“Not by choice,” she grumbled.
“Shannon, would it kill you to do something in exchange for a place to stay and someone to watch out for you? Something other than throwing money around? I know that’s a difficult concept for you to grasp, but try for once in your life to act like the rest of the population. Some good old fashioned hard work isn’t going to kill you.”
Turning her head away, she huffed out a breath, and then grudgingly admitted softly, “I don’t know how to do any of those things.”
Crash unfolded his arms and pushed away from the counter. Pulling his phone from his back pocket, his thumb moved over the keypad.
“What are you doing?” she asked in a panic, her arms coming uncrossed.
“Seeing if your fairy godmothers can help,” he replied, not looking up at her.
“Don’t you dare!”
He glanced up at her just before he pushed send. “Why not?”
“I don’t want them knowing I’m such a complete idiot that I can’t even make a bed,” she exclaimed.
“But you can’t.”
“But they don’t have to know about it!”
He shoved his phone back in his pocket in frustration. “Fine, Princess. Figure it out on your own, then. Maybe you can Google it.” Turning to the other two, he asked, “You ready to roll?”
They both nodded, giving Shannon a sympathetic look.
“I want these dishes done before I get back,” Crash ordered, turning back to her.
Shannon’s hands landed on her hips, and she glared at him. “Fine. Where’s the dishwasher?”
“I ain’t got one.” He snapped back, and then chuckled. “Like you’d know how to use it anyway.” He slammed a bottle of dish soap on the counter and tossed her a dish towel. “Figure it out, babe. I’m late.”
After the men headed downstairs to their bikes, Shane said to Crash, “Damn, bro. You were kind of hard on her. Especially after last night.”
“Gotta work the bitch out of her,” was the only response he would give him.
*****
About forty minutes later, Wolf pulled up outside Crash’s place. He pulled his phone out and dialed Crash’s cell number.
“Yeah,” Crash answered.
“It’s Wolf. Open up the Batcave.”
“Ain’t there, bro. Just pulled up at the clubhouse.”
“Christ, Cole made me ride all the way out here with a ‘lick ‘n stick’ seat for your girl.”
“She ain’t my girl.”
“Oh, really?”
“Don’t get any ideas, Wolf.”
“Just sayin’, if you’re not interested, maybe you could give the rest of us a shot.”
“Not if you want to stay breathin’.”
Wolf laughed. “All right, asshole. What do you want me to do with the seat?”
Crash let out a frustrated breath. “Shit. I’ll call Shannon, have her open the door. You set it on the floor, and get your ass back here. You got me?”
Wolf grinned. “I hear you, brother.”
“I know exactly how long it takes to get back here, motherfucker.”
“Lucky for me you can’t tell time, asshole.” Wolf disconnected with a smile as Crash let loose some more choice profanities.
A couple minutes later the gate rolled slowly up. Wolf grinned and whispered, “Rapunzel, Rapunzel, let down your sweet hair.” Then he rolled inside, shut his bike off and climbed off. As he was pulling the small rectangular seat out of his saddle bag, a feminine voice floated down the elevator shaft.
“Hello?”
Wolf walked over to it. Glancing up, he shouted, “Hey, darlin’. It’s Wolf. Cole sent me over with a seat for you.” He was about to explain that he was going to leave it against the wall when the elevator started descending.
Shit.
Crash was gonna kill him. The elevator stopped in front of him. He stared at it for only half a second before he climbed on and ascended to the second level. When it rattled to a stop, and he threw open the gate, Shannon was standing there, her hands in the back pockets of her low cut jeans.
“Hi,” she said, shyly.
“Hey.” His let his eyes rove over her. Goddamn, she was gorgeous. He held the seat out to her. “Here you go.” She took it, turning it over to look at the funny suction cups on each corner and frowned. A grin pulled at the corner of his mouth. God, she was adorable. “It sticks to his rear fender.”
“It sticks?” Her eyes lifted to his.
“Don’t worry, darlin’. You won’t fall off. It’ll hold.”
One brow shot up, and a smile pulled at her mouth. “Are you sure?”
