Lucky clutches my hand and holds my palm flat against his heart. "I have missed you so fucking much. I'm sorry I hurt you. But, Baby, you don't understand shit is so crazy right now. I understand why you don't want to be with me. But give me tonight to show you how good we could be. I'm lost when I'm not with you. I love you so damned much." He brings my hand up to his mouth planting a sincere kiss against my knuckles sending goose bumps across my flesh. I want to trust him, but this could just be another game on behalf of the Devils Rejects. I don't know what's factual anymore.
"I'll give you tonight, but I can't promise anything more than that."
"I'll take it." he smiles at me, his smiles not quite reaching his eyes though, showing a hint of disappointment. We get to the gym of my high school, and we are running behind and have missed grand march, which is probably for the best. If Grim was to ever find out that I went to prom with a Reject he'd never let me out of the house again.
Lucky is on his best behavior all night. He hasn't complained the first time and he didn't even get jealous when some of my guy friends asked me to dance. Somehow, we have managed to escape being photographed together for the most part. I just hope the few pictures that were snapped of us don't end up in the local newspaper. Lucky offered to break the photographer's camera. But if the pictures are printed and Grim happens to see them, I will play dumb to knowing whom Lucky is.
It's the last song of the night, 'You have been loved', is playing and Lucky takes my hand and leads me to the center of the dance floor. "Baby, tonight has been perfect, except for one thing." He tilts my chin and angles his mouth centimeters from mine. "I love you," he says looking me straight in the eyes before sealing the end of a perfect date with a kiss. And not just any kiss, this is the kiss of all kisses we have ever shared. This is a kiss that doesn't lie, Lucky loves me, but can I confide in him with my heart. The song has ended but we are still in the middle of the floor locked in our kiss, his hands travel down my arms reaching around my back, he lifts me up, breaking our kiss and spins me around.
Out in the parking lot Trouble is waiting with Lucky's motorcycle to trade for his car and me. I feel like Cinderella after the ball, when the magic ends and she returns to being ordinary. Lucky whispers in my ear, "No matter what happens and what is said trust in us and trust in my love for you." His words feel like a warning and a promise. I'm not sure what to make of any of it. And hello it's prom night and he didn't want to even sleep with me. He says he is waiting until he claims me. Who says chivalry is dead? I found it in a crude biker named Lucky.
"Lucky...what?" He cuts me off with a kiss before getting on his Harley and riding off into the night.
"Alright, Trouble. What is he talking about and don't act like you don't know? I don't care what either of you say. I know the two of you trade secrets." Of course, he gives me a dumbfounded look, playing the innocent card. "I mean it, Trouble, is something about to happen? Should I be worried?"
"I don't know, Baby, but all I can say is shit is about to go down and you need to be prepared to handle whatever comes your way." Like that is supposed to reassure me or make me feel any better. "Now let's get you home before Grim has my ass."
When I get into the car, he is playing a song and the guy is singing about he doesn't know why she treats him like she does. Trouble is belting out the lyrics and it fits my mood perfectly. Him and his fucking ability to choose the perfect songs when I need to hear them most leaves me scratching my head.
When Trouble first started hanging around me, I didn't know if he had a crush on me or had hopes of me helping him earn his patch, but whatever the reason I am thankful for his friendship. I don't know what I would do without him. He always has my back and if he says to get prepared for a shit storm, things must be serious. But what's coming? Why do I feel like I am lost at sea in a paddleboat in the calm before the storm without any paddles?
Chapter 9
Rumor
Baby looked like a princess tonight as she left for her senior prom. A part of me is envious, I never had a prom and the whole school experience, but I am happy to see her live through it. I can't wait for her to come home and tell me all about it. Pulling my hair back, I get ready for the night shift over at the Roadhouse. Grim finally let me out of the kitchen and is letting me serve at the bar, and the tips are great. A few more weeks of this and I will finally have enough saved up for my apartment. Well, the place I am going to share with Aspen. I am leaving a month early for college to get settled before my classes start in the fall. I cannot believe I am really going to do it. I am going to get out of the only life I have ever known and enter the real world on my own. It will be my first time living alone and away from club life. Grim and Sunshine keep offering to pay for my expenses, but I can't let them do that. They have already done so much for me. Grim saved me and I feel weird taking anything else from him. My mom left money for me, I will receive it in a few more years and I intend to pay Grim and Sunshine back for all that they have given me when I obtain it.
