Dirty Shame (Bluefield Bad Boys #1) (13 page)

Chapter 25

Rylan

I stepped out of the shower and grabbed my towel. My head was still spinning from the hours in bed with Kellan. It had been hard to see him go, but we’d made plans to see each other later. I knew my parents would be returning at any time, and I just didn’t need any conflict.

I planned to find a job and apartment nearby, hopefully in the city. I’d be out from under my dad’s roof and his disapproving scowl whenever the subject of Kellan came up. I’d hoped that the man’s old, stodgy attitude would have mellowed through the years. But that just hadn’t happened. I loved my parents, but it seemed my own happiness was going to depend on me disappointing them. They were going to have to deal with
that
on their own.

For Kellan and me, it was like falling head over heels for each other all over again. There had been a slight hitch in our reunion on the night of the fight, but we’d worked through it. I felt secure about us. And while I wasn’t always a good judge of character, as Chase had proved, I was certain about Kellan. I knew deep down that he would never hurt me.

I finished drying off and stepped into my room to change. There was a knock on the door. Mom popped her head in without waiting for a response. Typical for her. “Rylan, hurry and get dressed. We have a visitor.” Her cheeks were dark pink, which meant she’d been sipping wine.

“Who is it?”

“You’ll see. Just put on something nice.”

“I won’t be staying long. I’ve got plans.”

Her face drooped, revealing the lines that were usually hidden by her Botox injections. “Don’t be silly, Rylan. We’re all going to dinner, so wear something pretty.”

“I won’t be going. And if you don’t let me get dressed, I’ll be coming down to meet your guest in my towel.” I shooed her out before she could launch into a full blown argument.

I walked over to my dresser and glanced at my phone as I dug out clean jeans. I had a text from Kellan. “Lanie, I need a couple hours to do something. I’ll text you when I’m done.”

I stared at the text. Something. What the heck could it be that he couldn’t be more specific? I wrote back ‘O.K.’ and put the phone down on my dresser. With no mode of transportation other than a bicycle, I was stuck at home having to visit with my parents and their mystery guest. I had no doubt it was one of dad’s business acquaintances, and chances were, the person had a rich, eligible son in his twenties.

Acting the stubborn daughter, I pulled on my faded jeans and an even more worn out sweatshirt. I wanted to make sure my parents realized I wouldn’t be going to dinner, and I definitely wouldn’t be used like a piece of livestock paraded in front of all the wealthy farmers.

I quickly sent a text to Becky to see if she had time for a quick cup of coffee. Our friendship had taken a small hit because of the fight outside the bar. Scott had been plenty pissed about it and with good reason. He didn’t want to draw unwanted police attention to a place that was obviously doing some sketchy activities in its back rooms. I was hoping Becky had cooled off some.

I dragged a brush angrily through my hair, still wondering what my parents were up to and, even more, what Kellan was up to. It seemed my lovely morning had gone south fast.

A text came through. I hoped it was Kellan telling me he was ready to pick me up after all. But it was Becky. “Coffee sounds good. I’ll pick you up in fifteen.”

“Great.”

The size of the house made it difficult to hear conversations in different rooms, but my mom’s laugh, a sound that was always slightly irritating, floated up from the sitting room. I headed down the stairs. I would put in a quick appearance and then head out to wait for Becky.

I could see my mom standing with a glass of wine smiling at someone as I reached the doorway to the sitting room. Mom’s face shot my direction. Her smile tightened with what seemed like a touch of nerves. “Sweetheart,” she said through the same plaster hard smile, “look who’s here.”

I stepped into the room. “Chase.” Just saying his name caused a bitter taste to rise in my throat.

I shot a look of pure disbelief at my parents.

Chase placed his drink on the coffee table and stood up. He was wearing a crisp designer suit and his skin sparkled as if he’d been to a spa. I realized, then, how unattractive his freshly scrubbed skin and expensive suit were to me. He was a man who loathed sweat and dirt. How the hell did I ever fall for him in the first place? Guess the easy answer to that was that I never had fallen for him. He was just a warm body to fill up what I thought I needed for a full life. And seeing him now only sealed that notion.

Chase walked over to me as if he would hug me. I put up my hand to assure him that wasn’t going to happen. “That’s close enough, Chase. I’m not sure why you’re here.”

