Chapter 3 - The Great Escape
When we walked back into the bar, no one really seemed to care. Rebel gave me a once-over and quickly patted “Blue” on the back. They exchanged words as I sat down, my unhappiness evident from my tear-stained cheeks. They thought it had been caused by the sex I hadn’t wanted, but really, it had been at the thought of saying goodbye to my brother.
After a round of drinks with Thomas’s arm draped around my shoulder, protecting and claiming me all at once, the group decided to head out for the night. Parties were happening all over Daytona, and they had club business to attend to before they hit the sack.
“She’s riding with me,” Tommy declared as we walked outside and were greeted by the thick, humid Florida air that smelled like the ocean.
“Whatever you say, brother,” Rebel conceded as he threw a leg over his bike.
“Where’s Flash?” I asked, looking around one last time for him.
“Fuck Flash, darlin’,” Tommy snarled, holding out the helmet to me.
“But—” I started to speak but saw his lips set in a firm line as he glared at me.
“He’s been sent off to do club business with some other members.” He shoved the helmet in my hands. “Get the fuck on. We don’t have time for your bullshit girl stuff,” he barked, turning around and starting the bike.
The roar of the engine made me jump, and I quickly put on the helmet and pulled the straps tight. Climbing on the bike, I realized that this would be the last time I’d touch my brother for months. The guys took off just as I nestled myself behind him.
When the roar of the bikes and the distance between them and us was sufficient, Thomas turned to me and smiled. “Make the call, Izzy. Love ya, kid,” he said before turning around and quickly taking off, hot on the tail of the other guys.
I hit dial, ringing James’s phone to alert him that we’d left the bar. Thomas had said that James would stop us shortly after leaving the bar, and he’d had me put a baggie of cocaine in my pocket. James would do a search for some bullshit reason and place me under arrest.
Daytona was crawling with cops and DEA during Bike Week. Undercover, I presumed, since I didn’t see a crazy amount of police presence, especially not with the amount of bikers that flooded the city during the event.
Rebel led the pack and we pulled up the rear. Tommy had wanted it that way, figuring it would be easier to be pulled over by James. I tried not to think about what was about to happen as I held on to him, taking in all that was my big brother—strong, kind, caring, and protective.
He’d made me laugh as a little girl, holding on to my hands and twirling me in the air like I was a blade of a fan. My mother would scream, but Tommy and I would just laugh and collapse in a heap of giggles. His face had been softer then; the years of undercover work and biker-life wear and tear hadn’t yet entered his life. I wondered if he could ever go back to that fun-loving, carefree guy again. I hoped he would, but living this life had to alter you in some form and stick with you for the rest of your days.
My heart stammered in my chest as the sound of police sirens filled the air. I opened my eyes, the red and blue lighting bouncing off of Tommy’s jacket. I gave him a squeeze as he slowed the bike and waved off the rest of the guys.
We pulled off to the side of the road as the police cruiser stopped behind us. The lights continued to flash, but the screeching siren noise turned off before I heard a car door slam.
“Sir,” the familiar voice said as he approached us.
The sound of his voice alone had my pussy clenching. Fucking cunt had always been a problem. I didn’t like James. It needed to cool its fucking jets and not think about his cock. James wasn’t the man I wanted…I couldn’t top him.
Thomas sat still, peering in his side mirror until James came to a stop at our side. The others were far enough away, leaving us behind to deal with the cop issue.
“Get her the fuck out of here. Blow is in her left jacket pocket.”
“Hey, Iz,” James slithered out as he slowly looked me up and down.
I lifted my chin, staring him in the eye without a smile. “Jimmy,” I replied, the corner of my lip twitching.
God, he looked fucking good. No, good wasn’t the right word. He looked fucking amazing dressed in the law enforcement uniform. The brown dress shirt hugged his muscles, looking like a second skin against his tan flesh. The shitty polyester pants the force handed out clung to his muscular thighs, showing off every dip and crevice in his body. The gun sitting around his waist reminded me that he wasn’t a man to be crossed, though I liked to push his buttons. He could easily overpower me, and for some reason, the thought turned me on.
His jaw ticked as I spoke his name. He hated when I called him Jimmy, said it reminded him of a child. I’d used it to only piss him off, crawl under his skin like he had mine.
Tommy handed over his license and registration, shoving it in James’s hand as he openly gawked at me.
James turned his attention to Thomas and cleared his throat. “What the hell are you going to tell them?” he asked, motioning toward the red taillights off in the distance.
