“Earning my keep,” I said and Crew looked relieved until I added, “As part of the club.”
“You’re a Rebel?” He said incredulously and Ronnie smacked the back of his head.
“Don’t sound so surprised. It could happen,” she told him tartly. He shot her a disbelieving glance.
“Anything’s possible,” I said, trying to smooth over his blunder for him. He seemed like a good guy just young. I ignored the internal voice questioning why I thought a guy my age was too young “But no, not a Rebel,” I continued, stumbling over the name. I’d seen the words Southern Rebel stitched onto the kuttes and tattooed on Creed and Clutch’s backs and Ronnie had used it to refer to Creed earlier. I figured it referenced their club membership. “I’m just staying at the club temporarily. With their protection,” I tacked on, not forgetting that was the most important part. Crew stared at me with wide eyes as I said, “They took a vote this morning.”
“Creed demanded a vote?” He said carefully and even Ronnie stilled as I nodded. “And they voted you in?” I nodded again and they exchanged glances with one another. “Damn, I wish I could have been there for that,” he finally muttered and I smiled.
“It wasn’t bad. Johnny had a little attitude but the other guys were pretty quick to accept me,” I told them.
“They let you be there?” Crew almost fell out of the chair and had to catch himself when I nodded. “They won’t even let me in that room.”
“They wanted to talk to me,” I shrugged. “Guess they needed to hear me reprimand Johnny firsthand.”
“You….Johnny,” Crew couldn’t get the words out and even Ronnie was staring at me in shock.
“He questioned Creed’s loyalty, he questioned my loyalty,” I said with a bite to my words. “He needed to know that wasn’t okay,” I finished, my expression hardening.
Crew swallowed hard, giving me a sickly smile. “And Jailbait? Where did that nickname come from?”
“Creed,” I answered, pouting slightly. “Because I’m sixteen and he’ll kill anyone who touches me.”
“Sounds like Creed,” Crew muttered, shifting in the seat as Ronnie finished his haircut. “Always making rules for other people to follow.” He sounded bitter but when I glanced at him, he smiled. “I’m seventeen so I guess you’re not Jailbait to me.”
“I wouldn’t be so sure about that, Crew,” Ronnie murmured under her breath, but I heard her just the same.
Chapter Five
Creed
I turned the wrench absently; my attention focused on listening for the familiar rumble of the old car Crew had been working on lately. He’d taken it to school and then to Ronnie’s for a haircut. I cursed myself again for leaving Jailbait there. I didn’t even have her number and I didn’t trust Ronnie to give her mine if she wanted to call me.
“You keep tightening that it’s gonna snap off,” Clutch commented. I stopped turning the wrench, not saying a word. “You might as well go; you’re about useless to me.”
I straightened, tossing the wrench on the pile and grabbing a dirty towel to wipe my hands. I leaned against the bumper of the newer model Volvo I’d been working on at Clutch’s shop as he came around.
“She’s definitely got your attention,” Clutch mentioned, not a trace of mockery in his voice which was the only reason I didn’t deck him. “Has it even been twenty-four hours?”
I made a show of checking a wristwatch I wasn’t wearing. “I couldn’t say,” I finally answered and he snapped the towel at my face. I pushed it aside impatiently, watching the road now. “Close enough. I’m just worried about her.”
“Think she’ll run off?” Clutch asked, crossing his arms over his chest as he stood next to me.
“No,” I answered, startled to realize the idea had never crossed my mind. “More concerned about what Ronnie might tell her or if the guy that ran them off the road shows up. Hell, even how she might react to Crew driving her home.”
“Eh, Ronnie won’t say anything against you. She knows you were a big reason the club lent her the money to open the shop,” Clutch said dismissively and I glanced at him. I knew he’d lobbied hard for her too. In fact, he’d put up half the money that went into the loan. A fact Ronnie had no idea about because he wouldn’t let me tell her. “And Crew is a good kid. A younger you, honestly.” I snorted and Clutch threw me an amused grin. “Unless that’s what’s got you worked up? Dick in a knot because he can make eyes at her and you can’t.”