“We invited him, Rylan,” Dad said.

I shook my head. “Dad, how could you? I thought you were on my side.”

Dad got up. “Let me get you a glass of wine, Ry. Then we’ll all sit down and talk this through.”

“No. I don’t want any fucking wine.”

“Rylan, your language.” Mom added a hand to her chest for extra effect.

“I’ve got to use the right words just to show you how goddamned pissed I am that you did this.”

“Ry, let’s go somewhere quiet so we can talk about this.” Chase reached for my hand, but I yanked it away.

“Oh my gosh, you are thick. Oh, and I’m not talking about, you know.” I pointed down to his fly. “You’re thick in the head if you think there is anything to discuss. You were fucking your assistant in your office in the middle of the work day. That’s what happened. There is not a damn thing you can say to fix it or erase it.”

Chase yanked down on the bottom of his coat to straighten it. “Fine. I told them you’d be unreasonable. You’re a spoiled little girl, and frankly, I need someone much more worldly.”

“Good. Bye bye. Have a lousy flight back. I’d show you to the door, but that would be more time than I want to spend with you.”

Chase strode past me shooting me an ugly sneer as he whisked by. Dad followed him.

“Rylan,” Mom said pleadingly, “you should at least talk to him.”

I stared at her for a long enough moment to make her fidget in her designer dress. “I’m finding this all a little surreal. I’m going out for coffee with Becky, and later, I’m meeting Kellan.”

Dad had walked in just as I said Kellan. “Rylan, we raised you to make better decisions. Let’s concentrate on finding you a good job somewhere. I hear California is a great place for jobs.”

I looked at my dad. Physically, he looked older, but he hadn’t changed at all in seven years. Even with the added wrinkles and white hair, he was still a formidable looking man, a man who was used to being in charge and giving orders. Only I was no longer a little girl ready to follow those orders.

“So you’d rather send me off to the other side of the world just to keep me from dating Kellan. You obviously care more about holding your rank in society than my happiness.” I yanked the hood of my sweatshirt up over my head. “I’ll see you both later.” Tears ached at the back of my eyes as I stomped out of the room and out the front door.

The red tail lights of the rental car were the last I saw of Chase, and I was relieved. I was still reeling with the reality that my parents had stooped to this underhanded scheme to make sure my future was to their liking. Dad had been supportive before, siding with me on my decision to break off the engagement. But it seemed his abject disapproval of me seeing Kellan again had forced him to the dark side. My mom’s side. Apparently, a no-good, cheating husband who made good money and wore expensive suits was still a better catch than an honest, hard working guy who loved me and made me happy.

I fought back the potential deluge of tears and wrapped my arms tightly around myself to keep off the chill and to keep me from falling apart.

I kept checking my phone wishing to hell that Kellan would text. I needed him badly.

Worried that one of my warped parents would decide to follow me out and continue their meaningless lecture, I decided to walk to the end of the street. Becky’s car came around the corner.

I hopped in.

She stared at me. “You look upset.”

“I’m pretty sure my mom and dad just reached a true low point in their parenting career. They invited Chase to the house.”

Becky pulled away from the curb. “Chase? Holy shit. You need more than just a coffee, sweetie. You’re going to need a double shot of espresso.”

“Damn right. In fact, I might even say yes to whipped cream with sprinkles. And I’m going to blame the sugar rush on my meddling parents.”

Chapter 26

Kellan

I climbed off my bike and walked up to Sasha’s door. She was the only person in town who might know where Lilly had been living since she’d left Bluefield. Lilly’s cryptic message was hard to understand because she’d been crying so hard, but she was in trouble. Jigsaw had obviously decided to take his frustrations and Thursday night’s humiliation out on his girlfriend. And I knew that Lilly had no one else to turn to. I wasn’t thrilled about riding into Browning alone, but Dawson and Tommy had gone rock climbing.

I stepped over an orange tabby cat who was moonlighting as a welcome mat. The cat barely opened its eyes to the black motorcycle boot arching over its head. I knocked. No one answered at first. I turned to leave just as I heard rustling and footsteps on a hardwood floor.