“I’ll figure some shit out. She’s just another pussy to them. She’s not a club whore or an old lady. She’s inconsequential.”
“Men are such fucking pigs,” I bit out. “How can you even be around those douchebags? You don’t think that way, do you?” I asked, looking at Tommy.
“Fuck no. I’m just playing the part. Ma did not raise me to think that way.”
James laughed, drawing my attention in his direction. Why did he have to be so damn handsome? I mean, Jesus. Why couldn’t he be plain and not fantasy inspiring?
“And you?” I asked him, wishing I could wipe that shitty smile off his face.
“Oh no, doll. I love women. Not all of them are just a piece of ass. Not even the ones who slink out of my hotel room before the sun rises.” He grinned.
My eyes grew wide as a lump formed in my throat. He wouldn’t dare tell my brother. Would he? I mean, the man had cockiness down pat, but he wouldn’t be dumb enough to clue my brother the fuck in on our sex Olympics.
Tommy shook his head and turned to look at me. “Can I trust you to listen to him?” he asked, squinting as he peered at me.
“I’ll listen,” I said, as James began to chuckle. I moved my eyes from Thomas to glare at James. “I can’t promise I’ll do as he asks, but I’ll listen and do what I feel is right.”
“Izzy, for fuck’s sake. Just fucking listen for once in your life. I know you bow down to no man, but this is your life we’re talking about. I have enough shit to worry about and don’t need to worry about you getting home safely,” Tommy snarled, keeping his eyes focused on me.
“I’ll be good to her,” James promised as he stopped laughing and cleared his throat. “I won’t let her out of my sight and I’ll keep her safe. You couldn’t put her into more capable hands.” James smiled, giving me a quick wink.
I turned to Tommy, unable to take the smug smile on James’s face any longer, and spoke the words he wanted to hear: “Yes, I promise to do whatever is necessary to get home safely.”
“Off the bike, ma’am. I need to search you. You too, Blue,” James barked out, stepping away from the bike.
We climbed off, me with the assistance of my brother, and turned our backs to James. He frisked Tommy first. I straightened my back and watched him as he touched my brother, moving quickly and thoroughly and finding nothing. It was all for show. I knew I wouldn’t be so lucky. As he turned his attention to me, I closed my eyes and waited.
I knew he wouldn’t be so quick when touching my body. He wouldn’t make it obvious to my brother or the eye of an outsider, but I remembered what his hands had felt like on my body. The amount of pleasure the strong hands had given me. The feel of them on me and in me was like nothing else I had ever experienced.
“Back on the bike, sir,” he ordered. “Ma’am, hands behind your head and do it now!” he roared, as I was lost in my memories.
As Tommy took his place on the bike, keeping a lookout for any stragglers from the club, I sighed and tangled my fingers together behind my head. Thankfully my back was to him. In this position, my breasts were pushed out farther, leaving myself exposed. He started at my wrists, brushing against my skin with the tip of his rough fingers. Tiny sparks shot down my arms, a direct line to my nipples. I opened my eyes, sucking in a breath before closing them again.
I didn’t have to see his face to know that he had a grin dancing across his lips. His giant hands swept down my arms and stopped just above my ribcage. The tips of his fingers grazed my breasts as his hands slipped down the front of my torso before he searched my waistband.
No matter how hard I tried to control a reaction or think of anything other than his hands on me, my body responded. I twitched and silently swore. I rolled my eyes at the feeling of being defeated. He knew in that moment that he had an effect on me. I was fucking doomed.
I could feel his breath against my ear. My body shuddered as my heart skipped a beat, before it was gone and his hands slid down my legs.
Please don’t…
Fucker.
His thumbs touched the holy land as his hands glided up my legs. As he reached the V of my legs, I swear to shit my heart stopped dead in my chest. I sucked in a breath, trying to calm my insides as my head dropped.
I was happy when his hands left my legs until he caressed my ass, all in the name of a search, but I knew he was enjoying it too much when he gave it a quick, hard squeeze.
“Must you?” I whispered as he moved closer, reaching into my pockets.
“Yes,” he whispered back, his mouth coming close to my ear. “Think of all the fun we’re going to have as I give you a ride.”
“You’re an asshole,” I hissed, turning my face to look at his profile.
“That’s one part of you I haven’t yet explored,” he whispered in my ear, low and close enough that Tommy couldn’t hear.
