Chasing Thunder Page 23

  It was the first time she had called him by his real name, and it shocked him to his core. He held his breath and waited.

  “A long time ago, in a world way far away from here, someone who looked an awful lot like me trusted the wrong person. Everything was great at first. I felt like I found something I had always been looking for.” Her eyes met his. “But dreams don’t come true for everybody.” His heart shattered as one lone tear escaped the corner of her eye and trickled down her face. “So I don’t dream anymore. I can’t risk any more nightmares.”

  “And X?” Kid asked softly.

  She sighed. “When I’m with him, I don’t feel like that girl anymore.”

  “And with me, you do.”

  “With you, I can.” Silently she reached into her backpack purse and pulled out a wad of folded paper. “This is me,” she said. “I carry it with me everywhere. Like chains around my feet. Whenever I get sad or depressed, I add to it. Things I’ve seen. Things I’ve done. Things that have happened to me. All of it. I thought maybe if I could purge it, I could forget. But it’s always there. It won’t ever go away, even if another soul never even knows. It’s the only thing I have to give. And there’s only one person I trust enough to give it to.”

  He watched as she opened his palm and placed this precious gift there, closing his fingers over it. Finally Kid said, “I don’t have to see this to know who you are.” He cupped her face in one hand. “I see you. I always have.”

  Their gaze held for a long moment before she finally leaned towards him. Her lips felt like velvet against his as the kiss lingered on his mouth. Her eyes widened as she pulled away. It was such an impulsive thing to do and it only confused her more. He had been her safe place to fall, her family, and she never wanted to confuse things again. Yet here she was, staring into his eyes, praying he would kiss her again.

  He wrapped his hand around the back of her neck and complied with her unspoken request. The minute his mouth opened over hers, X was forgotten. She moaned softly as she submitted to the deeper kiss. He brushed the hair from her face as he moved away. “You’re not broken,” he whispered. “You’re perfect, Baby.”

  She fell into those warm brown eyes. “Haley,” she whispered back.

  “Haley,” he repeated softly before he bent for another kiss, just as the sun disappeared into the ocean.

  Kelly sprawled on his living room sofa, staring blindly at the fancy high-definition TV mounted on the wall as he surfed through endless channels. His apartment was full of the latest gadgets and gizmos, decorated for utility rather than design. His furniture was utilitarian, just a basic couch, table, and chairs. It wasn’t like he entertained. Hell, he hadn’t even brought a woman back to his place in at least five years. He had no attachment to his apartment, to his possessions . . . to his life.

  Yet all he could think about as he sat on that boring old sofa was a fiery redhead locked in the arms of another man.

  With a snarl of disgust he powered the TV off and hurled his remote across the couch. He opened his computer and loaded up his email. There was a response from one of his contacts down at juvie who had more information on Xavier Castellano. Kelly Harris wasn’t one to let a little matter of sealed records stop him from getting the information he wanted. It seemed pointless now, since he figured that Xavier was nothing more than another distraction, a discarded bone M.J. had thrown to get him out of her hair. But his contact had risked her hide to provide said information, so he felt obligated to look it over anyway.

  Xavier had been a ward of the court until he turned eighteen, bouncing in and out of foster homes and juvenile detention. Single mom, jailed dad, your basic sob story. Charges included things like petty theft, vandalism, and even arson. He sighed as he ran through the information, skimming most of it, until he saw the word Slick.

  He was on the phone in an instant, calling his source. “Hey, Jill.”

  “Did you get everything you needed?” she asked. She had a soft spot for the hunky detective. He had covered her ass a time or two, so she was willing to color outside the lines for him if needed. Plus, she was still holding out hope he’d ask her out someday, so she could inspect every ridge and contour of that sculpted body for herself.

  “Yes and no,” he answered. “Tell me more about the incident on February 22, 2008.”

  After a minute of clicking away on her computer, she finally found the information he requested. “His mother, Julia, apparently worked at the gentleman’s club Slick for a short time before she was fired for drug use. This sent him back into the system, and apparently he set off some explosives at Slick to retaliate. The charges were dropped, though. The owner decided not to pursue legal action.”

