Saving the Preacher's Daughter (Dogs of Fire: Savannah Chapter #1) Read online

  * * *

  The next morning, I had just pulled my hair up into a scrunchy when my phone pealed. I grabbed it and saw it was Lisa calling. “Hi, Lisa.”

  “Hey, Willow. I just wanted to let you know, we’ve got everything we need from your house and you’re free to go back.”

  “Okay, thanks. Did you find anything?”

  “Got a nice palm print on the window casing, but no hits on A.F.I.S. yet.”

  I nodded. “Okay. Thanks.”

  “Just be careful, okay? I can have a car on your place for a while, but probably a good idea not to stay there alone until this is sorted.”

  I glanced at Dash and said, “I’ll talk to Dash and let you know what the plan is.”

  “Sounds good. Text me when you plan to head back to your house, I’ll get a car on you.”

  “Okay, thanks Lisa.”

  “Talk to you soon.”

  She hung up and I dropped my phone on the side table again and filled Dash in on the conversation.

  “You can stay here for a while, Willow,” he said. “Or I can stay at your place... or we can do both.”

  “I’ll call Jazz.”

  Dash closed the distance between us and shook his head. “You’re not understandin’. You and I are together going forward. You’re never without me or one of my brothers. I can stay with you full-time, except for the times when you’re here, but it’s you and me, Willow. Not Jazz.”

  “You’re suggesting we move in together?”

  “Temporarily... yeah.”

  I shook my head. “We can’t live together, Dash.”

  “Goddammit, Willow, this is serious. Wrap your fuckin’ mind around the fact that you and I are joined at the hip until all of this is done, or you’re gonna be miserable for a while.”

  “Don’t talk to me like that,” I snapped.

  “I’m trying to make you understand how serious this is!”

  “And you’re assuming I don’t understand?” I threw my hands in the air. “Thank you for being a jerk.” I stormed out of his room and downstairs, heading out the back door and jogging toward... I had no idea. I just ran.

  I found myself at the edge of the property with nowhere to go except through the trees or back the way I came... and I didn’t want to do either. So, I flopped onto my butt and dropped my head to my updrawn knees.

  A few minutes later, I heard footsteps behind me, but didn’t look up. I knew who it was and I wasn’t really interested in having another fight.

  “Heard you’re havin’ a rough day.”

  “Hi, Gator.” I glanced to my right. “I thought you were Dash.”

  “Nope, you got me,” he said, sitting beside me and wrapping his arms around his knees. “Don’t know that that’ll be for very long, ’cause he’s worried about you, but I asked if I could talk to you a bit.”

  “Why?”

  “Because you lost your daddy and I lost my little girl. I figure you and I have a few things in common.”

  “You lost your little girl?”

  “Yeah. It was a long time ago, but I think about her every day.”

  I stared out at the trees. “I’m sorry, Gator.”

  “Thanks, honey.”

  “I don’t really know how to do anything without him. He tried to raise me to be independent, but I’m not very good at it.”

  “You’ll figure it out. You would have even if he was still here, now you just have to do it a little sooner.” He patted my arm. “But you’re not alone.”

  I gave him a sad smile. “I know, but sometimes it doesn’t feel that way.”

  “Oh, I hear that.” He wrapped an arm around my shoulders. “But that feeling goes away.”

  I blinked back tears. “I wish I could believe you.”

  “I know, honey. You will eventually.”

  “I got this, Gator,” Dash said, and plopped down on my other side.

  I smiled at the older man. “Thanks, Gator.”

  “You need me, you let me know.”

  “I will,” I promised.

  Gator left us and Dash pulled me into his arms. “I’m sorry, baby.”

  “So am I.”

  “Sometimes I forget to be patient.”

  I smiled. “So do I.”

  “Whatever you need, I’ve got you... unless it puts you in danger.”

  “Okay.” I sighed. “I will try and get used to all of this, it’s just so out of my realm of experience.”

  “I know.” He kissed my temple.

