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Scooby
Two days later, Rowan closed up for the night, and I reluctantly left my recruit with her, heading back to the cabin.
The second I walked through the door, a dervish of hippie whirled toward me, her face contorted in both irritation and relief. “There you are! I texted you, like, a gagillion times.”
I raised an eyebrow. “Which is why I’m here.”
Sierra wrapped her mood ring filled fingers (she had three on her left hand and two on her right to ‘balance her chakras’ or some such shit) around my wrist and tugged. “Follow me.”
“Slow up, sweetheart, I was kinda hopin’ to grab a beer.”
“You can drink later,” she hissed. “I found the money.”
I stopped short, pulling her with me. “Come again?”
Sierra wasn’t actually Sierra. She was Anjanette, or ‘Jette,’ as most people called her. She was Rabbit’s foster sister, a brother in the Dogs of Fire Savannah, and they were closer than blood. When Sierra was being hunted by the FBI, she had been a material witness in a case that would get her dead if she was found, she’d taken shelter with the Howlers’ when Wrath had decided she was his. The problem was, the FBI had found her anyway, and she’d decided she didn’t want Wrath back. I wasn’t convinced she didn’t, but that was a story for another day.
She was considered one of the top hackers in the world. She might look like Stevie Nicks, but don’t let her ‘love, peace, and light’ appearance fool you. She could bring your whole world crashing down with one keystroke. She was now a permanent fixture at the club with a room of her own for as long as she chose to stay.
“Come on,” she ordered, pulling on my arm. “Come and see what I found.”
“Jesus, Wrath hasn’t managed to make you less bossy, huh?” I teased.
She narrowed her eyes, her face mottling red briefly before she removed her hand from my wrist and pushed her curly blonde hair out of her face.
Oh, shit, wrong thing to say.
She said nothing.
Just turned on her heel and walked down the hall toward the stairs... away from me.
“Fuck,” I breathed out. “Wait. Sierra!”
She ignored me.
I waited for a few beats, then followed. But as I crested the stairs and turned the corner to head toward her room, I found a fist in my face and my ass suddenly on the floor.
“What the fuck did you say to her?” Wrath bellowed.
I wasn’t on my ass for long and considering the fact I had four inches and twenty pounds on him, Wrath was the one on the ground next. “You come at me like that again, brother, you’re gonna have to figure out how to ride with my boot up your ass.”
“Piss off my woman again, and you’ll lose a lot more than a boot.”
He crossed his arms, staring me down. “I’m gonna ask one more time. What the fuck did you say to her? I don’t fuckin’ like it when my woman’s cryin’.”
“She’s cryin’?” I asked.
“Yeah, asshole, she is.”
“I’ll fix it.”
Wrath shook his head. “I’m not lettin’ you near her until you tell me what the fuck’s goin’ on.”
“Get the fuck outta my way, Wrath. This is between me and Sierra,” I growled. “If she wants you to fight this battle for her after she and I have talked, then we can head out back and do that.”
I shoved past him, knocking on Sierra’s door, and pushing it open despite the fact I wasn’t invited in. I covered my eyes in case she was naked or something.
“Go away, Wrath.”
“It’s not Wrath,” I said, closing the door behind me, and keeping my back to her.
“Oh, well, you can especially fuck off.”
“Are you decent?”
“If I said I wasn’t, would you leave?” she asked.
“No.” I faced the room and saw she was sitting on the edge of her bed. She was, in fact, crying. Or, she had been. “Shit, sweetheart, I didn’t mean to make you cry. I was just teasin’.”
She shrugged, dropping her head, and picking at some nonexistent piece of lint on her skirt. “I am bossy.”
I closed the distance between us and lifted her chin gently, stroking her face. “I like that about you, Sierra. Didn’t realize I was hittin’ a nerve.”
She pulled away from my touch. “You didn’t know.”
“You wanna tell me?”
“Foster care just sucked, is all. We’ll leave it at that.”
