Page 39 of Driven by Desire

Riley decided to go to her hideaway garage instead of her condo in case security had already informed Soloman of her departure. They would likely check her condo first. Once she exited the beach through one of the other private properties, she took as many back roads as she could, avoiding main thoroughfares. Dressed as she was, a half-naked curvaceous chick on a bike, she drew attention.

First thing she did was pull on some underwear, a pair of torn up black skinny jeans and a low-cut camo tank top. Knowing she wouldn't have much time before her badass mafioso boyfriend came looking for her, she went flying back out of the garage, hitting the door code on her way out. She was in the process of lifting her leg over the bike when she found herself seized in a vice-like grip and lifted off the motorcycle.

Riley shrieked and began clawing at the arm around her belly. She swung her head sideways and saw a familiar ghoulish grinning face. The fight drained out of her. The anger did not.

"Shank, you fucking asshole!" she yelled, gasping to catch the breath he had scared out of her while attempting to shove an elbow against his chest and gain some distance. "How the fuck did you find this place?"

"Followed you here a couple weeks back," he said easily, pulling her hips into what could only be an erection.

"Fuck. Off,” she snarled. "And take your hands off of me right this instant."

He finally lifted his hands. She whirled around and backed up into the bike. She only got another foot of space, but it was enough to give her some breathing room. God, the guy was such a prick!

His gaze roamed appreciatively over her. "Been doing what you asked me to, angel. You like the results so far? Think I've been pissing off the big man, yeah?"

A flash of guilt shot through her. Both at the trouble she caused Soloman and for dragging Shank into her mess. Something that could be extremely dangerous for his health. It was time to call her crazy dog off.

"Yeah, Shank, you've done great," she agreed with a strained smile.

She reached into her back pocket and pulled out a roll of bills. It was something she intended to put in the float at the shop to keep the guys going when Soloman put her back on lockdown, but this would be a better use for it. She pressed it into his hand. He looked down at it with a frown.

"It's time to stop now, though."

He pushed the bills back at her and shook his head. “No, angel baby, I say when it's time to stop. I don't want your money. Never did. I'll take my payment when I’m ready."

She moistened her lips and tried again. “Please, Shank, I'm afraid it's getting too dangerous for you. What if he finds out? He'll kill you. Fuck, man, he'll probably kill us both. Please, just take the money and head back home."

He looked down into her earnest features. She could see him softening and knew her little lie was working. Solomon would never truly harm a hair on her head, even if he found out she was the cause of his mischief, but she needed Shank to crawl back into the hole he came from.

She studied the two teardrops beneath Shanks eye and wondered who he'd killed to earn those. A shudder rippled through her frame and she turned away from him. How many teardrops would Soloman have? He would probably need a bucket tattooed across his face.

That stark reminder of who she was in the process of pissing off with her disappearing act sobered her up. Once again she pressed the money into his hand. This time his fingers curled around the money and the fragile bones of her hand, pressing a little too hard for a moment before pulling away with the money.

Finally, he nodded. "If that's what you want, angel."

Relief flooded her and she flashed him a quick grin. She turned around and reached for the bike. Lifting her leg, she swung it over. She turned the key and stepped down on the kick start.

Before she could take off, Shank grabbed her from behind again. She was half expecting it this time, so instead of reacting with anger she just sat stiffly in his arms. He pressed his lips against her ear as he brought a knife up to her face. Her eyes flashed in fear.

"Until next time, my sweet angel," he murmured.

He slid he blade through her hair, taking a section of it with him. She stared around in consternation as he jumped off the back of her bike, kissed the long, dark lock of hair and shoved it into his pocket.

What a freak, she thought, shaking her head. She jammed Soloman's helmet over her head and took off before Shank could do anything else weird.

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