Chapter 18
CHAPTER
EIGHTEEN
Rain
“Hey, Rain? There is someone here to see you,” Alice, one of my coworkers, says, pulling me from my desk.
I have no idea who it could be, but I was starting to go cross-eyed from looking at these reports, so I will take the reprieve.
“Where are they?” I ask.
“At the front desk. Want me to bring them back?” she asks.
“Yeah, sure.”
I lock my computer and stand to come around the desk. When the man in the button-down shirt steps into my office, I don’t recognize him.
“Hello, Mrs. Harris. Or did you keep your maiden name?” he asks.
I frown. “Who are you?”
“I’m sorry. I forget my manners sometimes. My name is Detective Hampton from the Boulder County Gang Division. May I sit down?” he asks.
“Sure,” I tell him, my stomach rioting at the thought.
This man is after Ridge and the club. It’s the only reason he would be here, talking to me.
“You didn’t answer. Did you take his last name?” he asks.
“Am I being interrogated? Do I need my lawyer?” I ask.
He looks around the office, his eyes stopping on a picture of Ridge and me from the last party. Maggie snapped the photo and had it printed for me. I put it up here so I could look at it when I needed a pick-me-up.
“This is a friendly conversation. No need for lawyers. I haven’t read you your rights, so nothing you could say would be admissible in court anyway. I only wanted to get to know the bride of Adam Harris.”
“What interest do you have in my husband?” I take a seat behind my desk, needing it between us.
“Other than him being part of a motorcycle gang?” He gives me a knowing look.
“Motorcycles are his hobby. He enjoys riding with others who feel the same. They are far from a gang.” I recite the words my father always taught me.
“Of course. We can’t prove they are a gang, but Ridge recently did something that brought him onto our radar.
Did you know that while it is not illegal to get married for an inheritance, it can call into question if the couple has committed fraud.
We might be able to prove it. Might not.
” He shrugs. “Either way, it would tie things up for a long time. Or we could leave you out of this…”
I snort. “Oh, yeah? You’ll leave me out of it if I turn on the club? Tell you all their dirty little secrets. Or maybe you want me to plant devices in my own home so you can spy on my husband. Is that it?”
“Your home. The clubhouse. Really, anywhere that you think we could find good information,” he says, taking the bait.
I shake my head. “Does this actually work?”
“More than you realize. There are a lot of people out there not willing to do time for others, even if they claim they will. Now, let’s be honest with each other here.
You haven’t changed your name. You live with him, but you don’t share a room with him.
You are never seen on his bike. It’s not a real marriage.
What skin is it off your back to help us out? ”
“You have it all wrong. You know nothing about me or my relationship with my husband. Since this isn’t a formal conversation, you won’t mind if I’m less formal with you then.
You can get fucked. Seriously, take those ideas you think you have, stick them up your ass, then spin because you don’t have the first idea about my love life.
Why I didn’t change my name is none of your fucking business.
Many women keep their maiden names, especially after losing their parents.
If you want to go after him and me and claim this isn’t real, we will prove how wrong you are, and then, just for the hell of it, I will spend all of my free time making sure you never have a job in law enforcement again.
You think you can come in here and threaten me?
You have no idea what you have done. I’m not some little girl who is scared of law enforcement.
I’m a well-educated woman who knows the laws and what you are and are not allowed to do.
As of right now, you are trespassing on this property.
You will leave and not come back unless you have a warrant for my arrest. If you continue to harass me, I will report you to every board from here to DC for the harassment and blast your name and face all over social media so that everyone knows what a small-cocked asshole you really are.
If that doesn’t stop you, well, use your imagination,” I growl at him.
“Is that a threat?” he asks, his eyes twinkling with amusement.
“Did you hear a threat come out of my mouth? I am only educating you on the avenues I will take should you continue to harass my husband and me. You are free to show yourself out now. Don’t let the door hit you as you go.”
He chuckles as he stands. “I was told you were a spitfire, but I never realized how much. I look forward to seeing you again, Mrs. Harris. Oh, I’m sorry. Miss Wilson.”
“A viper,” I tell him.
“What?” he asks, looking over his shoulder at me.
“I’m not a spitfire. I’m a viper, and if you aren’t careful, you will get bitten.”
He smirks. “I look forward to it.”
As he leaves my office, my heart pounds in my chest. I don’t know how much of what he said was true, but I know I need to talk to Ridge right now.
I gather my things, leaving my office in a rush.
“Hey, where are you going?” Alice asks.
“It’s an emergency. I’ll be back tomorrow. Sorry,” I yell to her as I head out the door.
I don’t have time to stop and explain.
I need to get ahead of this as soon as possible.
Ridge
It’s been another long day of working in the sun. The skin on the back of my neck feels tight. I forgot to apply sunscreen before I climbed up on the roof, so I’m sure to have a burn.
“Hey, Ridge. Isn’t that your old lady?” Harold, one of our workers who isn’t in the club, calls out to me.
I look down and see Rain’s truck come flying into the construction parking lot. My heart starts to beat faster.
Something is wrong.
“I’ll be back,” I tell whoever might be listening as I climb down the ladder.
