by Sam Crescent
He stayed silent for long seconds, and she wondered if he’d answer her at all.
“Don’t I scare the fuck out of you?”
She shrugged. “You should, I know that, but I don’t feel any fear with you. It’s weird, I know.”
He ran a hand over his head, his bicep flexing, showing off his strength, his power. “Sometimes it feels good, really fucking good because it’s what they deserved.” He shrugged. “Other times you can’t have emotion. You do what needs to be done because it’s for the good of the club.” He shook his head, and this strange expression filtered across his face. “I can’t believe I’m telling you any of this.” His chuckle was humorless. “I don’t even know you.”
Yeah, she knew what he meant. “Sometimes the best people to talk to are the ones you don’t know.”
3
This had to be one of the weirdest conversations he had ever had. “You ever thought about killing someone?” he asked.
Constance shrugged. “No. I can honestly say that I’ve never thought about ending anyone’s life. Why would I want to do that?”
“You asked me what it was like and we’re here in a graveyard full of death. Are you one of those freaky chicks that gets off by being around dead things?”
She burst out laughing. “Are you for real right now?”
“I just thought I’d ask, and besides, it made you smile.”
“Very true. Congratulations, Vengeance. You made me smile, which I never thought would happen in a place like this.”
“So we’re getting off to a good start then.” He stared at the headstones.
“If you’re part of an MC, why are you out here late at night? Shouldn’t you be partying it up?”
“I needed a break away from all that shit.”
“All that shit…” Her voice faded. “I get that. When my parents and fiancé died, everyone was always staring at me, full of pity. My entire life had completely disappeared, and then all of a sudden, it was like everyone could tell me how great everyone was, you know? They didn’t give a shit when they were alive but now they were suddenly going to start telling me how good they were, and they wouldn’t be replaced.” She stopped, and he heard her sigh. “Sorry. I don’t know you. I really shouldn’t be talking about this shit with you.”
“Well, if you can’t talk to a stranger, who can you talk to? You’re alone in the world. Did your doctor advise some kind of therapist?”
“She advised, and I declined it. I’m not the kind of person who can sit around and talk all day. They’re dead, and I’m moving on.”
“You’re moving on sitting in a cemetery late at night with a flashlight.”
“I’ve got nothing better to do. What is your excuse?” she asked, shining the light on his face. “What scary things are in your closet, Vengeance?”
“Not a lot. I’m a boring guy with a boring future ahead of him.”
“Even being in an MC?” she asked. “And with all of your killing? You’re a bad ass, Vengeance. There’s no denying it.”
“I’m not denying it. I’m not exactly scary right now. I’m in one of the most morbid places in the world with you.”
She chuckled. “Yeah, you really do need to start questioning your priorities. But then again, so do I.” She sighed. “As much fun as this could be, I’ve got to go home. I shouldn’t be out after dark.”
“Leaving already?” he asked, getting to his feet with her. It was rather strange but he didn’t want her to leave.
“My sanity. See you around.” With that, she made her way out of the cemetery. What a strange, but very incredible woman.
He couldn’t leave it at that, though, and so he followed her out. “Hey,” he said.
She stopped, looking at him. “What’s wrong?”
“How about I take you to dinner?”
“You do know it’s late.”
“Then how about I take you for coffee?”
She smiled. “Sure. Coffee sounds great.”
They walked side by side down the long street.
“So, are you seeing anyone?” she asked.
“No. Why do you ask?”
“Small talk. I didn’t know if you had an old bird or something.”
“An old bird?” he asked, laughing.
“What do you call the women that you keep?”
“They’re old ladies.”
“What about the girls that you screw and don’t have a care for?”
“They’re clubwhores or sweetbutts. And they are there because they want to be.”
“What charming names.” The sarcasm was dripping from her.
They found a late-night coffee shop. Entering, he took a seat at the counter, along with her.
“Hey, Benny,” she said.
“You bringing in some trouble?” Benny asked, teasing.
Vengeance sat down at the counter too. “I come in peace.”
“He’s fine, Benny. We’ll take two of your coffees.”
Benny nodded.
“You come here often?” Vengeance asked.
“Yes. I do. Going to the cemetery is thirsty work.”
Benny approached and put down their coffees. “You okay?” he asked, looking at him.
“You’re killing him with your look, Benny. Believe it or not, I think I may have just found a new friend.” She smiled at Vengeance.
He didn’t have a clue what he was doing with this woman, or even why he was here now. None of it made any sense to him.
She picked up her coffee and blew across the surface.
Vengeance was taken by her beauty, and how she didn’t seem to try to impress him. The women he had been around at the club were always intent on impressing him, getting his attention.
Well, not just his attention. They wanted anyone they could get.
“You’re staring.”
“I am.”
Vengeance was a strange man but to Constance, he had her heart in a flutter. She didn’t know what to think of him but then, what did he think of her? She had been staring at gravestones and he had sat with her.