“Well, I’m sorry I was a dick. I know you’re goin’ above and beyond to help me, and I shouldn’t have shit on that,” I said. “I appreciate all your help, not that my earlier treatment showed that.”
Sierra and I had had an instant connection. We’d never been attracted to each other, but we’d always felt like family, and we’d fallen into a sibling kind of relationship from the second we’d met each other. She was one of my best friends and to know that I’d hurt her in any way broke my heart.
She slid off the bed and wrapped her arms around me. “This is precisely why you are my favorite human on earth.”
I chuckled. “Because I’m a dick?”
“No, because when you are, you recognize it and make it right.”
“I’d highly suggest you get your hands off my woman,” Wrath growled from behind us.
Sierra squeezed me tighter. “Fuck off, Wrath.”
I kissed the top of her head. “I’ll give you guys a few minutes and meet you downstairs when you’re done.”
“Okay,” she whispered, reluctantly letting me go.
I strolled past Wrath who glared at me but gave me a wide berth as I walked out the door.
* * *
Sierra met me in Rocky’s office almost a half-hour later looking like she’d worked some shit out and smiled at me as she set her laptop in front of me. “I have to say, this guy, Stanley’s dad, was kind of a badass.”
“How so?”
“He hid the money really well. Like, expert level, well.”
“No shit?”
Sierra bobbed her head. “Split it over several trusts, under obscure names with one thing in common. Lilium Express. Or variations like, Express Lilium, and so on.”
“Meaning?”
“It’s an orchid,” she said, turning the screen toward me. “Starlight Express orchid to be exact. Ring a bell?”
“Rowan’s diner?”
“That’s what I’m thinking.”
“Who’s managing these trusts?” I asked.
“That I haven’t been able to figure out yet,” she admitted. “But I will. Do you mind if I ask Rabbit to help?”
“Of course not.”
“I’m also doing a deep dive into who put that money into your account.”
“I thought that would have been the easiest thing to figure out,” I said.
“Yeah, me too.” She sighed. “I don’t like that they got access to it. I think you should change all your passwords, and maybe think about opening a new account.”
“I already changed the passwords,” I said. “You don’t really think I need to open a new account, do you?”
“Yeah, I do. I think you should switch banks altogether.” She raised an eyebrow. “Once you do, I’ll help lock it down so tight, no one will get in.”
“Jesus,” I hissed out. “Pain in the fuckin’ ass.”
“I know how much money you have in there, bud, so I know how much you have to lose. Please don’t make me chase it when I don’t have to.”
I dragged my hands over my face and groaned. “Fuck me. Yeah, I’ll do that this week.”
“You’ll do it tomorrow,” she argued. “First thing.”
I nodded and she smiled, patting my cut, right over my heart. “Proud of you.”
“Thanks, Mom,” I retorted, leaning down to kiss her cheek. “I’m gonna grab a shower then head back over to the diner. Let me know if you find out anything else.”
“I will,” she promised.
I had just stepped out of the shower when my phone rang. It was a restricted number and I debated ignoring it, but against my better judgment, answered it anyway. “Yeah?”
“Mr. Faulkner. Stanley Mortar.”
“How the fuck did you get this number?”
“That’s not important. Have you given any further thought to my proposal?”
I scowled. “Don’t have to, I already told you, I’m not your guy.”
“I think you fail to understand how much it would benefit me if this matter was dealt with by a professional such as yourself. How much it would benefit us both.”
“This is the last time I’m gonna tell you. I don’t do the kind of work you’re lookin’ for.”
“That’s precisely why I want to hire you,” Stanley continued. “The job itself is light lifting. I just need someone dependable and discreet. Knowing what I know of you, you fit the bill to a T.”
“Well, you can shove that T up your ass, and you don’t know jack shit about me,” I hissed. “Don’t contact me again or you’ll find out exactly what I am capable of.”
I hung up and blocked his number. I hoped that would get Stanley off my back but knew he’d more than likely just hire someone else to kill Rowan. Hell, maybe he’d even try to take me out simply because of what I knew.
