The Last Riders - First Four Votes (10 page)

“Want another drink?” Razer asked.

“I think I’ve had enough.”

“You’ve only had two. Besides, you’ve only taken a couple sips out of the second.”

There went blaming the alcohol for her behavior. Rider and Razer resumed talking as if nothing had happened, but Beth was unable to meet their eyes, she was mortified at her behavior for losing control and actually touching two men at the same time while other’s watched.

Later, Knox and Evie returned, yet Beth was too embarrassed to meet her eyes also. Razer, seeing what was going on, frowned at her.

“You’re making Evie feel bad. Stop it.”

True to his word, Beth saw Evie was becoming upset and wasn’t trying to hide it. It was a rare thing to see Evie emotional. She didn’t seem to let anything ever touch her, so Beth knew she must be truly embarrassed about her part in the earlier situation.

Beth got up and hugged her friend. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to make you feel uncomfortable. I was only embarrassed about my part in it. I have never done anything like that in my life.” Beth was conscious of the others at the table listening, but wanted to reassure her friend.

“Really, Beth, that was tame considering some of the things we do.”

“I can only guess,” Beth said wryly.

Conversation returned to normal after that. Evie and Beth talked about work while the guys had their own conversation going. At twelve, Beth rose, excusing herself to everyone at the table.

“I need to get home. I have to relieve Mrs. Roger’s neighbor in the morning.” Razer nodded, handing Beth her purse and pink jacket. Saying goodnight, Beth left with Razer following.

On the walk to the car, the fresh air felt good on Beth’s face as Razer reached out, pulling her to his side and wrapping an arm around her shoulders. They didn’t speak; they simply walked together in a comfortable silence. When they got to her car, Beth bent slightly to put the key into the lock and heard a loud popping noise. The next thing she knew, Razer was shoving her into the now open car.

“Stay down,” Razer yelled before slamming the door quickly, jerking his phone out of his jean pocket. Someone inside the bar must have heard the shot because the club members came out, each calling out to see what had happened.

Razer signaled them to silence, taking off toward the location the shot had come from with Rider at his side and Knox following close behind. Beth tried to rise up to see what was happening outside, but Shade had come from behind the bar, positioning himself beside her car door.

“Stay down!” Shade’s sharp voice had her instantly lowering herself back down.

Several minutes later, Razer and Knox returned. “Did you find anything?” Shade questioned as they approached.

“No. Rider is still looking.”

“Who the fuck would be brave enough to piss Viper off by taking a hit out on you?”

“Don’t know.”

“Cops here.” They watched as the police car pulled into the lot with its lights flashing. Razer opened the car door and Beth hesitantly stepped back out onto the parking lot.

“Who called the police?” Beth asked shakily.

“I did,” Razer answered. “Didn’t want them thinking we were the ones out here with a gun.”

“Beth, Razer.” Nodding to the other men, sheriff asked, “What happened?” He didn’t beat around the bush.

“Beth and I were by her car when someone fired a shot at me,” Razer began explaining.

“Don’t expect it was you they were shooting at,” the sheriff corrected with a look towards Beth.

“What do you mean?”

“I thought I told you to be careful?”

“I was, but how was I supposed to know someone would be crazy enough to shoot at me in front of witnesses?”

“Someone is trying to kill Beth? Why?” Razer asked, clearly confused.

“I’m still investigating.”

“You’re investigating? Since when?”

“Since I discovered her car’s brakes had been tampered with. I haven’t been able to find any prints or witnesses to the tampering. I have the deputies keeping an eye on her. She was supposed to be home like she usually is when she’s not working. Someone either had to follow her here or knew she was going to be here. Did you notice anyone following?”

“No, but I wasn’t paying attention.”

“Show me where the shot came from, Razer. Beth, get back in the car.” Beth followed the sheriff’s order and got back in her car. Again, Shade waited until both men returned. Beth sat inside the car, watching the men talk. Finally, with a wave, the Sherriff walked back to his car.

Beth’s car door was then opened by a very stern looking Razer. “Slide over.”

“What?”

“Slide over, I’m driving.”

Beth slid over as Razer took her place behind the wheel. “I can drive myself home.”

“You’re not going home.” Razer made a left onto the road. Beth had a terrible feeling she knew where he was taking her.

“I am not going to your home.”

