“The run that’s scheduled for tomorrow?” he asked for the third time. “You want to change the route, double the load, and not increase the men on the run?” If I sat closer I could nudge him, get him to chill out. Bernardo wouldn’t take to anyone disrespecting him, and it seemed that everything was disrespect as far as he was concerned.
Bernardo set his dark eyed glare on Tick. He hadn’t said much of anything throughout the entire meeting. Which, honestly, so far had only been a bunch of chest thumping biker shit. The thin mustache over his lips accentuated his full cheeks. Scars from dozens of scuffles covered his face, giving him an even more pissed off look. His head was a bounty of thick black hair, all of which was slicked back away from his face.
“I’m saying,” he started with a thick Spanish accent, “that I want this shipment to be double, because the customer wants it doubled. If you can't handle this, you tell me. I’ll take it somewhere else.” He shrugged his shoulders and leaned back in his chair, looking to Jayson and Marcus, who both shook their heads.
“It’ll be done.” Marcus nodded. “No problem.” Who the fuck was he kidding, no problem?
The last run we did barely escaped the state troopers because the fucking truck was so heavy we had to skip the weigh station unless we wanted to explain all the cases of drugs and weapons we carried. The risks were getting higher with each run and all Marcus did was keep nodding and taking them on.
“The Disciples have no issue. Right, Sting?” Jayson nodded to his little brother, who was sitting next to him.
“Nope. No issues on our end.” He gave a smug grin, keeping his eyes from meeting mine.
Wise man.
“Good. That’s what I want to see.” Bernardo swept his eyes around the room, keeping the frown he’d been nursing since he walked into the club. “I’m glad you two are working this out. I’d hate to have to cut one of you loose.” He pointed to Marcus and Jayson, who each gave a noncommittal smile. Yeah, yeah, kumba-fucking-ya. “Lots of money to be had, for all of us.” He tapped his fat finger on the table. “So. Where are the fucking ladies?” His lips split into a large smile, showing off his pearly teeth, and several gold ones, too.
“I have just the girl for you!” Jayson laughed and slapped the table. “I brought her with me. That’s if Marcus doesn’t mind, I know he’s got some good pussy around here, too.”
“Fuck. Who said I’d only need one!” Bernardo stood from the chair, and I watched the three of them saunter out of the room, slapping each other on the back.
“Did he say he brought—”
“Man, don’t—” Tick’s words were left behind as I pushed my way out into the lounge to find Lucy, dolled up to high hell, walking down another hall with a redhead and Bernardo. Marcus looked at me from across the room. His eyes held all the warning I needed. Don’t fuck this up.
If I barged in, made a scene, Jayson would use it against the club. And since Bernardo would be directly affected by my fit, he’d be just fine letting the Disciples take over the whole territory. Fuck!
Massy gave me a wary glance as she passed me. “Don’t worry, Mason. It could be worse.” She ran her hand over her still flat belly. “You could have morning sickness.” She frowned and headed toward the bathrooms.
“Shit. I’ll be right here, babe.” He called after her, and turned to me. “I know what you want to do, but you can’t. Do you get me, man? You can’t.”
“This club means that much to you?”
“Fuck. I love the club, but no—Marcus has been making a fucking mess of shit for a while and this cartel deal, it’s only getting worse. But we don’t need an internal war right now. We need to get through a few more runs, bank the cash, and then we can figure out what to do.”
“Massy know you thinking of getting out?” I kept my voice low, no need for any of the other brothers knowing our displeasure at the club.
“Fuck, who do you think opened the savings account? She’s got a good head on her shoulders, and she don’t want to raise our kid in this hell hole.” He ran his hand over his bald head. “Man, sometimes I wish we’d listened to our moms.” He slapped my chest and pointed at me with a fierce look. “Don't repeat that. Ever.”
I laughed. “Fuck if I would. Your ma would never let us live it down, and mine would make my life hell. Fine. A few more runs.” I kept my eye on that hallway. Knowing what was happening in there made my blood run hot. “Don’t you need to go hold her hair or something?” I jerked my head toward the bathrooms.
“Nah, she gets pissed when she’s puking. I just need to be there for the cleanup and the hugs. That woman has gotten clingier ever since she got knocked up.”
“And you love it.” I punched his arm. “I’m good. Go. I won’t fuck this up. Go.”
“Just hold tight, loverboy, okay?” He dodged my fist and jogged off toward his puking bride.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
LUCY
Bernardo snored. I mean loud, choking, thought—hoped—he was gonna die, snore. Rebecca, the Reapers’ girl, had left an hour before, leaving me with him in case he woke up for round two. Jayson sent me a message on my new cell, which was Jayson approved and tracked, to stay put until Bernardo released me.
The only reprieve I was given was when I was handed off that bloated Mexican and Mason hadn’t seen it. At least not that I knew of. He probably heard about it, Jayson would be sure of that, but he hadn’t been there to witness the humiliation that had become my life.
I looked at the door, closed but not locked, and wondered what he was doing. Did he head to the bar to drown his anger? Or had he taken that blonde back to his room to soothe his temper?