* * *
Rowan
For the next week or so, life at Starlight Diner seemed like bliss. On Thursday night, by the time I turned out the lights, flipped the OPEN sign over, and locked the door, I was sure we’d had our best day yet.
On top of the influx of cash, Scooby was setting chairs onto tables while a young recruit named Squishy mopped the floor, giving me the chance to clear the till and work on the daily deposits before midnight.
It also meant Dusty got to go home early. Something she hadn’t done in months.
I had just placed the day’s cash into the safe and closed it when Lord lifted his head and growled low in his throat. A knock came at the door and Scooby called out, “Just me.”
“Come in,” I said, then smiled at Lord. “Good boy. Stand down.”
He lowered his head but kept his eyes on the door as Scooby walked through it. “I sent Squish home. Everything’s done up front. Need anything else done back here?”
“Nope. I’m good. You can go ho—”
“I’m not leaving you, Rowan,” he said. “I’m on watch tonight.”
I wrinkled my nose. “You are not planning on sleeping in your van, are you?”
“Told you, I don’t sleep much.”
I pushed back from my desk and stood. “I have a giant sectional that I personally think’s the most comfortable thing on the planet. How about you crash there instead?”
“Don’t want to invade your privacy, sweetheart.”
I shivered at his endearment. It was something he called Dusty, and I knew it meant nothing special, but still, I liked it. I liked it very much. “I think we’re past that now, huh?”
Over the past few weeks, I’d discovered that Scooby was funny, thoughtful, and sexy beyond reason. Especially, when he wore his glasses.
He was often the first to step in and fix a problem before anyone else even noticed there was one, and I was coming to rely on him more and more. It also wasn’t lost on me that when particularly rough patrons might stop in for a meal, he stuck close. We were growing closer, or at least, I was, and I realized I liked him. A lot.
“I don’t think that would be a good idea.”
“Why not?”
He studied me for a few tense seconds. “Because if I’m that close to you, I’m not sure I’ll be able to stop myself from...” He trailed off, shaking his head.
I frowned. “Stop yourself from what?”
Rather than answering verbally, his hand slid to my hip, and he tugged me to him. Lord growled, and Scooby leaned closer to me. “If you want this as much as I do, tell him to stand down.”
I licked my lips and nodded. “Good boy, Lord. Stay.”
The second the words were out of my mouth, Scooby’s lips covered mine and his tongue slipped inside, pressing gently against my teeth, begging for entry. I gripped Scooby’s vest as I opened my mouth and his tongue swept in, meeting mine as he kissed me with a level of frenetic energy that matched my own.
I couldn’t get enough.
“Wait, wait,” I panted out, pulling away.
“Fuck,” he hissed. “Sorry.”
“No, don’t apologize.” I met his eyes. “I don’t want to stop. I want to go upstairs, put Lord in his crate, and get naked.”
“No shit?”
“No... ah... kidding.”
“We can’t,” he said.
“What? Why not?” I demanded.
“Because once I have you under me, I’m not lettin’ you go, Rowan.”
“What does that mean?”
“It means, that once I claim you, you’re mine and that’s that.”
“That’s that?” I squeaked.
“That’s that,” he confirmed.
“Oh,” I whispered, then tugged on his vest. He met my eyes again. “What if I claim you first?”
His eyes crinkled at the corners before he smiled wide, then his mouth was on mine again and he lifted me onto my desk as he kissed me. Breaking the kiss, he dropped his forehead to mine. “I’m not gonna fuck you on your desk.”
I nodded. “I should take Lord out anyway.”
“Okay. I’ll grab a few things from my van first, then we’ll take him out together.”
“I can take—”
“We’ll take him out together, Rowan,” Scooby pressed, running his thumb down my cheek. “Yeah?”
I nodded. “Okay.”
He kissed me quickly before helping me off my desk, then heading out to his van. I locked up my office and led Lord to the back door to wait for Scooby.
