Wide-eyed with fear, Kline’s gaze zigzagged around the small space, desperately searching for an escape.
Vincent shook his head, thoroughly disgusted. He reached inside his unzipped cut and produced his revolver, aiming it at Kline’s head. “On your knees.”
Kline swallowed, still refusing to comply.
“Like things the hard way?” Vincent gave him another push. “Do it.”
Kline reluctantly knelt in front of the commode, turning his head to the side so he could see Vincent. “W-what are you doing?”
“Dunk your head in the water.”
“What?”
“Did I stutter?” Vincent edged closer and held the barrel of the gun to Kline’s temple. “Have a refreshing drink.”
Kline’s gaze focused on the porcelain in front of him. “I can’t.”
Vincent had survived a lot of dark times in his life, had bent over backward to succeed in the military and at the bank. He’d loved hard and suffered for it. But the day he put on his cut and swore to protect the club, that’s the first time he felt like he belonged to something bigger and better than himself. Now Tina qualified as the most important person in his life. More precious than the breath he drew. More beloved than his freedom.
Rage and love collided in his chest. The need to protect her overwhelmed his senses. He stared at Kline, weighing the consequences of what he intended to do. Live hard. Die hard. That creed reverberated through every cell in his body. Why love if you weren’t willing to shed blood over it? Just like Dog Tag had a few days ago. This loser needed to learn a life lesson so he never victimized another woman. Oh, Vincent preferred neutering the bastard so he couldn’t reproduce. Or euthanasia would take care of the problem on a more permanent basis.
He growled as he gripped the back of Kline’s head and forced it into the toilet. “Hold your breath, asshole,” he yelled.
Kline flailed helplessly. Vincent counted to thirty before he tugged on his hair and let him come up for air. “Ready to confess?”
Kline heaved for breath, his face covered in the dark blue dye from the toilet freshener tab. “P-please…”
Nope. Vincent forced him under again.
It took three more dunks before Kline finally admitted to everything. Of course Vincent made him speak clearly and slowly into the microphone on his cellphone. Afterward, Kline collapsed in a useless heap on the tiled floor, tears streaming down his face. Vincent left him alone for several minutes; the guy had nearly drowned.
“Now that I have a verbal confirmation, it’s time to pay for your indulgence.” Vincent hovered over him.
“Indulgence?”
“You’re Catholic; I saw the rosary beads hanging in the hallway.”
“Yes.”
“Then no further explanation is required; you know what an indulgence fee is. Now are you going to stand up like a man, or do I need to drag you out of the bathroom?”
Chapter 29
Tina spent the early afternoon studying the real estate ads in the newspaper while Jefferson looked up available properties online. They’d agreed on taking her SUV and ended up at a café for cappuccinos. Who knew a burly Prospect had been a barista in a former life?
“So I’ve narrowed it down to six houses, all within a five-mile radius of the clubhouse. Pretty good, huh?”
Jefferson looked up from his laptop. “The one with the detached, three-car garage is my favorite.”
Tina scooted her chair closer to Jefferson and looked at the computer screen. A slide show of all the pictures associated with the property flashed before her eyes. Yes, she liked that one, too. “Should we take a drive? Maybe peek in the windows?”
“Sure.” Jefferson powered off the computer and stashed it in its case.
Tina left a tip for the waitress and started for the front door. Her cell chimed and she answered as she stepped outside. “Dad?”
“Hello, baby girl.”
“How are Mom and Dustin?”
“Great,” he said. “Just wanted to say hello and let you know we’re getting excited about the trip.”
Jefferson waved to her as he approached.
“Hold on a sec, Dad.” Tina lowered the phone. “I have to talk to my father. Do you mind if I take a couple minutes?”
“No,” Jefferson responded. “I’ll peruse the shelves in the grocery store. Be back in ten minutes.”
“Thanks.” Tina appreciated his patience. “Okay, Dad, I’m back.”
“Did I catch you at a bad time?”
“No, just out for coffee with friends.”
“Not at work?”
“No.” She grew quiet, hesitant to share what had happened recently.