Devil May Care: Boxed Set (4 page)

“No, thanks. I just need to use the bathroom.”

He started by shoving the covers away, then turning so his feet hung over the edge of the bed. He scooted forward, pain shooting through him, and had to pause for a minute to breathe through it. They really had done a number on him, as Fiona had said. He’d live, obviously, but it was going to be a sucky few days.

Jasper pushed forward until his feet hit the carpet. Fiona hovered, watching his every move. It made him nervous, but he liked it. Kinda like his mama had been, always looking out for him, always trying to take care of him or do something for him. He hadn’t appreciated it when he was still at home, or even when his mama was still talking to him, trying every day to get him to give up his ways. But when Fiona did it, he wanted to scoop her in his arms and never let her go. She must be a fabulous mom. Curse the jerk who messed that up. She deserved someone who’d treat her right.

I would treat her right
, he thought, but he pushed it from his mind. No. He could treat her okay, sure. He’d be nice or whatever. He’d never hit her and probably wouldn’t even yell much. But she needed a quiet life. Probably liked to sit around on the weekends drinking coffee and reading the newspaper before going for a little jog. And she deserved that kind of cute suburb life. But with him, it’d be all bikes and guns and knives and drinking. She likely sipped wine at tastings while he held weekly contests to see which of his boys could down the most shots and still ride in a straight line. Spoiler alert: none of them could drink as much as he could.

He’d ruin her if he stayed. No doubt he could charm her into sleeping with him. Probably convince her to date him. He knew how to play the game, how to be sweet at just the right moments. But he wouldn’t live the quiet life, and he’d make hers too loud. She needed peace. Looked like she hadn’t had it in years. No, he had to get out of here as soon as possible and leave her be. And do something about her car. Would blood come out?

Maybe he’d just buy her a whole new car. She worked at a gift shop? She could probably barely afford this place. Yeah, a new car. That would mean a lot to her. And he’d drop some cash to cover all these towels and blankets he was bleeding all over. A few hundred? A few thousand. As much as he could gather. Maybe he’d sell that old clunker of a bike sitting in the garage for parts. It’d fetch a few grand and he could rock Fiona’s world and show her there were good guys out there. For now, though, he had to be able to walk across the room at least. Or he wasn’t going anywhere.

With a deep breath, he pushed up from the bed and stood. He took one step and the world spun around him. Black spots came into his sight. He’d experienced this before, plenty of times. He was going to pass out. Stood up too fast or something. He reached back for the bed, but missed. He landed hard on his knees and heard Fiona let out a cry. Then her hands were on him. On his shoulder, holding him up.

He closed his eyes and shook his head.

“Jasper? Jasper?”

He forced his eyes open and there she was, so close to him. Her brown eyes shone amber in the afternoon light, the highlights in her hair red brown. A chunk of wavy hair fell across her face and he reached out to brush it back. Her face registered shock and he realized what he’d done. He hadn’t even thought of it. Just knew that hair had to move because it was blocking his view of her face. He stared deep into her eyes. There was just one thing to do now. He leaned forward, with the full intention of kissing her, then stopped.

She held his gaze. She hadn’t shrunk from his touch, hadn’t moved away, wasn’t even looking away. He could kiss her and she would kiss back. He looked down and pressed his palms into the floor to get to all fours.

“That didn’t go as well as I hoped,” he said.

She took in a shaky breath. “No, I guess not.”

The way she looked at him, the hint of longing, the stronger sympathy. Man, she did want him to kiss her. He had her already. How would he ever resist that? Turn away this little angel who wanted nothing more than to help him? Who’d gone so far out of her way? No, no. She was too good. He’d only taint her.

“Here, you can lean on me,” she said. “Let’s get you to your feet again.”

She held out a hand and he took it. She tugged on him and tried to pull him up, but she didn’t have much strength. He pushed up from the ground and stood, still holding her hand. Then she moved under his arm as she had the night before.

