Reckless Love (Satan's Prophets MC, Book 2) (Satan's Prophets MC Series) (8 page)

Peter asked Renee where she would like to go one Friday night. Renee wanted to go to the drive-in movie. It was retro movie night and “Road House” was the feature film. She just loved Patrick Swayze.

They were sitting in his car watching the movie when Renee turned her head out of curiosity to look at another car that had pulled up in the spot next to them. Peter squeezed her knee hard with his fingers to turn her attention back to him. Then, he grabbed her arm forcibly and pulled her closer.

“Come sit next to me, darling.” He put his arm around her shoulders. Renee unconsciously rubbed her arm where Peter had gripped her. Peter, seeing her do that, was seething mad at himself. He knew he had to be more careful with Renee and try to control his rash impulses.

Renee tried to move away, but he kept his arm tightly around her shoulders. She was getting annoyed with him and all this closeness.

“Peter, let me go. It’s too muggy out to sit so close together.”

She tried to move away again. Peter didn’t let her go. Instead, he leaned in closer and kissed her gently. He used his tongue to open up her pursed lips. When he darted his tongue in and out of Renee’s mouth, he was disappointed she didn’t reciprocate. He tried once more, hoping she would show some enthusiasm.

Renee was silently trying not to gag on Peter’s tongue. She squeezed her eyes shut tighter and hoped he would hurry up and get his tongue out of her mouth and be done kissing her.

Finally, Peter pulled away. “You really don’t have much experience kissing, but that’s okay darling. I will enjoy teaching you.”

Renee blanched. That thought made her feel nauseous and she told Peter she needed to get home. She lied and said her dad wasn’t feeling well and he might need her. She liked Peter and knew he really cared for her, but his possessiveness was starting to be too much. She felt like she was being smothered by him tonight.

Peter narrowed his eyes and studied her, trying to gauge her sincerity. He pasted a fake smile on his face but didn’t say anything, only starting up the car and driving away.

When Renee got home and undressed for bed, she didn’t notice the marks on her knee and upper arm that were already turning darker.

She thought back to Mick and how he made her feel that day they’d had sex. She remembered the warmth that spread through her body when Mick’s arms were holding her and how his lips claimed hers for a deep, sensual, tongue-thrusting kiss. She dreamed of how she couldn’t get enough of his kisses.

Renee realized right then that Peter was not for her. There was no excitement or tingly feelings when Peter kissed her, and she doubted there ever would be. No, he wasn’t the one for her at all.

* * *

Peter felt Renee was losing interest in him and knew he had to do something fast. He couldn’t lose her now, not after all the time he had invested in her. Besides, where would he find a readymade family again? 

He just needed to play his cards right. She was his last hope for him appearing to be a decent family man, and with a readymade baby in the mix, it would be perfect. Hell, he figured he could play the doting dad as good as the next guy.

Peter had known for years that he was sterile. A case of mumps infected his testicles when he was a teen. When he was older, he had a semen analysis done and found that he produced very little sperm and the urologist told him his chances to father a child were slim to none. So yes, Renee was the perfect woman for him.

All this trouble just to appease his batty old grandmother. She had a nice nest egg just sitting there waiting for him, but she told Peter he needed to settle down first and give her great-grandchildren to carry on the family name. Then the money was his.

Peter hated his grandmother. She made him feel like a puppet and she held the strings. He knew she dangled that money in front of him just for spite, thinking he’d never find anyone who would want to marry him.

Well, he won’t be dancing to her tune much longer, he smiled to himself.
Won’t she be surprised
, he thought.

His parents were both dead. He was glad. His father was an alcoholic who would come home drunk and beat him over the stupidest things. He remembered one time when he was twelve years old, his father was mad just because he left the TV on after he’d gone to bed. His dad took off his belt and started hitting Peter with it until he was writhing in pain.

Peter was told over and over about how his birth was a mistake and he was nothing but a nuisance to them. It seemed the only thing his parents loved was their mangy old dog. When he turned eighteen, his parents kicked him out. Before he left, however, he made sure the one thing his parents loved was destroyed.

