“Maybe, but it could be hard without getting in there to plant a bug. Let me see what I can come up with though,” he replies, already opening up some sort of pocket computer shit and getting to work on whatever the fuck it is he does on there, but as long as he can do what we need, I don’t really give a shit.
“I’ll put a call in to Bear to let him know what we’ve got and let him in on the plan so far. I’ll let him make the call on what we tell the cartel to see if they knew about the mafia making a move this way.” This is Bear’s deal, I’ll let him make that call.
With everyone knowing what they need to do, I make the call to Bear to give him this shitty turn of events. Two things I know for certain though; I’m happy as shit to be getting away with Amy tomorrow, even if only for the night. It’ll at least allow me a little time to not think about the shitstorm that’s brewing. We are preparing to declare war on a mafia gang. That shit isn’t something you go into lightly and might be something we don’t walk away from.
And the second thing I know for sure; we are definitely going to need more fucking bodies and firepower to deal with this shit.
CHAPTER SIX
Amy
After Ice Man left this morning after our almost sexy time, I went back to sleep. The trip here took more out of me than I thought. If I’m being honest with myself, I haven’t been sleeping very much since Angel was taken. But when I’m with Ice Man, I sleep like the dead. I don’t have nightmares or restless nights. I’m calm and feel safe, like nothing and no one can hurt me.
So last night, before he came into the room, I couldn’t get comfortable or sleep for longer than a few minutes without seeing masked men stalking and chasing me. And then it was like as soon as he was in the room, I felt the calming effect he always gives me. I just couldn’t let him leave. I needed him too much.
I just never would have guessed we’d wake up like we did. I knew I was playing with fire, but in that instant, I didn’t care. I still don’t. I want Ice Man. He’s sexy, protective, loyal, and he cares about me. Even if I’m only the girl he thinks needs saving, he cares. It’s something.
I’m not naïve and think this will turn into anything except fun nights filled with his body pressed against mine, and I’m okay with that. More than okay even. I don’t want any of the shit relationships bring. And if the way he acted this morning is any indication, I’d say he feels the same way.
Sleep only came to me for a few hours though. I guess since Ice Man was no longer in the vicinity, I should have known I wouldn’t get much shuteye.
Getting up, I take a nice long, hot shower and throw my hair up into a messy bun. I don’t bother with makeup because I have a feeling Ice Man will be busy most of the day. Not like I need to wear it around him, but if we were going out on the town, I want to look my best.
Going through my bag, I take the dress I plan to wear tomorrow out so it doesn’t get any more wrinkles on it. I should probably iron it, but I have no idea if Ice Man or anyone round here has one. I should have thought about that before leaving home, but the thought never occurred to me, what with seeing Ice Man in his towel and then watching it fall to the floor. Yeah, you can’t blame me for my head being mush after that.
I do a quick search around the room for an iron, but of course there isn’t one to be found. Not like I expected to find one lying around, next to his motorcycle magazines or in his closet next to his biker boots.
Tidying up the room quick, I take one last look in the mirror in the bathroom before I venture out of the room into the unknown. I don’t know where Ice Man is, or if anyone will be out here, but it’s worth a try to see if I can find what I need. If nothing else, maybe I can take a cab to the closest Walmart to buy one.
There is no one in the hallway, and the front room I walked through yesterday sounds empty. No chatter, no music, nothing. It’s like this place is deserted.
At the end of the hallway, I stop and take in the bar area. To my left there are couches set up in the back, there are a few tables and booths, two pool tables, a dart board hanging on the wall, and a small stage with a stripper pole. Hm, I could have some fun with Ice Man up there. Show him a few of my moves.
Putting that idea on the back burner for now, but making a mental note to come back to it later, I turn to my right where the bar is. There are about a dozen stools lined up neatly on the front side, with no one sitting in them. But behind the bar, there is a lone man who looks to be stocking a cooler.