“Fuck you,” I said, no heat in the words though, because he’d come damn close to a truth I wasn’t about to admit.
“Yeah, that’s what I thought.” He bumped my shoulder, knocking me off my perch and I had to catch myself. “You know the solution to your little problem of Jailbait, right?” I shook my head and he smiled. “Time. Time is all you need, my friend. She’ll be old enough, soon enough.” I grunted and elbowed him as I settled back against the car again. He might be right but was she willing to wait? Was I really even contemplating this right now? His next question interrupted my rough thoughts. “Do you think that guy is going to be a problem? The one that ran them off the road?”
I glanced around even though I knew good and well we were the only ones in the shop. If word got back to Johnny, a bruised jaw would be the least of my problems. “Yeah, I do. He ain’t gonna let her go, Clutch. He ran them off the road, killed her ma, and he didn’t show up at the gas station cause he needed gas. He was searching for her. She’s a trophy and he wants her on his shelf.”
Clutch exhaled long and hard, before moving out of my reach. “You think there might be another reason? Maybe she’s not as innocent as you think.”
My hands clenched into fists automatically and I had to fight the sudden overwhelming urge to punch my best friend in the face. He was only asking something I should have considered. Hell, it was something I had considered. This instinctive need to protect her even against Clutch’s reasonable question didn’t make sense. She’d crawled under my skin with those wide, green eyes and nothing about my feelings for her felt normal or logical.
I shook my head, unable to look at him with my fists still clenched, as I muttered, “She’s not….she’s innocent.”
“I hear ya,” he answered, easing back toward me. “I got your back, Creed. You know that. I’ll support you, no matter how this goes.”
I nodded, my hands relaxing at his words. “I can’t explain it,” I mumbled.
“You don’t need to,” Clutch answered, slipping a toothpick from his pocket. “You always could read people. Same as those mutts you rescue.”
“How’s quitting going?” I asked, motioning to the toothpick Clutch clenched between his teeth. He made a face and I chuckled. “Gotcha.”
A familiar rumble reached my ears and Clutch laughed as I stood up at the sound. “You got it bad, my man. I pity the fool that tries to come after her.”
I glanced at him. “He’s already got a death warrant,” I replied, my gaze wandering back to the club as Crew parked his ’92 Camaro. “It’s just a matter of time until it gets served.”
The passenger door opened and I started toward her when Clutch grabbed me. He jerked me back, his eyes serious as he said, “Not alone, brother. Not alone.”
I nodded so he knew I understood and he released me. Jailbait turned, almost seeming to know I was headed for her, and the slight upward curl of her lips when she saw me made me think there might be a heaven after all.
“Jailbait,” I greeted her and her nose scrunched. I tugged on the end of one lock of hair, my fingers rubbing the strands together. “You almost look nineteen now.”
She let out a low growl, batting my hand away, and I lifted my chin to Crew, who was climbing out of the old sports car. He jerked his head in response, his eyes curious and I knew he wanted an explanation. I reached for Jailbait, knowing I could just say her name, but unable to resist touching her soft skin. My fingers looped around her wrist, the bones ridiculously fragile under my grip, and she stilled.
/>
“I hate to put you to work your first day,” I started and she shook her head, dismissing my words.
“It’s okay.”
“I don’t think its okay, but Johnny’s on the warpath about the dirty kitchen and every other damn thing he can think of. You cleaning the kitchen would go a long way toward earning a spot on his good side,” I mentioned and she snorted.
“That’s saying I want to be on his good side,” she sassed and I felt an involuntary smile lift my lips. Her gaze dropped and the faintest hint of pink colored her cheeks and I wondered what had made her blush.
“I’ll clean it,” she said, glancing up at me through blonde eyelashes, their light color telling me she was no doubt a natural blonde and my dick tightened at what else would be that same pale color. “If Johnny’s happy, he might not be so upset with you.”
