Kiss Me Deadly (3 page)

“Like father, like son. I know, Ma. The colonel isn’t my father. He made damn sure I knew that shit early on, behind your back, against your wishes. Maybe you should’ve kept your legs closed, then I wouldn’t have been born to make your life such a hell. I’m going to bed, Ma. We’ll talk about this tomorrow.”

“Joquan James. Leave Sameera alone, she has had enough heartbreak in her life.”

“Don’t worry, Ma, I’ve had plenty practice at leaving her alone. You’ll still have the daughter you always wanted. I doubt a one night stand will ever change that.”

“Joquan James,” she admonished.

“What, Ma, this is only the second time you’ve asked me to back off, I know what I’m not worth in your eyes. My money is the only thing you want from me. It’s all good.”
Christ, I’m still second best after his death.
Jimmy scooped the bottle from the floor and took a drink. With one hand holding the towel to his crotch, he turned the bottle upside down in his mouth, then poured the last few drops on the tiled floor. “To the perfect son, even in death.” He left the kitchen and stumbled up the stairs.

“Bro.” Garrick met him at the top step. “Let’s get you dressed and out of here.”

Jimmy allowed his band-mate to take the brunt of his weight.

“Sam?”

“Is in her room. Your clothes in there?”

“Yeah.”

“No problem. You can borrow some of mine.” Garrick led him the other way.

“Not borrowin’ your drawers.” He stumbled when his friend let go.

“Good, I don’t wear any.”

“Fuck, naw man. Your dick juice gonna be in your pants,” he slurred.

“You’ll be all good, brother.” Garrick pushed open the guest room he and Shea shared. “Help me get him dressed.”

“What would I do without you guys?” Jimmy fumbled into the shirt and jeans while they held him up to steady him. “Fuck, I’m gonna puke.”

“Already got’cha, bro.” Garrick shoved the trashcan under his mouth. Jimmy emptied his stomach into the bin until he dry heaved. Shea wiped his mouth with a cloth and handed him a glass of water. The thought of drinking made his stomach roil.

“Fuck man, how many bottles did you drink?”

“I dunno, two beers, two bottles or was it three of whiskey and scotch, lost count.” He laughed and shoved into a pair of Garrick’s boots. “Get me the fuck out of here.”

“You good? Don’t want you throwing up in the car.”

“Bro, asking a drunk if he’s not going to hurl?” Shea laughed.

“Fuck, my head hurts, man. Jus lemme lay down for a bit.” Jimmy retched into the bin again.

“Bro, let’s go.” Garrick hefted him over his shoulder. “Faster this way, throw up on me and when you’re sober I’ll so kick your ass. Shea follow with the bin behind me we’ll take it with us.”

Going down the stairs hurt like a son of a bitch. The fire roaring in his stomach hurt, the pain in his head intensified. “Gimme a drink to make it stop hurting.”

“Fuckwad, you don’t need another drink.” The smell of fresh air and breeze hit his face. “Stay awake Jimmy.” Shea slapped his face.

Garrick opened the back door and dropped him inside. “Shea, sit with him on his side.”

“Where you taking me? Titty bar. Yeah, let’s go see some strippers. I need to get my dick sucked. Then we can go to my place?”

“Nah man, we’re taking you to the hospital.”

“Let me out.” Jimmy fought Shea’s hold. “Fuck, the hospital. I want to see some pussy and ass.”

“No can do, brother. Gun it, Garrick.”

Jimmy closed his eyes on the ride. Sleep sounded so damn good, maybe finishing that last bottle wasn’t a good idea. He just wanted to be numb. So far gone, shit didn’t hurt. A slap on the face woke him up.

“Don’t fall the fuck asleep, bro,” Shea yelled as the car moved at a fast speed. “Get us there in one piece, man.”

“You keep him awake, let me worry about getting us there safely,” Garrick groused.

Jimmy groaned, his body heaving.

The red glare reading Emergency Trauma swam past his vision. Garrick slammed the brakes on and threw open the door. Jimmy vomited on the pavement as he was yanked from the seat and led inside.

