6
Dom
Present
Pulling up to Elicit, my bike rumbled to a stop. Duke walked around the dumpster and up to the corner.
I forced a smile. “Hey, Duke. Got a minute to help a brother out?”
“Anything for you, Dom.” He extended his grubby hand and I shook it.
“I need to know if you were out here a couple days ago.”
“Always, brother. You know me. The alley is my home.”
Duke was the one person who could help me find Jules. Sal would do his best, no doubt. Don’t get me wrong. I mean, Sal is a bastard and can get shit done, especially when it involves his daughter. But he forgets the streets and how they work.
When I first met Duke two years ago, he was new on the streets. I needed information regarding an issue we had, and he helped me out. We’ve been friends ever since. I told him that I owed him a marker.
I could tell Duke was different. I’d noticed he had few belongings, all of them in a torn, dirty Army bag. Turned out, he was a vet. So, I put some money in his bag when I came to visit every couple days and he kept a sharp eye out for me. People didn’t expect him to help, nor do they usually even see him. Damn shame too ‘cause getting to know him was an honor.
He didn’t do the panhandling thing like the others around here. He did some special shit in the military, but after he lost his buddy due to an IED, he didn’t like to talk about it much. No one could tell by looking at him there was anything wrong. He didn’t have any physical disabilities from war. Like most vets out here, his scars are all internal. An overwhelming darkness. I checked with him now and then to make sure he was doing okay. I tried to get him help, but he didn’t want it. Maybe someday, he said. All he wanted was my company.
I handed him the bag of food I’d brought. Standing next to him, I asked my questions as he ate. “Do you remember two nights ago when a girl was taken from this corner?” The small grunt he made had my stomach tightening. “What do you know?”
“People don’t really see me, you know. They just pretend I’m invisible or they look right past me and assume I’m crazy.”
“Duke, did you see something?”
“Yes, I saw them. There were three of them. A girl about here,” he gestured to his shoulders. “With long dark hair. And another girl about the same height with short hair. They came around the corner where a van was waiting. It was too dark, I couldn’t really see color, but two men came out and grabbed the girl with the long hair. One handed the other girl something. I couldn’t tell what. But I could hear what they were saying. Some of it anyways. They were arguing over what to do with her. I did hear one say John was gonna be happy.”
I closed my eyes and tried to wrap my mind around the information. “Anything else?”
“No. Sorry, Dom. They just got in the van and left. They did turn right, if that matters.”
“Thanks.” I wasn’t really sure what it all meant, but I had a feeling in my gut Sal would.
I walked to my bike after making sure Duke didn’t need anything and took off toward Sal and hopefully some answers.
That incessant pain in my gut told me I wasn’t gonna like what I was about to hear.
Damn. I prayed that maybe Tech could help. I pulled my phone out and called him. I needed to figure out who the fuck John was and why the fuck he wanted my girl.
7
Jules
Present
I closed my eyes, hoping to escape for a little while, even if it was only in my mind. I let my mind wander. Images bombarded my brain.
I thought of Dom and our first date.
He’d picked me up on his bike. The way he’d looked straddling his lady, the sinew of muscle, the way his arms flexed squeezing the chrome handle bars, drove me to the edge. His smell, his strength, and the way he flexed when I wrapped my arms around him. Feeling his body against mine, hard and warm. It was all perfection.
He gave me that sexy grin. “I have a surprise. It may be corny, but I think you’ll like it.”
Little did he know, I hated surprises. But the sexy way he said it I couldn’t tell him that. He started his bike and we made the trek toward whatever he had planned. The vibrations from his bike triggered a throb radiating to my core, roaring to escape.
After being on the road for what seemed like forever, we pulled up to a lighthouse. Immediately, I knew standing would be a challenge, due to a mixture of anticipation from what was to come mixed with the pleasure of the ride. Looking around, I realized what he had in mind. After we’d first met, I hadn’t heard from him for a day or so. Then I’d received a text.
315-265-9871: I simply can’t stop thinking of you. - Dom
I’d laughed because that wasn’t what I’d expected.
Me: How did you get my number?
Dom: We have a brother named Tech. He can hack into anything and find any information we want.
Me: How romantic. A hard ass biker with a soft and mushy center.
Dom: Fine. Fuck, woman, I can’t stop thinking about your ass. Is that better?
Me: No. I prefer them sweet and dirty!
I couldn’t keep the smile off my face as I waited for his reply.
Dom: Oh, baby. I can do dirty! I do dirty really well!
We kept texting, getting to know one another. A little sweet, a little sexy, increasing the tension. I enjoyed playing a little dirty too sometimes.
Dom: What’s your idea of the perfect date?
That