He left town and never returned … until recently. His old homestead was sold for back taxes years ago, so now he lived in an isolated little cabin set back in the woods off of a remote dirt road that no one ever traveled. Peter used to come to visit the old hermit who lived here when things got really bad for him at home. He heard the hermit died and was thankful to see that the old cabin was still standing after all these years.

After having a few beers and contemplating over different ideas, he finally worked out a plan.

* * *

He drove into town the next night to see Renee, wanting to put his new plan into motion. Peter asked Renee to go for a ride with him. Renee didn’t really want to go, but she needed to have a talk with Peter. She was going to tell him that they just weren’t working out and their relationship was a big mistake. When he stopped his car and parked on a lonely dirt road, Renee frowned at him, starting to feel a little apprehensive. “Why did you stop here?”

Peter didn’t answer her. He smiled, wrapped his arms around Renee to pull her in close, then started kissing her. When he reached up to fondle her breasts, Renee pushed his hand away.

“Stop it, Peter!”

“What’s wrong, darling? I’m a man and you’re a beautiful woman and I want you so badly. In fact, I want to marry you.”

Renee gasped. She pulled herself out of his arms and moved further apart from him. Renee lost her nerve, afraid to tell Peter how she really felt. He seemed so much more intense and serious tonight than on previous dates.

“It’s a little soon to be thinking of marriage, don’t you think?” she reasoned. “I mean, we haven’t been seeing each other for that long. I would like to get to know you better first, and then … maybe … I don’t know. We’ll have to see.”

Peter clenched his teeth, not taking her rejection well. He started to perspire, his pulse racing. He had to roll down his window for air. He let out an edgy laugh, and the words just flew out of his mouth.

“It’s not like you have any other choices,” he muttered, “being a whore with a kid and all. I mean, who else wants you? You’re lucky I do. Where do you think you’ll end up if not with me? A lonely, old woman, bitter at the world … and you’ll look back remembering how you could have had me.”

Renee sucked in a huge breath and opened her mouth to speak, but no words would come out. She sat there staring at him with her mouth hanging open. Renee couldn’t believe he had said such harsh words to her. He was usually so sweet and caring. Renee was afraid and needed to calm him down so she could think of a way out of this crazy situation. Finally, she collected herself and spoke in a soothing voice.

“Peter, please, I just need more time.”

Peter interrupted her with a harsh voice. “There is no more time! I want you, here and now!”

When she tried to push him away, he pulled her closer once again and tightened his grip, pressing her deeper into the seat. He started fondling her breasts while she struggled to get free. His kisses became rougher and his teeth were scraping her pursed lips. His breathing became erratic and louder.

Renee was squirming, trying to move away. She felt the bile rise up in her throat and she gagged. She turned her head just in time as it spewed out of her mouth and all over the car seat and floor.

Peter jumped away as if scalded. “What the fuck, Renee!”

Renee flinched and thought fast. “I need to go home, Peter. I think I have food poisoning or something.” She leaned over and let out a low, fierce growl. “Oh, my stomach hurts so bad,” she groaned, trying to act convincingly.

Peter ran his hands through his hair, totally frustrated. “Okay, okay.  I’ll take you home. Look, honey, I’m sorry. I just want you so badly. I didn’t mean to be so rough with you. I didn’t mean what I said, either. My jealousy makes me crazy sometimes.”

Renee let out another loud groan. She knew she had to get away from him before he started going bonkers again.

Peter sat back in his seat and waited until he calmed down somewhat before he finally started up his car and drove her home.

That was the last straw for Renee. There was no mistaking that there was something deeply wrong with Peter, much more than insecurity or plain jealousy. She wondered how she could have been so blind to all the warning signs he was giving off.

Peter called her a few times a night after that. Renee made sure her dad or Susanna always answered the phone whenever it rang and told Peter she wasn’t home or she was busy with Michael. Sometimes at night when she was sitting on the parlor floor playing with Michael or relaxing reading a book, she would feel an unshakable sense of being watched. She would get up, pull down the window shades, and make sure the doors were locked as an added precaution.