“We need help, my brother has alcohol poisoning. He’s in and out of consciousness, a bit combative. We’ll need a private room, now. After burying his brother today he went on a binger.”

“Yes, sir. Right this way. We’ll get him assessed and taken care of.”

Breathing became difficult with each gulp of air he heaved in. “Can’t breathe.” Jimmy’s eyes rolled the back of his head.

* * * *

Jimmy woke to blinding lights and the beeping of hospital machines, couldn’t move his jaw or his teeth and felt like he was breathing through a straw. He moved his hands to find them restrained at his side.

“Hey bro, welcome back. Let me get the nurse.” He followed Shea with his gaze as he left the room.

A man in a white coat stood over him moments later. Confused, Jimmy looked to his friend, wanting whatever the fuck was in his throat out.

“Mr. O’Riley, we’re going to remove the breathing tube. I’ll suction first but as we remove it we need you to cough. Then we’ll take the restraints off. We had to keep you tied up after you almost succeeded in ripping the tube out yourself.”

Jimmy laid back and waited. He felt the tape on his face being removed. He glanced down at his body covered in a thin blanket and IV drip next to his bed hooked to his arm. Feeling like death warmed over, he looked over at Garrick, Shea and Jackson with anxious expressions on their faces. He turned his head more to the right and locked eyes with Sameera.

“Cough now.”

Jimmy coughed as the tube was removed and kept coughing. When the urge to cough subsided, he drew in deep breaths. The doctor wrote on a clipboard while a nurse stepped forward and released the restraints.

“Nice to see you awake without the steady stream of curse words. We gave you a mild sedation to get the tube in while waiting out your alcohol poisoning and flushed your system with an IV solution to help push the alcohol out of your body. You’re lucky your friends knew to bring you in right away. The level in your system could’ve killed you.”

“I know.” His voice held a froggy sound when speaking and hurt.

“May I have a drink?”

“You can have your mouth swabbed with a wet sponge but nothing to drink just yet. We need to watch your vitals for a bit before we let you have food or water.”

The pretty nurse with the doctor stepped forward. He opened his mouth and let her swab him down. The refreshing mint taste made him feel minutely better. “Thank you.”

“Save your voice, hun. We’ll move you to the regular floor in a bit.”

“Where am I?”

“You’re in the ICU,” Sameera supplied.

Tiredness etched her features and showed in the pallor of her skin. Both their nerves were shredded dealing with Miles’ death, and he’d bet his bender scared her witless. Shame twisted his gut with what she had to face alone while he emotionally checked out. He kept failing her. “Sam.”

“I begged you to stop drinking.” She gave him a scathing look and stormed from the room muttering in Arabic. He understood every scathing word she sent his way. When he moved to follow her, the nurse planted her hands firmly on his chest and pushed him back on the bed.

“Not on my watch, Romeo. Let her go, she’ll come back when she is collected,” his nurse ordered.

“Garrick.”

“I’ll go after her, bro. Just rest. We’ll meet up in a bit. None of us have had a shower in two days.”

“Sorry, bro.”

“Yeah, we’ll kick your ass later. Or save it for Trish.”

“Aw, fuck, why you wanna do that to me? She will rip my balls off, man.” Jimmy laid his head back on the bed, ignoring the fuck-me eyes the second nurse entering his room vibed.

“Don’t worry, Romeo. We’ll be moving you in about a half hour. Sit tight.”

Jimmy grunted. He allowed the nurses to fuss over him and check him out. When they left, he slipped his hands behind his head and stared at the ceiling. The incessant ringing of his cell kept him from a quick nap. When he realized the caller wouldn’t give up, he picked up. “Yo.”

“I am beyond pissed at you, O’Riley. How can I protect your interests if you lose your fucking mind? I’m glad you’re out of the woods, but there is a media circus happening right now outside the hospital. Be glad you’re in ICU where no one can enter aside from family and close friends. Do you know how many security personnel I had to hire to ensure your privacy?”

