by Brook Wilder
“It worked,” he grunted. “But we won’t be able to change it with everyone on board.”
“I can do that.” Sam offered. “The girls will need to be taken off first before I can do anything.”
“That’s easy enough.” Noah turned and gave me a gentle smile. “Sam and I will get the other girls home. You go back with Diesel now.”
I wasn’t about to argue with that. Although I wouldn’t class Khloe’s brothel as a home. Kayla turned her wide eyes to me.
“Amber?” she whispered.
Then Sam was there, lowering his weapon and giving me a smile that reached his eyes. Whoa! Even I swayed at the sight. When his expression changed, he was something else.
“I need you to help me with the others,” he said gently. He held out a hand. “Can you do that for me?”
Kayla looked at his hand like she had just been handed a bomb. But she squared her shoulders and slipped her fingers into his big palm as she nodded.
“I’ll try.”
I had a feeling that something else was going on right now, but I was too tired to decipher it. Noah had turned to Diesel and tossed him the keys to the jeep.
“Take the jeep. We’ll clear this up.”
“Okay.”
Diesel approached me and reached for me. I didn’t argue, going willingly into his arms. His hold felt like a blanket, warming me. I knew I was being a clingy woman, something I never wanted to be, but I couldn’t help it.
Diesel would let me off.
Chapter Six
Diesel
I glanced over at Amber as she huddled in the corner of the passenger seat, my jacket around her shoulders. She looked pale, washed out, with dark circles under her eyes. Only a few hours, and Amber looked like she had been through the wars.
I had seen her without any light in her eyes before, but not since the first time we had met. Now, whenever I was around, Amber’s eyes would light up, and she would smile. That smile… It could start wars in the right time period.
Not with me. Although, didn’t I just come to her rescue? Amber was a good lay and good company. The fact she was carrying my baby had nothing to do with it.
Was that all? Or was there something more?
I growled and stared at the road. I didn’t want to overthink anything. This was only to rescue a woman I considered a friend. A friend with benefits. Nothing more.
Why did that feel like a lie to myself?
“Diesel?”
“Hmm?”
Amber was now looking at me, brushing her tangled hair out of her eyes. Those eyes were enough to suck me in if I allowed it to happen.
“You just growled. Are you okay?”
I let out a snort.
“That’s something I should be asking you, isn’t it?”
Amber bit her lip. Her fingers were fiddling with one of my jacket sleeves. There was something primitive inside me, seeing her wearing my jacket. It was like a sign I owned her.
Stop it. This wasn’t going to happen.
“I’m okay, I guess.” Amber briefly closed her eyes with an audible swallow. “I’m just a little groggy still. And sick.”
“It’ll pass.”
“You don’t…” Amber’s hand went to her still-flat belly. “You don’t think it would have harmed the baby?”
“I don’t know. We’ll need a medical opinion on that.”
I hoped not. It couldn’t happen, that I lost a child. Not again.
Then I heard a growling noise. Glancing over, I grinned as Amber blushed and gave me an embarrassed look.
“Sorry.” She mumbled. “I didn’t realize how hungry I was.”
“When was the last time you ate?”
“I have no idea.”
I saw a sign up ahead, followed shortly by a diner. There were a few cars outside, with lots of activity inside. I pulled into the parking lot and parked near the entrance. Before Amber could respond, I had jumped out and was coming around to her side, opening the door for her.
“Come on, let’s go in.”
“What?”
I rolled my eyes.
“Amber, you’re hungry. And you need to give the baby some nutrients, even if said nutrients are injected with grease.” I held out a hand. “Come on. You can lean on me.”
Amber was staring at me strangely. I then realized why; I had never bought food for her before. It had usually just been talk or sex. Or babysitting, as Amber had come over a few times to look after Hunter, Noah’s kid. The little boy adored Amber, and she adored me.
She would certainly be a good mother.
After what seemed like forever, Amber slid her cold hand into mine and clambered out the jeep. I shut the door and Amber immediately leant on me. I wasn’t about to complain. I just didn’t want to let go.
I couldn’t think like that.
We entered the diner, and I found ourselves a spot by the window. I seated Amber first, before sliding in across from her. Amber looked like a cornered animal, looking around her nervously.
“I… I shouldn’t be getting you to spend more money on me, Diesel.”
“Men spend money on you all the time. What’s so different about this?”
Amber’s face went bright red. When was the last time I had seen her blush? In the throes of passion. I had to wipe my mind of dirty thoughts. Amber was in no fit state for that. We had more important things to worry about.
“Not like this.” Amber whispered, her head still bowed. “They spent money on me in other ways. Not for me to eat. Not directly.”
