by Erin Trejo
“They thought I was in the car didn’t they?”
“Probably just waitin’ for you to go out,” I admit although that detonated at a very inconvenient time which makes me believe that was just a warning. “Probably a warnin’ from whoever it is that’s after you.”
“They want me dead,” she whispers. I step in front of her and grab her face roughly in my hands.
“I told you to trust me. Do you?” Her eyes tell a story that her lips don’t. She doesn’t know if she really trusts me and that kind of stings. I’ve done nothing more than try to keep her safe from whoever the hell is out there and she still can’t see that. I nod my head slowly before pressing my lips to hers. I guess that old saying is true. You have to show and prove. I will show her that I’m worthy of her trust and I will prove that I can keep her safe. As much as I want to say those words to her, I don’t. I don’t know what or who I’m up against but I know deep down I’m the man for the job. I work well under pressure and when it comes to something I care about I don’t back down. Too fucking bad for Skye that I don’t plan on backing down from her anymore either. I’ll take what I want from her and she will gladly give it. I’ll do whatever I need to to keep her ass safe even if it means my life for hers. That’s what a job does.
10
Skye
The sheriff came out and ripped my ass. He made sure to tell me how much he disliked me since I came into town. Keaton reminded him that no one actually gave a fuck about what he did and didn’t like and that his job was to take care of shit like this. He claimed to be investigating it but after nearly six hours and the sun slowly rising he hasn’t done much of anything. Instead, Keaton, Brick and Davis have been carefully sifting through what’s left of my smoldering car. I stand to the side with my arms wrapped around myself when Ruby comes rushing toward me.
“Are you okay?” She asks pulling me into her arms.
“How did you know?” I ask confused. She glances at Davis before smiling at me.
“He thought you might need me,” she says under her breath.
“They have been looking for hours. I don’t even know what the fuck they’re looking for,” I grumble. Ruby and I stand in silence for a few minutes just watching them when she finally clears her throat.
“So, Billy said to take all the time you need and that you’re job isn’t goin’ anywhere. I called him after Davis called me.” I nod my head slowly.
“Thanks.”
“Let’s go make them boys some breakfast. It doesn’t look like they’re going to be done anytime soon,” Ruby says nudging me with her hip. I nod my head and smile, following her back inside. We head into the kitchen and begin to cook when the thought strikes me to ask.
“You and Davis, huh?” I’m nosey. I can’t help it.
“He’s a nice guy. I don’t know how long he’ll be around. He did say that I was more than welcome to go with him when he left,” she says her cheeks turning pink.
“And are you?”
“What? Going with him? I doubt it. My life is here, my work.”
“You can waitress anywhere, Ruby.”
“I know but I barely know him.”
“Take a chance. You never know what might happen. What are you going to do here anyway?”
“I don’t know.”
“Girl this town is so small the phone book only has one page. If you were going to take a chance now would be the time,” I tell her. I nearly choke listening to myself but I grew up in the big city and I dint like it. In fact, I hated it most of the time. There were too many people that knew you and hated you. It was always a fear of mine.
“Looks who’s talking! You’re over here all shacked up with three hot guys. What’s going on with you?” she giggles as she flips the bacon. I flip the omelets that I’ve been working on before glancing at her.
“Our pasts have always been a secret, Ruby. Mine is coming back for me full force. I don’t know where to run that they wouldn’t find me. If yours is better than mine, you should go. Live, be free, enjoy your life. Nothing is worth dying for, you get me?”
“I agree,” Keaton’s voice echoes through the room. Ruby and I both turn to see the guys standing there with burnt remains in their hands.
“What’s that?” I ask nodding toward it. Keaton shrugs, ignoring my question. The guys drop onto the couch and start talking in hushed tones as Ruby and I finish breakfast. We each carry plates to the living room and hand each one of the guys one before we sit on the floor across from them. They all three eye us like we’re insane.
“Thanks for this,” Brick is the first to speak looking between the two of us but mainly at me.
