The sound of my rolling suitcase had me glancing over to see my uncle returning. Matlock placed his daughter in the back seat, and I could hear the clanking of buckles and softly spoken words before he stepped back. He closed the door as my uncle reached the truck.
Before my uncle could lift the suitcase, Matlock rushed forward. “I’ve got it, Pops.”
I wrapped my arms around my uncle’s tall frame. My breath quavered. “Please don’t stay here long. Stefano….” My brow wrinkled in worry.
“Don’t worry about me, sweetheart. I can handle myself just fine.” The whole time I hugged my uncle and told him goodbye, I watched the blond god of a man.
Watching that sexy-as-hell man lift my suitcase like it was damn near featherlight had me drooling. I stared as every muscle rippled and bunched when he lifted it over the edge of the blacked-out Ford Raptor, then secured it under a net. It was a beautiful truck for a beautiful man.
Surprising me, he opened my door for me and held out a hand. Blinking in shock, I placed one hand in his as I reached for the oh-shit bar in the truck. The jolt that shot through me as my fingers curled around his warm, callused hand took my breath away for a second.
Shaking it off, I swallowed and took a deep breath. One high-heeled foot lifted to the step, then I launched myself up to the seat.
As soon as I sat, my crinoline poofed up into my face. “Shi—Crap!” Remembering the young ears in the back seat, I bit my tongue. Damn, I was going to have to do a lot of that as we traveled. I had a helluva potty mouth.
“Who the fuck travels dressed like that?” he muttered.
Ugh! An asshole of a beautiful man.
“I do,” I said through gritted teeth. Lifting my ass, I slid the underskirt off, pulling one foot at a time out of it after I got it down to my ankles. Once I was done, I tossed it over into the back seat, making sure it didn’t land on the spunky little girl back there.
Smoothing my skirt back down, I glanced over where he stood, jaw gaping. With a snarky smirk, I sneered, “See something you liked?”
God, I was being a bitch, but this guy brought out something feisty in me. More so than usual.
Jaw snapping shut, he narrowed his gaze at me and slammed the door. Though I tried to act like I wasn’t, I watched him stalk over to my aunt and uncle. He hugged my aunt, swinging her in a circle before he pressed a kiss to her cheek.
She laughed and rested a hand to his cheek. My uncle shook his hand, then pulled him into one of those bro-hugs. I could see his mouth moving as he spoke to the man I’d be traveling cross-country with.
For once, the little girl was quiet. I didn’t want to look at her and get her going.
Matlock nodded, and they broke apart. My aunt and uncle came to my open window for one last goodbye.
“Love you, blackbird. You fly high and fast. We’ll see you soon.” I smiled sadly at his childhood nickname for me.
“Love you, Raiven. Be safe.” My aunt was tearing up as she stretched up into the tall truck and squeezed my hand where it rested on the window ledge.
“Love you guys too. But I’ll see you soon. Hint, hint.” I winked and grinned at the only two family members I had left.
As we were saying our last goodbyes, Matlock climbed into the driver seat. The man set every single one of my nerve endings tingling, as if I was aware of him on a visceral level.
“You take care of my girl,” my uncle said to Matlock, then looked in the back seat. “Correction, my girls.”
He’d added the plural with a wink. Matlock gave him a wry grin as he shook his head and started the truck.
“You got it.” Without a bunch of fanfare, we pulled out of the gas station and into the early morning.
“Daddy! Pway dat song I wike. Pwease?” The last was said as an afterthought.
Within about five minutes, Presley was out, her little head resting on the part of her car seat that sort of curled around her. Music continued to play quietly in the background. Other than that, there wasn’t a sound.
“She’s quite a character.” It was a hopeless attempt to break the awkward silence hovering in the cab.
“Mm,” he grunted.
“How old is she?”
“Two. Almost three.”
“You don’t talk much, do you?” Exasperated at the man’s lack of manners, I half turned in my seat to face him.
“Nothin’ to say.”
“Well, this will be a fun trip.” My eyes rolled as I turned to face front.