He shuffled along, trying not to lean too hard on her, but the walls were still twisting a bit. They made it to the bathroom and she turned her back toward him when he faced the toilet. He almost wished she would look. He’d caught her glance when she took off his boxers. He’d thought of that glance through the night. Wondered how much she’d liked what she saw. Now as he pulled down the sweatpants to pee, he thought he looked even more impressive. His blood was flowing properly again, even if he was still low from losing so much.

He peed and flushed and pulled the pants back up.

“Was there any blood?” she asked.

“Nope.”

“Oh, good. That’s a good sign.”

She was still so worried about him. Though anyone would be worried about some random dude dying in their bed. He knew his injuries and knew he was fine. Or would be. He liked that she worried. Made him feel like someone on this planet actually gave a damn if he lived. None of his boys had hunted him down and come knocking. Good for nothings. They hadn’t even come to him when he was bleeding out all over the road. No, a stranger had to save his life. He owed them all a good beat down when he was recovered.

Whatever happened to looking out for your own? They’d make it up to him. They’d help him pay back Leo and every one of the guys who’d beaten him, and every one of the guys in his lame little motorcycle club. He wouldn’t try to recruit them for his club. They weren’t Crimson Hawk material. Not if they couldn’t even mange to take out an enemy who’d screwed them over.

Fiona helped him back into bed. She pulled the covers over him, and even though they made him far too hot, he left them where she placed them.

“Now what? What do you need?”

“Just some sleep, I think.” He turned over to look at the glasses beside him. There was still water. He reached for the bottle of ibuprofen, but she got it first. She poured out four and handed them to him, then picked up the glass of water and handed it to him as well. “Thanks.” He set the water down and let his head sink into the pillow.

He heard her soft footsteps as she left the room and closed the door. When she was gone, he pushed the blankets down and let the cool air cover his body. He closed his eyes and drifted off to sleep.

As his consciousness sunk deeper, his body did one of those full-body shudders that happened while you were falling asleep. The pain shot through him in a burst, and light sparked his vision for an instant. But it was just enough to send a memory flashing through his mind.

One image. Leo standing over him, shining the flashlight bright in his eyes before he brought his foot down on his face. It made his nose ache recalling it, and when he closed his eyes, his mind replayed the entire scene.

Jasper had been there, in the dark at the side of the road, where they always met. Look for the cluster of trees and the picnic bench. That was what he told people. Just after mile marker 58. He’d been there, waiting. He should’ve brought a few of his guys. He always did for stuff like this, but he’d gotten the call on his way home from getting food and they wanted to meet right away. That was his first mistake. He’d been too eager for the sale and had broken his own rule. Never meet alone.

And now that he thought about it, Leo probably had guys tracking him, watching to see when he was alone, then he’d had that guy John call to ask for a deal. Leo had planned this whole thing to make it as easy as possible for him. No one on one fighting like men. Not even club on club. Oh no, had to make it seven to one. Seven to one. What kind of an asshole did that?

Jasper had sat in his car in the dark, ready to take off if anyone happened along who shouldn’t be there. Then he saw the car flash its lights three times. This was the sign. The car pulled over and John got out. Jasper went to meet him behind the cover of his car.

“This stuff is pure?” John asked.

“Taste it.” Jasper waited while John peeled open the bag and stuck in a wet pinky to taste the cocaine.

John nodded. “Where’d you get this? This stuff is good.”

“Five hundred.”

“You sure that’s all? How can you afford such low prices? You know that other guy charged me six.”

“Yeah, well, I guess you found the better deal, then, didn’t you?”

“Too bad you didn’t.” This voice had come from behind him and he recognized Leo.

It took him a half second to realize this wasn’t just another drug deal. This was a set up. John, if that was even his real name—probably wasn’t—took off with the money and the coke. Then, a group of men piled out of a car and came at him.

