The Way Home (21 page)

“Why would they do that?”

“Who knows why they do what they do?” Mason replied. “They call the shots. You know that. They say he stays, he stays.”

Houdini knew the power The Council had over The Strays. They adhered to the rules and weren't known for being warm, fuzzy or the least bit compassionate. What had Shepard done to piss them off? He was one of them, a voting council member, so Houdini couldn't imagine they'd send him to essentially the middle of nowhere without a purpose.

“Rules are rules,” Houdini said after the silence got too long and deep. “You up for a ride?”

“Always,” Mason replied. “I really will think about it, Houdini. Got to be something about this town with all the shit that it's been through.”

Houdini nodded. There was something about the town and about the people, something that had made him feel at home in a way he never had, not even in his own home. The fact that he'd found Susan there was just icing on top of a pretty sweet cake. “This town changed my life.”

“It sure fucking did,” Mason chuckled. “I've got to admit, I wasn't expecting to be impressed by you. I was all what the hell is a human doing running with us, but the first time we went out together, I was impressed. You know what? Fuck it. I'm in.”

“You're in?” Houdini wanted to be sure that he was hearing right.

“I'm in.” Mason repeated. “Or I should say, if all your guys are sure on me, I'm in.”

“Let's go and tell 'em the good news.”

<#<#<#<#

With Mason, Shepard, Vince and Fire, The Vikings was now nine members strong. Houdini looked around the now crowded room. Voices overlapped, but the mood was light, full of excitement. He was glad for their new brothers, proud that they were still all on their feet and that they would rebuild. They'd make The Vikings as strong, no, stronger than before.

Deacon rose to his feet, whistled sharply and the room fell silent. He was, as always, a commanding presence. These days he seemed more so, maybe because he was so focused on Vera and their child. She was starting to show now, just a round bump beneath her shirt. “Before we raise a glass in honor of our new brothers, I'd like to say something. Tonight is a great night for all of us and for this club. Tonight we take a step into the future, and the future is what we make of it. This is a rebirth for us and for the town. I will be reopening the trucking company within the next since months. Every single one of you have a place there if you want it.”

Truth was, they'd all work for Deacon because it was the best bet to be able to earn clean. The Vikings were the best way to earn not so clean. Every man in the room would earn equal, pay equal dues and carry the same weight in a vote. Houdini was proud of his friend and all he'd gone through to get his life back.

“Now, let's drink.” His words were followed by cheers. The energy in the room had risen during Deacon's words; it seemed that the idea of a future they controlled appealed to all of them. Houdini knew that it sounded really good to him.

The main room of the warehouse had quite a few people in it, but he spotted Susan immediately where she stood watching as Sam chased after Fire's quite active son, Chase. She noticed him looking at her and smiled, but before he could just go over to her, he was called over to join his brothers for the first drink. The official celebration would be that weekend; tonight was more about family.

They toasted and drank several rounds. Someone put music on, and suddenly it was a party. He grinned as he realized it was the first time in a long time that they could enjoy themselves without having to worry or watch their backs. Tonight and for the foreseeable future they could simply relax.

Houdini knew exactly how he wanted to relax, just as he knew that Susan wasn't ready for that particular kind of relaxation just yet. She would be, one day, and he wasn't going to rush her. They'd made progress; he was no longer sleeping in that damn chair, though it was unlikely his back would ever fully recover. They slept as they always had, tangled up in one another, and it was the best he'd slept in a while. He thought it was for her as well; the nightmares she'd returned with seemed to be fewer.

“Hey,” Fire approached him. “Can I have a word?”

“What's up, Brother?”

“I've got to thank you for this second chance. You and Deke didn't have to bring me back. I never thought that you would. Didn't think I'd be able to bring my boy here, raise him with people I know. Raise him. Poor kid, he's screwed. What do I know about being a dad?”

“You know more than you think, trust me.” Houdini remembered clearly the days before Junior was born, the months before, really, when he'd just sit up at night to wonder what sort of example he could set. “I had a kid once. You end up figuring it out. Seems like you've already figured out you need a hand. Heard that you asked Sam to be your nanny.”

“Yeah, Chase took to her the second they met. She wasn't working, figured that it was a win-win.”

“You looking at her for more than a nanny?” Houdini felt like a gossiping teenager to even ask, but there he was. The last thing that The Vikings needed was internal strife over a woman.

