Prodigal Son Read online

“Yup,” Sable answered. “Joker and I are still together. In fact, we’re gonna make this something of a family business.”

  “Well, you and Luke are welcome to call me if there’s anything you need. You have a grow problem, or if you’re having trouble tracking down the seeds you want, you just let me know.”

  I held out my hand. “Thanks, Bob,” I said. “It’s been helpful.”

  ***

  After lunch, we headed over to THC Healing, a shop run by a woman who also owned the new age bookstore next door. We walked inside and the vibe was completely different from Bob’s store, which had a serious bud fanatic atmosphere. This second store felt more like a place you’d go to have your palms read, and I half expected to see a fortune teller emerge from the back room.

  “Can I help you?”

  I turned to see a tall woman who had a stuffed dragon on her shoulder.

  “Sable,” she said with a huge grin, coming out from behind the counter to give Sable a hug. “You look fantastic.”

  “Thanks, mama. The tea you gave me has done wonders for my hot flashes.” Sable turned to me. “Luke, this is my friend, Ellomere. She owns the shop.”

  I shook the woman’s hand. “Nice to meet you. Your shop’s sure different from the other we just visited.”

  Ellomere laughed, a deep and sexy sound. “We’ve positioned ourselves a little differently from other dispensaries. We focus on the healing aspects of marijuana.” She leaned a little closer. “Not that we balk at selling you a little somethin’ somethin’ just to get you high.”

  I laughed with her, and I could see why Sable had wanted me to see two very different kinds of stores. “For medicinal purposes, eh?” I asked as I looked over the selection of brownies made with fair trade organic chocolate.

  “You know it. One of the benefits our store has is that there’s a medical doctor next door during all of our business hours. You want to come in but don’t have a medical card? Not a problem here. A consultation fee and a few minutes puts you in business.”

  Sable looked at me. “I think it would be worthwhile to find a location where we can do the same thing. Employ a doctor to be on call so that anyone who wants one can get a red card.”

  “Makes sense,” I said. “So do your grow your own?”

  Ellomere shook her head. “I grow a few plants at home for personal use, but I don’t have time or space to grow as much as we sell here. I have several reliable growers nearby, and I have some great sources for some hard-to-get imports.”

  “So I’d guess your margin’s a little lower than shops that grow their own.”

  “It is, but we’re doing surprisingly well. My markup on the rare strains is a little higher, so it evens out.”

  I laughed. “Wow. It’s just like talking to someone in any other business. I’m a little surprised.”

  Ellomere went behind the counter and set a vaporizer on the counter. “It is a business, but it’s a business with some unique benefits. Care to sample anything?”

  Sable walked over to the jars that held buds and started reading the labels.

  I shook my head “I’m good, but thanks. I have a date tonight, and I’ll need a nap first if I smoke anything now.”

  Sable turned to me, her face showing her surprise. “A date? You’ve only been in town a few days.”

  I knew that telling Sable I was meeting Krystal would start a complicated conversation, and really, it was none of her business. “Yeah. I met her my first night here. We’re going to the baseball game.”

  Sable just shrugged and asked Ellomere about a couple of the kinds of weed she had for sale, settling on one to try. We spent about another half hour with Ellomere, and I discovered that she was a really cool chick. Sable smoked a couple of different kinds of bud and bought a quarter ounce before we left.

  “Thanks for the information. It was nice to meet you,” I said as we were heading out.

  “Anytime, Luke,” Ellomere said. “You need anything, just give me a call.”

  Overall, I’d been surprised by how friendly the business was. I’d been worried that folks would be territorial, which could add some complications and expense to opening the Sons’ operation. Knowing how helpful and friendly both Ellomere and Bob had been made me hopeful that getting our dispensary up and running would be a breeze.

  As I dropped Sable off, I let myself think about how much I was looking forward to seeing Krystal again. It had been far too long since I’d seen her in that awful confrontation with that little jackass, Bug. I hoped she’d finally dumped the guy since he was clearly no good for her. I figured that I ‘d have to find some way to bring the subject up since I wasn’t the kind of guy who would make a move on another man’s girl.

