Chapter 26: Chapter 26
A noxious cloud of cigar smoke clogged the air. More drifted from Ricky’s mouth and nose. He reclined into the couch cushions, legs spread wide, becoming one with the buttery black leather that cost more than all the money Jodi had seen in her lifetime.
It was what first attracted her to him: the money. To a girl who grew up with nothing, it was everything. With that money, she could have everything she ever dreamed of. She could Scrooge McDuck it all over the giant master bed. It didn’t matter where it came from or what it cost her to get it.
Give up her miserable, boring life? Done.
Give up her striving-for-sainthood blue collar baby daddy? So done.
Give up her kid? He was a pain in the ass anyway. She’d never been cut out for motherhood. Done. Done. And done.
The money was all she’d ever cared about. The man she had to sleep with was just an unfortunate side effect. The price she willingly paid, though, was well worth the luxury she’d acquired. Fancy cars, Spanish style house overlooking hills and valleys, fur-trimmed coats and couture fashions she’d only ever heard of before, and caviar snacks with expensive champagne to wash it all down with.
Yes, life was good. Fan-fucking-tastic from where she was sitting. Which was currently on a tufted sued ottoman. She ran her hand over the soft fabric as she spoke.
“Are you planning to keep us locked away for the rest of eternity, or are we going to live a little, Ricky?”
He didn’t even look at her. Just rolled that cigar between his fingers and watched the tendrils of smoke rise from its burning tip. “We’re in the middle of war. If you want to keep living, shut your mouth and sit pretty till I say otherwise.”
“You know I don’t do well being cooped up. I need to spread my wings, Ricky.” Getting down on her knees, she crawled toward him with seduction in mind. He watched her approach, his face impassive. When she reached him, she let her hands do the walking, starting with his ankles and working their way up. “We could go out to dinner, just like we used to do. Order some steaks and too much wine. Remember that, Ricky? Remember when you used to get me tipsy and then we’d crawl into the backseat of your car and fuck like rabbits until the sun came up.”
“I remember you getting plastered and making a scene, then having one of my men carry you out to the car and dump you in the back.” He took another puff of the cigar, then blew the cloud in her face. “I also recall your loud mouth and having to shove my cock down your throat to shut you up.” He grinned at that.
Sitting back on her haunches, Jodi glared up at him. “What happened to you? You used to be nice. Now you’re just like all the other assholes, thinking you can treat me like a piece of trash just because I opened my legs.”
“Shouldn’t give the milk away for free, mujer.”
“Why do you have to talk like that. This is America. You know I don’t understand that crap,” she snarled.
In a flash, Ricky lunged at her. His large hand enveloped her face and shoved, knocking Jodi back on her ass. Teeth bared, he said, “Significa que perteneces. I own you.”
“You don’t own shit!” Jodi spat back.
Ricky’s hand came up as if he was about to backhand her. Scrambling to her feet, she dashed across the room and claimed a place by the picture window overlooking the lap pool out back while she caught her breath. It wouldn’t be the first time he’d hit her. After a while, she’d learned that if she got out of his way fast enough, he usually cooled down. Usually.
His voice, deathly calm despite the violence she knew was lurking beneath that pretty, polished facade, came from a distance. She breathed a little easier, knowing that he wasn’t inclined to finish the job. Yet. “Don’t ever speak to me that way again. I don’t tolerate disrespect from anyone, especially not a woman. You hear me?”
“Yeah,” Jodi growled under her breath, “I hear you.”
At times like this, her thoughts carried her back to the little home in the quiet neighborhood, back to Blake and their son. It was then she wondered if she’d acted too hastily, if she shouldn’t have stuck around a little longer and given Blake a chance to prove his worth. Maybe she could have settled into the role of wife and mother. Then again, settling was exactly what it would have been. She deserved better than that.
Inevitably, she knew that it never would have worked between them. Blake wasn’t the kind of man that wanted more. He was content to live an average, middle-class life. Jodi wasn’t. She never would be. A few bumps and bruises on occasion were a small price to pay, so she shook off the nostalgia and reevaluated her new life.
She had everything she could desire. And Ricky? He was just a man. She didn’t need his love or affection to enjoy herself. All she needed was his money, and things were right as rain.
Since he refused to take her out, Jodi considered other options to amuse herself. Maybe she’d order in, swim nude beneath the stars, or find another one of Ricky’s guards to have fun with. They might be willing to die for him, but they sure didn’t mind sampling everything he had to offer in the meantime.
A knock at the door interrupted her musings. Jodi didn’t bother to turn and greet the man who entered a moment later. Her interest started and stopped with Ricky’s wallet.
“You’d better have something good this time,” Ricky drawled, his Spanish accent thick and husky from the smoke.
“Sir,” the guard she recognized to be Antonio by his toneless voice said, “We’re all set. Our contact has assured us that if we stick to the plan, everything will go off without a hitch. The men are all waiting downstairs, and Juno has everything ready for the…” Watching his reflection in the glass, Jodi saw him glance over at her. “Everything is secure.”
In all this time, she’d failed to gain any of their trust. What was a woman to do when her very presence was reviled. Sticking to the periphery, Jodi found her place in the shadows, right where Ricky wanted her. When he had use of her, he’d let her know. Until then, she was to remain quiet and unobtrusive or suffer the consequences.
But that didn’t mean she didn’t listen, collect. They hadn’t been together long, but Jodi had learned the art of appearing impassive. While they hadn’t let down their guard around her, most of the men in Ricky’s company had loosened their tongues enough that she could turn State’s evidence if she had half a mind to, and they’d all go down. One phone call, that’s all it would take. But first, she had to make sure her future was secure.
Stubbing out his cigar, Ricky sat forward on the couch. “Are you sure we can trust the gringo?”
“Yes, sir.”
He nodded slowly. “Bring the cars around in one hour. Have the men ready for anything.”
“Yes, sir.”
Antonio clomped from the room without another word. Such a follower, he was, Jodi mused. Out of all the dominos, he’d fall the hardest.
“So,” she said, abandoning her post, “I see you’re finally going to collect the money that bitch stole from you.”
Standing, Ricky tugged his shirtsleeves and adjusted his cufflinks. “I don’t give a fuck about the money. I have money enough to last for generations. It’s the principle. That cabrona stole from me, and no one steals from Ricky Cruiz.” The look he leveled Jodi with made her heart skip a beat.
Did he know?
Clearing her throat, Jodi lifted her chin as she sank down gracefully on the ottoman once again. Inspecting her French manicure, she said, “Well, I hope you make her pay. That bitch needs to be taught a lesson.”
Ricky’s smile was terrifying. She almost felt sorry for the person behind its inspiration. Almost. “Oh, she will be. I have something special in mind for her. When I’m through, she’s going to realize that not even having an entire MC behind her can keep her safe.”
Goose bumps pricked Jodi’s skin. “I love when you talk like that, so savage.” Rising once more, she crossed to Ricky. Standing in front of him, staring up into his cold, dead eyes, she fingered the plunging V neckline, tracing a fingertip over her cleavage. “Is there anything I can do to help things along?”
“Hmmm, I might have something in mind.”
She grinned, anticipating his line of thought. “Fuck me before you go? Do it hard, give me all your hate.”
“You want my hate?” Upper lip curling, Ricky’s expression was every bit as savage as he was as he unzipped his fly. “Then get down on your knees and beg for it.”