Caught in the Devil's Sheets (17 page)

Chapter 14
Trip Five, Louisiana

It’s raining when Odin picks me up. He offers to drive because of the weather, but I have no problem driving in the rain. It’s snow that makes me nervous. He helps me get my bags into the SUV before the luggage and I get drenched.

“I made something for you,” Odin says, as I pull onto the freeway for the long haul. He pulls out a blank, silver CD.

“You made me a mixed tape?” I tease. “What are we 13?”

“Let’s just say this is me picking your nose,” he jokes.

I laugh, I’ve never heard the term used like that before.

The first couple tracks are all songs I like. Track 4 strikes a lot of nerves. Three Days Grace –
Wake up
, it’s been a long time since I heard this one, but I still remember all their lyrics. It reminds me of Jaime, when they talk about not being sober and knocking each other down over their differences. Just like Jaime, the singer promises he’s not the same person when he’s sober and he won’t hurt her anymore.
Bullshit.

“I wanted to ask you something about your letter. You said I deserve someone who is ‘as devoted’ as me. Does that mean you know for a fact that Jaime isn’t?”

“Do you think he’s faithful?” Odin asks.

“I’ve often wondered, but I have no proof to the contrary.”

“Do you
need
proof?” he asks, as though my suspicions should be enough.

Does he have proof?
“It’d be nice. I mean it would hurt to have to deal with, but it would make me feel better about leaving.”

“Does that mean you are going to leave?” Odin sounds hopeful.

“I’m weighing my options.”

“I think you have plenty of good reasons already.” Odin’s tone is bleak.

“Still, if I knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that he cheated, it would be easier to throw the towel at him.”

Odin contemplates something for a while, then tells me to pull over. I pull off the interstate into a gas station parking lot and turn off the engine. Odin pulls his phone from his pocket, thumbing through it for a few seconds, and then he hands it to me. I hold it up to take a look and my jaw drops open.
What the Fuck?!?
It’s a picture of Jaime passed out on a couch shirtless with some blonde bitch. His pants are unbuttoned, she’s not wearing a shirt, and her tits are busting over the top of her black bra. It’s pretty obvious what they have been doing.

“How old is this?” My eyes burn into Odin’s, demanding an answer.

“A few weeks,” he says, like it’s no big deal.

“And you’re just now showing it to me?” I’m hurt. I thought we were better friends then this.

“I didn’t want to hurt you. I thought you wouldn’t have any trouble making the right decision without having this thrown in your face. You’re the one who just said that proof would help,” he says earnest in his own defense.

I hand him back is phone and I sit silently for a moment, fuming on the inside. I want to punch something!

“Do you want me to drive for a while?” he tries to play nice.

“No.” I turn the engine back on and get right back onto the interstate without another word.

The next track on the mixed tape is Papa Roach –
Scars.
Suddenly the thought behind him making me a tape, isn’t so sweet.

I don’t know what to say. In a way Odin’s right. I asked, but why the hell didn’t he show me sooner? I deserve the truth, don’t I? It hurts more now than it would have if he hadn’t tried to hide it. Now I feel betrayed by both him and Jaime.

I take a deep breath and try not to let the picture ruin my day. The SUV is still quiet other than my mixed tape playing. All the songs are good until track 19.

Hey There, Delilah
by the Plain White Tees doesn’t even make it through the first line before I put an end to it.

“NOPE!” I say instantly hitting the skip button.

“Come on! It’s got your name in it.”

“Yeah, like a million times in a horrible whiny voice over and over. Seriously that song annoyed me so much when it came out that it made me hate my own name!!!”

When the CD is over, I congratulate Odin on a job mostly well done. He puts the CD back its case and tucks it into my purse.

Odin and I are on the I-10 East bound still at least an hour from Arizona. The rain is really coming down. I can’t help but be irritated still, but I try not to take it out on him. It’s not his fault Jaime’s a piece of shit.

“Are you nervous about meeting T-Dawg?” I ask.

