“All I’m saying is that a girl like Amber deserves to be publicly claimed. Not hidden like she’s some kinda dirty secret.”
“You think I don’t know that? I risked everything for her. Once we decided to be together, I thought I’d have to give up the club. And I still picked her. I get it. I might look like a dumb fuck, but there are some functioning brain cells in here.” I tapped my temple.
“You’re smarter than I was at your age,” Axle muttered as he pulled up to our checkpoint and parked in the center of the small two-lane road alongside three other pickups and eight or so motorcycles.
I turned to say something sarcastic and biting, but the miserable expression on his face had me hesitating, and I let it go. Clearly Axle was lost in his own thoughts or memories because he didn’t even notice the approaching motorcycles or the box truck trailing behind.
“Get into position,” I barked as I opened my door and crouched behind it, my pistol pointed at the vehicles driving toward us. Tossing a quick glance Axle’s way, I saw he’d unglued his ass and was in a similar stance.
With the road and the shoulders blocked by us, the two approaching motorcycles slowed to a crawl. The rider on the left pulled out a gun and fired wildly at our blockade. Someone down the way returned fire and the biker fell off his bike with a groan. The other rider whipped his bike around and pulled out his gun. Axle shot him in his midsection. The biker tumbled off his bike, its wheels still spinning as it fell on top of him.
Meanwhile the box truck had slowed to a crawl, then stopped in the middle of the road. A beat later, a shrill series of beeps pierced the night as the backup alarm wailed when the driver threw the vehicle in reverse.
But he was too slow.
Tank jumped up on the side rail of the truck and ripped the door open. Grappling with the driver a short moment, Tank threw him to the pavement, then climbed inside to deal with the passenger. Axle jumped from behind the door and in seconds had the unconscious driver’s arms tied up behind him with zip ties. I helped him drag the guy to the back of the truck. Tank met us there with the other unconscious and bleeding Wild Rider members and the keys to the truck. I unlocked the padlock and pushed the rolling door up.
We all stood there in stunned shock at the bounty in front of us. Boxes and boxes towered over us. There almost wasn’t enough room for our passengers. I hopped up into the back of the truck and ripped open the nearest box. Half a dozen gallon-size bags filled with a white powder stared back at me. We had them. I tipped the box down for the guys to see.
“Hot damn.” Tank grinned as he held his unconscious Wild Rider with one hand.
“Makes me miss the days when we weren’t so straight.” Axle sighed as he propped up his unconscious Wild Rider. “That shit could set us up for life.”
I shook my head. “I need to move a few boxes around to make room for our passengers.”
“Hurry the hell up. This fucker’s getting heavy.” Axle staggered a bit before rightening.
A few guys hopped into the back with me and we moved some boxes around, stacking them to a huge height over our heads. I couldn’t guarantee that they wouldn’t fall on the fuckers, but it wasn’t like we gave a shit. Once there was enough room, we hoisted the four Wild Riders into the back of the truck, then closed and locked the door.
“You got the route memorized?” Tank asked.
I took the keys from him and nodded. “All good to go.”
“Okay. Axle will follow you as planned. We’ll all meet up at the Pay Dirt Casino. Reb and a few of the other guys are already there. Drive safe.” Tank clapped me on the shoulder then headed for his bike.
“You got your ski mask?” Axle asked.
“Yes, Dad.”
Axle snorted as he walked with me around the truck. “Let’s get one thing clear, kid. I’m not and never will be your father.”
“Learn to take a joke, old man.”
“I will, however, fuck you up if you break Amber’s heart. I think of the girl like she’s my own. I always thought…Never mind. Just don’t fuck up. With this job or with Amber. We clear?”
“Crystal. It’s really sweet how you all care so much about me.” I faked wiping a tear away then clutched my chest. “It really gets me. Right here.”
“Fuck off.” Axle snorted a laugh as he shoved me toward the driver’s door. “I’ll follow behind and park across the street as planned. Think you can handle this without fucking it up?”
