by Sam Crescent
“What is it you want?” O’Klaren asked. “If you’ve come to spew lies…”
“Oh, they’re not lies. Believe me, I wouldn’t come up against you without having proof.” He stepped away from the car and stepped right up into his face.
He was taller than O’Klaren. If he wanted to, he could snap his neck with his bare hands, but where was the fun in that?
“You put your hands on Robin.”
O’Klaren burst out laughing. “Now I didn’t see that one coming. Have you got a thing for the girl? Is that it, Caleb? You’ve got the hots for some underage pussy.”
Grabbing O’Klaren hard, Preacher slammed him against the car. He held his arm at an odd angle.
“You know I thought about what I’d do to you. If I’d take out an arm or cut out your tongue, but I decided I like having the power here. You see, what I do tonight, you’re not going to tell another living soul, O’Klaren, because if you do, I will make sure all the relevant people know what kind of scumbag they are dealing with. Push me, and you’ll see.” Turning him just right, he drew his foot up and slammed it down on O’Klaren’s leg.
The snap filled his senses, followed by the unmistakable sound of his scream.
Preacher smiled.
This was what he wanted to hear.
It was perfection.
Letting him drop to the ground, he held his hair, making him look at him.
“Now, I’m only going to warn you this once and it will be up to you if you take this warning. If you ever so much as come near Robin again, you ask her questions, try to get anything out of her, I will break your other leg, and then I’ll shatter your hand. You want to play hardball with me, then you come to me. Don’t be a fucking coward hiding behind your badge. It’s … tacky.”
Getting to his feet, he walked over to his bike.
“This isn’t over,” O’Klaren said. “You’re not going to win. I always win”
“Oh, I know it’s not over, but you are wrong. You’ve never come up against a man like me because I always win.”
Taking off down the street, he spun around and made his way back to his home.
He’d snuck out after putting her to bed, and as he entered his home through the kitchen, he paused.
Robin was at the fridge.
“Hey,” she said.
“I just went out for a ride.”
“You don’t have to tell me everywhere you go. I get it, I do.” She chuckled. “This is your home.”
“What are you doing up?”
“I had weird dreams.”
“In what way?”
“I dreamed I was giving birth, and everyone disappeared. I was all alone. You know. The usual.”
“You’ll never be alone. That I can promise you.”
“I don’t know. Unless you’re around people seem to avoid me.”
“Let me make you a hot chocolate.”
“You don’t have to go to so much trouble.”
“You’re not trouble. I don’t know who has you convinced you are, but they’re lies, all of them.”
She smiled. “Did you have a nice ride?”
“Yeah, I cleared the air, you know, got my shit together.”
“Sounds amazing.”
“It is.” He poured some milk into a pan and got to work heating it up. Next, he added in some dark chocolate, because that’s how he liked it.
“I still can’t believe you’re such a good cook.”
“You should be thanking me. It’s a reason you don’t starve.”
“Could you teach me?”
“You want to learn how to cook?”
“Yes, of course. I think it will be good for me and the baby to cook.”
“Then I’d love to.”
She smiled, and he stared into her eyes. She was a beautiful young woman.
He added in a splash of vanilla and poured the chocolate into two mugs. Sitting at the kitchen counter opposite her, he took a sip.
“So the big, bad biker knows how to make hot chocolate?”
“There’s a lot this big, bad biker can do.”
“I bet.”
****
“What exactly is it you want me to do?” Reaper asked.
He stood in the cop’s house, and to be frank, he was a little disappointed. Being in Preacher’s turf was a huge gamble, one he wasn’t willing to make until O’Klaren promised him something he couldn’t refuse.
A way to bring Preacher and the Twisted Monsters down.
He’d never liked Preacher, and he liked to fuck with him quite a few times. It helped that he had weak people around him who were always willing to run their mouth off. Of course, he didn’t really care if those same people got recaptured by Preacher and killed. It saved him a job.
Reaper wasn’t a place of refuge for anyone trying to get away from the bastard. He was intrigued by a cop reaching out to him. He knew of O’Klaren, and the shit he knew, he wasn’t impressed with. This man was as bent as they came, and he used his power and place as a cop to get what he wanted. He knew how to manipulate the facts to suit him, and to make innocent people look bad.
O’Klaren was the kind of guy people avoided at all costs. At least, he had done for a long time, but now he was here, in Preacher’s territory, and seeing as he had a long-standing hatred of the leader of the Twisted Monsters MC, well, he just couldn’t deny himself a chance at hurting the bastard, even if it meant responding to the summons of a cop.
“Take the girl. She’s his weak link.”
Reaper laughed, as did his men.
“You expect me to believe Preacher has in some way fallen in love with an underage girl? We know all about Robin. We know she’s married to his son and last check of my intel those two were thick as thieves.”
“It’s lies. All of it is lies.”
“I’m guessing this has to do with your little problem.” He pointed at the casted leg. “Preacher’s work.”
“I will have you fucking arrested for possession and distributing if you don’t do as I say.”
