Unruly Defender

by Schmidt, Esther E.

  He keeps staring at me for a few heartbeats until his head turns to stare into the distance. “I have a lot going on at the moment. Things that need my attention and can backfire at any time. My mother is smitten with you. I think over half the discussions we’ve had since I got back were about you. Finn clearly likes you, so who am I to argue? Like you said, I have to think about him and my head is already filled with other shit.”

  I hate the way worry weighs heavy in his words. One would think a person would walk out of prison relieved to have his sentence behind him, but the way he’s acting and the words he just said—and didn’t say—makes me think his burdens are just starting to build up.

  This makes me bump his shoulder. “Don’t worry too much. Worry clouds your brain and blocks you from seeing the easy solution within your reach. And if you need anything or if I can help in any way, let me know. I owe your mother a lot. She turned my life around when I felt like I had hit rock-bottom. Whatever she or you need, I’m there, no questions asked.”

  He glances back at me and holds my gaze for a few breaths. No words are exchanged and his head slowly returns to the moonlight dancing over the waves in front of us. The both of us sit in utter silence and to my surprise I find it comfortable instead of awkward.

  “Do you mean it?” Eddie says as he breaks the silence.

  “Sure,” I tell him but then realize I should set extra boundaries in place. “But, needless to say, I won’t do anything involving sexual favors.”

  A soft chuckle is all I get in return, along with an intense stare.

  CHAPTER THREE

  — EDDIE —

  I know I was the one stating nothing will happen between us, but when she mentioned the no sexual favors just now, I was surprised to feel regret flowing through my veins. I’m sure it has everything to do with seeing her clad in lace and knowing how good her curvy ass and thighs look. Not to mention I’ve gone without sex for a few years.

  I need to get laid and fix the unwanted thoughts clouding my head. It’s exactly like she said; worry blocks me from seeing solutions. I keep staring at this woman. I know nothing about her and yet my mother told me a lot and not to mention I know her father all too well. I’ve had to deal with him in the past every now and then, and so did my father.

  He’s a sleazy asshole who thinks he gained a throne by marrying into money. But she seems different, or so I gather. And I do have respect for her if what she told my mother about her past is true, leaving everything behind without a single backward glance. I release another deep breath and try to let my worries flow out along with it.

  “Being betrayed by those who are supposed to have your back changes everything. There’s doubt at every turn and it makes you see people differently.” Gracy nods but doesn’t say anything, so I continue, “It also doesn’t give me any reason to trust you, even if my Ma vouches for you. Your father, he’s—”

  “He’s an asshole and I’m nothing like him,” she says fiercely. “Look, you should be hesitant at trusting people because people are assholes who walk this Earth as if they own it. And in some form, they do, because it’s their life. Most don’t have the whole ‘treat others the way you like to be treated’ life motto or have their own twisted sense of ‘give and receive,’ but that doesn’t mean you have to go through life doubting everyone.”

  I let her words tumble in my head and a plan starts to take shape. “I could use your help to see if a buddy of mine is loyal to me or if he’s teaming up with the one I suspect wants me gone.”

  “How can I help?” she offers instantly, but rushes a stream of words out right after. “I don’t do the whole ‘dig up bones or bury a dead body,’ okay? I don’t know you well enough to be that kind of friend. You know, the kind that comes running with a shovel in hand at any time of day.”

  My head tips back and laughter rips out. “You’re really something, Gracelynn,” I murmur.

  She stares at me intently and says, “Why do you keep calling me Gracelynn? Everyone calls me Gracy.”

  “I like your name.” I shrug. “Why use only half when the whole package is perfect the way it is.”

  Even with only a hint of moonlight I can clearly see my words made her blush, and I like it. I like it a lot. Maybe more than I should.

  “Cut it out,” she says shyly. “And tell me what you specifically need my help with to see if your buddy is loyal to you.”