“No.” Odin shakes his head, and he sounds assured.

“Are you anxious about going back to Louisiana?” I ask cautiously.

“No,” he says shortly, but his eyes give him away. Odin is unusually quiet.

My attention is glued to the road. I turn up the speed of the windshield wipers, as the rain pours down harder. Luckily the SUV handles maneuvering in the rain easily. Still, I am cautious as we make our way into Arizona. I can tell this is going to be a long trip.

I’m not sure what to say to Odin. My mind wanders and without trying, I start to think about Billy. I have a million theories for why he hasn’t called or written. The only real viable answer, which I’m trying to avoid admitting, is that he doesn’t like me anymore. He’s finally realized his life problems are my fault. My stomach churns as I push this reality elsewhere and try to just remember the good times.

“What’s got your mind?” Odin asks, startling me after a long silence.

“Nothing.” I don’t want to talk about it.

“Have you put any thought into my proposal?” he asks, putting me on the spot.

“I don’t really recall a clear proposal.”

“About me entertaining you in my bedroom.”

That was a proposal?
“Not interested,” I say without hesitation.

I have to shut him down. He can’t know how tempted I am or he’ll try harder. Odin has the entire package. He’s sexy, funny, sweet, and yet still a rugged biker. I just don’t want to be the whore of the club who cheats on one member with another. Everyone else won’t see things from my point of view. They won’t see all the things Jaime has done wrong. Worst still is where will I be when Odin is done with me? By his own account, he’s not a relationship type of guy.

“Are you just playing hard to get?” he asks.

YES!
Desire breaks from her hold and screams out. Desire wants nothing more than to be fucked by the behemoth of a man sitting next to me, but I have a feeling a few good times won’t be enough. I’ll want more.

“No. I’m playing impossible to get!” I look him briefly in the eye, illustrating my point.

And then it’s quiet again. It stops raining shortly before New Mexico and still there’s little conversation between me and Odin.

We stop to get a late dinner to go from El Pollo Loco, where we use the bathroom and switch places in the SUV. Due to the rain we are running a bit behind and Odin picks up the pace behind the wheel.

In the morning, we have almost made it as far as Crystal and Chuck’s house, though we won’t be stopping there. Odin has taken off his sweatshirt and I study his tattoos. There aren’t many, and the ones he has are small and well-detailed. There is a Devil’s Bandit brand on his upper right arm and a skull on the inside of his wrist. Where his arm bends, there are two black shaded roses.

“Sleep good?” he asks me politely.

“Yeah, I could use some coffee,” I note.

“Coffee it is,” he says, smiling.

He pulls off in Fort Worth. There is a small shopping mall with a gas station and Starbucks combo. I go in for coffee and breakfast while Odin pumps gas. I hand him a bagel and two cream cheeses, as well as a white chocolate mocha, then go to get into the driver’s seat.

“I’ll drive,” Odin says stopping me.

“Why?” I ask.

Odin glances around at all the people standing around us.

I take the hint and get into the passenger seat rolling my eyes at him.

“It makes me feel better to be in control of the car when we meet T-Dawg. I just assume go without you but—”

“That’s not going to happen!” I cut him off. I’m not going to send him in alone. I have every intention of earning my share of this run.

“Lila, it’s so much safer…” he tries to plead with me.

“No it is not! You going by yourself is not safer than me going with you! End of story, I’m going!” He may be used to being the boss, but out here on the road, I am a free woman! I call the shots.

“Lila, it’s not a big deal. I just don’t want to risk—”

“Odin, I said no. Technically this is my run. If anything, you should be staying behind.”

“Why do you have to be so fucking frustrating?” he says, casting a very irritated glance in my direction.

“That’s just who I am!”

He’s not amused, but I don’t care. It’s safer to travel in twos and I want to prove to him I can handle this.

