I slide a finger over the first glossy shot and pick them up one by one, examining the images. There's me walking into our large house after a morning run. Another getting out of my car at the grocery store. At the salon getting my hair done. Waitressing at the restaurant during the holiday season when staff were forced to wear ugly green shirts with poinsettias embroidered into them. Mario's mom picked them out. No one ever said no to Mama Fanelli. Does she know who her husband was? Who her son is?"Why am I in here?" I ask while I collect the pictures with me in them. Has he been following me? How? We met this month and I'm the one who moved to Pelican Bay. How could Ridge have pictures from December? Why would he?My brain flounders to create an explanation. It's working overtime, but I'm still processing my meeting with Benny. I can't add this new information in without a meltdown."You've been on police radar for a long time, Tabitha. They've never been sure how much you kne
"Since when?""Not long."I open my mouth to ask more questions, but there aren't any. My ability to think has shut down. My entire life is a lie and now the guy I thought my hero lied too. He flew to Oklahoma. Had me followed. Who the hell is he?"Why?"Ridge closes his eyes slowly opening them a few seconds later. "I had to know.""Because you thought I was a drug dealer from Oklahoma?" My voice rises with every word.Ridge releases a huge breath and tilts his head to the ceiling. "I never believed it, Tabitha, but I had to make sure. If I ignored information of that magnitude because you're hot, it would make me pretty shitty at this security business. I needed to be sure."I hate when he makes decent points. Plus, I can't give Ridge too much shit since one-to-one I'm still up on the lies told category. We're like a fucked up episode of One Life to Live."This is what we'll do, Tabitha." Ridge rests his hands on his knees leaning toward me in his chair. It's a move h
"That's what you took from what I said? The threesome, not the boyfriend part?""Well..." my words trail off."I don't kid about threesomes, Tabitha. No man does. And I also don't share. Especially in a devil's triangle." He kisses the side of my head. "Okay, I answered three of yours. My turn. What are your real plans for Pelican Bay?" he asks his hands faltering on my back for a second."I told you the truth. I'm not going back to Oklahoma. There's nothing there for me, but here is a whole town of possibilities. I'll need to find a job, of course.""Where?""No clue. Are you hiring?" I ask.He tenses, his hands stopping. "For you. Hell no. You're enough trouble now.""What is it you even do?""Eh, this and that." He starts rubbing again, but I'm not buying it."What happened to the whole, truthfulness from here on out bit?""Fine." He blows out a breath, moving the hair on the top of my head. "I did eight years in the military and then when Mom died during my seco
Something tickles my neck and I swat it away. The bed under me jerks with little movements. Ones I eventually pick up as Ridge laughing behind me.I moan and pull the blankets up around my shoulder. "Go away."He leans over my body kissing my ear. It's annoying and messing with my sleep. If he wasn't so hot and sweet, I'd be pissed for the interruption."I'm trying to leave, but I wanted to say good-bye," he whispers in my ear.I crack my eyes open to the pitch black room. "You're leaving for real? Do you always get up this early?" It's not normal."I do when there's an asshole stalking the woman I have in my bed. Yes.""Does that happen often for you?"He laughs again, the movements pulling on my covers. "No. You're a first, baby. In so many ways." Ridge pulls on the edge of the comforter and tucks it around me. "Go back to sleep. Richie will be over to fix your window early this morning and Riley will set up the new alarm."I try to roll over to my back, but he's pack
Books are pulled off shelves, the bookcase tipped over on top of them. Crumpled sheets litter the floor, ripped from the bed. The mattress is off the box spring a few inches. Nothing broken, but it will involve a long cleanup effort. I don't check on the master bedroom, preferring to pretend it's fine. At least for a few more minutes. I'm back to denial.A hamper full of dirty clothes is dumped and scattered on the floor, the few clean items I had left pulled from their hangers in the closet and thrown about the room. There hasn't been time to worry about laundry since I left Oklahoma, but now buying a jug of detergent springs to the top of the list. A knee length jean skirt, two vintage t-shirts, and a tea length party dress I bought on a half-off sale but never wore are undisturbed on their hangers.With little choice, I pick the jean skirt and a grey vintage shirt with the words Chill Out and a row of penguins underneath on it. I bend down to pick up a few books, but quickly giv
