Fanatic (Hellfire MC: The Prospects #1)

Chapter Eighteen.

Willow

W hat the hell was going on? I couldn’t figure out whether we had two people messing with us or one. Clearly, April was a victim, but what type? A willing one; or had she been coerced into this shit? Confused, I sat in the clubhouse, trying to work out what I was missing. Because deep down, I was aware there was something.

Fanatic sat with me as he worked with Apache on a house design. I told them what I wanted and left the planning to them. Honestly, I wasn’t too bothered as long as I was with Fanatic.

A week had passed since the attack, and the autopsy on April had confirmed sexual contact after death. Sadly, the DNA was not on file, which meant we had a seriously sick fucker out there. The coroner had stated she doubted this was his first kill as well. Which brought the FBI into it. The case had been handed to a couple of unfamiliar agents. That was fine as long as they did their job.

Luckily, Jimenez and I had recruited our team and hadn’t had further interviews because this week, I’d been interviewed constantly about my former cases. I had to give it to the new agents; they were thorough. They agreed Juan remained the best suspect, except it didn’t fit in with what had been left at my house. That meant there were two suspects.

One after me and the other after Fanatic seemed the likeliest possibility. The timing was coincidental, but honestly, what other options were there? Juan was a sick fuck and power-hungry, but not that fuckin’ warped.

A shadow moved and I glanced up spotting Jinx sitting in a chair. At first, I thought he was watching us, but Jinxy’s line of sight was off-centre. Curiously, I followed his gaze and realised he was looking at Runner. I patted Fanatic’s knee as he kept talking to Apache and wandered over to where Jinx sat.

He looked surprised to see me drop next to him.

“Do you need anything?” Jinx asked.

“Why are you watching Runner?”

Jinx affected surprise, and I almost laughed. “Jinxy, do not take up acting.”

“I was miles away. I didn’t know I was staring. Sorry.”

“Liar.”

Jinx looked uncomfortable. “I don’t like lying,” he muttered.

“Okay. I won’t push, but if you need to talk to someone about concerns, Fanatic is your first port of call. Then Sunny, understand?”

“Yup, thanks, Willow,” he said with a grin.

My mouth dropped open as Thalia entered, began heading to the bar, and tripped over absolutely nothing. Thalia collapsed with a shriek as everyone leapt to help her.

Jinx shrugged.

“Shit, Jinxy, that’s some powerful juju you have,” I whispered as Thalia got to her feet and looked around. Her baleful glare focused on Jinx.

“I know, I’ve had it all my life, and it ain’t ever changed,” he admitted as he smiled apologetically at Thalia.

“Where’s the Jinx Neutraliser?” Thalia demanded.

“With Gladys, he’ll be back later,” I replied.

“Gladys needs to keep him here. Danny is not allowed to leave the clubhouse,” Thalia ordered, and I laughed.

“Wait for it,” Jinx mumbled as she began stomping away.

I swallowed a giggle as Thalia fell over and spun on her ass, and glared at Jinx. Her eyes narrowed on me as I struggled not to laugh.

Jinx raised an eyebrow as Thalia once again got to her feet and, watching the floor, walked to the bar. For the third time, she landed on her butt as she walked straight into Bear.

Thalia released a frustrated squeal and hit the ground with her fist. Bear looked bemused as he bent down and picked his wife up.

“Get that damn baby here!” Thalia hissed while Bear looked bewildered.

Bear carried her towards the hallway that led to the bunks as Thalia informed him of the indignity she’d suffered. Bear twisted his head to stare at us, and I swear there was amusement in his eyes, although he made sympathetic noises.

“Damn, Jinxy,” I muttered as he chuckled.

“Yeah, I’m a disaster,” he replied with another chuckle.

“Yes, but your Hellfire’s Jinx.”

“That’s right, Willow!”

◆◆◆

“So, you do this every year?” I demanded as I wriggled in my seat. “Why did we not know this?”

“Because it’s something I kept quiet,” Fanatic answered.

“Do I look okay? Like a boy racer’s girl?” I asked, looking down at myself.

“Perfect baby,” Fanatic reassured me.

“Do you prefer bikes or cars?”

“Willow, are you nervous?” Fanatic asked, and my head bobbed up and down. That explained the verbal diarrhoea I’d developed since getting in the car. I spun on the Plymouth’s seat and gazed out the window.