“She's hot, don't get me wrong, but I hit that, we don't work and then I don't have a nanny. I'm not entirely stupid.” Fire grinned. “Still, it's nice to have someone pretty to look at.”

“That it is.” Houdini looked over to where Susan was now talking to Eddie. The man was a borderline hypochondriac, so that was no real surprise. “You find a place to stay yet?”

“Yeah, I put an offer on the Sanchez place.”

“You get an inheritance no one knows about?”

“Nah, I was going to put an offer on a different place, but the real estate guy said for the same price, I could get the Sanchez place. They want a quick sale.”

“Good for you. It's a great house.” The fact that Gina and Richard were selling so quickly and so cheaply could have meant anything, but the feeling that it was important settled over Houdini. “Lots of room for the kid, looks like he's going to need it.”

“I'm thinking about getting him a dog, too. A boy should have a dog. And a tree house.” Fire looked over at him with a smile. “Feel like helping me build a tree house?”

“Yeah, I think that would be fun. You're buying the beer, though.”

“That's a deal. I'm going to go and grab the boy and give Sam a break. I'll catch you later?”

“Absolutely,” Houdini replied. He set his empty beer bottle down and scanned the room in search of Susan. She'd just been right there with Eddie, who was now over at the bar getting another drink. Panic rose inside of him, but then he felt the feeling of familiar hands pressing against his back. “Hey Baby.” He turned and found her there with a smile on her face.

“Hey.” She tasted like tequila when she leaned in to kiss him.

“Started drinking already?”

“Just one. Trust me, I wanted more.”

“Did something happen? Did someone bother you?” Immediately Houdini was on alert.

“No,” she said quickly. “Everyone's great. I guess I just didn't expect so many people to be here. It's nothing. I'm fine. Come on, let's get a drink.”

“I've got a better idea. Let's get out of here.” Houdini suggested. “We'll have enough time for socializing.”

Chapter Eighteen.

Susan looked around the warehouse, all set up and ready to go for the party, and she already felt exhausted and the influx of people hadn't even started yet. Crowds had never really been her thing, and since she'd been back, she'd done her best to avoid them.

Of course, that was easier said than done when her home was the base of operations for The Vikings. So she smiled her way through the best she could and had become a near expert at finding reasons to excuse herself. But she couldn't do that tonight, even if it was exceptionally tempting. Tonight was for Houdini, for The Vikings and for the town. Susan knew that it was important she stay, show everyone that they were united in moving forward and creating a better future. She also knew that it was important to Houdini. The Vikings had given him what he needed after he'd lost his family. They'd allowed him to find another one and those bonds meant the world to him.

So no matter her discomfort, she'd stay as long as he wanted and carefully hide the way she was feeling, though he could normally tell. He got her in a way that no one else ever had. There was no doubt in her mind that he was one of the reasons she was able to find her way back to who she used to be.

Or she should say, almost back to who she used to be. The days were beginning to fall into a familiar rhythm, as were the nights, but there was still a major part of everything missing, and that was on her. And she was going to change that. She was going to change it tonight. Tonight, they'd get back that last piece, and she wasn't going to chicken out on it. She'd already done that, the night of the patch vote she'd been set to seduce the hell out of him and choked. They'd watched television together instead.

“
Susan? You got a second?” She turned at the sound of Eddie's voice. It took serious self-control not to roll her eyes. It seemed every day Eddie had an ache, pain or sudden crippling anxiety which, in his opinion, required powerful painkillers. He kept trying, though she kept sending him away with nothing stronger than over-the-counter Tylenol.

“
What's up Eddie?”

“
I'm not feeling so good. I think I need....”

“
You don't need Oxy or Percocet, Vicodin or Xanax.” Susan told him sternly. “Still need to talk to me?”

“
Yes,” he shoved his hands in his pockets. “I think I need some antibiotics or something. I've got this rash and it burns like fire when I piss. Maybe I caught something from one of the girls.”

The last thing that Susan needed was a club girl with cooties the night of what was essentially the grand reopening of The Vikings. “Let me recommend you wrapping your dick at all times, especially in high traffic areas. Second, you need to tell me which girl it was before she gives her particular brand of crotch rot to your brothers.”

“Kelly.” Eddie mumbled. “And Enid. We sort of partied last week.”