  Chapter 20

  Krystal

  I’d felt like a million dollars all day long. I’d gone in and taken back what was mine, and I was gonna be goddamned if Bug was gonna steal from me again. I’d paid my landlord — a day early, thank you very much — and I was pretty sure that I’d aced the test I’d taken in my morning class.

  And then there was Luke.

  I’d spent all day fantasizing about getting to spend the evening with the tall, blond, sexy man, and I couldn’t wait. I’d talked Mark into letting me leave a little early so I’d have time to run home, shower, and change before I drove back to meet Luke. I’d been looking forward to getting ready, and I was planning to look absolutely perfect before I left my apartment.

  My only worry was Bug. As good as I felt about what I’d done, in the back of my mind I’d been a paranoid mess, worried that he was going to show up at my apartment in the morning or walk into my classroom or the Taphouse. So far, so good, though. He hadn’t called or texted, and as I raced home and pulled into the parking lot, I saw no sign of his bike. I knew I wouldn’t completely get away with what I’d done, but I hoped that I’d at least get to enjoy my evening.

  It had occurred to me to wonder if he was alive, but I was pretty darn sure that two sleeping pills — even if you mixed them into whiskey — wouldn’t kill him. I figured that if he were dead, then the cops would have shown up at my door, and since they hadn’t, I figured he was probably just licking his wounds, embarrassed and probably plotting his revenge.

  I made sure I locked the deadbolt and double-checked to make sure all of my windows were locked before I got in the shower. When I got out, I checked my phone — still no word from Bug. I stood naked in front of my closet, trying to decide what to wear. I wanted sexy as hell, but casual, since we were going to a ball game. I decided on purple and black — Rockies’ colors, and I made sure that I had underwear to match.

  Pulling on my favorite black boots and doing a final check on my makeup, I decided that if Luke didn’t like want he saw, then he had to be blind. I got a drink from the kitchen, and as I was putting the glass upside down in the dish drainer, I looked out the window over my sink. Clear as day, I saw Bug turning into my parking lot on his bike.

  Fuck.

  I grabbed my purse and keys and tried to calm myself down enough to figure out a plan. I knew that I had about twenty seconds before he started pounding on my front door. I was on the ground level, though, and I thought if I was very lucky, that maybe I could slip out the sliding glass door and get to my car before he could see me. It would mean leaving my slider unlocked in a neighborhood that wasn’t the best, but it was the only alternative I could see to having Bug beat me, or worse.

  I stood at the back door, waiting to hear his fists on the heavy metal door that opened from the common area of my building. I could hear him coming — heard the exterior door open, and heard his feet descend the five steps to my front door. The second he knocked, I silently slid open the sliding glass door, closed it quietly and took off around the building toward the parking lot.

  Pausing at the corner to make sure he hadn’t come back outside, I made a run for my car. I prayed that the engine would start, and as I pulled out of the parking lot, I looked in my rearview mirror. Bug stood on
the sidewalk, watching me drive away, hands on his hips, radiating a fury I’d never seen before.

  My nervous energy emerged, and I laughed like a crazy woman as I drove off, knowing that I’d just delayed the inevitable showdown that would have to occur, but quite pleased with myself regardless.

  “Next stop, the Ritz,” I howled, realizing that I was on the verge of tears. I didn’t want to ruin my mascara, so I forced myself to calm down and pay attention to the road.

  I looked down at my phone and saw two missed calls from Bug. I wasn’t sure what to do, but I knew he couldn’t reach through the phone and hurt me, so I called him back.

  “You rang?” I said when he answered.

  “You’re a stupid, fucking cunt, and I’m gonna make you wish you’d never been born.”

  “What seems to be the trouble, sugar?” I figured I might as well have some fun, since there was no way I could calm him down.

  “I’m gonna fuckin’ kill you, but first I’m gonna fuck you until you bleed, you fuckin’ whore.”

