Ghost halted when he saw their concerned faces. “What?”

  “How’s the arm?” Brim questioned, stepping closer.

  “Sore,” he replied, lifting it as far as he could. “I hardly feel my side. Ronin makes a fine damn nurse, if you ask me.”

  “Watch it, asshole,” Ronin grumbled, but it was halfhearted at best.

  “We’re very sorry for your loss,” Thorn said.

  “My loss?” Ghost asked, confused. “What’re you talking about?”

  “Um. Sidonie?”

  “Don’t worry, everything’ll be fine tomorrow,” he said, then looked at them. “Why are all of you looking at me like that?”

  “We’re concerned about you,” Brim replied.

  “I’m fine.” Ghost smiled at him. “Sidonie is going to be fine. I’d say just wait until tomorrow, but you’re not going to remember anything.”

  Unease filled their faces.

  Brim took a step closer to him. “Jeff, we took Sidonie’s body to the morgue. We’ll give her a proper burial.”

  Ghost laid his hand on Brim’s shoulders. “It’s okay. All of this…”—he gestured around—“will be fixed.”

  A moment later, an explosion rocked the house. Windows were blown out. Car alarms blared. The women screamed and Brim and Thorn both dove for them, pushing their heads down to protect them.

  “What the fuck was that?” Brim yelled.

  Ares and Ronin ran toward the window, staying out of the line of fire as they glanced outside.

  “Oh, fuck!” Ares cried. “It’s our bikes!”

  Once more, gunfire erupted, peppering the house. A bullet tore through Ares’s throat, killing him instantly. Another buried into Ronin’s chest, and he fell back, gasping to breathe. Hunter crawled over to Ares and felt for a pulse. A moment later, he moved to Ronin and pulled him to the side to put pressure on the injury. Brim, Thorn, and Lincoln pulled the women down onto the floor, protecting them as best they could with their own bodies. The Death Riders returned fire, shooting blindly through the night. Through the chaos, Ghost stood still, not reacting.

  “Get down, you fool!” Hunter bellowed at him.

  “This is nothing,” he said laughing. “It’ll all right itself soon.”

  “He’s snapped,” Lincoln muttered. “He’s lost his damn mind.”

  “You’ll see … wait.” Ghost chuckled. “No, you won’t. I guess I’ll see you on the other side, brother.”

  “Stay here,” Brim whispered to Leia. He went to rise, but she grabbed his arm.

  “Don’t,” she said, grabbing him in a panic.

  He patted her hand and leaned over to kiss her. “I’ll be fine.”

  Another explosion boomed. Brim jumped to his feet and rushed over to the window, carefully looking out. “This asshole is a damn demo expert.”

  “You think it’s the same guy who blew up the clubhouse?” Thorn asked.

  “I think it’s kinda obvious.”

  “Good to know,” Ghost said, filing that tidbit away for another day. “I’m going to head to bed. See y’all tomorrow.”

  He turned to head back upstairs, absolutely no interest in helping to stop the shooter, because this day was already a memory.

  Chapter Twelve

  Ghost opened his eyes when an arm curled over his stomach and a leg slid between his own. Sidonie’s familiar scent filled his senses, bringing a smile to his face, and he snagged her into his arms and pulled her over his body. Her pussy pressed against his leg, and a little roll of her hips let him know she was feeling frisky.

  “Wanna play?” he murmured.

  “Yes, but I’ve got to empty my bladder first.”

  “Now that you mention it,” he smiled, kissing the top of her head. “Why don’t you go first.”

  With a last surge against him, she rose and sashayed her panty-clad ass into the bathroom.

  “Don’t listen to me pee!” she called out.

  He rolled his eyes and grinned, remembering another day when she said that to him.

  A banging sound came outside the door.

  “Rise and shine!” Vivi yelled loudly.

  “We’ll rise but we refuse to shine,” he called back.

  “Keep at it, Mr. Snarkums, and you won’t get breakfast!”

  “Promise?”