“Yes, you are. Treepoint is incredibly small. Anyone trying to hurt you will be aware of every move you make. The only safe place for you is my place.”

“I can stay with Mrs. Rogers; no one would know I was there.”

“What if you’re wrong? Do you want to take a chance on getting her hurt?”

“No.”

“Then you agree.”

T
he huge house
looked the same as it had the last time she was there.

“I don’t think I can do this.” Beth tried to pull her hand out of Razer’s as they walked up the steps to the opened front door.

“Beth, I don’t think you understand. I’m not giving you a choice.” Razer stood grimly by the door as she walked inside. Evie and the rest of the club members had been waiting in the living room for them to arrive. They had left the club while the sheriff and Razer were talking.

“Are you all right?” A worried Evie asked as soon as she saw Beth’s white face.

“Yes, just surprised someone wants me dead. It’s not like I’m a member of a motorcycle club or something,” Beth joked. Razer laughed, lightening the mood of the room.

“Yeah, that’s why. When we were shot at, I assumed the shot was aimed at me.” Razer liked that she had a sense of humor when most women would have been frightened at the situation Beth found herself in.

Everyone in the group laughed, except Evie. “Don’t joke. It’s not a laughing matter.”

“No, it’s not,” Razer said in agreement. “But it’s good that Beth can keep a handle on it and remain calm.”

“I just can’t understand why someone would try to murder me.”

“Whatever the reason, they almost accomplished their goal. If you hadn’t bent when you had, they would have had a head shot. Evie, Beth is supposed to be at Mrs. Rogers in the morning, can you fill in for her?”

“Of course.”

“That’s not necessary,” Beth protested.

“Yes, it is. You can’t go to church tomorrow, either. Your schedule has to be completely random. Each day it will be different; the lengths of time sporadic.”

“Don’t worry, I can handle the work. Remember, I told you earlier that I wanted the extra hours.”

“But that was when you thought the guys were still going out of town.”

“It doesn’t matter. When this is over, give me a few days off.”

Beth yawned.

“Let’s go to bed.” Razer and Beth left as the others also began heading upstairs.

Beth felt a little guilty that Evie’s birthday celebration had been brought to an end by the mysterious shooter as she wearily climbed the stairs, sleepily wondering whose room she would be borrowing for the night. When Razer opened the door to his room, she was surprised to see that it was tidy with the bed neatly made.

“I appreciate you giving up your room for the night—” Beth began, only to see him taking his shirt off and throwing it on the chair beside the bed.

“What are you doing?”

“Getting ready for bed. The bathroom is through that door.” He opened a drawer of the huge chest against the wall, pulling out a white t-shirt and handing it to her.

“I am not sleeping in your bed with you.” Scandalized, Beth went to leave the room.

“Are you for real?” Razer snapped.

“Don’t be an ass. I am not sleeping with you.”

“Yes. You. Are. No one gives up their room here. All the bedrooms are spoken for, the couch in the living room is full and so are the two in the back room. Even if they were available, though, you still wouldn’t sleep alone. One of the other men would be on you in a second.”

“They would rape me?”

Razer sighed heavily. ”No, but you wouldn’t sleep alone. Come on, Beth, I won’t bother you tonight. Let’s get some sleep. I’m tired, too.” He did look tired and Beth knew she was acting ridiculous.

“All right.” Beth gave in; she really was too tired to argue further.

Beth took the t-shirt and went into the clean bathroom, getting ready for bed. After washing the light make-up from her face, she reluctantly went back into the bedroom where Razer was already in bed. His eyes followed her across the room. Hastily, she slid onto the mattress and pulled the covers up to her chest.

“Need anything?”

“No, thank you.” The light went out and Beth laid back stiffly, angry with herself for how silly she was acting.

Razer simply made her so nervous that she didn’t know how to react. Her body wanted him, but her mind held her back. Her father’s teachings had become so ingrained into her psyche that she automatically fought to reject the desires that burned inside her. The intellectual side of her knew that there was nothing wrong with expressing her sexuality in a committed relationship, yet the true hesitation that held Beth back was that she knew Razer didn’t want a committed relationship. He wanted a purely sexual one that left his heart and emotions free to come and go among the other women. Beth couldn’t handle that. It would destroy her and Beth refused to leave herself so vulnerable.

