Lost (Book 6 of the Forbidden Series)

9

He had been driving for four days when Alexander finally pulled in to the motel in Bartlett Tennessee. He pulled up to the office and compared the address and name to the one written on the piece of paper he had in his pocket. Dane had gotten the address of the last place Kat’s car had been seen from the detective and given it to him. He had then packed a duffle bag, strapped it to the back of his bike and kissed his wife and kids goodbye. Alexander knew Layla was worried about her mother and she was the only reason he had agreed to make the trip at all.

Alexander swung his leg over the seat of his bike and headed inside the office. It was empty but the door behind the counter was open, and he could hear a television coming from inside. He rang the service bell and waited. Soon a young dark-haired woman peeked out around the corner and smiled when she saw him. She eyed him up and came to the counter with a flirtatious strut. “What can I do for you?” She asked batting her eyes at him.

Alexander smiled politely. “I’m looking for a woman.” He said holding her gaze.

“You found one.” She said flirtatiously.

Alexander took a steadying breath; god give him strength. Before he married his wife, he had supported himself and his dying mother on his dark Latin looks as an exotic dancer. He had spent years being hit on by forward women, and he was so sick of it. It was what had attracted him to his wife, she had been so sophisticated and naive to the world of men, and he had been unable to resist her. “I’m looking for a very specific woman. She’s about five-foot-four... redhead... dynamite body. It would be imposable to miss her.”

The girl shook her head. “Nope sorry no one like that has checked in. We just got our regulars in right now.”

“What about a few days ago? Maybe a week back or so.” He asked trying to jog her memory.

“No sorry, no redheads that I can remember.”

Alexander sighed and walked out of the office wondering if Kat’s car was still there. He climbed back onto his bike and moved it slowly driving it across the parking lot he noticing a large number of Harleys parked around the area. The local bar must be a biker bar.

Suddenly Alexander spotted a car that looked out of place. It was far nicer than all the others. He pulled up beside it and got off his bike. Alexander walked around the back and checked the license plate. It was definitely Kat’s car. He peered in the windows to see if she had left anything inside like a suitcase, anything that would prove she had used it recently. It was clean and empty and looked as if it had been sitting there for days. He walked around the front and placed his hand on the hood. It was cold to the touch, so she hadn’t been driving it lately.

He looked around and couldn’t spot Kat anywhere. Alexander looked at the room number on the stall and wondered if it might be her room number. It was still possible she was staying here even if the clerk couldn’t remember her from his description. Like her children suspected it was possible Kat had changed the way she looked to hide her identity. Alexander found the room number painted on the curb and walked down the boardwalk to find the corresponding room. Rising his hand, Alexander knocked on the door and waited.

The door swung open, and a grumpy bald man in his underwear glared at him. He looked as if Alexander had woken him up. Alexander quickly glanced into the room. He couldn’t imagine Kat being in this room, but he had to check. He apologized for waking the man and said he had the wrong room.

Alexander headed back to Kat’s car and leaned against the hood. He looked around wondering if he should go knocking on all the doors until someone called the cops. It was getting late, and he was tired from the road. Perhaps he should get a room of his own. He could sit by the car until Kat came back. Then again if she wasn’t staying here, but her car had not moved maybe she had just abandoned it and moved on to another motel.

“Hey, you get off that car.” A woman barked at him. Alexander looked over his shoulder to see a young woman with short chestnut hair glaring at him as she came down the boardwalk. She was wearing a waitress uniform, and he assumed she must work at the diner across the street. She had a set of keys in her hand, and she stopped outside a door to unlock it. She was a tenant he realized. “Stay off that car; you’ll scratch the paint.”

“What do you care, it’s not your car,” Alexander called back to her.

“Still I don’t think she’d appreciate you scratching her car.” The woman barked. “Move along, or I’ll call the cops and have you arrested for loitering. Damn bikers.” She threatened. She had said she. Was it possible this woman had met Kat?

