Her eyes had cut to me before she readjusted her grip on the steering wheel. “You left her an awfully big tip.”
“That’s what she said.”
Riley glared at me, and I shot her a wink, not bothering to elaborate. She was nosey as hell, and I knew it was eating away at her that I wasn’t offering to gossip with her.
“She an ex or something?”
“Nope.”
“Current?”
I smiled as I looked out of the passenger window. “I don’t do the whole girlfriend thing if that’s what you’re asking.”
“I wasn’t,” she shrugged. “Why not?”
“For fuck’s sake, Riley. You’re going to make my ears bleed.”
“Just curious.”
“Remember what curiosity did to the cat?”
NINE
Riley
We drove for about twenty minutes outside of the small town and parked outside of The Hollow Hole Bar alongside a row of motorcycles.
“You’re a bartender? You could have just told me that. Why did we have to drive all the way out here?” I asked as I unbuckled my seatbelt. He grinned at me before slipping out of the car and waiting for me to join him at his side. Slinging his arm over my shoulders, he guided me in through the front door, nodding at the older man behind the bar and greeting a few of the customers who looked like they’d been sitting there so long they should be collecting dust.
We made our way back a narrow hallway and passed the bathrooms, and he pulled me closer to his side as he typed a code into a keypad, unlocking a door that read:
HOLLOW HELLIONS ONLY
“This is getting weird.” I hesitated before he leaned down, his lips dangerously close to my ear and causing me to shiver as his breath fanned over my cheek.
“Just try not to talk, for a change, and don’t leave my side.”
I nodded, swallowing hard as he pushed open the door. It took a moment for my eyes to adjust to the dark room that was more like an oversized garage. I was terrified. People like me didn’t go to places like this and as scary as it was, my blood was pumping so hard I felt like I might pass out.
“Hey, Salty,” Knox called out, nodding his chin to a guy who was wrapping some sort of tape around his hand, a gash on the apple of his cheekbone weeping fresh blood. It looked like it could use a few stitches but he didn’t seem bothered by it.
We walked around a bloodstained concrete slab that was roped off. A man was inside dumping something that looked like sawdust onto the floor to soak up any of the liquid not absorbed into the ground.
I sunk deeper into Knox’s side, now terrified but his body was relaxed, and he wore an easy smile as we stopped in front of an older man who was tall like Knox but with brown eyes instead of Knox’s blue and his hair was a shade lighter and peppered with gray.
“Decker,” Knox called out.
“Knox, I haven’t seen you in a while.” He had looked to me before his lips pressed together into a thin line. “You know the rules about outsiders when it’s not a fight night.”
“She’s not an outsider. She’s with me.”
His eyes looked over me again as he took in my clothing before nodding to Knox and smiling. “Well done.” He clamped his hand down on Knox’s shoulder as he stood, rolling his head from shoulder to shoulder. “You here to get on the roster?”
“No,” Knox shook his head. “I’m here to see Father Time. He’s holding something for me.”
“Christ, is no fucking place sacred?” A voice called out from the other side of the ring as he pulled his shirt over his head. I immediately recognized him as the asshole from Knox’s living room.
“Topher,” He barked out, causing me to jump. Knox smiled down at me, his palm rubbing against my forearm. “When are you going to learn to mind your own fucking business?” Knox was pissed, but he wore a smile.
“This place is my fucking business. She doesn’t belong here and until you decide to be all in, you don’t either.”
“Hey, we just stopped to grab something from the old man. Take it down a notch.” The little bit of playfulness in his tone was gone, and I could tell he was growing irritated with his supposed friend.
“You can run your mouth all you want at Greta’s, but you don’t get to tell me what to do here,” Topher snapped as he walked toward us. I could smell the alcohol wafting off him from several feet away.
“You don’t want to do this, man,” Knox tried to diffuse the situation, but it only made Topher more hostile as the liquid courage pumped through his veins.
“You fuckin’ scared?” Topher laughed, and I felt Knox stiffen beside me.
“I’m not going to fight you.”
Topher laughed, his gaze dropping to me. “What are you afraid I’ll beat your ass in front of her?”
Knox was clenching his teeth as he looked at me before shaking his head. I could tell he didn’t want me to see this side of him, but he couldn’t walk away. “Get in the fucking ring before I drag you in.”
“Watch this,” Topher pointed at me, and I shrank under the glare of all of the random men who were now intently watching the confrontation.
The man who had dumped the sawdust was now pushing it from the floor with a large, flat broom. His eyes danced between the two guys before he slid between the ropes and headed off to a door near the back of the room.
“You couldn’t just shut your fucking mouth,” Knox groaned.
“You want to tape up or change?” Decker turned to Knox, who was shaking his head.
“Nah. This will be quick.” His eyes narrowed at Topher, who was climbing in the ring.
“You should save it for fight night. We can make big bank.”
Knox took a step away from me, and I wrapped my own arms around my chest, wanting to run from the room but uncertain that my legs wouldn’t buckle.