Before I could even register Lord’s growl, Scooby was back inside, his arm was wrapped firmly around my waist, and I was up against a wall as the door was bolted shut.
“What’s wrong?” I asked.
“Not sure. Just give me a second,” he said, pulling his phone from his pocket. “Hey, Sundance. Yeah, something’s not right. Whoever you can send would be good.” Scooby met my eyes. “I don’t want to move her right now, but I will if I need to.” I let out a quiet gasp, and Scooby responded by giving me a gentle squeeze. “Nothin’ I was worried about at the time. Some shithead kids were messin’ with her cook a couple of weeks ago.”
“They were?” I asked.
“Hush, baby,” Scooby admonished. I wrinkled my nose but did as he instructed. “Yeah, brother, see you soon.” He slid his phone into his pocket and met my eyes again.
“What happened with Monty?”
“A couple ’a tweakers thought he might be an easy mark. He showed them he wasn’t.”
“With your help,” I deduced.
“He didn’t really need it, but yeah, I was there.”
I sighed. “I really didn’t think things through when I bought this place.”
“We’re gonna dive a little deeper into why you did buy this place later,” he said. “But for now, let’s get you upstairs.”
“Lord still needs to go out, Scooby.”
“I’ll take him.”
“What is going on?” I breathed out in frustration.
“Not sure. But right now, it’s not safe for you to be outside, so I’d like you to head up to your place, lock yourself in and don’t answer the door until I give you the all-clear, got it?”
I nodded before hunkering down in front of Lord and grabbing the sides of his neck gently. “Go with Scooby and be a good boy.” I kissed his head, then handed Scooby his leash. “You can release the leash once you’re outside. He won’t go far. He knows to do his thing and then come right back.”
“I’ve got him,” he promised.
“Maybe I should wait here.”
“Get,” Scooby ordered, but smiled, softening his order. He leaned down and kissed me, then stroked my cheek. “I’ve got him, baby.”
“Okay,” I whispered, before heading up the stairs to my apartment and locking myself in.
* * *
Scooby
I watched Rowan ascend the stairs, then waited until I heard my brothers’ pipes before walking out the door with Lord, heeling perfectly beside me.
Rocky gave me a chin lift as he walked toward me, Sundance’s son, Orion, behind him. Tango brought up the rear, and to say I was surprised to see him would be an understatement.
“Didn’t see anyone while we were ridin’ in,” Rocky said. “Wrath and Jekyll are doin’ a perimeter search.”
“Jekyll doesn’t need to do shit,” I hissed. “Neither does Wrath. What the fuck are they doin’ here, anyway?”
As far as I was concerned, both Jekyll and Wrath could jump off a highway overpass. Together. They were the reason my brother was dead, after all.
“They’re stayin’ out of your way,” Rocky said.
I scowled, but unfortunately, I wasn’t drunk enough to tap into the rage that was so easy to draw on after a few shots of bourbon.
“Who’s this?” Orion asked, approaching Lord.
“Rowan’s dog.” I instinctively tightened the leash, but I shouldn’t have bothered. Orion charmed everyone and everything and had Lord on his back within seconds.
“Who’s a good boy?” Orion crooned, running his hands over the dog’s belly. “What’s his name?”
“Lord,” I said.
Rocky chuckled. “Seriously?”
Before I could respond, Lord was on his feet and growling.
“Settle,” I ordered, gathering up his leash as Jekyll walked out from behind the trees, dragging one guy with his hands zip-tied behind his back. Wrath followed closely behind with another. However, his prize was out cold and over his shoulder.
Wrath dumped his guy on the ground, and he let out a cry of pain as his shoulder hit the pavement. “What the hell?”
Wrath shoved his foot in his neck and snarled, “I’d highly suggest you shut the fuck up.”
“Were these the same guys givin’ Rowan’s cook issues?” Jekyll asked.
“No,” I said, and frowned. “Did you ask them who they were, or just swing first?”