  I grab my burner from my jeans and hold it in my hands. “A call. I’m thinking of luring him to the bar and seeing if he comes alone or if he brings anyone else. Or—”

  “Or sends someone to kill you,” she easily supplies when my words lack.

  “Yeah,” I groan, already hating myself for pulling her into my mess, even if all I’m asking is a phone call.

  She rips the burner from my hands. “Okay, how are we going to do this? What should I say? Or how could I lure him to the bar? Will a sexy voice and the promise to get some action do it?”

  Again, she manages to rip laughter from my body and I shake my head. “Nah, he’s the vice president of Unruly Defenders MC. Free pussy is available at all times.” Her nose wrinkles and it makes me ask, “Why the disgust ruining your gorgeous face? Is it the biker part or the free pussy part?”

  “Biker part. Sex is sex and what people do in their own time is their business not mine. But the bar at the end of the street is where bikers meet a lot of the time, it’s right next to the compound they hole up in. One of those bikers tried to kick Finn when he was only trying to make a new friend.”

  I’m trying to keep a straight face when I ask, “By trying to hump the biker’s leg?”

  “Well, yeah.” She shrugs and it makes me chuckle.

  “I guess this isn’t a good time to mention I’m the president of Unruly Defenders MC, right?”

  She gasps and groans right after, muttering, “Me and my big mouth.”

  I decide to bring the discussion we were having back to where I need it to be, and tell her, “You could tell Yates you know all about the club’s betrayal and have information about his president.”

  Her eyebrows scrunch up. “Yates? Is he the same one who brings by the books of your mother’s construction company? And seriously, you’re not wrapping it up or sugarcoating it a bit? Are you sure you want to approach it that way?”

  “Yeah. Yates has been keeping things running since I went inside. And I need to see with my own eyes if he comes alone or not.”

  “Maybe he’s suspicious too, ever think of that? Then he would bring a buddy too. Or maybe he’s already in the bar with some friends because those bikers are there a lot. It doesn’t make sense to question his loyalty that way,” she says and I hate to admit it, but she’s right.

  “Any chance you have a better plan?”

  “Not really,” she grumbles. “But I’ve always been one who has to see it to believe it. You know, the whole ‘see it with my own eyes’ thing instead of hearing what others tell you. Then you can act on your own experience and follow what your gut tells you to do.”

  “So, what? Head over and observe, talk to him and see what happens? No one besides my mother and you know I’m out. Well, and my cellmate, but he isn’t connected to my previous life.”

  She keeps staring at my face and asks, “Have you always had this short hair and scruffy jaw?”

  The corner of my mouth twitches again. “No. In fact, my hair was down to my shoulders and I had a full beard. I shaved it all off once I was inside.”

  “So, they wouldn’t exactly recognize you at first sight if you would be wearing...let’s say a weird touristy shirt, shorts, and flip flops?”

  “Fuck, no,” I tell her. “I’d never wear something like that.”

  “My point.” Gracy smirks and adds, “Wanna get something to drink in a biker bar and see if your buddy is there? Then I could make that call and you can see how he reacts. If he warns his buddies it’s clear he’s in on things, right? Facial expressions should give you enough to know if he’s
talking bullshit or if he’s honest.”

  “I like the way you’re thinking,” I compliment, and suddenly feel good about the way this evening is going. Time to set things in motion, with a little help from my newfound friend.

  We agree to leave in about two hours because that’s the time when most bikers would usually head over for a beer. Or at least that’s what the both of us agreed upon. She dashed off to gather some clothes for me and I kid you not, she came back with a Hawaiian button up shirt with flowers and palm trees, khaki shorts, and flip flops.

  Stuff previous guests have left behind and have been dry cleaned in case people return or call our lost and found to get their stuff back. Well, in this case I’m thankful for lost and found supplying me with the disguise I need to observe.

  Gracy strolls out and she’s wearing a red summer dress. Her hair is down in soft waves and almost reaches her damn fine ass. She’s not wearing high heels but instead there are sandals with laces wrapped around her calves.