The Roadhouse is dead tonight, all except for a few brothers and some whores they brought over from the Fox's Den. I could have gone to work there for LL and Foxie, but the thought of men touching me sends shivers down my spine and makes me nauseas. That's one reason things didn't work between Tread and me. He was understanding and patient, but I knew he wouldn't wait forever. I hope he isn't here tonight. There isn't any hard feelings between us, but it is awkward enough having to watch Rebel and Diamond, I don't need to see Tread and his latest conquest too.
Rebel could do a lot better than that skank he is with now. Hell, I'd rather see him with my sister than watch him parade around here with Diamond. She has no self-respect. I have seen her give blowjobs right here in the middle of the bar to anyone willing to drop their pants. Rebel waves his empty beer bottle at me signaling for me to bring them another round.
"Thanks." He smacks my ass when I turn to leave from their table and Diamond cackles like a hyena. I don't know what he sees in her. Sure, she is pretty. Her black hair hangs to her ass. She has pretty skin with a deep tan. She looks like she could be Indian. Rebel's very own Pocahontas, but the girl is dumber than shit. I snort at the thought. Baby will love that comparison. You would think I would be over Rebel by now, but if anything, I miss, him more and my nightmares are at their worst. I think with everything that happened with Tread coupled with my anxiety about leaving soon, it's made them stronger. We are still friends, but Rebel no longer comforts me on the nights I can't sleep, on the nights when my past is more than I can bear. Rebel is one of the things I will miss the most about Drag Creek.
I roll my eyes as Diamond makes an ass of herself. She is standing in her chair flashing her tits at anyone that will pay attention. Is she the kind of woman Rebel wants on his arm? I cannot believe I almost thought about being with him once upon a time. Foxie comes in and Rebel automatically straightens up and orders Diamond to cover up, least he still has respect for his mother. Foxie whispers in his ear handing him a burner phone and he rushes out in a hurry, without a word to his date. Foxy hasn't been coming around much lately, word is she has her a new man. No clue as to who he is though, she seems to be pretty tight lipped on the subject. At least that's what I hear from Betty, she always fills me in on the latest gossip when she swings by, which isn't often. The only reason she ever stops by here is to bring me a book. She knows Grim doesn't want her around and the only reason she is still breathing is because of me.
Foxie hauls off and smacks Diamond across the cheek. "I thought I told you to stay away from my boy, whore. I suggest if you want to keep your room at the Den you take heed to my advice."
Rubbing her cheek, Diamond retorts, "He isn't a child. He is free to fuck whomever he pleases. Rebel doesn't strike me as a man that needs his mommy's permission to get his dick sucked."
Romeo steps in before more damage can be done. He orders Diamond to leave and Foxie comes to the bar for a drink. "I wish Rebel would find him a nice girl. Someone like y
ou or your sister. One of you girls would make a fine old lady," she says, and I just smile and pour her a double shot. She looks like she could use one. I don't think Diamond is really the cause for her mood. She comes across as though something is weighing heavily on her heart.
Rebel never came back and by the time, I got off work Baby was already in bed.
Rebel
Damn, Rumor looked so fucking sexy. I love that I can still make her blush. If I thought, she'd give me a chance I'd drop Diamond and go after her. I thought for sure she'd be sportin' Tread's mark by now but seems to me they have broken things off. He hasn't said anything, and I haven't asked. He knows I'd take her in a heartbeat. He knows I threatened to cut off his balls if he ever hurt her too. Rumor doesn't seem phased by the breakup, so I haven't felt the need to confirm that they ended on good terms.