He grinned. “Yeah, I’m sure.”
She smiled. “Thanks for bringing it over. That was very thoughtful of you.”
Wolf was torn between letting her think he’d thought of it, or telling her the truth. He figured Angel would say something so he’d better be straight up with her. “Wish I could take credit for it, but Angel tore Cole a new one when she saw you ride away on the fender yesterday. Insisted he take care of it.”
“Really? And how did you get stuck with the job?”
He shrugged and winked. “I just happened to be in the right place at the right time.”
“Right. Well, thank you for bringing it. Would you like a cup of coffee?”
He nodded. “Sure, I’ll take a cup.”
He moved to the island and sat. She brought him over a cup and sat next to him with her own cup. He took a sip, his eyes catching hers over the rim. “Not bad. You’re improving,” he complimented her coffee-making skills with a grin and a wink.
She laughed. “Was it really that bad?”
“Yeah, darlin’. It was pretty bad.” They both laughed.
“God, I’m so embarrassed.” She put her face in her hand.
He reached over and pulled it down. “Babe, when a woman looks like you do, last thing a man cares about is how well she can make a cup of coffee.”
She laughed. “I’ll keep that in mind.”
His gaze slid over her. “You and Crash getting along?”
She shrugged. “He tolerates me, I think.”
“Really? Can’t say that’d be a chore.”
“You are a flirt, aren’t you? Crash warned me about you.”
“Oh, did he now?”
“Um hmm.”
“So, you holding up okay?”
Her grin faded. “Does everyone know my story?”
He watched her expression change. “Darlin’, relax. A couple of us know the story. Crazy ex stalking you, right?”
She nodded.
“You still worried about him?”
She shrugged. “Sort of.”
“Shannon, he’s not gonna get anywhere near you while you’re with the club. You need to believe that.”
“And when I’m here? Alone?”
“You worried about bein’ alone here?”
She shrugged again. “Maybe.”
“Babe. This place is like Fort Knox. Nobody’s getting in unless you let them in. I installed the security system myself.” She nodded, but it wasn’t convincing. He put his hand to her chin, lifting it to meet his gaze. “Shannon, what is it?”
She turned, pulling her chin free. “Nothing. I’m sure you’re right.”
“Crash isn’t going to let anything happen to you. He’s a good guy, Shannon.”
She smiled. “You’re his brother. You have to say that, right? That’s the bro code, isn’t it?”
“Bull shit. Ain’t no code says I gotta sing his praises. What I should be tellin’ you is what a jerk he is and what an awesome guy I am,” he teased.
“Oh, I see.” She laughed.
“I could stay with you, if you don’t want to be here alone,” he offered, knowing Cole and Crash would both have his ass if he didn’t show back up at the club soon. But, damn, she’d be worth the beating.
“Thank you for the offer, but you’re right, I’m sure I’m safe here. I’m just being silly.”
He shook his head. “One thing I’ve learned, if your gut is telling you something, babe, it’s best to listen to it. Is there something you’re not telling me?”
“No, of course not.”
Wolf could see her beginning to get agitated. Something was going on. “You sure?”
“Yes. I’m sure.”
She slid off her bar stool. He figured that was his cue to leave, so he stood as well. “I should be getting back then.”
She nodded. “Yes.”
He walked to the elevator, but stopped and turned back to her before stepping on. “If anything happens…anything scares you, you call Crash, understand?”
“Of course. Thanks again for bringing the seat over.”
He stepped on and shut the gate. “You’re welcome, Shannon.”
*****
About an hour after Wolf left, Angel and Crystal showed up. Angel pulled her car off the street at Crash’s door, blocking the sidewalk. Getting out they walked up to the steel door. Angel knew the guys were all at the clubhouse, and therefore Shannon was here alone. Flipping up a hidden cover she exposed the intercom access. Pressing the button, she leaned in and said, “Shannon, its Angel and Crystal. Open the door.”
A few moments later the door rolled up, and Angel pulled her car inside. Getting out, she saw the elevator was already coming down. She reached in the backseat for a paper grocery bag, and they headed to the elevator.
