Chapter 20
twenty
GREER
I’ve just slipped on my scrubs when my phone chimes with a video call. As his image pops up on my screen, Jude pulls down the bandana covering his face. “Hey, Baby Doll. We stopped for a meal, so I thought I’d call to check in.”
“You’re already on the road?” I ask. It’s early yet. I’ve not even eaten breakfast.
“Yep, we’re driving back home.”
“That’s great,” I say with a bubble of excitement.
The last few days, I’ve been twitchy between our frequent video calls and texts.
How weird is it to miss someone you barely know?
The drive is quite long, and that’s assuming they make a beeline for Parran.
If I have to guess, they’ll be back tomorrow morning when they’re expected.
They have to stop for meals and some rest.
“The first thing I’m doing when I get home is taking a shower, and the second is you, so be ready, woman.”
My whole chest vibrates with a laugh. “Shameless,” I accuse, not for the first time.
There it is, that look. The slow smirk that tells of unrepentant sins and the promise of more to come.
The one that tells me I’m going to be sore between my legs for a few days in the most delicious of ways.
He bites his bottom lip and lifts an eyebrow, intrigued, “Wait until I get you back into bed. There are soooo many games we haven’t played together yet. ”
I look around the empty apartment, as if someone might materialize and overhear us before answering, “I’m listening.”
His sinister grin is back. “Ever been tied up before?”
“No,” I confess. Irony of all ironies, being restrained sounds freeing.
I start to throb between my legs and Jude must pick up on it because he snickers, “By the way, I found your toys. Threw them out. We’ll get new ones for us.”
He did what? “You went digging through my drawers?” I screech.
“Nah, I went straight for the honeypot. Don’t worry, babe, I have a whole toybox coming for us.”
I stare at the screen, mouth agape. He says it so flippantly, like he didn’t invade my privacy. Like he didn't throw away my belongings. The audacity.
I should be downright outraged. Not a single part of my body gets the message because the one thought that’s permeating my brain is “toys are coming.” My hard nipples are brushing against the padding of my bra, and the throbbing between my legs doubles.
From the corner of the frame, someone hands Jude a bottle of soda. No more privacy. “I want the same or nicer,” I insist.
His laugh is a sensual promise. “Got it taken care of.” He says goodbye with a roguish wink, then pulls the bandana back over his face, so effortlessly charismatic.
All those red flags waving are looking more and more pink with each passing day.
I’m running all right…straight towards him like Hank when someone pulls out the good snacks.
As illicit as I’m sure their activities are, if I’m really being honest with myself, I like it. The entire thing tracks in my head. As much as I’ve dated “good guys,” my crushes tend to be anything but nice.
When I was in fifth grade, I was completely enamored with a boy named Callum.
The teacher would rebuke him for any of a hundred offenses, he’d shoot her an I’m not sorry grin.
Mrs. Timmons would shake her head, and he’d never get sent to detention…
because all women, regardless of age, love it when a boy is just a little bit naughty.
In my real life, none of the men I’ve dated have ever revved my engine the way Jude does.
There’s only one difference—that devilish charm.
I took one look at Jude and wanted all of it, even if I’ve fought admitting the whole truth to myself. It’s all the sweeter when he’s soft.
I’ll admit I can be a little clueless as to what’s going on around me at times.
The human brain only has so much bandwidth.
I spend much of my time in the constant calculation of blood sugar, insulin, and the effects of my activity on them.
So I’m just now noticing bikers outside as I’m walking home from work and taking Hank out.
Jude’s friends are looking out for me while he’s gone and keeping a respectful distance.
Last night I looked outside my window and spotted Folgers rolling my garbage can to the curb on trash night.
These men might be on the wrong side of the law, but they are not bad people.
I’m not sure where on the spectrum of illegal the club falls. They’ve shown me their character with actions.
I needed to know what I’m getting into before I jump into a relationship, and with Jude gone, I’ve gotten enough space to understand a bit.
Can I balance it all? Keeping my family in the dark, brushing over bumpy parts to soothe worry. They aren’t the type to disown me or anything like that, but they’ll worry, poke, and prod. Allie will be the tricky part, mainly because we’re so used to sharing each other’s lives.
As if some maternal instinct kicked in, my phone rings as I’m walking to work. “Hi Mom,” I answer.