“You know the owner?” Alexander asked standing up.

“Yes.” She said letting the door to her room fall closed as she crossed her arms and stared at him. “What’s it to you?”

“I’m looking for her.” He explained. “It would be helpful if you told me where I could find her.”

She shook her head. “Another biker. You know I warned her not to get involved with you boys, but she didn’t listen. She went and got all caught up with that one upstairs and now this. Are you her boyfriend or something?”

“No,” Alexander said surprised by what the woman had just said. Had Kat really gone and got mixed up with bikers? She had always been so against him; he couldn’t see her associating herself with men of his ink. “So, she’s upstairs?” He asked pointing to the second level.

The woman looked around the parking lot as if looking for something. “No, I doubt it. His bike isn’t here. My guess is they’re out, but it’s Zeke’s birthday today and the bar there is going to be packed tonight with you guys living it up. I’d bet money you’ll find them there sometime tonight.” She said pointing to the bar across the parking lot.

Alexander looked over to the bar trying to sum it up. It looked like it could be a rowdy place and if it was going to be packed with bikers, it was going to get rough. He still couldn’t believe they were talking about the same person. “And who is Zeke?” Alexander asked wanting to have all the information before he walked into a situation he wasn’t ready for.

“The guy upstairs.” She said as if he were stupid for asking. “He’s one of those damn Fiends.”

Alexander’s head snapped back to look at her so fast he had almost given himself whiplash. She couldn’t have said what he thought she had just said. There was no way that Kat had been foolish and reckless enough to get mixed up with a member of organized crime.

The Fiends were well-known throughout the biker and criminal communities as a bad lot. They were not to be messed with. They had the largest membership base in North America and depending on where they were located they were known to be mixed up in everything from drugs, prostitution, gun running, and even rumours of human trafficking in California. She couldn’t have gotten involved with a worse group of men.

“I’m sorry did you say he is a Fiend?” Alexander asked for clarification.

“Yeah, they all are in there. Aren’t you?” She asked.

“No.”

“Then I’d stay out of that bar if I were you. They don’t like men poaching their women.” She warned unlocking her door again and disappeared inside. Alexander stared at the bar. Getting Kat out of this place might be harder than he had first thought. First things first he was going to get a room and then something to eat. Then he was going to the bar to wait for Kat to arrive with this Zeke fellow.

***

Seth and Nick had kept them out all day with tickets to a basketball game with courtside seats. Zeke couldn’t say no. The guys loved every minute of the game as their team was winning but it was clear to him that Kat was not as into the game as he was. She looked bored, but she was a trooper always smiling when he looked at her. His buddies’ girlfriends were into the game screaming at the referees when they made a call they did not agree with. Then again, they were not anything like Kat. They were rowdy and uncultured.

Zeke promised Kat throughout the game to make it up to her later that night but was distracted mid-sentence by an amazing play from the home team. They all jumped up to cheer, and the guy sitting next to Kat had elbowed her in the head when he did so. She yelped with pain, and her hand went to the side of her head where she had been struck.

Zeke looked to see what had happened and saw Kat nursing her injury and glaring at the guy who seemed oblivious to the fact that he had struck her. Furious Zeke grabbed the guy by the shirt and punched him sending him falling back into his friends. The man’s friends immediately came to his defence punching Zeke back and then Seth and Nick jumped them. A full out fight broke out with people falling out of the seats and onto the court.

The game was stopped, and security came running out on the floor to break up the brawl. They were all dragged out of the Coliseum and thrown out of the game. Seth and Nick continued to bad mouth the security as they walked away, both laughing and enjoying themselves. It was as if they had enjoyed the fight more than the game.

Zeke wrapped his arm around Kat’s shoulders as they walked through the large parking lot to find their bikes. “Are you ok?” He asked.

“I’ll be fine.” She said with a frown; he was sure she had never been thrown out of someplace before. “You didn’t have to start a fight over that.”