Jasper managed to get his gun out. He rarely went anywhere without it, especially when he was doing a deal, and he wouldn’t dream of not having it on him, loaded and ready to go.

From behind, Leo tackled him to the ground. That, Jasper had not been expected. Guns, knives, fists, yes. But he’d had his eye on the guys approaching and though he hadn’t forgotten Leo was behind him—in fact, he was moving to get in a better position so that Leo wasn’t behind him—Leo had taken him by surprise.

Jasper kicked himself for that repeatedly, but in the end, it likely wouldn’t have mattered. Seven men converged on him. They punched him and kicked him. One of them took a knife and slashed up the Crimson Hawks logo on the back of his jacket. They cut straight through the leather, into his skin, and every slash was a hot whip that made him arch his back in agony.

Once he was on the ground, they’d gotten his gun from him quickly and he hadn’t been able to reach for the knife in his boot. One of them had found it, and to add further insult, had made a point of saying it was his own knife that had cut up his back. That was why he thought they would just shoot him. So it could be his own gun that killed him. But for whatever reason—sheer stupidity maybe—they hadn’t. And they’d pay for that mistake.

He wondered about his car. They’d taken his keys, and when he came to, the car was gone, but surely they hadn’t taken it. It would lead the cops right to them if they thought they’d killed him. Being in possession of a dead man’s car would require quite an explanation, or quite the bribe. Maybe it was just pushed into the woods. More likely, it’d been stripped and sold off for parts. Good thing he hadn’t driven his bike. If they’d messed with his bike, they’d really pay.

Jasper leaned his head against the pillow and closed his eyes. But every time he did, he saw flashes of fists hitting his face, felt them kicking his sides and stomach, felt the stinging cuts across his back. And then the eerie silence. When he’d passed out, they’d stopped at some point. He woke up and the world around him was so still. He’d tried to sit up, but everything spun and he collapsed again, kissing the gravel. He’d lain there, hoping for salvation. For one of his boys to come along and see him. For someone to help him. And then Fiona was there.

When he’d opened his eyes enough to see her, she seemed to glow. Of course, it might have been him half hallucinating from the pain, but he’d never forget that first sight of her. The concern on her face, the way she reached out to see if he had a pulse. And then how she’d helped him into the car, had listened when he said not to take him to the hospital. How many women would have done that? And then she’d cared for him ever since. If he didn’t know better, he’d think he was falling for her already. And then figure in her perfect face and body. She was the whole package. Despite whatever he tried to tell himself, he wanted her. Badly.

Fiona looked up from her book at the flashes of red and blue light on the wall. She went into Sophia’s room and looked out the window. In the parking lot below was a cop car with its lights on. Immediately, she panicked and hurried into her bedroom.

“Jasper, are you in any sort of trouble?”

He’d been lying there with his eyes closed and now they opened to look at her. “What?” he mumbled, and pushed himself to sit up.

“Are you in trouble?”

“Usually. Can you be more specific?”

“With the police? Is there any reason the cops would come looking for you?”

He looked over toward the window at the red and blue light. “I don’t think so.”

“You don’t think so?” She went to the window to look out again. She didn’t see anyone. “Have you done anything illegal lately?”

He raised an eyebrow at her. “Maybe?”

She sighed, then went to her front door. The peephole was grungy but she could see out of it. No cops in the hall. No cops coming to knock on her door. She went back to the bedroom and looked out again, hoping to gain some insight as to what was going on.

“What are you into? Guns?” That was what Sam had been into. Buying and stealing and selling guns illegally to people who couldn’t buy them or didn’t want to buy them through legal channels.

“I have guns,” he said.

“Do you sell them? Illegally?”

“No.”

“Then what it is?”

“Why do you assume I’m a criminal?” His voice gained a slight hard edge.

She put her hand on her hip. “Well, you were beaten within an inch of your life and left for dead. You didn’t want me to take you to the hospital because they’d come to kill you. Usually people in those situations want help from the police. So, if you don’t, it’s usually because you’re into something illegal.”

