He’s right. How on earth he came to claim me as his old lady when we knew nothing about each other is ridiculous. Feeling brave, unthreatened in this public place, I tell him so. “I never asked you to claim me, Slick. I still can’t understand why you called me your old lady.”
He closes his eyes briefly. “Truth? When you first came to the club, the arrangement was you were gonna be a sweet butt.” He waits for me to agree. While I now know I could never have done that, it had been my intention at the time.
“I don’t think I could have gone through with it.” Even if I hadn’t gone to the Rock Demons’ club.
“I know you couldn’t. You’re not made that way, El. Heck, I was kidding myself as much as you were. Should have gone with it sooner, then you’d never been at that fuckin’ place.” He looks like he’s mentally kicking himself. “Have to tell you, I never saw myself with an ol’ lady, and that was the fuckin’ problem. I was trying to convince myself you weren’t as special as you seemed.” He chuckles. “But as soon as the fuckers started talking about you that way, I had to shut that shit up, and I found myself claimin’ you.” He gives me an intense look. “As soon as I said it, I knew it felt right.”
I look down at the table. I don’t know what I had expected. Had I hoped he’d say he’d fallen in love at first sight? No, it was baser than that. He just didn’t want anyone else to have me.
A finger touches my chin as he gently turns my face up. When he speaks, his voice has dropped an octave. “You’re so fuckin’ beautiful. That first night when I met you? I knew you were brave. It fuckin’ killed me to let you go into the Demons’ club. To know one of those fuckers was gonna touch what was already mine. If only you knew how much I wanted to stop you.”
“I wish you had.” My voice breaks.
He shakes his head. “I had my brothers to think of. What you did for us saved lives. I had to let you do it, Ella. But fuck, if I’d have known…”
As guilt crosses his face, I wrap my hand around his that’s still touching my face. “You didn’t know, Slick. It’s not on you. It’s all down to me.”
“You?” He rears back. “You asked for nothing.”
I shrug, knowing I’d set myself up. I look around the restaurant, trying to convey I don’t want to continue this conversation.
He gets the hint. “So, Ella. Tell me something about yourself. All I know is you’ve got a mom and a sister. Your dad around?”
I raise my shoulders, “Not much more to tell. Dad left Mom shortly after Jayden came along, I don’t know where he is now.”
“How come you’re living in such a shithole?”
I flush as he points it out. “Mom and I didn’t get along, so I left home when I finished school. I wanted to go to college, but with no support that wasn’t possible. A room came up with Tilly and I moved in and been there ever since. Tilly’s not really so bad, it’s her choice of men that’s a problem.”
“You don’t need to worry about that asshole Bart. Drummer agrees, Road will be sticking with you. If he’s not around, it will be someone else. Probably Marsh. Remember him?”
I nod. I’d only lived at the compound for a couple of weeks, but had grown to know the young prospect, usually to be found behind the bar, quite well. In my twisted head, he wasn’t a true member, and thus not so much of a threat.
“Thank you,” I whisper, grateful that they’re making me feel safe—and cared for. “Any news on my sister?”
This makes him laugh. “Yeah. Tongue caught up with her leaving school yesterday. I was gonna ask you where she’d be, but Mouse figured it out. Tongue filched her phone. Did some shit that cloned all her information and put some sort of tracker on it.”
My hand goes to my mouth. “She’s not got a phone? How will I contact her?”
“Don’t underestimate us, Ella. Tongue handed it into the school. He waited and watched. It didn’t take long before she realised it was missing and went back and got it.”
Now I’m shaking my head and smiling at their audacity. How the hell did Tongue manage to do all that?
“Mouse wants me to bring you to the compound tomorrow so you can go through it with him. See what he can find out with your help. Will you come, El?”
I purse my lips. There are a lot of memories there. And now, it’s even worse. “Do they all know?” I hold my breath for the answer.
Now his hand grabs hold of both of mine, his fingers wrapped tightly around them. “Whether anyone knows or not shouldn’t bother you. Don’t for one second think any of them are going to judge you. It wasn’t down to you, Ella. What those motherfuckers did…”
I try to pull away, but for once he won’t let me.