Drawing out his knife, Reaper pressed it to O’Klaren’s throat. “Don’t even think to threaten me.”
“My leg is because of the girl. She’s a weakness, I’m telling you the truth. You take the girl, it will tear the club apart.”
“And what do you get if I take the girl?”
“I get him out of town.”
Reaper didn’t like being ordered around. Instead of answering him, he stepped out of the man’s house. He’d already seen the woman cowering in the kitchen.
He hadn’t brought his bike, and, per O’Klaren’s request, he didn’t wear his leather cut. Being without his patch wasn’t something he was used to, and he certainly didn’t have any fear with walking through Preacher’s turf.
Walking down the street, he didn’t draw too much attention to himself.
He knew a great deal about his enemy.
Being in his town now, it was a risk, but was there a chance Preacher had a hard-on for the kid? Robin Riley wasn’t anything special. He had the full intel on all the club. None of his men interrupted his thoughts as he looked around the town.
A couple of women were giving him fuck-me eyes, but he ignored them.
There was only one way to find out if Preacher liked the girl. He’d have to take her and test those boundaries. It wouldn’t take a whole lot to get Preacher riled, but Reaper really did enjoy pushing the bastard to the brink, and for too long, Preacher hadn’t been able to be hurt. Now, he may have finally found a way.
Chapter Eleven
Resting her chin on her hands while they were flat to the table, Robin stared at the single cupcake with the candle.
Today was her birthday.
Eighteen.
School had been canceled due to some kind of gas leak.
She’d been home on her own since the moment she woke up.
Her dad had called to make sure if she was okay and to wish her a happy birthday. Bishop was nowhere to be seen. He�
��d made a call to tell her he was busy doing stuff and he’d see her later.
Preacher wasn’t there either.
“Married, pregnant, and alone. Welcome to eighteen, Robin.”
She sat up about to light the candle when she heard the door open.
“Hey, anyone home?” Preacher said.
“Just me. I’m in the dining room.”
She waited, wondering if she should hide the cupcake.
He stepped into the room, looking at the cupcake, then at her. “Have I missed something?”
“No, nothing.”
“Why the cake with a candle?”
She rolled her eyes. “It’s my birthday. I’m about to light the candle and make a wish.”
“I thought Bishop was hanging around with you today.”
“He had things he needed to do. It’s okay. I don’t mind.”
“You mean to tell me you’ve been on your own all day?”
“It’s fine. I don’t mind my own company. I’m used to it anyway.”
Preacher’s teeth clenched.
“Please don’t be angry.”
“I’m getting sick and tired of that boy doing whatever the fuck he wants.”
“It’s fine.”
“You’re giving in too often.”
He pulled out the chair closest to her. He reached into his jacket and pulled out a small velvet box. “I didn’t forget, Robin. I had a few things to take care of.” He put the box in front of her, taking the matches.
“You didn’t have to get me anything.”
“I didn’t? I think it’s a given to give the woman of my child a gift.”
Don’t be embarrassed.
“Open it,” he said.
“Oh, yes, of course.” She picked up the box and slid it open, gasping when she saw a pair of diamond earrings. “They’re beautiful.”
“Put them in, let me see.”
She’d had the same tiny loop earrings for years. She rarely changed them.
Sliding them out of her ears, she put in the ones he’d bought her, and smiled. “What do you think?”
“Beautiful. More than beautiful. You’re stunning.”
“You think so?”
“Yes. Now, for the cake.”
“Have you had anything to eat?”
“A sandwich,” she said.
“What kind?”
“Lettuce.”
“Is that all?”
“No one has gone to the store. We’re running low.”
“Ugh, this is not good enough. Get up, come on, we’re heading into town.”
“What? Why?” she asked.
“It’s your birthday, and you’re eighteen. It’s only fair for you to have a decent meal. Come on.”
She quickly grabbed her jacket and joined him out in the truck.
Robin expected him to head into town, but he didn’t. He went in the opposite direction. “Where are we going?”
“I know a great Italian place.”
“O-kay. Are you sure we should be seen out together?”
“It’ll be fine. Don’t freak out. So what did you do today?”
“I read a lot, studied. Watched a couple of movies.”
“Without me? How dare you.”
Preacher had become her movie buddy. He didn’t seem to mind her obsession with romantic films. He hadn’t asked her since the first night why she loved them so much, and she suspected deep down he enjoyed them as much as she did.
“Don’t worry. They’re movies you’ve seen already so you’re not missing out on anything.”
“Don’t watch any I haven’t seen.”
“Do you really enjoy them?”
“They’re fine. Why? Easy to watch.”
“I just didn’t expect you to like them.”
“And why is that?” he asked.
“I guess I’d have figured you like more dangerous, scary, horror kind of films.”
“Robin, I don’t spend a lot of time thinking about the kinds of movies I watch.”
“No, of course not.” She looked out of the window but it was too dark to see anything, and now her curiosity started to get the better of her. “What kind of things do you like?”
