Possession (14 page)

Tina checked her rearview mirror the second she merged into traffic on the highway to make sure Vincent was still following her. He looked so damn sexy on his Harley. Then she focused on the road ahead of her, heart thundering. His declaration of love had been a surprise. One she chose not to respond to yet. Something told her he didn't mean to say it when he did. Both of them were emotional wrecks tonight and desperate for comfort. Mistakes were often made in the heat of the moment, and she didn't want to be disappointed if her instincts were right.

But if she were wrong…

That thought made her grin ear-to-ear. She loved him back. All of her. Mind and heart. She couldn't imagine going another day without him in her life. She loved him enough to brave her parents in a few weeks. How would they react to Vincent's leather and tattoos? What would her father say once he learned Vincent was an officer with the Sons of Odin?

The scene played out in her mind. After the introductions were made and they sat down at the dinner table together, her father would casually ask Vincent what he did for a living. Normal conversation for men, right? Vincent would clear his throat, stare at her, then answer honestly. Because that's the kind of man he was.

She gripped her steering wheel tighter. Maybe she should ask Vincent not to say anything the first time he met her parents. Not on a holiday, and not with her welcoming Dustin as her brother. It would overshadow the happy occasion too much. Perhaps she should call her parents tomorrow and confess everything, just get it out of the way. If they weren't interested in meeting him, at least Tina would have spared everyone an uncomfortable situation, including herself. But how would Vincent take that? Surely he'd understand…

Fifteen minutes later she turned into the Sons of Odin lot. She parked near the shop. The noise coming from the clubhouse surprised her as she stepped out of her SUV. Since she'd reconnected with Vincent, things had been very quiet there. Did the business Vincent referenced earlier have anything to do with a wild party? Laughter and women screaming playfully filled the air around her—and a Jimi Hendrix tune. She eyeballed Vincent as he approached.

“Seems everyone is awake tonight.”

“Yeah,” he said, snaking his arm around her waist. “Before we head inside, I need to discuss a couple of things with you.”

She turned so she could see his face. “Is everything okay?”

“Some bad shit happened tonight. That's all I can say. The alcohol and strippers are therapeutic, help the guys get through whatever emotional challenges they have.”

“I thought a session with a reputable psychologist and antidepressants were the usual treatments of choice.”

Vincent let out a small chuckle. “There's nothing normal about my Brothers. I just wanted to give you a heads-up before we opened the door. You might not approve of the extracurricular activities.”

“I think I can handle it.”

“Good,” he said. “Which brings me to the second point. I'd like to introduce you as my girlfriend tonight. I know you've met several of the old ladies before through Lily, but it's different to be recognized officially.”

Tina didn't know what to say. It definitely suggested he meant what he said earlier. Love changed the dynamics of their relationship, especially for him. Once a 1%er fell in love, his code of honor demanded he claim her as his own so nobody would disrespect her. Tina would be off limits wherever they went, patched as an old lady or not.

Unlike her best friend, Lily, Tina had partied with outlaws many times in the past. She understood The Life, respected it for the most part. Some clubs did bad things, but from what she knew of the Sons of Odin, they lived by a stricter creed.

“You're not saying anything, Tina.” He grabbed her hand and lifted it to his mouth. Butterfly kisses tickled her knuckles.

“You caught me off guard.”

“I never want you to feel uncomfortable.” He traced her jawline with his thumb. “You fought like hell to get inside here.” He held his fist over his heart. “Didn't expect it to happen so fast?”

“I-I didn't expect it at all.” There; her lack of emotional confidence where Vincent was concerned could no longer remain a secret.

Oh, she knew how to ride him hard and suck him off so he'd forget other women. But sexual compatibility didn't mean shit if their hearts weren't aligned. Tina wanted more out of life now, more from this relationship.

“I love you,” he said.

Tina reached for his soft, windblown hair. “You've outdone yourself, Vincent. Now
that's
the nicest thing you've ever said to me.” She stood on her toes and gave him a tender kiss on the lips. “I love you, too.”

He cupped his hand over hers, which rested on his right cheek. “I think I fell in love with you the night we met at Tito's—all heels and attitude.”

She smiled. “Really?”

