Leather for Two: Wings of Steel MC (7 page)

I stayed quiet but thoughts of being arrested spun around in my head. The envelope grew heavy in my hands. I wasn’t a criminal and I wanted no part of criminal activity.

“Are you staying here in town tonight?” he asked.

“No. I’m going back home.” I kept my gaze steady with his, but my heart pounded so loud that I swore he must have heard the sound. “Do I need to stay here?”

“No. Best to stay clear of Wings, especially now.”

“I’m not following you.”

“I’ll explain, but first—” he rubbed his chin and sighed. “—do you mind if I ask you a couple more questions, Miss Rose? It won’t take but a second.”

“Isn’t that what you’ve been doing for the last few minutes?”

He smoothed his tie. “You have no reason to worry. I’m sure we can get to the bottom of this.”

I didn’t want to answer anything, but what choice did I have? “Sure.”

“Were you and Blaze a couple at one time?”

My heart skipped a beat. I clutched the envelope tighter. “No. Why would you even think such a thing?” No one could have known…

“No worries, ma’am. I heard through the grapevine that you left Wings because of a lover’s triangle.”

“I left because I no longer wanted to be here.” More sweat beaded underneath my armpits. Could the detective see that I was nervous? Would he automatically think I was hiding something?

“Good choice. But Blaze stayed. Hmm…that couldn’t have been rewarding for you.”

I took a step back and pressed against the side of my car door. “I don’t know what you’re insinuating, but I’d rather you just come out and ask. Games are for my first grade class.”

He chuckled. “Right after you left, Blaze and Diesel got into a pretty nasty knockdown drag out. Some words were tossed around, a few threats. And then two months ago, Blaze and Diesel got into an argument again.”

“Arguing happens in a club. Testosterone and all, you know.” I forced a smile to my lips, one that I didn’t feel inside.

He nodded. “Sure, I get that, but this argument was about you.”

My throat swelled. My hands turned clammy. “About me?” I didn’t realize I’d said the word aloud until he answered.

“Yes, ma’am. Seems a little odd, don’t you think. With you far away, out of the picture and all. Not to mention your contact in the house of a dead man with dollar signs next to your name. Does that mean anything to you?”

“No it doesn’t. And I-I have no clue why they were arguing, especially about me. It’s possible you heard wrong from whatever vine leaked this information to you. Like I told you on the phone, I haven’t spoken with anyone from Wings in years except yesterday when Blaze came to tell me the news of Diesel’s death.”

“Ahh, very sweet of him.” Agent Peterson sniffed loudly, took another toothpick from his jacket pocket and situated it between his lips. A long three seconds ticked by. “Blaze threatened to kill Diesel. Do you find that interesting?”

I counted to three, controlling my nerves. “I-I didn’t know. I mean, that doesn’t sound right. They were best friends. They owned the shop together.”

He shrugged and the jacket tightened across his shoulders. “Not since last year, ma’am. Blaze bought Diesel out, involuntarily from what I remember. Sounds a tad messy, wouldn’t you agree?”

I nodded.

Blaze wouldn’t hurt Diesel. Never…

“Your friend Blaze is a suspect right now in the murder of Diesel. Just thought you should know. That’s why you should steer clear.”

“Wouldn’t local law enforcement be investigating Diesel’s death? Not ATF?” I asked.

“Is there a problem here?”

I jumped at the sound of Blaze’s voice. I didn’t hear him approach, but I couldn’t remember feeling more relief than I did at that moment. But respite didn’t remain. Blaze hadn’t mentioned the argument…especially that he had threatened Diesel. Blaze was now a murder suspect.

“Hello, Blaze. Just the man I came to see.” Agent Peterson’s jaw stiffened and his gaze narrowed.

“Then why are you harassing my company?” Blaze’s hands tightened into fists.

“Ah, relax, my friend. I wasn’t harassing Miss Rose. Much easier to talk here than at the police station. Right, Miss Rose?” The man’s words held insinuation.