“I figured. Sorry. I…checked out. Won’t happen again.” He heard her click her teeth on the other end.

“We don’t need the negative publicity. Really, I cannot protect you. It took me all morning to convince your parents you don’t need a psyche evaluation or detox.”

“My brother died. What the fuck do people expect?”

“How about not to lose a second son? I need you to act smarter. I hear they’re moving you to another room soon?”

“Yeah, they’re getting the transfer papers ready for a private room.” Jimmy slid out of the hospital bed and grabbed his clothing in the duffle bag at the foot of the bed. While she chewed him out, he got dressed.

“Give me a statement, one that will stall the drug abuse windmill that’s sure to hit the fan.”

“Fuck, I can’t think about a statement. Just tell them the truth. I had alcohol poisoning bad enough to end in ICU for a few days.”

“How are you now?” Her tone softened a tad more than her ball-breaking tenor.

“I’m good. I feel fine.” He stretched and slid into his boots. “I’d kill for a drink though.” He paused. “Just joking.”

“Not funny, O’Riley. I’ll concentrate on getting out a statement that works for us. You stay out of trouble and figure a way out of the hospital without getting seen when they release you. I swear I’m going to need a bottle of Malox and Tums to battle the ulcer you boys gift me with.”

Jimmy sighed. “I don’t need a private room where anyone can walk down the hall to see their supposed family. I’m heading out now. Have a helo pick me up on the pad. If I can’t walk out, I’ll fly out.” Jimmy fingered his brother’s dog tags and slipped them over his head. He didn’t deserve them now but he needed them.

“Hey, what are you doing?” The nurse rushed into his room.

“Trish, how long?” Sorry, he mouthed to the nurse, stuffed his wallet into his pocket and ran a hand through his hair.

“Ten minutes. They’re getting permission to move you now. You’ll have to get up there fast, no deterrents.”

“Fine. And Trish. Thanks. I can’t be here. I need some space to deal.”

“No more alcohol. Ten minutes. Get moving.”

“Deal.” Jimmy ended the call and slipped his phone into his front pocket. He turned to the nurse. “Lead me to the life flight deck. I’m meeting a chopper there to pick me up.”

“You can’t just leave, we haven’t discharged you.”

“I have to leave, there’s a mob waiting outside for me to be moved from ICU. Air is the best way to go. Please. I’m not a risk, just had a bit much to drink after my brother’s funeral.”

The nurse sighed, clearly unhappy with his choice.

“We can’t make you stay. Follow me. I’ll get you to your ride. What about your friends and family?”

“They’ve gone home to sleep and shower. I’ll text them all once I’m in the air.” He followed the nurse to the station where she printed off papers.

“You’ll have to sign this since you’re leaving against medical advice,” she whispered in a hushed voice. He signed the papers and followed out the ICU ward, through the west wing to a bank of private elevators. She placed her key in the lock to gain access to the rooftop.

“Thank you.”

“Just don’t do this again. You have family, friends and fans who don’t want you to die tragically.”

“I’ll keep that in mind. I hope you won’t get into trouble for this,” he said as an afterthought.

“I won’t.” She crossed her arms and waited. They reached the top and she led him out. Once they reached the door, she swiped her badge, leading him outside. He gifted her with a rakish smile and bounded off to his ride.

“Buckle up, Mr. O’Riley, and where are we off to?” The pilot cupped him on the shoulder.

Fuck, I hadn’t thought that part through.

“I guess my place. You can land in the backyard.”

“You sure you don’t want a bit more privacy, sir?”

“Nah, I can’t leave the area, too much going on in the band and with my family. I may be a selfish dick, but I’m not going to leave town until things calm down. Beside we have practice and shows coming up.”

“All right.”

Jimmy whipped out his cell and sent the band and his mother a group message.

Left the hospital going home. Will call everyone later. Trish sent me a helicopter.

After hitting send, the pilot lifted off. Jimmy turned his phone off and closed his eyes for the duration of the flight.

