Chapter Eight
Prudence was so nervous. She had never been on a date before, so agreeing to one was crazy. Staring at the dress she wore, she tried not to throw up.
“You look beautiful,” Vanilla said.
She turned to see him standing in the doorway of her bedroom. “I didn’t agree to having the club dress me for the night. He’s not going to believe I’d wear this.” She ran her hands down the fabric. The dress felt amazing, and she could tell it was expensive.
“Just tell him a friend let you borrow it. Elena. You’re roughly the same size.”
Elena wasn’t exactly her friend. They had gone to the same school together, been in the same year, but that was about it. Elena had left town with her mom, and Prue didn’t know anything about the other woman. She was closer to Melissa, who visited the library. She lived and breathed in that place. Books were her entire world, and dating was the last thing she wanted to do.
Ricky had been surprised, or Big Ricky as everyone else called him.
Her hair was curled, and she even had on some makeup.
“Are you going to be following us?” she asked, glancing over at Vanilla, who was assessing her.
“Yes, I’m going to be the one to do so.”
She nodded. Clenching her hands together, she stepped toward the doorway, but Vanilla wouldn’t move. “I have to get past. When I go will you please lock the door behind you?”
“I will.”
He reached out as if to touch her, and she took a step back. Bikers made her nervous. Men in general made her nervous.
She’d agreed to date a man that according to the internet had murdered people. How could she be happy, or try to find something good about that?
“You’re afraid of me?” Vanilla asked.
“It’s nothing personal. I don’t like being around men.”
“Did something bad happen to you?”
She frowned, looking up at him. “No.”
“Then why do you not like being around men?”
“I just don’t get along with them. I like books, and men like attention, or so I’ve been told.”
“Have you ever gone on a date before?” he asked.
“I’ve never been asked.” She’d always been known as the plain girl at school. The only thing good about her was her hair.
A lot of guys had said it was a false feature as she got many heads to turn, but the face they looked at was horrible.
Until Ricky.
He was the first guy to keep on staring at her.
Her doorbell rang, and any chance of quitting was gone. Vanilla moved out of her way, and she made her way toward the door, and opened it. Ricky was dressed in a suit, and she smiled at him.
“Hey,” she said.
“Are you ready to go?” he asked.
“Yes.”
“First, every beautiful woman should have a bouquet of roses.” He presented her with a selection, and she gasped. “And I think you’re beautiful.”
She didn’t believe him. “Thank you, Ricky. Really, thank you. I’ll just put them in water.”
Vanilla was nowhere to be found as she placed the roses in a vase and put them on her small table. It was time to leave, and she hoped this guy didn’t suspect a thing.
****
Pea held onto his woman tightly as he glanced down at his cell phone. They were watching another romantic movie, and he was getting a few tips. Complimenting his woman, giving her gifts, and shit like that.
“Who’s texting you?” she asked, glancing up at him.
“Oh, it’s just one of the guys to let me know stuff is going smoothly.”
Mel stared at him, and he forced a smile.
“This is the night, isn’t it?” Mel asked.
He’d told her all about Prue’s agreement to have dinner with Ricky, along with what she wanted for the library. “Yeah.”
“Why aren’t you with the rest of the guys?” she asked.
“They don’t need a lot of people, and I’m staying at home with you.”
“What about Penny and the others?”
“They’re being protected.” The idea from Saint was to make it all look like nothing had gone wrong. Pea was at home, as was Rage. Saint was the one that was going hunting inside Big Ricky’s place, while Willy was at the pool going to talk to Autumn. Vanilla was following Prue on her date.
A couple of the brothers were in town giving the illusion that nothing was going on.
“I don’t like this,” she said.
He placed a hand over her stomach. “There’s nowhere else I’d rather be than right here with you, Mel. Please, don’t worry about this.”
“Prue’s my friend.”
“Which is why we’ve got someone with her. Please, don’t stress out about this. I promise we won’t let anything happen to her.” She nodded, and once again tears were in her eyes. Pea couldn’t help but chuckle. “You know when you were manipulating Penny, I bet you wished for those damn tears to come super fast.” He wiped them away with his thumb.
“I hate that I cried to get what I wanted. I have so many regrets when it comes to my sister. I wasn’t very nice.”
Pea sighed, kissing the top of her head. “I never agreed with your tears, but they always worked with Penny. You can’t change the past, Mel. You can only plan for a future, and if you ask me, you’ve got nothing to worry about at all.”
“Promise?”
“I promise.” He was giving a lot of them out, but he would keep them. That was what he did, he kept his promises.
****
“I hope you like Italian,” Ricky said.
Prue was staring out of the window, nervous as hell. “I love it.”
“Good, good.” They had already left Sinners’ Corner, and she was now alone with a monster.
She’d read a lot about this man, and she couldn’t believe she had agreed to go on a date with him. Her hands were shaking with how nervous she was. This didn’t bode well for any kind of future she wanted to have. The only guy to ask her out on a date was a man that killed others for a living. From what she’d heard, he’d tortured them to death.