Then I head toward her, but she is already halfway to me. When she is within reaching distance, she throws herself at me, her arms wrapping around me.
“What happened?” I growl into her ear.
“This guy came by, and he was saying all of these things, and I didn’t say a word to him, I swear. But we need to figure out if what he threatened was true because I don’t want you to go to jail, and I don’t want this to end.”
I lean back and look down into her face. She looks anxious.
“Tell me everything.”
She nods. “This detective came to see me. He said that he believes we only married for my inheritance. He said that fraud is a crime, and they would come after us for it unless I planted recording devices for him. I refused and told him to leave, but can he do that?”
I press a kiss to her forehead. “I don’t know, but let’s go figure it out. Meet me at the clubhouse.”
She shakes her head. “I don’t want to be away from you. Can I ride with you?”
This will be the first time that she has ridden on the back of my bike since her dad’s funeral. I don’t hesitate, though.
“Of course. Come on.”
I lead her over to my bike, pulling out the helmet I stash inside for her.
Then I give her my leather jacket with the back plate in it to protect her.
After putting my own helmet on, I climb onto the bike and start it.
She climbs on behind me like she’s done it a million times.
Like the place was made just for her. It feels right.
When she wraps her arms around me, I take off. It doesn’t take us nearly long enough to get to the clubhouse. I wish I could have taken my time to really enjoy this, but knowing she is feeling anxious about this fucking detective showing up at her work has me taking the most direct route instead.
After I park, I help her off the bike and take her helmet. Then I put her hand in mine as I stalk into the clubhouse.
The place is empty at this time of day, but Meek will be in his office. He always is.
I knock on the door and wait. When he answers, he looks like he was expecting us.
“This about the visit Rain got?” he asks.
“How did you know?” Rain asks.
“I have cameras everywhere. I watch all of our people. I was alerted the moment he walked into the lobby.” Meek’s monotone delivery is a little freaky even for me.
“Glad to know that you are always watching me,” Rain mutters, seemingly unnerved by it.
“It’s for your safety. I don’t monitor it daily. Only if there is something that I should know about,” Meek tells her.
“How do you even determine that?” she asks.
“Simple. Certain words trigger an alert. Things like kill, arrest, illegal. Anything that seems threatening. I also have facial recognition for any of our enemies, including any local law enforcement.”
Rain opens her mouth as if she is going to say something, but then she shuts it as if she thinks better of it.
“So you know about the conversation she had with Hampton?” I ask.
She never said his name directly, but I know it’s him. A man like him doesn’t go down quietly. He’s like a fucking fiberglass splinter. You can’t see it, but it’s annoying as fuck.
“I do. I can send you a copy to listen to later. I don’t think Rain needs to hear it again.
As for his threats, he is correct. If he can make a case for fraud, then he might be able to get your marriage annulled and the inheritance turned over to the state for safekeeping.
It’s a long shot, but it is possible. Rain did good, though.
She held her own and stood up to him. I don’t think he will be quick to bother her again, especially with that parting shot about the viper. That was a good one,” Meek tells Rain.
I look over to see her cheeks redden, “Viper?”
“Well, it’s my nickname, is it not?” She crosses her arms.
“It is. I’m glad you are embracing it.” I turn back to Meek. “So what do we do now?”
“Live your life. I don’t know if you two are real or fake, but it’s none of my business, and it’s none of theirs either,” Meek tells us both.
“He said he knew I was sleeping in another room,” Rain says softly.
I grit my teeth, barely withholding myself from going to find that man and throttle him with my bare hands.
“Ah, that. He had someone posing as a utility worker looking in the windows of the house. I got the alert, but at first, he was looking at the utility poles, so I thought nothing of it. When I went back, I saw that they stayed there for hours and used some of that time to peek in the windows. I wouldn’t worry about it.
A lot of couples share different rooms. Tell them Ridge snores and keeps you up all night.
” He shrugs, turning back to his computer.
“So they have been watching us for a while. Any idea why he chose me?”
Meek shakes his head. “None that I can find, but his identity is hidden behind firewalls and encryption. Whatever he did before he came here, someone wants to keep it secret. We will figure it out, though. Give me time.”
“Keep us updated,” I say as I lead Rain out of his office.
She turns to me then, leaning up to press a kiss to my lips.
“Rain?” I ask when she quickly pulls back.
“This isn’t fake for me. It hasn’t been for a while. I don’t want there to be any questions.”
I nod. “I feel the same way. This is the realest thing in my life.”
“Good. I’m changing my name first thing tomorrow. It will look suspicious, but I’m sure Meek can help me with that. I want to move into your room too. I know it’s quick, but if you don’t mind sharing a bed with me, I think it’s for the best.”
I cup her cheek. “We don’t have to rush this because of him.”
She shakes her head. “It’s not. Well, not exactly. I realized when he was in my office that I have been holding back. I’m missing out on what we could be because I am scared of getting hurt. I don’t want to do that anymore. I’m all in. Are you with me?”
“I’m with you.”
With that, she launches herself into my arms, kissing me once more, deeper this time.
Then she pulls back and smiles back at me. “Then take me home, husband.”