“I suppose that was part of what was bothering her when she found out you were staying here and she’d never been allowed in. Not that I ever turned her away from my room. It just never came up, and honestly, I couldn’t think of a reason she’d need to be here other than to talk, and we can do that anywhere. It doesn’t have to be in my personal space.”
“I completely understand that. I offered to go somewhere else to talk to her, but she just got really angry with me and thought I was being an asshole about things. Honestly, I don’t know you, or that whole situation, well enough to feel comfortable letting people in. When I was taken by King’s Demons it happened because someone was watching me, and the place I lived. Also, there was a girl in the dorms who had run her mouth about me when the KDs started asking around after they saw my brother go into the dorm to look for me. If she hadn’t given away personal information about me, maybe they would have just thought I was some random stranger he was talking to, and wouldn’t have snatched me up that day? I might have noticed that I was being followed instead of walking into an ambush. So, I’m really big on privacy and not giving information away to people.” I moved closer and wrapped my arm around her shoulder, pulling her in to my side.
“I promise, that will not happen this time.”
“I trust you,” she whispered into my shoulder. “I don’t know why, but I do.” I kissed the top of her head then. It was the same gesture I’d made with Amy numerous times over the past eight or nine months that she’d been in our lives, but for some reason, it felt different as I pulled Liza in closer to me and hugged her. She felt right being there in my arms, like a part of myself that I’d been waiting to be reunited with. Christ, I sounded like a complete idiot inside my own head.
“It feels good to have told you the whole story about what’s been going on with my boys and Amy. It’s been weird for me, because the guys I would usually talk to about this shit are the same ones I don’t feel like I can talk to anymore since they met Amy. They just keep pushing for me to be a part of whatever it is they have going on. I know they think it will fix a broken part of me, but I never saw myself as broken. I just didn’t have the urge to go find someone to replace Camilla.”
“What happened with Camilla?” She asked. There was no expectation in her voice though. She would be okay if I told her that I didn’t want to talk about it, just as she would with listening to yet another of my stories. “I know you said you were going to ask her to marry you before you found out she was cheating, but how did that all come about?”
“Sorry, you’re so easy to talk to that I forgot I hadn’t really explained the whole scenario.” So, I told her the story, and she just sat and listened with her head on my shoulder and my arm wrapped around her, our sides touching completely from tip to toe. It was the first time I’d talked about my past without feeling it rip through me. It wasn’t the loss of Camilla that had killed my spirit so much as coming home from being shot at only to have the woman I thought I loved betray me in the worst way. “So, the funny part is, after it was all said and done Camilla found out that this Pablo guy had two other fiancés in the area too. Her sisters called me and texted, begging me to forgive her and take her back. She did too. I just ignored all of it.”
“Whoa, so she cheated on you, and at your welcome home get together she tells you she got engaged to another man, and she thought you’d take her back? That was ballsy!”
I chuckled. “Yeah, it was. Didn’t work out for her either way, but I consider it karma for the way she treated our relationship. I’ll never understand why people cheat. If your relationship isn’t working, you either work to fix it, or you get out of it. You owe it to each other to make sure you do one, the other, or both before you fucking move on to someone else though. It’s a matter of respect for everyone involved, including you. And if the other person isn’t demanding that respect from you, chances are they aren’t as into the situation as you think they are. Nobody wants to seriously take on a person who still has their baggage unpacked on another person’s floor, you know?”
She tipped her head up and smiled so perfectly at me that it halted my breath. “I couldn’t have said it better myself.” She sighed. “I guess your friends are playing a different game altogether though. I can’t wrap my head around sharing a person the way they do.” She shook her head into my shoulder.
“I think their dynamic is a bit more than just two guys sharing one girl. They won’t admit it outright, but there’s more to the triangle than just that.”
“You think the guys have their own thing too?” She asked.
“I think Amy acts as a buffer that lets what they feel for each other be okay.”