When she turned onto her side, closing her eyes, a hard arm slid around her waist and dragged her into his warm body. Beth didn’t protest because it made her feel safe and, as much as she hated to admit it, she was scared. The thought of someone actually feeling enough malice towards her to cause physical harm had her nerves screaming in terror.

Beth had never done confrontations well. She always backed down. Even in school, she had never gotten into an argument. She was an out and out coward and freely admitted it, but she was good at hiding her emotions. No one had figured out she was terrified, not even Razer.

Razer pulled her tighter against him and the terror eased as her body melted against him, content that at least tonight he was hers. As she fell asleep, Razer felt her grip finally loosen on his arm around her waist. He didn’t know which had frightened her more, the person trying to kill her or sharing a bed with him. He had lied when he had told her that the men wouldn’t let her sleep alone, easily maneuvering her exactly where he’d wanted her. They wouldn’t have gone near her unless she’d asked or given an invitation; however, Razer had no intention of telling the timid kitten that little bit of knowledge. Tonight, she was in his bed right where he wanted her.

B
eth woke
up with an urgent desire to use the bathroom. Looking out the only window in the room, she saw that it must be early morning. Razer was lying on his stomach with his bare ass peaking out from the blankets. How had she not known he was naked under the covers? Unable to gather her thoughts at the glory before her, she got out of the bed to empty her full bladder.

When she was done and had washed her hands, she turned the light out and went back to bed. Beth was an early riser, but she didn’t know what to do with herself if she got out of bed. It wasn’t like she knew her way around the house or had work to go to. Her eyes couldn’t stay away from Razer and her fingers itched to reach out and touch him. Frustrated with herself, she plumped her pillow and lay back down. As she did, Razer rose and pulled her beneath him.

“Can’t sleep?”

“This is the time I usually get up.”

“This is the time I’m usually going to bed,” he mocked her.

“Yes, but I work.” Beth regretted her words at his angry look.

“I work,” he snapped.

“You do? I never see you around town.”

“That’s because I don’t work in town, not that there are many jobs available.”

“Then what do you do? Do you work online?”

Razer got out of bed and went to the chest, pulling out fresh clothes.

“I’ll show you. Get dressed while I take a shower. Evie said she would put some clothes for you outside the door on her way to work.”

Beth gathered the clothes sitting neatly outside the door. Evie had picked a pale cream t-shirt and a pair of sweat pants. The shirt was tight, but the pants fit perfect. She was silently grateful to her friend for picking something modest for her. She was combing her hair with the small brush in her purse when Razer walked back in with a towel around his hips.

Beth put the brush down, tugging her hair back into a tight ponytail. She was unable to prevent her eyes from watching Razer drop the towel and get dressed in jeans and a black shirt. Throwing her a smug look, he sat on the side of his bed while putting on his boots.

“Ready?”

“Yes.”

Beth was curious about what he was going to show her as she followed him from the room. He led them down the stairs and out the front door. Expecting him to go to his bike, she was surprised when he led them to the factory that had never been opened instead.

He took a key out of his pocket and unlocked the door. Lights came on, flooding the huge area. She wasn’t sure what she would find, but stacks of boxes and merchandise was not one of her guesses.

“We actually work in the warehouse. Each of us works various shifts. A morning or afternoon shift, four days a week. We close Friday thru Sunday.”

“What do you make?” Beth was impressed.

“Several items.” He walked to one table with several packaged boxes waiting to be shipped. He picked one up, handing it to her. As she looked it over she could see it was a survival kit. “I’m a chemical engineer. My job is to find ways to keep food from spoiling and to make foods that previously were unable to be preserved, preservable.” Walking to another table, he picked up another package. Inside it had a plain brown stick and the box said it was able to draw energy from the environment. “Shade is a mechanical engineer, Evie decides what goes into the medical kits, Knox is our computer engineer and develops our programs so that our customers can order online. You name it, one of our people are experienced in that field.”

“You guys supply the Doomsdayers.”

Razer laughed. “Yes, but not only them. Countries that have a high probability for natural disasters order them to keep their families safe. Our customers are from a wide variety of demographics.”

“You guys are a corporation?”

“Yes, all the full members living in the house are stockholders, some with a larger piece than the others. Except for Natasha and Bliss. When they become full members, they’ll be given a share.”

“I can’t believe this. I had no idea. No one in town does. They believe you’re a motorcycle gang that steals and sells drugs.”

