Fanning the Biker's Flame - Piper Davenport Page 0,11
ladies,’ most of whom I’d never remember name-wise, but I sallied forth and tried to make mental notes as I met yet one more gorgeous man after another.
By the time I got home, I fell into bed with a wine buzz and a horny haze. It had been a while since I’d had any relief that didn’t involve batteries, and tonight was a not so gentle reminder of what was out there. Maybe a one-night stand was just what I needed.
For the moment, though, the battery kind was all I could manage, grabbing my vibrator from my nightstand and imagining Shadow as I got some relief.
CHAPTER FIVE
Shadow
WITH NO EMERGENCIES during shift, I left the firehouse at four and headed to Earl’s High-End Appliances & More to pick up the range for Posey.
“Earl!” I bellowed, walking through the warehouse door behind the showroom.
“Back here!” he called back, and I made my way to his office. “Hey, Shadow.”
“Hey, bud. You found that range?”
“Yeah. Had to fix it first.”
“Fix it? What do you mean? I thought you found it in ‘pristine’ condition.”
“It’s got a recall, so I fixed it.”
I frowned. “What kinda recall?”
“They’re a fire hazard when they’re set to self-clean because air gets inside and fuels the flames.”
“So if something inside caught on fire, the oven isn’t airtight?”
“Exactly. They’ve had a couple actually blow, which is why the company discontinued the unit. They did make it right by providing the parts to fix if you have the know-how, or sending someone out to do it for you.”
“Yeah?”
“Yeah, but it was still gonna cost you about fifty bucks, so a lot of folks just said fuck it and donated them or sold ’em for parts.”
“Well, shit.”
“You still want it?”
“Can you give me a couple a days? Gotta find out if the client still wants it knowin’ this.”
“No problem. Just let me know.”
“Thanks, man,” I said, and climbed back in one of the club trucks and headed to Posey’s.
I called Rabbit on the way to do some digging into Posey’s landlord, asking him to pass everything on through Lyric so she could advise us on our legal options. What I really wanted to do was break the asshole’s legs, but Doom’s woman would figure out a way to sue his ass which might hurt more.
* * *
Posey
My doorbell pealed and I checked the peephole, took a deep breath, then pulled the door open. “Hi.”
“Hey.”
“Do you want me to leave the door open so you can bring—”
“About that…”
“Uh-oh, what happened?” I stepped back. “Come in.”
Shadow’s face appeared controlled, but his body was locked. “Did your landlord inform you about a recall for the range?”
“Ah… no. What kind of recall?”
“The kind that makes your oven and stovetop a fire hazard.”
“What the fuck?” I squeaked. “Seriously?”
“Yeah.”
I pressed the heel of my palm against my forehead. “Do you think he knew?”
“Don’t know the man, but I’m gonna guess yes.”
“He’s nice, but his daughter’s a cunt,” I hissed, and Shadow laughed.
“Not used to hearin’ a woman call another one a cunt.”
“Sorry,” I grumbled. “But she is.”
“Wait, was she the nasty one the night of the fire huddled with her friends?”
“The one with fake blonde extensions, lips out to Mars, and a face that didn’t move?”
Shadow grinned. “Yeah, that one.”
“That was her.”
“Yeah, she’s a cunt.”
“Told you,” I retorted.
“Then her dad’s an asshole. You can’t have one without the other.”
“Sure, you can.”
“Not really,” he countered. “Not unless they’ve broken all ties with one another.”
“He pays for her kick-ass she-pad and Lexus. Pretty sure she’ll hold on by her acrylic nails to make sure he continues to support her.”
Shadow sighed. “Okay, give me a couple of days to figure out next moves.”
“What? Why?”
“Because he’s doin’ shady shit, Posey, and I don’t like it.”
“You don’t have to like it, Shadow. But it’s my problem.”
“Yeah, it’s not your problem anymore, because if these ranges continue to start fires, the fire marshal will make it his problem.”
I sighed. “You might have a point.”
“What’s your schedule this week?”
“I’m pretty much working ten-hour days. I have Thursday and Sunday off.”
“Okay. I’ll text you when I get some details.”
I didn’t want him to leave and that thought shocked the hell out of me.
“You okay?” he asked.
“Yep.” I nodded. “Right. You’ll text me.”
He grinned. “I’ll text you.”
“Do you need me to write that down, so you don’t forget?”
He chuckled. “You busy right now?”
“Well, now that I don’t have a shiny new to me range, I can’t cook, so no.”
“You were going to cook?”
I raised an eyebrow. “What do you