Making my way over to him, I think I scare the crap out of him when I clear my throat to get his attention because he jumps ten feet in the air and reaches into his cut for what I assume is a gun. Thankfully, he doesn’t pull it out when he see me leaning against the bar with a smirk on my face. I shouldn’t laugh at him because it’s not funny when someone scares the piss out of you, but I can’t help myself.
“I’m sorry I scared you, but I don’t know where Ice Man is, and I need an iron. Would you happen to know if someone has one lying around somewhere?” I ask in a sweet voice.
He looks around and blushes. If I’d have to guess, I’d say he’s no older than twenty-one. He’s still fresh around the face, but I can tell he’s got a dark side by the hardness in his eyes. I’m sure in no time, spending time with the brothers and the club, that his face will harden as well, though I have to admit it’ll be a sad day when that happens. But maybe he’ll surprise me and it’ll make his sex appeal skyrocket. Lord knows Ice Man’s meter has exploded for the same reason.
“Don’t worry about it. I just didn’t know anyone else was here. And as far as the Prez, he’s busy. Club business,” he says and I nod. I figured as much with how he was called away this morning. “As for the iron, I don’t think there is. The club girls don’t usually leave their hair shit here and the old ladies usually keep theirs at home.”
I’m confused for a minute, but then realize he thinks I’m talking about a hair straightener or curling iron. I giggle and shake my head. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean that. I was talking about an iron, for clothes. I’m afraid the dress I brought with me for tomorrow was left in my bag too long and I need to get the wrinkles out,” I explain.
Smiling sheepishly at me, he shakes his head. “Shit, my bad. I’m not good with all that girly crap. But I still don’t believe we have what you’re looking for.”
“That’s fine. I honestly didn’t think you would, but thought I’d ask. I’ll just call a cab and make a trip to the store to get one. Thank you for all your help.” I pause and look at his cut for a name, but all I see is the title Prospect stitched there. I don’t really want to address him as such, being that I have nothing to do with the club and I feel weird calling them that anyway. At least at home, I know their real names or I know them a bit better being as I’m around them a little more. But here, everything is different and I don’t know anyone.
“Name’s Reggie. And let me text Ice Man to see if he’s okay with you going out,” Reggie says and has his phone to his ear before I can tell him I don’t need anyone’s permission.
“Hey Prez. Your woman was asking about going out to the store,” he says, and I roll my eyes, my agitation spiking. For one, I didn’t ask for permission, I told him I was going to go. And even if Ice Man says no, there will be nothing anyone can do to stop me aside from physical restraint, and if that happens, there will be hell to pay. And secondly, I’m not his woman, or anyone else’s. Though I don’t really want to think too much on why that part upsets me. I’d like to say it’s because I’m not the relationship type of girl, but it could be because I’m a little upset what he’s saying isn’t true. But that can’t be right, so I’m not going to continue on that line of thought.
“I’m on it,” Reggie says before hanging up the phone and locking eyes with me again. I don’t try to hide my irritation from him though. I want him to know I’m pissed.
“Ice Man asked that I accompany you. So I’ll finish up here and I’ll take you wherever you want to go.”
�
��I don’t think so. I don’t need a babysitter,” I tell him with venom. I take back all the good things I thought about this boy when I first saw him. He’s on my shit list.
“I’m sorry, ma’am, but I can’t allow you to go alone.” The way he says it irks me further. Like it’s final, not up for discussion. Like hell.
“You can’t allow me? Who the fuck do you think you are? You aren’t my keeper,” I reply, turning on my heel and stomping down the hall back to my room to grab my phone so I can find the number to a taxi company, or shit, even an Uber.
Slamming the door behind me in case fuck face decides to follow me, I snatch my phone off the side table just as it starts to ring. Looking down, I see Ice Man’s face light up my screen. It’s the picture I took of him when he wasn’t looking when he was sitting on my couch watching TV. He looks carefree and young, the hard edges lining his face non-existent.