“You can’t tell anyone, Beth. It goes against the rules for me to show this to you.”

“Then why show it to me?”

“Because I didn’t want you thinking I was too lazy to work for a living. I also didn’t want you thinking the club was guilty of illegal activity. If you thought that, why go out with me?”

“I said people in town thought that, not that I did. I never believe gossip.” She walked around the factory, asking questions when it was a product she had never seen before or used in a different way than its intended use. He showed her a small lightweight shovel that had ten different uses, one as a deadly weapon. She was going to order one for herself.

“I wish you had involved the community more; jobs are needed desperately.”

“That was our plan, in the beginning, until our money was stolen.”

It finally clicked with Beth. “Your corporation put up the original money for the plant. You own the factory, plant and land around here.”

“The six of us on the board were in the military together and came up with this idea. We pooled every dime we had together and what we could borrow from our families. Everything was on track to open when the machinery was ordered and then the money to pay for it vanished.”

Beth nodded. “Gavin Stolmes took it and disappeared.”

“No, Gavin’s older brother is the club leader. Viper sent him to Treepoint to handle everything up here while we worked in Ohio. We worked hard and put all our cash into opening this factory. He didn’t steal the money from his own brother and the club, he was murdered. We can’t prove it, his body has never been recovered, but we know that’s what happened. Until we find out who killed Gavin, we won’t open the factory to outsiders.”

Beth nodded her understanding. “I don’t think you’ll ever discover who murdered him, though. Whoever did it obviously covered their tracks well. The people here love to gossip about everyone’s dirty little secrets, but anything criminal that could potentially harm their families, you’ll find their mouths zipped shut.”

“That’s what we discovered. That’s why we let Sam hang out; we were trying to find out what we could about the locals.”

“I don’t think that’s the only reason Sam hangs out. Does she know about this?”

“No, we keep her away. She’s not allowed on the property Monday through Thursday.”

“Perhaps I could ask around and see what I could find out.”

“Don’t even think about it. You already have a big enough target on your back.”

The sound of a car pulling up outside had them looking towards the window which overlooked the parking lot. Evie was parking her car. Beth frowned, she shouldn’t have been back so early. Looking at her watch, she discovered they had been in here several hours; it was almost lunchtime.

“Let’s go back to the house. You have to be hungry and I am starving.”

In the house, voices were coming from the kitchen and, as Beth entered the large room, she found the majority of the members crammed into the kitchen and dining room. Food was set out around the counter as well as a variety of drinks.

Razer handed her a plate, which she filled with eggs, bacon and toast. “We do brunch on Sunday’s, usually this would be lunch,” Razer explained. He found two spots at the table across from Jewell and Evie. Everyone ate in relative silence and it wasn’t until they sat, drinking coffee, that Beth asked about Mrs. Rogers.

“She was fine when I left. Her son showed up with her grandchildren, they were going to stay until the neighbor showed up.”

“I’m glad. I felt guilty you working my shift for me.”

“Don’t be. I’ll find a way for you to even the score,” Evie joked.

“Anything.”

“Careful, Beth. Owing Evie a favor can be a real pain in the ass,” Razer warned.

“Shut-up.” Evie laughed.

The atmosphere in the room changed when Sam came into the room carrying a cup of coffee.

She sat down next to Knox who was sitting on the other side of Razer. Unlike the other women, who were dressed suggestively in tight jeans and pretty tops, she was clad in a pair of short, boy shorts and a see-through, white tank top. Samantha bypassed suggestive and went straight to fuck me.

“You guys need to fix foods that aren’t so fattening. No wonder you’re having so much trouble with your weight, Jewell.”

Beth’s mouth almost dropped open at her catty comment while Jewell simply threw her a dirty look without saying anything. Others finished breakfast and wandered away. Beth heard the sound of dishes being washed and rose to go help. Razer pulled her back down.

“There’s a chore list, the house jobs rotate. Evie will put your name on the list and you can take your turn then.”

“You do dishes?” Beth couldn’t prevent the humor in her voice.

“About twice a month,” Razer replied ruefully.

“I brought you some clothes. I went by your house before coming home,” Evie told Beth.

“Thank you.”

Beth noticed the darkening of Evie’s eyes as Sam leaned against Knox, seductively rubbing her breasts against his arm.

“Cut it out, Sam. I’m trying to eat.” Knox pulled his arm away.