I needed to talk with him. To tell him Jayson knew—Sting went straight to him. Jayson wasn’t going to let up on the topic. Mason was off limits, even as a paying customer. And if I didn’t comply, he'd be damn sure I’d be out of commission.
If Jayson wouldn’t let us have time alone, I couldn’t explain things, and I needed him to understand. Running away from Jayson wasn’t just a matter of getting some money under my mattress, he’d chase me down. He didn’t take no for an answer. Hell, Sting had Kerri killed for saying no—or at least he ordered it done. Jayson’s weird obsession with me meant I’d have the same fate if I took off. He’d find me, and if I was lucky he’d just kill me.
But really, would Mason be any different? Sure the sex was mind blowing, and he seemed to have a good heart—at least when it came to me. But I couldn’t shake the feeling that I’d be exchanging one prison cell for another. He was a Reaper, and you didn’t just stop being a Reaper because you found some chick you liked to fuck. No, taking care of myself was the only way I’d live through all of this bullshit. Stay away from Mason, keep my head down at the clubhouse, and get through the next several months until Jayson let me go. He had to let me go. Sooner or later, he had to get tired of me. I’d just have to wait it out. Then my life would start again.
My resolve weakened slightly when Bernardo rolled over onto his back and scratched his flaccid dick. He mumbled something, reached his arm out toward me, but then rolled back onto his stomach. The next few months we're going to suck.
***
When morning finally rolled around, my eyelids felt like a ton of concrete had been poured into them. I’d stayed awake most of the night, trying to keep Bernardo away from me. Bernardo woke up with the rising of the sun, gave me a pat on the head, and headed out the door. Only then did I take my first relaxed breath of the night.
“Hey.” Jayson peeked his head in. “Let’s go.” He jerked a thumb. I nodded, only too happy at that moment to comply. My bed was waiting and I planned to make use of it for the rest of the day. “You look like shit, was he that rough?” He forced a crude grin, but I could see something else in his eyes. Jealousy?
“I didn’t sleep.” I shook my head and walked past him. I could smell the whiskey on his breath as I passed.
The main bar area was clear, aside from one or two girls passed out on the
couches. Sunshine poured into the room from the large picture window, giving the room an orange hue. I could see a few of our guys already on their bikes in the courtyard. Looking around, I wondered where Bernardo wandered off to. Not that I wanted to see his nasty ass again anytime soon, but it was early, and it didn't look like any of the Reapers were around.
Stepping out into the crisp morning air, I squinted my eyes against the bright sun. That was when I noticed the noise. I’d grown so accustomed to the sound of motorcycle engines that I tuned them out most of the time. But there they were. Mason sat on his bike, center of attention, giving out directions.
A black bandana held his hair back away from his face, and the sunglasses he wore hid his eyes from me, but I felt the moment they touched me. His muscles flexed as he held the bars of his bike. His mouth tensed, thinned out as I walked behind Jayson to his bike. The few Disciples who would be going back with us waited for Jayson’s orders, while the others stayed to the side, waiting to head out with the Reapers. Thinking it smart to stay away from club business, I had no idea what they had planned, but it looked serious. There was no joking or ball busting like there usually was when the Disciples got together to ride out.
“You ride with me.” Jayson grabbed my arm when I started to walk toward another member. I didn’t resist him—no point. He pointed to his bike, a silent dictate to stay put, and walked off to finish barking out orders. Taking a chance, I looked across the courtyard and found Mason still staring at me. His eyes were still shielded, but the energy of his anger displayed openly with his tight grip on his bike, his pursed lips. I imagined what sort of cold glare he was emitting from behind the glasses and that alone sent a shiver down my spine.
“Looks like your boyfriend isn’t thrilled about something.” Lucas walked up to me with a cocky grin. “Looks like he wants to rip Jayson in two.”
I tore my gaze from Mason and tried to look casual. “Who are you talking about?”
Lucas laughed. “That man has it bad for you, baby girl. But Jayson’s set on you sticking around. I don’t envy your position. And I’m not sure I can protect you if Mason decides to put a claim on you.”
“Claim?” It was my turn to laugh. “No one’s claiming me, Lucas. So, don’t worry.”
Lucas looked me up and down with those steely blue eyes of his and shook his head. He put his helmet on, leaving the straps dangling down his cheeks. “You’ve been with us for months now, Lucy, you know how this works. You can promise yourself it will be different for you, that you’ll just pay back whatever Jayson asks and you’ll go, but you know that’s not gonna happen. Not with Jayson. He’s not that kind of guy.”
It was my turn to study Lucas. He wasn’t telling me anything I didn’t already know, deep down, buried away. I knew it was the truth. But I couldn’t let it sink in. I had to get away from that club, both clubs. I wanted my life back.
“And you? You’re good with this? Him holding me prisoner? Now you’re talking like he’s never letting me go. If I leave, what’ll happen? The same that happened to Kerri? What’s so important about me?”