I debate not answering, but before my voicemail takes over, I think better of it. I don’t put it past him to call up Bear and get him to call me, and if that happens, I won’t have a leg to stand on because I love that man too much to give him hell, especially about something that isn’t his fault. Plus, I can’t ever tell him no because I know he cares about me and just wants me safe. I know Ice Man does too, but this is too much, even for him. No one knows me here, so there’s no reason I can’t go out by myself. And it’s fucking daylight, for fuck’s sake.
“What?” I say into the phone between clenched teeth as I throw stuff into my purse, letting him know I’m upset and not in the mood for his shit.
“Sweetheart, I know you’re pissed at me, but hear me out, okay?” he pleads into the phone, making my anger thaw, but only a little.
“I’m listening.”
“I know you are perfectly capable of going out on your own, and I even know you’ll be safe doing it. But please, for my sanity’s sake, please let Reg take you. This way you won’t have to pay for a cab or whatever, and he’ll know where to take you, since he’s more familiar with the area.”
“You know, there’s this thing called Google Maps. It’s really great, you should check it out. All you have to do is punch in where you want to go or what you’re looking for, and bam, it appears like magic,” I smart off.
“You know, you really are a smart ass. But I don’t have the capacity for your sassy mouth today. I’ve got a lot of shit going on, things fucked up, and I’m trying to figure out how to deal with it. I don’t want to have to worry about you on top of everything else.” I hear concern and exhaustion in his voice, but I’m not letting him off the hook. This is fucked and he knows it.
“There is nothing for you to worry about. No one even knows who I am here. There is no threat. I can go by myself without a bodyguard.”
“I know that your identity is a mystery to everyone, but don’t you think someone could see you walking out of the clubhouse and figure you mean something to the club? Doesn’t matter who you are, they could want to try and use you to their gain. We have enemies everywhere, even ones we don’t know about yet. I can’t risk it, sweetheart. Not you.” The desperation in his voice is unmistakable. And I get the feeling he’s not telling me something. But the tone of his voice and the fact that this is freaking him out a little, unwarranted or not, starts to scare me. Suddenly my dreams come alive behind my closed eyelids. What if someone takes me? What if what happened to Angel happens to me, except no one would be there to save me?
Fuck, I hate it, but he’s right. And if I didn’t need that damn iron, I wouldn’t even go out now. Blowing out a breath, I give it a few seconds before conceding, so he doesn’t know how scared I am now.
“Fine. But me and you are going to have words about this shit, Ice Man. I’m serious,” I tell him. And that part’s true. He needs to be honest with me, as much as possible, especially if it could affect me. If he’s got shit going down, I deserve at least a heads up. If it’s not safe for me to be out alone, even thousands of miles away from home, I need to know about it.
“All right babe. And thank you. Don’t give Reg too much hell, okay?”
“Oh, I won’t. It ain’t his fault his president is an ass.”
I hang up the phone to him laughing, which has me smiling, though I’ll never admit it.
Stuffing my phone in my purse, I open the door and see Reggie leaning against the wall right across from my room. He was looking down before, but now he looks up at me, caution on his face. He thinks I’m going to fight him, but I’m not. Like I told Ice Man, it’s not his fault. He’s just following orders and doing what he’s told.
“I’m not riding on a bike, so I hope you have a car,” is all I say as I start down the hall.
Reggie doesn’t say anything, but once we are outside, he leads me to a huge Ford pick-up truck. It’s jacked up so high, I’m a little worried I won’t be able to get inside without a little assistance. Thankfully, I notice a step under the door.
I’m able to make it up with some effort. And once he starts it up, I hear the rumble of the engine. Shit, it sounds like the bikes; loud and angry. I kind of like it.
Driving down the road, I can’t help the grin on my face. I feel like a beast in this thing. Maybe I should trade my little car in and get a big ass truck like this. No one would fuck with me on the road then, ’cause I’d just run their asses over.
It doesn’t take me long to find an iron. I also pick up a necklace and some earrings to wear with my dress. Reggie surprised me by actually helping me pick them out. He didn’t complain when I walked the store, intent on looking at everything. He even picked up a few things himself.
