Rising (10 page)

“Attacking a woman is stupid. Coming for mine will get you killed,” Riley muttered.

Her once-friend clawed at his throat. Droplets of sweat rolled down his temples. His cheeks rounded as he tried to suck in air that wouldn’t flow into his lungs. Trenton’s eyes started to bulge and animalistic grunts escaped him as he tried to push up. Riley flexed, pulling harder.

Trenton dropped to his hands and knees.

“Riley,” Savannah called as she rushed forward. “You’re killing him.”

“No less than a rabid dog deserves.” Riley pressed his lips together and yanked harder.

“He’s not worth jail.” She clutched his arm.

“Ain’t nobody gonna do time for this, Sweetness,” Riley huffed out the words.

Trenton pounded the floor with his fist and leaned forward, adding more tension to the cable.

“Please, Riley. Don’t.” She squeezed his bicep. His muscles bunched and relaxed under her palm.

He released the cord and Trenton collapsed, sucking in deep draughts of air. Riley turned to gaze at her. He caressed her throat. “I’m sending you to my house.”

“What do you mean? We need to call the police.” Savannah peered down at Trenton, before lifting her head to look at Riley.

“I’ll handle it, but I don’t want you here.” He dug his cell from his pocket and tapped the screen a few times.

Trenton groaned and flipped over. Riley walked around Savannah and kicked him in the head. Her old friend’s body went limp.

Riley twisted the phone away from his mouth. “Stop looking like that. I didn’t kill him. Find your phone, Sweetness.” He exhaled. “Hey Bobby Jack, I need your help. I need you to pick up Savannah at her office and take her to my place.”

She was quite sure what she looked like. Her clothes were disheveled and she was scared, but—she slapped a hand across her mouth. Riley beat the shit out of Trenton. He was prepared to kill the man—for her.

She stepped over the prone body of her once-friend and dropped into the chair. Savannah glanced around the office. Case files were scattered across the floor, with some sheets under Trenton’s body. Her lamp lay next to his head, the shade crushed at his feet and the cable splayed across his back. The phone was at her feet. She spun her seat around, looking for her cell.

There was a cold, hard persona just beneath the fun-loving, attentive personality he showed her. He was a racist, and didn’t hide his feeling for most people from her. Riley had been honest with her from the jump, and yet he continued to see her, coming to her rescue time and time again.

He was part of an organization; he had meetings and conducted business like a corporate CEO. Riley was always on the phone or talking about taking care of something, but he never really delved into what the group and she didn’t ask. Thinking about it, he held back a lot of information about himself. That day in court when that old man gave Bobby Jack a message for Riley, he paled as he made the call. It was time to know why.

“Riley, I’m black.” She spotted her phone leaning on the doorjamb at the entrance of her office. Savannah shifted her gaze to stare at him.

He stared at her and cocked his head. “Really? I never noticed.” He smiled and that damn dimple etched his cheeks.

“You’re not fond of black people.” She truly needed to understand where he was coming from. “What exactly is…what’s the name of your organization?”

“Bring cleaning supplies, rope, and handcuffs. Get here quick. The back door is open.” He slid his finger across the screen and stalked toward her. “Where is this coming from, Savannah?”

“You almost killed him.”
Riley saved her; but why?
She slumped in her seat. They always went out late and to some diner far out of the way.
Was she his dirty little secret?

“I still might.” He glanced down at Trenton’s body. “I told you there are some folks that do not like other races.”

“Don’t joke.” She leaned forward and clutched the phone line, slowly pulling it up by the wire.

“What are you doing?” He wrapped his hands around the cradle. “What do you want to know?”

“I’m calling the police. He attacked me. They will arrest Trenton.” She raised her chin and held his gaze.

“He’s one of them, and they won’t do shit. Black or white, they will protect blue. Think, baby. He’s a DA, right? He works with the police. His behavior will be swept under the rug. I’ll handle it.” Riley leaned forward and eased the cable out of her fingers. “My way.”

“Not killed.” Her heartbeat thumped in her throat. “Not because of me.”

“You’re too softhearted, Sweetness.” Riley sighed. It was long and heartfelt. “Listen, I need your keys to lock up after we clean up.”

