Full Throttle (Devil's Mafia Brotherhood Motorcycle Club Book 2) (3 page)

“I don’t know. Someone else decided where she was going to be kept. It had nothing to do with me.”

“You bastard.” Lunging across the desk, Riley grabbed his collar and shook him hard. “Nothing to do with you? How the hell can you say that after kidnapping a woman? You’re knee deep in this shit and if anything happens to her, I’m going to make sure that you go down along with others.”

“You are also embroiled in this mess.” Charlie didn’t appear perturbed by Riley’s rage. He glanced down at Riley’s hand that gripped his shirt. The smirk that lifted his lips was annoying. “If something happens to us, you’ll be thrown in jail, too. After all, you’re the one who started the negotiations with Xavier. Your name is there on all the papers, and even though you didn’t sign them, you are as involved as we all are.”

Riley couldn’t believe what he heard. He had to be kidding, right? No, he wasn’t. Sure, his name was there. After all, he was the one who contacted Xavier and sent in all the papers. If this matter went to the police, he would be thrown in jail along with the rest of them. It wasn’t fair – but it was his fault. He should’ve trusted his instincts and not listened to them when they all assured him that nothing untoward was going on. Now Tania was in their hands and God only knew what they were doing to her.

Letting go of Charlie’s shirt, he slipped back into his seat. Riley had played these games and was well versed with the rules. They wanted him to do something. What was it? “What do you guys want? I’m willing to do anything as long as you let her go.”

Charlie’s smile was cold and didn’t quite reach his eyes. “Unfortunately, that is no longer an option. Tania is no longer with us. She escaped.”

Riley blinked his eyes.
Good for her!
She wasn’t a pushover. No wonder they couldn’t hold her for long. She must be out there somewhere, plotting their end – and he was going to help her achieve her goals. “Escaped?”

“Yes, she…vanished from that place. I just got the news an hour ago. We don’t know where she is, and I want you to find her and bring her back.”

He laughed at the audacious request. “Why the hell would I do that?”

“If you don’t, we’ll tell the police that it was all your idea. Your fingerprints are all over this shit. Your name is on the papers that were sent to Xavier and you were the point man. We’ll sacrifice you to save our ass.”

Riley shook his head. What the fuck? “If you do that, you won’t get the insurance money.”

“We’ll take that risk if we have to. Right now, everyone is more concerned with that woman. If she remains on the loose, we’re all in danger and, frankly, I have no intention of going to jail. If I have to let go of that money to avoid jail then we’ll do it, and you’ll be the one who to get arrested.”

Shit! Shit! What the hell was he supposed to do now?

Tania was home long enough to take a shower, pack a bag, and head out. Although she instinctively headed home, it was only when she got inside did she realize it was no longer a safe place. They knew who she was, and they could – and would – follow her to find her. She couldn’t stay here.
Damn it!

Who were these people? What was Riley’s connection with them? Where the hell was that bastard? Whenever she set eyes on him, she was going to break every bone in his body. Violent thoughts permeated her mind and she didn’t push them away. Instead she nurtured and caressed them, giving hope and definition so when Riley came, she would be prepared to deal with him the way she saw fit. It wasn’t enough that he broke her heart and made her fall in love with him, but he also bloody tried to kill her. No punishment was good enough. Only his complete annihilation would satisfy her.

Tania didn’t have her phone. They must have taken it away when they grabbed her from the warehouse. She didn’t want to waste any time getting a new one. It wasn’t important. What she needed was to find a place where she could hide for a while until things became clearer. As she strode out towards the cab that waited for her, she wondered where she could go. She didn’t exactly have a place in mind. A hotel? No. It would be too expensive and now that she didn’t have a job, she wasn’t prepared to blow money and she didn’t know how long she would need to crash. Perhaps a friend’s house? The place had to be big enough so, if she stayed, she wouldn’t be in their way. Preferably someone who didn’t have a family, and who was prepared to deal with this web of intrigue and danger that she was involved in.

Many names flitted in her mind but she discarded them all. Finally, she hit on the right idea. Jason Salon was the perfect man for her needs. As she reached his home, Tania took a moment to straighten her dress and rang the bell on his gated property.

“Who is it?” said someone in heavily accented English.

“I am Tania, a friend of Jason. Is he in town?”

Shit! She should’ve called ahead but since she didn’t have a phone, that option never occurred to her. He wasn’t in town during many months out of a year. If she talked to him, he would tell his people to let her in. Of course, she would have to explain everything over the phone, and she didn’t quite like the idea of that.