  A little growl came from outside the door and Ghost smiled. The bathroom door opened and Sidonie raised an eyebrow as she rejoined him on the bed.

  “You teasing little Vivi?” she asked.

  “She might be little, but her mouth is bigger than anyone in this house.” He kissed her on the lips. “Don’t move. I’ll be right back.”

  He hopped off the bed and walked into the bathroom, not caring about his nudity. After doing his business and washing up, he quickly brushed his teeth before heading back into the bedroom. Sidonie was already naked, her legs parted as she played with her pretty pussy.

  “Now that is a sight,” he murmured. “God, you’re so fucking sexy.”

  He crawled onto the bed and grabbed her ankles, tugging to bring her closer, then settled between her legs. Propping himself on one hand, he used his index finger on the other to slide through her slit.

  “So wet for me already,” he murmured. The smell of her pussy intoxicated his senses until he was drunk off the pheromones. As soon as his tongue rasped against her sensitive nub, her body arched like it had touched a live wire. Slowly, he licked from the bottom of her cunt lips all the way to the top, tasting her. Savoring her. Sucking gently across her swollen clit.

  “Oh, God, yes!” she cried.

  Ghost sucked her nether-lips into his mouth and pulled them outward until they stretched prettily before slipping away. She moaned softly, writhing as she rubbed her pussy against his face.

  “Yes, eat that pussy,” she moaned in a series of pants. Her hands buried in his hair, pulling it almost too aggressively, but he absolutely loved it. It gave everything an edge that pumped through his blood, lighting him on fire. Her cries rose higher in pitch as she planted her feet on the bed and bucked upward.

  “You taste so damn sweet, baby.”

  He worked her, until her little cries were echoing all around. Her body tightened beneath him and he could feel her quivering around his fingers. He blew against her again and immediately she broke apart. He had never seen anything more sensual, more beautiful, than Sidonie coming hard, and he lapped up every drop her pussy gave him.

  When she slumped back, he rose up onto his knees. He didn’t even bother wiping off his lips as he took his dick into his hands, stroking from root to tip, squeezing just how he liked it.

  “Come here,” he grunted, his orgasm rising rapidly.

  Sidonie got on hands and knees, her face level with his crotch, and opened her mouth. She was so damn sexy, and her kink matched his own. The most perfect woman in the world. His balls drew up tight, the base of his spine tingled, and he aimed his cock at her mouth and let go. Cum splashed as he shot stream after stream into her mouth, some of it painting her lips. When the last of his orgasm faded, she stayed put, letting him see his seed swimming along her tongue. He touched her throat.

  “Swallow,” he ordered in a guttural tone. She did as he commanded and then opened back up to show him. “Damn, baby, you are the most magnificent woman I’ve ever met. No wonder I fucking love you.”

  She smiled and rose to her knees as well to face him. “And I fucking love you.”

  They kissed lazily, tongues twisting together. He didn’t even care that he tasted himself. Then a loud bang outside the door made her jump.

  “Breakfast is ready!” Vivi called out. “I promise it won’t make anyone sick this time.”

  “This time,” Sidonie snorted. “Not today, Satan!”

  “Love you too, Sid!” Vivi laughed and resumed her banging.

  “We’re not eating her food, are we?” Sidonie asked him. “Her French toast gave you mild poisoning last week.”

  “Right,” he said, winking. “Let’s get dressed and head out. We can grab something at the diner before I head to the precinct.”

  “Why are you going there?”

  “It is a very long story,” he said. “We’re going to need a lot of coffee.”

  ****

  Sidone blinked at him. “You’re stuck in a time loop?”

  “Sh,” he admonished, glancing around to make sure no one overheard her. “And yes. Believe me, I haven’t the foggiest notion about closed time-like curves, despite the fact I did physics in college.”

  “Well, mathematical physics are different than theoretical physics.”

  “Why didn’t you go back to college after you were kicked out?”

