I squeezed them open and close, causing blood to ooze from the wounds. “Yeah, no telling what Willy might have.”
A faint smile curved Jailbait’s lips and she tilted her head to the door. “Come on, I’ll bandage you up.”
A loud groan drew our attention and Jailbait watched as they tossed Willy into the back of a truck to cart him home. I didn’t bother glancing at them, my attention focused on Jailbait and the curious expression she wore. I reached for the handle of the door and she blinked, turning the knob before I could grasp it. She headed straight for my room and I followed behind her slowly, wondering if this was a mistake. When I went in, she’d already gone into the bathroom. I hovered inside the door as she opened the medicine cabinet, intentionally avoiding the condoms, as she plucked the first aid kit from the shelf.
She turned and saw me standing there. “Sit,” she ordered as she dug through the kit. A grin tugged at my lips as I shuffled to the toilet, the confined space bringing us in close proximity, and her shoulders tensed as I brushed past her.
She turned to me, her gaze immediately dropping to my chest and she inhaled shakily. “Do you want…” she motioned to my chest and took a deep breath. “Do you want to put a shirt on?”
I shook my head, bringing my shoulders back, enjoying myself as I said, “Nah, don’t want to get blood on it.”
“Right, of course.” She nodded for a few seconds before seeming to make up her mind. She grabbed my hand and pulled it under the faucet. “Let’s get this over with,” she muttered, cranking the hot water on. Her fingers were gentler than I imagined as she manipulated my hand. After she was satisfied it was clean enough she took my other hand and did the same. She dabbed them dry with a clean towel and glanced at me.
I’d had to shift closer as she washed my hands and it suddenly dawned on her that she was positioned between my legs, our faces inches apart, as our breaths mingled.
“Anywhere else?” She asked, her wide green eyes dilated as her breath came a little faster. My tongue smoothed over suddenly dry lips, drawing her gaze and I let out a groan, pulling my hands from hers as I shifted back, my jeans uncomfortably tight.
“I can finish,” I muttered as I cleared my throat. Stubbornness flashed across her face and she crossed her arms over her chest.
“No,” she stated succinctly and my eyebrow crept upwards.
“No,” I repeated and she shook her head.
“No,” she said again, drawing out the O, like it was my hearing that was the problem and not her defiance. She made a grab for my hand, but I tucked them behind my back as I stood up, my larger build immediately crowding the small space.
She sucked in a breath, but kept her expression resolute. “I want to finish what I started,” she said, her arms at her sides.
“I can do it,” I told her, hands curling behind my back so I didn’t reach for her.
“I know,” she murmured, her eyes fixated somewhere around my chin.
“Then why?”
“Because,” she paused, taking a deep breath and her chest brushed against mine. “Because its my fault.” Her eyes met mine for a second before dropping again. “You beat him up for me. The least I can do is patch you up.”
I brought my hands back around and her fingers lightly touched the broken and bruised skin. “It’s not your fault,” I whispered. “It’s Willy’s,” I licked my lips, “And mine.”
I felt her eyes but didn’t meet her gaze. “Yours?”
“I brought you here. I left you and he thought he could hurt you.”
“He didn’t.”
“He tried,” I said sharply. “He tried and that was enough….enough for me to almost beat him to death.” I swallowed hard, forcing myself to ask the question that had been haunting me since I’d seen her watch them haul Willy away. “Does it bother you? What I did to him? What I would do for you?”
I felt her head move as her fingers left my hands and my heart dropped.
“No,” she whispered, her mouth brushing against my jaw as she spoke and I felt her hands slide along my ribs. “No, it doesn’t bother me at all.”
Her lips pressed against my lower lip and I groaned deep in my throat at the soft touch. I dipped my head, aligning our mouths, and for a second as her lips parted I allowed myself the kiss. The chaste press of soft lips against mine as her fingers curled into my sides, as my own hands clenched in an effort not to drag her closer, to take more than she was ready for.
I lifted my head, breathing heavily, turning my face when her mouth sought mine. “I’m sorry,” I murmured, fighting the need thrumming through me. “We can’t do this.”