“Do you think they’re using her for that?” She asks, but before I can answer she steps in and answers her own question. “No, that’s not right. I saw how protective and defensive of her they were. I think she’s more the catalyst that ramps up the fire they had for each other, and adds another spark in play that they needed.” She nods her head, as if affirming her own words were correct.
“I think that’s exactly right,” I told her.
“I wonder why she’s so hung up on needing you in the mix too? I mean, aren’t two guys enough? I can’t imagine having two hot, horny, dudes after my ass all the time, and then still demanding a third hop into the mix. Her va-jay-jay has to be hurting.” She laughed along with me when she said that.
“I wouldn’t know since I never had actual intercourse with her.”
“Maybe that’s why she’s so hung up on you, because she hasn’t had a taste,” she giggled then, and it was the best sound I’d heard in a while. “Wait, that’s the wrong thing to say. She has had a taste; she just hasn’t had you stick it to her in other ways yet. Maybe she feels shortchanged since you were always receiving and never giving?”
I just shrugged my shoulders, which in turn caused her head to bob in place. “I don’t know. It just feels good to have someone I can talk to about the whole mess without feeling pressured to join in with them, or feeling judged by others for what I’ve done, or haven’t done.”
“You think the other guys judge you?”
“It’s human nature to judge, but not in the way you mean. I think they just wouldn’t understand, because they assumed we were all one unit, and every time I’ve tried to talk to them about me not being a part of that, aside from an occasional romp, they all just give me that, ‘sure pal,’ look that I hate. So, I stopped trying.”
“And that meant that you had no outlet for your frustrations.”
“Yeah. My outlet became getting away from here as much as possible. If I wasn’t working to set up Liquid Lines I was out on runs for the club.”
“I know club business is what it is, but could you tell me about what going on runs means, generically speaking? You guys aren’t running people, drugs, or guns are you?”
I smiled down at the concerned look in her eyes. “Not in the way you’re suggesting. We do a lot of private security work. If a shipment moving via truck is carrying items that may be a high target item, we move with it as added security. Sometimes we’re hired out as bodyguards, other times it may be to guard a warehouse between shipments.”
“Ah, I get it. Muscle for hire, and the patches are an intimidation factor.”
“Yeah, but we run other legitimate businesses here too. We have the strip joint in town, Renegade Ruby’s. Then there’s Liquid Lines, and the automotive and body shop too. Each member who owns those businesses takes the lions share, but they also employ other club members, and a portion of profits go back into the club to help another brother establish their own business. We all take turns doing our part on the security end of things too so no one gets burned out or too overtaxed to do their own jobs.”
“That sounds like the best system ever. The fact that you help support the next endeavor, and they in turn help support the next. That’s awesome.”
“That’s a true brotherhood.”
“You guys are changi
ng my minds about motorcycle clubs. I didn’t think I’d ever look at someone wearing a kutte as a good person.”
“The true assholes that would hurt women are the minority, Liza. I promise you that.” She nodded, and while I’m sure she was still uncertain of the validity of that statement, at least her opinions about my guys were starting to turn around more and more. Though, I’m certain the little incident with Amy earlier wasn’t helpful, and I would be addressing that with my friends later.
Just as I was thinking that my phone pinged. I moved away from Liza in order to reach it where I’d tossed it on the nightstand. A couple texts had come through while we were talking, but I’d been so lost in my conversation with Liza that I hadn’t heard any until the last.
A group chat with Whiskey, Fox, Amy, and myself was opened up.
Amy: I just want to say I’m sorry for the scene today. I really only wanted to talk to her.
Whiskey: You don’t need to apologize.
Fox: It’s ok darlin’. You’re all good.
Ten minutes had apparently gone by since the initial text.
Amy: Are you seriously not going to say anything, T?
Well, shit, she was going to force some ugliness out of me. I must have sighed out my frustration or grunted or whatever, because Liza sat up straighter. “Is everything okay?” She asked cautiously.
