She glanced at the bikers in the lot. “I’ll rain check you on that one.”
He raised a brow. “Do I smell chicken?”
She put her hands on her hips. “I’ll make you eat those words later.”
“Tough talk, Wildcat, but I wonder if you can back it up.”
“Trust me. I’ll rough you up.” Daisy advanced on him, getting closer and trying to back him down, make him step away from her. But he didn’t.
His eyes flared and the tension curled between them. Cowboy raised a brow. “Oh yeah? You gonna sink those claws in me, scratch me up, Wildcat?” What started out as a pissing contest, somehow veered into sexual innuendo.
She had to clear her throat to speak. “That’s not what I meant and you know it. I’m going to kick your ass.”
He grinned, shaking his head. “Damn, you’d shoot craps with the devil himself. He walked out the door, and turned to her. “Tonight, we’ll talk more about what to expect and make a game plan before you go in.”
“Okay. Just in case, how do I get in touch with you if I need to cancel?” she inquired sweetly.
He leaned against the doorjamb. “You won’t be cancelling, but if you need to get in touch with me, all you gotta do is knock.” He reached over and tapped the wall of the hotel room.
Sweet baby Jesus! “You are staying next door?”
He leaned down, whispering words in her ear, “Yep, right next to you. Only a thin wall between us. Should be nice and cozy, don’t you think?”
I am so screwed.
Chapter Six
After Daisy slammed the door shut, Cowboy glanced uneasily at Shepherd and Captain as he closed the distance between them. Thankfully, Duke had already taken off on his ride.
As the Vice President, Shepherd served as the gateway person for the club. He evaluated prospects and potential old ladies. He had an almost a sixth sense when it came to people. Shep had probably picked up on the sexual tension between himself and Daisy and told Captain.
Captain crossed his arms over his chest and didn’t bother with any small talk. “Don’t bone her.”
“Got it,” he ground out, mindful to keep his voice down. He didn’t need their conversation to be carried to Daisy’s ears.
“I mean it. Don’t bullshit a bullshitter, Cowboy. She’s strictly a no bone. She’s smack dab in the middle of important club business,” Captain said. “There is a truckload of free range pussy runnin’ around Perdition. Stick your dick in any hellion you like. Hell, fuck them all, brother, but leave this girl alone. We need her right now and this situation is fucked up enough without you puttin’ your dick in it.”
“I heard ya the first time,” he growled. He’d learned it paid to never rile the wagon master. And as much Cowboy’s cock protested the decision, he knew Captain had a point.
After she’d agreed to work with the Horsemen in the meeting, he knew he couldn’t have Daisy anymore. Fucking the pretty Marine could get them both killed. He needed to keep his shit together if he wanted to keep her safe, and boning her would add an extra layer of difficult to a bad situation.
Shepherd cleared his throat. “Is this going to be a problem? If it is, I can put Voodoo on it or Ace.”
Club business always came first. “No. I got it covered.”
Shepherd nodded and clapped him on the shoulder in a friendly buck up sort of gesture. “It’s probably for the best, brother. It’s not like it would go anywhere, she’s got a heroic streak about a mile wide.”
“Not all ex-military can be as enlightened as Duke or Steele,” Captain said. “I imagine some of the shit we do wouldn’t sit well with her.”
“I know that.”
Considering the matter settled, Shepherd started up his bike and roared off.
Captain straddled his motorcycle. “I’m no stranger to dealing with a strong-willed woman. Take my advice and keep it strictly professional. That one’s got trouble written all over her.” Did he mean Eddie? With that, the president started her up and headed out of the parking lot.
Cowboy went back to his room to get some shut eye, and tried really hard not to think of Daisy next door, so close at hand.
His brothers had been right. He’d keep a professional distance, but he’d watch Daisy every minute, make sure she stayed safe.
Cowboy vowed he wouldn’t make the same mistakes with Daisy he’d made with Melissa.
***
A few hours later, Daisy’s eyes snapped open. She heard a car engine turn over in the parking lot and listened as the vehicle pulled out.