“Wait a minute, please.”

Tania crossed her fingers. Did that mean that he was inside? The gate swung open after a few moments later and she breathed a sigh of relief. Dragging her bag behind her, she went inside. The huge, manicured garden that was set on either side of the driveway was replete with flowers and dense, thick bushes. Trees grew alongside the wall to give privacy. As she walked to the front patio, he sauntered out.

Dressed in jeans, a green t-shirt, and holding a mug of coffee in his hand, Jason looked the picture of decadent wealth. Yet, he wasn’t what he projected. He had earned the money through hard work and sheer talent, and she admired him for it.

“Lovely Tania.” His gaze flitted over the bag she held but he didn’t mention it as he strode forward to envelop her in a warm hug. “How are you, my darling?”

He was only the second man in the world who was allowed to address her with such an endearment. The first was Riley, and he wasn’t going to live for long after she got her hands on him, so it didn’t quite matter. “Gotta be honest. I’m not so good.”

Immediately, he took the bag from her and viewed her out of his dark, deep eyes. Jason was stunningly handsome. He had dark hair, an aquiline nose, and smooth, dark skin that he inherited from his Spanish mother. “Tell me all about it.”

She ran a hand through her hair. “A story in exchange for a place to stay, Jason? Does that sound like a fair deal? I can’t stay at my place and I need a place to crash. It’s possible that my presence here may be dangerous for you, so think carefully before you answer.”

Rather than answer, he grabbed her arm and tugged her inside. After dumping the bag in one corner of the foyer, he turned and took her hand in his. He lifted it to his lips. “You’ve intrigued me beyond measure, darling. Come, have a cup of coffee, and tell me everything. Don’t leave out the tinniest of details.”

Keeping her hand in his, he led her inside into his study. She glanced at the trophies that lined the wall. Jason was a world-famous director. He’d directed some of the most fascinating movies that were released in the past ten years. Although he lived in LA part of the year, the rest of the time he was in Boston. They met many years ago when she helped him buy this property. Tania was a beginner at her work and he was already well on his way to earn the fame that he enjoyed now. But they hit it off and even dated for a year. It was a mutual decision to part ways; he was never in town for long and she wasn’t interested in a part time relationship. But he was always someone that she could count in.

Seeing the gleam in his eyes, she sighed. “Fine, I’ll tell you everything, but please…make up your mind only after you’ve heard my sad and pathetic tale.”

“You could never say something that was sad and pathetic, darling. Why don’t you take a minute to relax while I order some coffee for you?”

He went out and she took a seat. Tania leaned back and closed her eyes. How had she have gotten to this state? It still amazed her to know that she got entangled in this mess that had nothing to do with her. It was Riley’s fault. The bastard! Asshole! Jerk! She couldn’t wait to see him and exact her revenge. He would suffer. Oh, how she would enjoy watching him squirm.

Images flitted through her mind, but rather than see something that showed her inflicting damage to Riley, she saw his hands on her body, his lips on hers, and his smooth skin when he rubbed his body against hers. Immediately, she opened her eyes. No way was she going down that road again. Once was enough. She would never give him the opportunity to lay his hands on her.

Jason walked in and put a cup of hot, steaming coffee in front of her. He sat on the edge of the desk and stared. “It started weeks ago,” she began. Tania told him the tale from the moment she set eyes on Riley. He was handsome and delightful, and although they were at loggerheads at first over the property, they quickly made a truce and decided to keep each other in the loop as the deal progressed. They started to date. Unknown to her, he went behind her back and finalized the deal and made the purchase. It made her look like a fool. She lost her job and when she confronted him, he tried to kill her by blowing up that damned place.

Tania didn’t leave anything out. She was honest and direct. It wasn’t fair to ask for sanctuary when she knew perfectly well that it might land Jason in a lot of trouble. The kidnappers wouldn’t be far behind. They would want to bring her back. She couldn’t hide here forever and, whenever she stepped out, Jason might also become a victim.

After she finished talking, he stared at her as if he couldn’t quite believe her. He finished his coffee and walked behind the desk. She picked up her cup and took a sip of the coffee that had now gone cold. As if on cue, someone walked in the room, carrying a tray. “Some more coffee and cookies, as you ordered, Mr. Jason,” said the Spanish housekeeper whom Tania had met earlier.

“Hello, Mrs. Rose. How are you doing?”

Mrs. Rose put the tray down, shook her head at the cold coffee, and swept the cup away. She replaced it with a hot cup. “I’m good, dear. And you…you look too thin. You haven’t been eating well.”