“Sure did. The guy was rude and inconsiderate. Next time he’ll pay more attention to what he is doing.” Zeke said hugging her tight.

“You and your friends are always rude and inconsiderate.” She pointed out.

He sighed. “Yeah well, that’s because we’re Fiends,” he said loudly rising a cheer from his buddies, “and it’s expected.”

“So that makes it ok?” Kat asked with annoyance.

“Yep,” Zeke said happily. “I know hypocritical, but that’s life.” He said reaching their bikes. He climbed onto the bike seat and waited for her to join him. Kat climbed on behind Zeke and wrapped her arms around his waist.

“Come on.” Hollered Nick as he revved his engine up. “Let’s go get drunk and crazy.”

“What do you say, baby?” Zeke asked over his shoulder. “Feel like getting stupid?”

Kat grinned at him. “It’s your birthday we’ll do whatever you want.”

Zeke laughed. “I’m going to hold you to that.” He revved his bike, and the six of them took off out of the parking lot. They tore through the street dogging in and out of traffic going way too fast. Zeke could feel Kat holding on tight to him her face buried against his back and her long hair whipping in the wind.

Seth cut off a car as he and Nick crisscrossed across traffic harassing the other drivers. It was a night of mischief and drinking. They soon reached the motel and whipped into the parking lot. The bar was surrounded with bikes, and Zeke knew the party inside was for him. They parked their bikes and headed inside the bar. Zeke jumped off his bike and scooped Kat up in his arms. He spun her around until she squealed and then carried Kat inside like his little blonde trophy.

So far this was the best birthday he had since he was a kid. An excellent ball game, a kick-ass party, and the hottest little number at his side. Zeke carried Kat inside, and everyone cheered to see him. The music was booming, and the bartender started pouring the drinks. The place was packed wall to wall, and everyone was ready to get rowdy and out of control. Zeke carried Kat to the bar and placed her on the wooden bar top.

The jukebox was spinning one of his favourite songs, and everyone was jumping to the music. A round of drinks went out on the house. Zeke was given a bottle of tequila and took a huge swig before sharing it with Kat. She lifted the bottle to her lips and tipped her head back to drink back the burning liquid. Zeke nipped playfully at her neck and then took the bottle back and kissed her lips, dragging Kat off the bar, so she was on her feet. “Let’s dance baby.” He said following her out to the floor.

Zeke had never liked to dance, but when she was swaying on the dancefloor, everyone had an urge to sway along. It was hard not to gawk, not to want to wrap his body around Kat when they danced. They pushed their way through the crowded dancefloor, bottle still in hand, and Kat began dancing. Zeke barely paid attention to the music as he was lost in the way she moved.

Zeke had been so wrapped up in the moment he had almost not noticed the man approaching them through the crowd. It was a face he had not seen in these parts before. He was tall with dark hair and olive skin, Cubin maybe if Zeke had to guess. He was dressed like the rest of them, in jeans and a biker’s jacket. It was possible he was an out of state member.

The man was coming right for them, his gaze fixed on Kat, a displeased look in his dark eyes. The man broke through the crowd and grabbed Kat’s arm to get her attention. “Kat!” He said loud enough to be heard over the music.

She looked at him, and Zeke saw the recognition in her green eyes. “Alexander!” She said with surprise as she stared at the dark stranger.

“Come on we’re going home.” He said pulling on Kat’s arm to force her to leave with him.

Kat pulled away from him and backed up against Zeke. “No, I’m not ready to go home.” She snapped.

“Don’t be difficult.”

Zeke wrapped his arms around Kat possessively glaring at the young man trying to take her from him. “She said no. Take a hike.”

The man shot Zeke a hateful glare. “Stay out of this. What are you like twelve?” Alexander snarled and reached for Kat once more. Zeke smacked Alexander’s hand away and stepped between them shoving Alexander hard. The floor cleared as everyone expected to see a fight. Alexander stood up again, and through clenched teeth, he snarled. “Let’s not do this.”