  “I’m fine with staying at my house. I need to start figuring out what I’m going to do with it anyway. It’s a lot of house for one person and it might be time to sell it.”

  “You don’t have to make any decisions right now, right?”

  I shook my head. “No. It can wait.”

  “So, let’s not make any massive decisions while we’re still in mourning.”

  “And let’s not talk to me as though I am a child, hmm?”

  He grinned. “I can do that.”

  “How busy are you tomorrow?”

  “Why?”

  “I think I need to start going through my dad’s office, but I don’t want to do it alone.”

  “I can make that happen, Willow.”

  “Thanks, honey.”

  “You’re welcome.” He kissed my temple. “Don’t think about it now, though, yeah? We’ll deal with everything tomorrow.”

  “Okay,” I said, then groaned. “My butt’s wet.”

  “That’s because you’re sittin’ on wet grass.”

  “Really, Einstein? Thanks for the clarification.”

  He chuckled and stood, pulling me up and kissing me quickly. “I’ve got you, you know that, right?”

  “I do know that. I just forget sometimes.”

  “That’s why I’m here to remind you.”

  “I like that you’re here and I like that you’re not going anywhere.”

  “My woman finally gets it,” he retorted.

  “And I really like being your woman.”

  “Yeah, well, I’m pretty fuckin’ fabulous, so you should.”

  I grinned, kissing him gently. “I think you need to work on that low self-esteem.”

  “I’ll make that a priority.”

  I laughed and we headed back to the clubhouse.

  Willow

  After grabbing my bag from his room, Dash took me home, but walked into the house before me and did a “sweep.” Once he deemed no one was hiding in the corners or the closets, he let me in. Lisa had done as she promised and put a car outside, so I stood on the porch until I was given the all-clear.

  Not long after I’d set my bags down in the foyer, a few of Dash’s biker brothers arrived to take measurements on the broken screen and window, and install a pretty elaborate security system with cameras and sensors on every door and window.

  A month ago, I would have scoffed at the idea of a security system... but a lot had changed in less than four weeks.

  As at least six guys milled around my house, I walked into my dad’s office and stood at the threshold for a few minutes. I didn’t really know where to start. I rarely came in here, mostly because I wasn’t particularly interested in his theological study notes and financial documents, but now I had to make some sense of my dad’s system and I was at a bit of a loss.

  Dash wrapped his arms around me from behind and kissed the back of my neck. “Need help?”

  I leaned back against him. “Probably. I just have no idea where to start.”

  “How about you start on his desk, and I’ll have a look at his computer.”

  I nodded. “Sounds good.”

  For the next three hours, we waded through paperwork, sermon notes, bank statements, and mostly stacks of trash.

  “It’s official,” I declared, dropping a stack of junk into the recycle pile. “My dad was a packrat.”

  “You might be right.” Dash sat at the shredder, shredding yet another phone bill dad had kept ... he’d been sitting there for
an hour.

  I scanned the space and sighed. “We’ve made a bit of a dent at least.”

  “Yeah,” Dash said, feeding more paper into the machine. “I’m getting hungry, you got anything to eat?”

  “I don’t know what I have, honestly.” I dusted off my jeans and settled my hands on my hips. “How about we go shopping first and grab fast food on the way back?”

  Dash grinned. “Whatever gets me fed fastest works for me.”

  “Yeah, I’m pretty hungry myself. I’ll go wash up and meet you in the kitchen. We can make a list and go from there.”

  “Sounds good.”

  I leaned down and cupped his face. “Thanks for your help.”

  “You’re welcome.” He grinned. “Now, kiss your man.”

  I did and then headed to my room.

  I walked into the kitchen to find Dash on his phone, so I grabbed a piece of paper and a pen and started the shopping list. We needed everything... except beer. Dash made sure we were stocked for days with his favorite.

  “Yeah, man, that’d be good,” Dash said. “Alamo or Gator’s good.” He glanced at me and then at his watch. “Ten. Yeah, that’ll work. Okay, man, thanks.”

  He hung up and added beer to my list, then pulled open the fridge.

