If it weren’t for the fact that all this crap was going down with Rose and my mom, I probably would have told him myself. But right now, my focus was making sure all my brothers had their heads screwed on tightly. So that if anything happened, we were prepared.
“So what’s the next step?” My leg bounced under the table in anticipation.
“She’s meeting with Edge again tonight. That will tell us whether we have our way in or not. Rose needs to gain his trust, assure him that they are friends. When we get a location we can start to make a plan.” Optimus seemed confident. But that was his job. A leader had to be strong even in the midst of chaos. The second the captain lost his head, the ship would go down, crew and passengers with it.
I knew he was watching me carefully, maybe gauging my reaction to all of this. It was so cliché to say, but my brother knew me better than I knew myself.
In my head I was already out the door, ready to climb on my bike and hightail it to West Memphis.
“She’s fine,” Op said slowly like he was trying to communicate with a foreigner. Or maybe he just thought I was stupid and he needed to dumb it down for me. I snorted, pretending not to be impressed by the fact he knew exactly what I was thinking. It was almost comical. Op and I were usually such a perfect team because he was usually the one that got angry and I was the chilled out one who told him when to pull his head in.
Seems our roles had switched.
Couldn’t say it was a bad thing.
I needed someone right now to help me to focus because currently all I could see was Rose getting hurt and me living in hell for letting her walk away. Even though I knew now that the spark I’d felt between us those few months ago was still there, that there was still a chance I could have her and that we could make something amazing, there was still a part of me that wanted to wait.
I wondered if I could trust someone who had so easily deceived me.
Part of me screamed that it wasn’t her fault, the other part determined to hold strong to its grudge.
But was that all this was? Was I just being stubborn because I had failed to see that there was more going on in her life than she had let show? If I was as good at reading people as I thought, shouldn’t I have spotted the signs?
Instead of taking responsibility for my own actions—or lack of—I was placing all the blame on her.
I was frustrated, confused, angry and anxious.
I needed more time. More time to see what we could be, more time to see the real Rose that I’d caught flashes of over the last couple of days.
But time was running out.
There was a clock ticking, and soon the hands could stop moving forever.
I either waited and risked losing her—never knowing what could have been—or I threw myself in, head first, and risked my heart being smashed to pieces if I got it wrong.
Tick, tock.
“Golf, really?” I giggled.
Edge shot me with a warning look. “It’s a calming sport. It’s about precision and power, both are important, and finding the balance is key.”
I nodded and sipped at my glass of wine. “Sounds like you know your stuff. I’ll have to take your word for it. I’ve never played myself.”
“They’ve got a course around here, we could go sometime if you’re still around.” He let the offer of us spending more time together hang in the air. I had to mentally high-five myself for managing to get this close with just two short visits.
We’d been sitting in this small room for over half an hour already. I’d made Skins drag in another comfortable chair like they have for the men to watch the girls. I’d also opted for a sexy but comfortable outfit—a short denim skirt and a simple halter top that showed off my stomach as well as dipped low to accentuate the soft swell of my breasts.
We’d already discussed what he knew about my family and me. I’d wanted to cover that first to make sure that any links between the Brothers by Blood and me had been severed completely.
I was disappointed this morning, thinking that I might have heard from Blizzard, even if it was just to check in and make sure I was okay. After the way we left things yesterday, I was sure that there was more to our story. Instead, it was Wrench that called and explained what he’d done. They had managed to take almost everything that could possibly connect me with the Brothers and remove it, but what he had done was leave up anything that indicated my involvement in trying to bring them down.
There were a couple of news articles, including the court date I had where the judge ruled that I was not responsible for what had happened with regards to Chelsea’s car being blown up and Deacon’s gym being destroyed. They found that I was not acting with a sound mind and that I feared for my life if I didn’t follow Marco’s orders.
I had a sneaking suspicion that both Uncle Anthony and the Brothers by Blood played a part in getting me out of that mess.
But I knew the DePalma’s would never admit to making deals with the justice system, and the Brothers by Blood would never admit to helping save someone who attempted to destroy them.
“I’m not really sure how long I’m going to be in town,” I admitted. “Depends if there’s a reason for me to stay. I do pretty well here, and Iris is great… despite her sexual escapades… so I’m tempted.”
Edge chuckled lightly. “She’s feisty for an old woman.”
“Horny, too.” I laughed. “I’ve caught her in more than one compromising position.” It was true. After the first day I met her with Skins, I’d caught her twice with other employees. I wondered if that was really good for business.
He screwed up his nose. “Fuck that! How old is she?”
“Old enough to be your mother, at least.”
He scoffed, setting the beer he had in his hand on the side table.
I seemed to have struck something important by the way he avoided eye contact and seemingly shut down.
“You don’t know how old your mother is?” I pried, trying to start with something small.
He leaned back in the chair and folded his arms across his chest. I could see he was closing himself off, this wasn’t something he was comfortable talking about.
“She’d probably be about fifty if she were alive.” His voice was tight and his eyes stayed focused on me like he was gauging my reaction.