“You don’t need to do this,” I whispered as Knox turned around to look at me, a grin spreading across his face. “If you need money or something, I can help you out.”
“Look at you playing nice with others,” he joked. “I want to do this. This asshole has it coming. I don’t give a shit about money. This is about respect.” He winked and even through the fear, butterflies took flight inside of my stomach. Knox pulled the bullet necklace over his head and placed it in my palm, folding my fingers around the small metal object.
Knox slipped between the ropes before pulling his t-shirt over his head. My eyes danced down the ripples of muscles as he tossed the shirt over the top rope. Topher was already bouncing on the pads of his feet, rolling his neck from side to side. Knox looked more relaxed as he pulled his arm across his chest, gripping his forearm with the opposite hand and stretching his shoulder.
“Play fair, boys. Let’s give the lady a show but keep it easy. I need Topher in top shape for his match on Tuesday.”
The next few seconds were a blur. Decker stepped back, and Topher and Knox moved around each other, waiting to strike. Topher swung, but Knox dodged his fist. He swung again, this time missing with his right before connecting with his left on Knox’s chin.
Knox’s head had cocked to the side before a smile spread across his lips that were now smeared with blood. “You hit like a bitch,” Knox laughed before his right arm swung wide, connecting with the side of Topher’s face and sent him falling to the hard floor below. His head made a sickening thump as it bounced off the cement.
“Damn it, Knox,” Decker yelled as he bent down to check out Topher. “I said take it fucking easy.”
“He earned that one.” Knox shrugged before grabbing his shirt and slipping between the ropes. His tongue ran out of his lip, wiping away the blood as his chest heaved from his heavy breathing.
“This is what you do for a living?” I choked out, still in shock.
“No, this is what I do for fun.” He shrugged as he pulled his shirt down over his head. “Drinking, fighting, gambling… it all goes hand in hand around here. There’s not a lot to do in a small town.”
<
br /> “But he’s your friend.”
“I don’t have any friends, Princess. Come on.” He draped his arm over my shoulder and pulled me toward the desk by the door we had come through that lead to the bar. There was now an old man sitting behind it.
“Hey, old man, you got that clutch gasket?”
The older man with a gray beard pulled a small metal piece from a shelf and held it out to Knox. Knox pulled some cash from his wallet and dropped it on the desktop before taking the part and thanking him.
We made our way back to the parking lot and the evening sun was blinding, and I had to squint as we made it to my car. After we had got inside, my finger hesitated before hitting the start button.
“What’s that for?” I asked, eyeing the small round piece in his hand. “It’s for a bike I’m restoring.”
My gaze dropped to the cut on his lip.
“It doesn’t hurt.” I held out his chain and he took it, slipping it over his head.
“Why didn’t you just use that money you have to buy a new bike?”
“They don’t make ‘em like they used to, and I’m saving that money for something else.”
“Whatever.” I rolled my eyes, my body still shaking from the adrenaline that was pumping through my veins. “Where to?”
“My shop.”
***
The ride to Knox’s shop was back toward my home. The building was small and square with a freshly hand-painted sign along the road that read:
HARD KNOX
HOLLOW HELLIONS TERRITORY
HELLRAISER
“This place is yours?” I asked, in shock that he had his own business.
“It’s not much, but it’s all mine. Welcome to Fort Knox,” he joked.
We stepped out of the car and into the warm air.
“Come on,” He pulled a set of keys out of his pocket and unlocked the front door before flipping on the lights. The building smelled of grease, and there were motorcycles in various stages of repair around the floor.
“How did you learn to do this stuff?” I asked as I ran my finger over the gas tank of one of the bikes.
“That ones for the show they’re filming here. Gonna be able to pay off my debts to the club with the commission.”
“It’s incredible.”
“My dad used to ride, and he was always working on one when I was a kid. If I wanted to spend time with him, I had to be into it too.”
“Where’s your dad now?” I asked as I looked up at him.
“Question for a question?” He asked, his eyebrow raised.
“Fine.”
“Honestly, I don’t know where he is.”
“That’s it? That’s your answer?”
“What do you want from Tatum?”
“Nothing.”
He laughed, running his palm along his jaw. “That’s it? That’s your answer?”
I tried to hide my smile as I shrugged.
“You’re just as stubborn as me.” With a loud groan, he shook his head. “My dad left my mom when I was thirteen years old. He preferred getting high to being a father. Last I heard, he was down in Maryland, but most likely his body is rotting away in a basement somewhere. I don’t know. Don’t care.”
“Holy shit,” I mumbled, shocked by his confession. “And your mom?”
“Question for a question. Princess. I answered yours…”
“Nothing.”
His eyes had narrowed before his tongue ran out over his lower lip, brushing over the cut. “I should be getting back. Mind giving me a lift to the diner so I can get my bike?”
“Sure.”
We rode in silence for most of the trip. I was lost in thought about my dad proposing to Piper and what it meant for my mom.
Knox reached out and turned down the music, and I could feel his eyes lingering on me for a moment before he spoke.