  I lean in and tell her, “You look stunning. No one is going to pay attention to me at all with you right next to me. But tell me, garters or no garters this time? And are they as flaming red as the dress?”

  She shoves my chest and shakes her head. “I’m wearing sandals, Eddie, so no, no garters.”

  “That doesn’t make sense. But, damn. So, just a red lace thong then?” I question boldly, making her eyes bulge.

  The corner of my mouth twitches and it seems she draws it out of me a lot.

  And I let her know, “We agreed to be friends, and with me knowing you’re wearing that sexy shit to make yourself feel better...again, me being your friend and all...I can see if you’re right and compliment the shit out of you to make you feel even better.”

  She rolls her eyes. “You made a passionate plea for yourself...but, that’s a no, friend. I have a mirror and can give myself compliments, thank you very much.”

  “Yeah, but that’s different,” I quip, letting my arm sneak around her waist as we stroll down the street.

  She doesn’t say anything about my arm and why should she? We agreed to pretend we’re a couple to stake out the bar.

  “Well, if I’m ever in need of a man’s opinion, I know who to call,” she mutters and adds, “Not that I have your number, but you know what I mean.”

  “Give me your phone.” I hold out my hand and she digs her phone out of her purse and I smile when I see the picture.

  “See? You get it.” A soft giggle slips over her lips before she adds, “You should see how some people react when they see a dachshund humping a goat. Stuffed or not, people judge at seeing even a glimpse without knowing all the details.”

  “So very true,” I murmur while punching in my number and sending a text to make sure I have her number too.

  I hand her back her phone and get ready to be aware of every single detail around me. This bar might be owned by me but I’ve hardly had any work from it. It’s purely an investment for me and the main reason I hired a manager years ago when I bought it, and he runs it flawlessly.

  I place my hand on Gracy’s lower back and guide her inside. It’s crowded and I instantly recognize the three bikers sitting at a table in a corner. Yates is one of them and he’s sitting next to Maxton and the one I despise is sitting across from him.

  Rush. That fucker is wearing the president patch as if he’s entitled to. He’s not. It doesn’t belong on his chest and I want nothing more than to stalk over and rip it off and let him choke on it.

  Soft fingers slide over my wrist and my arm is being yanked forward. Gracy pushes her body against mine and slides an arm around my neck so she can pull me down as she whisper-hisses, “Stop staring as if you would like to rip them apart. We’re here to observe and not confront.” She pulls back and cups my face with both hands. “Vengeance is blinding, while justice is like karma; it will hit those who have it coming right in the face. Distance yourself, Eddie. I can see it in your eyes the way you crave to get even. You’ve waited so long, but you’re out now, you’re right here. Take your time because you have loads of it. Now focus, dammit.”

  I could drown in her gaze and taste her lips for decades and yet she asks me to fucking focus.

  “Yes, ma’am,” I croak.

  “Good.” Her hands slide from my face to my shoulders as she says, “Now, let me buy you a drink and I’ll call your buddy so you can see how he reacts. Then we’ll either head home or you can hook up with your buddy and I’ll head home by myself.”

  “I’m not letting you walk away alone, but I can’t have anyone thinking we’re connected once they know who I am. It’s too dangerous.”

  Shit. What was I thinking pulling her into this? But it was too good to pass up, I need her to make sure I can test Yates.

  She rolls her eyes. “I’m a big girl, Eddie.”

  She steps closer to the bar and leans over to give the bartender her order. There’s one guy and two chicks behind the bar and I don’t recognize any of them. The guy I hired to run this bar knows exactly what it needs to make a good profit every night. He isn’t cheap, but he’s the best at what he does.

  Gracy grabs her wallet but I’ve already handed the guy a twenty and tell him to keep the change. I take a seat next to Gracy and the way we’re sitting, it allows me to have a clear view of Yates and the others, while Gracy is blocking their view so they don’t notice me. I grab my burner and punch in Yates’ number.