  “How did you … right. Time loop.” She sat back. “Truthfully, I never had the heart to go back. Once I was arrested, I lost my scholarship and it was exhaustive trying to prove my innocence. The whole thing left a sour taste in my mouth.”

  “Do you want to go back at some point?”

  She thought for a moment. “Not really. Someday I’ll probably do online classes, but the whole college scene isn’t really me.”

  “That’s probably a good thing.”

  “Oh?” she asked, one eyebrow raised. “And why is that?”

  “I’d have to break the hand of any frat boy who’d dare to touch you.”

  “Possessive much?”

  “Abso-fucking-lutely,” he replied. “You’re my woman just as I’m your man.”

  A slow smile spread over her face. “Just keep that in mind, if you ever touch another woman, I’ll cut off your balls and feed them to you.”

  “I love you all bloodthirsty and homicidal.”

  “Once upon a time you’d have arrested me for that.”

  “Probably, but I still would’ve salivated for that ass of yours.”

  She laughed. “I’m glad to know you like my booty.”

  “Not like,” he said, holding up a finger. “Love. Now, finish that coffee and we’ll head to my old stomping ground.”

  “Why are we going there? And what does it have to do with the whole loop situation.”

  He sighed and leaned his elbows on the table. “Someone’s been targeting the Death Riders. First, he went after you. Then Chase. Then Leia. When I took all of you out of the equation, he went after Ronin’s house, shooting up and bombing the place. After the latest loop, Brim mentioned that the asshole had demolition experience. I thought I’d talk with some of the bomb squad, see if they’d give any pointers.”

  “When you say it went after me…” She tilted her head, letting the question trail off.

  “I meant he killed you,” Ghost replied solemnly. “Twice.”

  “Oh,” she said, sitting back and blinking as she digested that information. “I died twice?”

  He nodded. “This past loop I didn’t even try to solve it because I needed the day to restart. I needed you to come back to me. Now, I realize I have an edge. I know if I don’t do anything like send the girls to my brother’s club, he’ll go back to his original target.”

  “Me.”

  “Yep. So, in that sense I know his whereabouts this evening.”

  “Then why ask bomb experts if you can catch him yourself?”

  “Because with every incarnation of the day there have been minute changes,” he explained. “I noticed it the first couple of times when Vivi made a racket about breakfast. So, taking that into account, logically I have to assume the sequence of events from this asshole might also be different. For whatever reason he went after you first, that may not happen this time around. If I can learn his identity, I can capture him if the day resets again.”

  “All right,” she said. “Then let’s get talking to some bomb experts.”

  Chapter Thirteen

  Ghost pulled into the parking lot of the EOD training yard. The Explosive Ordinance Disposal unit was located away from the main precinct, for obvious reasons, and the men and women who worked in that division were a completely different breed than other officers and detectives. Most considered the bomb squad completely fucking crazy.

  Once parked, he took hold of Sidonie’s hand and led her to the air-conditioned warehouse that held all the squad’s equipment. As soon as they entered, the African-American man behind the front desk gave him a wide-eyed look before smiling.

  “Jeffrey Rockwood, what the hell, dog?” The man smiled and stood up, holding out his hand. “Long fucking time, my man.”

  Jeff shook hands, smiling. “Hey, Tony.”

  “Whatcha been up to?”

  “Not much. I’m sure you heard about my career going up in smoke.”

  “Bunch of bullshit, if you ask me,” Tony said, shaking his head.

  “I actually said that very same thing. Multiple times. Tony, this is my girlfriend, Sidonie. Sid, this is Tony. He has the biggest fucking balls of any policeman I’ve ever met.”

  Sidonie smiled at Tony. “Nice to meet you.”

  “Same here, sister.” He narrowed his gaze. “So, what can I do for you, Jeff? I take it this isn’t a shits-and-giggles visit.”

  “Got a question,” Ghost said.

  “Lay it on me.”

  “I’m investigating someone.”

  One of Tony’s eyebrows rose. “Glad to know we can’t take the detective out of you.”

  “Completely,” Ghost replied. “However, don’t ask me for details. I don’t got ‘em yet.”

