Spike (Aces MC Series Book 3)

by Foster, Aimee-Louise

  I was worried, what would be keeping her from answering the phone? I tried making contact again but it also went to answer phone. I paced the corridor not knowing what to do. Spike! I needed to call Spike.

  He answered on the third ring, "How you doing babe?"

  "Spike, the kids are at Maggie's and I can't get hold of her. I'm going to be at least another hour at the council office but now I'm worried that something has happened. What should I do?" I could hear the anguish in my own voice as I informed him of the situation.

  "Louise, calm down. I'll give Maggie a call and if I can't get an answer I'll either go to her house or get one of the guys to pop round there. Don't worry, I'm sure there's a reasonable explanation."

  He had a natural calm about him and was able to defuse a situation to make me feel a little less anxious. I nodded my head and realised he couldn't see me, "Okay but promise that you'll call me as soon as you know something."

  "I promise. Now go and finish your form filling or whatever you're doing and I'll sort it out."

  "Thank you Spike." I said quietly.

  "You're welcome."

  I ended the call and put the phone into my pocket feeling a little better but still concerned that I couldn't get hold of the children. Returning back to the office where I was having my interview Ms Kennedy informed me that I only had to complete a couple more forms and then I could go so I should be finished earlier than anticipated.

  I took a taxi from the council offices to Maggie's home and could've done without the expense but Spike hadn't contacted me and I was about five minutes away from calling the police. I paid the driver and quickly got out of the car slamming the door behind me. This would probably piss the taxi driver off but I needed to get to my children.

  I franticly ran up the path and pounded on the front door but no one answered. What had I done? I had left my children with virtual strangers, I was so fucking stupid. I banged again on the door this time harder but as I did I could hear laughter in the distance. I made my way around the side of the property and let myself in the gate which led to the back garden. I continued down the alley until I saw where the laughter was coming from.

  Spike, Devon and Tommy were sitting in the hot tub, drinking squash and clearly sharing a joke from the amount of laughter. I stood taking in the scene, placing my hands on my hips in an unimpressed stance as my heart rate returned to normal and my mind became a little more rational.

  "Mummy you're back." Devon shouted as she waved in my direction.

  I smiled briefly and made eye contact with Spike as his smile dropped clearly seeing how pissed off I was.

  He quickly stepped out of the hot tub and made his way towards me across the patio leaving a trail of water in his wake. The first thing I noticed were his tattoo's that covered his torso and arms, a dagger sat central and I followed the design further down his body. On closer inspection I could see his sculpted body like he'd been carved from stone, I couldn't take my eyes off him and licked my lips unconsciously.

  "Louise...Louise!"

  I shook my head and glanced at Spike to see him softly laugh at my obvious appreciation of his body.

  "Sorry I was...I was thinking about how annoyed I was with you!" My composure was back and I tried to style out the situation by concealing the fact that I'd just been caught ogling his magnificent body.

  Spike put his hands on his hips and bowled his head slightly. "I'm sorry Louise, I rushed over here and they were in the hot tub. Devon asked me to..."

  "Devon, Devon is five years old Spike." I crossed my arms across my chest, "I asked you to let me know, I've been going out of my mind worrying about the children."

  "And I've apologised Louise, that's enough." Spike looked at me sternly and I noticed how his tone had changed obviously pissed by my reaction.

  I uncrossed my arms and placed my hands into my pockets as I hung my head. "Sorry, I didn't mean to moan, I know what you've done for me Liam, I was just worried."

  I closed my eyes preparing myself for the pain but it didn't immediately come. I lifted my head slowly looking through scrunched eyes as I braced myself for a blow to the head when I noticed the hurt on his face.

  I straightened my body and stepped closer resting a hand lightly on his chest, "What is it Spike?"

  There was a long pause as his eyes searched mine, "You called me Liam."

  I raised my hand to cover my open mouth, "I'm so sorry Spike, I didn't mean to. You're nothing like him."