“No… let’s,” Zeke growled challenging Alexander, his buddies circling like hyenas.

Kat ran between the two of them. She placed her hands on Zeke’s chest to restrain him. “No please don’t.” She begged him and then moved over to Alexander. “I’ll go with you just stop this.”

What had just happened? Zeke watched as Kat walked out of the bar with another man. His hand on her back as Alexander ushered her out the door. Zeke was not about to let this insult just rest. He stormed out of the bar following them both into the parking lot. They were arguing as they walked toward one of the rooms. Zeke followed and yelled after them. “Who the hell is this?” They both paused and looked back over their shoulders at him. “What am I speaking Chinese?” Zeke growled. “Who the hell do you think you are?” He barked coming to stand by them.

Kat sighed and looked back and forth between them. “Zeke this is Alexander. Alexander this is Zeke.” She said making the introductions.

“I wish I could say it was a pleasure but then I would be lying.” Alexander snarled and looked back at her. “Really Kat, a biker? Don’t you think that is just a bit hypocritical?” He complained.

“Kat, what is going on? Who is this guy to you?”

“He’s family.” She confessed. “He’s my daughter’s husband.”

“And your family is worried sick about you. Leaving the way you did, you have everyone panicked. They were all afraid you would do something stupid.” Alexander looked Zeke over. “And it turns out you did.” Zeke had an incredible desire to bust this guy’s head open. “I promised them all I would bring you home. I’m not leaving here without you.” Alexander warned.

“I’m not ready to go home,” Kat argued.

Alexander held out his arms to present their surroundings. “Kat this isn’t you. This is not where you belong, and we both know it. You can’t keep running away forever it’s not fair to the people who love you. You have a grandson you have never even met yet.” He said catching her interest and worrying Zeke.

Her eyes gleamed with tears of joy, and she smiled. “It was a boy?”

Alexander smiled and took out his wallet from his back pocket. “Yeah a few days ago. I got a picture here to show you.” He said handing her the small baby picture from his wallet. Zeke watched the tears slide down Kat’s cheeks, and the smile on her face was so big as she admired the grandson she had yet to meet. He could already see love in her eyes. Love for a child she had never known, and Zeke knew he had lost her. “They named him David,” Alexander said quietly, and Kat let out a strangled sob. Zeke hung his head. Alexander had spoken right to her heart and Zeke could not compete with that. “Come home with me.”

Kat nodded and handed him back the picture. “Yes, I’ll come home.” With those words, Zeke felt like he had been stabbed in the chest. She was leaving him. Kat looked back at Zeke and then back at Alexander. “Give me until morning, and I will come home I promise.”

Alexander eyed Zeke suspiciously and then agreed. “Alright. You have until eight, and then we hit the road.”

“Deal.”

“I’m in room nine if you need me,” Alexander said glaring at Zeke as he walked away.

Zeke looked down at Kat; he could not believe she was leaving him. He had known this moment would come, but it did not make it any easier to accept. In a moment span, the best birthday he had ever had become the worse night of his life. The only woman that had meant anything to him was about to ride out of his life for good.

“You have me until morning. How do you want to spend your birthday?” Kat asked offering him a smile he knew she didn’t feel.

If this was his last night with her, he did not want to spend it with the guys in the bar. He wanted to cherish every last minute he had with her. To hold her, and kiss her, to spend the night committing every inch of her to memory. Once Kat was gone it would be all he had. Zeke took her hand and led Kat toward the stairs. “Let’s go to bed.”

***

Spending the night in Zeke’s arms, Kat couldn’t think of a better way to say goodbye to the man that had brought her so much joy in her time of darkness. A man that brought her back from the brink of devastation and sorrow. It made her sad to have to leave him, but when she looked at that picture of her new grandson Kat had known Alexander was right.