"What are you doing?" I ask while Ridge buries his head in my cleavage."Looking for my dinner. I'm starved." He lifts my shirt and pulls my bra down exposing my breasts and pebbled nipples. "Lean back a little, babe."With the palm of my hands resting behind me on the counter I lean back, a tinge worried because there's nothing but open air to catch me.Ridge spreads my legs and reaches under my skirt tapping my ass twice until I lift. In one fluid move he pulls my underwear down, clutching them in his hand. "I think I'll eat right here."His tongue flicks over my nipple and I arch to get closer. "Didn't we try this once and Aunt Mary walked in on us?" I ask, nervous about my exposed position on his counter.He sucks on my nipple in response, squeezing my breasts together. "Shhh. No more talking." Ridge's thumb caresses my bottom lip until I open for him, and then he shoves my wadded up underwear in my mouth.I jerk around the intrusion, but focus on breathing through my n
A pair of my jeans gets stuck in the back of the front loading washer and I reach in to pull them out. The smell of wild mountain flowers surrounds me. Ridge splurges on the good laundry detergent.There's a ringing somewhere in the house, but I don't feel comfortable answering Ridge's phone so I continue to shove wet clothes in the dryer. One of Ridge's shirts wrapped itself around one of mine and I struggle to untwist the sleeves before saying fuck it and throwing them in the dryer together. There's a sick and twisted satisfaction from our clothes being surrounded together. I've totally lost my mind. It's surely cabin fever from being unable to leave the house for days. Could happen to anyone.Grabbing the empty laundry basket, I slam the dryer door and start the cycle. The ringing starts again. It gets louder the closer to the kitchen I get. My excitement ratchets up as I realize it's the new cell phone Ridge gave me last weekend. No one has called and I've forgotten what it's l
Even though I'm sure it's Ridge, I'm concerned he didn't use his key. I sneak to the partition that separates the kitchen and living room. Around the side I try to see out the window to the side of the door. To my dismay, Richie put the curtains up when he finished this morning and the cow shape patterned fabric blocks everything. Probably a print Aunt Gertie ordered from the Country Curtains catalog. From the number of them lying around the house and in the mailbox, she was a frequent shopper."I'm using my key," Ridge yells into the door, and then the handle twists and opens. He steps inside and turns to punch in the code Riley made me set up today to stop the alarm from beeping.I'm not sure what kind of social call this is, so I'm not up on my etiquette. From the plaid boxers Ridge is sporting I'd say he's looking for a quick booty call.I step around the partition. "Hey.""You're still awake?""Getting a drink." I hold up the half empty glass of water as my proof.He c
ElliotFive years later"No, sweetie, we only get one puppy today." I squat getting on the same level as my daughter, Brandise.The round ball of fluff she squeezes onto with all her might so he doesn't run away licks her across the face and she giggles. "Daddy, they're twins just me and Bray. They have to stay together."My eyes flick back and forth between each dog. One held in the tight grip of Brandise and the other being sized up by my son. Their mother, Harley, a woman who took too long for me to figure she meant everything stands between the two of them with her lips pinched together not helping me in this situation. She's left me out in the cold on my own.The two puppy siblings look alike, but in my eyes every Yorkie looks the same. How can you tell them apart? The puppies my babies held both had a lighter colored face than Rocky, but other than that they were big puffballs of fur."Sweetie, Rocky only needs one brother," I try again hoping to talk sense into her.
Elliot's steps are slow but sure as I hold open the bakery door to let him get through the space. Once he's cleared the way, I stand beside him in case he needs me for support as he makes his way to the first table in the busy sitting section. You wouldn't expect a shoulder injury to cause issues walking, but with each movement his body makes, his shoulder sways with the force and his face grimaces.It's too soon for him to be up and moving, but I couldn't make him listen to reason.He finds his seat and plops in it heavily, the chair legs scraping on the tile. The people around us stop what they're doing and turn before a small round of applause starts from behind the bakery counter and then picks up including people from every space in the bakery. Elliot turns to the noise, catching everyone in their adoration, and scowls until the clapping fades."Cupcakes for everyone," Anessa says smiling from her spot at the counter. "Especially for our new hero."Elliot's scowl deepens.