“And now is your chance to change the situation, Rose,” said Jason. “Tania will be staying with us for a few days and I want you to make sure that she regains her strength and energy.”

Tania turned to face him while the housekeeper slipped out after a quick nod. “Are you sure about this, Jason? You could be in danger simply by association.”

“I’ve written a lot of action movies and I’ve directed many more, but this is the first time that I’ve met someone who is actually deeply involved in something so exciting and intriguing. Your story has everything: a little bit of drama, a lot of action, and barrels of romance and betrayal. I want to know how it ends.”

“It might end with a murder – Riley’s,” she announced in a firm voice. “He played me and then tried to kill me.”

“Did he?” Picking up his cup, he took a sip. “Are you sure that he’d something to do with the warehouse explosion? You said that he was shocked to see you there and that he leapt over you, so maybe he was as surprised as you.”

She licked her lips. It was so convenient to blame Riley that she hadn’t considered those facts. He didn’t lure her to the warehouse. Rather, she went there to look for him. So, perhaps, he didn’t actually intend to kill her – but he got her kidnapped and held against her will. “They would’ve murdered me if I had stayed at that place.”

“And you are sure that he was aware you were being held?”

“Of course; he had to know! He is in cohorts with those people.”

Jason smoothed a hand over the edge of the desk. “Never mind, then. We’ll get to the truth sooner or later.”

She couldn't accept that he would think Riley wasn’t to be blamed for anything. “He rigged it all. Maybe I wasn’t supposed to be there, but he did intend to betray me all along. And, of course, he was part of the gang that kept me prisoner.”

“Why don’t I show you to your room? You’ve been under too much stress and now need to rest. I should tell you one thing, however,” he said as he led her out of the room. “I would like to have first chance to hear this story when it comes to a conclusion.”

She couldn’t stop the laughter that sputtered out of her mouth. Here she was talking about kidnapping, lies, betrayal, and possibly all sort of other crimes and all he could think about was his story. The man was obsessed with his work. “Fine, Jason. I promise to tell you everything as it transpires, but listen. I want you to be careful. Don’t think of this as a joke. It isn’t.”

Much to her surprise, he put a hand on her cheek and gazed into her eyes. “You just take care of yourself and don’t worry about me. I know how to take care of myself. This place is very safe. We’ve got security cameras and around the clock surveillance. If you get out, take my car and chauffeur.”

“I don’t want to impose on you so much.”

“Don’t be silly.” He removed his hand. “We’re friends, and this is the least I can do. While you are a guest in my house, I want you to feel right at home. But just out of curiosity, how are you intending to find that man? I assume that is what you want to do?”

“I do.” She hadn’t given the idea much thought. “Tomorrow I’ll go to his apartment, and maybe contact a few of his friends.”

“A classic mistake, my friend.” He shook his head. “When you want to confront someone, you want to make sure they are on your home ground. That won’t happen if you go looking for him. No. You have to lure him in to this place so that we can question him at length without worrying about his friends joining in to lend their support.”

She wrinkled her brow. “Lure him in? How would I do that?”  

His eyes twinkled. Tania didn’t like that look. She had seen it often enough and knew that it meant trouble. Jason was planning something nefarious and she wasn’t sure if she would be comfortable with whatever idea percolated in his mind. The man was devious, and he was intelligent. It was a deadly combination, and she was just glad that she had him on her side.

“I’ve got some ideas, darling. But now is not the time to discuss them. We will talk some more when you are rested.” Pushing open a door, he led her inside. Her bag was already sitting in one corner. “This is your room. I’ll see you for dinner. If you need anything, let Rose know.”

Impulsively, she gave him a hug. “Thank you, Jason. You’re a true friend.”

“Oh, I’m so much more than that, darling.” He kissed her brow and then stepped away. “See you in a while.”

After he walked out, she dropped on the bed. Thank God! For now she was safe, and it was all that mattered. She didn’t know what Jason planned, and Tania was aware that whatever scheme he hatched up would be just perfect. Jason was a resourceful man, and he could make things happen. Coming here was the right choice. He would help her sort out this mess – and then when she had Riley exactly where she wanted him, she would take her revenge.

It would be perfect. Everything would fall into place – and, perhaps, then she would be able to pick up the pieces of her heart and start to put them together. Maybe then, she would be able to breathe without experiencing pain and, perhaps, she might move on with her life. Only time would tell as to how it would play it, and she was game for the rest of it.