Chapter Two

The Present

In the dimly lit bar, Jimmy sat next to Jackson. He tossed back a shot of whiskey and chased it with a beer. The band on stage lacked anything remotely remarkable. “You sure this next band is good?”

“Damn good. The lead singer is over there sitting with her band chatting.” Jackson pointed.

Jimmy followed his line of vision. He cocked his head to the side and leaned back in the chair. His boy looked rattled. Jackson shared a coconspirator glance with him. The sexy vision in black stood and his dick got hard. “Damn. I’d fuck the shit out of her.” He chuckled. The smile melted off his face as she turned around and gave him a clear shot of her face. “Sam.” Her name fell off his lips in surprise. Where the fuck were her clothes and glasses? The exotic bombshell striding his way carried herself with raw sensuality. He groaned inwardly upon inhaling her signature scent. For the life of him he didn’t see her hand hurtling toward his face until his head snapped back and pain bloomed across his left cheek.

Fearless, she stood toe to toe with him, waiting for his response. Jackson moved in blocking her from him. “Hey girlie, chill out. This is your night, simmer down, darlin’. Jimmy, you cool?”

Jimmy licked his bottom lip and cracked his jaw. He loomed over Sammera. “Yeah, Sam and I go way back. I had that one coming. S’good.”

“Good, I’m going to enjoy my beer.” Jackson moved from between them and took his seat.

“Follow me, now.” Jimmy didn’t leave room for her to argue. He slammed through the bodies, out the back entrance of the club, the echo of Sameera’s heels clicking on the floor as she followed him out.

“You done hitting and cussing me out in Arabic yet?” He spun on her, pinning her to the wall, blocking her from landing a shot to his balls.

“I’ve been waiting two years to slap you-you selfish smug asshole.” Sameera wrenched out of his hold, ducking under his arm. “I have a show to prepare for. Don’t fuck this up for me, J.J. My boys deserve this shot, no matter how you feel about me.”

Slackening his hold, he allowed her to pass him and followed. When he returned to his seat, he noticed Carlie perched on Jackson’s lap. In all the years he knew Sameera, she never showed skin. Even as a teen she wore clothing covering her from head to toe. It wasn’t until she got popular playing cello she wore American clothes, ditching the traditional Muslim clothing. At Miles’ funeral she wore traditional black, her body mostly covered, minimal makeup and her glasses. For the posters of her soloist concerts, she wore long flowing skirts and long shirts. Who was this sexy woman taking the stage?

The opening strains of the first song gripped him, as well as everyone in his band and the audience. Her fingers caressed the guitar strings and he loved the way she tossed back her hair and stuck out her hip to play a solo.

“Damn, she’s good.” Garrick clapped him on the back. “I know you two have some issues but, bro, we’d be stupid not to grab her up before someone else does.”

Jimmy rubbed the back of his neck. “Yeah, I taught her guitar. Never thought she’d quit cello though.” He grabbed his beer and paid attention to the male members of her band.

He read the flyer on the door. Vin played bass, Midian drums and Major lead guitar. Their fresh sound mixed with Sam’s killer vocals and gorgeous body promised dirty things with each sway of hip, toss of hair and low throaty vocals screaming hot sweaty sex. His dick hardened, his palms sweated.

“Bro, you okay there? You look like you’re going to pass out.”

Carlie leaned over, putting her fingers over his carotid. “He’s in hot diva shock. Now he’ll have to be around her all the time.”

Jimmy knocked Carlie’s hand away. “You meddle too much. Don’t be getting ideas. You and Carrie have way too much time on your hands as is.” Jimmy ran his tongue over his bottom lip and tipped back in his chair.

Fuck, what a mess. I won’t be the reason she’s unhappy. If she wants to play rock star who am I to stand in her way. Maybe seeing her daily won’t kill me. Who am I kidding, that shit will gut me, but I’ll do it.

“The guys are kinda hot. Look at all the girls around the stage. They’re killing it. Neveah can work her media magic, creating them a line of goods and Trish can lock them down with her ball-breaking baddazzery,” Carrie piped.

