Chapter 18
Sinclair
If I had to be honest with myself, I’d say I’d never get enough of the fascinating, stunning woman who kept me on my toes.
All throughout dinner she’d tossed barbs out as if in a championship volleyball game. Winning some. Losing some. But she’d refused to back down for one second, defying me at every turn.
My desire for her was coming dangerously close to being obsessive, which wasn’t in either our best interest. I’d certainly told her the truth about who I was, yet at every turn, she challenged the monster.
Not just with words, but by noting every interaction I’d had with Indiana. She’d offered a smile and a lilting laugh as if getting one over on me. It was maddening.
Even worse? I’d thoroughly enjoyed the interaction with her. Even now, an unexpected surge of dark, sadistic desire tore through me, making basic conversation all but impossible.
As I guided her toward the exit with my hand on the small of her back, she appeared more comfortable than when we’d arrived. She also hadn’t fought me when I’d taken Indiana’s leash. Perhaps I wanted nothing more than to parade her in front of the throng of men as hungry for her as I’d become.
They knew my reputation: never the same woman twice. But under no circumstances would they be allowed to touch her. She would never belong to any of them even for a single night.
Her voluptuous body belonged to me.
The look she’d given me in the mirror when I’d been spanking her had slayed me. It had been all I could do not to fuck her right there in the middle of the men’s bathroom.
But that wasn’t good enough for her.
She deserved much more, even if she did enjoy testing me.
Enzo and the other were following closely behind. In talking with Alexander briefly before leaving for dinner, he’d confirmed his sources indicated that Santos was gearing up for a move into New Orleans. Dejandro was now aware his son was missing and who’d captured him.
Time was drawing short.
And extra precautions would need to be taken.
Just as I approached the car, I was drawn to a distinct sound coming from down the road. The roar of engines was one I recognized since I owned one myself.
Motorcycles with powerful engines.
The sound in and of itself wasn’t an issue. The fact there was more than one kept my attention. I stood staring at the location of the sound.
“What’s wrong, boss?” Enzo asked, flanking my side.
“Maybe nothing. Keep a close eye. If I feel we’re being followed, I’m taking a detour.”
He eyed me carefully as another roar mixed with the first, an even more powerful engine. “Where?”
I grinned as I thought about the perfect location. “The Mississippi River-Gulf Outlet Canal.” While not far from the French Quarter, the abandoned canal was currently home to drug dealers and homeless people. No one in their right mind would head there at night given the level of danger.
For me, it was a perfect location to confront a biker gang.
He snorted. “We’ve got the firepower.”
“Just remember if something goes down, I have precious cargo on board.”
“Don’t worry, boss. We’ll take care of Ms. Samuels and Indiana. Incidentally, I adore the dog.”
I shot him a look before throwing open the driver’s door, sliding inside. Now he adored the pup. Brave man.
“What’s wrong?” Josette asked almost immediately.
“Why would anything be wrong, my beautiful little liar?”
“Stop calling me something so horrible. Just like you won’t accept any disrespect or disobedience from me, well, guess what?
It goes both ways. And the reason I know is because your jaw is clenched.
A telltale sign of your rage. You’re consumed by it.
Just so you know.” She spit out the words laced with fire.
But there was a mischievous smile still dancing across her face.
If any of my men had talked to me the way she just had, at minimum they would have been backhanded against a wall. With her? I felt like a son of a bitch. “You’re right, Josette. I stand corrected and admonished. From now on, you’re simply a wildcat.”
She snorted as if this was just one big game. There was no way for her to know if it was, the game was very dangerous.
And about to get worse.
Her defiance had once again reared its beautiful head. I started the engine with a smile on my face. As I shifted the gear, I adjusted the rearview mirror so I wouldn’t miss the bikers’ approach.
My gut told me that’s exactly what we were facing.
Not wanting to alarm her, I did nothing unusual but continue to check the mirrors. There were at least eight of them, trailing behind yet keeping a solid distance.
They were likely hoping that once I left the city, they could jump us in a residential area. They wouldn’t dare try the interstate. While there was a chance I could outrun them, it wasn’t possible in this traffic.
And not with Josette and Indiana on board.