  “What a swell guy. Anything else?”

  “That was the only thing that involved Slick or Dominic Isbecky. Xavier was arrested only once more after that, just after his eighteenth birthday. But he was bailed out and he’s kept his nose clean ever since.”

  “Who bailed him out?”

  More clicking. “Bail bondsman. Donny Costas.”

  He was on his feet before she was done. “Thanks, Jill. You’re a peach.”

  She laughed. “Says the man who won’t shake my tree.”

  He wore a smile as he grabbed his car keys. “You’d break me in half, sweetheart.”

  “But you’d die with a smile on your face,” she replied, and he pictured her cheeky grin. “If you need anything else, you know who to call.”

  “Don’t I always?” Then he was out the door and on his way to Costas Bail Bonding.

  Snake and M.J. lay side by side, naked and sweaty, tangled in each other’s arms. She traced the scant line of hair on his tummy that led straight toward his groin. “By the way, happy birthday.”

  He growled and clutched her closer. “Best gift ever.”

  He kissed her hard and she eased herself on top of him, straddling his strong hips. Even though they had enjoyed an enthusiastic tussle, she felt him stir against her. She grinned. “Surprised you can get it up again so fast. Considering you’re an old man now.”

  He grabbed her hips in both hands. “If ever the day comes when you can’t get him up, check my pulse. I’m likely dead.”

  She scowled. “Don’t say things like that.”

  “It was a joke, babe.”

  “A bad one.” She bent and held him tight.

  “Hey,” he said as he tipped her face toward his. “You’re never going to lose me, M.J.”

  “Don’t make promises you can’t keep, Cooper,” she said, using his proper name for emphasis.

  His hand slid down the arch of her back over the curve of her hip. “This is us, remember? We don’t make promises.”

  She smiled. He knew her better than anyone. She ground her body against him until he arched painfully toward her. He eased her onto her back and slid in between her thighs. She pulled him down for another kiss. Every time they were together felt like the first time. Her heart burst with joy as he brought her back to life with each thrust. This time he wouldn’t stop until she was writhing and screaming beneath him, begging him for more. It was never enough. They could have an entire lifetime together and it wouldn’t be enough.

  Despite the promises they knew better than to make, they both knew that they belonged to each other. It was a commitment their hearts had made years ago, and nothing had yet broken their bond.

  Maybe that was why she said what she said. It was a stupid, foolish thing to say. It was like signing off on his death certificate, condemning him to the same lonely fate she was destined to walk. But when Snake came a second time, whispering, “God, I love you,” into her ear, she couldn’t hold back the words anymore.

  “I love you, too,” she said, before she vaulted into orbit herself.

  It was the greatest birthday gift of his life.

  They should have known it would never last.

  24. TUESDAY’S GONE

  The party at Wyndryder remained in full swing even after the guest of ho
nor mysteriously disappeared. It had been a really long time since this group of old friends had gathered so openly and publicly. Jimmy had pulled out all the stops, not just for Snake, but for the kids, too.

  Joe would have loved seeing this new crop of bikers embrace the Wyndryder legacy so openly and enthusiastically, just like the old crew did in the 1960s when they were the disaffected youth, struggling to make sense of a turbulent era of change. Joe Bennett would have fallen head over heels for Baby, doting on her like a devoted grandfather. She reminded Jimmy of another young girl a million years ago, who was equal parts sweetheart and badass—even if Baby herself didn’t know it yet.

  No one was happier than Jimmy to see Baby and Kid return to the lot hand in hand. She would smile shyly up at Kid, and he would beam like a ray of sunshine as he returned his own smile. It warmed Jimmy’s heart to see Kid open up, to embrace a world bigger than that house in Pasadena.

  He understood why Snake had made the choices he had made, of course. But no matter how much they all ran from it, being a Wyndryder was in their blood. Kid and Baby were the new guard, boldly marching where Snake and M.J. had blazed a trail before them. It was right that they were here. It was right that they were together.