“Never promised to keep you entertained,” he grumbled.
“What’s your problem? I told you that you didn’t have to take me with you. You can let me out at the next place that has a Greyhound. I don’t know why you told my uncle you’d take me when you didn’t really want to. I mean, I get that you were pissed that he obviously misled you about what you were taking with you, but I swear I had no idea you didn’t know. You should’ve stuck to your guns. Matter of fact, fuck the Greyhound, just let me out at the next town.” My arms crossed, I huffed as I turned to watch the passing landscape. It was a whole lot of nothing. Fields for miles. That’s it.
“Fuck, no. I made a promise to Pops. I’ll get you safely to Texas, then we part ways. End of story.” His hands gripped the steering wheel tightly as he ground out his reply.
“I don’t care what the fuck you promised my uncle. I’m not riding like this for days. Fuck that shit.” Snarky as hell, I curled my lip at him.
I didn’t think he was going to say any more, so I prepared to try to sleep. It was better than being ignored.
“What he said. Was it true?” He said it so quiet, I wasn’t sure he was even talking to me. When he didn’t say anything else, curiosity got the better of me and I sat up.
“Was what true?”
“Did your boyfriend hurt you?”
“World War Me”—Theory of a Deadman
Pops knew he’d get to me when he told me Raiven’s ex was abusive, because my only cousin was beaten to death by her boyfriend. Part of me wondered if it was exaggerated to get me to agree to take her. The blanching of her already ivory skin told me there was more than a semblance of truth to the story.
“Um.” She turned toward the window but I saw her swallow hard in my periphery as I tried to watch her and the road. “He wasn’t very nice. Well, initially he was. Except I fail to see how that’s your business.”
She shrugged like it wasn’t that big of a deal. For some reason, the thought of someone hurting the bundle of badass next to me really pissed me off. I told myself it was because of my cousin, Jennifer. That was an easier explanation than whatever else it might be.
I hadn’t intended on talking to her. I was pissed about being duped. I also didn’t like the way she stirred shit up in me, making me feel all scratchy and messy inside. It left me on edge and, well, pissy.
Except the words had been spinning in my head since we’d pulled out, and I had some kind of crazy need to know. “Was that the first time he’d done that?”
My words were tight and I barely got them past my lips. Anger was coming on strong, washing over me in waves.
All exasperated and snarly, she turned on me and repeated, “That’s none of your business.”
The attitude and snark were an obvious defense mechanism, because when I glanced her way, I caught her lower jaw trembling as she turned away. “Look, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to be such a dick back there when we all met up. I was taken by surprise, and let’s say it’s been a shitty year.”
Grinding my teeth, I hated that I’d given that info up to her. I didn’t talk about my issues with people I didn’t know, and I sure as shit didn’t know her.
“Well, you were—so there’s that,” she huffed. Her face remained turned away as she stared out of the window.
Deciding to drop the subject, I left her alone. I’d get it out of her later, even though I didn’t know why it really mattered to me.
Glancing in the rearview mirror to check on Presley, I noted tha
t she was still zonked. Nothing new. That girl fell asleep in the vehicle every time. Had since she was a baby. At times, it had been a saving grace.
A small grin curled my lips. That little bundle of fire was my world. My everything good.
Sneaking a peek at the other bundle of fire in my truck, I saw her head nodding as her thick eyelashes lay feathered across her cheeks. It wasn’t long before she lay her head back on the seat and her lips softly parted.
Swallowing hard, I focused on the road. As I drove, my mind wandered. Memories of Letty flashed through my head.
The first time we met, I’d been home from the Army two days. Gunny had arranged a homecoming party for me at the clubhouse. It was my first real interaction with the club my brother had joined after getting out of the Marine Corps.
Letty was a friend of one of the old ladies in high school and had been visiting from down by Omaha where she’d moved after graduation to get away from her loser family. She’d been a couple of years older than me, but it hadn’t mattered.