When it became apparent that they were following us, I unfastened my jacket. “I need you to listen to me. I’m taking a detour. Whatever happens, stay inside this car. Lock the doors if I step away. Do you understand?”
“What’s going on?” she asked, immediately sensing something. She first glanced out the side mirror before twisting in her seat to try to look behind us. I’d already altered course, heading for the abandoned canal.
“Remember those bad men I was telling you about?”
“Yeah, even though you didn’t tell me who they were.”
The bastards just figured out I wasn’t heading home, inching closer. “Mexican Cartel. Do you know the bikers who own the gun shop near your place?”
“A little. A couple come in for coffee from time to time. They think they’re bad-asses but they don’t bother me, so I don’t bother them.”
“Like the man with the gun?”
“I told you,” she hissed through gritted teeth, “I’ve never seen him before. What do they want?”
“To kill me. Maybe more.”
When I glanced over, her expression indicated she was beginning to comprehend I hadn’t simply taken her against her will to be the very asshole she accused me of being.
“Indiana.” Without thinking, she reached over, her hand gripping my knee. The rush of desire was cut short by the flash of headlights in the rearview mirror.
“If you do as I say and don’t try and escape or be a hero, you’ll both be fine. The body of the Charger has been reinforced with steel. It’s as close to being bulletproof as possible. The glass is three times thicker than normal. Hunker down with Indiana. Promise me you’ll do as I say.”
She nodded. “Yes, I will. This is crazy. Why are they chasing us?” When she realized she’d gripped my leg, she immediately jerked her hand free. With a flash of light coming from several businesses, I could see the sustained fear on her face.
“Because that’s what they’ve been instructed to do.” I didn’t add that they wouldn’t stop until I took my last breath.
The Las Riveras bikers had been made aware of my outing. Which meant they also knew I had a guest with me. A weakness.
They’d use that to my disadvantage.
Another telltale sign of a mole.
I pressed down on the accelerator, now able to pick up speed.
The Charger was my baby, reconfigured to my needs.
Not only was there a powerful engine but the suspension was kick-ass.
While the two SUVs were slower, they had Hemi big blocks.
We rolled through the more desolate streets, knowing every inch, every curve.
What I was hoping was that the fuckers were running on adrenaline and the need for revenge. That would make them and their actions cruder.
A benefit to me.
Josette continued to glance behind her. Soon, Indiana was alert, sitting on his haunches and panting like the huge dog he was.
“It’s okay, baby,” she said and for the first time, her voice was devoid of emotion.
I rolled from one street to another and as expected, as I neared the canal, my men went in different directions. We’d used the location a couple of times before, managing to box the bastards in before they’d known what had hit them.
That’s what I was hoping for.
She remained silent as I drove like a bat out of hell.
Less than two minutes later, I swung around a corner with enough speed, the centrifugal force had my backend swinging back and forth.
Her grip on the dashboard was firm. To her credit, and just what I’d expect from her, she didn’t whimper and continued calming Indiana’s anxiety by stroking him.
Just the way I wanted to do with her.
They were coming on me fast. I picked up some speed, catching sight of a set of headlights already waiting in hiding for me to make my move. Enzo knew the plan like the back of his hand. I’d give him that. When the chips were down, I could always count on him.
“Remember. Lay low and lock the fucking doors.”
I swung the car around so the headlights would blind them coming in. Tommy was driving the other vehicle. He’d block them in after that. With a hard braking stop, I started to jump out when she grabbed my arm. I popped the trunk’s lock as soon as I did. That’s where I stored an arsenal of weapons.
“Don’t get yourself killed.”
“I have no intentions of it.” I grinned and when I opened the door, the sight of her expression caught me off guard.
She cared about what happened to me.
Nah.
Likely she wanted to have the privilege of driving a stake through my heart. There was no time to waste, although I waited until I heard the click of the locks before throwing myself over the back of the car. I grabbed two automatic rifles, the M-16s exactly what I needed.
The rumble of their collective engines permeated the area. Enzo and Darius appeared, remaining in the shadows. While I couldn’t see Tommy and Ryker, I knew they were there.
The bikers approached as if they were doing nothing more than taking a night ride. I moved away from the car, biding my time until they were in the perfect position.