Salem Charm: Book 3 of Colson Brothers Series (7 page)

“You know her?”

“She’s a friend, sort of. I’ve run a couple jobs with her husband.” He shrugged as he led me to this Julie.

Lou introduced us and gave her a list of items he wanted.
A couple minutes later I was whisked away to the dressing room and handed various denim and leather items to try on.

I had to ask one too many times for help so Julie joined me in the dressing room. “You okay honey? You look scared out of your mind.” She asked.

“I’ve never ridden a motorcycle before, it scares the dickens out of me.”

She laughed, “Don’t worry, you’re with one of the best riders I know. He probably just wants to see you in all this sexy gear.” She turned me to face the mirror. “What do you think?”

“Oh my. This is definitely out of my league. Who is that?” I pointed to the mirror where my reflection thinks she’s some kind of bad ass biker chick.

Julie stepped back and looked me over, “Well honey, even if you are out of your element, you wear that leather like it was made for you. Lou is going to bust a nut when he sees this.”

“A what?” I wasn’t sure I heard her right.

“You’ll see.” She put her hand on the doorknob. “Ready?”

I took a deep breath and let it out slowly, “Okay, I think so.”

She opened the door and stepped to the side. I looked up and saw Lou standing there with his hand over his mouth and a look of shock on his face. I think it’s shock. I probably look ridiculous and he’s laughing at me.

Then he strode forward making me step back into the dressing room. He pulled the door shut behind him and cupped my face. His blue eyes darkened as they looked into mine. “Oh honey, if you only knew what you do to me. I’m about to steal your first kiss.” He warned me.

I was so relieved he wasn’t laughing I nodded.

He touched his lips to mine twice before crashing into me and sinking his hands into my hair.

Oh my. This is kissing?? He’s ravaging me!! Oh my. This is nice. My heart is pounding as he leads my tongue into a perfect dance with his. So this what the girls get all riled up about! No wonder they always look like giddy fools.

I put my arms around his neck so I don’t fall as my knees weaken.

He took that as an invitation and moaned as his mouth took mine even harder and deeper. If this is anything like sex, I’m going to go into sensory overload and explode. Something is stirring in my belly. Butterflies. Lots and lots of butterflies.

He slowed and eased his way back to release and look at me, “I’m sorry. I couldn’t help myself. You look so beautiful I lost my mind.”

I smiled and tried to focus. “Don’t be sorry. I don’t know much about kissing, but I’m pretty sure that was wonderful.”

He rested his palm on my my right cheek and ran his thumb over it as he looked at me. “We should go. Thank you for giving me your first kiss, I will never forget that one.” He assured me before taking my hand and pulling me with him to pay the bill.

Once outside in the parking lot he got on the bike first this time and held his hand out for mine, “Swing your leg over, like riding a horse.”

I hopped on my left foot twice before finding my place behind him.

He reached back and guided my arms back around his middle. “I like you here.”

“What?” I asked unsure what he said. He started the engine and took off without replying. This man is getting weirder by the day. Wow. I just had my first kiss in the dressing room of a Harley dealership. I didn’t see that one coming!

As a young girl I would dream of princes and first kisses under magnolia trees in the Spring. Flower petals flittered through the air as I imagined being swept off my feet by a gallant man in a white suit riding an equally gallant steed.

Well, he may not be gallant, but he’s quite good at the kissing part. My lips feel swollen. Good thing he can’t see me. I’m smiling like a school girl after being asked to the dance by the most popular boy in school. Although in this case I think I was just kissed by the bad boy in school. The one mothers warn their daughters about.

The scenery was not enough to keep me from resting my head on his back and closing my eyes. I’m tired for some reason. Lou has been an interesting distraction from worrying about my father, but now that we’re riding I’m thinking too much. All this not knowing what’s going on and why is frustrating to say the least. The worrying is exhausting. Traveling and meeting all these new people is also exhausting. Not to mention I didn’t sleep too well last night. Evidently Lou snores when he’s really getting a good night’s sleep.

I sat up when I realized Lou was pulling over. He took us to the nearest hotel parking lot and helped me off.

“I think you’ve had enough. Sleeping on the back of my bike is a big no-no kitten.”

“I’m sorry.” I stifled a yawn. “I just feel so tired all of a sudden.”