  Spike nodded his head breathing heavily as he tried to contain his anger. I didn't mean to call him Liam, it was just habit to plea for forgiveness and apologise profusely after I had raised my voice or had been smart which wasn't very often. The silence was deafening as we both stood sizing each other up. He glanced at my hand that was still placed on his chest and I quickly removed it, embarrassed by my actions.

  "You look hot and bothered, why don't you get in the hot tub?" Spike asked raising his eyebrows.

  I looked down at my attire, "I haven't got a bathing suit."

  Spike smiled, "That doesn't bother me!" He stepped closer and his eyes darkened like a hunter stalking his prey.

  "Spike no...I don't...NO!" Spike crouched and put his arms around my waist picking me up like I weighed nothing before he flung me over his shoulder, "Spike put me down!" I shouted as I pounded his back like a drum wanting him to release me. This had no effect on such a hulk of a man and he continued to walk towards the hot tub. I could hear the children laughing as Spike quickly pulled off my shoes before he stepped into the water taking me with him as he submerged us. I came up from the water coughing and spluttering, rubbing my eyes quickly so that I could see.

  Spike still had hold of me around my waist and brought me closer so that I was now sitting on his lap. He gently pushed my wet hair from my face and left his hand on my cheek where my bruises were stroking my tender skin with his thumb. "You're beautiful, Angel," he said breathlessly staring into my eyes. Our lips were now a breath apart, and his eyes held a seductive challenge. It took all of my focus to not lean closer and claim his mouth as warmth filled every crevice of my body.

  The twins giggled and I turned to see Tommy and Devon staring at us, I tried to wriggle from Spike's embrace but he held me firmly on his lap so I could feel his arousal which shocked me.

  "Oh Louise, I didn't know you were here," Maggie smiled as she noticed that I was sitting on Spike's lap but didn't say anything about it which was a relief. "Sorry about earlier but I didn't hear the phone. We were too busy playing pirates in the tree house, then the children wanted to get in the hot tub."

  I smiled, understanding that I'd probably overacted, I needed to learn to trust but I was still finding it difficult.

  "I was going to offer you a bathing suit but I think I may be a little too late!" Maggie smirked as she sat in the recliner on the patio soaking up the rays from the sun.

  Spike had loosened his grip around my waist so I moved quickly to position myself next to him feeling a little more comfortable but earning myself a moody look.

  "How's your day been kids?" I asked as Tommy came over to sit beside me.

  "Great, we painted pictures and played in the tree house. I really had fun mum." I pulled him in close for a cuddle. The children continued to tell me about their day and I couldn't help but notice just how normal this all felt.

  "Shit that's my phone." Spike got out of the hot tub and stalked over to the table, wiping his hands on a towel before answering his mobile.

  "Hi...no I haven't forgotten...I'm at Maggie's...yeah I'll be there soon." He hung up and used the towel to dry himself, quickly changing underneath it as he held it around his waist.

  "I'm gonna have to go, Ink's waiting for me. I'm taking her to get her hair done at a new salon in the high street." He said by way of explanation.

  I felt a twang of disappointment in the pit of my stomach that he was leaving us but tried to act like I wasn't bothered.

  "Thanks again for helping Maggie
with the kids this afternoon." I said as I slowly got out of the water. Spike looked me up and down seductively lingering on my t-shirt that was now tightly formed around my breasts. The water had turned my t-shirt and bra see through and the outline of my areolas were clearly visible.

  Spike shook his head and sighed loudly, "My pleasure, we had fun. Right I better go or Ink will kick my arse, I'll see you later in the week." He winked before walking out of the garden adjusting himself.

  "I know that look Louise."

  I turned to see Maggie's face show an array of mixed emotions. What was it concern, sympathy I couldn't make it all out.

  I shrugged, "I don't know what you mean Maggie." I walked over to the flowerbed to take off my t-shirt and quickly wrapped a towel around myself to hide my scars. I wrung the water from my top and clipped it to Maggie's washing line hopeful that it may dry before we went home.