He'd just named half of the roster when it came to club girls. Susan wasn't sure if she should laugh or cry. “That's really nice, Eddie. Now, come to the treatment room with me. Unfortunately, I need to look at the rash and see what we're dealing with.”

<#<#<#<#

Susan was washing her hands when she heard the treatment room door close behind her. She glanced over her shoulder to see Houdini standing there. “Hey, I was just going to head into the apartment and get changed.”

“
Heard you had a busy day,” he rested his hands on her hips and his head on her shoulder.

“
You could say that.”

“
The stupid asses should have wrapped up,” he chuckled. “Bet they won't forget to now. Hope you aren't scarred for life after seeing Eddie's package.”

“
I've seen worse things.” Susan admitted. “Although it did sort of spoil the vibe I was going for tonight.” She turned off the water and leaned back against him.

“
What vibe was that?”

“
A sexy one.” Susan felt him stand up straighter at the word. “I thought that we could party, drink, have a great time, and then go back to our place for an even better time.”

“
I'm definitely going to have to kick some ass for that mood getting killed.” Houdini nuzzled his face against hers.

“
I didn't say it was dead. I just said that it was spoiled a bit.” Susan could feel her pulse beginning to race. Her palms grew sweaty. She couldn't remember when she'd last been this nervous, but here she was; the words were said, so she couldn't take them back and she didn't want to.

“
Well, we're just going to have to figure out a way to unspoil the mood. Is that even a word?”

“
I think so,” Susan didn't hold back her chuckle, shut her eyes and leaned her head against his. “I really wanted to surprise you with tonight, to make it special.”

“
It's always special with you.” Houdini spoke seriously. “Baby, I don't want you to feel any pressure, like you have to do anything, because you don't. I really want you to know that.”

“
I know that. But I want you, Houdini, I do. And the more that we wait, the harder I think it's going to be for me.”

“
Alright,” he said easily, the hand on her hip moving to trace slow circles over her jeans. “We'll just take things slow. Really slow. And sweet.” He lifted one hand to move her hair out of the way, so that he could kiss her neck.

Susan closed her eyes and concentrated on the sensations rolling through her. His lips were soft and gentle, the hair from his beard tickled her straight down to her core. She shifted, rubbing her legs together as his hand pushed up her shirt. She gasped at the feeling of his calloused fingertips as they dragged along towards her belt buckle.

His mouth moved, brushed along her ear, and when he nipped down a jolt went through Susan. Fear, bright and bold, cascaded through her, but she held herself where she was. Forced herself to breathe as he moved to open the leather. Her mind replaced these kind hands with malicious hands. The sound of harsh voices rolled through her brain.

“
Baby?” Houdini's voice quieted them all and Susan realized that his hands had stilled. “Maybe we should stop.”

It would be easy to agree with him. Susan knew that stopping now would just make the next time all the harder. “No,” she pressed her face against his. “Please.” She felt tears knot her throat as he pressed a soft kiss to her neck and took a step back from her. Damn it. She wouldn't lose him over this. Quickly she spun to face him, grabbed his cut in her hands and pulled him to her. Their mouths knocked together hard enough for her to feel it through her skull, but that didn't stop her from pulling him even closer. She was frantic, all hands and mouth as she moved against him. Susan shoved down everything but the ache that was spreading between her legs. She wanted that feeling and everything that came with it. Houdini's arms came around her, his hands resting on her lower back. He broke the kiss and she let out a sigh of frustration when he pulled back.

“Baby, you've got to slow down before I go off in my pants like a fucking teenager.” He moved his hands up to cup her face. “Let's skip the party. We can watch a movie.”

Susan knew that he would skip the party, despite what it meant to him, just so that she could be comfortable. “No, we can't. It's important. And I've got a new outfit to wear.” An outfit Vera expected to see her in, since she was the one who'd insisted upon it. “It'll be fun.”

“You sure?” Houdini's brow wrinkled. “I know that you aren't a big fan of crowds.”

“
I'm sure. I'm looking forward to it.” Susan smiled brightly at him. “It'll only take me a few minutes to change and fix my hair. You should probably change, too, at least your shirt.”

“
You saying I smell?”

“
I like the way you smell, but there's a huge stain on your shirt.”

Susan laughed as he looked down. “I think that's coffee from earlier, maybe. Yeah, I should change. You want some privacy in the apartment?”