“Guess you have a point.”

“So, what is it, then? What illegal thing are you into?”

“How many cops are out there?”

She looked again. “Just one. Oh.” She saw him finally. He got out of his car and went to a car parked nearby to hand the man inside something. Then they both drove off. “Maybe he was just giving someone a ticket. He’s gone now.”

“Then nothing to worry about.”

“Were you worried? That the cops might show up here to arrest you?”

“No.”

She looked at him for a moment.

“Look, you don’t have to worry,” he said. “As soon as I can get up and walk on my own, I’ll go. I appreciate all you’ve done for me, and I’d never want to overstay my welcome.”

She thought of him going to the bathroom earlier and how he could nearly walk on his own. She’d helped him a little, but it wouldn’t be long before he could move without her help. He’d made significant improvements since last night. So, he wouldn’t be here much longer. The thought saddened her. But in the next thought, she knew that was ridiculous. Her first thought when she’d seen the lights was that Jasper was in trouble. She couldn’t be with someone like that. Someone who might get arrested and disappear at any time.

There was a knock on the door. Jasper looked at her and she looked back, worried again.

“Expecting someone?” he asked.

She shook her head.

At the front door, she looked out the peephole again and saw two people standing in front of her door. One, the shortest one, had on a bright pink sweatshirt and a t-shirt with a gray kitty underneath. She smiled and opened the door.

“Mommy!” Sophia jumped into her arms.

“I am so sorry, Fiona. I’ve just got a call that my mom was taken to the hospital. I’m sorry to just drop her like this with no warning. Is your friend still here?”

She said “friend” as if Fiona had been up to no good last night and that was the reason she wanted Sophia to stay.

“No problem, Jeanine. Go to the hospital. See your mom. I appreciate you keeping her last night.”

“Okay, then. Bye, Sophia.” Jeanine waved and walked away, and Sophia waved back as Fiona closed the door.

Sophia wiggled free of Fiona’s arms and dashed into her bedroom, emerging a moment later with armfuls of stuffed animals. She turned toward Fiona’s bedroom and froze.

“Mommy, there’s a man in your bed.”

Fiona felt her face go warm. The way she’d said it made it sound so much less innocent that it was. “Yes. Come meet him.” She guided Sophia into the room.

“Sophia, this is my friend, Jasper. He’s not feeling well, so he came here to get better.”

“Oh,” Sophia said.

“Hi, Sophia.” His eyes softened and the less swollen one crinkled in a half smile.

Sophia dropped the animals on the bed. “These are all my friends.” She picked up a black and white cat. “This is Spot. And this is Cuddles.” She held up the purple bunny Fiona had slept with last night. Sophia went through several more animals.

Jasper, to Fiona’s surprise, nodded and looked carefully at each one.

“Okay, Sophia, let’s let Jasper rest and get some lunch, okay?”

Sophia picked up her animals and dumped them on the couch in the living room before joining her mother in the kitchen. Fiona took out some bread and cheese. She started to make a grilled cheese, and by the time she was done, she noticed Sophia was no longer in the kitchen, sitting at the table with her stuffed cat.

Fiona went to find her and she was sitting on the bed beside Jasper, a handful of cards in her hand. She was explaining, “You have to get all the same colors and then you win. See?” She showed him her hand of nothing but red cards. “I win.”

“Oh, I see.” Jasper looked down at his own hand. “How do I get all the same color cards?”

“Well, you just give me the red ones.”

“And what about the black ones?”

“You keep those. Or put them here.” She patted a spot on the bed where a short stack of cards sat.

“What if I want to collect red cards, too?” he asked.

Sophia shrugged. “You can. But you have to have only red cards to win.”

“Gotcha.”

Sophia handed cards back and forth, and Jasper picked up the ones she dealt him to add them to his hand.

“Are you teaching Jasper to play cards, Sophia?” Fiona asked, leaning in door frame.