The weather is clear as we drive into Louisiana. It’s sunny, but the air is cold. I study Odin, trying to see if he’s anxious. He’s quiet, but otherwise he hides any emotion well. He has the GPS on the dash, navigating our way to the rural location where we’re supposed to meet T-Dawg. They sure do things differently here in Ruston. The GPS leads us off the highway, eventually turning down a dirt road marked 120
th
by a wooden picket sign on the corner.

“Is that what they consider a street sign?” I joke.

Odin laughs like I have no idea, but he is still unnervingly quiet. As Odin drives us into the sticks, I’m glad he chose to drive. I would be so lost right now.

“Take this, just in case. You know how to use it?” Odin hands me a gun.

I un-cock it and check to see it’s fully loaded. “Yes, I know how to use a hand gun!” I say, irritated by his doubt. I cock the gun and put it in my purse.

“Just checking.” Odin is short with me.

What’s his problem?

T-Dawg is parked in a mid-class white Mercedes Benz. We pull up alongside him so that Odin is parallel with his passenger door, sitting about 12 feet or so apart. T-Dawg is a skinny white guy in his mid-30’s. He is wearing a red hat. Odin rolls down his window as does T-Dawg, and they exchange a few words, introducing themselves.

“That your woman?” T-Dawg asks, when Odin neglects to introduce me.

“Not exactly,” Odin says with an irritated smile, still not bothering to introduce me.

Asshole!
This must be his way of getting back at me for insisting I come.

T-Dawg and Odin get out and meet behind the SUV. I’m sitting with my purse in my lap, trying to watch the rearview mirror. Odin pops open the back of the SUV, and T-Dawg helps him shift the bags around. Odin takes the hot bags and carries them over to T-Dawg’s car.

“Lila, grab the last bag please,” Odin calls. I can’t see what either of them is doing.

Odin didn’t want me to come, he didn’t introduce me, and it seems strange that now he wants me to get out of the car. My purse has a long strap and it hangs down by my side as I step out. I reach a hand in my purse, taking hold of the gun inside, just in case. Then I make my way around to the back.

Odin is on his knees with his hands behind his head, kneeling behind the Mercedes. T-Dawg clearly has a gun to the back of his head.
Fuck!
Odin is looking up at me with panic in his eyes. My adrenaline spikes, I don’t even have time to fully let the situation soak in.

“Drop your purse and put your hands up! Now, bitch!” T-Dawg yells.

My heart is racing.
Holy shit! Holy shit! Holy shit!

I raise my hand along with my purse then I shoot. The contents of my purse fly everywhere! I miss. T-Dawg raises his gun, aiming it at me. Odin shoves him over. T–Dawg’s gun goes off, but doesn’t seem to hit anything. He still has it in his hand, as his body hits the dirt. Before either he or Odin has a chance to react, I quickly take my next shot, aiming for his head. I hit him in the side of the neck. Odin quickly scrambles to jump on top of him, ripping the gun away from his hand. T-Dawg tries to use his hand to stop the blood from pouring out of his neck as he gasps and chokes for air.

Holy Fuck! I just shot someone!
My body starts shaking.

Odin takes T-Dawg’s gun and shoots him in the head with it twice. I flinch with each loud bang. Then it’s quiet, other than the sound of my heavy breathing, as my heart pounds inside my chest. I drop my gun and take a step back, leaning against the SUV for support. I glance over at T-Dawg’s body. It’s a gory mess of blood and internal fluids mixed with chunks of bone and brain. I think I might pass out. I feel things start to cave in on me and I suddenly feel very cold.

Chapter 15
Trading Sides

Odin rushes over to me, tossing T-Dawg’s gun aside. I can barely look up at him, as I fight the urge to throw up. My stomach is in knots contemplating prison.

Odin places his hand on my cheek, pulling my face up so that I meet his gaze. I stare up at him, lost and bewildered as his intensely blue eyes stare into my soul. Then it happens. Odin takes a fist full of my hair, pulling my lips into his. I wrap my arms around him, holding him for support. He embraces my whole body with one arm, holding me tightly so my chest is pressed to his. He is confident and his expert tongue slips deep into my mouth. I suck it before pushing it back into his mouth with my own.