“We asked.” Jekyll grinned. “Once.”
“You’re messing with the wrong people,” the guy on the ground warned.
Wrath kicked him again. “Jesus, do you have a death wish or are you just stupid?”
“What’s going on?”
I turned to find Rowan standing just outside the door, wearing thin pajamas, fluffy slippers and no fuckin’ jacket.
“Jesus, Rowan, why don’t you have a coat on?” I growled, shrugging out of my leather, and wrapping it around her shoulders.
“Maybe because I saw a bunch of bikers out here and was a little distracted by the burly one kicking a very bloody gentleman on the ground.”
Wrath gave her a toothy grin. “Hey, beautiful. I’m Wrath. Nice to meet ya.” He nodded to the guy on the ground. “And have no fear, this asshole’s no gentleman.”
“Shut the fuck up, Wrath,” I hissed.
He shrugged. “What? I was introducin’ myself.”
“Maybe less of the pleasantries and more of the fucking off,” I snapped.
“Don’t poke the bear, Wrath,” Tango warned.
Rowan grabbed my cut. “What’s going on?”
“Is there any version of events where you actually do what I ask you to do and stay the fuck inside?” I snapped.
She cocked her head. “I don’t know, Scooby, but there better be a version of events where you never speak to me like that again.”
My brothers let out uncomfortable coughs and chortles behind me, before sing-songing, “Oooh,” in pure junior high fashion.
I glared at them. “Keep it up and there’s definitely a version of events where I kick all your asses.” I pulled Rowan away from the group and leaned down. “Sorry about them.”
“They’re not the problem, bub.”
“Okay, look.” I took a deep breath and dragged my hand down my face. “I’m not used to being with a woman like you.”
“What is that supposed to mean?”
“Well, I’m used to bein’ with women who—”
“Fall for all that alpha male, tough guy bologna?” she challenged. “And like it?”
“Well... yeah,” I admitted.
“That’s not gonna work on me. I deal with people based on the level of respect they show me and themselves. And I do it without judgment.” She crossed her arms. “Have I ever once tried to make you feel less than for being a biker?”
“What the fuck’s wrong with being a biker?”
“You don’t think most people judge you by your appearance and for the fact you’re in a motorcycle club?”
“Why the fuck would I care what other people think?”
“Maybe you don’t, but I do,” she said. “And I expect to be treated the way I treat others. With dignity and respect. If you can’t accept that boundary, I’ll have to ask you to leave my place of business and my home, and I’ll find other means of protection.”
Jesus H. Fucking Christ, she was gorgeous.
“Well, first of all, you fuckin’ claimed me, so, no take backs,” I said.
“Scooby—”
“And second of all, I apologize.”
“Your apology should have been first,” she grumbled, but she was already smiling, so I knew I’d won.
“Third, you’re fuckin’ adorable when you get all worked up and bossy.” I leaned down and kissed her.
My brothers once again let out a collective, “Ooooh.”
I turned on them. “I swear to Christ...”
They laughed, well, all of them but Tango, and I focused back on Rowan. “Please go back upstairs so I can finish this, okay?”
She wrinkled her nose and let out a deep sigh. “Did you let Lord off the leash so he can pee?”
“Not yet.”
She took the lead from me, unhooked it, and gave Lord the order to go. The dog ran into the woods, and she bit her lip and glanced up at me.
I slid my hand to her neck. “Once he’s back, you take him up and stay there, got it?”
She nodded but narrowed her eyes and I could tell she wasn’t happy.
“You can yell at me later.”
“Oh, I don’t yell,” she said. “I never yell.”
Rocky let out a strangled laugh, turning away quickly, and I raised an eyebrow at Rowan. “You don’t say?”
“Nope.” She patted my chest, just over my name patch. “But you’ll know my displeasure all the same.”
“Jesus,” I hissed.
Lord came trotting out from behind the trees, and Rowan guided him back inside... she was still wearing my jacket.