Lucas’s eyes didn’t betray his thoughts, and Jayson rounded his way back to us before I could push him to answer. “Let’s go. I need to get out of this fucking place.” He swung his fat leg over the bike and motioned for me to follow suit. Once seated behind him, I grabbed his jacket, earning me a laugh. “Put your arms around me, babe. Safety.” I put the helmet on that he handed me and did as he instructed. As soon as my arms were where he wanted them, he waved to Lucas and revved his engine. The ass made a wide turn around, driving us right past Mason.
I closed my eyes and wished myself away. Anywhere else. Just away.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
MASON
Feeling the vibrations of my bike while driving down a long stretch of road usually soothed my nerves, lulled me into a peaceful place. Not today. Not when all I could think about was Lucy sitting behind that fucking pig on his bike. I barely slept after seeing her dragged into a room with that Mexican, Bernardo. And after that I had to watch her get on a bike with Jayson.
Tick kept me from driving over to them and ripping her off, throwing her across my bike, and hauling ass out of town. It wasn’t time, we weren't ready. Hell, we only just started to talk about getting out.
No one left the Reapers easily. It could be done; hell, we weren’t some gangbanging fucks. But it wasn't easy. Because once you left, you couldn’t come back. We needed to not only get the okay to get out, but we needed to leave in good standing or we’d be fucked. A good way to do that was money. Buying our out. To do that, we needed cash. A lot of it.
The run with the cartel, it was pretty profitable. I had to give Marcus that much credit. The last payday dished out twice as much cash as what went into my pocket the month before. A few more runs and I’d be able to start thinking seriously about my future. Lucy’s future.
That pixie wouldn’t get out of my fucking head, and I was starting to resolve myself to the idea she wouldn't be going anywhere either. Did I want her to get out? Not one girl in my life ever stuck around in my mind long enough to get to know her, but Lucy was different. Could I see myself settling down, having a wife, a kid or two? Fuck, would I even know how to be a dad? I never had one. My mom did well enough, tried as best she could, but I had nothing to compare to.
Hell, Lucy deserved better. She didn’t come from this life, this was just a pit stop for her. A stroke of bad luck landed her where she was, and I couldn’t pretend that didn’t matter. It did. For both of us.
After rolling for over an hour, Tick motioned for the next turn off. We had to pick up the truck and get back on the road. Three more hours at least until we made the pick up, and the Disciples were riding ahead to keep the passage safe. Jasper was stuck with the Disciples while Tick and I joined the small handful of our own guys on the exit ramp. I didn’t like the increase of the load without the increase in protection any more than Tick did, but we had to make do with what we were given. It wasn’t like we had many choices at the moment.
“This is the place?” I pulled my bike up to Tick.
“Yeah.” He looked at his phone again, then up at the sign on what looked like an abandoned building. “This is it.”
“It’s right on the highway.” I jerked my thumb. The building could be seen from the main road, and it didn’t look like there were any back entrances. “Let’s go round back.” We rode through the lot and rounded the building. No access roads, just more empty land.
Tick parked and started looking around. “There’s no one here.” He checked his phone for the time and then cursed. “Where the fuck is the truck and Bernardo’s guys?”
I grabbed my phone and dialed Marcus.
“Was the bbq cancelled?” I asked, rolling my eyes at Marcus’s code words.
“No. Did you get the address wrong?”
“Fuck no. We’re here, no burger grilling though.”
“Fuck. Give me ten.” The click of the line echoed in my ears. I looked between Tick and Burner.
“Get Jasper and tell them to turn the fuck around.” I tried to get Marcus back on the line while Tick started to do that. The call went straight to voicemail.
“Nothing. Voicemail.” Tick shook his head. “He knows to keep his shit open while he’s with those assholes. We should have sent two of our guys. Who gives a fuck what that Bernardo said, he’s not running this shit on this road.”
My phone vibrated in my hand and I answered right away. “Marcus?”
“Get back on the highway. Three exits down, then get off. The party was moved. Once you're off the highway, go three miles down the dirt road, house on the left.”
“Got it. Have you heard from Jasper?”
“No. Get going.” He hung up again.
“Looks like they moved the pick up.”
“Right. Just happened to move it since we talked yesterday.” Tick revved his bike. “Fuck those guys. Who’s fucking with us, Disciples or the cartel?�
�
“Does it really matter?” I snapped my helmet strap and rode off around the building, heading back to the highway.
I didn’t trust the Disciples, and I sure as fuck didn’t have any love for the cartel bastards, but throwing us off schedule didn’t serve anyone’s purpose as far as I could see. Why was the pick up changed?
When we finally arrived at the new location, the truck was sitting pretty waiting for us. The
driver sat in the cab with the door open and a handful of his buddies stood outside the truck glaring at us as we rode up to it.
“Sorry, the location was changed on us,” I greeted the men. The driver nodded, but the others said nothing. I doubted they spoke much English, and I spoke about a word in Spanish.
“We’re late now. Let’s go.” The driver wiped his forehead with a handkerchief and stuffed it back in his jeans. He looked down at his men and rattled off some instructions in Spanish.
Mason: Inked Reapers MC Page 9