“Yup. That was the end. Right before you became a prospect, there was a truce made with them. The agreement was, no more bloodshed as long as they stay the hell out of Brooks Landing, right? So that's what I don't get. Why would Isidro suddenly want to start that war again? He knows how we feel about drugs.”
“Maybe he thinks we’re distracted? Or cocky.” She knew I was referring to my father. It had been too long since he had gotten a taste of the action. It was like that bullet wound warded off any other injuries. He had been too lucky for too long, and he was getting sloppy. The missing shipment was evidence of that. But I couldn't tell Mama any of that; it was club business, and she was just an old lady. That was the difference between her and I. She never wanted me to be involved, but it wasn't her choice. As soon as I turned eighteen, I told my father I wanted to prospect. I would be the only female rider on the West Coast in an all-male MC. At first, Dad tried to convince me that I should go join one of the lady clubs, but they were too squeaky clean for me. I wanted to be in on the jobs. I'd grown up an outlaw, and I wanted it to stay that way. Fallen Idols were my family, and I wasn’t going to turn my back on them and go straight for some all-girl club. It took two different churches for them to approve me to prospect. But I proved my worth from the beginning, and I'd gotten the respect that I needed ever since.
Mama took another bite of her sandwich before adding, “Did you say you saw Chen? It must be really be important if he came to the docks.”
“He said he tried to call Rogue, but he didn't call him back. You know how the Red Dragons are. They’ll come find your ass if they can’t get a hold of you. Probably wanted to make sure he wasn't dead.”
She smiled. “Are you sure he wasn't just checking up on you?”
I sighed. “Mama, I told you. It's not gonna happen between us. A half Latina and a Chinese kid? You're crazy. Both the clubs would cut us out in a second.”
She shrugged her shoulders, her tan skin glistening in the afternoon sun. “I don't know about that. Like all that medieval shit. Creating a bond between clubs; it could be good for business.”
I finished my sandwich. “You don't worry about business, Mama. You just keep this place running smoothly. That reminds me. Did you hire a new mechanic? We've been swamped since I took Axel down to the warehouse.”
“Yeah honey, I did. Nice young kid, I think, a new prospect.”
“Blaze?”
She nodded. “Yeah, he’s got good skills. A lot like his father.”
I shook my head. “What do you think his mom is gonna say about all this? Even though his dad died for this club, she went and took those kids away from us. He doesn't belong here Mama; he's not one of us anymore.”
She smiled out of the corner of her mouth. “You sounded like your father just then. He said the same thing.”
I crossed my arms. “He should. He knows as well as I do that when you leave, you’re out. Another reason that Chen and I will never happen. I would never do anything to jeopardize my family. That kid, he's not my family.”
“You're right, he's not. But he's a man who's looking for a life. And we help those people out.”
She grabbed her brown paper bag, and laid a light kiss on my cheek before walking away, leaving me to think about what had happened already today. It would be nice to just have one easy day in the club, but that's not how this life worked. I sat waiting for a few more minutes until Rogue pulled up on his bike with a couple of the other guys. As soon as he took off his helmet, I made my way over to them. “Chen was at the docks. We need to talk. He wants to set up a meet.”
He nodded. “All right. I'll make the call. But we got church first. Call the other guys, and make sure they're here in an hour. We have a new prospect.” He looked across the parking lot, and into the garage where Blaze stood in a mechanics uniform. He had cut the sleeves off, exposing his thick arms. For a brief moment I allowed myself to fall back into last night, with those rough hands on my skin. It sent tingles down my body, and into my core. I shook off the feeling of lust he gave me. I didn't want to enjoy looking at him, but I couldn't help myself. He glanced over, and our eyes met for a brief second. Flashes of him pushing me up against the sedan he was working on, pulling off my clothes and chewing on my lower lip raced through my mind. He looked at me surprised. My secret was about to be out.