“Which is it? Cars or bikes?”

“Both. I love the freedom from a bike. There’s nothing between you and the road, and it is beauty for the soul. The emotions when you ride differ from racing in a car. It’s nature’s way to ride a bike. It’s an adrenaline rush to race a car. I don’t race, but I can appreciate the beauty of a muscle car. But me showing the Plymouth encourage people to approach and I can then network. A couple of cars I’ve designed will also be at this show,” Fanatic said.

Fanatic had sprung this as a surprise. An overnight trip to a car show, which had some of Fanatic’s designs featured, and he was displaying the Plymouth. Danny was staying with Dad and Ellen, who were out of hospital and itching to do shit. She’d been running Dad ragged as she kept doing stuff she wasn’t meant to. In the end, Dad promised her Danny if she relaxed and stayed put. Ellen agreed and now I was nervous Danny was out of my sight.

The Plymouth purred under my ass, and it was luxurious. Fanatic hadn’t scrimped when he’d remodelled and restored this. It was a work of art.

“Do you do bike shows?”

“Yeah. Well, Jett does, and I go along. We’ll be joining Jett next week as we’ve got a huge unveiling,” Fanatic said and sounded smug.

“What?”

“It is a surprise, and we can’t say.”

I smacked Fanatic’s arm in outrage. “I’m your woman!”

“Babe, this secret is worth freaking millions,” Fanatic replied.

My eyes narrowed, and Fanatic laughed. He switched on the radio, and I glanced at him.

“Ain’t lying. It’s a bike expo next week, and Jett and I will be showing an electric bike with a full Harley roar,” Fanatic said softly.

“Do you think the car is bugged?” I asked, surprised.

“Who the fuck knows? But people would steal this design of ours. Let’s not discuss it too much.”

I turned the radio up louder. “You honestly made an electric bike with Harley pipes?”

“Yup. Full on electric Harley, and yet it roars like a normal one. It’s worth millions. Jett is fuckin’ sleeping with it and won’t let it out of his sight. We’ve patented it and everything. It’s going to be worth a fortune, and we’re hoping Harley will buy it next week,” Fanatic admitted.

“Holy shit,” I stared in shock.

“And the battery also lasts twelve hours. None of this two hours and it needs charging bullshit,” Fanatic added.

“Well, I suppose Sin is enjoying the break,” I quipped, and Fanatic burst into laughter.

“Yeah. Sin got her hysterectomy in the end. No more kids there.”

“And you and Jett designed this between you?”

“Yup.”

“I didn’t know you could design engines. Fanatic, you’re an engineer, holy shit, how did I not realise?”

“Because, babe, it’s not something I brag about. And honestly, I think this was more stubborn determination than skill. Between us, we muddled our way through.”

“I’m coming with you, right? Next week? You’re taking me?”

“Yes. I need my woman there because it’s as scary as hell,” Fanatic admitted.

“That is so exciting,” I crowed, and Fanatic grinned.

“Was a two-year design. You can see why Jett’s sleeping with the fucker,” Fanatic said, and I laughed.

This weekend was going to be fun.

◆◆◆

This wasn’t what I’d envisioned. I raced through the crowd with my gun out, chasing an asshole who had just shot at my man. After checking Fanatic was okay, I’d given chase. I was screaming, “FBI, get out of my way,” as I ran after the idiot.

How dare he shoot at Fanatic?

I’d no idea if this was the motherfucker who’d been targeting us. However, I did know I was going to kick his pasty white ass all over this show room.

Fanatic and I met up with Harper and Nitro, who I remembered, and they’d been chatting shit when a guy come up. The lower half of his face was masked, and he whipped out a gun, aimed at Fanatic and fired. Acting on instinct I took Fanatic down and, after checking he was alive, gave chase. People had scattered on hearing the shots, and luckily, it was towards the end of the meet, anyway.

“FBI!” I screamed at someone who refused to move, and I shoved him hard. Fuckin’ idiot.

“Willow!” a voice I wasn’t familiar with bellowed. I didn’t stop as I saw the target and put on a burst of speed.

Gritting my teeth, I jumped and tackled the perp catching him by the knees and bringing him down. I went down hard, but he went down harder.

The fool started fighting me, and I smacked his head on the ground as I yanked my handcuffs from my shorts and cuffed him.

