Chapter Five

Rascal kept his hand along Meg's back as they walked up the steps to his porch. He paused to unlock the door, then turned to the woman who had captivated him.

"We can go in the house, spend time together and then go to our separate bedrooms, but I'd really like to hold you tonight while we sleep, even if that's all we do."

He saw the heat flare in Meg's eyes. He was sure his were blazing because this woman had him tied in knots. The hunger building for her was a raging inferno, but whether it was tonight or two weeks from now, he would wait as long as he needed for her to be sure. Once he was inside her, she was his and there was no going back.

"I think I'd like to have you hold me while we sleep."

He let out a breath and nodded. He held the door open as she walked in. Beeping greeted them as soon as they walked in.

He glanced around, trying to figure out what the sound was. Meg let go of his hand, heading toward his guest room.

"I think it's my phone. I left it here because I didn't want to have to worry about it when I didn't have any pockets today."

Rascal followed her into the bedroom, waiting while she glanced at the messages. Her eyes widened, and then he saw her tremble.

He pulled her into his arms. "Something's got you shook. Can I see?"

She nodded, handing her phone to him, leaning her head against his shoulder, and wrapping her arms around him. He held her tight with one hand while he scrolled back to the first messages today.

President Glass 10:15 am: I need you to come to my office. As you are unemployed, I need access to your history department funds.

President Glass 10:45 am: Listen, Margaret, don't ignore me. Come to my office right now.

President Glass 11:00 am: I went by your house and was unable to open your doors. As a residence provided by the college, you are required to allow staff entry. Call me immediately.

President Glass 11:15 am: Margaret, I'm not messing around. I need access to your department funds, and you will allow maintenance into your house to do a spot check immediately.

President Glass 11:30 am: This is your last warning. Get to my office. You won't like what happens if you don't.

President Glass 11:35 am: I mean it.

President Glass 11:39 am: Do you think you can hide from me?

President Glass 11:42 am: When I find you, you will be very sorry.

President Glass 11:55 am: What the hell are you doing in Bluff Creek, Kansas?

President Glass 12:00 pm: If you're not back on Sunday, I'm coming for you, bitch. You better have the keys to your house and your code.

Rascal wasn't sure what was going on with this guy, but he sounded unhinged. A wave of protectiveness welled up and Rascal knew to get things done, he needed to concentrate on facts. If he allowed his emotions to rule, he'd drive to Slate City and teach her former boss a lesson he wouldn't forget.

"I promise I will keep you safe, Meg."

He laid the phone down so he could rub his hand up and down her back. He needed a little more information.

"Are you up to answering a few questions?"

She nodded against his shoulder.

"Okay, I'd feel better about it if we got a few more people here to help us. Let's go out here and I'll fix you a cup of hot cocoa. I'll text the group."

After he had Meg sitting at his island, he started the pan with milk for hot cocoa and then opened up his text thread that included the MC and all the women.

Code Ross. My house. Situation with Meg's job

Code Ross was the code for everything's not okay and help needed. He added the info about Meg's job because he didn't want them showing up at his house, guns blazing. He finished her hot cocoa and placed it in front of her. Her fingers wrapped around the cup, and she leaned over close to it. She was closing off, but he didn't want to ask her questions until everyone was here.

Code Chandler

He went to open the door as the friendlies incoming texts started to come in. War, Remi, Baron, Regina, Locks along with Bear, Sarah and Scoop, Beth and some of the other women.

War patted him on the shoulder. "We've left some of the MC and bail bonds covering the kids and the perimeter of the compound until we knew what we were facing. Bootstrap and our Texas chapter had stopped overnight about two hours away. He said he'd wait for more info before they headed this way."

Rascal was grateful for his brothers. He waited for everyone to gather in the kitchen. Regina and the other women had gathered around Meg, with comforting hands on her.

"When we got back to the house, Meg's phone was going off. It was texts from her former boss, the president of the college. They became more threatening when she didn't immediately answer. He basically said he wanted her to give him access to her department funds and allow him in her house. It's a house provided by the college. Meg, can you tell us more?"

She nodded. "Multiple times, starting back in February, I've come into my house and things seemed out of place. I live alone without any animals, and I don't have a cleaning service, so nothing moves unless I move it. Maintenance only comes into your house if you request it because of an issue. I mentioned it to one of the men who I'd gone out with once. He said I must be getting too old to remember where I left items. It shook me, so I kept quiet and didn't say anything until last month when I was positive it had happened a couple of times. I mentioned it at a staff meeting. A couple of the men, including President Glass, laughed and said it must be because women get so hormonal about issues. I decided I had to protect myself. I drove to a larger town two weekends ago so no one would know what I was doing. I bought locks for all my doors and replaced them, along with re-keying my garage door opener. Since then, I haven't had any times where things seem out of place."