Sam shrugged, leaning back in her seat. “Shouldn’t have given you that blowjob before you came downstairs. Now you don’t want to play.”

“The problem is you want to play all the time. None of us can keep you satisfied for long,” Knox said.

“Oh, I know a couple of members that can hit the right spot the first time. Isn’t that right, Razer? Don’t suppose you’re up for some fun? Little Miss Goody Two Shoes couldn’t have gotten you off more than once. I know how you like to go all night.” Her hand snaked out to rub his arm on the table.

“Bitch, you better back the hell off!” Evie told Sam, who didn’t remove her hand.

Razer pulled his arm away.

“Where are your keys, Evie? I’ll get Beth’s clothes.” Still angry, Evie reached into her pocket and pulled out her keys, handing them to Razer.

“Later.” Knox, obviously eager to escape the women’s wrath, left with Razer.

With the men gone, Sam was smart enough to know the women weren’t going to tolerate her cattiness, so she wisely moved to another table.

“One day, I am going to slap the hell out of her,” Evie stated.

“Every woman here wants that honor,” Jewell agreed.

Beth sat there listening, her stomach twisting in knots at seeing Samantha’s fingers drop to Rider’s crotch. She had to find some way out of here before she came face to face with another sexual encounter between Razer and one of the women.

“Beth, she only did that to push our buttons,” Evie tried to console her.

“I don’t know how you stand to watch men you care about touch other women.”

Evie let out a long breath and tried to explain. It was going to be hard to get Beth to understand, but she had to try. “Beth, Sam is a bitch. She does things to get the other women angry. She tries to bring jealousy into our friendships and there are reasons we tolerate her. When the time comes that those reasons no longer exist, her situation will change drastically. Until then, she is an aggravation that you need to ignore, the same as we try to do.”

Beth knew that Evie was unaware that Razer had told her about Sam. She should feel glad that no one really wanted Sam around, yet it didn’t make her grabbing Razer’s arm any easier to bear.

“Now, I want to address something you said.” A blush rose in her cheeks. Beth felt how hard she found it to talk about the subject. “Knox and I are not a couple. I think you are under the misunderstanding that I want a relationship with Knox and he is just using me. We are friends, but those feelings you think are there are not. We enjoy a sexual relationship, although it is one that I also share with other members in the club. You have to understand that your values and morals are not ours and, while we don’t criticize your way of life, we would like the same respect. Usually, those among us who have come to care for each other seek housing elsewhere, while still maintaining their membership. It hasn’t happened often, but it does happen. We have no couples in the house currently and the members have sex with whom they want. We can be as selective as we want as often as we want, that is the part we enjoy.”

“I didn’t mean to be judgmental, Evie. Just because a way of life isn’t for me, doesn’t mean I am not capable of understanding it.”

“What makes you think that you wouldn’t fit in, Beth?”

Beth blushed bright red. “I know myself.”

“I think you would find several aspects of our life very exciting if you would open yourself up to the experience.”

Beth shook her head.

“I know how honest you are, Beth. You can’t deny what happened last night. Were you aroused watching me with Knox?” Beth didn’t say anything, averting her eyes to a spot on the table.

“I know I found it hot as hell watching Razer finger fuck you while you jacked-off Rider. When Knox fucked me against the wall afterwards… whew! I haven’t come that hard in a long time.” Beth’s eyes lifted in shock to Evie, who was giving her a gentle smile.

“I don’t know why I liked it,” she confessed.

Jewell broke into the conversation. “I do, you were horny. Girl, you got to relax and get laid.”

Beth and Evie both burst out laughing.

“What’s so funny?” Razer asked as he walked back into the room.

“Girl talk,” Beth said before the two women could say anything more outrageous.

“I put your suitcase in my room. Do you need anything? Shade and I are going to the bar to check out the area where the shot occurred and then ride into town to see if the Sheriff has anything new.”

“No, I don’t need anything. I think I’ll work up a new schedule for Evie and myself.”

With orders to Beth to stay inside the house, Razer went in search of Shade. Beth went upstairs alone to catch up on the paperwork Evie had thoughtfully picked up for her. She completed worksheets on the clients, calculated the next week’s payroll, and was thinking about organizing Sam’s grandmother’s files, which were still in the trunk of her rental car, when she became sleepy. Lying down on the bed, she thought she would take a quick cat nap.