Our lips close, but he doesn’t pull away. He shifts so I’m pinned between him and the SUV. He pushes his hips into my lower abs, grinding on me. My body sparks to life, and I feel like a million fireworks are going off inside me. My adrenaline spikes through the roof as his lips consume mine. His hands make their way through my hair and then take a firm grasp of my neck. I moan into his mouth, and he returns it with a low and raspy growl that makes me so hot. I reach a hand down and touch him. He’s hard.

Our breathing is harsh, and I’m panting. I want him! In this moment I know that if he keeps going, I will not stop him. My arm is wrapped around him, and I trail my nails from his shoulder blades down his back. He takes my thigh and wraps my leg around him. Then he flexes his hips, pushing himself into me, and I move my hand away so that his hard-on pushes between my legs through our clothes. My back against the car, I surrender to him, allowing him to touch me. I’m too shocked, having just shot a man to death, to feel the slightest bit of guilt.

Our lips close, and Odin pulls his head away just enough to stare down at me. His blue eyes blaze wildly. I breathe hard, my chest rising against his.

“We need to get out of here,” he says under his breath, and I am unwillingly pulled back to the present. I nod. He’s right, we are sitting ducks out here.

“Tell me what to do.” It’s my first time disposing of a body, but I’m sure Odin has done this before. There are conveniently no shovels or hungry alligators, and I look to Odin for direction.

“Get your blanket,” Odin says, and I quickly make my way into the SUV and pull it out. I watch as Odin lays the it down next to T-Dawg. “Grab his foot and roll him onto the blanket.”

Once T-Dawg’s body is on the blanket Odin tells me to get the bags out of the trunk and put them in our SUV. I watch as Odin uses the blanket to drag the body. Then he wraps T-Dawg’s body in the blanket, and dead lifts it off the ground like it weighs nothing, and heaves it into the back of the Mercedes. He hits a lever on the driver side releasing the hood.

“Take your clothes off and toss them in the car,” he says, burying his face in the hood to give me a moment of privacy.

I quickly do as he asks, and strip down to my underwear, tossing my clothes on top of the body. I hurriedly make my way back to the passenger side of the SUV and dig in my bag for fresh clothes, pulling them on. Odin has pulled a hose from under the hood and I watch him as he takes his shirt and pants off and lays them in a pile on the ground. He opens the gas cap and inserts the hose. I watch as he sucks on the hose, then he spits onto his clothes, and uses the hose to soak them in gasoline. Then he tosses them into the car, leaving the door open. He strolls over to the SUV in nothing but boxers. I think I might burst with all the emotions inside me and my eyes follow his every move. He fishes in the console for a cigarette lighter, and then he looks up at me. His eyes have a devilish stare, and it sends a shock of electricity that hits Desire right in the heart.

I watch his back, as he heads back toward the Mercedes, picking up all the evidence of my blown apart purse along the way. He tosses them in to T-Dawg’s car and holds a hand into the back seat. Then he pulls away quickly, running back toward me, and a giant cloud of flames swamp the Mercedes. They die down almost instantly, but the entire car stays engulfed in flames.

Odin redresses at the back of the SUV as I watch the fire. When he gets back in the driver’s seat, the Mercedes is consumed by flames that leak out the windows, about six feet in the air. Odin turns the SUV on, and I buckle up. He quickly pulls away and drives like a bat out of hell through the woods, trying to put distance between us and what just happened. About a mile away, we hear another loud explosion.

“That should do it,” Odin says with a twisted smile. Before I know it we are back on the interstate. My adrenaline wears off. I’m left with a queasy feeling, and I start to tremble.

“Are you okay?” he asks, noticing that I’m staring at my shaking hands.

“Yeah,” I say, my mind drifting into autopilot. I have no idea what to feel, or what to think. I have so many dangerous thoughts running through my head right now. My nerves are shot and I’m so freaked out, I can feel anxiety creeping in on me.

“Everything’s going to be okay,” he says, and he takes my trembling left hand, holding it in his. His grasp is firm.