Shannon was standing waiting for them when they reached the second floor. “Hey, girl. Thought we’d come by and see how you were doing.”
Shannon gave her a hug, crushing the bag between them. “Thank God you’re here. I’ve been searching the internet for recipes, and I don’t know what the hell half of them are talking about. Caramelize, dredge, par-boil. Who talks like that? ‘Simmer until done’. What does that mean? How am I supposed to know if it’s done?” Her eyes moved to Crystal.
Crystal raised her hands. “Don’t look at me, I’m just along for the ride.”
Angel noticed the panicked tone and laughed. “Settle down, honey. I’ve got it all in the bag here.” She held up the paper bag in her arms.
“What’s that?”
“Dinner. I brought everything you need to knock Crash’s socks off.”
“Thank you. You really are an Angel! What are we making?”
“My recipe for Stuffed Shells. It’s one of Crash’s favorites. We can make it, slip the pan in the fridge, and you can bake it right before he gets home. We’ll throw together a salad and some garlic bread. He’ll love it. I guarantee it.” Angel headed to the kitchen and began unpacking the ingredients.
“So, he’s had your cooking before?” Shannon followed her.
“Of course. He’s been over for dinner many times.”
“Has he…ever brought anyone?”
Angel turned at Shannon’s hesitant question. “He’s never brought one to our home, but I’ve seen him with women before, Shannon. He’s not a monk. He was even married for a short time. That was long before I met him, and he really doesn’t talk about it. At least not to me.”
“Imagine that,” Crystal put in with a smirk. “Someone else who won’t spill their guts to you.”
Angel gave Crystal a teasing glare and turned back to Shannon. “But, if you’re asking if there’s anyone special in Crash’s life at the moment, the answer is no.”
“At least, not until you showed up,” Crystal teased Shannon, grabbing a mushroom from the package Angel set on the counter and popping it into her mouth. Angel smacked her hand and returned to unpacking her bag.
“I don’t really know where you get the idea he likes me. He can’t seem to stand me. We got into it this morning, as a matter of fact. He told me I was nothing but the maid. Said that was the deal I’d signed up for.”
Crystal immediately tried to change the subject, knowing what a bombshell Shannon had just dropped. She opened the fridge, peering inside. “I could really go for a Bloody Mary. Crash got any booze?”
Angel ignored Crystal, stopped what she was doing and looked at Shannon. “Deal? What deal? Did you make some kind of a deal?” She watched Shannon shrug and bite her lip.
“Maybe.”
“Oh-oh,” Crystal warned Shannon and tried to stop her from further pissing Angel off, signaling with a slashing motion across her throat for Shannon to stop talking.
Angel turned to look at Crystal, who was standing behind her. Crystal immediately stopped the motion, trying not to get caught in the act. Angel frowned, and turning back to Shannon, she pressed, “What deal, Shannon?”
“Cole told me that in exchange for Crash’s protection that I had to cook and clean for him. And do his laundry.” Shannon frowned. “I think that was everything.”
“Cole told you?” Angel asked with a raised brow. “What else did Cole tell you?”
Crystal dropped her head, shaking it. “Iksnay. Iksnay.”
Shannon bit her lip again. “He said I needed to lose the attitude.”
“He did, did he?” Angel stared at the counter, thinking about just what she was going to say to her husband about this when he got home tonight. She turned back to Shannon. “And you agreed to this arrangement I take it.”
Shannon shrugged. “There really wasn’t any choice. It was that or they were walking out the door.”
“Hmm. Maybe we should add a little something extra to this recipe,” Angel suggested, slamming the pasta on the counter.
“The boys already think I put rat-poison in the coffee. Please don’t make this worse,” Shannon begged.
“Okay, fine. Maybe I’ll reserve that for Cole’s dinner,” Angel said.
“Oh, please don’t. He’s been nice to me, really. I made the deal, and I really haven’t kept up my end of it.” She glanced around at the messy loft.
Angel put her hand on her hip, and then took in the loft. “Well, I guess we need to get this place cleaned up then.”