“If Lang hadn't cautioned you against confronting those bikers, I think you would've punched the one that grabbed Lily's ass.”

“Probably,” she agreed. “You might have that man-code thing going on with the Sons of Odin, but best girlfriends have their own code too.”

“One of the reasons I respect you.” He laced his fingers with hers. “So I'll take all this as a yes? I can drag you inside and show you off?”

“As long as you promise we can escape to your bedroom after one beer.”

Vincent rubbed his chin, pretending to contemplate his choice. “Give up time with my Brothers for another taste of that hot little pussy? Hmm.”

“Who said anything about that? Maybe I want another date with your cock.”

“We'll see.” He walked her to the door. “Ladies first.”

Stepping into the clubhouse tonight differed greatly from any other time she'd visited. The main room resembled an indoor playground—Brothers were crowded around the dartboard and pool table in the back. Women were seated at the half dozen custom-made barrel tables and chairs, drinking. The lounge area with a big-screen TV and three leather couches to the right was crammed full with people watching motorcycle race videos. And the music—louder than inside Valhalla.

Tina gripped Vincent's arm as he moved across the concrete floor, pausing to shake hands with a couple of Brothers. “Lurch and Axe, this is my girlfriend, Tina.”

Lurch checked her out head to toe. “Now we know where you've been disappearing to. Welcome.”

Axe grinned and slapped Vincent's shoulder. “She's beautiful. Too bad I can't take her for a test drive.”

Three guys wearing leather vests with Prospect patches were standing off to the side of the archway that opened into the kitchen. Vincent stopped to talk with them too.

“Queenie, Jefferson, and Brent,” Vincent announced their names to her. “Jefferson is my Prospect.”

All three shook her hand.

Tina leaned close to Vincent. “You have your own Prospect?”

“Of course,” he said. “Like a manservant, aren't you, Prospect?”

Jefferson saluted.

Vincent snatched Tina's car keys from her hand and offered them to Jefferson. “Get her bags from the back of the Cadillac SUV out front and put them in my bedroom.”

Jefferson nodded and immediately departed.

“Just snap your fingers and he'll do whatever you want?” Tina asked on a smile.

Vincent stared at her for a long moment. “Don't get any ideas, woman. He belongs to me.”

She crossed her arms over her chest. “Stingy, aren't you?”

“Just with you,” he said.

A girl wearing a bikini approached with a tray of longnecks in her hands. Vincent grabbed a couple and offered one to Tina. “You mentioned something about
one
beer.”

Tina took in the activities around her again, paying close attention to the dartboard. Practically a professional, she itched to place a couple of bets. “Would you mind introducing me to the Brothers playing darts?”

Vincent guzzled his beer, then lowered it from his mouth. “Wait a second.” He eyeballed the crowd in the back. “You can't resist, can you?”

“Not when I know I can make money.”

He chuckled, hard. “Plan on losing the first couple of rounds?”

Tina took a lazy sip of her drink. “Maybe.”

“Only thing: those Brothers might not appreciate a woman kicking the shit out of them.”

“A chance I'm willing to take.”

“Wait.” His expression grew serious. “Sure you're in the mood? I understand if you need more time to think about what happened. Say the word, we'll go wherever you want.”

“Thank you for trying to make me feel welcome here and comfortable. I can't tell you how happy I am about us. The most important thing for me to do right now is to forget about Kline tonight. He's already stolen too much precious time I can never get back.” She squeezed his hand to reassure Vincent that she was okay. “Darts will keep my mind occupied. And after I win, you can have my body.”

Vincent shook his head.

“What?”

“You,” he said softly. “You're an amazing woman, Tina.”

She found him devastatingly irresistible and so considerate. Perfect, really. Her very own leather-clad god with patches, and a heart of gold.

The following Monday at work, Tina prepared for the actual meeting she'd fantasized about all weekend long. Spending time with Vincent gave her strength and a level of self-worth she'd never had before. Her boss, Alexander James, was known for his prowess in the courtroom and unyielding expectations of his employees. The man rarely negotiated with anyone. What he wanted, he got. And though Tina's record with the firm was sterling on paper, she'd voiced her opinion in staff meetings before, sometimes not lining up with Mr. James's own philosophies.

