Passing the Torch (Devil's Knights 2nd Generation Book 1)

by Winter Travers

  I cradled her chin and tipped her head back. “Are you arguing with me?”

  She bit her lip and looked sexy as hell. “Uh, if I am, does it mean we’ll go back inside and you’ll kiss me senseless ‘til I listen?”

  I shook my head and chuckled. “I’m gonna have to come up with a different plan. I think you might start disagreeing with me just to get a kiss.”

  “Or you could just kiss me more and then I’ll always be senseless.” She cringed and closed her eyes. “That sounded better in my head.”

  I pressed a soft kiss to her lips. “I know what you meant, Sunshine.”

  “So, do you wear one of these?”

  I tapped the helmet. “You’re wearing it.” I turned to the bike, threw my leg over, and glanced over my shoulder. She stood there shocked. “Hop on, Sunshine.”

  “If I’m wearing your helmet then what are you going to wear?”

  I shook my head. “Precious cargo gets the helmet. Hop on, we’re running late.”

  She rolled her eyes but climbed on behind me. She wrapped her arms tightly around me and laid her chin on my shoulder. “Have I mentioned that I’ve never been on a motorcycle before?”

  The death grip around my waist was a dead giveaway. I laid a hand on her arm and patted it. “I got you, Reva. Don’t be afraid.”

  Her grip remained tight around me, but I heard her sigh. The front of her body was pressed against my back, and it felt right. Only a few women had ever been on the back of my bike, and it never felt like this—like Reva was right where she belonged.

  We headed to the Sultry Knights. I took the longer route, zipping through side streets that weren’t exactly on the way. She squealed when I revved the engine and rocketed past a car that was crawling down the road.

  Her hold around me relaxed as we drove, and by the time we pulled into the parking lot of Sultry Knights, her laughter floated around me when we parked.

  “I liked that route you took to get here.”

  I killed the engine and glanced back at her. “Don’t know what you’re talking about, Sunshine.”

  She boldly pressed a kiss to my cheek. “I’ve always been a fan of the long way, Hero.”

  “Then stick with me.”

  She clumsily slid off the bike and held onto my shoulder once she stood. “Uh, I’m a bit Jello-y.”

  I managed to grab her hand and hop off the bike. “You’ll get used to it.” I still remember my first time really riding. After an hour ride, I had climbed off and fell right on my ass. I had only been sixteen at the time, and Dad had laughed his ass off at me. For a short while, I had the nickname of Jello, but it had thankfully been replaced with Hero.

  I threaded my fingers through hers, and we wove through the cars in the parking lot toward the front door.

  “It’s pretty busy,” she remarked.

  “Thirsty Thursday, Sunshine,” I laughed. “Luna has two-dollar shots and three-dollar taps.”

  Snapper was at the front door checking IDs and letting people in. Part of his duties as a prospect meant he was on door check ninety percent of the time. For the most part, I could tell he didn’t mind it. But if there was anyone else in this club who was as hungry as I was for more, it was Snapper.

  “What’s up, brother?” I slapped my hand into Snapper’s, and we bumped shoulders.

  “Frost was looking for you about half an hour ago.”

  He would have been. It had been more than an hour since I had told him I was on the way. “Busy night?” I asked.

  Snapper shrugged. “Not too bad. Two other girls called in sick tonight. Luna is on a tear and yelling at anyone who gets in her way.” He leaned toward me. “Customers included.”

  I could only imagine how pissed off Luna was. “Then I guess you probably got the best job tonight since you don’t have to deal with her.”

  Snapper laughed. “True that, brother.”

  I nodded to Reva. “Reva, Snapper. Snapper, Reva.”

  Snapper gave her a two finger salute. “Yo.”

  She smiled shyly. “Hi.”

  I clapped him on the shoulder and pulled Reva in behind me.

  “Uh, who was that?” she asked.

  I pulled her close to my side and stayed outside of the club. “Prospect,” I yelled over the loud music of the club.

  “Uh, what?”

  I laughed and looped my arm around her shoulders. “He’s working his way up to being a member of the club. Eventually.”