“So, how long will you be in town?” she asked, biting her lip.
“I don’t know. I’m thinking of making the stay permanent.”
“Really? I didn’t imagine for a second you being ‘the stay in a small town’ type.”
“I’ve heard there’s a lot about this town you need to learn to love. I like it here.”
She bit her lip, trying to control the whimper. One date was all she’d agreed to. Would he expect a second, or a third?
“You’re nervous,” he said.
“I’m fine. What about your daughter? Is she the reason you’re staying?” Autumn had visited the library a few times, and they’d been talking. The young woman was charming, sweet, and had a spark inside her that made Prue smile whenever they were near.
Ricky laughed. “I don’t have a daughter.”
“Oh, I’m sorry. I guess I just assumed with Autumn being at the library, and with you both having the same last name.”
“I don’t have a daughter. She’s a ward of sorts. You have nothing to worry about. No scary ex coming out of my closet.”
No, you’ve probably killed all your exes.
Crap! I could be next.
“So you are nervous?” he asked.
“I’ve never been on a date before. This is all very new to me.”
“I find that hard to believe.”
“Well, that’s the truth.”
He took her hand, and she couldn’t help but tense up.
“Then I better show you how good it can be to enjoy a date with me.”
She forced a smile to her lips, and in the back of her mind she made a note to remind any MC that asked her for a favor to warn them that she’s an awful actress.
****
Willy had bypassed the guards, and no one recognized him. He was in his swimming trunks and doing laps in the pool, waiting for Autumn to come for a swim.
The pool was crowded, but it also had all the locals there. He’d already checked the sign in desk, and he imagined her guards had as well, so instead of putting down Willy, he’d put his real name, Bradley Watters.
He didn’t like his real name, and rarely used it anymore.
The moment she entered the pool, he made his way to one of the far corners to simply watch her.
Autumn was graceful as fuck as she walked to the side of the pool. She didn’t jump in like a lot of kids did. She used the steps to climb in, and once she was in the water, she moved toward a lane and began to do laps.
It had been years since he’d gone to any pool, or taken the time to lounge. This felt really … luxurious. After ten minutes of swimming lengths, he moved toward her as she held onto the edge of the pool and stretched out completely.
“You sure know how to swim,” he said, and cringed at his obvious lack of lines. She wasn’t like any woman he’d ever known, and the mystery of her was driving him crazy.
She turned toward him, and he finally saw that her eyes were the deepest blue. For a few seconds, he didn’t know what to say or what to do as she wiped the water from her face.
“Hi,” she said, holding her hand out.
Willy took her hand and gave it a shake. “You’re the new girl in town.” This made her giggle. “Sorry. I’ve lived here all my life, and I can spot the new girl from anywhere.”
“I’m Autumn,” she said. “And we have met before. I’ve seen you a lot around town. You’re always driving one of those big bikes and wearing that leather jacket.”
“You got me. I’m part of the MC in town.”
She nodded, but he saw she withdrew a little. “You’ve not told me your name.”
“It’s Wi-Bradley.”
“Hi, Bradley.”
“I’m not dangerous. Being in an MC doesn’t make me so,” he said.
“Right.” She still smiled. “I’m sorry, but my … father has told me to be careful around the MC, and I don’t like to make him mad. It was nice to meet you.”
He watched as she began her swim once again.
Climbing out of the pool, he made his way toward the changing rooms for his cell. Sending off a quick text to Saint, he made his way back and stayed close, but gave her some space so she didn’t feel like she was being invaded.
****
Saint glanced down at the text and shook his head. “She’s calling Big Ricky her father. There’s hesitation as well.”
“Something smells fucking wrong about all this shit,” Shorty said. “What are you hoping to find?”
“Anything that gives me an insight to why he’s here.”
They were in Big Ricky’s office, and he’d already spotted the safe. Next, he turned toward the desk, taking a seat. The space was completely clear, and then he reached into the drawers. For the most part, there was fuck all there for them, but right at the bottom of one of the desks was a secret compartment.
Pulling the files out, Saint lifted it up and took out the hidden one. Glancing through the documents, he saw all the fake shit related to someone starting a new life.
“This is all professionally done,” Shorty said.
“I know, which means Big Ricky’s here for the Lorenzo family to protect that young woman. The question is, why?”
“What is that woman to the biggest mafia family?” Shorty asked.
“Exactly, and why do they feel it’s important to be in my town?”
****
Prue couldn’t act to save her life. Vanilla was sitting at a table, and he’d dressed in a suit, and he also had a companion who was with him. She didn’t mind at all.
The moment she saw him, though, Big Ricky had looked around the restaurant to see who had entered.
“Are you okay?” he asked.
“Yeah, I’m sorry. I thought I’d seen someone that I knew, but I didn’t. My bad.” She glanced through the menu not seeing anything at all. “How about you order for me?” She tucked some hair behind her ear, and looked toward him.