Sasha’s hair was a mess as if she’d just gotten out of bed. She smiled. “Hey, gorgeous, what are you doing on my front stoop?”

“Hey, Sasha, sorry to bother you. Do you happen to know where Lilly lives or where she might be staying?”

She raised a brow at me. “Thought you and her man were just beating the crap out of each other last week. She must be some lay.”

“Not looking for any fight or lay. I think she might be in trouble. Thought you might be able to point me in the right direction. I’ve tried calling her, but she doesn’t answer.”

Her judgmental expression softened to concern. “I’ve been telling her she needs to cut loose from that asshole. I think they were living in a room in the back of the garage where Jigsaw works as a mechanic. Poor kid. She thought she was getting out of this town and moving on to something better.”

“That helps a lot, Sasha. Thanks.” I stepped back over the cat.

“You be careful over there, Kellan. I’m sure those Grunge Devils you fought the other night are not going to welcome you with open arms.”

I stopped and held out my hands. “But I’m such a likable guy.”

She laughed. “That you are. And, thank you, for helping Lilly.”

I nodded and pulled my sunglasses back down to my face. My phone rang as I threw my leg over my bike. I had every intention of explaining this to Rylan once I got back to town. In the meantime, I didn’t want to worry her. The call was from Lilly.

“Lilly, where are you? I’m just leaving town.”

Lilly’s sobs came through the phone.

“Lil? Are you hurt?”

The question made her cry harder. “I’m behind Luke’s Garage. Jigsaw isn’t home right now. Hurry, Kellan. Please.”

I put away the phone and patted the switchblade I’d shoved under my coat. A casual thought that Lilly was being used to set me up circled my mind once or twice. But if she was, then she was one hell of an actress. And I couldn’t take a chance. Too much of this was my fault.

I sped off toward Browning.

Chapter 27

Kellan

It was a Saturday afternoon, but the center of town was quiet. The hardware store was having a sale. There were a few cars in front of it along with two girls selling hot dogs from a cart. Otherwise, the brisk chill that had floated in after late morning seemed to have sent most of the citizens back to the warmth of their homes. Browning was a lot like the south side of Bluefield. Small, poorly kept houses and front yards that were more weeds and broken down cars than grass and trees.

A giant wrench-shaped sign with faded blue lettering that read
Luke’s
stuck up over the roof of the grocery store. Just two blocks down from the sign, a row of shiny black and chrome motorcycles were lined up in front of a dark building with tinted windows. The bar the Grunge Devils hung out at was like a toilet with beer spigots. Dawson and I had gone in once on a dare. We’d ended up leaving our beers mostly untouched after it was suggested by the other patrons. At least eight of them had surrounded the barstools we’d sat down on. It didn’t take us too long to figure we were outnumbered and on enemy ground.

I was just glad to see that they spent their afternoons in the bar instead of out and around town. I put my motorcycle in neutral and rolled into the parking lot in front of the mechanic’s garage. They were closed up for the day. I didn’t see Jigsaw’s bike, or, for that matter, his ugly face, which was no doubt even uglier after my fist festival Thursday night.

There was a warped metal door with a window that had been covered with foil at the back of the building. It was the only entrance in the back. I looked around, once again, wondering if this was all a set up. I trusted Lilly as a friend, but her boyfriend had plenty of control over her. She could very well have been threatened into calling for help.

I pressed my hand over the knife in my coat. If I was about to be jumped, I at least wanted to go out drawing some blood.

I knocked on the metal door. I stepped back just in case the door swung open and Jigsaw and his cronies came flying out of it. Instead, shaky white fingers with blue nail polish lifted a corner of the foil curtain.

“Kellan, is that you?” Lilly’s voice was shaky and weak.

“Yeah, it’s me. Open up, Lil.”

A lock clicked and she opened the door.

“Christ, Lilly, did Jigsaw do this?” I lightly touched the black bruise that circled her eye and stretched over her cheekbone. Her bottom lip hung swollen, limp and bloody. And with the way she was moving, slowly, as if everything hurt, I was sure there were more injuries beneath her clothes. She pressed her arm against her stomach, and her shoulders shook with sobs.

I put my arms around her. “Why didn’t you call the police?”

A sad muffled laugh followed. “Nothing would happen to Jigsaw. The MC would make sure of it.”