“Eat before it gets cold,” I tell them. Keaton shoves off the couch and heads into the kitchen grabbing a few beers out as I watch him closely.
“A little early for that?” Ruby asks with a giggle and much to my surprise, Keaton smiles.
“Not with what we’re workin’ with. I might need somethin’ stronger,” he tells her, passing the guys each a beer. Beer and eggs? Who the hell would have thought?
“What is all this?” I ask nodding toward the pile of charred remains on the table. The guys share a glance when Keaton looks back at me.
“That’s pieces of a car bomb,” he says like he’s seen this before.
“Parts of a timer too,” Davis adds. I look between them waiting for more information but it isn’t looking good.
“A car bomb?” Ruby says her voice catching in her throat. “How would some put a bomb on her car?”
“Had a timer. Could have been put on there anytime and just set to go off at a certain time,” Brick says around a mouthful of eggs.
“So, they didn’t know if I was in it or not?” I ask looking between the three but it’s Keaton that answers. He shrugs his shoulder, takes a drink and sets the bottle on the table before looking at me.
“No. They were either hopin’ you were or that you were close enough or they just wanted to scare you.” The way he says it, like it’s no big deal. My stomach turns and the thought of eating flees my mind. If it goes in my mouth I’ll probably just barf it back up. Someone wants me dead. The idea of that makes me sick. I’ve never made an enemy. I’ve never involved myself with anything my family did and with reason. I hated it. All of it. I never wanted to be in the middle of that.
“It worked,” I say softly, Ruby’s hand coming to rest on mine.
“She’s coming to stay with me. This is bullshit. She doesn’t need to be here,” Ruby snaps making Keaton chuckle.
“You think you can keep her safe, darlin’?” he asks condescendingly. Ruby gasps but it’s Davis that speaks up.
“Calm that shit, Keaton.”
“It’s calm, brother. Just askin’ the lady a question. So, do you?”
“They don’t know where I live,” she says strongly. Keaton laughs this time, not chuckles.
“You been her friend for a while, yeah?” he asks and Ruby nods.
“They know where you live. They know the route you take in this tiny fuckin’ town to get to work. They know you used to live in Kentucky,” he snaps at her. Ruby’s grip on my hand tightens to an almost painful level.
“How do you know that?” She squeaks.
“You think that if I can find that shit out that they can’t? Open your pretty little eyes, sweetheart. We’re playin’ with monsters here. We ain’t playin’ a game of checkers with the local elderly. This is a fuckin’ warzone that we’re about to step into!” Keaton’s voice is higher and his level of aggravation is visible. He shoves off the couch, grabbing his beer and heading out the front door. I make a move to get up but Davis shakes his head at me.
“Let the man cool off. There’s a storm comin’ and he needs to prepare himself for it.” My heart leaps in my chest. I don’t know what he means by that and I’m afraid to even ask. My stomach lurches and I hold my eyes closed trying to keep calm.
“Shit’s gonna start happenin’ now whether we like it or not. The threat wa
s made, Skye. You have to be prepared to move when we say and do what we tell you.” My eyes pop back open and lock with Brick’s as he waits to see if I understood him.
“I never wanted any of this,” I tell him. He nods solemnly.
“This is life. We never ask for the shit but it gets handed to us anyway. We just have to roll with the waves and see where the ocean carries us.” My throat feels like it’s closing up. I can’t do this. I ran from this. Ruby sits silently next to me, not saying a word now. She probably hates me. The door flies open and Keaton stalks back in, his eyes wild with anger.
“I’ve made two decisions. Ruby, you’re packin’ up shop and goin’ with Davis and Brick back to their clubhouse until this shit is over,” he says glaring at her as if to dare her to say no.
“What the hell, Keaton? We’re on a job!” Brick roars, shoving from the couch.
“Were on a job. Money’s in your accounts.”
“What the fuck are you thinkin’, brother?” Davis asks watching him intently. His eyes move to mine and that’s where they stay.