“Who is we, and what are you going to do with Trenton?” She wasn’t letting it go. He would answer her questions or she would walk away. No way in hell was she starting her new life with uncertainty. She wanted to be sure of the man she spent her time with. As her mother put it, she’d already fucked up once with Dwayne and believing his bullshit. She wouldn’t fall for that nonsense a second time.

“A few of my men are on their way, but Bobby Jack should be here within minutes. My cousin is going to take you to my place, and when I finish here, I give you my word we will have a nice long chat.”

“Why can’t I stay? I need to clean up these files.” She knew she was being stubborn, but she wanted answers, damn it. For the first time in her life, there was a man that made her feel safe and wanted, and he was screwed up as she was.

He picked up her briefcase from the corner. “Put your papers in here. Take them with you and sort them out at home.” Riley handed her the bag. He crouched and started gathering the sheets of paper.

“Riley? What the hell are you doing here?” A tall guy with tattooed sleeves, long hair, and a full beard appeared in the doorway. She met his gaze and a thick brow slowly climbed his forehead. “I’m not sure I want to know.”

“What the fuck you blocking the way for, Bubba?” Another man, slightly shorter than the first, pushed his way through. Even though he was bald, he had a goatee and mustache. Tats inked his throat. He stopped cold and glanced around. “Well, this is interesting.”

“Shut up, Setter,” Riley groused. He rose with papers clutched in his hand. “Bobby Jack was supposed to be here. How did you get here so fast?”

“We were at a biker bar down the road when you called.” The one called Bubba peered at her and cocked his head. “I wonder why your cousin was supposed to get here first.”

“Fuck you, Bubba. I got a situation we need to clean up.” He toed Trenton’s leg.

“And the plot thickens.” The other guy, Setter, widened his eyes. “I got a sweet spot to bury him. Animals will never dig his ass up.”

Savannah sucked in an audible breath. She turned her gaze on Riley. “Promise me you will not kill him.”

“I said I’d take care of it.” Riley clenched his jaw and dropped the papers on the desk’s surface.

“I want your word.” She ignored the strange looks the two men shot her as they blocked her office entrance. “Or I swear to God I will report this to the police.”

“At least I’m making progress,” Riley groused. “You’re willing to let me handle it.”

“Riley, hoss, when this is done, I have a few questions for you.” Bubba darted his gaze between her and Riley.

“Get in the damn line.” He shot her a look through narrowed eyes. “Handcuff him and throw him in the back seat of my truck. I’ll think of something to do with him.”

“So we aren’t going to hang him?” Setter crossed his arms over his chest. “What the fuck, Riley, I brought the strong rope, too. The good shit, wound tight, and it won’t unravel or leave many burns.”

Savannah shot up out her seat. She marched around Riley and stood in front of Trenton, pointing down. “He’s an asshole. Trenton may have attacked me, but this is a matter for the police.”

Riley combed his fingers through his hair and closed his eyes. “Thanks a lot, Setter.” He turned to face her. “I ain’t going to kill him, all right.” He held her gaze as he spoke. “Bubba, don’t we have friends on the force?”

“There’s a few patrolmen and a detective or two; why?”

“Change of plans. Leave the supplies and take this shit-colored monkey out into the woods past Pop’s land. Tie the bastard to a big tree so he gets a good stretch in his arms. Call our friends on the force tomorrow and leave an anonymous tip about his location with one of them.” Riley dipped and picked up his cap. “Does that suit you better, Savannah?”

“Yes.” She tapped her foot. Riley had stolen her thunder, but he still had a lot to answer for. “For now.”

She hopped out of the way as the two guys stomped into the room. They hauled Trenton up between them as if he weighed next to nothing.

“One more thing. Find a can of spray paint. Bright color. I want
rapist
sprayed across his chest and back. And when he comes to, make sure he understands to stay away from Savannah.” Riley dug in his pocket and yanked out keys. He tossed them to Bubba, the bearded guy.

“I’ll be calling you tomorrow.”

Riley nodded. “I’ll be expecting it.”

The two men filed out of the room, dangling an unconscious Trenton between them.

“Come on, Sweetness. We need to set things right and wipe shit down.” He picked up a rag from the bucket one of the guys placed on the floor and threw it at her.

She peered through the doorway. “They aren’t going to hurt Trenton, are they?”

“Of course they are.” He shrugged. “You should trust after they are done, that boy will never bother you again.”

