in! I promise that’s all I’ll do. If he starts toward me, I’ll drive around the block, then call you and pick you up off the road.”
“I’m still not crazy about you being there,” he muttered, pushing back from the table. “We should go before I change my mind. He’s usually there for the night, but if he hooks up early he could take off.”
“Thanks for letting me help.”
“You’re welcome, princess. Just don’t make me regret it.”
* * *
Benny’s gut was churning. Hazel’s icy blue eyes had sent a chill through his bones. Perched on the stool and sipping his whiskey, he wondered if she’d picked up his desperate need to quit. He grimaced when he thought about what he’d done, and things were getting even more out of control. Becoming involved with Eddie had been a mistake, probably the biggest he’d ever made.
“What’s wrong?” Sheila asked, resuming her earlier position. “You look edgy.”
“I am, but it’s nothin’ I can’t handle.”
“You don’t sound too sure of yourself.”
“Yeah, well, some problems are bigger than others.”
“You wanna talk about it?”
“I wish I could, sugar, but I’ve gotta leave.”
“Hey, it looks like the boss lady is done with her call.”
Turning around, he saw Hazel wave him over.
“The queen summons, her subjects obey,” he muttered.
Filled with dread, he strode back to the booth and sat down.
“Thanks,” she said, handing him the phone. “You’d better call Bebe before you show up on her doorstep. No woman wants to greet her Romeo wearing a pair of baggy sweatpants and a green mask on her face.”
“Oh, right, good point. Uh, Hazel?”
“What?”
“It’s the weekend. Kinda hard to pin guys down. Can we say by Tuesday?”
She stared back at him, then leaned over the table.
“On Tuesday morning three guys will show up to work on that patio. Three guys who can keep their mouths shut and take their time hammering the nails. Right?”
“Yeah, yeah. For sure,” Benny said hastily.
“And Koda King won’t be causing us any more problems!”
“It’s okay, Hazel. I’ll handle him.”
“Remember, Eddie won’t be happy if you fuck this up!”
He nodded, his mouth too dry to speak.
Watching her turn away and walk across the room, he couldn’t help but watch her comely hips, but as she disappeared through the swinging doors into the back, his mind shifted gears.
Bebe was the key.
As long as he kept Bebe happy, he’d be okay.
Eddie needed him for that.
There was no one else.
The reassuring thought helped to calm his frazzled nerves. Moving from the booth, he waved to Sheila as he headed to the door and walked outside.
A shrill car alarm made him jump.
Heart racing, his eyes darted across the parking lot. A Land Rover’s lights flashed as its horn blared, but a hooded figure quickly turned it off, opened the door, and climbed in. He watched it roll to the exit, wait for a minute, then pick up a passenger. As it sped off down the street, a strange churning moved through his gut. Breaking into a run, he raced to his bike and jumped on board.
* * *
Koda had barely closed the passenger door when Portia accelerated into the road.
“Damn, that was close,” he exclaimed breathlessly. “I would’ve been better hiding in the bushes until Benny left. How did you talk me into letting you come?”
“It’s just as well I did!” she shot back. “If I hadn’t set off the alarm he would have seen you.”
“Not necessarily, and I sure as hell hope he didn’t recognize you.”
“Not a chance. I was too far away and I had my hood up.”
“Shit. He could be following us.”
“Why would he do that?”
“Because he’s paranoid and on edge, that’s why.”
As she made an abrupt turn at the first corner and raced down the street, Koda studied the side view mirror.
“I fucking knew it. He’s behind us and catching up.”
“Trust me,” she declared, turning abruptly at the next block.
“Famous last words.”
“Don’t worry,” she said with a grin. “Look ahead.”
“Holy crap. A Land Rover dealership! Will it still be open?”
“It’s Friday,” she replied, making a sharp turn into the driveway and rolling into the service entrance out of sight of the street. “They’re here until eight o’clock.”
“Why so late?”
“They also sell Jags and Bentleys.”
“What does that have to do with anything?”
“This place caters to the wealthy,” she murmured, lowering her voice as a service representative approached.
“Hello, Miss Perry,” the young man said with a welcoming smile as Portia opened her door. “I didn’t see an appointment for you. Is something wrong?”
“I’m not sure. The handling seems off. I know I’m probably too late for the mechanics to look at the alignment, but could you check the tire pressures for me? Maybe one of them is low.”