“Don’t worry about me,” I told her dismissively, my thumb stroking the inside of her wrist absently. I felt her twist her hand lightly and realized I still held her captive. I released her and she backed away. She glanced over at Crew and waved as she said, “Thanks for the ride.”
Crew managed to smile back but it disappeared the second she was out of sight and he turned an accusing stare toward me. “Really, Creed? She’s just a kid.”
The smiled slipped from my face as I gave him a warning glare. “Think carefully about what you’re about to say next, Crew.”
“She’s my age,” he shouted, his hand thumping the top of the rusted car’s roof. “What do you think you’re doing bringing her around here? Keeping her here?”
“I’m keeping her safe is what I’m doing,” I retorted and he gave me a disbelieving stare. “She needs help, that’s all.”
“Yeah, that’s all you’re giving her,” Crew sneered, not bothering to watch his words and I started around the car. “It’s not like you don’t enjoy having that tight pussy at your beck and call.”
I slammed my arm against his throat, pinning him to the car. “You don’t know when to keep your damn mouth shut, little brother.”
He tried to move his head, but my grip was too tight and he glared at me impotently.
“Now, maybe you’ll listen seeing that I have your attention,” I murmured, seeing a few of the guys standing by the door watching us. “She’s under the club’s protection. My protection. Which means you won’t talk about her that way or think about her that way or ever mention her pussy again.” I pressed a little harder and his face turned red. “Are we clear?”
He managed a tiny nod and I released him. I glanced at the guys loitering and shouted, “This ain’t your business.” They all hauled ass as Crew stared at me resentfully. “You can be pissed at me all you want. I won’t let you talk that way about Jailbait.”
He rubbed his mouth and spit. “You can’t even call her by her name.”
“I can,” I told him, “I choose not to as a reminder to every guy here that she’s off limits.”
“Why the club?” He asked, shaking his head as he stared at me. It was damn near like staring in a mirror and I wondered how Johnny hadn’t killed me back in the day. “Mary would have taken her in,” he continued and I nodded. She would have, I knew it, Johnny knew it, hell, the whole club knew it. So, why had I bucked them all and forced the issue?
I considered Crew for a minute and then walked over to him. He shifted, giving me space as I leaned against the car next to him. “You keep this between you and me,” I said and his eyes shot to mine. I lifted my shoulder. “Hank suspects and Clutch has an idea but I’m telling you, okay?” He nodded, straightening a little and I let out a sigh. “Jailbait is in danger. I’m not even sure she realizes it, not really. But the guy that ran her off the road?” Crew watched me, his gaze steady as I spoke. “He’s gonna come for her and when he does –”
“We kill him,” Crew finished and I shook my head.
“I kill him,” I corrected and he frowned. “You don’t need to be worried about killing nobody, alright? Try to graduate high school first.”
“And Jailbait?”
I lifted an eyebrow and he shifted around until he faced me. “What happens to her when this guy is dead? What happens until then? She just cleans the club?” I rubbed my neck, not knowing how to answer him and he grunted. “That’s what I thought. She’s not a doll you can play with, Creed.”
I wanted to snap at him, but part of me knew he was right. He tugged the car door open and I moved out of the way.
“I gotta go,” he said, meeting my eyes for a bare second before dropping them. “Mom has the night off.”
I nodded, figuring that meant he was having dinner with her. “You need money?” I asked and when he didn’t answer, I shoved his shoulder. “Hey, you need money?”
“You do enough, Creed,” he muttered, not actually answering me as he refused to meet my eyes. “It’s fine.”
“No, its not fine,” I retorted, growing frustrated when he continued to avoid me. “Look at me, Crew.” He raised his eyes reluctantly. “You’re my brother.”
“Half-brother,” he corrected and my temper lit.
“Fuck that shit,” I growled, thumping him on the head. “Don’t ever let me catch you saying that shit again. We are brothers, end of conversation. Clear?”
He stared at me for a second before finally nodding.
“I’m gonna need you to say it,” I told him and he glared for a second before muttering, “We’re brothers.”
“Good, now, back to where I was, we’re brothers, family, and we take care of family. That means you need something, I provide it.”