Dominick releases a breath and sucks in another one as if preparing himself for this new life. "Are you positive? Because there are very eligible bachelors in my club. A brother could keep you safe."I don't argue with him that Elliot kept me safe. Well at least until he got shot, and no one can blame a man for that. He literally stuck his body in between me and a loaded weapon. How much more could he have done?Plus I could never live life in the club again. Now after experiencing life on my own. "Yeah, and then they'd cheat on me or go to prison."Dominick shakes his head. "My men aren't that way. They love hard and deep. I changed the club here, Harley. It's different from how we grew up in Colorado."There's honesty in his words, but it will never be enough to bring me back. "Elliot is mine."Dom shakes his head once, admitting defeat. "Fine. Onto topic two. I met your father," he says father accusatorily like I've been keeping something from him.Which, in a way, I hav
Without warning there's another harsh pop in the air like someone shooting off a firecracker, and then red blossoms in the middle of Pete's forehead. His body falls back hitting the ground once again. The thud is too far away to hear, but I swear my body feels the vibration.Holy fuck.My ears ring from the gunfire as men pool around us each of them yelling things back and forth. It's coordinated chaos. An ambulance with its lights flashing speeds over the highway."That man took three bullets to the chest," Huxley mutters to himself shaking his head. "I haven't seen anything that crazy since Thailand."... The steady beat of Elliot's hospital machines lulls me into a restless sleep as my head rests on Elliot's hand."Harley," a deep voice whispers in my ear, shaking my shoulder. "Har."In a start my head pops up and my eyes search Elliot's face, but his hand still rests underneath my head, a pool of my drool sticking between his fingers."Still drool, huh? I wouldn't
"Dominick won't pay anything for me," I lie.Pete laughs. "Don't want money. I'm looking to trade you for a free get-out-of-town card. If he won't offer me his protection, you'll be a going away gift to my men. They're upset with having to leave. I'm sure you understand.""What?" Fear causes me to choke out the word as a hundred images flash through my brain of what he could mean, but only one is sick and depraved enough for this man.He smirks. "They'll love you if the Impaler doesn't."I fall to my knees against the back of his seat. "No, please don't." I'd rather he shoot me now than do what his smile promises. He means I'm to be a sexual gift given to his men and passed between them. I'd never survive. Sure, Dom trained me in basic self-defense skills, but my mother sheltered me from club life so I only heard the evils of the world through others. Until now, I never once felt concern for my safety. Not the way I do now.The cargo van travels on the highway, passing a bill
"Stand up, Fucker."Elliot scoots away from me as I claw deftly on his leg trying to hold on and keep him close. He turns, not making any sudden movements and puts his body in front of mine to shield me once again from the nasties of life."Let's not do anything drastic, Pete." Elliot takes a step forward with his hand held out defensively.I twist seeing the old man wearing a pair of board shorts, a blue Hawaiian shirt with palm trees, and flip-flops on his feet standing in the middle of the beach. He resembles a tourist who belongs in Florida not a man running a drug ring in Pelican Bay. He sneers at me taking the tension from Elliot for just a moment and waving the gun in his direction as if either of us could forget it's there."She's the only one who can name me. Without her I can pick up shop and start somewhere fresh and there's nothing you can do about it. You guys don't have shit on me.""You're standing in the middle of a public beach during the day, Pete," Elliot t
He flinches as of my question has hurt him, but I'm the child who didn't have a father. "I got out early for good behavior and I looked up your mother. I learned what happened. Sorry about your loss," he says. The words are stagnant as if he knows what he's supposed to say but struggles with the meaning. Yet, something in the inflection makes me believe he means each one. His eyes turn soft, possibly remembering his time with my mother.My life has never been cupcakes and cookies, but the last month has been indescribable except for the word surreal. First, I had no father, then I picked up a club president for a stepdad, lost him, and now gained back the original. What is happening to my life?"What will happen now?"My father shakes his head and stares at me with a touch of a smile tweaking his lips. "I'm out of the club life. Plan to take the straight and narrow from here on out."I hold back the cringe at his promise. It's one I've heard from club brothers my entire life. E
Elliot shakes his head, his fingers curving around the handle of his gun. His face pinches together as if he has so much to say, but is staying silent for me.Until he doesn't anymore."Would someone mind telling me what the fuck is going on?"He's not the only one looking for answers. "Me too. Mom said you died in a motorcycle crash. Drove your bike over a mountain ledge one night." She hadn't said he'd been drinking, but I've filled in the blanks for myself as I aged.My father's teeth come together hard making a gnashing sound I hear even from my position. "Yeah well. She thought it would be better than the true story. Easier for both of you to move on rather than wait around on me living only a half-life.""Then what is the true story?" After my mom left Dominick's dad, it was the three of us together. I always believed we never hid any secrets from one another.My father shakes his head and stares at me but looks past me as if he's reliving the memories himself. "She s
My gaze and thoughts flip to the back door, but I'm too far away to reach it before he could shoot me.The man is younger than Pete and not the person I saw put a bullet in someone earlier this month, but he's old enough to be my father. His skin is leathered and wrinkled as if he's spent a lifetime in the sun. His jeans are loose and a leather jacket lacking any MC cut is wrapped around his body. Not a Bloodhound.I stand next to the kitchen island breathing heavily while trying to come up with an escape plan as the two of us stare at one another unmoving.He speaks first. "Now, Harley, is this any way to greet the old man who named you?"His words scatter in my brain, startling me into paying attention, all my plans of escape lost. "Excuse me? My father named me."It was one of the few stories I had of the man who shared such a brief relationship with my mother. "He wanted to pay homage to the best...""Damn motorcycle company the US has ever seen," he finishes my sentenc