  And Jimmy was prepared to play Cupid in order to make that happen. He had kept that kid X busy with mundane tasks so that he couldn’t sneak away and steal Baby out from under Kid’s nose. Judging from the blush in Kid’s cheeks whenever he glanced down at an equally flushed Baby, who had abandoned both her glasses and her contacts, Jimmy suspected that the arrow had been flung and successfully pierced both the intended targets.

  He still had a smile on his face when he came face-to-face with Detective Harry Landers. “Good evening, Officer,” he greeted, pouring another drink. “Enjoying our festivities?”

  “Reminds me of the good old days,” Landers said as he toasted him with his cup. “How long has it been?”

  “Too long,” Jimmy replied. “Especially something big like this. We have our new protégé to thank for that,” he added, motioning towards Baby, who had grabbed another tray and was circulating among the guests.

  “Family friend?” Landers asked.

  “Something like that,” Jimmy answered. “She started working here a few weeks ago. She’s part of the family now.”

  Landers nodded with a smile. “I’m surprised M.J. signed off on the party. She’s not one for big and splashy.”

  Jimmy laughed. “I don’t think she knows. I haven’t seen her around since all that mess started with the Hard Candy Killer. I don’t expect that to change until you catch him.”

  “Working on it,” Landers said. His cell phone buzzed in his pocket. “Excuse me,” he offered the old biker before he turned away to answer. It was Kelly. “Yeah?”

  “Hey, do me a favor, would you? You still at the party?”

  “Yeah, but was on my way out. Why?”

  “Keep an eye on Xavier Castellano.”

  “Why?”

  “Just a hunch,” Kelly answered cryptically. “I’m on my way to check out a possible connection between Xavier and Dominic Isbecky.”

  Landers’s brow furrowed. “Is M.J. with you?”

  There was a brief pause. “No,” Kelly finally answered, sounding oddly strained. “I found this connection all on my own. But it proves she wasn’t just sending us on another goose chase.”

  Landers glanced up at the handsome bartender, who was plying the younger female patrons with his charm. “You got it, partner.”

  “I’ll be there hopefully within an hour or so.”

  Landers looked at his watch. It was 8:15. “If nothing else, we can catch the fireworks. It promises to be an electrifying show.”

  “Sounds like a plan,” Kelly said. They hung up, and Landers sauntered to the makeshift bar for another drink. Xavier gave him a bright white smile.

  “Certainly seeing a lot of you lately, Officer,” he said as he poured the drink.

  “What can I say? I’m a frustrated old biker at heart.”

  “Aren’t we all?” X smiled and handed him the cup.

  “You ride?”

  “Since I was twelve,” he answered. “Dirt bikes mostly.”

  Landers nodded. They both turned to the rowdy crowd dancing to the heavy classic rock blasting from the sound system. Both of their gazes landed on Baby, who had pulled Mad Dog out onto the temporary dance floor. “Cute kid,” Landers commented when he turned back to Xavier.

  “She’s a sweetheart,” X agreed.

  “Don’t think I’ve seen her here before. But she certainly fits right in as one of the gang.”

  X shrugged. “I don’t know much about the Wyndryder crew. You’ll have to save your inquisition for Jimmy or Snake.”

  Landers chuckled. “Not an inquisition. Just friendly conversation.”

  X nodded but his smile was not quite as wide as before. “I should get back to work,” he said dismissively before turning away.

  On the dance floor, Baby was guiding Mad Dog through some awkward dance moves. “I look ridiculous!” he shouted over the din.

  “So does everyone,” she shouted back before launching into every dorky dance move she could think of. He laughed and followed suit. They wore themselves out before the song ended. Mad Dog grabbed a couple of cups from a passing server, and he and Baby found a quiet corner away from the crowd.

  “You’re something else,” he said as he toasted her. “I think you’re probably my favorite person here.”