“If you want honesty, everyone’s gutted that we set you up.”
“You couldn’t have known.”
His expression suggests they should have expected it.
Our steaks arrive, putting a stop to the conversation now that the time for eating is here. The chef must be good, the meat’s cooked to perfection, and it’s not hard to understand why every table around us is filled. I can barely suppress my groan of satisfaction, making Slick grin as he tucks in too.
For the rest of the evening we leave serious subjects behind, Slick regaling me of the antics of his brothers, including that they’ve apparently got an off-road track set up behind the compound now, and that Sam, Drummer’s old lady, holds the current record. They’ve been holding weekly competitions, but even Road, the new prospect, and who rides in competition, has difficulty beating her.
“She’s really bought her own dirt bike?” I wonder if I’d ever like to ride.
“She certainly has.”
I ask the question that’s always intrigued me. “What’s your real name, Slick?”
His eyes narrow, and I don’t think he’s going to answer, then the corners of his mouth turn up. “Been a long time since anyone’s used it. But I don’t mind if you do. It’s Jeff. Jeff Andrews.”
It sounds a strong name, one that suits him. Taking a sip of my drink, I tilt my glass toward him. “So why Slick? Is it because you shave your head?”
His grin widens. “Nah.” He chuckles. “Back when I was a prospect, I hit an oil slick on the road. Laid down my bike. Fuckers wouldn’t let me forget.” I smile.
From having no appetite, I’ve somehow managed to polish off my steak as well as consuming a large portion of utterly delicious cheesecake. I sit back and stare at my empty plate in surprise. The evening’s gone fast, Slick being better company than I’d expected.
“Shall I ask for the check?”
My spirits plummet down. What’s he going to expect now the evening has ended? Is he going to be angry when I don’t want to give payment in return?
I’m silent as we go to his bike, nervous all the way home, hoping he’ll drop me off and ride away. But of course, he doesn’t. As he follows me to the door, I pause with my key in my hand, worried about what I can say. Last time, he didn’t take well to rejection.
Summoning up courage, I turn to face him to find him staring down at me. Without touching me with his hands, he lowers his head and his lips brush gently against mine, only for a second before pulling away.
“Night, Ella. I’ll call in the morning about meeting up with Mouse.” He continues to stare at me. “You know, I’ve had a good time. Perhaps this dating thing has something going for it.”
He turns and goes to his bike, pausing before starting the engine, twirling his hand as if giving me an instruction to go inside. As I open the door, he waves at Road, waiting patiently over across the street, and then disappears into the night.
My hand goes to my lips, which his mouth had barely touched, and it dawns on me how much I enjoyed our date too.
Chapter Eleven
Slick…
I’m riding back to the compound with a huge fucking smile on my face and wondering what that shit is all about? That brief meeting of lips, although admittedly leaving me with a raging hard-on, was something so special
, I don’t think I’ve ever felt this way in my life. Despite the world falling apart around me, this great step forward I’ve made in repairing, no, starting a relationship with Ella has got me grinning like a fucking kid in junior high. I may not have got completely to first base, but I’ve made a fucking good start.
Parking up, I step into the clubhouse and walk to the bar, a spring in my step that had been missing for months.
“Beer,” I demand, rapping on the wood. Marsh snaps quickly to serve me.
“Slick, you and I haven’t had fun together. Wanna give me a try?”
Spinning around, I see Diva, and she’s right, I’ve not dipped into that yet. A waft of cheap perfume has me wrinkling my nose, reminding me of the clean, fresh smell of the woman I’ve just left.
“Not tonight, sweetheart.” I let her down gently.
Not easily put off, she tries again. “We could have a threesome with Paige?”
I glance across to where the other new sweet butt’s sitting, looking eagerly across and decide to knock this on the head now. “I’ve got an ol’ lady.”
She should walk away, instead she continues to push. “Don’t see her around.”