She hadn’t slept more than three or four hours at a time since she’d arrived in Afghanistan and the insomnia continued stateside. Sometimes, she had trouble even getting to sleep.
So, she spent a lot of time pacing the floor, watching late night infomercials, doing laundry, or playing solitaire on the computer. Basically, she’d do anything to occupy her time. She laid back down and willed herself to sleep again, tried it for twenty minutes, but it didn’t work. Her body decided she needed to get up for the day.
She grabbed the remote and flipped the television on, desperate for a distraction. Harry Potter and The Sorcerer’s Stone was on. She smiled faintly. She and Rose both loved the Potter books. Whenever a new one came out, they would dress up and go to the local bookstore together, get arm-banded, and wait excitedly until midnight struck.
At their first foster home, they had bunk beds, so they read by flashlight together, stopping to talk excitedly about what they’d just read, before digging into the book again. She quickly flipped the channel, picking out a cooking show instead. She couldn’t afford to get sentimental, not now.
Daisy’s stomach rumbled. She’d been so on edge the night before; she hadn’t been able to eat. And the omelet she’d wolfed down this morning had digested a long time ago. With resignation, she hopped out of bed and flicked on the buzzing fluorescent light in the bathroom.
She splashed water on her face and dried off with a scratchy bathroom towel. Then, looked at herself in the mirror, seeing Rose’s face staring back at her. They had similar features. While she had a taller, more athletic build, they both had the same shade of blond hair, identical wide-spaced brown eyes, and little snub noses. Rose had a fuller mouth, which usually turned up in a quirky smile.
God, I miss you, Ro.
As kids, they’d made up little nicknames for each other: Ro and Daze. They had this little routine they’d do whenever they had leave each other for a long time. They sometimes had to stay separate foster homes, and used it later as well when they finished visitation and Rose had to go back to her adopted family.
She would say I love you, Ro and her sister would reply I know, Daze. It made them laugh and helped make the moment a little less sad. Ro was the only person in the world who called her Daze.
What Daisy wouldn’t give to hear her say it again...
Her smile wobbled and tears threatened to fall. But she blinked until they stopped and steeled herself. She hit the light and deliberately backed away from the mirror.
Daisy threw on some clothes and headed down the sidewalk. She didn’t feel like driving around town to find a cheap and greasy fast food dinner. Voodoo might have turned her in to his MC brothers, but he made damned good eggs.
When she walked inside, she found Captain seated with the redhead and older women she’d seen in the diner earlier. Nodding to them, she sat down at an empty booth. She couldn’t make out all the words, but the women seemed to be plying the biker with questions.
Great Balls of Fire came on the jukebox and she sang along as she checked her phone. She had an email from Stephanie, which she promptly deleted. If the woman was so worried about her progress finding Rose, she would have called instead of clicked.
As far as Daisy was concerned, Stephanie’s’ relationship with Rose had already been terminated. Her sister just turned nineteen and with her new job, Daisy could afford to take care of her. Rose deserved to be with her own blood, someone who supported her no
matter what mistakes she made. When she glanced up, she saw the two women who’d been seated with Captain make their way over to her booth.
“Hello, you must be Daisy, and I’m Eddie Rollins,” the older woman said, sitting in the booth. Her companion also scooted in.
“Eddie, huh?” the redhead asked, frowning. “You made me call you Miss Edna for two months.”
The older woman sighed. “Yes, and if I recall, you were also screwing my son at the time. I had to put you in your place.” She smiled brightly at Daisy. “Captain was light on details, but told me you are working with the club.”
“Yes, I am.” Daisy didn’t elaborate.
“I’m Elizabeth. It’s a pleasure to meet you,” the redhead said with a gamine grin.
“And what exactly are you doing with the club?” Eddie asked, arching a brow. “I saw you earlier and you looked—”
Daisy cleared her throat. “There’s a reason I was dressed that way and it’s not what you think, but I’m not at liberty to tell you.”
Elizabeth cleared her throat. “Anyway, we’re so glad you’re here, this club needs some serious estrogen.”
