The narrow road led to a two-story garage with three sprawling garage doors straight ahead and a clubhouse to the right. The clubhouse wasn’t nearly as large as Fire’s and probably didn’t have private rooms.
Interesting. “Just relax and back me up.” Lex opened her door and stepped into the rapidly cooling day.
Quiet. Compared to Fire’s territory, the Grizzlies’ headquarters was peaceful. A bird chirped in the surrounding trees, and in the distance, a wolf mourned. The breeze picked up, and she shivered.
A normal sized door opened next to one of the massive garage doors, and a man strode out, wiping grease off his hands with a torn rag. “Help you?”
Lex paused, recognizing the president of the motorcycle club from files she’d pored over the previous week. According to the file, he’d started the club ten years ago, but before that, the man was a mystery. Shifting slightly, she allowed her jacket to slide away from the badge clipped at her belt. “I’m Detective Monzelle, and I’d like to talk to you, Mr. McDunphy.”
“Bear.” His gaze dropped to her badge, he lifted one dark eyebrow, and then his eyes traveled every inch of her from her boots to her blond hair. He finished wiping his hands and shoved the rag in his back pocket, his jaw a solid block in a square face. “Pretty girls call me Bear.”
He looked like a bear. Well over six-feet tall, broad as a barn, shaggy brown hair, and honey-warm chocolate eyes. A solid hint of danger cascaded off him, and he moved with the grace of a wild predator. Not one almost tamed by civilization that would eye a human warily from the side of a country road. One that would instantly pounce and eat, no friend to humanity. He strolled closer, cutting his gaze to Bernie in the car.
Lex fought the urge to step back. She was a cop, damn it. An armed cop. What was up with the wild men she kept running into lately? She glanced around at the so very quiet area. “Where is everybody?”
“Out on a ride,” Bear said, turning his focus back to her and stopping his advance near the car as if accustomed to people backing away. “What can I do for you, Detective?” No expression touched his handsome face, and his body remained relaxed.
Her heart beat faster, and her breath sped up. Instinct? “I was hoping you’d be kind enough to answer some questions.”
“About?” he asked softly, his voice still a low rumble.
“Titans of Fire, drugs, and guns,” she answered just as softly.
He rubbed his whiskered chin. “We’re at peace with Fire, we don’t do drugs, and we don’t run guns. Anything else?”
She tilted her head. “There’s a new drug on the streets called Apollo, and it’s killing people. Fire is distributing it.”
“So?”
“Rumor has it your club protects this northern territory. Tell me you don’t want a drug like that killing people.” She eyed him.
The wind picked up and slammed pine cones against his motorcycle boots. “If people are dumb enough to do drugs, they deserve what they get.” He glanced up at the billowing black clouds. “Better get your sweet butt back in your car before the rain starts, Detective.”
“Did you know that Fire merged with an Irish club?” she asked.
His smile was slow and a dimple winked alive in his right cheek. “There isn’t anything that happens in this town I don’t know about.”
“Who are the men from Ireland? More important, where are they getting the drugs?”
He rolled a shoulder. “Considering you spent the night in Dunne’s bed, I figure you know more about that than I do.”
She lowered her chin. The man really did know everything that happened in town, now didn’t he? “Say I don’t. What do you know?”
He sighed. “Kellach Dunne is an enforcer, and he’s dangerous as hell. While I’m sure your very pretty face distracted him, he lives for his job and for his brothers. He’s not here to cause problems, and he’s on your side about the new drug. Wants it off the streets.”
“Why?”
Bear shrugged. “For as long as I’ve known Kellach, he’s been a crusader. Doesn’t like criminals and doesn’t like drugs. He’s here for one reason, one I don’t know, but it has to do with getting that drug off the streets. While he has a noble purpose, he’s ruthless when determined, and you should stay out of his way, pretty detective.”
As warnings went, it seemed heartfelt and serious. She shivered and covered up by leaning against the door. “What about the fire-throwing new weapons? Do you really want those on your streets? Possibly turned against your brothers?”