But as I gazed into his eyes there was something about him that made me want to know more. Do more. Feel more. But the other part of me knew that he wasn't right for the club. You don't leave family, that’s just how it was. Sure, his mom had made the decision for him because he was little. But to only shown up now? Besides, he was older than me. He could've come to find us years ago, and he chose not to.
No, it didn’t matter how amazingly sculpted his arms were, how piercing his eyes were, or how good he was in bed. There was something in his gaze that I just couldn't trust, no matter how much the rest of him turned me on.
SEVEN
An hour later, the club was sitting around the thick oak table on the first floor of the MC. It was the only private room we had down here. Everything else –including a billiards room and a private apartment with three bedrooms, sat upstairs. Everyone sat relaxed in their respective seats, thinking that this was just a meeting about a prospect. The vote would be simple, and it was majority ruled. He would have to prospect for at least six months to a year before he would be fully vetted and allowed to patch in. My prospect days were almost two years before Rogue could convince the whole club that a female member wouldn't make us weak. I'd killed two guys by the time I was patched in. Weakness was not something I had. Cruz, our only current prospect, closed the door, and walked back out to the bar. He was just a baby, but he would patch in quickly as long as he could prove himself. He was Buck’s youngest, accustomed to the life. So far his skills hadn't been necessary, but today, we might need him to help with protection of the warehouse. We certainly needed more guys there.
There were nine of us in all, but only three of us were what everyone else liked to call youngsters. MC was all about family, both blood and not. Some of us were related, sure, but we didn’t love them anymore than the others. We should have a few more guys, but prospects had been low the last few years. We had a nomad around for a little while, but he couldn't decide whether or not he wanted to stay. Last I heard, he joined some club in Texas. I had trouble trusting the nomads. I felt like their loyalty only lay with themselves.
Rogue cleared his throat and banged the gavel, announcing the start of the meeting. “We got a couple matters to discuss today on the table. I’ll let Trista and Axel talk first.”
I nodded. “I went down to the warehouse today to see how Axel and Ryder were making out. They reported two engines were stolen yesterday. We need more eyes on that warehouse. I think we should have security posted there round-the-clock. Because, whoever this was, they knew what the hell they were doing. Nobody saw anything.”
Ace cursed under his breath. “Shit! Who the hell is comin’ in on our territory? Besides the Red Dragons, nobody even knows about that warehouse.”
Rogue shook his head, “The Dragons wouldn’t do this. We've been partners for over a decade; they know better than to backstab us now.”
Ryder chimed in. “You sure, boss? I mean, they've got some new young blood over there. Who knows where their loyalty is?”
I spoke up. “I don't think it's the Dragons, because here's the other piece of news. Chen said two of our deliveries didn't make it to port last night, and he wasn't happy. I was surprised to find this out. Who was the drop-off last night?”
Rogue sat up straighter in his chair. “Ace, Bones, weren’t you two on duty last night?”
Bones looked down at the table, his dark, bald head reflecting the light. “No, man, I wasn't there.” He lifted his eyes up to Dad’s. “I was at the clinic last night.”
That would be easy to verify. Bones was the only one of us that kept a legitimate job outside of the MC. He worked part-time as a doct
or at a local methadone clinic. He was our easiest way to get drugs when we needed them. No one paid attention to the older soft-spoken doctor grabbing a few pain meds here and there. He was an asset to the MC, and he was trustworthy. I'm surprised Dad was even questioning his loyalty.
Ace lit up a cigarette. “I was there. Slept there last night, but I didn't see nothin’, brother.”
Rogue looked back at me. “Did you take a look at the security tapes?”
I nodded. “Yeah, there wasn't anything on them. I didn’t even see the cars come in. It was like the whole place was dead last night.”
Ryder sighed. “That wasn't a feed from last night.”
I turned to look at him. “What the hell are you talking about?”
“Yesterday was Tuesday. You should've seen half a dozen trucks on that feed, and a barge pass by at least once. If it was dead, it means the feed was from another night. Somebody tapped into our security footage.”
“I thought you were taking care of the technology down there? Jesus, Ryder, can't you do one thing right?”
