He would have to force himself to go on the poker run, because he didn't want to be away from her. He'd never imagined he'd ever be indecisive with the brotherhood.
The click of the key card was music to his heart.
Baylee entered, a small smile whispering on her lips.
In a husky voice, Axe said, "Get over here. Your ass needs some spanking for that stunt you pulled."
Giggling, she ran and jumped on the bed. Axe caught her, pinned her underneath him, and covered her face with kisses.
Chapter Twenty-Two
The green-eyed man observed the other as he came into his office-his shoulders slumped, his gait slow.
"Did anyone see you come in?" the man inquired when his visitor crumpled in the black leather chair by his desk.
"No," he replied, wiping the sweat off his forehead with a crisp, linen handkerchief.
"What brings you here?" the green-eyed man asked, drumming his fingers on his wooden desk. He didn't like the measly guy in his space. He hated weakness and insecurity, and his collaborator was guilty of both. The slouched man was quickly becoming a liability.
"I think we need to back off. Baylee is scared enough. She doubts her sanity, and that's making her question everything she thinks she remembers. From her journals, she still only recalls shadows and shapes. I think we're safe. We can leave her alone."
He looked at the whiny piece of shit in front of him. He questioned his judgment in becoming involved with the weak guy years before. Even back then, his gut had warned him about partnering with the spineless man. Greed pushed back his instincts, however, and he entered into a business arrangement with the man who sat before him, weak as ever. After all these years, and all they had been through, the fucker still hadn't developed a backbone.
"I told you I'd take care of her. All you have to do is stay the fuck out of it. You brought me the journal. Your part is finished."
The man slumped further into his chair. "I don't want to know the particulars."
His green eyes hardened. "You won't know anything. I'll take care of it. Having the goons from the Insurgents MC hanging around has caused a kink in my plan, but I'll work around it. The good thing is that the members are high in brawn but very short in brains." His thin lips curled up.
Wiping his forehead again, the man in the chair nodded before his mouth turned downward. "I hate to see this happen to her." A sheen of sympathy covered his brown eyes as he looked into the clear, glinting ones on the other side of the desk.
"It's simple. She's a liability."
"I don't really think she is."
"Do you want to upset your safe, well-orchestrated life?"
Head hung, he whispered, "No."
"I didn't think so." Contempt laced his voice. "You're out of it. I'll take care of the rest. You can go now." He dismissed the gutless man with a wave of his hand.
Sighing deeply, the brown-eyed collaborator rose to his feet, turned around and walked slowly out of the room, his shoulders hunched and his head down.
When he left, the stalker tapped his pen against his desk. He hated not being alone in all this. The more people involved in a killing, the more risk there was in getting caught. Baylee would be the first one to deal with, the lowlife biker next, then he'd eliminate the loose end-his cowardly partner in crime. After doing that, he could finally put the murder of Cassandra Peters behind him.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Four days without Axe seemed like a lifetime. Baylee had become accustomed to seeing Puck during the day and Blade at night. Each morning, when she peeked out the door, Puck's broad shoulders and colorfully tatted arms greeted her. He never said a word to her, only grunted or shook his head when she'd ask him if he wanted anything. At night, Blade took over, and his muscular build and stern face gave her comfort when she slept. Like Puck, Blade never spoke to her of his own volition, but he'd at least give her an audible answer if she asked him a question.
She'd been excited to share with Banger the news of breaking ground on the strip mall. The following Monday, the foundation would be poured. All the months of hard work had paid off, and her designs would soon be brick and mortar. Logan's input had been minimal, since most of the ideas and designs he delivered had been slightly altered copies of hers. Gary and Bob had seen right through that, and Baylee was pretty confident she'd be offered the partnership. Besides, she could handle Banger and had no problems meeting him on his turf. When she'd suggested Logan go to the Insurgents' clubhouse for a meeting, he freaked out.