  I spotted Luna by the bar yelling at Frost. He casually sipped his beer as if he wasn’t getting ripped into. Luna slammed another beer down in front of him and stormed off.

  Yeah, Luna was beyond pissed.

  We weaved our way through the crowd and skirted past the stage. Reva watched wide eyed as the girl slowly spun around the pole. Her top was open, and she winked at Reva.

  Reva’s face blushed bright red, and her eyes snapped to the floor. I couldn’t help but laugh. It was refreshing to be with Reva. She was seeing all of this through virgin eyes, and it was damn funny. She scooted closer to me and plastered herself to my side.

  “About damn time you got here,” Frost called when we made it to the bar.

  I sat down on the stool next to him and pulled Reva into my lap.

  We were in a different world than the one she was used to. I had already clocked three guys who had been eyeing her up as we walked through the crowd.

  She settled between my spread legs, and her gaze wandered back to the stage. My little Sunshine was timid but curious.

  “This is Reva.”

  Reva shyly smiled at Frost. She held out her hand, and he shook it.

  “Darlin’,” Frost drawled.

  “Nice to meet you,” she replied. Her eyes drifted back to the stage, and Frost chuckled.

  “Indiana has a way with the crowd,” he pointed out.

  “Her?” Reva asked.

  Frost nodded. “That would be her. You got here just in time to catch the end of her first performance.”

  Indiana was now at the bottom of the pole, her ass on the ground, and her legs spread wide in the air. The strong thrum of the music ended, and she gracefully climbed off the stage floor and grabbed a few of the crumpled bills by her.

  “What’ll ya have?”

  I sat back, shocked to see Greta. “Damn, we must be shorthanded if you’re here tonight.”

  Greta rolled her bright green eyes and laid two napkins in front of Reva and me. Her hair had changed since the last time I had seen her. It was bright blue and piled on top of her head. She looked more like Rigid’s kid than I did. Though people with blue always seemed to go better together than those who chose the more natural route. “Hell froze over and Easy promised me a hundred bucks on top of my tips tonight.” She shrugged and grabbed a bottle of whiskey. “I’m in my last semester and need all of the money I can get.” She filled a shot glass and set it in front of me.

  “Damn. You’re almost done with vet school?” Frost asked. “Seems like you just started.”

  Greta shrugged. “It may feel that way to you, but it’s been an eternity.” She nodded to Reva. “What’ll it be?”

  I tapped Reva’s leg, and she focused on Greta. “Uh, what’s that?” She nodded to my shot glass.

  “Whiskey. It’ll put some hair on your chest. You might want to go with something else since I’m pretty sure Hero isn’t into hairy chests.”

  Reva giggled and glanced over her shoulder at me. “Is that so?”

  I grabbed the shot and tossed it back. “Feed me enough of these and I won’t care, Sunshine.”

  Reva turned back to Greta. “I’ll just have an amaretto sour. Double.”

  Greta winked. “Good choice. You’ll fit in just fine with the rest of the ol’ ladies.”

  Frost choked on his beer, and Reva tensed. Good job, Greta. She always said whatever she wanted and didn’t care if it made people uncomfortable.

  “Uh, did I hear you’re going to school to be a vet?” Reva asked.
/>   Greta grabbed a tall glass, filled it with ice, and splashed three fingers of amaretto in. “Only a couple of weeks to go.”

  “That’s pretty cool.”

  “Oh yeah?” Greta laughed.

  Reva nodded. “I’m a groomer. Dogs are kind of my life. At least from nine to five. I would have loved to have been a vet, but I’m too much of a softy. I would bawl every time a sick animal came in. I’m much better at just making them look pretty.”

  Greta shook her finger at Reva. “Now I know you’re a saint. I don’t have the patience to give a dog a haircut, let alone a good one.”

  “Trust me,” Reva giggled, “it isn’t all cute dogs and bows in their hair.”

  Greta finished the drink and set it in front of Reva. “Now you’re just being modest.” She winked at Reva, refilled my shot, and made her way back down the bar to fill other drink orders.

  Reva took a sip of her drink and hummed. “That is super good. I can’t remember the last time I went out and had a drink at a bar.”

  Frost held up his beer. “They always taste better when someone else is pouring them.”