  "Ink is Diesel's old lady and considering Spike and Diesel are cousins, makes her family."

  I visibly relaxed and walked over to the seating area, sitting comfortably albeit still soaking wet.

  "He likes you Louise, you know that right?" I looked at her almost embarrassed.

  "Don't act all coy with me, I see the way you look at him."

  I glanced over at the children still playing happily in the hot tub, "I shouldn't be feeling the way I do, I only left my husband a week ago." I said quietly making sure the children didn't hear me.

  "The Lord works in mysterious ways. We can't help who we fall for Louise and it usually happens when we're not looking for it."

  "Ain't that the truth!"

  Chapter 9

  Hound

  The dew glistened in the morning light and I slowly breathed in the crisp fresh air as I strolled through the park. These morning strolls allowed me time to think, away from the normal hustle and bustle of life. I had been visiting the park on a regular basis lately as I was getting increasingly worried about Paige. She wasn't right, call it intuition if you will but I knew I needed to get her some help, what form that help came in I was still a little unsure of. She'd been drinking heavily lately which came with the lifestyle but I was just hoping that she wasn't using. If I found that she was, I would pull her out of the club and make sure that I killed every fucking dealer in a ten mile radius.

  Today was an emotional day and that's why I was here. Jimmy had been taken from us, in circumstances that were horrific. He was in the wrong place at the wrong time and by trying to protect Ink from harm, paid the ultimate price, death. This had affected me more than I thought it would but I'd put it down to the fact that he was of a similar age to my own children, especially Tyler who was also involved in the club.

  We were burying Jimmy today but I needed to clear my head before I met with the other guys, otherwise I'd be no use to anyone.

  My usual bench was occupied by a young homeless man trying to keep warm on this cold morning by blowing and rubbing his hands together. I strolled at my usual pace and smiled when I realised it was Cade sitting on the bench.

  "Good morning!" I said approaching him slowly.

  He looked up shocked clenching his fists before visibly relaxing when he realised it was me.

  He smiled, "Hi old man!" He was clearly referencing to our earlier conversation.

  "Can I sit down?" I asked gesturing to the space available next to him on the park bench.

  He simply nodded and moved his small rucksack onto the ground so that I had more room.

  "What brings you to the park so early?" He asked, still rubbing his hands together to generate some warmth.

  I rested my arms along the length of the back of the wooden bench and sighed as I looked across the field in front of us, "This is my thinking place. I've got a lot going on at the moment and this place allows me to chew things over."

  "Wanna talk about it?" Cade asked looking generally interested.

  "You look like you have enough going on without hearing about my problems." I looked at his clothes and down at his small bag which I assumed contained his only belongings.

  Cade nodded before hugging his body to try and keep in the warmth.

  "What was so bad to make a young man sleep rough rather than stay at home?" I asked generally interested about the young man's circumstances. I wasn't under any illusions, I knew it would've been serious possibly drugs, crime or abuse of some description but I genuinely wanted to know.

  I could see his internal struggle and his hard exterior slowly fall, "Don't feel obliged, I just thought that a problem shared is a problem halved."

  There was a long silence and I was about to say something as it was becoming a little uncomfortable. "I was put into care at thirteen." Cade sat perfectly still and focussed on a spot directly in front of him. "The care system is supposed to look after children like me but there were more paedophiles at the children home then there were on the outside, so it was better to leave."

  I was shocked by his words but I didn't say anything, if he was willing to talk I'd let him.

  "I was fourteen when I left, sick of the fascination everyone had with my arsehole. I've been living on the streets ever since."

  We sat in silence for a long time and I found myself mulling over what he'd just told me. It made me sick to my fucking stomach, especially knowing that someone in a position of trust would take advantage of a minor. Where did the conversation go from here? I could see that he was clearly uncomfortable so I decided to change the subject.