He sucked his teeth at me. “Shut the hell up, Trista!”
Pops laughed, his broad belly shaking beneath him. “Here we go. Another round of the Monroe’s.”
Rogue chuckled at him. “Sometimes, I wish that Jerry wasn’t gone just for a little bit, so I wouldn’t constantly be the one to tell the two of you to shut the hell up.”
We gave each other dirty looks, but we didn't open our mouths again.
This time Rocco spoke. “Why the hell would anybody change the feed?”
Rogue mumbled under his breath. “To steal from us. God dammit!”
I cursed. “So, who do we think this is? Stealing engines and two shipments? This has got to be Las Almas.”
Pop spoke up. “What would they do with that shit? They don’t know shit about cars. How would they even find a buyer?”
Nobody spoke for a long moment. We had no idea how those Mexican asshats would find a buyer for two luxury vehicles overnight. We only got them in yesterday morning, so whoever stole them knew we had them in the warehouse, and that meant that it was someone close to us. We had a rat.
“I’ll meet with Chen tomorrow. We'll figure out the shit with the shipment. Nobody gets paid until this is over. Got that?”
Everybody nodded.
“We've another matter to discuss. Cruz has been a good prospect now for a couple weeks, but we have another one coming into the mix. Blaze Taylor has asked to join the MC. Maya hired him as a mechanic; he's good with his hands.”
Pops spoke up. “Are you talking about Stephen's boy?”
I crossed my arms, and sat back in my chair. Rogue pretended not to notice, but I saw his eyes flash to me for a second.
“I can see how somebody feels about that,” Pops remarked. He stroked his beard, looking directly at me.
I sighed. “They left us! And I don't care if it was his mom's decision or not. His dad died and they peaced out. You don't leave the family, especially when you're raised in it.”
Rogue glared at me. “You're right about just one thing there. He didn't make that decision. And I loved his old man like a brother. He, Pops, Buck, and I, we started this place. And if he wants it, then I say we let him!”
The other guys pounded on the table, signifying that they supported Rogue. Prospect didn’t have to be a unanimous vote, so I knew I might as well give up.
Rogue held up his gavel above the table. “All those in favor of allowing Blaze Taylor to join the Fallen Idols MC as a prospect, say aye.”
It went around the table: first Ace, then Pops, Bones, and Rocco. Rev was shaking like a leaf as per usual. He was a freaking nut job, but he got out his vote. Axel, Ryder, and finally, myself. Everyone before me had said yes. “I don't like this, but fine. Aye.” This wasn't worth starting a beef with my own club over. This guy had grown up outside the life, so he probably wouldn't even make it a month, and then he’d be gone again. I couldn’t trust myself around him, and the MC was no place to find a love connection. With him gone, he would be one more thing I wouldn’t have to worry about.
Rogue stood and went to a small wardrobe we kept in the room. He pulled out a cut, and a prospect patch.
The men started to get up from the table. “Wait, I have something else,” I added quickly.
Pops looked at me. “What’s up, honey?”
“I have it on good authority that Las Almas is running drugs in Brooks Landing. Big drugs possibly.”
Rogue passed Pops the cut. His demeanor changed in a second. Moments ago, he was happy to add a new member. Now, he looked angry and short tempered. “We’ll give this to the kid later. Ace, you stay. We need to talk.” Everyone else nodded and left. We knew what a discussion between our two highest ranking officers meant. War.
EIGHT
BLAZE
I was cleaning bar glasses as I watched all of the members of the MC emerge from church. I was going to have to get used to that phrase. As a Catholic myself, I went to mass every Sunday. I understood why they called it that; it was the only place that they were honest. For me, mass was a place to repent my sins, all the horrible things I'd done the week before.
I was a good man, albeit a dangerous one, but I was essentially good. I took care of my ma and my little sister, and I made promises to them that I kept. The one promise I'd broken was that Ma wanted me to stay out of the life. I couldn't help wonder what had been so damn important that my father had been killed for it, and that he felt that his death was honorable.