After leaving Walmart, Reggie offers to buy my supper at a nearby bar and grill. We fought for literally twenty minutes when I told him I was paying for myself. He’s a stubborn son-of-a-bitch, I’ll give him that. But I’m a redhead who fights tooth and nail for things I really want. It’s safe to say that he had no idea what he was getting himself into with me.
When our food was finished and our bills paid—me paying for my own—we drove around town while he pointed out a few buildings; some shops, the local Harley store, the school, and one of the bars the club frequents. And even though I wish Ice Man would have been the one I spent my day with, today wasn’t that bad. It was fun. And I even think I found a new friend in Reggie.
Back at the clubhouse, the place is empty and quiet. It’s a little eerie. But Reggie doesn’t seem concerned, and when he notices my hesitancy to go inside, he smiles kindly while putting his hand on my back. “The brothers had a few things to take care of. But Prez will be back in a few hours,” he says, reassuring me.
Feeling a little better, I allow him to lead me inside. “Are you staying until they get back?” I hate how small my voice sounds, but this is uncharted territory for me. This whole place is foreign, and with Ice Man doing whatever it is he’s out doing, and no one here, I don’t want to be alone.
“I’m not going anywhere, honey. I’ll be at the bar if you need anything.”
He leads me down the hall to my room and gives me a smile before closing the door behind him. I feel a lot better knowing he’ll be here with me until Ice Man returns. I think even if I hadn’t spent the day with him, sort of getting to know him, I’d feel that way. I mean, if Ice Man trusts him, I should too.
After ironing my dress and hanging it back up, I take another shower, needing to shave before tomorrow. Except this time, I don’t bother washing my hair.
All clean with now smooth legs, bikini area, and underarms, and nothing else to do, I climb into bed and let the sounds of reruns of Friends lull me to sleep.
***
Later that night, in the early hours of the morning, I heard Ice Man come into my room and check on me, but I was too tired to pull myself fully out of my sleep state to beg him to come to bed. Instead, I felt his sweet kiss on my forehead and fell back into a sweet sleep with a smile on my face, and dreams that were so good I never wanted to wake up.
***
A knock on
my door wakes me. I look around the room, hoping Ice Man decided to stay the night with me, but the room is empty. It doesn’t surprise me though.
Getting out of bed, I throw on some sweats and a t-shirt and pad over to the door. Opening it up, I see Reggie standing there with a cup of coffee.
“Morning. I brought you coffee,” he says. I’m already reaching for the steaming cup before the words even leave his mouth.
Taking a big gulp, I don’t even care about the scalding liquid scorching its way down my throat. It’s too good to take my time blowing on it or taking small sips. Coffee is my saving grace. I love it too much to be cautious.
“Mmm, thank you. It’s perfect, just the way I like it too.” I wonder how he knew that I only like a little bit of creamer, but a big helping of sugar.
“You’re welcome. And I can’t take all the credit for the coffee since Prez told me how you take it. I think his exact words were; dash of creamer, a little coffee, and a fuckton of sugar.”
Hearing that makes me laugh, but it’s true.
“Is he here?” I ask, a little worried since I haven’t seen him hardly at all since we’ve been here. I wonder if we’ll even make it to this wedding thing tonight. As much as I don’t want to see his ex, I really want to spend some time with him.
“No, but he told me to tell you to be ready to go by two.”
“Oh, uh, okay. Do you know if I’ll have time to change there so I don’t have to wear my dress on his bike?” I ask, not sure if he’ll know or not, but I really don’t want to wear a short dress on the back of a bike and flash my ass at everyone behind me…though I love the thought of Ice Man between my legs with little barrier.
“Actually, you’ll be taking the truck, so you won’t have to worry about that.” I don’t know why, but I’m a little disappointed that we won’t have his bike. Not like I wanted to ride it with my dress anyway, but still.
The Biker's Religion (Rough Riders MC Book 2) Page 8