I cleared my throat before I spoke. “Ditto.” His brows rose like he was surprised, but after studying me for a few seconds, he lifted his chin and with that, we were connected. I wasn’t sure what it was about that small part of my life that he felt allowed him to trust me, but it was like that was my opening to his world.
“My dad is the VP of the Vicious Vultures MC over in Utah. We’ve got a handful of clubs all over the states but we aren’t exactly high on the totem. We could be picked off pretty easily if someone decided to come after us.” Today he wore a trucker’s cap, covering his light hair. It was on backward and suited him well. He lifted it up and scratched at his hair before replacing it. “My dad sent the boys and me here. The club that’s in town at the moment isn’t big either, so there’s more of a chance of us convincing them to let us have the town, or allowing us to patch them over.”
He talked like it was a simple business transaction. That Judge and his club were going to sit down with them and discuss things like civilized groups. But I already knew more than what he was telling me. They hadn’t approached in peace. They’d gone straight for the jugular.
“Have they already accepted the offer? I haven’t seen any bikers around other than you and your friends.” I took another sip of my wine, hoping that it would hide how nervous I was.
He copied me, lifting his beer to his lips and swallowing back the liquid as he watched me. Placing the bottle back on the table he finally answered. “Let’s just say we’re giving them time to think about it and consider their options.”
I cringed inside but forced myself to nod as though I thought that was a great idea.
The tone of his voice was one I’d y
et to hear from him. It was toneless, emotionless and dark. It sent a shudder up my spine, and I had to convince myself not to make an excuse to leave, that I was so close now there was no going back until I had achieved what I needed to—or died trying. The dark feeling that filled the air evaporated as quickly as it came when the sharp ding sounded within the room.
Edge cracked a smile and inside I let out a small relieved sigh.
“What are you doing now?” he asked as he threw back the last of his beer and pushed himself to his feet.
It was about eleven p.m. I’d booked the room out for an hour.
I shrugged. “Probably just walk home and climb into my bed.”
Edge rolled his eyes. “How boring of you.”
I smiled. “Let me guess, you have a much more fun idea?”
“Well, now you mention it.” He grinned at me before pulling the door and standing to the side as he held it open for me. “Shall we?”
He was inviting me to take that step with him. If it wasn’t for the fact that I knew what was going on behind the scenes here, I had the feeling I could possibly fall for Edge.
You could tell he’d been through some shit in his life. But for the most part, he seemed like he was level-headed and understanding. He had his moments where you could see the darkness sweep over him, but didn’t we all have those times?
Life wasn’t all sunshine and rainbows. We all went through shit that made us wonder why. Why we were here on earth only to be tortured? Why we were so alone in a world full of people? Why we seemed destined to make bad decisions?
He must have noticed me stall but he didn’t get angry, he grinned. “If you’re scared I’m whisking you away so that I can take advantage of you away from the safety of this place, you’re wrong, I’ve got an Old Lady back home.”
I actually wasn’t worried, but now I was intrigued. “Oh, you do, do you?”
He laughed and stepped out, releasing his hold on the door. I jumped through the small gap before it slammed shut on me and shadowed him as he walked back toward the main stage.
“Yeah, I do, and I ain’t a cheater. So you don’t have to stress.” His broad shoulders filled the small hallway. My legs had to work at double time to keep up with his long strides. He never looked back to see if I was following, I assumed he knew I was there.
I caught sight of Hadley as we weaved through patrons that had gathered in the main room watching the show. She kept her head down as he passed, but made sure to catch my eyes with hers and give me a soft smile.
Kev was standing at the door, we’d talked last night with Judge and Skins, sort of like a debrief on what had happened, even though I knew they had heard everything. Kev was softly spoken and from what I could tell, he didn’t anger or get irritated very easily. He was calm and took everything in.
He was also a killer shot from what I’d heard.
Kev caught my hand as I moved past, slipping my cell phone into my hand. I slipped it quickly into my back pocket and mouthed a ‘thank you’ at him. He gave me a quick wink before taking off running.
I knew he’d be heading for the SUV that was parked at the back of the building, no doubt with Skins already waiting in it, ready to follow us. I took a deep breath as I stepped out into the cool night. A cold breeze chilled my skin instantly and I shivered.
“Put this on.” I looked to the left to see Edge already straddling his bike, holding out a jacket to me. “You’re gonna freeze otherwise.”
I rubbed my hands up and down my arms before taking two steps forward and reaching out to take the heavy leather from his hands. Edge wore his club colors over a long sleeved shirt. He started the bike as I shrugged on his jacket, pulling it tightly around me.
I looked up to find him watching me, his eyes were heated like he was seeing me for the first time, like he hadn’t just told me wasn’t going to make a move. Because with the look he was giving me right at the moment, I could swear that’s exactly what he was thinking of doing.
I pulled the jacket tighter around me and my foot lifted up, ready to take a step backward, maybe run. Edge didn’t scare me, but I knew that look. It was the look of a man who wanted more than I was willing to offer him.
I’d seen the exact same look in Blizzard’s eyes the first time I climbed on the back of his bike. Knowing I was deceiving him, and knowing exactly what he wanted, I did it anyway.