Her hands lowered from my sides and she stepped back. I chanced a glance at her and the look of humiliation and embarrassment on her face tightened the band around my chest.
“I’m going to go,” she muttered, not glancing up at me. “I’m sorry. I don’t know why….you don’t need to worry, I won’t do it again.” Her fingers scrambled for the door as she tried to back out of the room without looking at me.
“Jailbait,” I said and she let out a choked laugh.
“I forgot,” she cried. “You should have said my name sooner. Why would you want me?”
“Jailbait, wait,” I barked but she ignored me, pushing through the bathroom door and darting to the door leading out of my room. I scrambled after her, my hand slamming against the door as she tried to open it, my weight stopping her. My body surged against her, my front to her back and she froze. “I’m not done,” I told her, pushing against her a little harder, “Talking,” I stressed when she started to squirm against me. “But if you keep that up, I might forget my noble intentions,” I rasped as I hardened further and she stilled, seeming to notice the bulge pressing into her spine. “Will you let me explain?”
She nodded slowly and I eased back slightly. When she didn’t immediately go for the door, I stepped back completely. She turned, eyeing me, as I gestured for her to take a seat. She perched on the edge of the only chair in my room, managing not to disturb the pile of clothes balanced on it.
“I want you,” I stated bluntly and her lips parted. I glanced down, scrubbing my hands over my face. “Holy hell, I want you, but,” I paused, my teeth tugging on my lower lip as I stared at her. “That doesn’t mean I should take you and that’s exactly what’ll happen,” I informed her as her translucent skin flushed a delicate pink. “I don’t want to be that guy. You’re not that girl,” I attempted to explain, one hand squeezing the back of my neck. “You’re Jailbait and I gotta respect that.”
“You don’t want to break the law,” she questioned softly.
“I don’t want to hurt you,” I corrected and she blinked. I sighed. “You’ve been through a lot in the last few days. I don’t want you to regret this and you will.” I spoke from experience, remembering the years after my Dad’s death and the shit I’d done. “I can wait.”
She chewed on her lip, her hands rubbing up and down her thighs. “You would wait for me?”
I exhaled, nodding. “Yeah,” I mumbled, “Yeah, I would wait.”
“Okay,” she murmured.
“Okay,” I echoed, relief and some other emotion I couldn’t name coursing through me.
“You’re bleeding again,” she mentioned, a soft smile on her face.
“I am,” I stated, lifting my hand up. “Probably should bandage that.”
She nodded, her teeth tugging on her bottom lip. “I could bandage it for you.”
“I’d like that,” I replied and she rolled her eyes.
“Stay,” she ordered, pointing at the bed as she got up to go get the bandage. I nodded, parking my ass on the corner of the bed. It didn’t take her long to wrap my knuckles, and she laughed when I hissed at the antiseptic she poured over them.
“Remember, there’s no telling what Fat Willy might have had,” she joked and I smiled at her lightheartedness. “All better,” she said, patting my hands and smiling up at me.
“Aren’t you forgetti
ng something?”
She gave me a puzzled look.
“I thought a kiss made it all better.”
She stared at me for a second and I wondered if I’d gone too far. She dipped her head and I felt the soft press of her lips against my rough hands. She kissed the back of both hands and then flipped them over to press a kiss into my palm.
“How do they feel now?” She murmured, lifting her head.
“No pain,” I told her truthfully, her hands nestled in mine the only thing I felt. “You’re an excellent doctor.”
Her lips curved up and I realized I didn’t know if she wanted to be a doctor, or a lawyer, or a teacher, or anything really about her dreams. “Do you want to be a doctor?” I questioned, suddenly eager to know. Another thought occurred to me. “You should probably finish high school first. You should go to high school.” My forehead wrinkled as I considered how to make that work and she giggled. “Are you laughing at me?” I mock threatened and she laughed harder as she nodded. “And what’s to amusing?”
“You,” she replied. “And the fact that you even asked.” She shook her head as a faint smile curved her lips up. “I’m actually almost done with high school. Just one class left.”