I look to him for strength, and sure enough, he’s calm. He shows no sign of distress, and he looks at me with promising eyes. I feel myself relax and the further we get from Ruston, the more laid back I feel.

“Thank you,” Odin says humbly, once we are twenty or thirty miles back on course.

I’m not exactly sure what he’s thanking me for, but I’m too scatter-brained to really think about it.

“For sure,” I say, trying to sound as cool and collected as him.

“I didn’t think you had it in you.”

What, shooting someone?
Neither did I. Though I always hoped that if I had to, I could. Now I can tell Billy I know what it feels like.

“Guess you underestimated me,” I say, still playing it cool. “I should be driving.” Despite the drastic change in our day, we are still driving an SUV loaded down with cocaine, and Odin hasn’t slept in a long time.

“Don’t worry about it,” Odin says, and I don’t argue.

Thank God he’s here right now.
I just lay my head back and try to get my shit together internally, but I can’t stop dwelling on the fact that I shot someone. I’m a killer. I’m responsible for someone’s death. I say a prayer for the first time in a long time. I beg God to let us get away with it.

“Hey,” Odin says, shaking my leg and pulling me out of my trance. “Snap out of it. I’m telling you, we have nothing to worry about. No one knows we were ever in Louisiana. If they ever find that pile of ashes way out in the sticks, there’s no way it will blow back on us,” he assures me.

I look him in the eyes. His glance goes back between me and the road, looking to see if I believe him. I think he’s more worried about me and how I’m dealing with this more than he’s worried about getting caught.

“Okay.” I put my trust in his words, and I try hard to put it out of my mind.

I stare at Odin as he drives back over the Texas border. Only now does it hit me that I made out with him.
Holy shit!
My entire mind concentrates on every detail. Now that he knows my impossible-to-get act is a bluff, I wonder what comes next.

Odin pulls off the freeway and into a hotel parking lot. “Go get us a room. I need to take care of a few things. Text me the room number, and feel free to get cleaned up and comfortable. I’ll up in a few,” he says.

I can’t even begin to wrap my head around reality right now. I pull my purple suitcase out the passenger side and go into the hotel in a total daze.

Walking up to the front desk I put on a smile that says I didn’t just shoot a man. When asked how many beds I need I stutter. “Two. Two beds please.”

The man behind the counter hands me two keys. “Room 313, third floor,” he says, gesturing toward the elevator.

I let myself into our room and put my bags down on the bed closest to the window. I text Odin {313, key is hung on the door.}- Lila.

I immediately go into the bathroom and strip off my clothes, running a steaming hot shower. I undress and take a look in the mirror. I hardly recognize the woman staring back at me. Her hair is a big, red mess like mine. Her eyes are big and golden brown like mine. But her character bewilders me. She looks lost, yet more confident than me. I stare a few minutes longer, as the bathroom fills with steam. Then I step into the hot shower, and stand still, letting the water shower over me. It stings my skin and turns it red, but it’s comforting. I feel cold on the inside. Images of T-Dawg flash through my head.

Oh Billy, I could use a friend right now. Is this what you went through when you shot John Church?
I shake the thought from my head by washing hot water over my face then begin washing my body with the small bottle of complementary soap. I hear Odin come into the hotel room when the heavy door closes behind him. A minute later there is a knock on the bathroom door.

Shit, this is it.
“It’s open,” I call over the noise of the water.

The bathroom door opens and closes. I stand under the water while Odin shuffles around the bathroom. I can’t see him through the pane windows on the shower door. I listen closely, and then watch as the shower door slowly opens. Odin peers around the glass, taking me in. My hair is long and wet, and it covers most of my breasts. Shyly, I try to cover my lower half with my arms as I stare at him, feeling like I’m on display.