I have other shit to worry about too. The Devils Rejects are getting impatient. They are ready to take out Grim. As much as I hate him for killing my father, I respect the hell out of the man. He is a man of his word and he seems to be a great prez. When I first started talking to the Rejects about taking him down, I was so hurt—angry. I was in a bad place, drinking and smoking to where I didn't know my own name most nights. I hurt a lot of people I cared about, especially Baby. I was sending her mixed messages, leading her on. I knew the girl was in love with me and I used her. Looking back on everything that went down with my old man, I know that Grim did what he had to for the good of the club. Slim—my dad, made many shit decisions that hurt a lot of us and I am afraid if I continue down this road I am going become the thing I fear most...my father.
Baby says she forgives me, but I can't forgive myself for hurting her. And Rumor, she still has it in her to smile at me and be so motherfuckin' sweet to me, though it is the last thing I deserve from her. Some nights, I think if Rumor were to ask me to leave with her, I'd go, if it meant not becoming my old man. If I stay here, I am afraid I will give into the temptation to avenge my father's death and marry a woman I don't really love.
Lucky wants to meet with me to discuss business, I know he is feeling the pressure to make things pop off as well. I know he has been sneaking around with Baby. The only thing that has kept me from stopping it is the way she lights up when he is near her. She used to light up that way for me, and I want her to be happy, however short lived it is. I know something bad is coming I just don't know what it is.
I make the drive to The Razor's Edge to meet up with Lucky. When I get to our usual table in the back, he has a hard expression on his face, and he isn't trying to hide it either. Shit must be getting ready to go down. "What's so urgent that this couldn't wait until next week?"
"I'm worried about Baby."
"Why's that?" I swear if he has put her in danger, I will kill him.
"Lucky called me. Baby and Rumor both are in danger." Trouble pops out of nowhere and pulls a chair over to our booth.
"I heard some talk. Rush wants to take Grim down bad and he isn't above using Baby or Rumor to make it happen. I can only do so much to protect her from my end. I'm getting cut out of plans and left out of meetings. I think Rush knows where my loyalty lies when it comes to her. I was supposed to pump her for information, not fall in love with her."
"You mean that, that you love her? Would you die for her?" I lean across the table and look him dead in the eyes.
"I'm here talking to you about it aren't I?" He has a point why tell me any of this and bring Trouble into the mix if he is planning on helping Rush use Baby to get to Grim.
"The thing is, Rush claims Baby is his daughter not Grim's. Says it's only a matter of time before he tells her the truth."
"Bullshit, everyone knows Baby is Grim's kid. What's the connection?" Trouble asks in an annoyed tone. It seems there is tension between these two, my guess is Baby is the source, but I don’t have time to worry about her love life when her life is in danger.
"Well, story is that Red was seeing Rush on the side when Grim was on the road and that is when Baby was conceived. Grim even caught them together once and Red told Grim he was her brother, and Grim ordered him away believing the lie. Rush claims that him and Red set up Benji and that Sarah might be his as well. What a better way to mind fuck your enemies than by having them raise your kids thinking they are your own and working to turn them against you. "
"Why Grim though? What happened to keep him from taking out Benji?" I am so confused but a part of me believes it could be true. My mom says that Grim and Red had a whirlwind romance and that he never even really knew her. And when Grim took out Benji and Squirrel to rescue Sarah he found out that Red had played him.
"Grim and Red is what happened. The day Red let Grim order him away he says that was the end of him and Red he knew that day that she was choosing Grim over him. That's why he let Benji kill her and Grim, well, he took care of Benji for him. Hell, Grim got Hook out of the way too, giving Rush control of the Devils Rejects." Lucky takes a swig of his beer and lights up a joint. "Here take a hit. It's a hell of a story to take in."
"What does Rush want from Baby and Rumor?"
"He wants one of them to kill Grim. Who else could get close enough to do it, and how much would it fucking hurt Grim to be killed by the person he loves more than anything in this world?" Fuck, I am going to need a hell of a lot more than a joint to grasp this.
