“So, you were at a club last night?”
“Yeah, we were celebrating. They finally patched me,” he replied, a smile in his voice. “I’m now a full-fledged member of the Gold Vipers.”
“That’s great,” I replied, wanting to be happy for him. This wasn’t exactly thrilling news for me, however.
“What’s wrong?” he asked.
“Nothing. I’m… I’m happy that you finally got what you’ve been wanting for so long.”
“Thanks.”
“So, what does that mean for you, besides getting new patches?”
“Basically, it means I’ve earned the respect of my brothers and have proved myself to be a loyal and worthy member.”
“So, it’s kind of like when you go through basic training in the military and finally graduate?”
“Well, it’s more than that, but I guess you could say it’s not the worst analogy.”
“Is there any way they can kick you out?”
“I’d have to fuck up pretty badly, but I suppose. Anyway, being patched means I have more free-time. We can see each other more.”
That, I liked.
“Good, because I miss you,” I replied, a pout in my voice.
“I miss you, too.”
I heard voices in the background, one of them a woman’s.
“Where are you?” I asked.
“Across the street. Danny V’s.”
I rolled my eyes. “The strip club?”
“Yeah, the guys who couldn’t show last night wanted to buy me a couple drinks to celebrate.”
“And, they couldn’t take you to a classier place?”
“What do you mean?” he said with a smile in his voice. “There’s a lot of ass here.”
“I said ‘class’,” I replied, annoyed
Jayce laughed. “Relax. I’m just trying to rile you. I love it when steam starts coming out of your ears.”
“So, you’re not at the strip club?”
“No, we’re here. I’m not interested in what’s on stage, though. This is more for my brothers than me. Strippers aren’t my thing. I’m more into stuntwomen with long, beautiful legs, and a ba-donk-a-donk that I can play the drums on.”
Jayce was obsessed with my ass. He was always trying to grab it, slap it, among… other things.
I smirked. “Okay.”
“Hey,” he said. “Trust me, okay?”
“I trust you,” I said softly.
“Good. I’ve got to go. Can I call you tonight before I go to bed?”
“Yes. Definitely.”
“Good. I’ll talk to you then.”
Chapter 63
Jayce
I’D BEEN PLANNING on staying relatively sober, but my friends kept buying me drinks.
“So, tell us again about finding the body in the freezer?” Len said after buying me another rum and Coke.
I repeated the story.
“Smelled pretty fucking bad I bet?” he said.
“Fuck yeah. The worst smell ever. Even worse than when you take your boots off,” I replied.
The other guys laughed.
“Ha-ha. Funny,” he said with a growl, taking a drink of his beer.
I patted him on the back. “I’m just giving you shit.”
“You know what I’ve noticed? That you only fuck with people when you’re tense.” He leered at the buxom stripper standing in front of us on the stage. “You need to get your dick waxed. That’ll take the edge off.”
“Tell me about,” I said, thinking about Ava. I was already counting down the hours until I’d get to do exactly what he said. It made me hard just thinking about it.
“That one will blow you for a fifty,” Len said, nodding toward the stripper.
“Maybe you,” I teased. “She pays me twice that amount to blow my dick.”
He chuckled and then his face went serious. “Really?”
I threw my head back and laughed. “Len, man. You’ve got to quit smoking so much ganja. It’s making you about as gullible as a five-year-old.”
We bantered back and forth until Tarot entered the club and walked over to us. He put a hand on my shoulder. “Can I talk to you alone?”
“Yeah,” I said, wondering what was going on now. From his expression, I could tell whatever it was he had to say, was important.
We walked out of the club and stood outside together. It was just past seven and still light out.
“What’s up?” I asked.
“Tank wanted me to tell you that the Judge talked to Hunter Calloway and set him straight.”
My eyes widened. “No fucking way.” I’d forgotten all about the call I’d made to Tank after returning from Miami. He’d told me that he couldn’t make any promises, but would see what he could do. Apparently, he did something.
Tarot grinned. “Yeah. In fact, there’s a new movie being filmed in Minneapolis soon. Ava Rhodes is going to be offered a stunt job, apparently paying pretty well, too. Complements of douchebag Calloway.”
“How did he get him to bend?”
“From what I hear, he dug up some major shit on Calloway and threatened to expose it if he didn’t stop fucking with Ava. It must have been pretty bad if Calloway is willing to try and get her hired for this movie, which is supposed to be a high-dollar production.”
“No shit. That’s great. I need to call Tank and thank him.”
“You can do it next weekend. We’re all riding down to Jensen for a barbecue he’s having.”
I groaned. “Next weekend?”
“Yeah, why?”
I told him about the plans I had to meet up with Ava.
“Invite her to the barbecue.”
“She’s been caring for her mother, and is afraid to leave her. I doubt she’ll be able to go.”
“Well, she’s going to have to when they offer her that job in Minneapolis.”
“Unless, she refuses it,” I replied. Remembering the disgust on her face when she’d talked about Calloway, I wasn’t sure if Ava would want to work with him, no matter what the pay was.