The sound of her voice is welcome for once, even if it is to fuss about the stupid security bar again.
I loathe P.J’s fights. I’ve only been to one and hated every second of the experience. I have zero interest in pointless violence. I’m a healer. All I see is the damage they’re inflicting on their bodies and the potential danger.
Allie asked me to go with her tonight, so I’m going.
I want her to feel like she can open up to me.
Allie still hasn’t admitted she and P.J are going through a rough spot, but why else would she ask me to come?
As a buffer, that’s why. Her friend Kira is dating one of the other fighters, so it’s not like she doesn’t have someone to keep her company.
Allie’s barely seen P.J in the month I’ve been back home.
Every time I ask, it’s the same excuse. The gym.
As I glance at Allie’s delicate features, I ask, “Is something going on with you?”
“Nope.”
One thought has crossed my mind, something that would easily explain Allie’s behavior. Gripping the steering wheel tightly in my fingers, I say what I’ve dreaded asking, “Did Andrew ever try something with you?”
“Andrew has to stay with his mother. He can’t even shower by himself.” She says it as if I should already know this.
“What are you talking about?”
“He got jumped outside the country club this past weekend. They broke both his legs.”
“Oh my gosh, did the cops arrest anyone?”
“No, and everything happened where there were no security cameras. Wait, didn’t I tell you all this when we saw each other on Monday at the spa?”
“No, you certainly did not.” Somewhere in the pit of my stomach, I know the answer.
Jude’s friends are looking out for me while he’s out of town, and Andrew was a worry.
So they took care of Andrew just like they took care of my trash, and I’m the one who told them where to find him.
My hands start to tremble, but not with fear. They did this to protect me.
“I’m pretty sure you were told and weren’t listening,” my cousin accuses.
“I’d remember that,” I defend.
“You were texting Jude half the time,” she says in a sing-song voice.
With a wince, I admit, “That was kind of rude. I’m sorry.”
“You’re in a new relationship. It’s expected. Besides, it’s not like I was suffering. It was nice to be pampered.”
Feeling guilty for ignoring her during what was supposed to be a girls' date, I reach over and mute my phone without glancing at the texts. I’ll see Jude tomorrow. Tonight I need Allie to open up.
“You’re not going to message Jude back?” Allie asks, surprised.
“He’s asking what you and I are up to, and I know how private you and P.J. are about the bouts,” I explain.
With dread in her tone, she asks, “Has Jude mentioned the casino yet? Because I was really hoping he would be the one to tell you.”
“Tell me what, Allie?”
“So the Bayou Dogs kinda own the venue that’s hosting tonight. It’s at an underground casino. They host fight nights at the building next door.”
The tension in my hands laxes, and my shoulders drop with ease. “So that’s how the club earns its money? Gambling.” That’s not as bad as some of the things I’ve dreamed up.
“That’s the rumor, but I thought it would be better if it came from Jude.”
“And you knew this when I met him?”
“Yes. But to be fair, there are quite a few single women in the area who would love to be in your shoes.”
“So you’ve known this whole time, and you haven’t told me.”
“Jude has the right to read you in as he sees fit. But now we’re going there, and it’s going to be obvious…”
“Does everybody know this but me?”
“Eh, not really. I didn’t even know for sure that it was real until earlier this summer.
The main building is kind of like one of the truck stop casinos you see off the interstate, but bigger and more posh inside.
There’s also a dress code, which is why I had you change.
” She gestures to her own maxi dress, then worries her lip. “I wanted him to tell you.”
“I knew certain things, but not all this,” I admit. “It’s only been about a week and a half.”
Allie invited me to this bout before I met Jude, so I’m sure there’s no ulterior motive. This is just how I’m finding out about the club’s secret.
We pass through miles of farmland shadowed in darkness. I’ve never been in this direction before. There are no buildings, except the brick homes of the farmers and their roadside stores, for miles. “How much further is it?” I ask.
“Watch for a boat storage facility.”
“This far out?”
“Why do you think it closed down?”
The drab sign appears a minute later, right next to a field of chest high sugar cane.
A fence made of shrubbery hides all but the green painted rooftops from the highway. I drive through an open gate to see nothing but an unassuming cluster of metal buildings.
“Drive around to the side,” Allie instructs.