“No. I don't. Not anymore.”

<#<#<#

The thing that Susan noticed most during the party was the change in the atmosphere. For so long it had been thick with tension and anticipation. Tonight, there was none of that. Only a happiness that seemed to be spreading through everyone.

Vera had Deacon slow dancing near the door, they were wrapped around each other so tight it was hard to say where one began and the other ended. It only took a look at them to see how in love they were. For all that they'd dealt with, they'd come through it stronger than before. Vera wore a black and gray dress which barely managed to hide the curve of her stomach. Susan had always thought that Vera would make a great mother, but she hadn't expected it to happen so soon. Neither of them had really.

Adelaide and Fire were playing pool. She was obviously pregnant now and made no attempt to hide it. Little Chase was home, which was probably why Sam was nowhere to be seen. Shepard was at the bar working his way through a bottle of Scotch. The other Vikings were spread around the room. Lance and Eddie were a little more subdued than the rest of the guys, but that was probably from the antibiotic injections she'd given them. Mike was sitting between the two club girls who had attended and Susan had to swallow down the urge to go grab a handful of condoms from the treatment room and give them to him. If she never had to diagnose a sexually transmitted disease in a Viking again, it would be too soon.

There were numerous people from the town there as well, notably Rose, who was flying high on the fact that her grand reopening would be in just a few days. The dry cleaner had already opened back up, the pharmacy was nearly done and the grocery store would open, fully stocked, on Monday. The town was really coming back to life, and it made her daydream about starting an official practice of her own. It would be seriously expensive and not really easy since she'd burned a lot of bridges leaving the way that she had.

Susan realized that she was thinking too much, completely zoned out on the conversation that Houdini was now engaged in with Lance about a problem he was having with his bike. “I need a drink. Anyone want a refill?”

“I'll get it for you,” Lance offered quickly.

“
I've got it. Finish your stimulating discussion of headers and spark plugs or whatever.” They may as well have been speaking an obscure language, as far as she was concerned. “I'll bring you both beer.” She turned away from them, jumped a little as Houdini playfully slapped her ass. Her heart was suddenly in her throat. She saw the second he'd realized what he'd done, his easy smile was quickly replaced by a solemn expression. “On second thought, Lance go get the drinks, please.”

Lance grinned. “Sure thing, Susan.”

“I wasn't thinking,” Houdini spoke the moment Lance was out of listening distance. “I'm sorry.”

“
Don't be sorry. I liked it.” It had taken Susan a moment to realize that it was arousal, not fear, which had quickened her heart beat.

“
Yeah?” Houdini stared down at her. She knew he was searching her eyes, looking into her in the way that only he could.

“
Yeah.” Susan nodded her head, felt a blush spreading over her cheeks. She bit back a sigh at Houdini's still serious expression. Had she said something wrong? Should she have not enjoyed it? Nerves built and bubbled in her stomach; she opened her mouth, not sure what to say or do.

“
Here's the drinks. I got you tequila, Susan.” Lance walked up juggling two beers and a glass.

“
Thanks.” Susan was grateful for break in the silence. “Bottoms up.” She grabbed the glass and downed it in one long swallow. Lance should have just grabbed the whole bottle because she was suddenly sure that the answer to everything was lots of tequila. She felt herself relax as Houdini chuckled and held his beer out for her. “Thanks.”

He reached out and pulled her to him, his arm going over her shoulder. His lips pressed against her temple and she knew whatever weirdness had surfaced before was gone now, and she was glad for it. They spent a few more minutes talking to Lance, until his attention was diverted by a woman who'd come in the door.

“Let's grab a bottle and get out of here.” Houdini suggested. The crowd had thinned out some. Those who remained were partying pretty hard, and Susan had the feeling someone would soon christen the brand new stripper pole set up in one corner.

“
You grab the bottle,” Susan told him. “I'm going to head back and change.”

“
Change? Baby, you look hot in those jeans. Really hot.” He ran his hand over her denim-clad hip as if to prove his point. “I've been thinking about getting them off of you all night. There is no way that you've got anything on underneath them, and I really like that.”

“
Well, when you put it like that I can save what I had for another night.” Susan could barely focus enough to speak as the heat between her legs grew. The ache was nearly a throb now.

“
You were really trying to make things special tonight.” He hooked his hand around her hip and pulled her close. “You just keep getting sexier and sexier.”