“Yes, I guess so. If you’re finished, I’d like to leave now.” I had the car door already open and tossed the envelope onto the passenger seat. I met Blaze’s gaze and he gave me a quick nod.

“Yes. If I need anything further I’ll certainly contact you,” Peterson said. “Take my business card.”

I grabbed the card, slipped inside the car and turned the key, grateful it started. I couldn’t bear to have another episode where it refused to get me the hell out of here. After I pulled out of the parking lot of the bike shop and got onto the highway, I started breathing normally again.

Blaze couldn’t have murdered Diesel. There was no possible way. And I knew Blaze wouldn’t be involved in illegal activity.

But all of this was serious for Blaze.

I glanced at the envelope, wrinkled from where I’d practically crumbled it with my hands. I wanted answers. I needed to know what Diesel wanted to tell me.

Pulling over to the side of the road, I put the car into park and stared at the envelope for the longest time. With shaking fingers, I finally opened the sealed flap and turned the envelope upside down. A folded piece of white paper slipped onto my lap followed by a silver key. I held it up, looking at it closely.

“Why would Diesel give me a key?”

I unfolded the paper, but the sun had fallen enough that I couldn’t see the writing. I turned on the overhead light, my heart pounding hard against my chest. A part of me wanted to crumple the letter and toss it out the window, along with the key. But I couldn’t. I was a part of this, whatever it was, and I needed to find out why Diesel had my contact information.

Holding the letter up in the light, I started reading…

Bambi,

If you’re reading this, it means something bad has happened to me. You’re the only one I can trust. Trust no one. Tell no one. Keep the key close. It’s worth a lot. You’ll find the answers at my house. There is something hidden in a box under the bed. I know you’ll understand and know what needs to be done. Be happy.

Diesel.

My stomach slammed into my chest.

What was at his house? In a box?

And telling me to trust no one…

I dropped the letter to the seat. Why would he do this to me? Why would I be the only one he could trust?

            What happened between Diesel and Blaze? They were once close, like brothers. And Blaze had lost Diesel’s trust? Why?

I knew Blaze. At least, I once did. He wouldn’t hurt anyone.

But anger changed people. I stared at the key, flipped it around in my palm. For something that weighed so little, it certainly weighed heavily on my shoulders.

I should take the letter back to Blaze. I wanted no part of whatever Diesel had dragged me into.

Better yet, I could call Agent Peterson. I’m sure this was what he referred to as impeding an investigation. He’d know what to do.

But could the Agent be trusted? I doubted it. Blaze said he was a ‘shark looking for fresh meat’. I had no idea who I could trust.

Putting the letter and key back into the envelope and stuffing it into my purse, I put the car into drive and pulled back onto the road. I needed time to think. I couldn’t allow myself to be dragged into this spider web.

I had a job as a schoolteacher.

I had left my old life in the past.

I didn’t care what I’d find in the box at Diesel’s house.

I didn’t want to embroil myself into a case where I’d be unsafe. I could be arrested. I wouldn’t last in prison.

Yes, tomorrow I would call Agent Peterson and end my association, once and for all.

I woke up from a nightmare. Sweat beaded on my forehead and my hand trembled as I reached for the bedside light. I turned it on, but my hand got caught in the shade. The lamp wobbled, then fell off the side of the table, shattering on the floor. “Shit!”

My nerves were shot. I sat up, looking at the mess on the floor.

I started to slide from the bed but a noise downstairs stopped me. I waited. Nothing.

Sliding back the covers, I made a huge arc around the glass and slowly made my way across the floor of my bedroom, turning on the overhead light. The hairs on my neck stood erect and goosebumps marred my flesh as I stood at the doorway, listening. My heart thumped so loudly, the beats were all I could hear. I knew something was wrong.

I stepped down the hall, tiptoeing. Nothing seemed amiss, but I needed to be sure. I stood by the top of the stairs, listening but not seeing anything through the pitch black.

And then I heard the floor creak at the bottom of the stairs.