  “You gonna fill me in?” I asked.

  “Badger, Doc, and I have some shit to do tonight, so Gator or Alamo are gonna come hang with you. They can grab whatever groceries you need.”

  “Um... why?”

  He raised an eyebrow. “Really?”

  “Yes, really. They don’t need to come... I can call Jazz or Parker.”

  He grabbed a bottled water and closed the fridge. “No way in hell are you stayin’ here without a male presence, Willow.”

  “I’ll call Levi, then.”

  “No.”

  “What? Why not?” I demanded. “I’ve known Levi my whole life.”

  “Because he wants into your panties, baby, and I’m not comfortable with that.”

  I snorted. “He does not want into my panties. Don’t be ridiculous.”

  Dash moved behind me, sliding his hand between my legs and cupping my mound as he kissed the nape of my neck. “He wants this, Willow. Guaranteed. But it’s mine, and until I know I can trust him with you, it’s not gonna happen.”

  His palm pressed against my clitoris and I groaned as I leaned into his touch. “You’re ridiculous.”

  “Maybe so, but I’m not wrong.”

  He removed his hand and I whimpered. He was the master at wearing my defenses down, but I knew if I let him go on, it wouldn’t be fair because I’d eventually shut it down.

  “You want more, Willow?” he challenged.

  “Yes, but I’m not going to do that to you,” I said. “I’d rather talk about where you’re going, why, and how long you’ll be gone?”

  “We can talk about one of those subjects.”

  I crossed my arms. “What do you mean, one of those subjects?”

  “Won’t discuss Club business, but I should be back in a few hours.” He washed his hands, then kissed my cheek. “You want Alamo or Gator to come hang out?”

  “I don’t know Alamo,” I said.

  “Then I’ll make sure Gator does it.” He raised an eyebrow. “You said you agreed, Willow. You gonna give me grief?”

  I sighed. “No. Gator’s fine. I just wish you’d tell me what you’re doing.”

  “Can’t. Not gonna have that conversation again. Club business is off-limits.”

  “Club business is off-limits,” I mimicked in a snotty voice, and stormed out of the room.

  I didn’t get far.

  Dash caught me around the waist and hauled me against his body. “This is the definition of giving me grief, Willow.”

  “Well, excuse me if I’m asking too many questions, Mr. Lloyd,” I ground out. “Sue me.”

  He chuckled and gave me a gentle squeeze. “Like you sassy, baby.”

  “Don’t act all sexy right now, Dash, I’m irked.”

  “I can tell.” He kissed the nape of my neck. “But I like that you think I’m sexy even though you’re irked.”

  I shivered. I loved it when he kissed me in the sensitive spot behind my ear. “You’re such a butt.”

  He laughed. “Oh, your clean little mouth just sends me to places in my mind that are not so clean.”

  I twirled to face him and gripped his shirt. “Are you doing something dangerous?”

  “No.”

  “Then why are you doing it at ten o’clock at night?”

  “’Cause we need to get on it right away.”

  I frowned. “But it’s not dangerous?”

  He grinned. “No, baby, we’ll be at the compound.”

  “Why can’t you meet here?” I asked. He cocked his head and I groaned. “Club business, right?”

  “You’re gettin’ it.”

  “Well, you just told me two out of the three,” I retorted.

  He grinned. “Looks like it.”

  “Are you planning on leaving the compound for any reason?”

  He kissed me, but didn’t answer my question.

  “Dash.”

  “Baby, we’re not having this conversation.

  I huffed. “Will you text me if you leave the compound?”

  “No, but I’ll text Gator.”

  “And he’ll tell me where you’re going?”

  “Probably not.”

  I gripped his shirt harder. “I don’t like this.”

  “Baby, it’s all good. Nothing’s going to happen.”

  I bit my lip. “Daddy didn’t think so either.”

  “Hey,” he said, sliding his hand to my neck. “I’m not doin’ anything dangerous, yeah? Badger, Doc, and I have some business to do, but there’s no reason for me to leave the compound. I’m protected... so are you.”