He studied her for a moment. “My brothers can handle any weapons pointed their way.”
She had to get through to him since he obviously knew something. “You could help the police get a handle on the drugs and guns, if you wanted.”
“I have no interest in assisting the police.” Three large steps brought him within touching distance. He smelled like the wild outdoors, earthy and fresh. “However, you? You I’d help.”
Bernie shoved open his door and stepped outside of the car. “Back away, Bear.”
Bear kept his focus on Lex, and she had to tilt her head to meet his gaze. “Then help me,” she said.
The roar of pipes echoed down the lane, and Bear cocked his head to the side. “Two riders. Ducati and Harley.”
She blinked and turned as two riders dressed in black leather pulled up. Kellach and another huge man with black hair, green eyes, and similar bone structure. Brothers? They cut their engines right next to her.
What in the hell were they doing at the Grizzlies’ club? She looked Kell over and then concentrated on the other man, who swung his leg over the Ducati. “We haven’t met.”
The hulking guy glanced at Bear, Kell, and then back to her. “Daire.”
She blinked. That was it?
Kellach shot a hard look at Bear. “Back away.”
Bear smiled a full set of teeth. “It’s like that, is it?”
“Aye.” Kellach didn’t look at her.
Bear met her gaze and pushed a strand of hair off her forehead, his smile widening when Kellach growled. “You’re welcome here any time, Detective Monzelle. I hope you come back.” Turning on a large boot, he nodded at Daire. “Let’s meet inside before it starts to rain. Join us when you can, Kellach.”
Daire nodded and fell into step with Bear, both massive men striding toward the quiet clubhouse, their shoulders wide beneath the leather.
Lex focused on Kellach. “What in the world is going on here, Mr. Dunne?”
“Just a friendly get-together among mates,” Kellach said, his hand cupping her jaw, his dark eyes flashing ten kinds of fire. “Did he frighten you?”
She blinked. “Bear? No.” Warmth spread from Kell’s hand, while her nerves jumped alive from his obvious anger. “Why are you here in the enemy’s camp?”
“Not enemies.” He released her and backed away. “Yet.” Reaching around her, he yanked open the car door. “Get in.”
“No.” If she entered the clubhouse, would they give her any information? How completely odd for the Irishmen to be meeting with Bear. “Back off, Dunne.”
He moved faster than she could track, lifting her and setting her in the seat. A quick snap of the seatbelt had her secured, and Kell’s face in hers. “Stay away from Bear, stay away from Fire, and keep your sweet ass off the streets. For now.” The door shut, and he turned on his heel, long strides eating up the distance to the clubhouse, where he disappeared inside.
Fury rippled through her, and she struggled with the seatbelt.
Bernie dropped his bulk onto the seat and shut his door. “We can charge him with a battery, but since we’re here without a warrant or any probable cause, it’ll just be a pain in the butt. Right now, we’re done here, partner. Should definitely report back to the task force about Fire members aligning with Bear. God knows what this could mean.”
She nodded, her gaze on the silent building. Oh. They were nowhere done here. “We have to cut off the supply of that drug.”
&nb
sp; Bernie sighed. “One thing I hope to accomplish before I retire?”
“Getting rid of Apollo?” Lex mused, watching the silent clubhouse.
“No. Finally convincing you that you’ve got nothin’ to prove any longer.”
She blinked and turned toward her partner. “Huh?”
He rubbed his belly. “You’ve proven yourself as an excellent cop, Lex. The fact that your dad is in prison for selling drugs doesn’t matter, and you have to let it go.”
She swallowed, her body chilling. “I’m not obtuse as to my motivations in life and know I became a cop to right my father’s wrongs. But I’ve seen firsthand what drugs do to people, to kids, when one of my friends overdosed in my backyard, and my dad went to prison. I’m not trying to prove myself.” Hell, she was trying to save lives from a drug worse than any she’d ever seen.
“If you say so.” He patted the dash. “Let’s go.”