“I guess there’s always that. Look, if you want to see her so badly, talk to Phoenix. He might be able to give you this week off instead of next. I overheard him talking about how the weather was supposed to be shitty for the next few days anyway.”
“Good idea,” I said, relieved that I’d still get to see her.
“Just get your ass back in time for Tank’s barbecue in Jensen.”
“Don’t worry. I’ll be there.”
Chapter 64
Ava
AFTER HANGING UP with Jayce, I took a shower and then called Millie to see how she was. When she answered, her voice sounded merrier than usual.
“What are you so cheery about?” I asked.
“Oh, hello, Ava. I didn’t even look at the caller I.D. I thought you were Charles.”
My eyes widened. “Who’s Charles?”
“I met him at church last weekend.”
“Oh.”
“We’re going out for ice-cream tonight.” She giggled.
Was it me, or did Millie sound like a teenager? “Are you able to even eat ice-cream?”
“As long as I don’t over-indulge. Anyway, I hate to cut you off, but I really have to go. I think he’s here.”
“Okay—”
“Bye,” she said and hung up.
I stared at my phone in wonder.
Charles?
It had been a long time since Millie had dated. In fact, I couldn’t even remember her going out with anyone in the last decade. I was happy for her, but also anxious about the idea.
What if she overdid it?
My phone began to ring. I looked at the number, but didn’t recognize it.
“Hello?”
“Yes, may I speak to Ava Rhodes?” the woman asked.
“This is she.”
Ten minutes later, I was left speechless again. The woman had just offered me a stunt gig for a big blockbuster movie being filmed in Minneapolis. They’d n
eed me in two months if I accepted the position. She was going to email me the information and a contract to sign if I was interested. What really blew my mind was the pay. It was more than anything I’d ever been offered before.
But, what about Millie?
My stomach tightened at the thought of leaving her. I had a week to accept the offer, however. I just wasn’t sure if I could.
When Jayce called me a few hours later, I could tell he was three-sheets-to-the-wind. I told him about the job offer and he acted like he’d already known about it.
“Why doesn’t this surprise you?” I asked.
“Remember when I told you not to worry about Hunter anymore?” he replied.
“Hold up. Are you telling me this job had something to do with Hunter Calloway?” I asked angrily.
“Yeah. The Judge found something on him and was able to convince old Calloway to not only leave you the fuck alone, but hook you up with a movie deal. Sweet, huh?”
“No,” I said angrily. “Because that means he’ll probably be on the set and I don’t want to work with him again.”
“If he gets out of hand, I’ll fucking knock his block off,” Jayce said sternly.
“He won’t get out of hand because I’m not signing up for the damn movie. Thanks for trying to help, but you actually made things worse.”
“How?” he asked, surprised.
“You just can’t go around threatening people so they’ll hire me,” I said, frustrated.
“But, he threatened to end your career. What’s the difference?”
“That’s just it. I don’t want to play those kind of games. I want to be hired because of my talent. Not because someone’s hand was forced into it.”
We argued some more and then I told him that I was tired and wanted to sleep.
“You’re still coming week, aren’t you?” I asked.
“About that…” Jayce told me that he couldn’t because he had to go to a club function in Jensen, Iowa.
“What kind of function?” I asked, disappointed.
He sighed. “A barbecue. Remember that guy I introduced you to at the party we had at the farm? The big guy named Tank?”
I pictured the friendly giant and nodded. “Yeah.”
“He’s invited our entire club. You’re invited, too.”
Obviously, I couldn’t go. “Can’t you get out of it?”
“No. Even if I could, I wouldn’t. I owe Tank for helping with Calloway, among other things.”
I growled under my breath.
“Why are you so pissed off tonight? Is it your period?”
“You really are clueless when it comes to women, aren’t you?” I snapped, knowing that I was taking all of my frustration out on him, but unable to stop myself. “I mean, if you want to calm someone down, you don’t blame their anger on being on the rag. Being on the rag doesn’t make us angry. It just makes men’s antics less tolerable.”
“And you more emotional.”
I growled again and then hung up. He tried calling me back, but I ignored him. A few seconds later, he sent me a text.
Jayce: I’m sorry that I pissed you off. I really didn’t mean to.
I sat there staring at it and then messaged him back.
Me: It’s okay. I’m just tired. I may have overreacted.
Jayce: May have?
I sent him an angry emoji face.
He sent me a heart and then: I love you, Ava.
This, of course, made me melt. I sent him the words back, my heart filled with joy.
Jayce: Sweet Dreams.
Me: You, too.
I put my phone down, pulled my knees to my chest, and smiled.
He loved me.
Nobody, besides Millie and Sheila, had ever said that to me before. I touched my lucky necklace and thought that sometimes good things came in threes, too.
Chapter 65
Jayce
I WOKE UP late, a little hungover from partying the last couple of nights.