She checked herself in the full-length mirror hanging on the inside of the closet door in her office. Sometimes when she was in the middle of a case, she spent the night here, so she kept toiletries and a couple of power suits handy. She'd chosen a burgundy skirt-and-jacket ensemble today, hair pulled back with tortoise-shell-patterned combs. Satisfied that she looked fresh and confident, she powdered her nose and headed to Mr. James's office down the hallway.

The door was open but she knocked, peering inside. The meeting was scheduled, so she wasn't surprised to find him seated at his desk.

“Ms. Bethel, please, come in.”

She closed the door behind her, then sat in the high-backed leather guest chair across from him. “Thank you for seeing me on such short notice.”

“Of course.” He smiled, shuffling his papers aside. “I always accommodate our future stars.”

Tina held in her sarcastic laugh. He rarely made appearances, and when he did, it was usually to celebrate victories in high-profile cases. He was generous with bonuses and time off, so she couldn't complain about that. But she wanted to get to the point before she lost her willpower.

“Mr. James…”

“Have you read the latest headlines? Three James and Bronte attorneys were featured in the American Bar Association Commission on Women in the Profession, and Best Lawyers in America lists five of our own as Lawyers of the Year. Your name has come up several times, Valentina. Your peers have taken notice of your dedication and fair treatment of our clients.”

She mentally repeated his last words,
fair treatment of our clients.
At this point, she felt like Kline's punching bag, not his attorney.

“Congratulations,” she said out of duty. Under normal circumstances she'd feel pride for being part of such a talented team. But not today. “I'm not here to discuss my future with the firm,” she said.

Mr. James arched an eyebrow. “I don't like the sound of that. Have you received another offer? Let me guess: Douglas Burns is trying to recruit you again. Tell me what he offered this time, and I'll match it.”

She smiled at his willingness to fight to keep her on staff. “Thank you, but no one has made an offer recently.”

“I'm relieved,” he said, leaning back in his chair. “I suppose I'd better listen instead of fishing for answers.”

Tina folded her hands on her lap, feeling anxious over what she was about to say. She pictured Kline Barnes at Tito's and her damaged SUV, remembered every filthy word he said in his messages and the attack in the restroom. She took a deep breath. “Kline Barnes is a narcissistic bastard and a serial stalker. I can no longer represent him.”

Oh God.
She'd let emotions get the better of her. Instead of laying out her reasons in a controlled, professional manner, she just blurted out her first thoughts.

Mr. James didn't respond immediately. Instead, he opened up a drawer and produced a bottle of whiskey and two glasses. “A bit stereotypical, I think,” he commented as he poured. “But all attorneys should keep bottles of liquor close by.” He offered her a glass.

Tina accepted because she needed something to take the edge off her nerves. She drank greedily.

“My godson isn't well liked, Valentina. I'm fully aware of the deficiencies of his character, his philandering ways, and utter disrespect for women.”

Shocked by his reply, Tina's mouth opened, but no words came out.

Mr. James rolled the amber liquid in his glass around before he took a second sip. “We do things a bit differently in the South,” he continued. “Bad blood is still blood. Kline is my great-nephew
and
godson. I promised his mother years ago that I'd look after him.” He gazed at her. “A bad choice on my part.”

If her boss knew all this, why did he assign Kline's case to her? Why not choose one of the more experienced, male attorneys? “I don't understand, Mr. James.”

“Call me Alex,” he said.

“If he has a criminal history with women you're familiar with, why did you give me his case?” Irritation and resentment started to build inside her. Alex had better have a plausible excuse.

“I didn't say anything about a
criminal
history.”

“Surely you don't believe the assault against his ex-fiancée is the first time he's gotten violent with a woman.”

“That's exactly what I think,” he said. “What makes you think otherwise?”

Bad blood is still blood.
Alex had no intention of revealing what he knew about his nephew. She could see that now. “He's been stalking me. Leaving lewd messages. Vandalized my vehicle. And physically assaulted me at the restaurant I had a business dinner at on Friday night.”

Again he didn't react,
at all.
The asshole had the perfect poker face. Blame it on his years of trial experience, defending killers and rapists. That's what earned him a partnership in this firm—Tina had heard all the stories. And though she admired his professional record, she greatly disliked his blind allegiance to his family.