  “All right.” Tony looked around to see if anyone was paying attention to them. A few curious looks, but nothing more discriminately. “Always thought you got a raw deal.”

  “It is what it is.” Ghost shrugged. “I’ve found a new life.”

  “And got a beautiful lady by your side.”

  “Aren’t you a smooth talker?” Sidonie asked with a smile.

  Tony winked at her.

  “Okay, okay,” Ghost said. “Stop flirting with my girl. Now, there’s one drawback about the man I’m investigating.”

  “And what’s that?”

  “I’m not sure if he’s a crazy bomber or a demolition expert.”

  “Thinking of a bomber as crazy may not be the correct ideology,” Tony said. “We may think bombers are crazy, but only a small fraction of them are what we call compulsive bombers. They’re the ones who like the excitement of it. Sometimes it’s even sexually gratifying for them. But most bombers have the conviction of their beliefs fueling them, even if we think those beliefs are delusional.”

  “What characteristics are we looking for?”

  “Well, bombers tend to be Caucasian male. They usually have feelings of hopelessness and anger, disturbed personal identities, an urge for vengeance against perceived enemies, borderline personality disorder. I think you get the idea.”

  Ghost nodded, remembering the man who shot him.

  “For people who blow things up, bombing is one of the most effective ways of attacking an enemy. It’s also, unfortunately, cheap to make bombs. Improved timing devices reduce risk to himself, plus allows him to be more accurate.”

  “But bombs are loud,” Sidonie said. “And they bring a lot of attention. Wouldn’t he want to be as stealth as possible?”

  “That’s not what they’re thinking, though. People who use bombs do so for two reasons. One, they’re terrorists and want to bring attention to their cause, or they want to send a message not necessarily related to a terrorist act.”

  “Men like things that go boom,” she surmised.

  Tony nodded.

  “For someone sending a message, is there a specific psychological profile for those types of bombers?” Ghost asked.

  “Investigators usually research motivation based on the victimology.”

  Ghost thought about the motorcycles, which were the victims, and with sudden clarity, he realized it wasn’t the upper ranks the bomber was targeting. It was everything the bikers held dear. The women. The bikes. Stealing the life force out from under the Death Riders. This insight wouldn’t tell him who this mysterious bomber was, but it certainly put into perspective the reason why.

  “Repetitive bombers are classified into two different categories. One obsessed with explosives. The other feeds into delusions of animosity and revenge. Those bombers are considered nonpsychotic, but in my opinion, the deadliest of them all. Because those are the men who have no fear for themselves.”

  Ghost gave an absent nod. That described the man he was looking for. He held out his hand to Tony. “Thanks, man, for talking with me.”

  “Anytime, man. We’ll have to get a beer sometime.”

  “Definitely,” Ghost said. He looked at Sidonie. “Ready?”

  “Yep.” She smiled at Tony. “Nice to meet you.”

  Tony nodded. “If your perp is an explosion expert, it’s possible he has demolition experience. If you want, I can pull a list of licenses and send them your way. I still have your number.”

  “I can’t ask you to do the very thing I got fired for,” Ghost said. His experience the previous day dealing with Peter had opened his eyes.

  “It’s not confidential records, so it’s all good, man.”

  Ghost smiled. “All right. Thanks, Tony.”

  He opened the door for Sidonie and placed his hand on her lower back as they walked to his bike.

  “You’re thinking mighty hard,” she murmured as he handed her the helmet.

  “The shooter is that last one Tony mentioned. Nonpsychotic. Wanting revenge.”

  “Revenge for what?”

  He shook his head. “I’ve yet to figure that out.”

  “Well, you said you know he comes after me tonight. Are we going to set a trap?”

  He snaked a hand behind her back and pulled her close. “That just turned me the fuck on, my love.”

  She smiled. “Everything turns you the fuck on.”

  “True.” He kissed her quickly on the lips. “I think it’s time I sat down with Brim and Thorn, and told them what’s going on.”

 

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