“Holy shit,” Harper said, astounded, as I climbed to my feet as my suspect writhed around, spewing shit.

“Shut the fuck up,” I hissed at the man and began reading him his Miranda rights. Security guards barrelled towards us.

“She’s fuckin’ FBI,” Harper yelled.

“Don’t look like no Fed I’ve ever seen,” a guard said, holding a taser on me.

“Shoot me with that, and you’ll need it surgically removing from your ass!” I warned.

“Hands up, lady,” the guard ordered.

“I’m reaching for my badge,” I stated, and as I moved, the fucker fired his taser. I dived to the side and then tackled him, and whacked his head on the ground. Another guard began to intervene, but Harper stopped him as Nitro and Fanatic caught us up.

“Willow?” Fanatic asked, puzzled.

“Fucker tried to shoot me with a taser after I explained I was reaching for my badge.” I shoved the aforementioned item under the guy’s face and smacked his head into it. “F.B.I. Fucker!” I declared, banging his head with each utterance.

Fanatic picked me up, and I glowered. “Give me my badge back!”

“You’re not dressed like a Fed!” the stupid guard complained, rolling over and glaring at me.

Maybe he had a point. I wore Daisy Dukes, a tank, with a zip-up hoodie over the top.

“Idiot, I said I was reaching for my badge. You didn’t let me get it out! You fuckin’ fired!”

“Ever think your woman has violence issues?” Harper murmured as he bent and handed me my identification back.

“Yeah,” Fanatic replied, but he didn’t seem too bothered by that. In fact, I thought he looked pretty proud of me. “Who is he?”

“No idea, all he’s doing is cussing.”

A guy whose appearance screamed cop pushed through the crowd of those watching. Two uniforms ran behind him. He saw my gun and instantly yanked his own.

“Chill. I’m ASAC Willow Ware of the Rapid City office. This is my identification,” I said slowly, handing it over. The cop looked at it and handed it back with a nod as he lowered his weapon.

“Undercover?” he asked. “Detective Drew Lemon. We had reports of a weapon being discharged.”

“Yeah, asshole here shot at Mr Michaelson and ran. I gave chase and brought him down.”

“Bitch attacked me!” the security guard inserted.

Lemon turned and raised an eyebrow.

“Tell the truth, dickhead. I identified myself as a federal agent, informed you I was reaching for my badge, and you tried to tase me. I took you down for my own protection,” I stated.

“You smashed my head into the ground!” “No, I banged your head on the floor. If I’d smashed it, you’d be unconscious. But sure, you wanna press charges? No probs, I’ll arrest you for attempted assault on a federal officer, resisting, and whatever else I can think of.”

The guard gazed at me in horror and then stormed off.

“Guess that takes care of that!”

Lemon was looking amused. “You’re a handful, ASAC Ware.”

“Yeah, my AD gave me a department to manage to keep me out of trouble. Doesn’t work,” I said as I checked Fanatic over again. “Your liver? Did you take a bang?”

“Nah, I’m fine, babe,” Fanatic answered.

“How’s the department working out?” Lemon asked as the two uniforms lifted the cuffed guy.

“Great! And no, I’m not undercover. I was here with my…” I looked at Fanatic and wondered how to address him. Boyfriend seemed too gauche, and my man too possessive. “Partner?”

“Sorry, I didn’t realise you were another agent,” Lemon said, putting his hand out.

Fanatic shook it. “Thanks, dude, but I’m not an agent. Willow’s trying to find a way to describe me as her lover. Babe, try my man next time. We’re in a committed relationship; you can call me your man.”

“Okay.” I beamed happily.

Harper and Nitro both snorted, and I glowered.

“Shut up, fuckwits,” Fanatic snapped.

“You owe me one hundred bucks. I told you they’d end up together,” Nitro said to Harper, who scowled.

“Shut it!” the prisoner shouted. “Who cares if they did?”

“Who are you?” I demanded.

“He knows. And him!” The guy nodded at Fanatic and Harper. They both frowned and studied him closer.

“Liars! You stole my race from me!” the man boomed at Harper. “And my pink slip. That car there is mine!”

Harper took a deeper look at him but remained puzzled. “Dude, I know who I race against. I’ve never raced you.”

“You’re a racing car driver?” Lemon asked.

“Street racer, but a legal one,” Harper replied.

“Is there such a thing?” Lemon demanded, amused.