  “Well, as delightful as that sounds, I’m afraid I have other plans for this evening.”

  “Go ahead, you fuckin’ cunt. You go ahead and laugh. I’m comin’ for you when you least expect it. You ‘re gonna think you’re all safe and sound, and you’re gonna wake up to find my cock in your ass, you fuckin’ slut.”

  Now I was pissed and more than a little scared. “You don’t scare me, Bug. I’ll tell Joker what you’ve said, and he’ll stop you.”

  “Not a one of my brothers will believe a whore instead of me. I’ll tell ‘em you’re all pissed because I won’t make you my old lady. I’ll tell ‘em that your old pussy is too worn out, and I don’t want it no more.”

  “Fuck you, Bug. I just took back what was mine, you piece of shit.”

  “When you least expect it, cunt. When you least expect it.”

  He hung up and I nearly had to pull over because I was shaking from head to toe. I was absolutely terrified, and I believed every word of what he’d said. Bug wasn’t the smartest guy, but he was certainly mean enough to at least attempt to do the horrible things he’d promised. All the pride I’d felt at having taken my money back evaporated into a cloud of fear and helplessness. I felt like I couldn’t breathe, like I was going to pass out. I found the nearest gas station and pulled into it, managing to get my car into a parking space before I completely lost it.

  I opened the car door and got out, gasping for air and starting to feel light-headed. What had I done? I’d been all proud of myself, thinking that I’d finally stood up for myself and that I’d taken a big step toward making better choices in my life, and look what it had gotten me. I finally caught my breath and started deliberately slowing my breathing down, trying to get myself under control. My heart was racing, and I realized that I needed help. There was no way I could handle Bug by myself, and he was right — I couldn’t rely on the Savage Sons to protect me. They’d take his side, every last one of them.

  Finally calmed down enough to drive again, I got back in the car and wondered if maybe Luke could be the answer. Even though his father was the MC’s President, Luke seemed like a genuinely nice guy, and he’d clearly been bothered by the way Bug treated me the night Luke and I had run into one another at the clubhouse. Part of me wanted to be independent enough to handle everything all on my own, and part of me just wanted some big, strong man to come in and fix all of my problems. If he looked good enough to eat, that was even better.

  Feeling better about the plan I was working through in my mind, I got back on the road toward Luke and the Ritz Carlton.

  Chapter 21

  Luke

  When I heard the knock on the door, I nearly jumped out of my skin, even though I’d been pacing around the enormous suite waiting for Krystal to arrive. Champagne and strawberries were ready on the top of the bar, and I looked in the full-length mirror that covered one of the walls in the sitting area. I’d had the laundry service at the hotel press my dress shirt, so my white shirt was crisp and perfect, untucked over perfectly broken in jeans and flip-flops. The look was casual and polished, the perfect contrast to the biker guys that Krystal usually hung out with. The irony of the fact that I was about to join the same MC wasn’t lost on me, but I really wanted to impress Krystal.

  I opened the door and was reminded how stunning Krystal was. I knew that she realized that she was a pretty girl, but I wasn’t sure that she knew just how exceptionally gorgeous she was.

  “Hello,” I said as I stepped back to let her enter. “And wow.”

  Krystal seemed a little off. She looked fantastic, a fitted purple shirt unbuttoned just enough to show a decent amount of cleavage that made my mouth water. She wore fitted black jeans and boots with big metal buckles and stacked heels that added at least a couple of inches to her height. Her dark hair was perfectly messy, and I was pleased to see that she didn’t have a bunch of lipstick on. Those lips were begging to be kissed. But Krystal was acting a little odd, like she was nervous, or like something was bothering her.

  “You okay?” I asked as she walked inside my room.

  Krystal looked at me like my question had surprised her. “Not really, to tell you the truth. I’ve had a crazy day, and I could really use a drink.”

  “What a coincidence,” I said, as I waved her over to the love seat, which had a great view of the city and mountains. “Do you like champagne?”

  “I do like champagne,” she answered, bending over to sit down and revealing another tantalizing glimpse of her lower back tattoo. “But I’d probably drink anything right now.”