“I could provide it myself if I was in the club,” Crew burst out and I held my hands out, praying for patience.
“We’ve talked about this. It’ll happen when you’re eighteen. Not before then. Dad was adamant about that and I was eighteen, so was Cord. You’ll be the same.”
“I could at least work around here and earn my way,” he said, hunching his shoulders. “Not be some useless kid sucking off the tit.”
I chuckled, amused despite myself and he glared at me. “Come on, there’s more than a few girls around here that’d be happy to let you milk that cow for free.”
“That’s not my point, Creed,” he shot back, but the words had lost some of their heat. “I feel useless.”
“You drove Jailbait home for me. I know you help Clutch out around the shop,” I reminded him and he frowned at the ground.
“I help Clutch to pay for parts and Jailbait don’t count,” he dismissed. “You know I’d do that anytime for you.”
“Yeah, I do, which is why when you need money or anything, I’m happy to provide it because I know you’ll do the same.” I tugged my wallet out of my back pocket and peeled off a few hundreds. “Now, will this do?”
Crew looked embarrassed as I held the money out. “What is it? You need more?” I was somewhat surprised since Crew’s mom worked and he rarely needed much in the way of money.
“She’s been sick. Hasn’t been working a lot,” he admitted, red creeping up his neck as he spoke. “Got a letter in the mail yesterday they’re gonna turn the electricity off if they don’t get paid.”
I nodded and shoved the money in his hand, forcing his fingers to curl around it. “That’s fine. I’ll take care of the electric bill tomorrow, okay? This should do it for now, but you let me know if this keeps up.” He nodded but didn’t look at me and I tapped his chin until his head jerked up. “Let me know,” I said again, firmer.
“Yeah, I will,” he answered and I held his gaze until I was sure he would tell me. I knew he loved his mom but she wasn’t the most stable person. The only reason she still had custody was because they lived in the house Dad left us when he died which meant I was able to keep an eye on Crew. “I got to go,” he said again and I stepped back. He climbed in the car and I stood there until the rumble of the old car faded.
It was times like this that I wished Cord was still here. He’d always been better at dealing with Crew then me, but he’d
left us both a long time ago.
***
“She’s cleaning the kitchen,” Johnny told me the minute I walked in the bar.
“Yeah, you said she needed to earn her keep,” I responded, shrugging carelessly. He eyed me for a moment before kicking a chair out.
“Sit,” he barked, running a finger around an empty snifter. He motioned for Fat Willy to bring another as I sat down in the chair he’d offered. “How’d it go?”
I knew he was asking about the reason Hank and I had gone out of town, and I waited until Fat Willy set our drinks on the table before responding. “They’re looking for protection.” Johnny cursed, patting his pocket for his lighter. I offered him mine, nodding when he shook a cigarette out for me. I lit it, and left it resting between my fingers as I sipped the smooth whisky. “Aces are becoming a problem.”
“Fucking Monty,” Johnny shook his head. “That’s not our war. I don’t want us dragged into that shit.”
I cocked my head, nodding slowly. “I feel ya, but we owe’m a debt.”
Johnny blew smoke out of his mouth, rings forming and I knocked the ashes from the cigarette in my hand. “But do we owe them this much? Aces see us riding with Monty’s crew and they’re gonna be all over us.”
“We agree to a couple of runs, low profile, fill our debt to Monty, and hopefully stay out of sight of the Aces,” I suggested, already knowing it was our best option to keep the peace. If we didn’t throw Monty a bone, we’d be betraying a brother club, but I agreed with Johnny where the Aces were concerned. They were bad news and I didn’t want them anywhere near our club.
The kitchen door swung open and my gaze automatically zeroed in, trying to catch a glimpse of Jailbait. A flash of her blonde hair was all I saw before the door closed. I had to admit Ronnie had done a damn good job. Maybe too good, I thought to myself as I saw a few eyes linger on the kitchen door waiting for another glimpse of my girl.
Jailbait (Southern Rebels MC Book 1) Page 6