I gulped, closing my eyes and using all of my self-control not to turn around and give him a piece of my mind. I couldn’t react in front of my brother or the other eyes that could possibly be on us.
“What do we have here, ma’am?” James asked, pulling his hand from my pocket and dangling the small bag in front of my face.
“It’s not mine, officer,” I pleaded, shaking my head and playing the part.
“Place your hands behind your back. I’m placing you under arrest,” he said, grabbing my arm, gingerly moving it away from my head and down to the small of my back.
“Must we do this?” I asked, looking toward Tommy.
Tommy winked, not giving any other physical indication that everything was okay.
“We must, doll. Give me your other hand.”
I wrinkled my nose and ground my teeth as I felt the cold steel of the handcuffs slap against my wrist. Great. Not only was I being placed in his custody, I was starting off bound and in his possession without a means of escape. Being with the men of the MC had felt less scary than what I felt about being a captive for James.
“I’ll leave them loose so they won’t pinch, but you can’t get out. Not yet at least,” he said as a low, slow laugh tickled my ear.
I glared at Tommy, not looking at James as he marched me toward the back of the police cruiser. He placed his hand on my head as he helped me into the back seat.
“Stay put,” he ordered as I moved my legs inside.
“Where the fuck am I going, genius?” I blurted out, the anger dripping from my voice. My hands were restrained behind my back and I was about to be locked in the police car.
“You better watch that smart mouth of yours, doll.” He grinned, leaning against the frame of the car.
“Or what? Are you going to rough me up, Jimmy?” I snuggled back into the seat, adjusting my body and trying to find a comfortable position.
“I’d hate to add resisting arrest to your charges.” His grin turned into a smirk as he wiggled his eyebrows and licked his lips.
“Just get this shit over with so we can get the fuck out of here,” I hissed, not finding him charming at all.
“As you wish.” He slammed the car door, leaving me with my thoughts as he approached Tommy and spoke with him.
I watched through the windshield as they exchanged some heated words—or at least they made it seem like they were. A dull ache settled in my chest as I watched them speak. This would be the last time I’d see my brother for some time. The not knowing was the worst part. Tommy looked over at me a couple of times as they finished their conversation. My nose began to tickle as tears threatened to fall.
When James slid into the front seat, he didn’t speak. He turned on the car and started to pull away after Thomas had sped down the road.
“When are you going to let me out of these fucking cuffs?” I asked. My wrists already felt the bite from the metal digging into my skin.
“Tomorrow,” he answered calmly, looking at me in the rearview mirror. His eyes changed from the smile I couldn’t see but knew was there.
“You can’t keep me like this until tomorrow.” Anger built inside me. My body was almost vibrating as I stared at him in the mirror.
I knew I was now a pawn in his game. I’d have to play by his rules. I was pissed at Thomas for leaving me with James, and at asshole Flash for being an idiot and not realizing the amount of shit he was bringing me around this weekend.
James looked at the road, the corner of his eye crinkling as he spoke. “Harder for you to run away like that. Plus, you look fucking sexy when you’re pissed off, Izzy.”
“Jimmy, look, I didn’t mean—“
“James.” His eyes momentarily flashed in the rearview mirror before leaving me again.
“James,” I hissed, holding the end, letting the letter stick between my teeth. “I’m sorry about what happened.” I looked down at my knees, chewing the inside of my lip.
“I’m not,” he said flatly.
“It wasn’t nice of me to leave without saying goodbye. I was a jerk. Can you forgive me?” I wasn’t really sorry for anything, but I wanted the damn cuffs off my wrists.
“It won’t work, Izzy.”
“What?”
“Your fake apology,” he said as he pulled up to the red light and his eyes returned to mine. His face had a red sheen from the traffic light. He looked like the devil I figured he really was. He’d torture me as long as I was in his custody.
My mouth dropped open and a scream was crawling up my throat. “It wasn’t—“
“Yes, it was.”
I closed my mouth, grinding my teeth as the car started to pull away, and his face changed color. “I had fun with you and we both got what we wanted out of that night.” I swallowed, remembering the feel of him against my skin. Those sweet-ass lips that were pissing me off right now had brought me so many orgasms that I’d lost count, the amount of alcohol I’d consumed not helping my memory.
“Maybe I’m sensitive and wanted a kiss goodbye?” he said, tilting his head up to look at me. I could see the corner of his mouth as it almost kissed his eyes. He was enjoying himself.
I sighed and pushed my shoulders back. Glaring at him, I said, “That’s total bullshit.”