“Damn, I’m impressed,” I told her admiringly. “I barely graduated and I only did it because Johnny wouldn’t let me in the club if I didn’t get my diploma.”
“Another point for Johnny,” she murmured. “The schools aren’t the best in my neighborhood so Mom signed me up for online schooling.” She shrugged. “I’m pretty good at it so I worked ahead and now I’ve only got one class left.”
“So no truant officers will be after you?” I teased. “Johnny will be relieved.”
She chuckled. “Yeah, the only person after me is,” her words faded off as I nodded, my lips pressed together. “I should probably go,” she stated, gesturing to the door but not getting up.
“Yeah, the last thing I want is Johnny crawling our asses over a sleepover.” Her lips twitched and I sent her a questioning glance. She shook her head, lips clamped shut so I dropped it. “Before you go,” I said and she glanced at me curiously. “I have something for you,” I finished awkwardly, suddenly unsure how my gift was going to be taken. “I know you were upset about not knowing what happened to your mom.” She nodded, her eyes gleaming with unshed tears as I handed her the box Clutch and I had stolen. “She was cremated by the state. I thought you might want to know and to have them…..her ashes, I mean.” I met her gaze, her eyes damp as I fought to find the right words. “I don’t know what you want to do with them, but I’ll be here….for you.”
She swallowed, some of the tears she’d been fighting spilling down her cheek. “You brought me my mom,” she managed, her lower lip trembling as she clutched the box to her chest. “Thank you,” she mumbled as the tears fell faster and her head bobbed, “Thank you.”
I reached for her, dragging her from the chair into my lap and rocked her gently as hot tears spilled against me. A knock disturbed us and I carefully set her on her feet before going to the door.
Weasel kept his eyes on mine as he stood there, his feet moving restlessly. “Johnny wants you.”
I nodded, moving aside as Sloan came to stand next to me. “Escort Jailbait to her room, please.” He nodded and I rubbed my hand over Jailbait’s arm. “You okay?” I asked and she nodded, swiping at the tears on her face.
“Yeah,” she answered, hugging the box containing her mother’s remains to her chest. “I really am.”
We went in opposite directions and I glanced over my shoulder only to find her doing the same. A dumb grin curved my lips as she turned the corner and I lost sight of her. When I entered the bar area, the grin was wiped from my face when I saw who stood next to Johnny. He shot me a warning glance which I ignored.
“Chief,” I said flatly, a scowl forming at the sight of his ever present sneer. Clutch slung his arm around my shoulder before I could say anything more, squeezing tight enough I heard my bones creak. I bit back my next words, taking his hint, as he muttered, “Jailbait,” under his breath.
“Hayes,” the Chief of Police barked. “Just the man I was looking for.”
“And you found me.” I smirked at the bastard. “Excellent detective work, sir.”
“Calvin, would you care for a drink?” Johnny suggested, waving to Gloria. “My treat. It’s not often we get to see you at our small bar.”
“Nah, thank you, Johnny, but I’m here on business.” The Chief glanced back at me. “Seems like there was a homicide out on 64. An alleged dog fighter. Man was killed and several of his dogs.”
“That’s a tragedy,” I replied, pulling a pack of cigarettes from my pocket and shaking one out. I set it between my lips, flicking the lighter as I added, “About the dogs.”
The Chief’s jaw worked for a second as he gave me a hard stare. “You wouldn’t happen to know anything about it, now would you?”
I pursed my lips, shaking my head slightly. “Can’t say I would.” I smiled faintly. “Sounds like someone was doing your job for you.”
“A man’s dead, Hayes,” the Chief ground out. “Someone needs to be held accountable for that.”
“I agree completely, Chief,” I answered, stepping up as I flicked the ashes from my cigarette. “But you’re looking in the wrong place.”
“Am I?” He stepped forward, bumping my shoulder as he strode past me, pausing as he reached the door. “I’ll be back by later. Make sure you don’t leave town.”
“Aye, aye, Chief,” I mock saluted him, watching as he stomped from the bar. “May you rot in hell, you two faced bastard,” I grumbled after the door slammed shut behind him.