“Rena?”

I heard my name whispered and I backed up, swiveling and making my way back into the bedroom to the nightstand. I reached for my phone but couldn’t move it far because it remained attached to the charger. The footsteps were louder, closer. My breathing deafened me as I concentrated on the screen and keyboard. A noise from behind me made me freeze. A hand came up around my mouth, stifling my scream, and a strong arm snaked around my waist, dragging me close. Heavy breathing tickled my ear.

“Rena, don’t make a sound. Are we alone?”

I reacted on instinct. I brought my elbow up and struck something hard. I heard a crack, followed by “Ouch!” Released from the strong hold, I turned and my mouth fell open. “Blaze? What are you doing here?” I stood statue still, the back of my legs pressed against the nightstand. His smell, leather and man, enveloped me, but my fear remained stiff in my bones. Blood dripped from his nose, quickly turning his white T-shirt into tie-dye red and white.

He lifted his hand and held his nose. “Damn, Rena.”

“No, damn you for sneaking up on me!”

“I saw your light flash and then heard a loud crash. It scared the shit out of me. I thought you needed help.”

“I accidently broke the lamp. But why were you spying on my house? And you’re hurt.”

“Just a bloody nose. It’s not broken, thankfully.” He cupped his face. “I’m glad you know how to handle yourself.”

“Oh my.” The bleeding continued streaming from his nose.

“Don’t move. There’s glass everywhere and you are barefooted.” He picked me up into his arms and I settled against his chest.

“Blaze, put me down. You’re hurt.” He carried me to the door and placed me on my feet. “Thank you. Come on. You need something on that.” I grabbed his hand, leading him down the hall and into the bathroom.

“I’ll be fine, except I’m bleeding all over your floor.”

“Sit.” I pointed to the toilet.

“If you say so.” He tucked his bottom lip between his teeth as if to keep from laughing at me. He sat and his knees brushed mine.

Fighting past the tingles in my body, I gathered the first aid kit from the medicine cabinet, a clean, damp towel, and faced him. I hadn’t seen this much blood in a long time. His gaze met mine and he grinned. “That’s a lot of blood.”

“You okay, Bambi? You’re not going to pass out on me, are you?”

“Of course not.” I pressed the cloth against his nose.

“Ow!” He jerked his head back.

“Sorry.” I lightened the pressure. “What happened, Blaze? Why were you watching my house? And why in the hell did you break in? Haven’t you heard of knocking?” He pushed my hand away and took over the responsibility of holding the cloth.

“Thanks for the help, babe, but I think it’s you who needs to sit.”

I didn’t argue. I sat down on the side of the tub across from him. “You’re still bleeding.” I cringed.

“Sweetheart, this is nothing.” He lowered the cloth and the bleeding had finally slowed.

“Are you going to answer?” I demanded.

“I had a hunch I needed to keep an eye on you. If Peterson is asking you questions, there’s a good reason for it. He wouldn’t waste his time. If he’s watching you… us, I need to get to the bottom of this.”

“He suspects that Diesel left me something. He certainly acted like he knew about the envelope.” I narrowed my gaze.

“I wouldn’t think so. Did Peterson ask about it when he was talking to you?”

I shook my head. “But Diesel had my contact information in his apartment and Peterson finds that suspicious. I would, too.” I rubbed my temples, hoping the throbbing would ease.

“Did Peterson tell you I’m a suspect?” Blaze’s eyes darkened.

“Yes.” I clasped my hands tighter. “You told me you thought Diesel was killed because he was sleeping with Digger’s girlfriend.”

“I don’t know.” He pushed a hand through his hair. “The ATF has been investigating Wings, specifically Diesel, for months now. I knew he’d gotten involved in some illegal shit, was arrested on some petty garbage and that’s when I bought his share of the shop so I wouldn’t risk losing everything. He promised he’d stay out of trouble, but you know Diesel. I’m just not clear who helped him in the dealings and if we still have an issue that needs extinguished.”