She liked the way he kept looking at her, as if she were the only person in the world. Sipping at her hot coffee, she knew Benny was worried about her.
Vengeance was well over six feet tall, and built of solid muscle. No one would be able to stop him, if he decided to do something scary. But she felt safe with him, which was weird given the fact they had just met.
The air of fear that people seemed to feel around him thrilled her. She didn’t know why, but it was nice being with someone who made people feel something more than pity.
“Do you ever get used to that?” she asked.
“Get used to what?”
“People kind of scared of you?” She watched his lips, waiting for him to speak.
“No, I really don’t care. I’m used to people being afraid of me.”
“Don’t you ever want to … be the same as others? You know, follow what other people do?” she asked. MC members were known for defying tradition, right? They did what they wanted without a care in the world. Or at least she assumed.
“I do whatever the hell I want to. Don’t you ever want to forget what people are thinking?”
She smiled. “Always.”
He tilted his head to the side, smiling at her. “I bet you’d be one party animal if you just let yourself go.”
“I’ve never given it a try.” She was tempted to, though. How many times had she thought about just screaming at life, and going ahead and doing her own thing? It had been too many times. Biting her lip, she watched as he took a long swallow.
“You ever gone on a ride on a motorcycle?”
She shook her head.
“What do you say to a ride?” he asked.
“Really? Now?”
“Yes.” Vengeance finished his drink and threw down some money onto the counter. He held his hand out. “Come on. I promise it’ll clear your head.”
Hell, he could have been a psycho, but dam
n, she wanted to go.
Her heart began to pound, and she stared at that hand. It offered so many different possibilities it was impossible to focus on just the one. Should she take the hand and take a chance, or ignore it and go back to her boring life where she followed everyone else? Their pity, their concern, she was tired of it. She was fed up.
“Constance,” Benny said, warning, or maybe concern in his voice.
She turned toward the man she had come to know because of her late-night cemetery visits. There was worry on his face, and she just knew.
There was only one way to break out of this world that she had created for herself, and so she took Vengeance’s hand. “I’d love to.”
4
She couldn’t believe she was doing this, just following this biker out of the diner, getting onto his motorcycle and putting the helmet on. She’d never been so wild, so reckless. Her car was still parked at the cemetery, the walk to the diner short, allowing her to clear her head.
But right now, she almost wished she’d used more common sense. He had admitted to doing violent things, to killing people, hurting them. He didn’t mince his words, didn’t lie to her about it. And here she was, about to ride to who the hell knew where for what … a little freedom?
“Ready?” Vengeance said, his head cocked back, this small smile on his face. That one gesture seemed to change the way he looked, had him seeming soft, almost gentle. She wasn’t fooled, though. He was a hardened biker, dangerous, violent to anyone who crossed him.
But she felt safe.
“Ready.”
He started the engine and she wrapped her arms around his waist, holding on tight.
And then they were off, driving down the darkened road, the streetlights passing them in intervals.
Constance closed her eyes, loving the wind that rushed through her hair. She smiled, not able to stop herself. She did feel free in this moment, the pavement below them, rushing, disappearing. They were going far faster than they probably legally should, but she didn’t care. She loved this. Nothing held her down.
He revved the engine and took the corners tightly, having her heart jump in her throat for a second before calming. She was lightly sweating, adrenaline rushing through her veins, causing her to want him to slow down … yet go faster.
She had no clue where they were going, but right now it didn’t matter. Right now she felt like she had the world in her hands.
Vengeance turned his head slightly, his focus still on the road, but his mouth closer to her so she could hear what he was about to say. “How’s this feel?”
She grinned.
“Like I’m flying,” she shouted, trying to be heard over the rumble of the engine.
The feeling of this powerful, massive bike beneath her, rumbling, vibrating the sensitive area between her thighs, had her turned on. Or maybe it was the excitement of being on this bike, Vengeance the only solid thing keeping her stationed.
He slowed, even though they were still on the back roads, and she swore this wave of wildness rose up in her. Could she do it? Did she even want to? For so long she’d kept how she felt buried, hidden. She’d played by the rules, made sure she didn’t cross any lines. She survived, but she wasn’t really living.
So, feeling like for once in her life she was just going to take that next step, Constance braced her feet firmly down, held onto Vengeance’s shoulders, and rose slightly.
Her knees shook, like warm pudding in a bowl, but she embraced it.
“Constance, what the fuck are you doing?” Vengeance said, but there was this laugh in his voice.
Of course she’d never done anything so wild or dangerous before, but she was tired of toeing the line, playing by the rules.
She was now standing, her hands on Vengeance’s shoulders, her nails digging into his leather vest. She felt him slow the bike even more and she closed her eyes, letting the feeling of really being free, of nothing holding her down rush through her.
It was intoxicating, invigorating.
The wind seemed fiercer up here, like she was on top of a building, the world rushing beneath her, the act of falling so close.
“You’re fucking crazy, woman.” He was laughing as he spoke.
