Finding Me: Dominant Devils Book Three

by H. M. Stewart

  Before we could get our bearings Axle and Tank swung the back doors of the van open and began unloading the pile of bags. Thank god we were taking a private jet Layla provided. I’d hate to see how much we would have spent in baggage fees if we had to check all the bags. I myself had no idea what to bring settling on a few pairs of cut off shorts, old band tee shirts, and flip-flops. I packed a pair of black slacks and a teal whispy top just in case. I hoped they would go unneeded. I hated dressing up in something that made me feel like a younger version of my mother. Yuck!

  I was sitting in the middle row all the way towards the window leaving me the next to last person to get out of the van. While everyone else was saying their goodbyes I discreetly swiped my bags that had been unloaded. I felt kind of stupid or even sneaky but I wasn’t sure what I was supposed to do at the moment. So when Izzy started making her way to the plane I followed her as she talked over her shoulder. “Come on Breezy, let’s get the window seats before the rest of the bitches get’em.” I kept quiet just giving her a big grin as we handed off our bags to the crew as we stepped on the plane. This wasn’t the first time I’ve been on a private jet but I must say it was one of the nicer ones I had flown on before. Izzy, on the other hand, was like a kid in a candy store. She dropped her purse on the long couch that ran along the side by the windows before she took off inspecting the rest of the cabin. When you first boarded there was a set of oversized leather chairs along the wall of the cockpit that faced another set of similar chairs on both sides of the cabin that made a walkway towards the back. To the right wall of the cabin was the long leather couch with a floor mounted table in front with two more chairs angled along the left wall. A smaller couch ran along the back wall, which I’m sure the wall held a small bathroom and probably a bedroom behind it given the size of the plane. It definitely screamed money, yet looked comfy and inviting.

  I dropped down on the smaller couch in the far corner leaving everyone else room to get situated. To my surprise, Athena and Madison decided to sit with me leaving Izzy, Romy, and Hyde on the other couch. Momma Bear and Tabby took the seats across from the long couch with Avery, Hunter, Trevor, and Carrin taking the chairs at the front. Tivie was sitting in Carrin’s lap getting buckled in when hired stewardess came aboard. She quickly went over the seating arrangements ensuring everyone was ready for take-off. Shortly after we were airborne. When the captain announced we were free to move around the cabin Avery dropped a kiss on Hunter’s head before leaving to retreat to the back with Trevor hot on her heels leaving everyone stunned in silence.

  Madison was the first one to break the awkwardness. “Alright women, what shall it be? Music, cards or gossip?”

  “How bout all three,” I answered. As soon as the words left my lips I wished to take them back. I was still finding my footing around the girls and wasn’t sure if I overstepped my boundaries. Leave it to Carrin to put my mind at ease, though. “Hot damn! You heard the girl, let’s get it done. I’ll get the kid's movie going on the laptop and then I’ll take your money.”

  As if on demand the stewardess pulled a deck of cards from one of the cupboards before taking drink orders. While everyone settled in around the small table I hung back. I’ve never really played cards before and I didn’t have a lot of cash on me. I planned to sit back and observe until Tabby pulled me in the game. She wouldn’t take “no” for an answer. “I don’t want to hear it. There’s plenty of room and we don’t play for money. We play for clothes, shoes, and favors. You’ll do just fine, baby doll. Come on over here and watch me swipe those bangle bracelets that Hyde doesn’t like to share with her momma. Mark my words they’ll be mine before you can say California.”

  “The hell you say! If I’m betting my bracelets you’ll have to come up with something just as good. Let’s make it interesting. I put up my bracelets, you’re putting up those new wing earrings daddy got you for Christmas,” Hyde fired back.

  “You’re on blondie. Just don’t be crying to daddy for more bracelets after your momma whips your little ass.” After Tabby’s agreement, the cards were dealt. Things were pretty intense for the few hours we played. Tabby lost her earrings only to have won them back along with Hyde's bracelets, Romy’s new blood red heels and an IOU from Trevor to become the face of ladies night at the club when it finally opened. I’m not sure who was more excited, Trevor or Tabby, about the promo pictures and spotlight, either way, it was happening as soon as we got back.