Crystal snorted. “Rub a lamp.”
The girls burst out laughing.
Later after Angel had helped Shannon with the recipe, and they had it all prepared and in the fridge, they straightened up the loft, talking as they worked.
“So, what should I wear to this party Friday night?” Shannon asked.
Crystal and Angel exchanged looks, with Crystal saying, “You dressed her last time. This time it’s my turn.”
Surprisingly Angel shrugged, not putting up a fight. “Fine. You’ve actually been to these parties, so you’d know more than me what to dress her in.”
A sneaky grin formed on Crystal’s face. “I know just the outfit. I saw it on this website that sells hot biker chick stuff. It was perfect.”
“What was it, exactly?” Shannon asked suspiciously.
Crystal glanced around. “Does Crash have a computer?”
Shannon pointed over to the end table. “There’s his laptop. He said I could use it, but no internet shopping. He didn’t want them to trace my credit card purchases.”
“Let me at least show it to you,” Crystal insisted. She picked up the laptop and within a minute had the website pulled up. She turned the screen toward Angel and Shannon showing them the outfit.
“Wow,” Angel whispered. “That’s hot.”
“I couldn’t wear that,” Shannon exclaimed, shaking her head.
“Sure you can. You’ve got the perfect body type. You’re tall and lean and curvy. Just imagine what Crash will think when he sees you in it.”
Angel ran over to her purse and came back holding her credit card up. “I think a little payback is in order. Cole can pay for this, considering your deal and all.”
“Angel, you couldn’t,” Shannon argued.
“Oh, can’t I? Watch me.”
“We’re gonna have to have it shipped express. It’s gonna cost a whack, Angel,” Crystal pointed out.
“Serves him right,” was all Angel replied.
*****
Crash and Cole stood at the bar in the clubhouse.
“How’s Shannon?” Cole asked.
“When I left?” Crash smiled. “Cussing’ me up one side and down the other, I’m sure.”
Cole chuckled.
Crash took a sip of coffee from his mug. He looked over at the table where Mack sat talking with Jake and Shane. Lowering his mug, he asked Cole, “You think he’ll let ‘em prospect?”
Cole glanced over at the table, then back to Crash. “Don’t see why not.”
Crash nodded.
“Of course they’ve got to be employed first. Gotta have that legit source of income to keep the feds off our backs.”
“Yeah. Wolf said something about maybe having a spot for them. It’d be something, at least till they got settled.”
“Speaking of Wolf, he was supposed to get Shannon a seat. Angel gave me hell yesterday when she saw your girl was ridin’ the fender.” Cole glared at Crash, letting him know he blamed him for that.
Crash’s jaw clenched. “Where the hell is Wolf? He should’ve been back by now.” He glanced at the clock above the bar.
Cole grinned. “You timin’ him?”
“Hell, yeah,” Crash snapped. “And quit callin’ Shannon, my girl. She ain’t my girl.”
“You don’t like her? Here I thought you were gonna have her waiting on you hand and foot. Wasn’t that the bet? Do I get my hundred bucks yet?”
“Deals not over yet. There’s still time.”
“Yeah. Okay.” Cole tried to hold back a grin as he took a sip of his own coffee. “Thought she acted fine when she was here the other day.”
“Yeah, she’s cool, calm and pulled together on the outside—on the inside, she’s a hot mess,” Crash grumbled.
“What do you mean?”
“Shit sets her off,” he shrugged, picking up a stir-stick and putting it in his mouth, chewing on the end.
“Like what?”
“Well, like one day last week. We pulled in this parking lot, which already made her edgy, because for some freaking reason parking lots freak her out. We went into Burke’s, you know, that restaurant attached to the mall? Anyway, when we came out, we’re walking toward the bike and this panel van pulls into the spot next to the bike, and suddenly she’s freaking out. Pulling on my hand, refusing to go another step. She’s backing up like I’m trying to take her to a six-dollar hair salon.”
CRASH: An Evil Dead MC Story (The Outlaw Series) Page 18