For once in her life she felt like she was actually alive, and she didn’t want that to end.
5
For the first time in his life, Vengeance didn’t want this moment to end, but like all good things, it had to. He rode back toward the cemetery where he’d first met her, and turned off his engine.
Constance climbed off the back of his bike and removed the helmet. They were near a street light so he could see her in the dark, and her face was aglow, as if she was completely enthralled and happy. It was a far cry from how he had first seen her. She had looked sad, even if she hadn’t cried.
“That was like the coolest thing ever,” she said, giggling.
He couldn’t help but join her, smiling. Taking the helmet from her, he secured it to the bike and climbed off. She was so small compared to him. With the way she had been pressed up against him, he knew she had curves in all the right places, at least all the places that he loved.
“Don’t you think it’s sad that I think the biggest highlight of my life was being on that bike?”
“Not getting engaged?” he asked.
“You do pay attention.” Her smile seemed to widen, and she pressed a hand to his chest.
“I have no choice but to pay attention. When I’m with my club it could be the difference between life or death.”
She nodded. “And you do not want to die.”
“I’d like to live a bit longer.” He couldn’t resist reaching out and stroking her cheek, which was warm, yet soft to the touch.
“I loved my fiancé.”
“You did?”
“Yeah, I did. I loved him so much, and getting married seemed like the right thing to do. I knew it was what my parents wanted, and it was what he wanted.”
“What did you want?”
She paused, frowning. “I don’t know.”
“Did you want to get married?” he asked.
Again, she shrugged. “I really don’t know. I just did what everyone expected of me, you know.”
“I do actually.” They stood still, both breathing a little heavily as they stared at each other. “Is that what you’ve done your whole life, what everyone else expected you to?”
She pulled away and smiled. “I enjoyed tonight, Vengeance. Thank you.”
“I’ll take your change of heart as a yes.” He watched as she tucked some hair behind her ear, her hand shaking. “When was the last time you did something for yourself?”
Constance looked at him, and then at the bike. “I just did.”
He frowned.
“My parents and my fiancé would have considered those death machines. I did what I wanted to do, not what I thought I should do. It was nice, and I had a lot of fun.”
There was that sparkle to her eyes again, and he loved it. He loved knowing that he was the one who had put it there.
“I’m glad I was able to give you a lot of fun.” He winked and watched as she blushed. “You blush as well. That’s good to know.”
“Shut up. I’m going to go now, and it was lovely to meet you.”
“Don’t think you won’t see me again. I know where to find you.” He pointed toward the cemetery. “Anytime you want a ride, give me a call.”
“I don’t know your number.”
“You saw my club, and our clubhouse has a phone. You ask for me, and I will be here as soon as I can.”
“You’d do that for me?” she asked, tilting her head to the side.
What was it about this woman that was driving him crazy? His cock thickened, and he wanted to do nothing more than take her to a bed and fuck her senseless, and yet at the same time, he wanted to wait, to get to know her, to understand her.
This shit was just crazy.
“You’d be surprised what I’m willing to do
for a pretty girl like you.”
“I’m not pretty.”
“I think that’s for me to say if you are, and for you to take it as a compliment.”
She chuckled. “See you around, Vengeance.”
He watched as she climbed into her car and drove off. Interesting, completely interesting.
Constance stepped back from her arrangement of flowers, and then retreated once more. They were supposed to be clustered together, and the thorns removed for the bride.
“So, the rumor mill is talking about you,” Julie, the owner, said, coming toward her.
“Really?”
“Yeah, rumor is, you were on a motorcycle last night with some hot biker dude.”
Julie was one of her mom’s friends, who had given her this job straight out of high school. Brando had told her that ladies loved flowers, that it was proper for her to get a feminine job, to be delicate, innocent. Right now she could really roll her eyes and mock the girl she had been for listening to that bullshit.
Yeah, she had loved him, a lot, but at times he had been overbearing, condescending, and made her feel less than what she was. And then when she’d question herself and why she was with him, he’d be sweet, gentle, and so very loving. Being alone had been her fear. Because she’d been so weak back then, afraid of even herself, of being alive in her own skin, she’d stayed with him.
Of course she wouldn’t dream of telling anyone how she’d felt. It was kind of amazing how often people seemed to change ... how she’d changed.
“It was nothing,” she finally said.
“It didn’t sound like nothing. You know your mother would worry about you.”
She gritted her teeth. It was easier to keep her thoughts and her anger to herself. No one wanted to know what she really thought, how she felt. Everyone just assumed that she wanted to be a good girl, and do exactly as her mother had said.
“I met someone, and he gave me a ride on his bike. I was perfectly safe. I was safe.”
“And if something would have happened?”
“Then it would have happened. My parents and Brando played their life safe, Julie, and look what happened to them. They still ended up dead, okay? I took a chance and I’m here trying to arrange flowers, and failing miserably. I know what I’m doing.” She didn’t have a clue.