“Glad you didn’t antagonize the good police chief, Creed. I’d hate to give him a reason to go after you. Maybe find out that we’re hiding a minor with an APB out on them,” Johnny griped, knocking my arm aside as I lifted my cigarette, and getting in my face. “I’d hate for him to come back with a warrant and find Jailbait.”
My eyes narrowed as I promised, “That won’t happen.”
“Watch yourself.” Johnny thumped my chest. “If he even suspects Noah is helping us, then our info dries up.” My jaw snapped shut as I gave a jerky nod. He was right. I had to protect Jailbait and I owed it to Noah as well. “I got a call from Gary at the Crazy Horse.” His abrupt subject change didn’t faze me. “Nina’s becoming a problem.”
My breath gusted out of me as I cursed.
“Not showing up, coming in late, making mistakes.” Johnny arched his eyebrow. “Figured I’d give you a heads up. Let you handle it for Crew’s sake.”
“Appreciate it,” I replied, meaning it. If Nina had gotten to the point that Gary felt the need to call, it was bad. “I’m gonna go take a drive,” I told Johnny and he nodded in understanding. I headed for the back door, Clutch on my heels. “I don’t need a babysitter,” I informed him and he shrugged.
“Feel like taking a ride,” he replied as Hank came lumbering up to us. I cursed under my breath.
“You feel like taking a ride too?” I asked, crossing my arms over my chest.
“No, I don’t,” he grumbled. “Mary sent me after you to make sure you don’t do something stupid.”
“I’m not going to do something stupid,” I said, exasperated.
“Like piss off the police chief?” He offered and I snapped my mouth shut, straddling my bike as they followed suit.
It was a quick ride to the Crazy Horse and I was happy to see the parking lot was packed. The strip club was one of the many businesses the club owned and one of the most profitable. Nina had been working there for years and was a favorite with some of the old timers. I knew she must be seriously screwing up for Gary to call Johnny. “I’m going to talk to Gary,” I told them, having spotted his bike in the lot. They nodded as we split off, they went in the front while I headed for the back entrance.
“Creed,” a low voice cooed as arms snaked around my waist. “It’s so good to see you.”
> I glanced down, unsurprised when I saw who it was. “Misty,” I grunted. “I’m here to see Gary.” I extracted myself from her as she pouted.
“You’ll come see me after?” She tried again and I shook my head, making a mental note to avoid her. We’d hooked up once a while back and while she was impressively flexible she was also bat shit crazy. I edged past, ignoring her when she thrust her tasseled nipples at me.
I knocked lightly on the door that read Manager and pushed it open. Gary glanced up from his desk and motioned me in. “Thought I’d be seeing you,” he stated, standing to offer me his hand.
“Yeah, Johnny told me you called.”
He nodded, looking uncomfortable as he jerked his head to the door. “You mind closing it?”
I eyed him for a second before nudging the door shut. “How bad is it, Gary?”
He puffed out a breath, “Let’s just say I didn’t tell Johnny everything.”
Surprise flickered through me and I spun the chair around, straddling it. “What’s going on, Gary?”
“Money’s missing.”
I pressed my thumbs into the bridge of my nose as I muttered, “Crap.”
“It’s not a lot,” he rushed to assure me. “But I’m pretty sure Nina is skimming off the top.”
“You didn’t tell Johnny?”
“No, I knew he’d blow a gasket and she’s your…” Gary trailed off, not really having a term for what Nina was to me.
“She’s Crew’s mom,” I stated. “Which makes her family,” I finished with an exhale. “Thanks, Gary, for not mentioning it to Johnny. I’ll take care of it.” I hesitated, but experience made me add, “If it happens again –”
“I’ll call you,” he answered instantly, bobbing his head. “You know it, Creed. Everybody knows you handle your shit.”
“Yeah,” I forced a tightlipped smile. “Hopefully it won’t come to that.”
I pushed myself up and reached for my wallet. “How much?”
He looked reluctant and I asked again, “How much?”
“Two grand,” he finally answered and my eyebrows shot up.
Jailbait (Southern Rebels MC Book 1) Page 15