  “Cheers to that.” Reva clinked her glass against his and smiled wide. She looked damn beautiful, and Frost noticed it.

  You would have to be dead to not notice it.

  Frost leaned back in his chair. “You better get that one tied down,” he said quietly.

  I didn’t reply. He was right. I had seen a lot in my twenty-eight years and knew that what I had started with Reva was damn good. If I was stupid, I would lose it and never get it back. Reva may be a little naïve when it came to motorcycle clubs and strip joints, but she wasn’t an idiot.

  We were both a little hesitant since it really had only been four days since we met. I wanted to put on the brakes and just slow things down a bit, but I couldn’t stay away from her. Did I need to invite her to the club tonight? No. It wasn’t like this was a great date, but she seemed to be enjoying herself. And I had to admit that having her here with me made coming to the Sultry Knights much more enjoyable.

  Luna stomped behind the bar and headed straight for me.

  “I can’t do this,” she growled.

  I laughed and tossed back the second shot of whiskey.

  “Work?” Frost asked.

  I chuckled and set the empty shot glass in front of Luna.

  She glared at me and grabbed the bottle of whiskey. One of the perks of being a Devil’s Knight. Your glass was never empty for long. She sloshed the brown liquid in and shoved it back to me. “Two more girls called in tonight.”

  “And?”

  Luna had begged and pleaded to be the manager of Sultry Knights. Dealing with employees calling in was part of the deal.

  She growled and leaned in toward me.

  Reva laid her hand on my thigh and leaned back into me. I wrapped my arm around her waist and pressed a kiss to her cheek. Luna could definitely be intimidating if she was wound up enough. “This is Luna, Sunshine,” I whispered in her ear.

  “She, uh, seems nice.” Reva grabbed her drink and settled back into me.

  “I don’t know why you’ve got your panties in a twist, Luna. You got Greta helping you out. She works harder than any other of your waitresses.” Frost drained his beer and grabbed the one Luna had poured him before she stormed off.

  “I wasn’t talking to you,” she snapped.

  Frost held up his hands. “I can see you’ve forgotten everything that happened today. Back to bitch Luna,” he grumbled.

  Frost and Luna were constantly going back and forth with each other. Part of me wondered if they just needed to fall into bed and fuck it out.

  “Why don’t you get off your ass and do what you dumbasses were supposed to do tonight? Zig and Zag are hungover in the corner. Snapper has his thumb up his ass sitting at the door. You two are just drinking, and I haven’t seen the rest of the guys.” She grabbed a bar towel and smacked it on the counter. “There’s a killer on the loose, and you guys are doing jack shit.” She threw the towel in Frost’s face and stormed off again.

  Frost balled it up and tossed it on the bar. “That chick needs some weed, booze, or dick.”

  I grabbed the shot she had poured. “Probably all three.”

  “Hero,” Reva scolded. “You can tell she’s overwhelmed.”

  I laughed and shook my head. “I’m gonna let that pass, Sunshine, since you don’t know Luna and you’re giving her the benefit of the doubt. What you just saw is basically Luna twenty-four-seven.”

  “Well, I’m gonna get up before she storms back over here.” Frost stood and dropped a twenty on the bar. “Make sure that goes to Greta.” He sauntered off toward the stage.

  “Uh, are you supposed to be doing something?” Reva asked.

  I shrugged. “Yeah.”

  “Hero,” she scoffed. “Let me go and do whatever it is you need to do.”

  I tighten my hold on her. “Not before I get a kiss.”

  She rolled her eyes and twisted to press a kiss to my cheek. “Now go to work. I promise there is more where that came from.”

  I grabbed her chin and kissed her lips. “You’re the only one who refers to club business as work.”

  She shrugged. “I mean, it is your work, right?” I let her off my lap, and she slid onto the stool Frost had been sitting on. “Now, go. I’ve got a drink and some dancing to watch.”

  “You sure you’re good?”

  She shooed me off with a wave of her hand. “You’re blocking my view of the stage.”

  “Should I be worried about you being so into the stage?” I chuckled.

  Reva rolled her eyes. “I couldn’t even pull myself up on that pole. It’s amazing what these girls can do.”