“Sure. There are a couple of things I need to finish up, but it won’t take long. Why don’t you go into the lounge and make yourself comfortable?”
“Thanks, Bill.”
Stepping from the car and following her through a door, Koda was glad he wasn’t dressed in his leathers. The waiting area resembled the lobby of a first class hotel.
“What would you like?” Portia asked, leading him to a refreshment bar. “There’s everything here. Lattes, espresso, cappuccino—”
“Just plain coffee.”
“French Roast? Breakfast Blend? Kona?”
He rolled his eyes.
“French Roast,” she said quickly, grabbing a mug and pushing the button. “Koda, would you grab me a muffin from that jar?”
As she poured them both a mug, he placed two muffins on a plate and studied his surroundings.
“Maybe I should have a decent waiting room. Not like this, but something comfortable.”
“You should. I’d love to help you decorate.”
“I’m sure you would,” he said with a grin.
There was only one other customer in the room, but as they walked up to a black tufted leather couch, a service representative approached the man and told him his car was ready.
“I’ve gotta hand it to you, princess,” Koda remarked as they sat down, “coming in here was a stroke of genius.”
“I wish I could say I thought of this place when I made the suggestion to be your lookout, but I’ll take credit for being half a genius. Did you get the gizmo on Benny’s bike?”
“I’d just finished when I heard the car alarm. It damn near gave me a heart attack,” Koda muttered, pulling out his phone. “The tracker I found on my bike must have been old. The ones I bought are so much smaller. Let’s see where he is.”
As Portia leaned closer, he tapped his phone and brought up the map. A red dot moved across the screen.
“He’s heading into Elmwood,” she murmured. “We can go home without worrying about him.”
“He’s stopping.”
“Yeah, so?”
“He’s only about four blocks from Bebe’s street.”
“Probably just a coincidence.”
“Maybe. Look, he’s starting up again. That was just enough time for a quick call. Whatta ya wanna bet... yep... he’s headed straight to Bebe’s.”
“That’s weird. You don’t think—no! Bebe and Benny? Not in a million years.”
“It’s hard to imagine,” Koda agreed as he watched the red dot stop, “but it would explain a few things.”
“We’re jumping to conclusions. Just because he’s visiting her doesn’t mean he’s—”
“Fucking her brains out?” Koda interrupted.
Portia stared at him, shook her head, then turned away and sipped her coffee.
“That’s why I call you princess,” he whispered, digging her with his elbow and chuckling.
“And why I call you incorrigible.”
“Hey, guilty as charged, but back to the point. Regardless of why he’s there, it’s strange.”
“To quote a famous adage,” Portia said, her eyes wide as she turned back to him, “the plot thickens.”
* * *
Catching sight of the Land Rover turning into the dealership, Benny had cursed himself for being so paranoid. The expensive SUV had obviously been on its way there, had pulled off the road into Hazel’s parking lot because of a problem, then continued on.
It wasn’t far to Bebe’s. She lived in a modest home and drove an older compact car, but Koda wasn’t her only client. Benny knew of at least a dozen more, and she was always working. With so much business and so few expenses, he’d often wondered why she didn’t drive a nicer vehicle.
Stopping a couple of blocks away, he’d called her. She’d sounded pleased he was nearby and could pop over, but he’d sensed she was preoccupied. Rolling up her short driveway and turning off his bike, he pulled off his helmet as he strode up the path.
“Hello, Ben, I’m so happy to see you,” she beamed, opening the front door before he knocked. “I’m desperate for a break.”
“That doesn’t sound good,” he said, placing his helmet on the hall table as he walked in. “Is a client givin’ you a hard time? Tell me who it is and I’ll have a word with them.”
“Oh, Ben,” she said with a giggle as he jerked her into his arms. “You don’t have to do anything.”
“No one’s allowed to upset my girl.”
“I’m not upset anymore. You always make me feel better. What can I get you?”
“Coffee would be good,” he replied, wanting to sober up and think clearly.
“Come in the kitchen. I made a chocolate cake this morning—just for you.”
“Tell me what’s bothering you,” he insisted, following her down the short hallway.
“I wish I could.”
“Bebe...”
“You know I can’t discuss my clients, especially when you know them.”
“Dakota King!” he declared, removing his leather jacket and dropping it into a chair.