“You know, divorce isn’t really that bad.”
I glanced over at him, smiling. “You speaking from experience?”
He chuckled, shaking his head. “Just trying to make you feel better.”
“No offense, but you’re not really good at this whole comforting thing.”
“Yeah, so I’ve been told. Turn left at this light.” I slowed down as I pulled into the parking lot of the diner.
“Thanks for trying.”
I dropped Knox off at the Starlight Diner, and as I waited to pull out of the parking lot, I watched Beatrice in my rearview mirror as she came out of the front door while untying her apron, smiling broadly as she made her way to her little beat up car. When she noticed Knox, her face lit up.
He acknowledged her, and as they began to talk, he pulled something out of his pocket and handed it to her. A car pulled up behind me and beeped it’s horn.
“Shit! Jesus! Can’t you give me a minute?” I yelled as I pulled out onto the road and headed back to my house.
Knox
I watched Riley pull back out onto the road before pulling Bea in for a hug.
“Thanks for this,” she whispered before shoving the wad of bills into her pocket.
“If you need anything else, you know how to get ahold of me. Day or night.”
Her gaze dropped to my hand, and she lifted it in hers to examine my busted knuckles. “What happened?”
“It’s nothing for you to worry about, sweetheart. Just an old score that needed settled.”
“I thought you’d stopped fighting.” Her eyebrow rose, and I shook my head, laughing.
“This one came looking for me. I swear.”
She eyed me suspiciously before she let my hand fall from hers. “Who’s your new friend?”
“She’s helping me take care of something.”
“Mmhmm,” she let out a small giggle.
“Strictly business.”
“She’s pretty.”
“You’re pretty.” I winked at her and her gaze dropped as she tried to hide a grin.
I pulled her in for another hug as I pressed my lips to the top of her head. “I gotta run.” I took a step back, grabbing my helmet and sliding it on my head.
“If you’re not busy some time, you should stop by and say hi to Emily. She’s starting to crawl. I know she’d love to see you.”
“I’ll be in touch.” I started my bike and headed out on the road toward my house.
***
Tatum was in her room, shoving clothing into her book bag.
“Where are you going?” I asked, and she jumped, turning around to look at me.
“Not everything is your business, you know.”
I took a few steps into her room. “If you’re going out with Bryce, I want to know.” She shook her head but didn’t respond. “Riley?” I asked, but she shook her head again as she zipped her bag closed and slung it over her shoulder.
“I’m running away.”
“Tatum,” I barked, placing my hand on her shoulder and turning her to face me.
A wide grin spread across her face. “Relax. I’m just going over to Ms. Stone’s house. Greta’s been telling her I’d come help her organize her craft room for weeks.”
I laughed, running my hand along my jaw before pulling her in for a hug. “Well, at least I know you’ll stay out of trouble.”
Pulling back from my hug she raised an eyebrow. “I’m not making any promises. Ms. Stone is pretty spry.”
“You need a lift?” I asked, shoving my hands into my pockets. “Not a chance.”
“One of these days you’ll get on the bike.”
“Not today,” She replied with a wave as she slipped out of her room and down the steps.
The front door closed seconds later, and I walked out into the hall when I heard a loud beep from back inside of her room.
TEN
Riley
I pulled along the curb just outside of my house. Grabbing my phone, I texted Tatum. The last thing I wanted was to do was deal with Piper. The fact that I heard about the engagement from her and not my father made it worse.
What is there to do on the weekends in this hellhole?
My phone beeped with her response almost immediately.
What do you have in mind?
I thought it over before replying.
Hang out at your place?
I minute went by before my phone beeped again.
Why not your place?
Sighing, I thought of all the many reasons.
I just need to get away for a while.
Several minutes ticked by and I was beginning to worry that she was blowing me off.
I’ll let Greta know that you’ll be by for dinner. Come around seven-ish.
I tossed my phone on the passenger seat before pulling through the gate to my place to pack a bag.
I slipped into the house and up to my room without having to talk to Piper or my father. I threw some comfortable clothing into an old bag, pulling it onto my shoulder. As I yanked open my door, jumping as my eyes landed on Ezra, who was leaning against the wall in the hallway.
“Where are you off to?” His eyes narrowed as he smirked.
“None of your damn business,” I huffed as I hurried down the steps with Ezra close behind me.
“Why are you avoiding me?” He called out loudly. I spun around on my heel, hoping he hadn’t been loud enough for my dad to hear him.
“Not everything is about you, Ezra.”
His finger trailed over my shoulder and down my arm. “Don’t you miss me at all?”
“Remind me again why you’re here?”
He sighed as he let his hand fall to his side. “Are you seeing someone?”
“No. No one and that includes you.”
“Christ, Riley. When did you become so mean?”
“When you broke my heart and made me look like a fool in front of the entire world.”
“Give me the chance to make things right. You don’t have to like me, but you can’t keep holding something I did years ago over my head.”
“I’ll think about it.” I turned and left before he could make me feel any more guilty for what he’d done.
***
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