He scooped me up in his arms like a bride, “Yeah, I got that.”

“I can walk Mr. Colson.”

“We’ve shared a very passionate kiss kitten, you can call me Lou.”

“I…”

“Don’t know what to say? Yeah, I think I got that too.” He pushed the lobby door open with his foot and walked right up to the counter. “I need a king and I need it now.” He shifted and must have been going for his wallet. I hid my face in his shoulder completely mortified.

Five minutes later he’s setting me on a large hotel bed and holding my chin. “Look at me.”

I blinked trying to focus on disarming blue eyes, “Yes?”

“I’m going back to get the bike and get our shit. Can I trust you to stay put?”

“Yes. I don’t have the energy to poot.”

He laughed and tucked me under the covers. “So she does have a sense of humor. I think I’m in love.” He smacked me on the butt. “I’ll be right back.”

“Hmm.” Before he pulled the door shut behind him I was out cold. My last thought was of wishing I had the energy to tell him to stop smacking me on the rear, again.

I heard Lou talking and began to wake up. “She’s fine Myles, just tired. Living with Turner and his old lady wore her out… Okay, ten a.m., no problem. Can you ride? . . . . Good. A prospect will meet you and bring you a bike. Meet us at the Luxor. Ask for Bret Colson and have them ring the room. We’re borrowing my brother’s penthouse suite. It comes with a security team and full surveillance system.”

I sat up. Myles is coming to Vegas??

Lou saw me sitting up and came over to take my hand. “Do you know why he wants to meet with her? . . . . Alright. I’ll see what I can find out on this end. Safe flight man.” He hung up.

“Why is Myles coming to Las Vegas?”

He dropped to his knees in front of me and pushed his head to my stomach. “I don’t know how to tell you this except to get it over with… your father has been killed.”

I just sat there letting the words sink in. “How?”

He sat up taking my hands, “You don’t want details. There’s more.”

“I’m listening.” I felt the old teachings from prep school kick in. The Salem Academy For Girls teaches young ladies how to use their inner Salem Charm to push through any crisis. Let’s hope I can do this.

“He wasn’t your real father.”

“What?”

“Your mother was pregnant when they met. He adopted you three days before your mother was killed.”

“What the… ? I don’t understand!!”

His eyes caught mine before the full panic attack set in. “Your real father is Paulie Marconni. He’s one of the biggest mob enforcers in the country.”

“How is that possible?”

“Your mother was one of his whor… girls. Back in those days it wasn’t common knowledge that antibiotics and birth control don’t mix, at least that’s what Myles seems to think.”

“My real father works for the mob??”

“Yes, and he wants to meet with you in Las Vegas.”

“Why??”

“You just inherited over four billion dollars in cash and assets. He probably wants your money.” He put his head down in my lap. “I’m sorry about your father.”

“Which one? The distant money hungry liar? Or the criminal?” And here comes the anger part of mourning. That was fast.

Lou stood up and scooped me back into his arms. “Shower, food, then we need to go.” He set me on the toilet with the lid closed and reached over to start the bath tub. “Hot or warm?”

“Warm.” I replied automatically. My father is not my father, and now he’s dead. My brain is processing his constant distance during my upbringing. He was absent at best.

I don’t think he ever loved me, because I wasn’t his, and he knew it. Shit. This really stinks. I’ve never felt so alone in my life. The weird part is, I’ve been alone all my life. Except for Myles. Suddenly I miss Myles so much my stomach hurts.

“How could my mother sleep with a mob boss?? Let alone be his whore.”

Lou took my hand and looked me over, “Want some help?” He said it sweetly, not with sexual malice. He’s trying to comfort me with his playfulness, and normally I might appreciate it, but not right now.

I managed a small smile, “No. Thank you Lou. I think I need a few minutes alone.”

He lifted my chin, “Take your time, just don’t fall asleep in the bathtub.”

“Why did they kill him?” I looked up for his crystal blue eyes.

“I don’t know sweetheart. Myles seems to think a business deal went bad and Paulie blames your father. He probably wants you to make up for whatever he lost now that you’re rich.”

“Now what do I do?” I feel so lost.

“When we get to Vegas Myles should have some more information. He’s keeping me on the job until we’re sure you’re safe.”

“I’m sorry. If you want out you can leave me to Myles. I’m sure he can take over for you.”