“I’ve got an ol’ lady,” I repeat myself loudly. “Leave me the fuck alone.” I turn back to the bar, thumping my hand down, my previous good mood being swept away. There’s no doubt my cock isn’t as resilient as my brain—he’s twitching away eager to sink into any hole. But I know I won’t be satisfied if I follow his lead. There’s only one woman I want, and I’m prepared to wait. Though taxing as it’s going to be at times, she’ll be fucking worth it.
Caught up in my inner turmoil, I don’t notice Wraith approach, his arm around Sophie, and they’re both grinning at me. My VP indicates my, for me, smart clothing. “Date went well I take it?”
“You had a date?” Sophie’s beaming from ear to ear. “With Ella? Is she coming back?”
Her innocent enquiry has my good mood returning. “Yeah,” I give in and tell them both. “And I fuckin’ hope so. Won’t be for want of me trying.”
“Good on you, Slick.” Wraith nods in approval.
Jerking my chin at him in return, I glance at his old lady, who’s trying to hoist her butt onto the tall bar stool, noticing she’s looking slightly rounded now, their baby starting to show. Suddenly it hits me like a bolt of lightning from one of our Arizona summer storms that I’d like to see my baby growing in Ella’s stomach. The thought so unexpected, I turn away and run my hand down my face.
Me claiming an old lady was bad enough, but wanting the real deal with her? Leading a grown-up life with a house off the compound and children? Well fuck me if that doesn’t get me as excited as if someone’s given me a new Harley, rather than making me want to vomit as it has in the past. But first, a little voice inside reminds me I’ve got to convince her. I’ve got to work hard for something I want for once in my life.
Taking leave of my brothers, I walk up to the compound to my room in one of the renovated blocs that used to house guests when this place was a vacation resort. When it had burned out, only a club of bikers looking for a new home saw potential in the shell that remained. The accommodation provided on-site to the brothers was better than in any clubhouse I’ve ever seen. I enter the building housing my suite and the now redundant Wraith’s—as he now lives with Sophie—knowing it will always be mine, even if I buy a house down Tucson way.
I’ve always had things easy. My parents are still married and living happily together, I wasn’t beaten in my childhood or kicked out of my home. I served my time in the Army and came back uninjured and got my place as a prospect shortly after I finished my final tour of duty. Prospecting was hard, I’m not gonna lie, but after I was patched in, there was easy pussy on tap and a life free of citizens’ rules. I’ve never had to fight for anything before, it’s always been handed to me on a plate.
Until now. For once I’ve got a challenge on my hands and fuck me if I’m not looking forward to it. Working to get my old lady back? I’m going to give it every damn thing I have.
Ten o’clock the next morning and we’re back in church. Never come to the table as much as we have the last few days, but I can’t criticise the reason. Drum’s wanting us all to be updated with everything going on. Our businesses running on just a skeleton crew, we’re all staying close by in case of trouble.
He raps the gavel down hard, and all eyes are on him. “Who’s at the hospital?”
“Viper,” Dart confirms. He consults the page in front of him. “Slick, you’re on the next shift?”
I nod, happy to do my bit. And fuck, even though he won’t be able to talk to me, I’m eager to see Heart, even if it’s only to see for myself he’s still with us.
Drum points at me. “Mouse got some info for you. You need to stay close and bring Ella here. Rock, can you do a swap?”
“Sure fuckin’ thing, boss,” he agrees, spinning the gun on the table in front of him.
I sit up in my seat, eager to hear what Mouse has found, apologising silently to Heart and promising him I’ll be seeing him soon.
Waving me back down, Prez looks around. “Order of business. Heart, then Ella. Okay? Then Wraith’s got some suggestions about prospects.”
I toss him a glare. I’d rather it was the other way around, but when he starts speaking, he captures my interest.
“Got a phone call last night. Wraith and I went out to meet Detective Hannah this morning.” He jerks his chin toward the VP. Safety in pairs and all that. Our habit when speaking to the cops, means no one can be accused of saying something they didn’t. If we can’t have another brother along, we say nothing without the club lawyer. Nobody, not even the prez, wants to set themselves up for an accusation of being a rat.
