“Adriana!” called my mother again.
I jerked my head toward her. She was definitely treating me like a child. It made me so angry and embarrassed that I almost jumped back on his bike, just to spite her.
“You’d better go and see what she wants,” said Trevor, smirking. “Before she comes out here with a paddle.”
“I’m sorry,” I said, backing away. “She isn’t always like this.”
“Don’t worry about it. I’ll call you later.”
“Okay.”
His eyes swept over me again. “Mm… I’d better get out of here before I kidnap you. Are you free after work?
“I don’t know. I have school tomorrow. Early.”
“So is that a ‘no’?”
Fuck it.
Krystal was right. I needed to get laid. It was time to find my own dark side. I smiled “Actually, it’s a ‘yes’. But, only for a little while.”
“Sweet. Call me when you’re done working,” he said, putting his sunglasses on. “We’ll meet up.”
“Okay.”
Then he was gone and I was left to deal with my pissed off mother.
Sighing, I walked up to the house and opened the door, ready for a battle. It didn’t take long.
“What are you doing with him?” she asked, looking disgusted.
“His name is Trevor and he’s a nice guy,” I replied, closing the door behind me.
“He’s trash, Adriana.”
“No, Mama, he’s not. He’s a good guy. You don’t even know him.”
“I know his kind and so do you. He’s in a gang. A gang! I saw the patches on his jacket. Those are dangerous guys. Not what you need to be surrounding yourself with. I don’t want you seeing him again.”
I pursed my lips. “I’m an adult. I can make up my own mind on who I want to see.”
She stared at me angrily. “So, what you are saying is that you are seeing him again? Even if I beg you not to?”
“Trevor is a great guy. You didn’t even give him a chance.”
“How can you do this, Adriana?” she asked me, looking tired and defeated. “You know what happened in Florida. What kind of people these bikers are. They are nothing but criminals.”
“Trevor isn’t a criminal. These guys are different, here. The Gold Vipers. It’s not like it was in Florida. They are nothing like the Hell’s Demons.”
Her eyes narrowed. “Is that what he told you?”
“Well, not in so many words.”
“Of course not. He wants you. You’re a beautiful girl, Adriana. Men will say whatever you want to hear to get into your pants.”
I bit back a smile. “I realize that. I’m not sixteen, though. I’m twenty-one.”
“Yes. See. Just a babe.”
Exasperated, I sighed. She would tell me this when I was thirty. That was her way.
Vanda wagged her index finger at me. “You realize that your father is probably turning in his grave right now, knowing that you’re seeing this guy. How can you do that to him?”
“Papa’s dead,” I said. “But if he were alive, he’d at least give Trevor a chance.”
“No,” she said. “Never. Your father was almost killed because of a man like,” she wrinkled her nose. “Trevor. I didn’t tell you but, one of those bikers shot your father.”
I stared at her in shock. “They did?”
She nodded. “Yes. He was shot in the shoulder. They wanted my wedding ring,” she said, staring at her left hand, which had the replacement band. “The one that was handed down from his mother. It was two-karats. Beautiful. After stealing almost all of the jewelry in the shop, they demanded that, too.”
“What happened?” I asked, my voice hollow. I hadn’t heard that part of it. I knew they’d gotten the ring, but hadn’t heard the actual story behind it.
She smiled sadly. “Your father, he was so sentimental. You remember? Always telling stories about your grandparents and their farm.”
I nodded. My father’s parents had traveled from Germany, when he was a young boy. They moved to Iowa and bought a farm. This was several years before he met my mother, which was on a trip to Florida, after his mother had died of cancer. Vanda’s family had also been immigrants. They’d moved from Portugal when she was a teenager, to Miami. Her father, my grandfather, had been a wealthy jeweler, and that’s where my mother had found her own passion for diamonds and gems. Eventually, my parents married and they opened up their first jewelry shop in Florida. “Yes. I remember.”