“Absolutely not. Your father paid the club good money to keep you safe, and that’s exactly what I plan to do.” He kissed my forehead. “Take a nice long bath. I’m going to make some calls.”

I was suddenly overwhelmed with the need for a hug so I lunged and latched onto him holding him tight. “Thank you.” Tears filled my eyes and overflowed immediately.

He put his arms around me, “It’s okay baby. I’m sorry about Mr. Whitmore. We’ll figure this out, I promise.”

I stepped back, “It’s not that. I barely new my father. Now I know why. The whole thing is… crazy. I don’t know how to deal with this.”

“That’s why you have me and Myles, we’ll do everything we can to help you. Okay?” He’s running his thumb over my cheek.

I nodded. “Thank you.”

“Stop thanking me and take a bath.” He kissed my forehead, and left. Suddenly the room felt empty and cold. I stripped down and got in the tub. I had to add more hot water to fully shake the chill that have been settling over me since I woke up. It made me think about what Red had told me about Lou’s cut.

He hasn’t said anything about finding me wearing it in the bar. Did he forget? Probably. Things have been pretty hectic. That’s when I caught myself thinking too much about Lou when I really need to be focusing on my current problem.

Paulie Marconni. Sounds like an Italian pasta dish.

We rode up to Las Vegas after breakfast. I didn’t eat much, my nerves are shot. Lou checked us into the Luxor under that Bret guy’s name. I guess he’s another brother. I can’t think straight enough to process Lou’s extensive family.

“Here we go baby.” Lou handed me a room key and an elevator key after we checked in. “In case I lose mine or you need it for any reason.” He put his arm around my shoulders.

“When will Myles be here?”

“About two hours. Want to gamble after we unpack?” He asked obviously trying to distract me.

“No. I think I want to make some calls back home. The house needs to know about my father’s death. Mr. Laraby is going to have to take over the books since I’m not sure how long I’ll be gone. I need to call the family lawyer too.”

“No problem.” He held the elevator door for me. “I’m going to try calling Paulie again.”

“Myles said Paulie wants to meet with me right?” I asked him trying to focus. Everything feels so unreal, like I’m watching my life from the front row of a movie theater. Things like this do not happen to boring women like myself.

“Yes, but it could be a trap honey. That’s why I want to speak with him first. He’s probably not returning my calls because he doesn’t realize I’m in on this job.”

“Was it Paulie who shot at us in the RV??” I can’t believe I didn’t ask this before.

“Possibly, but not likely. That was probably Turner’s twin sister. Those two have been exchanging punches forever. I doubt she was after you, she most likely just wanted to put a couple bullets in the RV to tell him to get out of her territory.”

“Why would she do that?”

“Turner likes to go back into her territory to screw with her. Last time he stole all the petcocks from her collection of bikes, then bought up every one for a hundred miles. I thought it was pretty funny, but I think she’s still pissed.”

“What is a petcock?”

“It’s a valve that controls fuel to the carburetor on older bikes. Chardonnay loves old bikes. Anyway, it’s been an old joke that we bikers forget to ‘turn the gas on’. The first year I was riding I had a piece of tape on my handlebars that read ‘Turn the gas on dipshit’. Anyway, if you remove the valve the engine doesn’t get fuel, so it doesn’t run.”

“Oh. That was a very nice explanation, minus the language. We really do need to work on that filthy mouth of yours.”

He ran his thumb along my jaw. The gesture and sweet compassionate look in his eyes held me frozen in place. “You could use yours to clean mine.” He suggested with a quick smile that told me he was distracting me again. Although I get the feeling if this was a better place and time he might have kissed me. Would I have let him? Interesting question I cannot deal with right this moment.

He motioned for me to step out of the elevator and into a very large room. A very fancy room. It reminds me of the library at home with all the rich reds and warm browns. “This is the Tower Premiere Suite, Bret owns the entire floor, so we’re alone except for security.”

“Wow, this is really nice.” There’s a large dining table, a living area, a good sized kitchen, and a bedroom with a huge king size bed. I like that there are doors separating the bedroom from the living space. Maybe I can sleep alone for a change. The thought suddenly depressed me. That’s weird. Will I miss Lou’s big warm… safe, and now comforting body wrapped around mine every morning?