“Do you have witnesses to corroborate your story?” he asked.

The women in the restaurant bathroom—why hadn't she gotten their contact information? “Yes and no.”

“Excuse me? Is that the type of answer you give in a courtroom?”

“Of course not,” she fired back, feeling more apprehensive by the second. “Why would I lie,
Mr. James
?”

“
Lie
is a bit harsh. Perhaps ‘embellish the truth' so you look better.”

“Look better? For what?”

He leaned across the desk and refilled her glass. “My nephew visited me last week, Ms. Bethel. He told me you'd show up eventually and accuse him of all kinds of unsavory behavior.”

Tina's body started to tremble.

“Don't take it personally. Kline is willing to overlook everything so long as you don't spread malicious rumors about him. In fact, I have a nondisclosure agreement right here on my desk. If you approve the terms, we can pretend this meeting never happened.”

Tina shot up from her seat. “Am I in the Twilight Zone?”

Alex chuckled. “Not at all.”

Tina wouldn't let his good-old-boy tactics dissuade her. “You can't just dismiss me as if nothing happened.”

He sighed. “You aren't the first eager female to set her sight on my nephew's fortune.”

“That's ridiculous,” she said. “I have my own life, and my family is wealthy.”

“Be a smart girl, go back to your office. I'll reassign Kline's case.”

“Mr. James, I can't leave until you guarantee me that something will be done about your nephew. He's a menace, and I'm sure if I went to the police…”

“If you file charges against my nephew, I'll be forced to return the favor. An ethics violation on your permanent record with the state bar won't help your career. I suggest a week off, Ms. Bethel. Take some time to relax, go shopping—clear your head.”

“Are you suspending me?”

“Not at all. Just sending you on a well-deserved holiday.”

“Can you believe the audacity of that man?” Tina asked Vincent as she shoveled a forkful of scrambled eggs into her mouth. “Complete denial. But I could tell by his words that he knew exactly what his nephew is capable of.”

“I'm sorry,” Vincent said, patting her hand from across the table. “Guess you found out the hard way there are more chauvinistic men out there than Brothers who wear patches.”

Tina gave him a half smile. As soon as she arrived back at the clubhouse and explained her situation at work, Vincent had directed her to the kitchen, where he set about making eggs, bacon, and waffles. “Thanks for brunch. I always get hungry when I'm angry.”

“You're welcome. What do you want to do with your time off?”

“Go shopping, according to Alexander James.”

“Ever pay attention to the real estate market?” Vincent asked.

“Before I chose my apartment, I looked at some condos. Why?”

“I've been thinking about my living arrangements lately. With everyone back from Austin now, the place is getting pretty cramped.” He looked over his shoulder toward the TV room—half a dozen brothers were playing Call of Duty on the big screen. “Might be time to invest some of my savings in a house.”

“Really?” Nothing would make her happier. And if he found one big enough to accommodate his sons, maybe she could convince him to request a new custody hearing. “Want me to start looking? What amenities? Square footage? Garage?”

He laughed. “Easy. Nothing special—three bedrooms, two baths, and definitely a two-car garage. I need room for my machines.”

“Do you have a neighborhood in mind?”

“Flour Bluff.”

“Budget?”

“I'm already preapproved for three hundred thousand. But let's keep it well below that if possible.”

Grateful for the distraction, Tina knew exactly what real estate company she'd use. Several agents were clients, and for once, she'd take advantage of a professional connection.

Vincent finished his breakfast a few minutes later. “We have an officers' meeting in an hour, so I have to go, baby.” He picked up his plate and coffee mug, then kissed her cheek. “If you leave the clubhouse, let Jefferson know where you're going—he'll follow you on his bike.”

“Wait.” Had she heard wrong? “You're giving me your Prospect for the day?”

“Strictly a loaner.”

She watched with fascination as he walked away. Although she didn't feel she needed a bodyguard, why argue with Vincent? The man had a way of convincing her to do whatever he wanted. But Jefferson would absolutely have to agree to leave his bike behind. She didn't want to be followed around like she was in protective custody.