She’d been a one-night stand and then she’d gone back to Omaha. When she’d contacted me a few months later to tell me she was pregnant, it had scared the shit out of me. I’d talked about getting married, but she’d refused. She’d insisted she didn’t want to get married because she’d gotten pregnant.
She did at least move up to be near me so I could help with the pregnancy. I’d wanted to experience it with her, and she’d needed the help with the medical bills.
No matter how many times I’d assured her I wasn’t wanting to marry her only because of the pregnancy, she wouldn’t budge on it. We’d moved in together, and one thing led to another, and before long we were pretty much a couple.
After Presley arrived, I’d continued to ask. She’d continued to say no. Finally, I’d quit asking and accepted that I was a little old-fashioned and she wasn’t. The thing was, I’d fallen in love with her, so I’d made the decision to keep her any way I could. We knew who we were faithful to, and that had been all that mattered in the end.
A whimper from the seat next to me pulled me from my reverie.
Pulling my gaze briefly from the road, I saw her brow was furrowed and her hands clenched into fists. I reached to wake her, but then her face smoothed out and her hands relaxed.
The miles slipped away as I listened to music and passed through several small towns. Not once did I stop and let Miss Sassy-pants out.
The phone rang in my truck and I answered, taking another quick look in her direction to see if it had woken her. She was still out like a light, her head moving slightly with each small bump in the road.
“Hey, Gunny. Miss me already?” My brother’s answering chuckle carried over the speakers and I turned the volume down a little.
“Actually, yeah I do. It was weird waking up at your place.”
“It’s your place now. Get used to it.” Gunny had bought my house from me. It made sense, since he’d been living in the clubhouse since he and Trixie had split. I didn’t need it, he wanted his space. Win-win.
“Yeah, but I’ve been used to you and Elvis being here.” His voice was quieter, and it wasn’t because I’d turned the volume down.
“Yeah.” I didn’t know what to say. It hurt, but I knew with every mile I drove that it was the right decision.
I’d questioned my decision as we’d left the small town behind. I’d wondered if I was going on the run from a ghost. Questioned whether I needed therapy but afraid of the shit that would dredge up.
“Look, I got some information, and fuck, I wish you were here. I don’t want to tell you this over the phone.” His tone was pensive.
“Mom and Dad okay?” My heart rate spiked.
“What? Oh, yeah, they’re fine. That’s not it.” His hesitation wasn’t helping.
“Spit it out.”
“Am I on speaker?”
“Yeah, but they’re both asleep.”
“Both?” I could tell by the tone of his voice, I’d thrown him for a loop on that one.
“Long story. Go on.” I waited for him to continue.
“It’s about Letty.”
“Okay?” It was drawn out in question.
He huffed, and I could picture him running a frustrated hand through his hair. “The accident wasn’t an accident.”
My heart paused before it started to gallop. “Excuse me?”
“That’s not all.” He sighed. “It was the Demon Runners. They sent us an explicit message. They said we hadn’t listened to any of the subtle ones they’d sent. It said you shouldn’t have stolen her and maybe she wouldn’t have been stolen from you. They said things were about to get worse.”
“What the fuck does that mean? Stole who?” He wasn’t making sense.
“I don’t know, bro. We’re trying to find out. Maybe Letty? We just don’t know how. We know her family is shady as fuck but she was a good person. Just in case, Hacker’s looking into her and her family to see what he turns up, but I wanted to let you know so you can stay sharp. Watch your six, little brother. Fuck, I wish I was there to do it for you.” I hated the worry that echoed through the cab of the vehicle. I could handle myself, and he shouldn’t feel responsible for me, but I understood. I’d be the same way with him.
“Roger that. I don’t think they’ll be after me now. It’s been over a year, and they haven’t done anything in all that time. I doubt they will now.” Regardless, I instinctively checked all my mirrors, but we were the only ones on the two-lane road at that moment.