She shot a glance at Captain whose expression turned stern. These guys were even more pathological about secrecy than the military. “Oh, I’m not here very long, only for business,” she said vaguely. “Then, I’m starting a post at Fort Bliss.”
“That’s a shame,” Eddie said, tsking. “You’re in the military then?”
“Just got discharged, ma’m. I’ll be working as a contractor.”
“Oh, God,” Eddie said, pressing a hand to her chest. “Don’t call me ma’am ever again.”
“Sorry, force of habit.” She offered an apologetic smile. She’d been taught to be deferential to any authority figure and Eddie struck her as a woman with a lot of power.
Elizabeth produced a planner from her purse. “So, what are your plans for the next few days? I wanted to reserve a table at the Bloody Hell Tea Room, and I hate going alone.”
“You didn’t ask me,” Eddie grumbled.
“You almost got us kicked for spiking the teacups last time.” Elizabeth turned to her. “So, when’s a good time?”
“Oh, well,” she dodged. “I’ve got a very busy schedule.” She might be working with the Horsemen, but she didn’t want to be sucked into their social circle.
“Come on, it’ll be fun,” Elizabeth tempted. “Besides, once the townies figure out you’re working with the club, they’ll give you a wide berth, so it isn’t like you’ll have any other options.”
She caught the hint of sadness in her tone. Evidently, being the girlfriend of a club member had cost her some relationships.
“You don’t need ‘em, honey. You’ve got your new family,” Eddie said, patting the redhead on the hand.
“Really, thank you for the offer, but my schedule is going to be a little crazy,” Daisy said. “I don’t think they’ll be much time for fun.”
Elizabeth whipped out a piece of paper and wrote out her name and phone number before handing it to Daisy. “Keep this just in case you change your mind.”
Voodoo sauntered over to the table.
“Okay,” Eddie said, clapping her hands together. “We’ll go so you can eat in peace, but don’t think for a minute you’ll be able to dodge our invites for long,” she admonished.
They scooted out of the booth and Eddie gave Voodoo a big hug. He kissed both of her cheeks. “Did I tell you how gorgeous you look tonight?” he asked.
Eddie did a little twirl. “No, but feel free to compliment me all you like.”
“Ah, you look scrumptious, good enough to eat,” Voodoo murmured, his eyes appreciatively sliding over her. With a wink, Eddie strolled back to Captain’s table, Elizabeth trailing behind her.
Daisy didn’t miss the way the president’s eyes narrowed on Voodoo. Hmm? Maybe he had a thing for Eddie?
Voodoo slipped into her booth, then. “Are you hungry, ma belle?” Voodoo prompted.
“Don’t try to sweet talk me. You gave Cowboy my key.” She scowled at him.
“I don’t understand your pique,” he countered. “You and I had no agreement. No oath.” He shrugged. “One cannot betray another when they have not reached an accord.”
Dammit. She really hated it when people she was pissed at had a good argument. “I guess,” she growled.
“However, I made a vow to the Four Horsemen and that can never be broken. In the future, it would be wise to assume everyone has a hidden agenda, as well as loyalties. It might save your life.”
Actually? That was some damn good advice. “I will.”
“Fortunately for you, your current agenda and the Horsemen’s happen to match. You and I are now on the same team.”
“Maybe,” she grudgingly admitted.
He turned his head to the side, assessing her. “I tell you what. I will whip you up some macaroni et fromage and all will be forgotten. Yes?”
“Fromage?”
“The French term for cheese,” he explained. “I didn’t learn English until I started school. Frankly, I still prefer French.”
She could see why, he had a beautiful accent. Hmm. Mac and cheese. Her stomach rumbled at the thought. A little comfort food sounded pretty damn good. Despite her better judgment, she liked Voodoo. She’d seen his scarier side, but he could be thoroughly charming when he wanted to. “Forgiven? Hardly. But you’d be on the road to it.”
Voodoo laughed before heading to the kitchen. He busied himself by boiling macaroni and grating some sharp cheddar. She could see him through the kitchen window and he looked almost serene as he cooked, as though making food offered him some inner peace. She wondered if it felt like an escape from his Horsemen duties.