Rascal waited because he could see Scoop and Sarah trying to figure out how they were going to tell his woman something, and she was his woman. No one was going to hurt her.

"When we came back and checked our computers tonight, a couple things had shown up and were what Scoop and I would consider a red flag. Although the president told you the college was low on money, there's a huge amount of cash in different accounts for the college. If I can ask, how much do you have in your history department fund?"

Meg stared at Sarah as if she was thinking. "I'm guessing you're asking me because it's not what I think it will be. The actual history department fund was only allotted two thousand dollars this year. Our fiscal year runs from July to June. I spent the money when our projector and sound system went out in one of the lecture halls. When I checked it after I bought the items in January and submitted the bill, we had a zero balance. I haven't checked it since then because we don't have any more money in the budget."

"So you'd be surprised to know that in February, March and April, a deposit for one hundred and fifty thousand dollars dropped into the account and then was promptly moved out five days later to disappear into an account owned by a dummy corporation formed by your college president," Scoop asked.

"Are you telling me that jerk had four hundred and fifty thousand dollars and I had to pay for all my own continuing education and for any supplies for our lectures?"

His woman's outrage made him feel a little better. Meg was another badass joining the fierce women of the brotherhood. She'd just been a little shocked over her former boss's threats.

"Yes, and it looks like someone may have suspected him because the money went into the account in May but hasn't been transferred out yet."

"One of the accountants for the college was involved in a hit and run. He's been in the hospital since Memorial Day weekend."

Sarah nodded. "Which is most likely why he needs your access code to access the funds."

"But why would he need in your house? I don't understand that part," Remi commented.

"I don't either, but we'll get to the bottom of this. Until further notice, let's heighten security. Nobody goes anywhere alone and let's have couples buddy up. No riding alone and no going anywhere alone. We still have the Poker Run tomorrow, along with the evening meal and dance. The last text concerns me because how did he know she was in Bluff Creek," War wondered.

"One of the stations came out and did a video of the speeches. I know one of them was taping during your speech," Beth said.

"I'd feel better if we took your phone and checked it out, if that's okay with you?" Scoop asked.

"I don't have anyone to call me so sure. I don't want to see any more messages." Meg shivered as she handed the phone over.

"You have a whole group of people who have your back now. I'll grab one of the extra phones we have at the bail bonds and load it with all our numbers." Remi said.

"Well, sounds like we have a plan. President Ass won't know what hit him," Beth stated.

"You mean Glass?" Meg questioned.

"No, I think my name was more appropriate for him."

Everyone's laughter had his woman's shoulders relaxing and a small smile gracing her face.

"Let's all get some sleep. We've got a fun day planned tomorrow and who knows, we might end up getting to kick a little ass, which could add some excitement tomorrow," War stated, then motioned everyone to leave.

"Umm, I just want to ask another question. What you said just hit me. You said the money dropped into an account. The college uses fund accounting. The history department doesn't actually have access to any money. The college keeps all the money in one huge account. We all have college credit cards or if it's a small business in town, they'll bill the college directly. The two thousand dollars allotted to my department in the budget is just a line-item fund. When I turn in my credit card for payment, I write which fund to charge it against. Obviously, since I only have one, that's where it goes."

Dead silence met Meg's words. Sarah and Scoop were looking at each other, then pulled up some information on the computer in front of them.

Scoop turned the computer toward Meg, pointing at an account. "This is in an account designated for the history department at a bank in town. Your name is listed on the account, along with another person."

Rascal could see the fire building in Meg's eyes. "That's the accountant who was involved in the hit and run. I don't have an account at that bank. The college banks at the credit union in town, which is where my personal account is. I've never even walked in that bank, so I'm a little bewildered about how my name could be on an account. Wouldn't they need my ID?"

"They should but we don't know who all is involved. This is a little more involved and might take longer to get answers."

Rascal appreciated Sarah trying to reassure Meg but nothing they said could help the betrayal she had to be feeling. Rascal loved seeing everyone offer Meg reassurances as they left. He wasn't sure what her former boss was involved in, but Rascal was positive the guy wasn't going to get close to Meg. Unless she wanted to kick him; then Rascal would be there to make sure she got whatever she wanted.

Rascal would run a bath for Meg, let her relax a little, then they could get some sleep. He darn well wasn't going to allow their first time to be marred by fear of her boss. When he finally got Meg underneath him or over him, he planned on the only thing being in her mind was how many times he could make her come before she passed out.