“One problem, I think they’re based here in New York,” Jimmy volunteered with a groan.

“Oh! I know, I know. They can open up for you during the rest of your tour this year and stay with us. I mean Sam is basically family to Jimmy, we can totally draw Sam into our circle. Jimmy can have new male whores as his wingmen to initiate into Fucking Groupies to Bliss class 101.”

Shea spit out his drink. Final Regret left the stage and came to sit with them. Jimmy smiled at Sameera and rolled his eyes at Garrick’s excited expression.

“Exceptional. Girl you have an awesome voice. The band is good, but ya’ll could be better with experience. Why don’t we talk about your demo and some studio time?” Garrick grinned. “Jackson, good catch, bro. Look at you bringing us solid prospects.”

“Yeah, thought you’d love her. I’m gonna take care of some personal business.” He took his beer and left the table.

Jimmy watched Jackson murmur something to Carlie and kiss her upturned palm. He shook his head and turned back to the vixen before him.

“Where would we stay? I assume you’re heading back to the Midwest, my band lives out here.”

“We’re staying at Jackson’s until Nev’s reveal party, and then returning home. You could come hang out at the reveal, we have a few interviews but we can come up with a better game plan,” Garrick offered.

“Is Jimmy okay with it?”

Jimmy smiled. “It’s fine. Garrick is right, you have a unique sound. I believe you’ll do well too.”

“Drink to it?”

Sameera challenged him and he chuckled, flagging down a waitress to bring them all shots. “I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

“Vin, Major, Midian you all good with whiskey shots?”

“Yeah we’re good,” Midian answered for the group. Jimmy noted the way everyone catered to his word. He found the leader of the group.

“You all brothers?” Jimmy wanted to know what their deal was with Sameera.

“Major and I are. Vin is our cousin and Sam is a good friend. One we’d kill for.”

“Really? You do realize I will end each of you if anyone fucks with her right?” The smile he sported waned. Major stood his ground though. Jimmy had to give him street cred for his poker face. Sameera moved into his line of vision, choosing to wedge herself firmly between the males.

“Is there a problem?” she addressed both men.

Jimmy tucked a hand around her waist, dragging her against his body and away from her band member. “Not at all, meerkat. Just a friendly introduction. So long as people remember where their place is in your life all’s good.”

“Aw fuck,” Garrick groused. “Don’t be a dick, Jimmy.”

“You should listen to your boys.” Sameera grabbed his balls and applied pressure. “You don’t own my life. You haven’t been a part of it for the last two fucking years, and more beyond that to have a say. Back off.”

“Sam.” he warned.

“I’m serious, Jimmy. My personal life is my own. We haven’t signed shit yet for Garrick and last I heard you aren’t part of that business venture, so you really have no say.”

“Let go of my junk and I’ll leave them alone for now.” Jimmy held his palms up in mock surrender as soon as she let go.

“I am dead serious, you don’t get to dictate a damn thing.”

“Sameera, Jimmy is part of Crimson Rage, he owns a small portion of the studio. I’ll make it a part of your clause to keep him out of the loop if you’d like but you’d be making a mistake. He’s a genius when it comes to playing and mixing and incorporating daily life sounds. A part of signing is finding strong musicians to learn from and lean on.”

“Garrick, I’m well aware of his talents. He did teach me. I don’t want a hostile environment for my band. If he can’t control himself we’ll look elsewhere. While working with your band and under your tutelage would be good for our career, Crimson Rage is not the only place we can learn from.” She pushed Major back, pointing her finger at the trio. “And you three will not throw attitude at anyone in Crimson Rage, but mainly Jimmy. I can handle him on my own without interference. Got it, boys?”

Jimmy noticed the tick pulsating in Major’s temples, much like his own, at being handled. Major nodded in agreement and stepped back a few paces.

“We all good now? Great. I need a fucking drink.” Jimmy paused. “You boys are old enough to drink, right? Trish would kick my ass if I ended up in jail for serving minors.”