She had been running away, but it was impossible to run away from who she was. It had been fun, it had been an experience, but it was coming to an end. It was time for Kat to face who she was, to return to her life and the loving arms of her friends and family; but it didn’t make leaving any easier.

Kat followed Zeke up to his room one last time. This man who had come to mean so very much to her. It was strange, she had only known Zeke a short time, and she knew so little about him, but her heart was still breaking. If only they had met under different circumstances. If only she weren’t who she was if he wasn’t who he was. Why did the world have to be so cruel to show her something she could never possibly keep?

Zeke opened the door and brought Kat inside. The door fell shut behind them, and he shed his jacket and shirt right away. His hand caressed her cheek, and he stepped into her. Kat wrapped her arms around his waist; balancing up on her toes she kissed him. She wanted to remember everything, the feel of his body, his warmth, his smell, the sweet taste of tequila on his lips.

Zeke’s hands moved down her neck and over her shoulders pushing the straps of her dress down her arms. His hands moved to her back and pulled down the zipper of her dress letting it fall to the floor around her feet. Zeke’s hands slid softly over her body sending shivers to her very core. “You are so beautiful.” He whispered against her lips. “So incredible.” He said as she unzipped his jeans.

“Will you forget me once I’m gone?” Kat asked as he backed her up until she felt the bed at the back of her legs.

“I could never forget you,” Zeke promised, kissing her once more. It was strong and passionate, but sad. It wasn’t like the other times their lips had met. Kat could tell neither one of them wanted to let go. The end had come too soon. Zeke removed his pants and lifted Kat in his arms placing her on the bed. He followed her down, his lips stealing kisses, his hands exploring every curve.

They lay in each other’s arms touching and kissing until the world faded away. There was nothing outside that room. They were the only two people on earth and lost in each other’s arms. She made love to Zeke wanting to burn herself into his memory so he would never forget her. Every kiss, every touch setting them both on fire, threatening to engulf them in something bigger than them both.

They didn’t sleep that night. Neither wanted to waste a minute. Zeke rested his back against the wall, and Kat rested against his chest listening to his heart’s steady beating. He stroked her hair in silence neither wanted to say good-bye, and both knew they must. Kat could see the first rays of the morning sun coming through the curtains, as they faced the dawn of a new day.

Soon Alexander would be expecting her, and she would be on the road back to New York. Back to her old life and leaving the one, she had found here behind her. Kat traced her finger down Zeke’s hard belly idly as she thought of leaving him behind. He had given her a new lease on life, and she could never thank him enough for that.

“Where will you go?” He asked softly.

“Home.” She sighed. “Back to work, I think. Give myself something to do.”

“Where is home?”

“New York.”

Zeke whistled. “You came a long way.”

“Yeah. Do you think you’ll ever come up there?” Kat asked hopefully.

Zeke was quiet for a long time. “I don’t think so. This is where I belong.” The room fell quiet once more. “Will, you ever come back?”

Once Kat went back to work that would never be possible. She could never come back as the woman he knew her as. The world would know her new image and the press would never leave her alone once she came out of mourning. The good thing at least would be that she would likely be far too busy to realize how lonely she was without Zeke around to bring up her spirits.

“Probably not,” Kat said. Once she drove away, the woman, she was there would be nothing but a memory.

“You’re going to forget me the minute you get back to Park Avenue. All that glitz and glam, all those rich fellows, I’m sure you’ll be swept off your feet.” Zeke said sadly.

“There won’t be anyone like you.”

Zeke laughed. “That’s my point. You’ll find a prince charming and be all like ‘Zeke who?’”

Kat looked up at him and smiled. “I doubt that very much.”

He grinned down at her. “You know what we need? A picture to commemorate our time together.” He said moving her aside. Zeke slid from the bed and pulled on his jeans. Kat reached for his shirt on the floor and pulled it over her head. She sat on the edge of the bed watching him go to the closet fishing through his things. He pulled out a shoebox and found an old Polaroid camera.