She sighed. “He was so attached to that ring. It was an heirloom. A symbol of our marriage. Obviously, he didn’t want them to have it. Told them they couldn’t have it. Even told them why.” Her lip quivered. “But, those ingrates didn’t care and I could see right through them. I told you father that it was okay. That they could have the ring, but he kept arguing. Well, they shot him before I could get the ring even off of my finger. Then, they laughed when it was over. Made fun of your father, lying there bleeding and dying. Can you believe such evilness?”
“No,” I whispered, imaging the horror. It made me sick to my stomach.
“So, you see, those are the kind of people that you’re dealing with. The kind that join these ‘gangs’,” she said, her face darkening.
“Why didn’t you tell me about that?”
“You were so young; he didn’t want you to know. Didn’t want you to be frightened.”
I sighed.
“Adriana,” she said, grabbing my hand. “There are so many good boys out there. Don’t waste your time with this guy. You’ll regret it later. You’ll be hurt, in one way or another.”
“Mama…”
“Just, please…” She squeezed my hand. “Think about it, okay? For your father’s sake, at least?”
I let out a ragged sigh. “Yes. I will definitely think about it.”
She leaned forward and kissed my cheek. “You are all I have,” she said, her eyes shining with tears. “I don’t want to lose you, too.”
“You won’t,” I said softly.
“Remember what you father used to say? You can’t predict your own destiny, but you’re responsible for choosing the path that leads you to it.”
“I know, Mama. I know.”
Chapter Fifteen
Raptor
After I left Adriana, I took a cruise on my bike, to clear both of my heads, and then headed to Griffin’s. I met up with Tank in the parking lot; there were shadows under his eyes and he looked like he hadn’t slept in a week.
“Hey, man,” I said, shoving my key into the front of my jeans. “You’re looking pretty rough.”
He shrugged. “Couldn’t sleep.”
“Even after I called you?”
He opened the door to the bar and we went inside. “Fuck no. I heard Krystal’s phone go off, right after we hung up, and when I read the text message sent to her, I was too jacked up to sleep.”
“Message? What message?”
“Some douchebag named Gary sent her a message. It said - ‘Thanks for everything’.”
“Oh yeah? Did you ask her about it?”
“No.”
“Why not?” I said, thinking the message could have meant anything.
“I was too pissed off. I mean, what kind of asshole sends a girl a message at four in the morning? Like he can’t get her out of his mind.” He rubbed a hand over his face. “I needed time to think.”
“Could be nothing,” I thought, knowing that it could also be a lot. After getting screwed over by Brandy, I wasn’t sure what to believe myself. “She ever mention a guy named Gary?”
“No. Not at all.”
“You know you gotta ask her.”
“I know.” He sighed. “I don’t know. I’m almost tempted to just say ‘fuck it’ and find some new pussy. I don’t like this feeling jealous kind of shit. Too many girls willing to keep me satisfied, you know? Without the baggage or the worries.”
“I feel you, Brother. I wish I’d have never met Brandy. She was bad n
ews. ”
Two of the club whores walked by us as we sauntered over to the bar.
“Hey, Raptor, looking good,” said Cheeks, who I’d banged a couple of times. “You need some company later, let me know.”
“Will do,” I said, staring at her ass as she walked away. I had to admit - it was as nice as fuck, thus her nick-name, but it didn’t compare to Adriana’s. Not from what I’d seen in those tight jeans of hers or felt under my fingertips. I imagined her wearing a G-string and my dick perked up again.
“Fuck,” I muttered, adjusting myself.
“What’s wrong?”
“Nothing.”
Tank tapped his fingers on the bar impatiently. “You know, I should just go and fuck the shit out of the new chick,” he said, eyeing the curvy blonde on stage with the big plastic tits. She was in her thirties and not much to look at above the neck, but even I had to admit, she knew how to work a pole. She’d shown me just how well, the week before. “Take my mind off of all the shit for a while.”