She envied him that. Her world had been in an uproar since she’d gone to Afghanistan. No, before that. Since her mother, Sunny died. Maybe finding Rose would set her life back on track. She could get a fresh start, be the sister she should have been from the beginning.
At least she hoped so.
* * *
Cowboy spotted Daisy seated in the diner through the window lookin’ so pretty she’d make a man plow through a stump.
Even in jeans and a T-shirt, she stunned him. He loved having a glimpse of the real her, stripped of all pretense –no lace, no heels, no makeup. But all woman.
She seemed preoccupied, playing with her phone and eating macaroni and cheese. He eased the door open. Then, he walked up directly behind her. Eddie, Elizabeth, and Captain were seated at another booth and he pressed a finger to his lips, in case they greeted him and spoiled the surprise.
As he neared, he heard a pistol cock.
She whirled around in the booth and pointed yet another gun at him. God damn. She had more guns than any woman he’d ever seen, even Eddie. “Easy there, Annie Oakley. It’s just me.”
Daisy didn’t take any crap, which he loved. She kicked actual, physical ass and it fascinated the hell out of him.
Made his cock hard as hell, too.
Normally, he wouldn’t be attracted to a tough girl. Melissa had been soft and pliable. Daisy’s badassery should have shriveled his dick. But oddly enough, her aggressiveness turned him on in a really twisted way. Call it a leftover from his schoolyard days, but he loved getting her all riled up, made him want to put gum in her hair or pick a fight, just to see what she would do next.
“That reminds me,” she said. “Give me my other gun back.”
“I’m keeping all your guns while you’re working for the club.” He scooted in the booth and held up two fingers, indicating two beers. Fetch, one of the prospects, ran to the industrial fridge to retrieve them.
“What?!” she protested.
“It’s a done deal, Wildcat. When I heard you leave the room, I had a prospect grab the weapons from your duffel.”
“You bastard!” She glared at him, hands fisting at her sides, but she didn’t reach for her gun, so he’d call it a win.
“Consider it safety precautio
n. If you aren’t careful, you’ll get us both killed.”
She snorted. “Would you say that if I were a guy?”
“This isn’t some sexist bullshit,” he protested. “I’m not worried you can’t handle yourself with a gun. I think you’d blow a hole in anything that came near you, but a bloodbath brings heat. Heat brings the FBI, and the feds fuckin’ love RICO.”
Fetch set the beers on the table and left.
“I can control my temper,” she said.
“Yeah, you look real calm.”
“Fuck off.” She took a swig of her beer.
He tried another tactic. “You know, if the Raptors kidnapped someone close to me, someone I cared about? I’d be ready to pump a few rounds in their asses, consequences be damned.”
She paused, seeming to consider his words. “Yeah, I don’t deny I’ve been thinkin’ about it.”
Cowboy nodded sagely. “You wouldn’t intentionally go off on one of the bastards, but it’ll be harder to be level-headed, because you’re too invested in this operation. It hits you where you live. It’s the same kind of reasoning behind why surgeons don’t operate on their own family members. I don’t want your trigger finger making decisions, but I’ll bring a gun, so don’t sweat it.”
She chuckled. “No offense, but you could be a suck shot for all I know.”
“Wildcat, I could split a frog hair four ways if I took a notion.”
Her chin lifted. “Oh yeah? Prove it.”
“I will.”
He gathered up their beer bottles and exited the rear door of the diner, with Daisy right behind him. They stopped when they were both facing the water. They downed the rest of the beer and then she set the bottles up on a fence post, about fifty yards away.
Cowboy stared at the targets for a long moment, measuring the distance and then faced her, never even glancing back at the bottles. He paused to kiss the barrel of his trusty Colt, then shot each bottle, causing them to explode.
Her eyes rounded as she stared at the shattered glass and then back at him.
“How the hell did you do that?!” she asked, open-mouthed.
Hot as Hades (Four Horsemen MC Book 2) Page 6