“Too much don’t make sense. We’re goin’ underground.”
11
Keaton
The decision is mine. It always has been. Since the start of this job, I’m the one in control. I talked to Riley and he gave me the okay to proceed how I saw fit. The threat was a small one, blowing up her car but in this world, I know that things escalate.
“You worked this out?” Davis asks leaning back on the couch.
“Yeah. Called your Prez. He’s good with her ridin’ back with you. Appreciate both of you takin’ the time to help me on this and don’t think I won’t call if shit gets out of hand,” I tell them both. Davis nods but Brick just looks plain pissed. Not that I give two shits, this is my call.
“What does that mean?” Skye asks her wide eyes looking up at me for answers.
“What does what mean?”
“That we’re going underground?” Her eyes are wide as she stares up at me. This wasn’t my first choice but knowing who we are dealing with it is the best one.
“It means shit is gonna get bad for you,” Brick says looking at Skye before dragging his gaze back to mine. “You think about this shit?”
“Yeah. It makes more sense than runnin’ out in the open. Her family knows too much as it is. We go under, we figure out who it is and handle it.” The room grows silent when Skye shoves off the floor and eyes me.
“What the hell does he mean it’s going to be bad for me? What the hell is happening?” I close the space between us, grabbing her shoulders and forcing her gaze to mine.
“I need you to trust me, Skye. I know what I’m doin’,” I tell her honestly.
“Oh, fuckin’ kill me,” Brick mutters. I snap my gaze to his.
“I can arrange that,” I growl. Brick huffs but when I look back at Skye, I can tell she’s worried.
“I won’t let anything happen to you. This isn’t gonna be easy but I’ve been under before. We just need to watch our asses.”
“I don’t like this, Keaton,” Davis finally speaks up. I release the hold on Skye and turn to face them, crossing my arms over my chest.
“What do you think we should do then? Leave her out in the open?”
“You know you’re gonna have to fight if you go under, yeah? No one’s gonna hide you for free,” Davis reminds me. I nod my head and swallow hard. I know what I’ll have to do to keep us alive and that in itself might get me killed.
“I know. I’m ready for it. Not my first time, brother.” Davis nods his head before looking at Ruby. He motions for her to come to him and it almost surprises me that she does so with ease. She walks straight toward him and climbs in his lap like she’s always been there. They talk softly more than likely about what’s going to happen with her during all this shit. It pisses me off that this has to go down like this but I need to get information and there is no walking up to the DeLuca’s and asking.
“I’m scared, Keaton. I’ve never been scared like this in my life.” Her admission is like a punch to the chest. I reach up and caress her cheek.
“I know you are but I’ll do anything I can to keep you safe. I just need you to trust me, Skye.” Her eyes burn with unshed tears when Brick snaps.
“Fuck this shit! You have a choice Skye!” Coming to stand next to us, Skye looks between the two of us.
“What do you mean?” She asks softly.
“You can come with us. I’ll get the okay and you can be under our protection. No one will fuck with you at our clubhouse,” Brick states as if I’d ever let him take her. He’s fucking insane.
“What does that mean?” She asks confused by all of this.
“Yeah, Brick. What the fuck does that mean?”
“It means, you don’t have to hide out like Keaton plans. You can be at our clubhouse and have some freedom. We’ll protect you,” he says watching her for any signs that she is going to take what he’s saying to heart. Skye’s body trembles slightly she’s no doubt trying to figure this all out. I take a step back and head toward the bathroom letting her take a minute so that she can decide on her own. Closing the door behind me, I flip on the water and let it run as I lean against the counter. My mind runs a million miles a minute piecing all this together. I glance at myself in the mirror and wonder what the hell I’m doing. I’m a fucking nomad! I don’t need this shit in my life yet being with Skye over the last few months has changed something in me. I find myself wondering what I want in life. What the fuck is all of this for? At thirty two years old I should have some kind of fucking plan but I don’t. I reach to turn the water off when I hear it. The unmistakable sounds of gun fire. The girls screams blast through the room. I throw the bathroom door open, grab my gun from the back of my jeans and run back into the living room. Davis is in front of the window with Brick next to him. The girls huddle in a corner of the room, holding tightly to each other. I run over, wrapping my arms around them both before ushering them out of the room.