I winced. I was insensitive. Clearing my throat, I reached for the menu and scanned it. Then I passed it over to Amber.
“Have what you want. I don’t mind. I think you’ve earned it. But keep away from the eggs,” I warned, “Uncooked egg is bad for the baby, and you don’t want to take that risk?”
“Since when have you been an expert on what pregnant women should and shouldn’t eat?”
I realized I had slipped. I hadn’t meant to say that. I growled and shook my head with a shrug.
“Read it somewhere, I guess.” I waved a hand at the menu. “Go on, choose.”
“What about you?”
“I know what I want.”
What I wanted was not on the menu, but I had settled for a bacon sandwich. That would satisfy me, for the moment.
The waitress, a buxom lady in her twenties, came over with a beaming smile and a wink in my direction. It was a flirtatious wink, but I had a feeling she did it to everyone who came in. I was sure I heard a slight growl coming from Amber, and that almost had me burst out laughing. No woman had ever been territorial over me before. It was a strange sensation.
Part of me actually liked it.
We ordered our food, and the waitress brought over the coffee for me. Amber chose water, glugging it down in one go before asking for another. Without batting an eyelid, the waitress got her a second glass, along with an orange juice.
“Here you go, honey. You look like you need some iron in your blood.” She patted Amber’s shoulder. “Get that down you. It’ll help.”
Then she was gone, returning a few minutes later with our orders. I had heard Amber’s order, but it still made my eyes widen when I saw the plate. Sausages, beans, fried bread and fried potatoes. There were also tomatoes and mushrooms. I had had no idea Amber liked any of this.
I realized there was a lot about her that I didn’t really know. Even after a year.
“There you go,” the waitress said cheerily, placing our plates down. “Get them down you. And if you need a little more juice, Miss, just let me know. Can’t let the baby go without any vitamins.”
“What?” Amber sat up straight, her hand instinctively going to her belly as she stared. “How did…?”
“My dear, I’ve already had three kids. I know when someone’s got a bun in the oven.” She grinned at me staring at her. “I must say, you couldn’t have chosen a better father. Your child will have some handsome genes.”
�
��I…”
Amber ducked her head. I cleared my throat.
“Thanks,” I said gruffly. “We’ll let you know if we need anything.”
“No problem. Enjoy your meals.”
The waitress went away. Amber looked at me with wide eyes.
“I didn’t realize it was that obvious.”
“It was more than likely a lucky guess. She probably doesn’t have much more to do than people-watch.” I sipped my coffee. “And you have been touching your stomach a lot. That’s a dead giveaway.”
“I…” Amber sighed. “I guess. I’ve never been pregnant before, so it’s all new to me. I’m still struggling to realize that I have a baby inside me.”
“Same here.” I indicated her full plate. “Go on, eat. You need it.”
Amber didn’t need any more urging. She picked up her knife and fork and began to eat. I leisurely munched on my sandwich and watched as Amber devoured her food. She was like a wild animal as she attacked her meal, barely slowing down to take a drink. I finished my sandwich and sent the waitress a thumbs up. The waitress gave me a wink and held up the coffee pot, which I made the sign saying I was fine.
I liked sitting there watching Amber eat. That was a surprising thought. Watching a woman devour food wasn’t really something I should find endearing. But with Amber, it was more than endearing. I couldn’t take my eyes off her.
After a while, Amber seemed to realize that she was being watched. Her mouth full, she looked up and saw me looking at her. She swallowed her food down and reached for her napkin, covering her mouth as her face went bright red.
“Sorry.” Her voice was muffled by the napkin. “I didn’t mean to act like a pig.”
I smiled.
“It’s fine. It’s actually quite refreshing to see someone enjoying their food for once. Most girls will pick at their plate or simply eat a salad. That doesn’t have much substance, no matter how healthy it is.”
Amber made a face.
“I hate salad. I’ve always hated my greens.”
I could tell by the way her body tensed up that her past had something to do with it. Amber had told me about the beatings her parents, and foster parents, had given her when she refused to eat a certain food. At some point, she had been force-fed. Now, Amber was completely turned off vegetables. She had confessed that it brought her out in an anxiety attack.
She would have to try and eat some for the baby’s sake. They helped the baby’s growth. Or maybe we could find something else. As long as Amber got the right nutrients into her body, the baby would be fine.
The baby. Our baby. It was still trying to sink in to my brain. I never thought it would happen again. While unexpected, it certainly wasn’t unwelcome from my side. I didn’t know about Amber’s side yet.
“I was beginning to think you wouldn’t find us,” Amber said suddenly.