  I guess that was better than her thinking the girls were beneath her. “Behave while I’m gone.” I pressed a kiss to her cheek and made eye contact with Greta, who was making her way back down the length of the bar. She nodded, knowing I wanted her to keep an eye on Reva.

  Frost was standing by the front door with his arms folded over his chest.

  “You hiding out here?” I asked him.

  He rolled his eyes. “Fucking Luna,” he grumbled. “She’s the annoying little sister I never wanted.”

  I clapped him on the shoulder. “Why do you think I don’t hang out here as much?”

  Frost smirked. “Probably because of her.” He nodded to Reva at the bar who was talking to Greta.

  “She’s only been in the picture a few days. I figured out a while ago if I didn’t hang out here, I wouldn't have Luna up my ass.”

  “Well, lesson fucking learned.” He pushed off the wall. “I’ll see who I can talk to in the back. Indiana doesn’t go back on for a while. I’ll talk to her.” He took off to the hallway that led to the girl’s large dressing room.

  Zig and Zag were camped at one of the far tables, but they were at least chatting with the waitress who was serving them. If they were actually talking about Bunny, I didn’t know.

  I spotted Pie on the other side of the stage talking to a girl who was about to hop on. I wished like hell that I could have just stayed with Reva, but I knew if I helped out talking to the girls, then we might get some answers faster. I headed down the hall after Frost and sighed.

  Get this shit done, and then, I could get back to Reva.

  *

  Reva

  “Hero is going to kill you.”

  Greta glared at Luna and dropped a cherry into the glass. “Oh, phooey. Have a little fun, Luna.”

  Luna grabbed the bottle of Amaretto and set it under the bar. “You’re getting his ol’ lady drunk when he isn’t around.”

  Greta set the glass in front of me. “Those sound like club rules, and last I check, neither of us were part of the club.” Greta winked at me. “Bottoms up, sweetheart.”

  My head was fuzzy from the three I had already drunk, and part of me yelled to not touch it. The other part of me knew it tasted delicious and wondered what I was doing, waiting to do
wn it.

  Maybe I should sip this one. The last three had gone down so smooth that I drank them without thought.

  Greta had been sticking close to me since Hero went to work, and Luna had been over on and off.

  “How long is Hero working for?”

  Greta smiled.

  Luna rolled her eyes.

  “Work?” Greta asked.

  I waved my hand around and leaned forward to catch the straw with my lips. Keeping the glass on the bar was better than me trying to hold it. I had almost dumped my last one when I tried to clap. “You know,” I mumbled. I finally snagged the straw after chasing it around and took a long sip.

  “No, I don’t know,” Luna drawled.

  She was still scary to me, but she wasn’t as intimidating. When Luna had disappeared for a few minutes, Greta had clued me in that Luna was a bit of a bitch, but she had her reasons. The biggest was that she was pissed she could run Sultry Knights, but she really had no say when it came to anything. It sounded like she wanted to be part of the motorcycle club, but Greta said that wasn’t possible since she was a woman.

  I stifled a yawn with the back of my hand. Booze made me tired. Now I remembered that. “Whatever it is that he’s doing, is he almost done?”

  Luna rolled her eyes. “It’s club business, sweetheart, and unfortunately, none of us are privy to it.”

  Greta laughed. “Well, normally you’re not but if you wanna be like Luna, just barge into church and demand to know what is going on.”

  I hiccupped and raised my hand. “I don’t do church. The pews are too hard and I have a horrible singing voice.” No way I would go barging into church. Nope.

  Greta silently laughed and shook her head.

  Luna let out of a bark of laughter and slapped her hand on the bar top. “Now that is some funny shit,” she gasped.

  I had no idea what they were laughing at. I was pretty sure that most everyone would agree that wooden pews were hard as hell. Sitting on those things for an hour was pure torture. “Can I have some more cherries?” I put my hand over the top of my glass. “Not in here, though. I want them in my mouth.”

  “God damn, girl,” Greta laughed. “You are fucking entertaining.”

  I bowed my head. “You’re welcome.” I raised my head. “Now, can I have a cup o’ cherries?”