“Just don’t be late for the meeting, or your Old Man will have your balls,” I said as the bartender, Misty, set two icy-cold beers in front of us.
“No shit. Last time I was late, I thought he was going to have a fucking heart-attack, he was so pissed off. Wasn’t even my fault that I got a flat tire.”
“That’s because it was flat the night before, and he knew it,” I reminded him and then winked at Misty. “Thanks, Darlin’”
Misty tossed her jet black hair over her shoulder and smiled. “Anytime, Raptor. Just so you know, the kitchen is open. You boys want me to put in an order for you?”
Tank’s lip curled up. “I’ll take an order of you, lovely lady.”
Misty laughed. “Really? And what about your pretty little blond, Krystal?”
“What about her?” he asked, reaching over the bar to grab a toothpick. “You thinking about a threesome?”
She giggled. “You are so bad.”
“Baby, you have no idea.”
Still smiling, she turned to me. “So, you hungry, or what, Raptor?”
“I’ve already eaten,” I said, taking a swig of beer.
“To be honest, I haven’t eaten yet,” said Tank, wiggling his eyebrows. “And what I’m craving isn’t on the menu.”
She leaned forward on the bar, her tits bulging out of her halter top. “And what is it that you’re craving?” she asked seductively.
“Whatever you’re serving,” he said, staring at her chest.
Misty lowered her voice. “What if I’m willing to serve you both? At once.”
Tank chuckled and looked at me. “You game? I’ll take the front and you can have the back.”
“No, thanks. She’s all yours.”
“You sure?” pouted Misty, grabbing my hand. She put it on her left tit. “I’ll let you fuck me in the ass.”
Laughing, I removed it. “Tank, you’ve got your hands full.”
He took a swig of his beer. “Does that offer stand for me, too?”
She winked at him. “Honey, I’ve had you inside of me and I know what you’re made of. I don’t need any trips to the E.R.”
Slammer walked out of the back room and scowled. “Put your dick back into your pants, Tank, and meet me in my office. We need to talk. You too, Raptor.”
Tank straightened up. “Can’t it wait?”
“Nope. Misty, can you put an order in for a burger and onion rings?”
“Sure thing, Slammer,” she said, hurrying toward the kitchen.
He stopped next to us. “You two should stay away from Misty,” said Slammer in a low voice. “Girl’s crazy. She even fucked that asshole, Breaker, last night.”
Tank’s eyes narrowed. “No shit? What the fuck?”
“She told me she only did it to see if she could get some information. Like she’s some kind of secret agent on a mission.” He pointed to his head. “I admire her loyalty to the club, but the girl’s not all fucking there.”
“He could have messed her up pretty badly,” I answered.
“She probably wouldn’t care. In fact, she likes it rough,” said Tank, smiling grimly. “Asked me to choke her, once.”
Slammer grunted. “Doesn’t surprise me.”
“Did you?” I asked, as Tank leaned against the bar again and watched the stage.
He shook his head. “Honestly, I tried and then stopped when she kept begging me to do it harder. I just felt too weird about it. I like rough sex as much as the next guy, but the choking thing, that’s fucked up.”
“She’s one loony bitch. You want your dick waxed, stick with Bunny, Shy, or Cheeks. They won’t kill you in your sleep,” said Slammer as Misty walked back out of the kitchen.
“The order is in. You want me to bring it back to your office when it’s done?”
Slammer looked around the bar. It was dead. “That or send Blue back with it. I know he’s here somewhere.”
“He took a magazine into the bathroom,” said Misty, nodding toward the restrooms. “He’s been in there for a while.”
Slammer scowled. “Fuck. Okay, you bring me the food,” he said, walking back toward his office.
“You want to meet up later?” Misty asked Tank, as we were preparing to follow him.
“No. Gonna head out to the club after this. We’ve got church at three.”
“I know. Text me later tonight, if you change your mind.” She looked at me and winked. “Either of you. I’m game for whatever you want.”