“Yeah. I bought a warehouse district back home, which backs onto an airfield. Cost me a fortune, but it’s paying off now. Working with the governor and other elected officials, we’ve managed to cut down on street racing, and everyone races around my property,” Harper explained.

“Sounds interesting,” Lemon said.

“Works well. It’s off-limits to the public and is the size of a small town, so plenty of streets, bridges and other hazards. All cars are run through a safety check on the day of the race, and drivers tested for drugs and drink beforehand and after. If you ain’t driving, you can party, but not if you’re behind a wheel,” Harper said.

I was impressed; I’d no idea Harper ran something like that. “Bet crime is down.”

“Yeah. The governor is happy the nine-one-one calls about boy racers have cut right down. The police aren’t risking themselves and the public chasing us around and causing damage. There’s no risk to the general public or their property either. And we worked out a scheme where those on community service can come and build shit to help develop the course,” Harper added.

“Shut up! That was my idea, and you stole it. Just like he nicked my engine design!”

Fanatic and Harper’s head snapped around.

“What did you say?” Fanatic asked.

“You stole everything from me,” the man screamed.

“We don’t know his name, but online, he goes by the moniker of Racer1156Winner. He has left loads of death threats and stalked both of us online. Racer1156Winner’s a general menace, and we’ve been searching for his identity for months. The RCPD has all the death threats and everything else he sent me.

“He’s sent me stuff through the post and some unsavoury gifts such as a shit in a box. Human shit as well. They DNA tested that. If it matches Racer1156Winner … But yeah,” Fantic explained.

“Racer1156Winner has done the same to me. Claims I stole his car design and all sorts of crap. Fucker is a blight in our lives,” Harper agreed.

“Arrest and lock him up,” Lemon ordered.

They began marching Racer1156Winner away as he kept screaming.

“You’ll press charges?” Lemon asked.

“Damn right. He tried to shoot Fanatic!” I exclaimed.

“Babe,” Fanatic said, rubbing my arms to soothe me.

“He shot at you. I’m tired of being a target. Do you think he’s the one behind the medication and rape accusation?” I demanded.

Lemon’s eyes narrowed. “What’s this now?”

I glowered at no one in particular as Fanatic explained what had been happening. Lemon’s eyes rose higher and higher.

“Seems you’ve had a rather fun-filled last few months,” Lemon said, and my mouth opened. “That was sarcasm, ASAC Ware. We can interview him about those incidents, but he doesn’t strike me as the sneaky type. Not after today.”

“No,” Fanatic agreed. “It appears to be two different methods, one blatant and one devious. I don’t think he is doing the other shit. No doubt he’s Racer1156Winner and is guilty of stalking and threats. But messing with my medication and setting April up to accuse me. No. Racer1156Winner isn’t behind those attempts.”

“I have to agree. This is the most exciting thing to happen to me in a decade,” Lemon said. “Let’s see these cars of yours. The meet seems to be winding down, I wouldn’t mind an exclusive look. Racer1156Winner can wait for me.”

Fanatic laughed. “Only too happy, detective. If you ever desire a transfer, let me know. I’m sure we could arrange something.”

“Even better, Lemon could apply for sheriff at Merritt. Inglorious has got permission for a recognised sheriff’s position and a deputy. Just like in the old days when Merritt was bustling. He’d also help Rapid City. Howser has agreed to it already.”

“How would that work?” Lemon asked.

“Basically, you’d be the Sherriff of Merritt with one deputy, but you would work with RCPD if needed. The Unwanted Bastards MC is restoring and rebuilding Merritt, and they’ll need a small police force as it’s going to be a massive tourist attraction. A chance to stay in a real-life ghost town. Something like Deadwood but without the glamour,” I explained.

“Sounds interesting,” Lemon mused.

“Here, this is Inglorious’s number. Give him a call tomorrow, and let me speak to him tonight,” I said, pulling my phone out.

Lemon took Inglorious’s number and nodded. “Thanks, Agent.”

“Call me Willow. I think we’ll be seeing a lot of each other!” I grinned, and Fanatic rolled his eyes.

“Just remember, she’s taken,” he exclaimed, snagging me by the waist.

“No problems, Fanatic. Let’s see some cars,” Lemon replied, smiling.

I hoped Inglorious and Howser liked the detective. I did; he seemed a decent guy.