She nodded, looking for one more glimpse of leather through the door. “Why in the hell does everyone think I have a ‘sweet ass?’” she muttered.
Bernie threw back his head and laughed. “If they only knew what a complete badass you really are.”
“They’re about to find out.” She grinned at her partner and quite possibly her best friend. “Let’s get back to work.”
Chapter 5
Lex leaned back at her kitchen table with a dinner of frozen macaroni and cheese, and too many bills. She paid the most important ones first, those that dealt with her mother and her care at the facility until her Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis died down again. If it died down again.
She’d visited her mother right after work, and her mom was doing better. Thank goodness. Every once in a while, the disease really flared up, and each time, Lex was afraid her mother wouldn’t improve.
Lex wandered over to the fire escape to check on her spice collection. She’d recently taken a cooking class with a couple of buddies from work and had quickly figured out that fresh spices made all the difference.
The phone rang, and Lex grasped it, reading the front. “Tori,” she answered.
“Hey, sis.” In the background, drums and a flute tuned up. “Just wanted to check in.”
“Where are you?” Lex kicked back in the chair.
“Right outside of Los Angeles in a bar near the ocean. Wish you were here.” Tori raised her voice to be heard over what sounded like drums falling down stairs. “How’s mom?”
“Doing better,” Lex lied. Why bother Tori with the truth when she was so far from home?
Tori sighed. “Bullshit. I have some money to send you and will do so tomorrow.”
Lex shook her head. “Absolutely not. I’ve got it.” She’d protected her baby sister since day one, and there was no reason to stop now.
“Um, I had another reason for calling,” Tori whispered.
Lex straightened, her chest tightening. “What?”
“Somehow dad got a letter to me.”
Anger roared through Lex. “How the hell would he even find you?”
“I don’t know, but a guy slipped me a letter during our second set last night near Vegas, and it was from dad, asking me to testify for him at his next parole hearing.”
How in the fuck had their dad even found Tori, much less on the road? “He’s got to have pretty good contacts out here,” Lex said, standing. “Toss the letter, and forget about it. I’m testifying, and no way will that prick get out of prison.”
Somebody in the background called Tori’s name. “That’s what I figured, but I thought I should let you know. If he found me, he might’ve found mom.”
Yeah, Lex had already hit that conclusion. “I’ll find out. For now, go sing your heart out.”
“I will. Bye.” Tori clicked off.
Lex rubbed her lip and looked around her piece of shit apartment. The smell of oil and grease rose from the restaurant below, and a chill wandered around from the shoddy insulation. The fear in Tori’s voice tightened Lex’s fingers into a fist. The man had told them they were useless from day one, and it had taken years of working on self-esteem for Lex to help Tori realize the problem had been with their father and not with them.
For now, it was time to don another slutty dress and get back to work.
One drug dealer at a time.
Several hours after her run-in with Bear, and after her alarming phone call with Tori, the hard thrum of brutal music ripped through Lex’s legs, pounding against bruises from the other night. The smell of vomit combined with the stink of piss and made her want to puke. She was in another low-end underbelly of a bar, although this time, she’d opted for sexy boots with her whore-like outfit.
The makeup coating her face itched, and a demanding pain hammered in her temples.
Sometimes she fucking hated her job.
Bernie sat at the far end of the bar, pretending to size up hookers.
They’d had to switch bars because of Kellach Dunne, but at least she wouldn’t run into him. Fire members were select in the dive bars they frequented, and she was currently in Grizzlies territory. She idly wondered if Bear would show up.
When Kellach stalked inside the front door, all leather bound, dark and dangerously sexy, she should have been surprised.
Yet she wasn’t. Who the hell was this guy? Bear had pretty much vouched for him, saying he was on a mission to end the drug and was not a bad guy. Considering Bear was completely clean, record-wise, and had a reputation of protecting his territory, maybe he’d been telling the truth. He had no reason to lie.
Kell’s gaze cut through throngs of gyrating drunks, zeroing right in on her in what felt like a claiming. Hot, wet, and physical. Her body thrummed alive for the first time that night, once again reminding her that she was more than a cop, more than a weapon. She could be all woman.