I focused on the conversation in hand. I sipped my coffee. It tasted foul, but it was something.
“I wouldn’t have done if it hadn’t been for Noah and the people I knew. Certainly, a lot more than I expected. Khloe was no help.”
Khloe had made a promise to come through, but she hadn’t. I had promised on my end to give her protection, and I wasn’t about to back out on it. Just because Khloe had been a bitch didn’t mean I had to be.
“Do you…” Amber hesitated. “Do you think she had anything to do with this?”
“You think she had you lot kidnapped to be sold?”
Amber nodded. Her eyes were wide. I shook my head.
“I doubt it. She needs girls for her business.”
“But she can get more.”
“Khloe doesn’t like the turn-over rate. She prefers the girls to be the same for as long as possible.”
Amber grunted, nudging one of the tomatoes with her fork. Her appetite seemed to have waned.
“Nice to know I’m wanted somewhere.”
She looked very lost at that point. My heart went out to her. Putting my coffee cup aside, I sat forward.
“Amber.” I touched the fingers of her hand, which was lying on the table top. “You’re always wanted. Don’t you ever forget that.”
Amber stared at me. It was like she was seeing me for the first time with new eyes. Then her eyes narrowed.
“Are you getting sentimental on me, Diesel Jacobsen?” she teased.
At least she hadn’t gone all soppy on me. I shrugged.
“I don’t know. I don’t think I’ve ever been sentimental. You don’t get a chance to be that, in the life I’ve had.”
The army would have ribbed me mercilessly if I had been sentimental. And the bikers would have done the same, although Mason and Noah were clearly softening due to their ladies.
“I’ve noticed.” Amber gave me a small smile. “Although there is a sweet side to you guys at times.”
“Don’t say that out loud. You’ll ruin our reputation.”
“Sorry.”
Amber giggled. That was something; at least she was loosening up. The tension was leaving her shoulders. I was glad about that; I wanted to see back again the Amber I had come to know.
“I’m glad you came through.” Amber said quietly. She was staring at me thoughtfully. “I knew you would.”
I grunted, finding a mark on the table more interesting.
“You knew I’d come after you.”
“I’ve got a reason for you to.”
There was that. But still, I had to ask. I gulped.
“Is… Is it my kid?”
“What? You’re asking me that now?”
“I need to know.”
Amber stared at me. But she didn’t look angry. She understood what I meant. Amber sighed and sat back.
“I always make my clients wear protection. Khloe’s rules. But with you… I got too wrapped up in things with you to ask to wrap your cock in something. I felt like it would break the mood.” She shook her head. “I wasn’t thinking at the time.”
She stared at her plate, refusing to look at me. I found my chest swelling, a smirk playing across my mouth. A woman found me too irresistible. That was a compliment for any man.
“Glad to know you find sex with me enjoyable… Ouch!” I jumped as something hard connected with my shin. Sitting back, I rubbed my leg. “What the hell, Amber?”
“Don’t say things like that, Diesel, or you’ll be getting another kicking.” Amber rested her elbows on the table, digging her fingers through her hair. “You make me feel worse.”
“Why?”
“Because I’d rather be anything than a whore right now.” Amber’s voice sounded choked, like she was about to cry. “Now I’ve got a baby to think about, I want to get out. But I know Khloe won’t let me. Not without a fight.” She visibly shuddered. “I’m sure she’d make me get an abortion.”
An abortion. The words twisted nastily in my stomach. It brought back memories I had been trying to suppress for a while now. As soon as Amber’s words had gotten through to me, I found myself thinking about my previous life, a life where I thought everything was going for me. Then it had all come crashing down. If it hadn’t been for Mason, I wouldn’t be here now.
Going through what was beginning to feel like déjà vu.
Amber was not having an abortion. I would not have it. I growled, causing Amber to look up at me sharply.
“Like hell she’s going to make you have an abortion.”
“You never say no to Khloe. She has a way of making you do things you don’t want to do.”
“I know about that, but if I have any say in it, Khloe will have to get past my dead body before she committed such an atrocity on you.” I shook my head with a dark scowl. “Nothing is happening to that child.”
Amber was staring at me strangely. It was like she had never seen me before. I then remembered her previous life, when everyone had given up on her before Amber had been given a chance. She had been automatically put on the list to fail in life.
Had anyone ever stood up for her before?
Had any person ever been on her side? I was pretty sure I was the first to be some sort of ally.
“You’re very sure about that,” Amber murmured.
“Maybe I’ve got good reason to.”
That was far too much. I knew I had said the wrong thing. But I couldn’t take the words back. From the softening look on Amber’s face, she more than knew what I meant. She knew I had lost something.