“Let’s take a walk, bro.” Garrick clapped him on the shoulder and slung an arm around him.

Jimmy cast a look over his shoulder at the newest members of their inner circle. “What the fuck, man?”

“You need to cool off.” Garrick pointed to two seats at the bar. “Take a god damn seat and listen up.” He motioned for the bartender. “Please send over eight shots of whiskey to our group and we’ll take four right here between us two.”

Jimmy kept his gaze on the wall of liquor before him letting the bar’s chatter drown out the voice in his head demanding he go back and smash the smug bastard from Sameera’s band in the jaw. Garrick pushed a shot of whiskey in front of him. With a snort of derision, he picked up the short glass and tossed it back.

“Take a breath, take five fucking breaths,” Garrick ordered and slid over another shot.

“What are you running interference for?” Jimmy downed the drink and turned to face his friend.

“This may be hard for you, but I need you to separate whatever the fuck is between you and Sam from band business. I want this band. Sameera is a gold mine. The muscle behind her makes a phenomenal group. They have the look and more important they have the talent. Jackson was right to bring them to our attention and I know you feel the same. We’ve been looking for a new opening band for months, since our main opening act broke up.”

“Sam is family before she’s a fucking pot of gold, Garrick.” Jimmy slammed the shot down his throat. The easy banter she gave her bandmates pissed him off.

“Understood. Now stand the fuck down.”

“Fine.”

“Fine you’ll back off? Or fine I’ll have to kick your ass when you step out of line? And brother, tonight, you are way the fuck out of line.”

“Bartender, another shot. Fuck, give me the bottle and put it on his tab.” Jimmy turned to Garrick. “I’ll leave Sam alone. I’ve only been practicing that for fucking ever. Now if you excuse me, you’re cock blocking the local pussy wanting my attention.”

“Try not to make it four bottles this time, watching that shit once was enough to last a lifetime.”

Jimmy watched his best friend storm back to their table with a scowl on his face. He accepted the bottle and smiled as two scantily clad women slid into his line of vision. He cocked his head toward the lovely Latina with full rack and the thick mocha colored beauty. In the mood for some exotic beauty, he set the whiskey bottle down on the table.

“I’m in the mood to fuck, let’s go. I want you sitting on my face while I fuck your friend.”

“We can’t leave our girlfriend here alone.”

Jimmy cracked a grin. “Where is she?” He grazed a finger along the Latina’s juicy ass.

“Over at our table.”

He followed their gaze and groaned. “Nice, a red head. What are the odds I’d land three hot pieces. A perfect trifecta. Go get her.”

“We’ll be right back, okay. I’m—”

“Sexy, I don’t need your name just three hot bodies to work out some aggravation. Tell your friend she won’t regret it, none of you will. That’s a promise.”

“Girl, he is an asshole, are you sure you want to go with him?” The mocha colored beauty asked her friend.

“You won’t know how good being fucked by an ass is until you ditch the losers who don’t know a clit for shit. So what he has issues, we’re not going to be besties in the morning.”

Jimmy grinned at their colorful conversation. Spirited women turned him on. His dick surged ready to dip into the mouthy woman. He didn’t have to wait long. After finishing a shot, the two returned with their friend. “Jimmy from Crimson Rage. Let’s go. I’ll have our driver take us to my suite where we can get to know each other better.”

Past fistfights reminded him not to bring random pussy to his friend’s house. He slung an arm over two of the girls’ shoulders, leading the way out as Major and Vin headed his way. “Need something?” he asked as they neared.

“Yeah. Sam wants you to come back to the table.”

Jimmy chuckled. “Tell Sam I put the bottle down and not to worry about me, I’m a big boy.”

“You understand that we hate to see her upset. We’re trying to remain neutral as promised,” Vin groused.

“Go back to Sam. I have plans that don’t include her as she and her future are none of my business, her words not mine. Why she gives a fuck, I don’t know.” He planted a kiss on the berry red lips of his companion, slapped the other’s ass and left the bar with those parting words.