“I shouldn’t say,” she mumbled, cutting into the cake. “It’s not right.”
“Hey,” he said softly, moving over to her, “you know you can trust me, and you also know talking helps to settle your nerves.”
“But—”
“No excuses.”
Taking the knife from her hand and placing it on the table, he brought her into his arms.
“Look at me. You know I don’t like my girl worried like this. Talk to me, then I’ll make it all better.”
Staring down at her and seeing the familiar flush cross her face, he leaned in and pressed his lips on hers. She melted into the kiss, then sank against him.
“You know you have to do what Daddy says,” he murmured, cupping her chin and forcing her to look up at him.
“Oh, Benny, when you talk that way...”
“Come on, you must tell Daddy, otherwise he’ll take a strap to your bottom. You’ve already made him ask twice, which means you’re in for—what, Bebe? What’s going to happen?”
“You’re going to—”
“Who’s going to?”
“Sorry, sorry,” she said hastily. “Daddy’s going to put me over his knee, pull down my panties, and spank me.”
“That’s right. Will Daddy have to use the strap?”
“No, Sir.”
“That’s Daddy’s good girl,” he murmured, feeling her aching need. “We’re going into your bedroom so Daddy can punish you, then you’ll tell him everything.”
“Yes, Daddy.”
“After that,” he whispered, lowering his lips to her ear, “I’ll be me again, and slide my big cock inside you, and make you forget all your problems.”
Chapter Ten
The first time Benny called himself her daddy and threatened to spank her like a naughty little girl, Bebe had stared up at his bright blue eyes in shock. A moment later he’d seen the hunger in her eyes.
She loved everything he did to her.
Everything.
The role playing was no exception.
“Over my knee, naughty girl,” Benny ordered, sitting on the edge of her bed.
“Yes, Daddy,” she mumbled, stepping forward and lying across his broad thighs. “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you my worries right away. I know I must be punished.”
He heard the quick intake of breath as he lifted her skirt, and she gasped and whimpered apologies as he slid her pink panties off her broad backside and began slapping her voluptuous bottom. Making sure his callused palm held no predictability, he smacked her several times on the same area, then suddenly peppered her sit spot.
“Please, Daddy, I’ll be a good girl,” she finally yelled, squirming on his lap.
“Tell Daddy why you were upset when he got home,” Benny demanded, rubbing his palm over her scalded skin.
“Dakota King is spending so much money on his patio, and everything looks overpriced. I know you said it’s none of my business, but I’m worried—really worried. I think I should ask him about it.”
“Bad girl,” he said sternly, landing a volley of hot slaps.
“Ow, oh, ow.”
“I thought this matter was settled,” he scolded, not letting up. “It’s his patio, his bar, and his money. Aren’t the invoices signed off?”
“Yes. Ouch, please, stop.”
“Questioning him will only insult him. You may as well just come out and say he doesn’t know what he’s doing. Is that what you want?”
“No, ouch, no, Sir.”
“I won’t allow you to embarrass yourself,” he said gruffly. “If he wanted your opinion, he’d ask for it. He’s a smart guy. He knows what he’s doing, besides, he’s fired that construction company.”
“He has? Ooh, I didn’t know.”
“If they were screwing him, he’s figured it out. Don’t interfere with a man’s business, understand?” he finished, delivering half a dozen quick slaps to the back of her thighs.
“Ow, ow, yes, yes, oh, yes, I understand.”
“Next time I ask you what’s wrong, tell me,” he said sternly, helping her off his lap and onto the bed. “I’m putting you on notice. Next time I’ll go straight to the strap. Now take off your clothes.”
He let out a silent breath of relief. She wouldn’t be putting her nose into dangerous territory, but as he began peeling off his leathers, his looming problem resurfaced. Finding three construction workers he could trust by Monday night was impossible, and there was no chance Koda would rehire Eddie’s boys.
Benny grimaced.
His days were numbered.
“Honey, are you okay?”
Darting his eyes across to the bed, he saw Bebe lying naked on her back with her knees up to her chest. The lewd position was one she had to assume after being punished. He didn’t know why her body sent his blood rushing, but it did, and he wasn’t complaining.
Quickly stripping, he climbed on the bed and dove his mouth on her voluminous breasts, kneading them as he hungrily consumed her nipples. Urged on by her odd little noises, his cock stood rigid and ready.