“He’s not a boy,” she spoke absently.

Riley moved in close, and touched her head with his hand. “I told you I don’t care for most people, but I definitely like you.” He brushed her cheek with his thumb. “If the police come to your door because your
friend
is too much of a pussy to let shit go…deny everything.”

She covered his hand with hers. “Riley, you’re playing a dangerous game. What’s the name of your organization?”

He dropped his head to touch hers. “New World Watch. I lead the Southern Division. I’m a lieutenant in the Aryan nation. You have no idea just how serious a game I’m playing. I’m interested in a black woman and being seen together could very well get us both killed.”

Chapter Nine

The gentle waves sent the boat softly swaying. Riley leaned forward and cast his line into the water. Small ripples expanded from the bobbin.

He glanced over at Bobby Jack. His cousin-slash-brother…hell, he didn’t know what to call him anymore, wore a stoic expression. Bobby Jack didn’t want to attend the meeting, but he accompanied him anyway. It killed two birds with one stone. Riley needed a ride to collect his truck, and he had someone at his back that he trusted.

When Bubba called, he wasn’t quite sure what to expect. It certainly wasn’t a fishing expedition to a little-known lake. The fact the place was out of the way gave him pause. He exhaled. Having to fight his two best friends on a boat would be messy as shit.

“We been friends too long for this, so spit it out, Bubba…Setter?” Riley stared at the lake’s smooth surface, disguising the current churning just beneath. A lot like his life.

“She’s the reason you’ve been scarce. I’m trying to understand.” Setter broke the ensuing silence. “You saved a nigge—”

“Finish that sentence and I will drown your ass,” Bobby Jack growled.

“Shut the fuck up. It wasn’t so long ago you thought like us—you were one of us.” Bubba sat up straight. The boat rocked harder as he twisted to face Bobby Jack.

“You’re all stupid,” Riley grunted. “I have a hard time stomaching most folks, Bubba, you know that. Running the NWW is easy, but I’m gone a good majority of the time. You and Setter truly operate it; I’m just the figurehead.”

“Bullshit, you leave plans and orders before you go to work on the rig. We execute them.” Setter scrubbed his head with his palm. “A mo…uh, black woman. Riley, you could have your pick of females. Some girl is always throwing herself at you.”

“I chose who I want to be with. And make no mistake, I care about Savannah. If that ends our friendship, so be it.” Riley glanced at each man. Bobby Jack smirked in response. “If we have to come to blows about it, I’m okay with that, too.”

“If word gets out, NWW will lose face. Our expansion into neighboring states will become a clusterfuck and Isaac may finally get what he wants.” Bubba reeled in his line. “You on a silver platter.” He pressed his lips together.

“It’s not going to be easy, but I plan to go out my way, secure in the knowledge that NWW is solid and Isaac is dead.” He set the pole in a metal holder. “Be mad at me, cuss me—like I said, if need be, we can settle our differences on shore, but after everything is said and done I will still need your help.”

“I know how your mind works. Drop the tar baby, and we can handle Isaac another way.” Bubba stroked his beard. “No one will be the wiser.”

“Isaac already knows.” He knew the time would come when he would have to choose and knew his friends wouldn’t like the choice he made. “With Isaac gone, it will leave a vacuum in the Klan, and members will fight amongst themselves for his position. They will leave NWW alone, and give you time to strengthen the organization by moving into other territories, and building alliances.

“Me?” Bubba shook his head.

“Yeah, you and Setter. Y’all know what to do, you don’t need me. I’m calling for Banishment, and no doubt they will send out a Wrecking Crew.”

Blood in, blood out
…All those years ago, he and his cousins killed a man because the guy was in an interracial relationship. Over ten years later, he found himself in a similar situation. It was time to pay for his misdeeds, and he was prepared to accept the consequences.

“You can’t do that!” The boat rocked as Bobby Jack came of his seat.

“Sit your ass down.” Setter sighed. “As much as I hate to agree with the little shit, he’s right. Isaac will throw everything at you. No way in hell you’ll walk away from that. We been friends too long for me to let a colored girl get between our friendship. It’s not like you’re going to marry her.” He shot a curious glance at Bobby Jack.

“I like Savannah. I enjoy her company, and I’m not sure where this is going.” He waved a hand in the air. “But she is worth the fight and I’m looking forward to where we could end up.”