  She giggled. “A fine honor,” she toasted in return. “But why do you say that?”

  He leaned closer. “Because you’re the only one who calls me Mad Dog.”

  She gave him a sweet smile. “That’s what you want to be called. And the way I figure it, you get to decide who you are, not anyone else.”

  “I like the way you think.”

  “And I like the way you dance.” She winked.

  “Please,” he scoffed. “I looked like an idiot.”

  “You looked great,” she said as she patted his arm.

  His eyes softened as he glanced down at her. “I’m so happy you came to stay here, Baby. If it weren’t for you, Kid and I wouldn’t have reconnected.”

  She shook her head. “You would have eventually.”

  “You think so?”

  She nodded and then lifted up her wrist to show off her tattoo. “We’re family. No matter what.”

  He put all the words he couldn’t say into a friendly side hug. She was special, and he wanted her to know that. He also knew that Kid was crazy about her, so he would never betray the “bro code” and make a move, though he was quite smitten himself. He tried to instead adopt her more as a sister. He’d even given her a tribal name, Little River, after she’d countered his best attack and pinned him to the floor.

  She was fully initiated now.

  There was just one matter left. He needed to know that she wouldn’t break his best friend’s heart. “So what’s up with that bartender guy?”

  She shrugged as she looked away. “Nothing.” He let the pause linger before she added. “He’s interested, I guess.”

  “And are you?”

  She glanced at Kid, who was busy playing DJ. “I thought I knew.” She was clearly torn.

  “A little advice,” he offered as he bent close. “Excitement wears off. Slow and steady wins the race.”

  She smiled. “I’ve had enough excitement to last a lifetime. I think I could use a little slow and steady.”

  “Just saying.” He shrugged.

  She hugged him close and planted a noisy kiss on his cheek. “Thanks, Mad Dog.”

  He playfully barked at her and she laughed. Then she headed to the bar to tell X that she had other plans for the night.

  When M.J.’s phone rang at 8:37, she expected it to be Kelly. But that wasn’t the voice in her ear when she answered the call.

  “Miss Bennett,” Dominic Isbecky purred. “I hope you are enjoying a festive holiday.”


  “How did you get my number?” she asked, sitting straight up in bed. Snake grew concerned as he watched her face.

  “You’d be surprised what I know about you, Molly Joanne,” he answered. “Or do you still prefer to go by ‘Mojo’?”

  Blood drained from her face when he used her grandfather’s nickname. “What do you want?”

  “You haven’t come to see me in weeks. I was feeling a bit ignored. Have you grown bored with me already?”

  “How could I?” she said in a cold voice. “You always tend to make things so exciting.”

  He chuckled in her ear. “Indeed. I hear that you’re having a little shindig at your bike shop in Santa Monica. I just wanted to extend my sincerest regret that I couldn’t attend the festivities.”

  “You weren’t invited,” she bit between clenched teeth.

  “No?” he echoed. “Pity. I hear the fireworks are going to be newsworthy.”

  She was off the bed before he finished the sentence. “You listen to me, you son of a bitch. You do anything—” she started, but he was quick to cut her off.

  “Tit for tat, darling. You didn’t really think you could get away with your insults and injuries against me, did you? It was the same foolish mistake your grandfather made before you.” M.J.’s blood ran cold. “But as he learned, there’s a price to be paid for fucking with me. Tonight I collect on the debt. Oh,” he said, “I do have to thank you for keeping Baby safe for me. I’ll be sure to go a little easier on her. Initially,” he added before he disconnected the call.

  M.J. threw her phone on the bed and struggled into her jeans.

  “What is it?” Snake asked as he jumped off the bed and followed suit.

  “That fucker Isbecky. It was him,” she snarled, angry tears streaking her face. “It’s always been him.”

  Just as she reached for her phone, it rang again. This time it was Kelly. She answered and the both of them said the same thing at the same time. “Get to Wyndryder!”

  It was 8:54 by the time X could break away from his duties. Baby waited for him near the bar, where he greeted her with a big smile.