  "How do you know how to fix cars?"

  He smiled, "Needed to do whatever to earn money. A bloke at a garage took pity on me, took me in taught me how to fix up cars."

  "So if someone took you in, why are you still sleeping rough?" I asked keen to understand the boy's logic if he was being looked after and learning a trade.

  "His wife couldn't have children so they wanted to take me in and smother me with love." Cade laughed, "I was already fucked up at sixteen, so they couldn't save me. She tried to shape me into something I wasn't, even tried to take me to church." He shook his head and lowered his voice to nearly a whisper, "The only place I'm going is hell, for the things I've done."

  And this is obviously what he wanted. He'd been drawn to the club for whatever reason, possibly looking for a family like so many of us had over the years. He wanted to talk although some subjects were more difficult than others and I was prepared to listen to him. One thing I was good at was listening.

  I looked at my watch noticing that I needed to make a move as I didn't want to be late. I reached into my pocket and pulled out my wallet, and flicked through the notes, "Here take this." I placed the notes into Cades hand as I stood ready to leave.

  "I can't take this, take it back." Cade stood and made his way over to me with his hand held out.

  "It's not a fucking hand out, it's for fixing the car. I couldn't have done it without your help, we were all stumped."

  Cade looked pleased with himself and now that I'd explained what the money was for he accepted it and placed the notes into his pocket.

  "Make sure you get some food down you and go to a hostel to get warm for fucks sake."

  I turned and strolled towards the car park before turning to see Cade collecting his bag from the ground, "Cade!" I shouted.

  He looked up confused, "What's up?"

  "Come by the club next Tuesday, I'll see if I can sort out some work for you, if you're interested? I promise not to take you to church!" I said humorously referring to the comment he made earlier about the mechanics wife.

  He smiled as he nodded his head before walking off in the opposite direction. I hoped he turned up, I'd fucking hate for something terrible to happen to him, if it hadn't already!

  Chapter 10

  Spike

  I was fucking shattered, it had been a busy day at the shop. I loved my job but things had been bloody hectic over the past two weeks, what with the death of Jimmy and Ink now out of action for the foreseeable future, I was up against it. My mind wasn't one hund
red percent on the job either. Angel as I was now starting to call her, was consuming my thoughts more and more these days and I was finding it difficult to concentrate. I knew I had the desire to protect, this had happened since the death of Helen but now I was questioning my motives of wanting to spend time with her and the twins. I'd grown attached to them over the past ten days but I was trying my best to not be too over bearing as I didn't want to scare her off.

  I wanted to see her, I needed to see her and decided to go to the cafe again this evening for my dinner. Amy had grown suspicious of my sudden love for her cooking but I ignored her sly comments and knowing looks every time I went to the cafe.

  "Hi Connor, fancy seeing you here this evening!" Amy said smugly clearly mocking me.

  I nodded my head but narrowed my eyes earning myself a huge grin as she wiped down another table. I casually made my way over to the twins sitting at what had now become their table at the back of the cafe.

  "Hi Spike sit next to me," Tommy stuck out his tongue towards Devon as he had asked me first.

  I sat comfortably next to Tommy and rested my arms along the bench style seat as he held up his latest designs.

  "Wow Tommy they're great." I ruffled his hair slightly as I leaned over to see Devon's designs also, as to not leave her out. "These are great too are you gonna add some colour?"

  "Mum's just popped to the shop on the corner to get some more crayons." She said before leaning over to suck from the purple straw that was in her orange squash.

  I nodded my head letting her know that I understood. I had wondered where Angel was but I didn't want to ask.

  I smelt the subtle aroma of freesia and jasmine as Angel rushed into the shop. She was a sight to behold in a tightly fitted emerald green dress that sat just above her knee. I watched in ore as she quickly tended the twins, her nurturing instinct so natural before her eyes met mine. A slight blush fell on her cheeks as she smiled sweetly, tucking a tendril behind her ear.