“Yeah,” I told her as I angled the phone so she could see the conversation. She rolled her eyes in response, but kept her mouth shut. I had to admire that, because if I were in her shoes, I’d probably have a whole lot to say considering she was most definitely owed the apology here. I smiled at her reassuringly.
Tango: I’ve been busy trying to explain your unusual reactions to Liza. She’s going through some serious shit, and didn’t need you coming at her like you did today. It’s not your business what her deal is here, but it is my business to tell you to keep your distance until you can apologize for your behavior and act like she’s someone your friend gives a shit about. She’s not some club whore to be treated like ass by you, or anyone else. And I don’t give a fuck what Whiskey or Fox just placated you with, you damn sure do owe her an apology for being a jerk while she was being considerate as hell and loyal to me. She didn’t know you. She didn’t know if you were allowed in my space. Hell, I’ve never once – since I’ve known you – invited you into my space, so I don’t know why you would think it was okay to go there without Whiskey and Fox being the ones to bring you, when I wasn’t around. And they shouldn’t be bringing you to my room without permission either. That’s something I’ve been meaning to address with all of you since before Liza got here. We’ll talk about this later, in person, and not through text.
I had angled the cell so that Liza could read over my shoulder as I typed, but she hadn’t invaded my privacy to do so. That spoke volumes to her character. “You can read my response, babe. You need to know that I have your back just as much as you had mine covered today.” I handed her the phone and as she read it I could have sworn I saw a sheen of tears in her eyes. She handed the phone back with a small smile and hopped off the bed.
“Thank you for that, but I’m still sorry to be mixed up in the middle of drama with your very best friends.”
“That’s not your doing though, so don’t take that burden on your shoulders. They’re heavy enough with the rest of your worries.”
“I’m going to shower and then go try to find something to eat. I haven’t been out of this room since last night.” That was a little alarming since I didn’t even get back until mid-afternoon.
“Babe, you don’t have to be afraid to leave the room when I’m not here. I promise, no one here will harm you.” Although, after being ripped into by someone who was supposedly my friend, in the doorway of our room, I could understand her reluctance. Fuck!
Another ping indicating another text came through.
Whiskey: Good job asshole, she’s crying again.
Fox: That was uncalled for!
Tango: Fuck you both! Liza hasn’t been out of this room since last night at dinner, because she’s afraid of bikers and you know why. Now imagine, a woman who is already skittish because of her situation has some strange woman come to her door demanding things of her, in an unfamiliar place, where she doesn’t know what to expect, and it ramps that shit up to 15 from the 10 out of 10 anxiety level she was already experiencing. Hell, her first few minutes in the clubhouse involved club whores trying to steal shit from her. This woman hasn’t eaten since last night, because she doesn’t trust the people here enough to go get some god damn food, and you two are worried about me hurting Amy’s feelings with the truth? Why don’t we talk about the damage she just did to someone who already fears being here with us for good fucking reason?
Fox: Fuck, dude.
Whiskey: Sorry, I didn’t even think.
Tango: That’s fuckin’ obvious. Talk to Amy. She started this bullshit today, coming to Liza about a problem she thinks she has with me. Liza doesn’t need Amy’s made-up drama on top of her own. Amy also does not get Liza’s details, but you better make it clear she is to be left alone.
Whiskey: Will do. Sorry, man.
“Hey, when you’re done there, I’ll take you to grab some food, okay?” I called out over the sound of the shower turning on.
“Sure, thanks.”
~ Liza ~
Once I was ready and wearing jeans, a t-shirt, and a hoodie sweatshirt overtop of it, Tango guided me out of his room and down into the commons. “I was going to take you out to get something, but I think it’s better if we stay here.”
“Is it because it’s too dangerous to take me out?”
“It’s easier from a security standpoint, but also I want you to get used to being around these guys. I don’t want you starving all day if I have to go to work, babe. That shit is not cool.”