“It was odd,” Wraith takes over. “She parked around the back of the Wheel Inn as though she didn’t want to be seen. We opened it up early to talk inside.”
Joker sniggers. “Looks like we’ve got ourselves a dirty cop.”
Drum glares at him. “The opposite, I think. But I’ve got doubts about her partner.”
“We know anything of him, Prez?”
“No, Lady. They’re both new to Tucson. But as the VP said, I don’t think she’s on the take. And if he is, then we’re certainly not the ones fuckin’ paying him.”
“Something to worry about?”
“Could be, Peg. Could fuckin’ be.”
“What did she want?” I butt in.
“To give us an unofficial report.” Drum taps his fingers on the table, his steely eyes looking around the room. From the expression on his face I get the feeling we will dislike what he’s about to say. “They’ve been over Heart’s bike. No mechanical problems to cause a crash, but the rear fender’s obviously taken a hit. Something must have knocked them hard.”
“Fuck that!” Motherfucker! Though we’d had our suspicions, it’s hard to hear that Heart’s crash was no accident which confirms Crystal’s death as murder.
The prez waits for all of us to pipe down. “There was some transfer of paint onto the fender.”
“Have they analysed it?”
“Yeah, Mouse. It’s a dark green 2014 Ford F-250.” Mouse starts tapping away as Drum continues, “Will you be able to find anything?”
“I’ll look into who’s got one registered to them, starting with anyone who’s had an issue with us. Then I’ll check the auto-shops. A smash that hard would cause damage needing to be repaired.”
“Hannah’s checking out stolen vehicles.”
“Can you look at associates of this Detective Archer?” Something is niggling at the back of my mind.
Prez confirms I’m right to have suspicions. “Good point, Slick. I didn’t like the fucker. It’s worrying that Hannah told us he asked for them to be assigned to the case.”
“It’s clear Hannah is puzzled as to why,” Wraith adds.
“Anything else she could tell us?” Bullet lights a cigarette and smoke plumes rise above the table.
/> “Pass one to me.” I reach for his pack.
“And me.”
“For fuck’s sake Blade!” Bullet all but throws it at him.
Cigarettes lit and burning, I look back at the prez as he carries on after the brief interruption. “No, but at least she’s going to keep us informed. She didn’t say anything about Archer being dirty, but she led us to believe he didn’t want us to be given any intel.” Drum picks up the beer he brought in with him, making me feel I wish I’d had the foresight to collect one too. “We can expect visitors. They’ll want to interrogate us, see if we know any enemies Heart may have had. Reading between the lines, Archer may use it as a chance to get into the compound. Hannah said she’d suggested they ask us to go to the station, but Archer wasn’t fuckin’ buying it.”
Another round of swearing.
Again, Drum scans the room. “Don’t need to tell you, anything we know, we’ll be acting on it ourselves. Now you’ve all slept on it, anyone come up with any fuckin’ idea who’d want to take out Heart?”
We all shake our heads. Then Mouse puts up his hand. “I don’t like the mother, Crystal’s mom. Been doing some digging. She’s an addict, been arrested a couple of times for soliciting.”
“She owe money?”
Mouse smirks at the prez. “Seems likely. But if she does, don’t think the types she’s owes to keep online accounts.” There’s sniggering around the table. “But I’ll keep digging.”
“You don’t really think she’d put a fuckin’ contract out on her daughter and husband, do you?” I’m shaking my head. I didn’t like the woman, but surely, she wouldn’t go that far.
“Doubt it would be worth it. Our businesses are thriving and we’re taking home a decent cut, but Heart and Crystal haven’t got much to leave anyone. Their house is rented.”
Prez knows what he’s talking about. We’re all in a healthy position, but none of us would leave much of an inheritance to speak of.
Drum bangs the gavel. “As of now, we don’t discount anything. Keep your eyes and ears open, and Mouse, keep doing your shit. Now moving along, want an update on what you’ve found out about Ella’s sister.”
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