In the distance, I heard the rumble of a motorcycle. “We need to get out of here. Can I take you to your mom’s?”

She nodded.

“Let’s go.” I took her hand and led her to my bike. The motorcycle I’d heard in the distance neared. Jigsaw rolled into the parking lot. I looked past him and saw that some of the club members had come out of the bar. They were walking toward us like an angry posse of leather and chains. I was fucked.

Lilly gasped. “He’s going to kill me.”

I pushed her behind me. Jigsaw stopped his bike and nearly threw it down in his hurry to reach us. His face and nose were still distorted from the fight.

I stepped toward him. “You come near her again, you fucking low life, and I will make that face of yours even uglier. Just like I did the other night. Only this time I won’t stop.”

Several of the club members came up next to Jigsaw. I didn’t recognize any of them as the guys from the fight. One with a patch that said vice president and a skeleton hand tattooed on the side of his bald head peered at me over a bushy moustache and beard.

Lilly leaned her head to look past me. “I’m leaving, Jigsaw. It’s over so let us get out of here.”

The VP with the beard stared at Lilly for a second. He turned to Jigsaw. “Did you do that?”

Jigsaw squirmed at the question. “She was smart mouthing me, and she fucked this guy.”

The beard fluttered as the guy sighed loudly. “You’re an idiot, Jigsaw.” The man turned to me. I was sure he was going to signal his buddies to jump me. Instead, he lifted his meaty hand and pointed at my motorcycle. “You and the girl get on the bike and ride out of here. Now.”

I didn’t need a second invitation. I climbed on and fired the bike up. Lilly climbed on behind me. She gripped me tightly. The VP said something to his buddies, and they jogged back to their bikes. I wasn’t waiting around to see what the hell they were up to.

I pulled my bike onto the main road through town. Before I reached the end of the shops, Lilly suddenly tightened her hold on me. “Kellan, they’re following.”

“Shit. Thought that was too easy.”

Four motorcycles rode up and positioned themselves, two on each side of us. The riders all stared straight ahead. I figured they were just waiting to get me to a remote location to kill me without witnesses.

“I’m so sorry, Kellan,” Lilly cried from behind. “Just let me off. I’ll go back to Jigsaw. They’ll leave you alone then.”

“Not leaving you behind, Lil. Just hold on. When we get to the highway, I’m going to grab the throttle. I won’t be able to lose them, but it’ll make them have to work at catching us.”

We reached the place in town where the ‘leaving Browning’ sign had been nailed to a tree. The two lane highway stretched out ahead of us. “Here we go,” I said over my shoulder.

Lilly leaned against me and held tightly. I grabbed the throttle. The cold wind chipped at my skin as the motorcycle flew forward. I glanced in my mirror. The other motorcycles had slowed and turned back around. They’d just been escorting us out of Browning. It was their way of
showing
me the door and letting me know not to come back.

I slowed down. “They’re gone, Lil.”

She relaxed behind me. “Thank you, Kellan. Thank you for getting me out of there.”

Lilly’s house was just down the street from my childhood home. My mom had moved in with her sister, and our house was being rented. It looked even shabbier than I remembered. Lilly’s house wasn’t much better. Across the street was a line of stores and a pool hall that most of the older men in town liked to hang out in on Saturday night. The evening hours hadn’t even begun yet, but there were already plenty of cars out front.

“I haven’t been home in three months,” Lilly said. The sadness in her tone was hard to hear. She’d always been one of those lost souls, always looking for the right people to love and trust. “My mom will throw a fit when she sees my face.”

I stopped my bike. “Will you be all right?”

Lilly climbed off. “Yeah, as long as Jigsaw leaves me alone, I’ll be fine. Thanks, Kellan.”  Tears filled her eyes. “I didn’t know who else to call. I’m such a fool.”

“I’m glad you called. And you’re not a fool. Just don’t pick guys like that anymore.”

She leaned over and threw her arms around me. She straightened. “I heard you were back with Rylan.”

I smiled. “Yeah.”

“Some girls have all the luck.” She sucked in a deep breath. “Well, I better go brace myself for my mom’s three hour lecture on picking the wrong man. Bye.”

“See ya around, Lil.”