I swallowed hard not knowing what to say. He had me pegged. I hadn’t left the room because I wasn’t comfortable doing so on my own. I didn’t know biker protocol for a single woman wondering around the place. I knew some wore property patches while others were free game for anyone. I definitely didn’t want to be mistaken as free game. So, I just stayed put and tried to work.
“You’ll get used to us all soon enough,” Tango was saying as Rabbit bounced up to us with his undeniable energy.
“Good to see you out and about, finally!” He offered as he smiled at me.
“Thanks. Got hungry,” I admitted which caused him to frown.
“Please, tell me you’ve been out of the room to eat at some point today, and I just didn’t see it.” I shook my head and watched as a silent conversation seemed to pass between the two men standing with me. “Okay, you have my number now, remember? If this guy isn’t here, you text me if you need something. You want an escort to get around within this joint; I’ll be that when Tango can’t be here. Okay?”
I offered him a genuine smile, because I couldn’t even begin to explain the amount of relief I felt in that moment. “Thanks, Rabbit. It seems like I keep owing you today.”
“You don’t owe me shit, girl. Stop saying that. I’m glad to help where I can. Now, let’s get your ass to the kitchen before it loses any of that bounce you got going on back there,” he joked. The growl that came from Tango didn’t appear to be a joking matter though. Rabbit just chuckled in response. “Calm down, buddy. Just appreciating the fine curvature.” He held his hands up as he walked backwards. “I’m keeping my hands to myself, see.” He grinned again and then turned to finish the walk back to the kitchen area.
“He’s our resident good-time guy,” Tango explained, unnecessarily. “Always in a good mood, always joking around. When it comes to doing his job, he’s completely serious though. When he says you can trust him to be the person to go to when I’m not around, he means it.”
“I already made that assumption when he told those other guys the truth about what went down today. I’m just glad he was there to witness it all, because I really don’t think
they would have believed me or listened. She didn’t exactly lie to them, but she wasn’t forthcoming about how she approached me either, making it seem like I was a complete bitch for no reason.”
“I know. I am sorry about that. I can’t believe she did that shit. Amy’s always been a real solid person.” He obviously still couldn’t wrap his head around the fact that the woman was being territorial over him. He would have to deal with it sooner or later though. I felt like that entire situation was just waiting to blow up in his face. Not that it was his fault, but his avoidance and refusal to assert his position before now wasn’t doing him any favors.
Chapter 10
Liza
(Present Day)
I had been here a little over two weeks now, and I was finally starting to feel comfortable with everyone. A few of the men who had come up from Cedar Falls were still here visiting Charlie, who I had since made friends with. She was a lovely woman who had been dragged through some shit thanks to a man in her life, so we had that in common to start our burgeoning friendship. Since the guys from the Cedar Falls Chapter had stuck around to hang out with Charlie for a while longer I was still sharing a room with Tango. While I wished like hell most days that it meant that we’d attempted kissing again, or more, nothing had happened. There had been a couple of nights where we’d managed to share the bed together – fully clothed – and the most that happened was us waking up tangled together before he had to rush off to work or for club business.
Tango and I were getting closer though, despite the lack of intimacy we talked non-stop when we were together. We had even started working side-by-side on occasion when he was frustrated with a commissioned piece he had taken on. He asked for my input on how to put a feminine spin on the original artwork, and that was all she wrote. Our collaborative efforts ended up being an amazing three-quarter sleeve he put on a woman who had traveled here to get the tattoo done by him. Apparently, she’d seen his work at the expo, but since he left early her appointment with him had been cancelled. It lifted my spirits immensely to work with him on the tattoo, because I hadn’t been able to do that type of work since my brother’s troubles started up again. I had been stuck in graphics design hell for websites and managed to make a few book covers too, but I had missed the tattoo work. Granted, I still had never actually inked a person’s skin, but helping draw out the initial piece of work with Tango had been an amazing collaboration.
Whiskey Tango Foxtrot: Aces High MC (Aces High MC - Dakotas Book 2) Page 9