Thinking of the partnership, nausea overcame her. Before the summer, adrenaline pumped and surged through her core when she visualized securing the brass ring, but since her liaison with Axe, the partnership weighed on her like lead. The day before Axe left on the poker run, Baylee had freaked out about their relationship. Since he'd been gone, however, she realized how much he'd slipped into her life.
Not having him around didn't seem like an option. She loved Axe. Plain and simple. She'd take a chance on them, but she wondered if they could sustain a relationship from three hours away.
Her phone pinged, and she bit at her lips as her breathing accelerated. Was it the killer? Since her last text from him several days before, he hadn't contacted her; nevertheless, her stomach churned as she stared at her phone. She picked it up then looked at the Inbox-Axe's name. Lightheadedness overcame her, making her giddy as she opened the message.
Axe: How r u?
Baylee: Okay. I miss u. Wish we were together right now.
Axe: Doing what?
Baylee: Kissing and …
Axe: U want my big cock fucking u?
Baylee: Yeah!
Axe: Me too. I'm home tomorrow, and ur all mine.
Baylee: Can't wait. The way u hold and kiss me is hot.
Axe: Fuck. U've worked me up now.
Baylee: I'll take care of u later.
Axe: I know u will. Gotta go, babe.
Baylee: Think of me.
Axe: Always do.
Baylee's face flushed, and a sweet pull clenched her pussy. Her nipples had hardened while she was texting; she was so damn horny. Axe did something to her. She couldn't wait to ride him hard. Just thinking about it made her thighs quiver and her core pulse.
Another ping.
Axe: Forgot to tell u. Family picnic tomorrow.
Baylee: With ur mom?
Axe: No. Insurgents. Meet u at Clermont Park at 2. Puck knows to take u there.
Baylee: On his Harley?!
Axe: No. U follow him. U only ride on the back of my bike. Ur mine. Gotta go.
Baylee: :)
She reread the text many times. I'm his. The words bubbled inside her, spreading warmth throughout. Her hazel eyes danced, and she hummed as she sat behind her desk and returned to her work. The next day couldn't come fast enough.
* * *
The air was warm, the sunbeams glowing on Baylee's skin as she entered Clermont Park. The green grass tickled her sandaled feet as she approached a large group of men, women, and children. She figured it must've been the Insurgents because the men sported leather vests and blue jeans-apparently the uniform for the outlaw group.
Wisps of smoke curled above large grills, and wooden picnic tables with brightly checkered oilcloths shone in the afternoon sun. The painted wings of butterflies shone under the sun's rays as they flitted, like fairies, from flower to flower in the rectangular flower beds spaced evenly over the expanse of grass. Oak trees provide ample shade throughout the park, and a large, clear lake sparkled under the brightness of day. A playground near the area where the Insurgents converged brimmed with children. Elderly couples sat on concrete benches that dotted the park.
Baylee turned to thank Puck, but he had already joined the group, waiting for orders from the members. As a prospect, he and the others were there to do the bidding of the patched brothers.
When Baylee joined the group, a woman with long, chestnut-colored hair and twinkling green eyes came up to her.
"Hi, you must be Baylee. I'm Cara. Come on over and I'll introduce you to the other women."
As Baylee followed, she spotted Axe standing among a group of nice-looking men. Arousal flared within her like a torch when she saw how fine he looked in his tight, sleeveless t-shirt, each muscle outlined underneath. The dark five-o'clock shadow over his chiseled jaw took her breath away, and his snug blue jeans showcased his bulge, making her mouth water.
Their eyes locked, and he flashed her a wicked grin that caused her heart to skip a beat. She fought the urge to run and jump into his arms, wrapping her long legs around him as she peppered kisses on his face and neck. He raised his arm and waved, and Baylee so wanted to lick and squeeze his iron biceps while running her hands over his sexy shoulders.
"Uh, Cara? I see Axe. I'll be right back, okay?"
"Sure."
Baylee ambled over to Axe and he stopped mid-sentence, scooped her into an embrace, and kissed her deep and hard. Her cheeks turned crimson as the men in the group stared, smiles and snickers on their lips.