“Maybe so,” he said, looking away, “but I did want that kiss.”
Fuck, his voice was sexy. It matched him entirely…big in all ways. “You’re not going to play fair, are you?” I whispered, but I already knew the answer.
“Did you?” he retorted with a clipped tone.
“I’m sure you did the walk of shame many mornings, James.”
“Doll, I’ve never been ashamed of spending the night in the company of a beautiful woman—especially you.”
A knot formed in my stomach, and it felt like James had reached inside and was using his giant hands to untie it. He made my belly feel funny, and I didn’t like it. I pursed my lips, not taking my eyes off the back of his head.
“It was easier for both of us,” I whispered, trying not to give anything away in my voice.
He shook his head. “Can’t stop the bullshit from rolling off your tongue, huh?”
“Are we there yet?” I was annoyed and pissed off. James did not get to question me on my truthfulness.
“To the police station, yes, but not the entire trip.”
“I can find my way home. I’m an adult woman.”
“Why don’t you start acting like one, then?” he asked sarcastically.
I felt like he’d punched me in the chest. No one talked to me the way he did—no one with a dick, at least. The only people who could get away with calling me on my shit were my girls, but not a man. Not even my brothers or father.
“I am acting like an adult. I can rent a car and get myself back to Tampa. It’s only a couple of hours away.”
“Izzy, listen up, because this is how it’s going to go.” He pulled the cruiser over on the side of the road, rolling to a stop. He turned around, resting his arm on the back of the passenger’s seat. “I promised your brother I would take you home. I promised him I would keep you safe. I will not just release you to fend for yourself.” He licked his lips, and my eyes moved to his mouth as he continued speaking. “It’s late, after two a.m., and I’m tired. We’re going to return the car and then find a hotel for the night and drive back in the morning. That’s the plan, and I don’t want your brother to worry that I’m not following the plan. He has enough shit on his plate right now. Understand?” He glared at me, waiting for my response.
“Wow. Didn’t know you knew so many words.” I smirked, watching his jaw as he tried to stop a smile. “Fine, but I want my own room,” I requested, knowing that I didn’t have a choice in the whole “how to get Izzy home” plan, but I sure as hell wasn’t going to share a room with him.
“One room, double beds,” he growled, turning around and pulling back on to the road.
“No fucking way. I will not share a room with you.”
“It’s for your own protection.”
“Not happening,” I declared, looking out the tinted window, seeing the police station sign in the distance.
“Yes, it is. Don’t fight me on this, woman.”
“I don’t want to spend the night in your room.”
“Our room, and you do.”
“Jesus, you’re infuriating.”
“Touché.”
“Ooh, he knows French too. Didn’t know cavemen were bilingual.”
“Must you always be a smartass?” he asked, parking the car in the “reserved” space.
“Nothing good can come out of sharing a room,” I said as I sat up, unable to stop the anxious feeling. I had to get the hell out of this car.
“I remember a lot of ear-shattering moans the last time we shared a room. I’d say only good can come from it,” he murmured, a low, smooth chuckle escaping his lips before he climbed out of the car.
“Fucker,” I muttered as his door slammed.
“Out you go, doll,” he said when he opened my door, the hot, humid air hitting my skin. He reached in and grabbed my arm, trying to help me up, and I fought the urge to pull away.
“I hate that term,” I said, climbing out with his hands still on me.
“Doll?” He smirked, giving my arm a light squeeze.
“Yes. It’s patronizing,” I hissed as I turned my back to him.
“As long as you call me Jimmy, I’ll call you doll. And what the fuck are you doing?” he asked, grabbing my shoulder.
“The cuffs. I want them off.” I glared at him. Why did he have to make everything so fucking difficult?
“I can’t take them off yet. You never know who has eyes on the station,” he said, and laughed.
“You’re a prick.”
“You’re hitting every word I like to hear—come, prick, fuck. What else do you have to say?” He smiled as he grabbed my upper arm and pulled me toward the station doors.
“Let’s just get this over with.” I sneered at him as I tried to keep up with his large steps.
“I’m going to enjoy this,” he whispered in my ear as he opened the door and waited for me to pass by. “So fucking much.”
My body shuddered. This gravelly tone of his voice shorted the wiring in my brain. I’d spent too many years trying to block guys like him out, and I’d been successful. James was an entirely different beast. I didn’t know how to deal with him. He always had a reply. It was fucking infuriating.
I closed my eyes, taking the final step into the station and hopefully to freedom—or at least an escape from him.