  I myself wasn’t doing to terrible. I had gained a new pair skull earrings from Izzy, an IOU for two hours of Madison’s time and a silver toe ring Momma Bear had a hard time parting with. She vowed that before we were through it would be her’s again. When I offered it back saying it was just a game I was quickly told I had won it fair and square. She would get it back somehow but I wouldn’t just be giving it to her. She tried her hardest but was yet to succeed, losing an IOU for babysitting to Carrin and her favorite leather chaps to Tabby.

  As time rolled on Hunter and Tivie fell asleep while watching their movie even with the boisterous laughter and jokes filling the cabin. As we neared our destination I found myself left with just Romy and Carrin left in the hand. Everyone else had folded while Romy raised that stakes. “Okay chickas, I’ll see your bet for the IOU’s for dinner and I’ll raise you an IOU for a dare.”

  Taking the words from my mouth Carrin spoke up. Looks like we both needed clarification on what Romy was getting at. “How are you gonna raise us a dare? What kinda dare are we talking hooch?”

  “Whoever wins gets to think of a dare for the person who loses and the person who loses has to accept. The will be no renigging what so ever,” Romy answered.

  “I FOLD! I will not have to carry out a damn dare your little crazy ass cooks up. The last time you dared me to do something we were on our way home from the beach. You made me flash the damn Greyhound bus. You know how many people got a look at my tits? Fuck that, I’m out! We’re going have to get cleaned up anyway. We’ll be landing soon,” Carrin told her as she moved to start clearing the cards up. She was making an attempt to clean up assuming I would fold. Normally I would but something in me couldn’t do it. For some reason, I had this overwhelming urge to take a walk on the wild side. I mean come on, I doubt very seriously Romy’s dare for me would that crazy. She’s learned most of my reservations over the last few years. She wouldn’t have me doing something too crazy or stupid. Besides I had four queens. There’s no way she would beat a four of a kind. I had this in the bag. Maybe I could dare Romy to go to church next Sunday or maybe teach me how to ride. I really want to learn and maybe someday get my own bike. The girls all make it look so easy. Even Carrin learned not too long ago and now unless she has to take Tivie somewhere you can’t get her off her bike.

  Lacking the assertiveness I was going for I halted Carrin from clearing the table, “hold up a second. I think I’m going to accept that bet. What do you say again?”

  “You tell her you’re going to call, sweetie then lay your cards down,” Trevor said moving back to the table with a mischievous grin on his handsome face. “Go for it girlfriend! Let’s see if the munchkin is bluffing.”

  “Okay, here goes nothing. I call,” I say as I turned to Romy laying my cards on the table. First, she gave me a look of shock which quickly turned into a devilish smile. The smile that let me know I just screwed up and she knew it too.

  “Oh my dear innocent Breezy, that’s a good hand ya got there. Damn good hand. A hand that I would have run the table up with as well. The problem is, doll, a straight flush beats four of a kind,” the redhead tells me before slamming the cards to the table. “Read’em and weep dollface. Not only do I get my treat to several dinners but now you’ve got a dare coming and guess who can't back out of it. A dare that I’m going to make sure gets done this weekend before you can bat those lashes at Tank to try and get out of it. He catches wind of it and he’ll be promising me the moon and stars to save you.”

  Crap, I just lost! I lost big tim
e. I look on Romy’s face tells me I should be scared. Maybe I should have followed Carrin’s lead and backed out. However, Romy’s wrong about one thing. I wouldn’t go to Tank to help me get out of it. If there’s one thing I’ve learned over the last few hours, it’s you stand behind your bet no matter what. Might as well figure out what I’m up against and pray I don’t have to flash a bus full of people.

  “No worries. I won’t say anything to Tank or even go to him for help. I’m a big girl,” I say with a hand gesture towards myself trying to show confidence, “I can take it. Just be gentle, please.”