“Dad will kill you.” Bobby Jack stared at him. “This is my fault. I should have left well enough alone. You didn’t know where she was, and she had no clue about you. I instigated your meeting at the house.” His shoulders slumped and he dropped his head, speaking low. “Isaac won’t let you live to find out just how sweet the love of a good woman can be.”

“You three act like I’m already dead.” He knew the odds. The crew sent to deal with him would be at least twenty men, possibly more. A person didn’t simply walk away from the brotherhood.

Most skinheads were violent psychopaths who didn’t fit in anywhere else. Angry at the world, their actions were often fueled by drugs and righteous indignation at the plight of the white man. He knew this because, in his youth, he was one of those men; but he grew up.

His saving grace was the random drug tests done as part of employment on the rig, and money was his euphoria. “No matter what, I trust you and Setter to run NWW the way it should be handled.” Even if he couldn’t embrace their philosophy anymore, he was caught in the crosshairs of loving something that was possibly wrong. No matter what the decision, it would be a fucked-up one since he couldn’t maintain a foot in each world. All in, he had to choose one. He didn’t want to see NWW fail and he wasn’t about to give up Savannah. What he was about to do was the only way to ensure everyone’s safety.

Setter slapped the side of the craft. “Before you go off half-cocked and dead set on getting yourself killed, take a few days to think about this. Isaac is a SOB, but he’s a smart one. He won’t act rashly. Think hard, brother, and make sure this is what you want. Because if it is, it’s a road you will have to travel alone.”

“Riley ain’t doing this alone.” Bobby Jack raised his chin, and peered at Bubba and Setter through narrowed eyes. “Blood is thicker than water. Whatever you decide, Riley, I’m there.”

“Oh, fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck!” Bubba yelled. Birds in trees on the shore took flight. “Sometimes I really hate your ass.”

“No you don’t.” Riley chuckled. He’d turned a corner, and got his friends on his side. With their help, it would be a lot easier to set his plan in motion. He’d already thought long and hard about what needed to happen. His decision hadn’t come easy, but while watching Savannah sleep, he made up his mind and he was resolute. He would do whatever he had to in order to protect her. Whether he liked it or not, Isaac knowing about her put a target on her back.

“Actually I do, but we will do what we can to help you. Right, Setter?” Bubba glanced at the man next to him.

“I’m just making it known I am not okay with this,” Setter mumbled. “But many a day when I didn’t have a soul to count on, you showed up and we showed out. If this is truly how you want to ride out, then I am at your back, brother.”

“I never doubted you for a minute, Setter.” Riley picked up his rod and recast his line. “Let’s get some fishing done. I need to carry dinner home. Did you take care of my issue from last night?”

“Damn it, I forgot to make the call. He’s painted, and tied to a nice, thick oak. His arms won’t be worth shit when they cut him down.” Bubba sighed. “Reel it in, Riley, and stop at a fast food restaurant. You may not prefer white meat, but I gotta make a call to our friends at Mobile PD before my date with that sexy number from the bar, and I have been after her for months.” Bubba reversed his reel.

Riley’s laughter was drowned out by the roaring motor as it was revved to life.

****

Savannah looked out over Riley’s yard from her perch in the porch chair. The night before, after cleaning up her office, Riley drove them to his place in her car. Changing whatever plans he had in mind, he had Bobby Jack and Whit meet them at his house. She still didn’t understand why.

Her first night with Riley didn’t go as expected. He offered her his room, and he slept on the couch. She wasn’t expecting that, just like she wasn’t expecting him to have company. They didn’t get to have the conversation he’d promised.

When she left for work that morning, she had every intention of coming back so they could discuss the issues that were a chasm between them. After she returned, she found Whit and Little Isaac playing, but Riley was long gone. Savannah checked her watch; she’d been there over an hour and he still hadn’t returned.

“Look what I found after I put Isaac down for the night.” Whit pushed through the screen door with a large jar in her hand.

She gazed suspiciously at the jar Whit clutched in her hand. “What’s that?”

Whit shook the mason jar, and foamy bubbles formed inside the glass. “Girl, I do believe I found Riley’s stash of moonshine.”

“Moonshine is illegal, right?” Savannah leaned forward and peered at the clear liquid with the disappearing bubbles.