Zeke came back to the bed and sat down beside Kat. He checked the camera to make sure it was still operational. Then he put his arm around Kat and pulled her close holding the camera way out in front of them. “Smile baby.” She placed her head on his shoulder and smiled. Zeke pressed the button, and the camera flashed. The picture popped out the bottom of the camera. He took it out and placed it on the bed beside them. “One for you, and now one for me.” He said holding out the camera again. Kat kissed him on the cheek as he snapped the picture.

Zeke took the picture and placed the camera on the bed. He held up both pictures as they finished developing. Kat smiled as she saw the two of them together. She took the one he offered her and admired how good they looked together. “Now we have something to remember each other by.”

Zeke smiled back at her. “And I get to remember how good you look in my shirts.” Suddenly the alarm clock on the nightstand went off, signalling the end of their night together. Both their smiles faded. Zeke leaned over and turned off the alarm. “I guess that is it.” He said sadly.

Kat stood up and crossed the room to pick up her bag. It was time to pack up her things. She removed a pair of jeans and a white top. Removing Zeke’s shirt, Kat handed it back to him. He held it in his hands as he watched her dress and brush her hair. She packed up her bag and placed her picture inside. Zipping the bag up Kat sat down on the bed and pulled on her shoes.

“I’ll walk you to the car.” He said slipping his feet into his boots. Zeke tossed the shirt on the bed and picked up her bag offering to carry it to her car. Zeke held open the door, and Kat stepped out into the morning sun. It was time to face her life once more. They walked down to the car in silence and Kat opened the trunk. Zeke tossed her bag in the back and closed the trunk for her. Kat could see Alexander waiting on his bike two stalls over. He was ready to go.

This was goodbye.

Kat choked back the sadness she felt in leaving Zeke. She couldn’t get through this if she cried. Kat looked up at him and found him smiling at her like the first time he had approached her at the bar. His hand came up, and his fingers touched her hair then caressed her cheek. His thumb grazed over her lips. “You’re going to leave here and do great things.” He said softly. “I can see the stars in your eyes.” He leaned over and kissed her good-bye. Zeke drew Kat close and hugged her so tight she almost couldn’t breathe, but she didn’t care. She wouldn’t care if he never let her go… but he did.

Zeke opened the driver’s door for Kat, and reluctantly she got inside. He closed the door stepping back up on the boardwalk. She started the engine and pulled out. Kat watched as Alexander pulled out and drove ahead of her. Kat followed Alexander out of the parking lot; she looked in the rear-view mirror watching Zeke fade away behind her.

***

Zeke watched as Kat drove away. He had wanted so badly to beg her to stay. To beg her not to leave him, but what could he offer her? Nothing at all. A life of squalor and danger at his side as a criminal. Or tell her the truth and leave her in some suburban house alone for months sometimes years without him as the wife of an undercover cop. Never knowing if he was alive or shot in a gutter somewhere. That sort of life wasn’t fair. It was dangerous. He loved her too much to do that to her.

At least now Kat would be safe. Away from him and away from these men. She could move on and have a good life. Marry a good man. Someone who could give her the kind of life she deserved. He would be just a memory. Zeke started back up the stairs to his room. He went back inside and picked up the picture from the bed. The only thing he had left of the most incredible woman he had never known.

He ran his fingers over her image and smiled. How was it possible to love a total stranger so much? And more importantly, how did a man purge her from his heart? Zeke took Kat’s picture and placed it against the lamp so he could see it whenever he wanted.

He decided to get dressed and get back to work. He would throw himself back into the job to distract himself. After all, he had that escort deal with Jared this weekend coming up. Jared had a huge deal going down, and he wanted some trustworthy men guarding his back. He had chosen Zeke. It was a big step in the case. It took him that much closer to the top of the food chain. If he was going to make this bust, he needed to get his head back into the game. Kat was gone. It was time for him to focus on the task at hand.