  “Dollface, what I have in mind might hurt a little bit but trust me when I say it’s more for your benefit than mine.” She must have seen my facial expressions change at her words because she quickly clarified what would hurt. “Breezy, I dare you to let me tattoo you. I will let you pick what you want but I have final say on what you’re getting a tattoo of. And before you start thinking your safe this weekend, think again. There’s a reason why I have three bags with me. One is for shoes, of course, the second is for my clothes and makeup leaving the third for my tattoo gun and supplies. I’m supposed to be squeezing in a session with Ben while were in Cali this weekend. Looks like I get to work on you both.”

  Okay, it’s not so bad. I’ve been toying with the idea of a tattoo for a while now. I’ve just been too scared to take the leap. I look at the sleeves and half sleeves the women and men of the club have in awe. Romy does all of their work and she’s nothing short of awesome. I guess I should be happy to get an artist of her talent to do my work. Should being the key word in that sentence. Before I could voice my fears the stewardess interrupted informing us that it was time to take our seats, we would be landed within the next twenty minutes.

  I helped with the cleanup quietly; my thoughts stuck on my impending tattoo. When I finally returned to my seat I put my earbuds in to let the music on my playlist calm me. Looks like I’ll be getting that walk on the wild side after all.

  Chapter 8

  Bree

  The ride from the airport was surreal. I felt like I was traveling with the President instead of a bunch of rowdy women. We were loaded into a black stretched hummer limo complete with driver and two security guards. As the driver loaded the bags into the back of the limo Trevor introduced us to Lyle and Colin, the two guards escorting us to the band’s home in Santa Monica. I watched as Romy already seemed acquainted with the one Trevor introduced as Lyle in amusement. That girl doesn’t have a shy bone in her body. Deep down I hope she’ll be so caught up in with the overly handsome guard to forget about the bet. It’s not that I plan to back out but I’ve got too many ideas to narrow to just one right now.

  With Romy and Trevor, both flirting shamelessly with Lyle and a blushing Colin the rest of us began filling the back of the spacious limo. The drive to the band’s home just outside of Santa Monica took less the forty-five minutes. We were warned before we left the airport that the driver was under strict instructions from Demi to go straight to the house. We weren’t allowed to stop to see the pier or any touristy places along the way. Instead, the driver opened both sunroofs and put the two windows down so we could get a better look. With the sound system turned up belting Good Charlotte from the speakers I found myself standing through the opened moon-roof beside Izzy and Tabby with Madison, Momma Bear, and Hyde sticking through the second one. Carrin had an excited Tivie in her lap to look out the one window with Trevor and Hunter yelling hellos and waving out of the second. It reminded me of one of those scenes you see in the movies. It felt good to let loose and be one of the girls. No worries about who was going to see or whether it was ladylike or not. I absolutely freaking loved it!

  All too soon we were pulling down a paved driveway only stopping for the driver to punch a code in a keypad to open a large wrought iron gate. The driveway turned into a large circle in front of a large stucco home. At first glance, you would never believe this was a home that held one of the world’s largest metal bands. I was expecting a large white modern mansion in the hills or something resembling a palace. Instead, it looked like a large family home. Although it’s larger than your normal home around Great Falls, it wasn’t overly done. There was nothing flashy or extravagant. Simple landscaping, with a path made of slate pavers that lead to a full porch with overhang. In place of the wooden rocking chairs, you would generally see back home, sat five large wooden Adirondack chairs each with a member of Break Away and Ben.

  Before the driver could stop Ember, was pulling open back door snatching a squealing Hunter out of Trevor’s arms squeezing him in a tight bear hug. The other members made their way down the steps but stayed back far enough for the rest of us to unload from the limo. I can’t say I was star struck, I’ve already gotten to know each one of the members via face time but standing in front of them in the flesh had the newfound wild side thrown out the window, back was the shy introverted Bree.

  I was standing back watching the exchange between the women, Trevor and Ben when I was called out. “Breezy get you sexy ass over here and give me a hug, woman. Damn girl your even more luscious in person. You make a girl wanna try the lesbian thing,” an excited Cali yelled from the bottom step before making her way to stand directly in front of me. “Oh my goodness, I so glad you’re here. Come with me; I’ll give ya the tour.”