He glanced over at her. “You really want to know?”
“Why not?”
“I like my club. It’s important to me, but I also like to erm, I like to draw.”
“Draw? As in sketch or paint?”
“No, just a pencil and a notepad. I don’t do it often, but I do like to do it. I’m pretty good if I do say so myself. Other than that, I don’t like anything else.”
“Do you ever allow yourself to like anything?”
“Because of the club?”
“Yeah, I imagine having so many enemies, it could be hard to let your guard down.”
“You’re very perceptive.”
“My dad, he told me once that you had a lot to deal with and didn’t want to have to worry about the bullshit Bishop and I got up to.”
“It didn’t bother me. Bishop, he acts out, but there’s not a lot I can do. It’s his prerogative. The kid wants to cause trouble, let him. I really don’t give a shit.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Why are you apologizing?”
“I’ve never stopped him. I probably could have, you know.”
“One thing in life you need to learn, Robin, don’t take credit for other people’s screwups. Let them accept them themselves. It’s not your problem, so don’t take it on.”
He pulled into a parking space, and she couldn’t believe how happy she was. She had expected to be upset because Bishop hadn’t spent any time with her, but in fact, she was happy. With Preacher she didn’t have to be tense or worried about upsetting him.
Bishop held high expectations from her, and she could never keep up with him, even if she wanted to.
“Are you hungry?”
“Starved.”
“Next time, call me. Don’t feed yourself a lettuce sandwich.”
“My cell phone broke today. I dropped it, and it shattered.”
“You could have used the house phone, but no worries.” Preacher pulled out his cell phone and typed. “A new one will be waiting for us when we get home.”
“Wow, you really can snap your fingers and get what you want, can’t you?” she asked.
“You bet your sweet ass, baby, I can.” He winked at her. “Come on, let’s go and have some food.”
He didn’t remove his leather cut, and she followed him into the restaurant. He took her hand, and they stood out like sore thumbs. Everyone she saw was dressed in beautiful cocktail dresses and suits while they wore scruffy clothes.
The maître d’ didn’t push them out the door or threaten to phone security. They were seen to a private table.
“Anything you want, sir, please ask.”
Preacher moved the maître d’ out of the way so he could help her sit at the table.
“Why are they so afraid of you?” she asked.
“I’m a scary person.”
“You’re not a scary person at all.”
He raised a brow as he sat. “You want to reassess that statement?”
“I know you do bad things. I’m just going to shut up. How are we even here? Don’t they have dress codes?”
“I own this place.”
“You do?”
“Yes. I’m a silent partner. I told you I love good food.”
“I had no idea.”
“There’s a lot of things you don’t know about me, sweetheart.”
She picked up the menu. “I have to say, I’m impressed.”
“I’ve got a lot more than this, believe me. It’s your birthday, order whatever you want.”
She looked over the menu. “Is this all expensive?”
“Yes.”
“Oh, I don’t think I should.”
“You totally should. You’re only eighteen once. The earrings look beautiful.”
She touched her ear. “Thank you.
”
“You deserve pretty things.”
She couldn’t believe on her birthday, one of the pinnacles in her life, and Preacher was the one who was with her.
When their waiter came over, she let Preacher order for her. He poured them both a glass of water.
“How was the morning sickness today?”
“It was fine. Not too bad. I wasn’t actually sick. My stomach did a turn.”
“If I’d known Bishop wasn’t there, I’d have been.”
“You don’t have to worry about constantly babysitting me. I’m used to being on my own. It’s no biggie.”
“I mind.”
“Will you shout at Bishop?”
“I’ll deal with him. If he’s wanting to earn a patch within the club, he’s got to learn to follow instruction. I’m not just his father, I’m his leader, and he will do as he’s told or else.”
“What if he doesn’t want to?”
“We’re talking about the same Bishop that screws the girls hanging around, and throws the patch around like it’s his right to do it.”
She looked away.
“Shit, I’m sorry.”
“For what? Stating the obvious? I’ve told you many times I know he’s not faithful.”
“Does that matter to you? Him being faithful?”
She went to say yes, but stopped. “It’s complicated.”
“I’d say you didn’t care. I’ve seen the way you’ve been with Bishop, which makes one wonder if you do care that he’s with other women.”
“It’s complicated because I don’t know what my feelings are for Bishop. I’ve told you before I love him. I guess I’ve never seen him as mine, and … I think if Bishop was mine, and I loved him and we were in a normal relationship, I wouldn’t want him to be with anyone else. I’d want him to stay with me. I know it’s not a given in this world.”
“You never know what could happen,” he said.
“I’m not going to hold my breath. It is what it is, and I accept it. There’s nothing else I can do but hope we can make each other happy.”
Their food was brought out, and she talked about his sketches. She asked if she could see some of his artwork. He denied her, but she was determined to see if he was any good. Just because he said he was, it didn’t make it so, but she wanted him to share a part of himself he’d never had with another woman, or anyone else.
His artwork was personal to him.