Odin steps into the shower. I let him in, fully anticipating what is coming. Odin is completely naked.
Oh my God!
He’s fucking hot! His strong build stands at least a foot taller than me. He’s firm, and confident. I notice a few scars on his chest. His abs are rock solid and they curve into a glorious ‘V’ shape just below his hips. He’s hard, and his cock leans toward me. Its extra layer makes it extremely thick, and it sticks out far from his body. He stands there a moment, taking me in as I do him.

Then his hands grasp my shoulders and quickly make their way down, circling at my waist and pulling me into him. Instantly, his lips seal over mine. The entire bathroom radiates heat as Odin pushes his body against mine. His tongue is once again assaulting my mouth and I match its fierce movements. My lips grind on his, and I can feel his short stubble around his chin brush against my face. His cock presses against my belly, sending desire screaming through my veins.

I am too short for us to do it in the shower, but Odin pushes me up against the wall under the showerhead and pulls my leg up and around him. His cock brushes against my slit, taunting me. He rocks his hips back and forth, his cock rubbing over my clit. The sensation makes me quiver and he tightens his hold on me. I have one hand full of his hair and my other arm around his waist, pulling him into me. I moan into his mouth, as he continues this teasing rhythm on the outside of my body. His lips leave mine and make their way to my neck, tickling, and sucking as they trail along my shoulder. I melt in his arms, rolling my head back, which he supports with one hand.

“Don’t stop,” I whisper, as Odin’s lips make their way down to caress my nipples.

I notice he has scars on his left arm, with fresh scabs on top of them. I graze my thumb over them. I know exactly what they are from. He cuts himself. I had no idea. I can’t imagine the strong, and confident Odin I know doing that. But I know cutting scars when I see them.

He eyes me, looking to see what I make of these scars. Then his lips head south. He begins to kneel down and I see the Devil’s Bandit tattoo on his back. I feel him kiss my upper thigh, where my cutting scars are, though mine have long since healed. Maybe Odin and I have more in common than we thought.

He looks up at me a moment saying nothing as he strokes a thumb over my scars. His eyes burn with seduction. Before I give any indication, he lurches forward, and his lips kiss between my legs, his tongue licking over my clit.

I gasp. Odin maneuvers his tongue so perfectly, it’s as though he already knows me. The water in the tub has a slight red tinge to it. Idly I wonder if it’s my hair dye or the blood washing off of him. Right now I’m so turned on, it only adds to the intoxicating pleasure Odin rains down on me. I want him inside me!

His tongue expertly swirls around me in a rhythm that makes all the muscles in my body clench. He moans, adding vibration to the already intense mix of pleasure. I hold onto the shower wall, my body arching forward as an orgasm sweeps through me. I scream loudly as I cum hard, basking in shame as I give into him.

Odin stops, slowly trailing kisses up to my chest as he stands. He pulls one nipple out with his teeth and let’s go. He looks up at me, his eyes longing for me. His hair is soaked as is mine. He reaches behind me and turns the water off, then steps out of the tub. He takes two towels and hands one to me. I stand in the shower still drying myself, while Odin wraps his around his waist and heads into the room.

I have a minute or two to contemplate my circumstances, and what I am about to do. I glance down at my fingers. I’m still wearing my wedding ring. I wiggle it up my finger and stare at the diamonds, remembering back on all the broken promises. I want to throw it, but instead I gently set it down on the bathroom counter. I’m not going to resist Odin anymore. I’m choosing to do this with no regrets. I’ll make it right when I get home and break up with Jaime. Knowing that he’s cheated on me makes this an easier decision.

I make my way out of the bathroom dressed in my white towel, confident about my decision. Odin is standing by the counter pouring himself a drink from the mini bar. He hits play on the CD player and skips the track forward a few times to Marilyn Manson’s
Sweet Dreams
.

“Was this your plan?” I ask, recognizing the mixed tape he made me in the player. I can’t help but be curious as to whether or not this was the intent behind making it.

“Not exactly,” he says, with his devilish smile. He picks up a condom off the counter.

“I’m clean,” I tell him. “And I’m on birth control.”

He looks at me for a moment, contemplating the condom in his hand. He sets it back on the counter and drops his towel.