  “Ready?” I ask and she gives me a nod.

  We’ve talked it through before we came here and we came up with a few lines for her to make sure Yates knows this is about me and Rush. So, now is the moment of truth. Will Yates be loyal to me or will he let Rush know who he’s off to meet?

  Gracy takes the burner along with her drink and hits the call button. She stands and strolls to the opposite side of the room so she doesn’t put any attention on me and can give Yates a reason to head out the back without any suspicion. It would look like he took a random girl with him.

  I take my beer and keep it in front of my face as if I’m sipping it, and slide across the room so I’m near the bikers sitting at the table. They are way too loud, and this allows me to hear them clearly and also notice their every move. Yates’ phone rings. Showtime.

  He fishes it from his pants and glances at the screen before answering. “Who the fuck is this?” he growls and a few seconds later he’s glancing around the bar.

  I know she just told him to come to her because she has information about me, and especially the hit on his president sitting across from him. But she instructs him not to say anything to Rush.

  “What are you doing, Yates?” Rush asks.

  Yates’ eyes land on Rush as he keeps his phone to his ear. I have a clear view of Yates and I can tell by the look he gives his president that he holds no respect for Rush. His words also don’t leave anything to the imagination as he glares at Rush and says, “I’m not going to sit here and watch you guys get drunk. I have better things to do.”

  Yates’ eyes go straight to Gracy. “Later, dickheads,” Yates snaps and stands.

  “Sit down, VP,” Rush barks.

  Yates places a hand in the middle of the table and leans into Rush’s space. “You know exactly how I feel about your insane intentions to drag this club down just because you like to powder your nose. You’re not getting my vote. Not now, not ever. And no amount of beer is going to change that fucking fact.”

  Yates pushes away from the table and stalks straight to Gracy.

  Utter fury flows through my veins when he places his hand on her upper arm and guides her to the back. My heart is slamming against my rib cage, but I need to stay put for a moment. I can’t draw any attention to myself, and I would if I followed them right away.

  “He’s never going to be on our side, Pres,” Maxton says to Rush.

  “Then we strip him of his rank or make sure he has an unfortunate accident. It won’t be long now, things are already set in motion, it’s only a matter of day
s,” Rush states, satisfaction evident in his voice.

  The hairs on the back of my neck stand on end due to this asshole’s chuckle. They start to sip their beers and fall into small talk. Time to head out back where Gracy went with Yates. A few minutes have passed and I could say the Yates I used to know wouldn’t hurt a woman, but after what I went through, I doubt everyone...even Yates.

  Yates and I go way back. We were both prospects around the same time. He’s the VP because I needed someone I could trust when I became the president. We were working side by side together in my father’s company before things went to shit and he continued running it when I was on the inside. My mother said he did very well, that’s the reason I’m reaching out to him first.

  And I do have the feeling I can trust him completely. His reaction just now and what he said to Rush also suggests he’s solid. Stalking into the back, I take a turn and check left and right but I don’t see either of them. Panic flows through me. I never should have asked Gracy to help me. What if something happened to her? I’d never forgive myself. Fuck. Ma would be pissed too.

  “I said you should stay put,” Gracy’s says, her voice an angry snap coming from further down the hall on my left.

  “And I said I’m done playing games. Now, you tell me right this fucking instant what you know or you and I will have a problem.” Yates has Gracy caged between the wall and his body, his hands on each side of her head.

  I see red and jog over. I grab him by the shoulder and push him back. “Leave her the fuck alone,” I growl in his face.

  Yates is about to go into defense mode, but his eyes narrow and he takes me in as I have my forearm pressed against his neck.

  “Pres?” he asks in disbelief.

  “VP,” I grunt and step aside. I glance back at Gracy. “Are you okay?”

  “Yeah.” She gives me a timid smile. “Are you?”