“I bet Riley’s is.” Whit giggled. “Woot, Bobby Jack is not going to like me drinking.”

“Is that going to stop you?” Savannah tore her gaze from the glass and peered up at Whit. The dark-skinned woman always wore a smile. She truly seemed happy with Riley’s cousin.

Savannah tilted her head to the side. Didn’t she hear the snide remarks others made about them. The disrespectful way Bobby Jack and Riley referred to other ethnicities? “Can I ask you a question?”

Whit dropped down into the chair across from Savannah. “On one condition—for every question, you gotta take a swig of liquor.” She twisted the top off the container.

“I’m not a hard drinker. I’m more of a wine spritzer kind of girl.” Savannah pulled the jar toward her and sniffed. Sharp, tangy vapors wafted up from the wide mouth of the mason jar, making her nose twitch and her eyes water. She pushed the glass away. “That is strong.”

“Where is your sense of adventure? I’ll tell you anything you want to know about Riley Joe.” Whit spoke in a singsong voice. “At least everything I know.”

“Maybe this isn’t a good idea.”

“Girl, cut loose. Next to Ms. Mays, Edward, and Maurice, you’re the only friend I actually have. Have a drink with me.” Whit eased the jar toward her.

Savannah narrowed her eyes, and then brought the jar to her lips and took a deep swig. Fire burned down her throat and warmth bloomed in her chest. If she couldn’t get answers from Riley, then she would find out what she could from Whit.

“First question. Why don’t Bobby Jack and Riley like black people?”

“I don’t think they really like anybody, but Bobby Jack is a work in progress,” Whit glanced down at her wedding band. “Their issues with black people, honestly, I believe it has more to do with how they were raised. What they really need is a different outlook; like, um…a reeducation. Bobby Jack can be standoffish, but he generally tolerates anyone I like. My turn.” Whit took a healthy sip. “What do you like about Riley Joe?”

“Who says I like him?” Savannah leaned back in her chair to put some distance between them. She wasn’t ready to share what she thought about Riley Joe with anyone but the man himself. She picked up the jar and took another swallow. She'd once heard of alcohol referred to liquid courage.

“Have you ever met Isaac? An old ma—”

“That’s Bobby Jack’s daddy. No, I have never met him. My husband is leery of his family. I only know Riley Joe. From what Bobby Jack has told me…some of the things they have done, I don’t want to meet them. Is it getting hot or is it just me?” She took another swig of the alcohol. “What’s it like to have a college degree?”

“What do you mean?” Savannah cocked her head. “I don’t know. I have always worked toward my education, so I really didn’t have anything else. My family doesn’t exactly like me.” She pulled the jar to her and took a healthy sip.

“I grew up in the foster system. I used to pray a family would adopt me. After I got out, I bought a bus ticket with all the money I had, and this was as far as I got.” She sniffed. “Most days I was struggling just to eat, and finding a safe place to sleep was a real bitch.” She gazed past Savannah’s shoulder and sighed. “Funny how things happen, I wasn’t planning on staying here. As soon as I saved enough money I was heading out to Washington State or thereabouts, but I kept getting involved with people. All my life, I avoided attachment. If the world didn’t want me, I damn sure didn’t want it. I get here and I find myself saddled with an instant family.” Whit pulled the glass across the table and lifted it to her lips.

“Sometimes it’s the family you create that’s better than the one you’re born into. My mother doesn’t want me. In law school, I found out she and her husband spent all the money my real father left as an inheritance. I busted my ass to get through college and law school working menial jobs, taking anything I could get. Later, I found out that they also paid for my sister’s education through her university with the money they hid from me. My fuc—” she hiccupped, “—king money!” Savannah slapped her hand on the worn surface.

“I’m sorry, but if my momma and daddy did that to me, I would be kicking somebody’s ass.” Whit’s head lolled to the side. “This stuff packs a punch.” She picked up the jar and set it down with a clatter. “You can have another sip.”

“Girl, you don’t know half the shit my family has taken me through. My sis…ter is marrying the man I was sup…posed to.” Her words slurred. “Wait, aren’t you in college now?” She ignored the quarter-full mason jar.

“Yeah, but it’s taking so long to get through,” Whit whined. “And…and…and I drop a lot of classes because I don’t understand them.”