Going on instinct, she gave him a look, slid off her stool, and headed for the twisty path to the bathrooms.
He reached her in an odd alcove, as she’d planned.
Turning, she grabbed his arm and used a spin move to put his face against the wall. He turned easily and with a suffering male sigh. If he was holding a weapon, she’d take him downtown and start questioning him again.
Bending, she started at his ankles and patted up, frisking every inch of hard muscled male. Could he freakin’ be real? Not an ounce of fat. Nothing but pure solid steel filled her palms. She had to stretch up on her tiptoes to finish, finding neither weapons nor contraband. But did a man his size need weapons? Probably not.
Finally, she stepped back.
“All done?” he asked, amusement dark in his voice.
“Yes,” she said, a bit too breathlessly.
Then he moved.
She knew he moved because she ended up face-first against the wall, but she didn’t see him move. He held her at least a foot off the ground with one arm wrapped around her waist.
A foot off the ground.
Her breath whooshed out of her lungs and tingles exploded in her abdomen. Her mind fuzzed.
He held her easily, his breath fanning the side of her neck. “My turn,” he rumbled.
A slow shiver wandered down her spine, and he chuckled.
Why did she react this way to him? “Let me go,” she murmured. “I’m a cop.”
“Turnabout’s fair play.” He set her down on her feet as if she weighed nothing and then crouched, his large hands easily encircling her ankles. He tugged. “Spread your legs, baby.”
A low groan escaped her as she widened her stance. This was wrong. This was so fucking wrong.
Yet desire flushed through her with the speed and heat of pure, red, unadulterated lava.
Warm palms ran above her boots, over her bare skin, to her inner thighs. She stiffened as he reached the small Sig strapped to her right leg.
“There it is,” he whispered, his voice hoarse.
Enough. She twisted, and he slapped one firm hand against her rear, holding her in place.
“Not finished,” he rumbled, strai
ghtening and stepping into her, his solid form holding her in place. His thighs pressed against her butt, and his chest cradled her head. God, he was big.
He skimmed her waist, caressing across her abdomen and up her ribs, pausing just under her breasts.
She stopped breathing. Her nipples pebbled harder than any diamond she’d ever touched.
A group of giggling women tripped by on the way to the bathroom, and neither she nor Kell gave them a glance, although Kell shoved her deeper into the alcove and out of the hall. Too much was happening, and Lex shook her head, even as her body trembled head to toe. What was happening to her?
“Fuck it,” he muttered, both hands cupping her breasts.
Her knees gave out, and only his unreal body kept her upright. Electrical sparks zipped from her chest to her clit, and she arched into his hands.
His head dropped to the nape of her neck, his warm lips enclosing the sensitive flesh. His fingers found her nipple.
Heat uncoiled inside her, spiraling into an explosion. God. She was going to orgasm.
Shit, no. Her eyes flashed open and she shoved back as hard as she could. He released her, and she spun around to face him, her breath panting out. She slapped a hand against his chest in utter panic. Never in her life had she reacted to a man like that.
His dark eyes glowed in the dim light, and a dark red flush spun across his high, angled cheekbones. Perfectly symmetrical nostrils flared like a predator on the hunt.
“That wasn’t proper frisking,” she gasped, trying to slow her heart rate.
“Fuck proper.” He grabbed her hand on his chest and shoved it down over a definite bulge in his jeans.
She locked her knees so she wouldn’t fall. Heated and pulsing, his well-endowed, hard as iron cock warmed her palm, even through the worn denim.
His palm flattened over hers and pressed.
His groan mingled with hers, and he leaned over her, his lips connecting with her forehead. “Do no’ stop,” he ground out, the Irish brogue escaping in full force.
She could make him come right then and there, but she pressed back against the wall, which pounded with the hard rock being played, and fought to free her hand. The guy was a badass, really bad biker gang member dealing in drugs. “No. Not going to happen.”