“Yup! I won!” She eagerly showed her mother her hand of all red cards.

“Good job. Your lunch is ready. Come eat.”

Sophia hopped down from the bed. “We can play again when I’m done.” Then she dashed from the room.

“Sorry about that,” Fiona said. “I wasn’t expecting her back yet, but my babysitter had an emergency come up.”

“It’s okay. Gives me something to do.” He smiled at her.

“If you need a book or magazine or something—”

“No, really, it’s okay. She’s fun.”

Fiona raised an eyebrow at him. “Do you have kids? Or nieces or nephews or anything?”

“No.”

“Then it might not be fun for too long. Preschoolers take some getting used to.”

“How old is she?”

“Four.”

He nodded. “Seems like a fun age.”

“It is. Until she’s tired or mad or doesn’t get her way. Then it’s tantrum city. I made her a grilled cheese. Do you want one? Or something else? I can make you a sandwich or something.”

“I’m okay. I don’t know that I could eat yet.”

Fiona pulled her mouth to the side in thought. “You should probably eat something soon, though. You need to keep your strength up. Maybe some soup?”

He nodded. “Sounds perfect.”

A few minutes later, once it was done heating and she was sure that Sophia was settled, Fiona took a steaming bowl of chicken soup to him. She grabbed another towel and folded it so he could set the bowl on his lap to eat.

“Thank you,” he said, blowing on a spoonful. “I’m actually feeling hungry now that I smell food.”

“Good.” She watched for a moment as he ate. He slurped a few spoonfuls after blowing on each one. “How does your stomach feel?”

“Empty.” He laughed. “I needed this.”

“Let me know if you want toast or something to go with it.”

He swallowed another spoonful. “Actually, yes, if you don’t mind.”

“Sure.”

By the time she came back with two pieces of toast on a plate, he’d eaten half the bowl. She handed him the toast and checked his complexion.

“You don’t feel like you’re going to throw up or anything?” she asked.

He took a big bite of toast and shook his head. “I feel better. My head isn’t spinning as much.”

“Maybe you got dehydrated. Drink more water.”

He took a few long sips between bites of toast.

“I think you should still take it a little slow.” She took the empty plate from him. “I’ll gladly bring you more food, but we should wait to make sure your stomach can take it.”

He nodded and closed his eyes, leaning back against the pillow.

“Let me know if you need anything. I’ll make sure to keep Sophia out while you’re resting.”

“You can let her in. It’s okay.”

“You sure?”

“Yeah. She’s fun.”

Fiona left the room, closing the door behind her. He really thought her daughter was fun? Sophia’s own dad hadn’t even thought that.

***

When he woke the next morning, Jasper felt markedly better. The aching in his muscles had lessened, as had the swelling in his face. Good. Leo’s idiots could even manage a decent punch. He could open both eyes fully now. The stinging cuts on his back burned less, and, overall, he felt stronger. Less dizziness, less fatigue, less foggy mind. But that meant it was time to go. Time to leave her be.

Yet his feet didn’t hit the floor. He didn’t try to get up to see if he could walk on his own, like he’d told Fiona he’d need to be able to do before he left. He watched the morning sun brighten through the sheer curtains and waited. He could wait a bit. That wouldn’t hurt anything.

A while later, she came in the room. Fiona’s face was slightly puffy with sleep and her hair stuck out in all directions from her face. But if this was what she looked like in the mornings, he wanted to wake up to her every morning.

“How are you feeling today?” she asked.

“Getting there.”

“Good. Do you want breakfast?”

His stomach growled just thinking of it. He’d eaten a full dinner yesterday. An awesome dinner of meatloaf and mashed potatoes with gravy and green beans. Of course she was a good cook, too. Why wouldn’t she be good at everything? Like she was trying to torture him.

“Breakfast would be great,” he said. “Or even just another protein shake. Don’t go to too much trouble or anything.”