Mick was in a great mood. He wrapped his latest bounty job up fast and was heading back over to Tom’s office. He was curious to see if he came up with anything on that fucker, Peter Dempsey.

Tom was waiting for Mick. “Great job as usual, Mick. I’ll have a check for you as soon as all the paperwork is filed. Thanks.”

Mick wasn’t interested in thanks. He got right down to business. He sat down in the chair next to Tom’s desk. “Do you have anything on that guy for me?”

Tom shook his head and pulled out a notepad from his desk drawer. He read off some notes he jotted down for Mick. “Nothing substantial. No criminal record of any kind on him. However, I did manage to get some info out of the receptionist at the last clinic he worked at. She told me he was fired from his previous two jobs. I asked if there was animal abuse involved. She laughed and her exact words were, ‘No. He was just abusing himself, the pervert.’” Tom wrinkled his brow in confusion. “No idea what she meant by that, but that’s all she would say.” He threw the notepad down and looked at Mick. “Something fishy about it all. Why the interest?”

Mick wouldn’t discuss his personal life with Tom. “He’s dating this chick I know. Just looking out for her interests.”

“Well, I’d be a lot concerned if it was my daughter dating him, I’ll tell you that.”

Mick nodded, got up and shook Tom’s hand and left. He was anxious to get back home.

* * *

Riding into Fulton, Mick was surprised to notice some kind of a celebration was going on. He detoured, taking a longer route to the motel on the other side of town. He was glad to get back to his room.

First thing he did was take a long, hot shower, glad to finally get the dirt and grime of the road off his body. He sat down in a comfy chair with just a towel hanging low on his hips and lit up a joint to unwind. After he was mellowed out, he got up to get dressed, anxious to get to the bar and check out how it was doing in his absence, maybe enjoy a strip show that The Den was famous for too.

When he got to the bar’s door, Big Daddy was standing in his usual spot looking out for trouble. “Hey, man. Glad you’re back safe.”

Mick gave Big Daddy the thumbs up and walked inside. He saw JD and Jaz sitting at the bar and walked on over to join them. Jaz jumped off her barstool and gave Mick a kiss on his cheek like she usually did every time she saw him. “I’m glad you’re home safe, Mick.”

JD scowled. “Quit worrying over him like a mother hen, Jaz. He’s a big boy and can take care of himself.”

Mick laughed and gave JD a fist-bump. “Maybe you should give her something in her belly to worry about instead of you and me all the time.”

JD’s eyes turned dark and smoldering. “I’m workin’ on it, brother, have no fear of that.” 

“We’re heading into town soon to have some fun. Why don’t you come along with us?” Jaz asked Mick. “It’s their annual corn-and-clam slam and there’s lots of games planned. This year, they even have a beer stand.” Jaz was so excited, she couldn’t sit still. She raised her head proudly. “And guess who talked the town into having beer? Me and Lori, that’s who!” she boasted. “Oh my God, you should have heard Lori. By the time she was done laying on the charm, I think the men were all coming in their pants.” Jaz laughed so hard she nearly fell off the stool.

JD wrapped his arms around her to hold her steady. “I think you’ve had enough to drink for now, babe. Better get going before you start puking or pass out or something.” JD lifted her off the stool and helped steady her on her feet.

“Come on, Mick. Roach and Drifter are already there and I’m hoping Holly can make it.” JD and Mick shared a smile at her omission of Striker’s name. Jaz wasn’t too fond of him and didn’t pretend otherwise.

“Yeah, I saw something was going on when I hit the town before. You two go on ahead, I’ll catch up later. I need to talk with Danny and check the books to make sure the place is still running smoothly,” Mick lied.

Jaz gave him a curt nod and told him not to be too long while JD shot him a knowing grin. Mick hung around, waiting for the first show to begin. When the dancer walked onstage and started taking off her clothes, she didn’t get too far along before Mick realized these strip shows didn’t interest him much anymore. Same old shit. He got up and left.