“What are you hiding?” Big Ricky asked.
“I’m sorry.” Her hands started to feel clammy. This wasn’t a good feeling.
“I wasn’t born yesterday,” he said. “Look, I like you … a lot. In my world, women like you are few and far between. You’re nice and sweet, and you don’t lie.”
Guilt began to eat away at her, and she hated that.
“I also know that a woman like you doesn’t go for a guy like me,” he said. “What’s going on?”
She shook her head.
“Do I scare you?” he asked.
Prue nodded, and she didn’t even dare to look at Vanilla. She was so scared.
He reached out and took her hand. “One day, I hope you can trust me. Really, I do. I’m not going to hold this against you at all. You’re a good woman, Prue.”
“They were going to help with the repairs to the library. They said that if I helped, they’d find out why you were really here.”
Ricky smiled. “I figured as much.”
“You still went out with me?” she asked.
“Like I said, I really do like you.”
She frowned. “I’m plain.”
“I don’t think you are. Beauty is only skin deep. How about, we enjoy a delicious meal, and then I take you home?”
“You’re not going to kill me?”
“No, I’m not going to kill you. I’m not all bad.”
“The stuff I read online. You did that?”
He sighed. “I’ve done a lot of things I’m not entirely proud of. Some, more than others. I’m not a good man. That I do agree with. Let’s enjoy a meal, and then I’ll take you home, and you can decide if you want to date me again.”
“You’ll be honest with me?”
“I swear. I will answer every single question honestly. Just trust me, Prue.”
She glanced down at where his hands held her. He was so big, huge even. Even as she was afraid of him, she couldn’t help but be intrigued. “So you’re part of the mafia? Is it like it is in the movies or different?”
He leaned back, and laughed. “A little of both. Don’t ask about the men I work for. I won’t tell you anything.”
“That’s okay. I’m not really interested in knowing that side. I’ve been in Sinners’ Corner all my life. I’m happy to stay blinded to the entire world.”
“I like you like that, my dear.”
She smiled, and after that, they both had a beautiful dinner together.
****
Saint was exhausted. Other than knowing that Autumn and Big Ricky had a new identity, he wasn’t any closer to finding out why. It would seem the Lorenzo family when they needed a secret kept, they knew how to do it.
Entering his home, Saint knew instantly that he wasn’t alone.
He glanced into the sitting room, and once again Big Ricky was in his house.
“What the hell are you doing here?”
“What do you want to know?” Big Ricky asked.
“I don’t have a clue what you mean.”
The other man tutted. “I’m insulted. You and I both know that tonight was a ruse. Did you find out what you were looking for?”
Saint folded his arms, and then glanced upstairs.
“She’s alive. Unlike you, I happen to keep my word.”
“I didn’t give you any word. You’re in my town, and so is a young girl. My club matters to me. The safety of my woman, and the town, means everything to me. When someone abuses my trust, I like to find out why.” He stared at the man, waiting.
Big Ricky was sitting, drinking a glass of scotch. “I don’t like that you brought Prudence into this. She’s a complete innocent.”
“Why are you asking her on a date then?” Saint asked.
“She’s everything that I don’t deserve. She’s beautiful inside and out. To the world, she’s plain, but not to me. Don’t ever use her against me again.”
“Noted,” Saint said. “Who is Autumn?”
Big Ricky finished off his whiskey, and stood up. “Autumn is the bastard child of the Lorenzo family. As you probably already know, the men must marry to further their bloodline, but like always they take mistresses. Some women who just want the money and rep of fucking the bad guy. Autumn’s mother was … different.” Saint listened intrigued. “Her mother owned a ranch out in the sticks. One of my bosses, and no, you don’t get to know which one, fell in love with her. She was everything the Lorenzo family wasn’t, and for a long time, she didn’t know the man she’d given a child to was first married, and second, a member of a vicious crime family. Six months ago, Autumn’s mother was discovered raped and murdered as retaliation while Autumn was at school. My boss loved that woman more than anything in the world. He doesn’t want Autumn to suffer the same fate.”
“So he put you on babysitting duty?”
“Yes. I will not let any harm come to that girl, Saint.”
“You used my town as cover.”
“I used your name as cover. Everyone thinks I’m a monster, that I’m capable of the worst things in the world, and you know what? To the people that deserve it, I am their worst nightmare. But to innocent people of this world, the Autumns, the Prues, fuck, even the Mels of this world, they’re innocent, and they have nothing to fear from me. She doesn’t deserve to die because of who her father is. You above everyone should understand.”
Saint gritted his teeth. Big Ricky was speaking the truth. “Next time, come straight to me. I’ll talk to the club. Don’t keep her a secret. It’ll make her stand out more. Get her to join in and be part of the town. It’ll hide her more.”
“You’ll help?”
“Of course. I know why I’m helping now. All you needed to do was ask.”