After texting Ava, I packed an overnight bag and pulled up the airline ticket I’d purchased the night before for Miami on my phone. I hadn’t told Ava about it because I wanted it to be a surprise. I’d missed the hell out of her and was still determined to find a way to get her to move to Minnesota. I also hoped to change her mind about the movie so at least we’d get to see each other more. And if she did, I’d accompany her to the set and make sure that Calloway knew to stay the fuck away.
An hour later, Dover picked me up and gave me a ride to the airport. He’d also gotten patched the night before and so we were both now official Gold Vipers. It had been a proud moment for both of us after so much hard work. And a relief. No more grunt work and being available twenty-four hours a day when needed.
“Thanks,” I said, when he dropped me off in front of the terminal.
“You need a ride when you get back, call me.”
“Thank you. I appreciate it.”
“No problem, club brother.” He held out his fist and we bumped knuckles.
I ARRIVED IN Miami at just past three in the afternoon. Instead of renting a car, I verified that she was home by texting her and then took a cab to her place. Fortunately, someone let me into the building so I was able to really surprise her.
“Oh, my God!” she squealed, jumping into my arms. “What are you doing here?”
I walked her back into the condo and kicked the door shut behind us. “I had to see you,” I said, noticing the tears in her eyes. It filled my heart with joy, knowing that she was so happy to see me.
We started kissing and soon we were on her bed, making love. Afterward, she ordered some Asian food and had it delivered.
“You sure you can eat all that?” I asked, staring at the huge pile of fried rice and lo mein she was adding to her plate.
She smirked. “Just watch me.”
Not only did she eat all of it, but she had an egg roll and some cream-cheese wontons, too.
“I’m impressed,” I said, pushing my empty plate away. I had a hearty appetite, but this time, she’d eaten more than I’d been able to put down. “All of that and you’re still sexy as all hell. You must not eat like this all the time.”
“Lately, I’ve been pigging out,” she replied. “I guess boredom will do that to you.”
“Bored? Are you saying you’re bored right now?” I teased.
She smiled “No. Of course not. Now that you’re here, at least.”
“Move to Minnesota and I’ll make sure you’re never bored again,” I replied.
“You never quit, do you?” she replied laughing. Ava got up and started clearing away the plates.
I grabbed her waist and pulled her onto my lap. “I’m never going to quit because I want the woman I love with me all the time.”
Her eyes filled with tears again. She wrapped her arms around my neck and hugged me tightly. “I love you, too, Jayce.”
“You’re crying,” I said, pulling away. I stared into her eyes. “Is there something wrong?”
Looking embarrassed, she laughed. “Nothing. I’ve just been so emotional lately. And don’t you dare ask me if I’m on the rag. You already know I’m not.”
“I wasn’t going to,” I said, rubbing her back, concerned. “I shouldn’t have given you any shit about your period. You were cursed with something we could never handle because we’re wimps at heart. And to have to deal with it every month, too.”
Her smile suddenly fell. “Oh, my God.”
“What’s wrong?”
She blinked. “I’m not on the rag.”
“Yeah, we’ve established that,” I said, chuckling. “Lucky timing.”
“I haven’t been for…” she began counting her fingers. Her face turned white and she put a hand over her mouth. “Oh, my God, it’s been two months since I had my last period.”
Chapter 66
Ava
HOW IN THE world could I have missed that?
I was always regular.
Never any surprises.
<
br /> I just couldn’t believe I’d gone through two months of no periods without noticing a damn thing.
Who does that?
“So, what are you saying?” Jayce asked.
I could barely get the words out. “I might be pregnant,” I squeaked.
The look he gave me was almost comical. “But… we used condoms.”
“Everyone knows there’s still a risk with those damn things,” I said, covering my eyes. “Oh shit, Jayce, what am I going to do if I’m pregnant? This is horrible.”
He pulled my hand away. “If you are, we’ll deal with it.”
“I’m not getting an abortion,” I said flatly.
His eyes burned into mine. “Babe, I would never ask that of you. If you’re pregnant, we’re going to do the responsible thing. We’ll get married. You’ll live in Minnesota. We’ll buy a house with a yappy dog and a white picket fence…”
My eyes narrowed. “You did this to me on purpose so that I’d move to Minnesota, didn’t you?”
He gave me a startled look. “What?”
I broke into a smile. “I’m kidding.”
“I should hope so. That’s nothing to joke about.”
I got off of his lap. “We need to buy a pregnancy test. Maybe two, in case the first one is wrong,” I said, heading toward the bedroom to get dressed.
He followed me. “Fuck the test. I’ll ask Tarot. He can probably even tell us if you’re having a girl or boy or, hell, twins.”
I opened up my closet and with trembling hands, began searching for something to wear. “We both know that he’s not one-hundred percent accurate. Anyway, I need scientific proof right now. This could change everything.”
“Both of ours,” he murmured.
I looked over at him. Thankfully, he seemed to be taking this better than me. The thought of being a mother scared the hell out of me. “We’ll call Tarot after. Okay?”
He nodded.
AN HOUR LATER, I stared at the test result of the first kit.
Destroying the Biker (Book 8): (The Biker Series ) Page 21