  I couldn’t find words to agree or argue with the dark-haired beauty. I followed as she pulled the lot of us through the three-story home with ease. After glancing through the five bedrooms, basement studio, cinema room and living room we came to a large open kitchen where an older Italian woman with a younger version of herself by her side stood smiling at us. When Tabby pulled both women into a hug it dawned on me who the two were. Ben’s mother, Stephaine, and his younger sister, Julia, looked to have started preparing dinner.

  “I’ve just started, dear. It’s no problem at all. You guys have just flown six hours to be here. Julia and I can throw dinner together for everyone. Why don’t you all go and get situated in your rooms,” Ben’s mother protested?

  “Nonsense! We don’t want to step on toes but we’re here to help. How about Tabby and I help you and then Julia can spend time with the kids,” Momma Bear insisted.

  “You say, kids like we’re five, momma but I’m not complaining. I’m not sure what that sauce is for but it smells amazing,” Madison whined.

  Momma Bear, with the help of Stephanie and Tabby, pushed us out of the kitchen to throw dinner together while the rest of us ventured to the back deck to relax and catch up. The breathtaking view from the deck was one I would love to capture and frame. The house sat just high and far enough off the coastline to give the perfect view of the Pacific. Something I would never forget. I found a spot on one of the outside loungers where I could sit a take in the view while everyone around me was caught up in their own conversations. I’m not sure how long I sat staring at the waves crashing along the shoreline before a loud noise pulled me from my daze. Romy had her bag on the outside table and was unpacking a sketch pad along with several colored pencils.

  “So you’re wanting a portrait piece of your beautiful fiancé, huh? What frame of mind are you going for? We can do the sweet loving side, the screaming metal goddess or the seductress only you get to see. You tell me handsome, I’ll sketch it out before dinner then we can get started after we eat,” Romy explains to an overjoyed Ben.

  “You might think I’m nuts but I don’t know how to explain it when you put it like that, Red. The best I can do is show you the picture I caught of her that I have saved on my phone. I took it the first day we moved in here. We were walking along the beach and it was just perfect. She was glowing,” he tells Romy while flipping through his phone. The two huddle over the phone taking in the picture for a few minutes before the tiny redhead got to work while the conversations started to flow again.

  An hour later we were at large table in the kitchen with enough food to feed an army and endless bottles of wine. By my third glass, I was we
ll on my way to feeling tipsy. A little liquid courage pushed my shyness to the background and I joined in the fun. Demi was pushing for extensive details on each man of the club. She claims to have studied Avery’s photos but couldn’t get over the fact that one small country town could have that many sexalicious men. Her words, not mine. Even if I did agree.

  “You bitches are so fucking lucky I’m not traveling til after the rocker brat is born. Believe me, though I will be coming for a visit. I gotta see those mother fuckers up close and personal! I mean come on. You even have a hot as sin ginger. I’m sorry Izzy but your brother is fucking hot,” Demi shouted causing Izzy to spit wine all over her plate while Romy just grinned and continued drawing.

  “Down girl. That’s my asshole brother you're talking about. I admit my brother’s cute but I don’t wanna hear that shit. EWE! You need to pick someone else to pick apart. How about the god-like fucker Carrin’s landed that has her screaming loud enough to wake the whole damn house every night,” Izzy shouts back getting the crowd riled up in laughter.

  “Like you said, he’s god-like. I just have to keep reminding him of that every chance I get,” Carrin fires back before turning to Demi, “look all you want, girl. I don’t blame ya but you try to touch and I’ll cut your ass. Rockstar or not the only one at this table that will be exploring that fine ass man will be me.”

  Carrin’s comment just sends the crowd into another fit of laughter including myself. As I work to refill my glass something inside me pushes me to join in. Without thinking I throw my two cents in. “What about captain serious? You can’t leave out the tall dark broody tattooed monster of a man. Wall is enough to give a woman hot flashes just be being in the same damn room.”