“Get in the bathroom on the floor!” I roar. Ruby moves but Skye doesn’t. she clings to my shirt, the fabric crumpling up in her hands.
“What do they want?” She cries when more shots can be heard. Plaster crumbles near our heads when I feel the burn. Shoving her to the floor, I cover her with my body. The pain is nearly unbearable but luckily for me this isn’t the first time I’ve been shot. I know what to expect but something breaks in me when I look down and my blood covers Skye’s perfect skin. My heart beats a little faster as I try to think. Is she hit too or is it all mine? Panic wracks me when the shooting calms.
“Are you hit?” I ask brushing her hair away from her face. She shakes her head slowly, her eyes wide.
“You saved me.”
“Everybody good?” Brick calls out before I pull myself up and then Skye.
“Yeah! Get Ruby and get the fuck outta here,” I roar as I drag Skye toward her room.
“Pack lightly. Only what you’ll need.”
“Where am I going?” She looks up at me with those big doe eyes and my heart melts for her.
“Your choice.” Her eyes flicker across my face before lowering to my arm.
“You’re shot!” her words aren’t what I wanted to hear. I ignore her and grab the small bag out of her closet, tossing random shit in it.
“Come on, princess. We don’t have time for this shit!” I growl in frustration. I wanted her to automatically choose me. I wanted her to say she was going with me but she didn’t. The thought alone pisses me off. I take a step back as she tosses some clothes into her bag before I add, “ Put some jeans on and a long sleeve shirt on.” Skye nods as I lean against the wall my gun still in hand. Brick and Davis walk in their eyes flickering around the room.
“You hit?” Nodding once at Davis, he moves closer to me. Lifting my arm, he checks out the wound.
“Straight through. You gonna be okay to ride?” He asks seemingly a little concerned.
“Yeah, I’m good.” My eyes stay on B
rick as his stay on Skye. I can’t force her to go with me. In honesty I probably could if I’m being honest with myself but that isn’t the way I want her. I want her to want me and if she doesn’t then that’s just as well I find out now.
“I think that’s it,” Skye says, zipping her bag up and tossing it over her shoulder. Her eyes move around the room taking us all in. My nerves are firing off waiting for her to say or do something. When she walks toward me and wraps her arm around my waist, I nearly lose it. She’s choosing me. She’s choosing to let me protect her. Brick doesn’t say a word and I keep my insults under control as he turns and heads out of the room.
“Call if you need us,” Davis reminds me as Ruby comes barreling into the room.
“Skye!” Skye pulls out of my arms, tugging her friend into a hug instead. They cry and exchange a few words before Davis grabs Ruby and tugs her from the room. I grab Skye and do the same, taking her bag from her shoulder. We all check the area as we make our way out and around the building thanking fuck that we parked out back.
“You see anything?” I ask Brick as he climbs on his bike.
“Dark SUV. That’s about it. I’m sure the good Sheriff is on his way so if we ain’t into answerin’ I’m out,” he says not bothering to look at me. I slap a hand on his shoulder before he finally looks up at me.
“I didn’t plan it, brother.”
“I know. We just spent time together, kinda hard not to get attached, yeah?” I nod my head knowing exactly how he feels.
“Appreciate the backup, brother,” I tell him honestly. He nods his head and reaches for his helmet. That’s his official goodbye. I take a step back when Skye rushes past me, throwing her arms around his shoulders. I walk away and give them their minute alone as I stuff her bag in one of my saddle bags. It’s a surreal feeling knowing that she’s going to be on the back of my bike and running around with me. I’m used to protection detail but this is by far different. This is something I actually care about.
