"Then, you're going to have riders with you."
"I'll agree as long as there's someone staying at the apartments and protecting my family."
"Deal. We work together." Priest motioned for Roddy to step in, then he walked away.
Wyatt looked at his long-time employee and friend. "Tell me I didn't sell my soul to the devil."
Roddy chuckled. "Let's walk out back and talk. Then, we can plan how we can get that asshole."
Surprisingly, he felt better knowing Roddy was there to have his back. His children were safe at Banks' house, ironically, being protected by Tarkio already, and he wasn't a member. He made the conversation short because knowing Dean was hanging in the area of the apartments, he needed to get home to Joey and make sure she was safe.
Chapter 31Joey
THE RED SHOES WERE ridiculously high. She stretched her legs and turned her feet, admiring them. It was only the second time she'd worn them. After trying to play pool in them a couple of weeks ago, she'd quickly found out that they made her calves tired when she had to stand on her feet for hours.
The heels were much more usable in bed. On her back. With Wyatt on top of her.
Standing, she walked the length of the bedroom. She felt absolutely silly, and yet sexy because she knew Wyatt would enjoy what he sees when he comes back.
The phone rang. Carefully walking into the kitchen, she answered the call. "Hello?"
"Joey," said her mom in excitement. "How are you?"
She squealed, looking all over the kitchen as if her mom was with her and not on the other side of the world. "I'm great. It seems like forever since I talked to you. How are you? Where are you?"
"I'm staying in a little village called Timbakwa. The visiting doctor has a satellite phone that I've been trying to connect with you for two days." Her mom's laughter cut in and out. "It's beautiful here. I wish you could see everything. The women make pottery, and there are wild animals that come right up to our tent."
Her chest squeezed, suddenly missing her mom. "I-it sounds awesome, mom. You're happy?"
"Deliriously happy. The children that are coming to us for checkups are thriving and thankful. The whole community has been welcoming to us."
"How long will you be there? Are you still in a safe area?"
"That's why I'm calling. My contract ends in two months."
"Are you coming to the states afterward?" Joey crossed her fingers.
"I've signed on to go to Italy."
"For how long?"
"Two years, and I know that's different than I'd planned. I'll send you a letter explaining everything. I just want to hear your voice. Tell me what's going on with you? Are you doing okay managing the apartments?"
The connection cut out halfway through her reply, then came back on. "Mom?"
"I'm here."
"I've met a man." Aware that she was standing naked in the kitchen, talking to her mom in South Africa, hit her as the craziest thing. "I wish you could meet him."
"Tell me all about him in a letter, Joey. Don't leave anything out. Are you in love?"
"Yes." She smiled to herself. "He's wonderful, and raising two kids on his own."
"Two? Oh, my Lord." Her mom laughed. "You must be busy."
She nodded. "You'd love them."
The connection crackled. "Are you still there?" asked her mom.
"I am. I can barely hear you."
"Write to me, Joey. I love you."
"I love you, too," she yelled into the phone on a sob. "I love you so much."
The buzz of the dial tone filled her ear. She hung up the receiver.
A knock came from the other end of the apartment. Hurrying out of the room, holding her arm across her breasts to keep them from bouncing wildly in all directions while she kept her balance on the heels, she got goosebumps. Only with Wyatt would she risk total embarrassment if it was one of the tenants stopping by because their toilet kept running.
"Who is it?" She peered through the peep-hole and lowered her arm, shaking the nerves and the adrenaline from talking to her mom out of her body as Wyatt told her to open up.
Hiding behind the door in case anyone walked by the apartment, she let him in. He cocked his head, peering around the wood and swung the door closed. She stood in front of him in all her glory.
His gaze heated, and he pressed her against the wall. She screamed out in shock, pushing at his shoulders.
"Oh, my God, your leather jacket is freezing." She trembled, panting hard as her body fluctuated from warm to cold.
He captured her mouth, stealing her breath. His cold hands roamed the length of her body as far as his fingertips could touch. The extreme contact left her dizzy, and she held his head, kissing him deeper and wrapping a bare leg around the outside of his jean-covered thigh.
Wyatt hooked his hand under her leg, pulling her closer, pressing the hard ridge of his cock against her. The denim rolled over her clit, and her body tightened.
He pulled out of the kiss and stood back, unzipping his leather coat. "Walk, tiger."
She could barely stand on her own. He'd come in hot and heavy, and she was right there, aroused at the sight and feel of him.
He stripped off his shirt. His broad chest heaving, expanding. She took a step, testing her balance. His full attention gave her the grace to move. And she moved, putting all her female swagger in her hips.
Her hair brushed her lower back with each step. Highly aware of every inch of her skin in his view, she turned her head and looked over her shoulder, beckoning him with her eyes to follow.
Wyatt undid the buckle of his belt as he walked behind her. She turned and stepped into the room,