"What are we going to do? This will devastate Baby. Something like this man, it could set Baby off in a bad way. You haven't told her any of this have you?" I am not as worried about Rumor. She is tough, the girl has been through so much and yet everyday she has a smile on her face. She’s resilient. Baby puts on a tough act, but she has a heart of gold. I look to Trouble and he shrugs with indifference. I am afraid his feelings for Baby are going to get in the way and cloud his judgment.
"Hell no, you and me—we’re going to kill Rush to protect Baby. I know you want Grim gone, but one bastard at a time. Grim is the lesser of the two evils."
"I don't know what I want anymore." I slide my hands over my face, fuck I am tired.
"Me either, man, I just know that this shit wasn't what I got patched for," Lucky responds in a grave tone.
"Let me handle Baby. Think you can get the Rejects to back off for a while. Baby's sister is going to be going out of town and Baby will probably go with her for a week or two. If we could wait until she is safely out of town, we might be able to pull something off."
Trouble chimes in, "I can protect Baby, let me deal with her, and you can worry about Rumor. You know you aren't exactly on the list of Baby's favorite people lately." I know Baby is still licking her wounds over us not being a couple. The last time she came to family dinner at my mom's she ignored me the whole time. She spent every second with Striker; it was like I wasn't even there.
"You’re going to tell her that I was only with her for information, aren't you?" Lucky looks defeated. I hate to hurt Baby again and break her heart, but it has to be done. She has to stay away from the Rejects. He may love Baby, but if we don't do this the right way, a broken heart will be the least of Baby's worries.
After meeting with Lucky, I can't get Rumor off of my mind and the pull to see her is too great to ignore. By the time, I make it back to the Roadhouse she has gone home for the night. I walk past Grim's trailer and see the lamp is on in her room. I tap lightly on her window. I don't know what comes over me but when she opens the window, I pull her face to mine and kiss her. She pulls away and smacks me. Guess I deserved that. She is touching her lips where we kissed and she whispers, "Why?" Her fingers are trembling in shock, in realization that she enjoyed that kiss far more than she wants me to know.
"Because if I had to go one more day without doing that, without touching you, tasting your sweet lips, I was going to go crazy. I need you, Rumor. Tell me you don't feel it, that you don't want me. Tell me you don't fight the pull you have for me. You yearn for me just as badly as I do you."
"We can't do this, Rebel." That's all I need to know that I sti
ll have a chance with her.
"You know why you can't be happy with any other man, Rumor? It's because they aren't me." She stops fighting and this time it is her pulling me through the window craving my lips against hers.
Chapter 10
Baby
I heard Rumor come in a little bit ago. The perfect night I just had with Lucky is playing through my mind, keeping me from sleeping. A loud thump comes from across the hall in Rumor's room. I peek out my door and see the light from her lamp shining through the bottom.
"Hey, you still awake..." I can't believe my eyes. Rumor and Rebel have a hold of one another in a death grip, making out on her bed.
"Baby, wait," my sister calls out to me. I'm not upset, I just am in shock really.
"It can wait—we can talk tomorrow." I am about to close the door when Rebel asks me to stay, he had better not think he can have us both. I have a seat at Rumor's vanity keeping my distance. I swear if he is trying to pull some shit, I will kick his ass.
"I need to talk to the two of you together." I raise an eyebrow at my sister, she shakes her head and shrugs, she doesn't know what's going on, but I think she is drunk off that kiss they just shared. "Rumor, do you remember a man by the name of Rush?" Rebel asks.
"I have a memory of him pushing me on a swing, but I can't tell you anything else about him." She answers, and I keep my mouth shut, I know who he is.
"Baby, when was the last time you talked to Lucky?"
"Tonight, why? Wait how do you know about Lucky?" I give my sister a treacherous look, but she shakes her head that she didn't tell.
"When tonight?"
"A few hours ago, why?" I am getting annoyed. How does Rebel know about Lucky and me?
"I hate to be the one to tell you this, but he's been using you. Rush ordered Lucky to date you, to spy on you, to dig up what he could on us. He wants to use you against Grim. You gotta stay away from Lucky and the Devils Rejects."
Just Ride Black Rebel Riders' MC Volume 1 Page 28