Disturbed by the fact that she’d screwed Breaker, I grabbed my beer and followed Tank into Slammer’s office.
“Close the door,” said Slammer, sitting down behind his desk.
Tank did. “What’s up?”
I sat down across from Slammer and noticed he had a file on his desk.
Slammer lit a cigarette and waited until Tank was in the other chair. He leaned back. “Mud still isn’t backing down.”
“I didn’t think he would. Breaker’s his nephew,” said Tank.
“I know, but what’s right is right. Letting Breaker get away with raping my future step-daughter, is a punch in the face. I know he did it. Mud knows he did it. I need vindication.”
“So, you’re absolutely sure it wasn’t one of the other Devil’s Rangers?” asked Tank.
“Oh, fuck yeah,” said Mud, who was looking every bit of his fifty-seven years. He rubbed the gray stubble on his chin and sighed. “Jessica saw the patches on his cut. It was theirs.”
“She remember anything else?” I asked.
“To be honest, she won’t even talk to me. Just to Frannie. But, the description she gave, fits. And we all know what a fucking whack-job Breaker is.”
“This was personal,” said Tank, staring at his beer bottle. “I know it was. He must have known who she was.”
“I agree,” said Slammer. “And I’m not letting that sonofabitch get away it.”
“What are you going to do?” I asked.
“I’ve ordered a hit on him,” he said, opening up the folder. Inside was a picture of Breaker and a sheet of paper with his address and other personal information scribbled across it. “I need you to deliver this to our guy.”
“Why don’t we just do it ourselves, and get it over with?” asked Tank.
“That’s what they’re expecting. We do this out in the open, there will be an all-out war. It has to look like something else.”
“So what?” he said, his eyes hardening. “We need to send them a fucking message. All of them.”
“I agree, Son. You know I do. But,” he blew out a cloud of smoke. “I’m getting married, soon, and I promised Frannie that I wouldn’t land my ass in jail. I don’t want either of you going, either. Not for that bozo.”
“So, who’s going to do it? The Judge?” I asked.
He nodded. “I don’t want anyone else to know about it, though. Not even the rest of the crew.”
“Why not let them in on it?” asked Tank. “They’re going to figure out you had someth
ing to do with it, anyway.”
“Can’t do that.”
“Why?” I asked. Slammer never made any decisions like this without letting the others know about it, first. Of course, he didn’t order many hits on people, either. This was only the second one I’d heard of.
“I think one of them is an informant.”
“A cop?” I asked.
He grunted. “No, not that. A stoolpigeon. For Mud.”
“How did you come to that conclusion?” asked Tank.
“Information has been leaked. Information that neither of you even know about.”
“What the fuck does that mean?” asked Tank, looking pissed.
“Mud asked me how to get in touch with Jordan Steele. He shouldn’t even know that we’re connected. That I’ve ever had any business with him.”
“Who is this Jordan Steele?” I asked. I’d never heard of him.
Slammer looked me straight in the eye. “Your brother. The Judge.”
Chapter Sixteen
Adriana
My mother went back to the shop, to check on business, and I took a shower. When I was finished and blow-drying my hair, Tiffany called me.
“Holy crap, I just heard what happened,” she said. “That fucking asshole.”
I walked into my bedroom and started searching for something to wear. “I know,” I replied, pulling out a black cashmere sweater from the dresser. I threw it on the bed, next to my new white denim skirt, and decided they’d look good together.
“Did you call the police?”
“No,” I replied, rifling through my underwear drawer. I held up a white silk thong, one that I’d purchased one a whim, and decided to pair it with a black and white pushup bra.
It’s not for Trevor, I told myself.
In fact, I’d decided not to meet with him later. No matter how sexy and sweet he’d been, I didn’t need to get involved with someone who had admitted that he was some kind of an outlaw. Especially after what my mother had told me. Even if it was just for sex. Amazing sex.
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