  “Want to talk about it?” I asked, as I opened the bottle.

  She sat for a moment before she answered, and it looked like she was blinking back tears. “Not right now. Maybe in a little while. Is that okay?”

  I handed her a flute of champagne and set the bowl of chilled strawberries on the table in front of the love seat. “Absolutely, that’s okay. You take all the time you need, and if you don’t want to talk about it at all, that’s your business. Just let me know if there’s anything I can do to help.”

  She gave me a sad little half-smile and held up her glass. “Cheers,” she said as I clinked her glass with my own.

  I took a sip and watched as Krystal downed more than half the glass. I stood up and went to get the bottle to top her off.

  “Thanks,” she said. “Not very classy, I know, but if I get a drink in me, I’ll chill out a little. Right now, I feel a little scattered.”

  “No problem,” I said, trying unsuccessfully not to think about whether or not my chances with Krystal might be better if she had a couple of drinks. Hell, my chances of being able to muster the courage to make a move might be better if I had a few drinks!

  “This is delicious,” she said, looking at the tiny bubbles in her glass. “What’s the name of it?”

  “I didn’t even look,” I said, picking up the bottle. “Wow, that’s a lot of French,” I said, as I tried to figure out how to pronounce everything on the label without looking like an idiot. “Pommery Cuvee Louise,” I finally announced, fairly certain that I’d said it somewhere close to right.

  “I haven’t had a lot of champagne, but this one’s my favorite,” Krystal said with a flirtatious smile.

  I leaned forward and tucked a piece of her hair behind her ear. “Maybe it’s the company.”

  “No,” she answered, wicked smile on her face. “I’m pretty sure it’s the champagne. Or maybe the view.”

  She leaned back against the cushion at the end of the loveseat, and her shirt stretched open a little between the buttons over her breasts. I caught a glimpse of black lace over the curve of her breast, and I realized that Krystal was watching me watch her.

  She sat up and leaned closer to me. “Thanks for the drink. I’ve actually been looking forward to this evening all week.”

  All I could see were her lips, full and tempting. I made myself look away.

  “Me, too.” I tried to discree
tly adjust myself inside my jeans, and I was glad that my untucked shirt hid the fact that I was completely erect. She was intoxicating, and I wanted her. I realized that I might even want her badly enough to make a move even though she belonged to someone else, at least partially.

  “Have you spent any more time with Sable and Joker?”

  Goddammit, I’d missed another chance.

  I polished off my glass of champagne and refilled it. “Actually, I’ve spent a lot of time with them.”

  “Going well?”

  “Surprisingly well. Sable is a little more reserved than Joker, but he’s acting like we’re best buddies who’ve known each other for years.”

  Krystal smiled. “That sounds like Sable and Joker. She always takes her time — evaluates everything, and Joker just dives in headfirst. They’re so completely different that I can’t imagine how they’ve stayed married for as long as they have.”

  “Yeah, I see some of that. The Sons’ money troubles have put quite a strain on their relationship.”

  Krystal’s expression showed her surprise. “Joker has talked to you about club business? That surprises me.” She took another long drink of champagne and topped off both our glasses again. “Apparently this brand of champagne evaporates quickly,” Krystal laughed as she poured the last of the wine into my glass. She brought the bottle to her lips and licked the last drop from the mouth of the bottle, maintaining eye contact with me while she slowly set the bottle on the table.

  “I just lost all capacity for rational thought,” I said as I watched her take a sip from her glass. It was like watching a movie made exclusively for me — a beautiful woman seated next to me who was seducing me without lifting a finger. I wanted her more than I’d ever wanted any other woman, but I knew that she came with complications. Her attachment to the MC and specifically to Bug meant that she really should be off limits, especially for someone who hoped to be voted into the MC in a couple of days. I felt like a bit of a pussy, with a gorgeous woman in front of me who was clearly interested. All I had to do was teach out and take what I wanted, but here I was — worrying about whether or not I should.