“Yeah, well there’s got to be a reason they sent that message now. Maybe they’ve done things we don’t know about and that’s what they meant by subtle messages. Or maybe things that just didn’t work out right. Like Becca having the blow-out with brand-new tires. Sera’s Jeep getting vandalized. Your accident.” When he mentioned the accident, his voice cracked. “Things we’d chalked up to teenage hoodlums.” He was right. Over the past year there had been a lot of little things that had happened. Each incident had seemed minor and explainable with no sign of the Demon Runners.
It shouldn’t surprise me though, because it was exactly the way they worked. Like cowardly pussies, striking in silence and staying in hiding.
“Maybe. Either way, I’ll be careful.” I had to. I had precious cargo to watch out for. My eyes flickered to the rearview mirror to take in my sleeping angel. Then inexplicably, they flashed to the spunky woman in my passenger seat.
I shook my head. Sure, she was Pops and Mama’s niece, but I didn’t know her.
“Maybe you should skip the zoo. It’s right in their backyard.”
“Hell, no. I promised Presley. Not only that, but I’m not letting them run my life.”
“I’m not asking you to.”
“Besides, they won’t even know we’re there.”
“I hope you’re right, little brother. You still planning on staying in Omaha overnight?” I heard him digging around with something, then a zipping sound.
“Yeah, why?”
“Because I’m heading down. I’ll be there ASAP with Soap.” There was some shuffling, then he huffed an exhale.
“What the fuck? No. You don’t need to come down to Omaha to babysit me,” I growled.
“I don’t have a choice. Snow’s orders and voted on by the rest of the club. It’s a done deal. I’m swinging by the clubhouse to meet up with Soap and we’ll be on the road. He’s packing now.”
“Goddammit, Gunny. I’m not even a member of that chapter anymore.” Fuck, saying that hurt more than I thought it would.
“Hey. For one, you’re a brother regardless of which chapter you’re in—you know that. For two, you’re my baby brother and the only fucking sibling I have. I’m on my way. See you soon. Text me your hotel info, and keep your head on swivel.” He didn’t even wait for my response before he hung up on me.
“Fucker.” Not that I really meant it. I loved my brother.
The silence had me thinking about what Pops had said about Raiven.
Fuck, I couldn’t think her name without it causing a chain reaction in my body.
It was the strangest experience. Not one single woman had had that effect on me since Letty.
By the time either of the females in the truck began to stir, we were hitting the outskirts of Omaha. I’d chosen a hotel near the Henry Doorly Zoo, but it was too early to check in, so I’d figured we’d get some lunch, then hit the zoo.
My plan was to spend the afternoon at the zoo, because that was probably all Presley would be able to handle. She’d probably wear out before we saw half of it. Then I wanted to check out of the hotel in the morning and get back on the road. Now with the brothers heading down, I wasn’t sure how that would affect my plans.
My eyes strayed to Raiven as she scooted up in the seat, wrinkled her nose, pursed her lips, and finally blinked a few times. Then she stretched, and I had to focus on the road because her tits were damn near popping out of the top of her dress as she arched her back and yawned.
It was fucking with my head.
Bad.
Everything she did had fucked with my head, from the second she’d strutted across that gas station parking lot. Gritting my teeth, I gripped the steering wheel tighter.
Voice raspy from sleep and her natural husky tone, she asked, “Where are we?”
“Omaha. Figured we’d get some lunch, then I’m taking Presley to the zoo. If I can check in early, I’ll get you settled at the hotel first, but you’re welcome to go with us. If you want.” The last bit I tacked on as if it was no big deal and she could do what she pleased. The truth was, for some crazy-ass reason I was hoping she’d go with us.
Stupid, Lock. Stupid.
I didn’t know what the hell was wrong with me.
“Umm, I….”
“Daddy! We ohmost there?” Sleepy excitement poured up from the back seat. The sound of her little voice had me smiling. All it took to make a bad day great was to hear her call me “Daddy.”
“Yeah, baby girl. We’re gonna get us some lunch first, then we’ll go to the zoo.” Her little legs bounced as she stared out the windows.
Lock and Load: A Demented Sons MC Texas Novel Page 4