I loved my father. I remembered the time that he took me to the park, and we sat on the swings for hours while my ma held Juliet as a baby. We'd eaten a picnic lunch, and were completely carefree. That was, until a cop showed up and questioned my dad, about what I couldn't remember. What I did remember was what my father told me that day about police.
Never trust them. They don't know what it's like to be us.
“Jack and Coke,” the girl with the dark hair and neck tattoo instructed.
“Your name isn’t Kelly.” I said simply. I had figured out who she was. I'd remembered Maya saying she was pregnant when I was a kid. They picked out a name and everything by the time that we left. Trista.
I admired her Latina features, voluptuous breasts, and nice curvy ass while I waited for her to respond. She was a tough girl in a man’s world, and I could admire that about her. I looked into her eyes, noticed little gold flakes amongst the dark brown.
“No, it’s not. But you also failed to mention you’re Stephen Taylor’s son. The family who left us.”
“Didn’t seem important to a biker girl. Now to a Fallen Idol, it might matter.”
“It does matter.”
I leaned toward her, “Does it matter than I also know how to make you moan?”
Her face flushed but she tried to appear tough. “No, now I asked for a drink.”
I was still cleaning the glass. “Yeah, sorry. What was it that you wanted?”
She sighed heavily. “Just move out of my way. I'll make it my damn self.”
She walked around the bar, and made her drink within seconds. “You know, other people are waiting for drinks, and since I had to make my own, you're free to serve them.”
God, she was sassy. I walked down to the end of the bar where a couple of the other guys asked for beers. I pulled out a few bottles, and cracked them open for them. They nodded to me, but then turned their eyes to Trista. She was still standing behind the bar, close to me, so close I could smell her perfume. It was a gentle mix of coconut and honey. Sweet, but not overwhelming, until I brushed against her, while grabbing another glass. I glanced down, and noticed her chest practically falling out of the zipped up leather that she had restraining those beautiful mounds. She raised an eyebrow at me. “See something you like?”
”I’ve already seen it. And I know I’m a fan.”
”Smart man.”
“Well I have to redeem myself to you, don’t I?”
“Ma
ybe.”
I watched her eyes as they stared across the club at Ace in church with Rogan. There was a bulletproof window near the doors. Kept them honest I guess. She continued to suck through her straw. Her eyes narrowed. I could tell she didn't trust him.
“What's that all about?”
She shrugged. “I'm guessing it has something to do with the fact that Las Almas is running drugs in Brooks Landing. I don't know what they're thinking; we have a truce with them right now. There hasn’t been war in years. But whatever those two decide in there, I hope you're packing.” She moved forward, put her hand right over my dick, and squeezed. “Mmm. That’s right, you are.”
Holy shit. This girl had me on fire in moments for the second time in under twenty four hours. My cock hardened under her grasp. She smiled at me seductively before letting go. When her father and I had spoken earlier, he had given me two rules.
Do everything he said. No questions.
Stay the hell away from Trista.
The second one was going to be a problem.
She spun to walk away from me, but I stopped her, and lowered my voice to a whisper. “Do you think there's going be a street war?”
She looked around at the members sitting at the bar. They were watching football on the TV above us, but I think she thought they were listening.
“Come with me?”
She made her way through the metal door to the kitchen. It was deserted except for us. She hopped up on the counter, and sipped her drink again. I stood next to her, waiting to see what she would do next.
She turned toward me, beautiful eyes boring into mine, looking for…something. “Are you scared?”
I squared my shoulders. “No. War just wasn’t what I was expecting on my first day.”
“You have to learn to expect the unexpected.” She hopped down and faced me, pressing her body against mine. “There are no rules here. If they walk out of that room in five minutes, and say we’re a go to blow those assholes heads off, then you grab your gun, you get on your bike, and you follow. You protect your brothers. That's what this family does.”
Forbidden (Motorcycle Club Romance): Trista and Blaze 1 (Fallen Idols Motorcycle Club) Page 3