  I wrapped my arms around his waist. “Please don’t get yourself shot.”

  “I won’t get myself shot.”

  I dropped my head to his chest. “Text me every thirty minutes.”

  “Not gonna do that, baby, but if you’re really worried, text me and I’ll text you back.”

  “I think I’m addicted to you now.”

  He chuckled. “I’m okay with that.”

  “It’s silly, really.”

  “No, it’s not.” He hugged me tighter. “We’re in the honeymoon phase.”

  “I guess that’s true.” I slid my hands up his chest. “I really need you to promise not to get shot.”

  “Willow,” he said, laughing, lifting my face to meet my eyes. “Baby, I’m not gonna get shot.”

  I wrinkled my nose. “Well, you better not, or I’ll hurt you.”

  “Consider me warned.” He leaned down and kissed me and we headed out to take care of our errands.

  * * *

  Dash

  I walked into the compound still chucklin’ at the way Willow kept bargaining to keep me with her. Fuck me, my girl was gorgeous. I wish I coulda done what I had to do at her place, but she couldn’t be part of any of it. Plus, I knew I’d need help, maybe even more than my crew could provide.

  I headed to the conference room in the back where Badger and Doc were waiting and dropped a folder full of papers and a flash drive I’d stolen from Alfred’s office on the table.

  “This is what Willow’s dad died over.”

  “What the fuck is this?” Doc asked.

  “I’m not exactly sure, but a lot of it has to do with something called the Torrance Group.”

  “What the hell is the Torrance Group and why would they kill an old preacher, and all those other people?”

  “That’s exactly what we have to find out.” I spread the papers out and handed Badger the flash drive. “And I think we’ll find the answers in here. We need to figure out who these Torrance assholes are, and who the fuck’s in charge.”

  Badger plugged the drive into the laptop and we got down to the business of figuring out who was threatening Willow.

/>   “Badger, if you need any help with the tech, call Booker in Portland. Doc’ll hook you up if you have any trouble.”

  “Got it,” Badger said. “Right now, all I need is a six pack of blue raspberry Mountain Dew.”

  “How can you poison yourself with that shit man?” I asked.

  “Hey, it’s got electrolytes.”

  Doc laughed. “For a smart guy, you’re a fuckin’ idiot Badger.”

  After several hours, we were able to piece together a pretty good picture of who the Torrance Group was. Using what was obviously intel that Alfred had been gathering on the group, we could see the group was a real estate holding company, owned by what appeared to be local investors. We couldn’t find any information on who these people were, so either the old man didn’t know, there were more files somewhere else, or they were taken from him when he was killed.

  “Hey Dash, check this out man!” Badger called out.

  “What is it? What am I looking at?”

  On his screen was a close-up picture of a clown’s face. He had blood dripping from the corners of his mouth and sharp, yellow teeth. His eyes blazed red and his lips were curled in a terrifying sneer.

  I scowled. “What the fuck, man?”

  “Right? Kind of a strange picture to be on a pastor’s computer, isn’t it?” he said. “I mean, you’d expect porn or something, but this is messed up shit.”

  “Shut up, Badger,” I snapped. “This is Willow’s dad you’re talking about.”

  “Sorry.” He shrugged. “Well anyway, I found this picture in a folder labeled TG. I thought it was weird and so I took a closer look at it.”

  “Weird, how? I mean aside from the obvious,” I asked.

  “First of all, the image was password protected.”

  “Why is that strange?”

  “Let me put it to you this way. Old peoples’ computers are by far the easiest to hack, because they rarely password protect anything, and if they do, they use very simple passwords for everything. For instance, Alfred’s windows login is Willow and his email password is Jesus,” he said. “How long do you think it took me to figure those out?”

  “Thank you, Professor Warren,” I retorted. “Now, what does this all have to do with a homicidal demon clown picture?”

  “First of all, I thought it was odd that it was the only file on his PC that’s protected, and secondly, it didn’t use a password that seemed like something the good pastor would have come up with.”