Knowing I was about to watch history repeat itself almost stopped me. I’d broken Blizzard. I’d made him hate me, and I was only just now gaining back his trust and respect.
What if these people are wrong about Edge? What if he isn’t the dark Vicious Vultures member that his brothers are? What if he’s just trying to get by?
What if I break him too?
“Lily?” I spun to see Hadley standing in the doorway looking between us nervously. “Are you okay?”
My eyes shot back to Edge when he began to laugh. “She’s fine, Satan’s Slut.” He was smiling, but I could see the sneer that he expertly covered. “Lily?”
“If you leave with him, don’t bother coming back to work here,” Hadley’s voice was stern but shaky. This was another part of the game, let him think my loyalties were being tested.
Let him win.
I forced a smirk.
“No problem.” I took two quick steps, placing my foot on the peg and my hand on Edge’s shoulder before hoisting my leg over the bike and settling in behind him. I wrapped one arm around his waist and held out the other toward Hadley, raising my middle finger in the air.
Edge laughed as he revved his engine and we took off out of the carpark with me clinging tightly to his waist.
If Hadley hadn’t come out I probably would have run.
I was sick of constantly pretending to be something or someone I wasn’t. I’d done it with Marco, I’d even done it during the time I was living with Uncle Anthony and my cousins. I may have been free from my father, but I still couldn’t be the person I wanted to be.
The only time I’d felt free was with Blizzard.
He always brought out my smile. He joked, he took little shots that made me bite back or made me laugh.
I didn’t have to fake it with him.
The first thing to hit me as we walked through the door was the smell of pot and it made me cringe. It was something I’d always stayed away from through high school and college. I had nothing against the people who did it. It just didn't interest me. I preferred standard old alcohol if I was going to a party or something.
Being high just wasn’t my thing.
Screwing up my nose I followed Edge into the living room where his men sat, a haze of smoke surrounding them.
“You bring us a private show for the night, Edge?” I shuddered as the guy leaned forward in his seat, his eyes roaming my body.
“Lily, this is Sith.” He pointed to the man who was leering at me. He gave me a little wink and a disgusting smile. “This guy is Rip.” He walked past the sofa where Rip sat and scrubbed the top of his head roughly.
I forced a smile. “Nice to meet you guys.”
“Take a seat, Lil.” Stepping past the small coffee table that was littered with all kinds of drug paraphernalia and cigarettes I sunk into an armchair. Edge dropped onto the couch next to Rip, who immediately handed him a joint. He took a huge hit before holding it out to me.
My stomach dropped.
“Um, I’m good.” I pushed myself back into the chair.
“You don’t smoke?” Edge raised his brow at me. My eyes flicked to his brothers who were watching me with curiousity.
I cleared my throat, trying to stall while I sifted through my head for an excuse.
“My uncle says no. May not be living under his roof, but sometimes I feel like he is God and always seems to find these things out.” My eyes stayed focused on Edge, hoping he would accept my excuse. Not wanting to piss off my mafia King Uncle was a pretty good one, I thought.
“Yeah, I get that.” He turned and tossed the joint across the ro
om to Sith, who caught it in his hand before raising it to his lips, his eyes still watching me.
“You live with your uncle?” he asked casually.
Nodding, I brushed my hair back from my face and crossed my legs, the movement drawing all their eyes. “Not at the moment. I needed a break. Doing the whole rebellion thing. And what better way to piss off your ‘respect is everything’ family than being a stripper.”
They all chuckled.
“I think stripping is respectful,” Rip mused as he picked up a bong off the table and started to pack it with weed. “I mean, those bitches can move their bodies in ways other chicks couldn’t dream of. You’ve gotta respect a chick that can turn herself into a pretzel while you’ve got your cock up her ass.”
I wanted to gag as he flashed me a smile, his front tooth missing and the others a glorious shade of fucking gross.
He was an addict. I could tell instantly. And it was not pot that was his preference.
I choked out a laugh. “That is impressive. Can’t say I’ve been at it long enough to be able to do that, though.”
Blowing a plume of smoke into the air, Sith relaxed back into his chair again. “That’s a shame. Edge here could have done with the excitement.”
“Oh really?” I joked.
“Shut up, fucker,” Edge seethed. “Peach is back home waiting for me. Don’t act like you forgot I had an Old Lady.”
Sith snorted. “Yeah, coz she’s been the perfect Old Lady so far.”
I wanted to question what he meant by that, but thought better of it and went with the obvious. “Her name is Peach?”
Sith and Rip both fell into laughter. “Yeah, fucking Peach. Her parents named her after a fruit.”
Edge just shook his head, picking up another joint from the pile that sat on the table and lighting it. “Says the guy named after a Simpson’s character,” he muttered.
Sith sat a little straighter, glaring at his friend. “Hey, Bart Simpson is a badass.” I couldn’t help but laugh which earned me a dark stare. “What about you, Lily? That your real name, or your stage name?”
Blizzard: (The Brotherhood Journals Book One) Page 17