I gave him a one-finger salute as answer, then climbed into the cab. Shoving the keys into the ignition, I turned them and the engine purred to life. I took a second and pulled on my seat belt. Despite the fact that it was after midnight, I didn’t want to give a cop a reason to pull me over when I had a truckload of drugs and four guys tied up in the back. The vehicles in front of me pulled off the road, clearing a path. Most would be heading toward the Pay Dirt Casino, where the rest of the club were waiting to provide alibis. Only Axle would be following me to my destination.
Adrenaline sang through my bloodstream as I slowly pulled out. I had easily a dozen or more felony counts in the back of the truck if I was caught. I cursed the fact that I’d drawn the short straw. Although, given how shit had been going up til the last meeting, it wasn’t surprising. Axle in particular seemed pleased when I got my assignment for tonight, almost like the fucker hoped I’d get caught.
I obeyed every traffic law. And at my first turn, a few muffled thuds sounded from the back of the truck as the load settled. I didn’t hear any shouts or calls for help, so I mentally shrugged and kept driving.
Ten long, agonizing minutes later, I pulled up to the Reno Police Department on East Second and parked on the blue curb out front. Given the late hour, the parking lot and the building out front were deserted. I pulled on my ski mask and left the keys in the ignition and the engine idling as I jumped down from the cab. Opening my pocket knife, I sank the blade into the front driver’s tire and twisted, then dragged the blade through the wheel. The truck sank lopsidedly toward the hissing tire. After quickly repeating a slash through the back wheel, I darted across the street to Axle’s waiting truck. I jumped inside, and we sped away.
As I ripped my ski mask off, I hooted with laughter. “Christ, that was fun. Really makes me miss my teen punk days.”
Axle looked over at me while he dangled one wrist off the steering wheel. “Feel like knocking off a liquor store?”
“Nah, I think we’ve graduated from liquor stores. How about a casino? That was some Ocean’s Eleven shit right there.”
“All right, kid. Calm down. You’ve successfully pulled off one job. Let’s not get ahead of yourself.”
The combination of the adrenaline and Axle’s grating tone had me barking, “Call me kid one more fucking time, and I won’t be responsible for the ass whipping I’m gonna give you.”
Axle smirked as he turned into the parking lot for the Pay Dirt Casino. “We might make a real biker outta you yet.”
I rolled my eyes as I rubbed my hands on my thighs and didn’t give Axle another thought. At that moment, I felt like I could do anything. And right now more than anything I wanted to do Amber. I wanted to hold her in my arms and tease her sweet little body until we were both crying for mercy.
But unfortunately for me, we had an alibi to make, so my little fantasy with Amber would have to wait.
Chapter 20
Amber
EIGHT HOURS EARLIER
There were lots of things about my job that I hated. The hours, how much my feet hurt from the shoes, the leering looks from scumbags, the ass grabs. And they all merged into a huge fuck-you on the Sunday afternoon shift. Something about weekend day drinking made my job as a cocktail waitress suck the big one on Sunday afternoons. A lot of assholes made their last hurrahs before their workweek started. Although I doubted a few of these asses had paying jobs.
&nbs
p; I couldn’t wait until I got off work today.
Smiling brightly at a craps player while I unobtrusively set his drink down, I thought about the night ahead. For the first time in over a week I was on my own. Bam had some vague “club business” to take care of, so we wouldn’t be burning up the sheets in his bed. I accepted a tip from the craps player and gritted my teeth as he slyly patted my ass as I walked by. Fucker. I know I could say something and get his ass booted out of here, but Shannon had been suspiciously “let go” yesterday, and everyone was humming that it was because she complained too much about gropey customers and not the bullshit reason management came up with. Given all my drama with Bam and that customer a few weeks back and Ruslan continuing to pop up at work, I really couldn’t afford to draw more attention to myself with management. At the end of the day, I still needed a paycheck.
I left the gropey craps player behind and searched for new customers as I thought through my evening plans. I’d been avoiding my mom since I hooked up with Bam, so it’d be kinda awkward if I went home early enough tonight when she’d still be awake. Maybe I should swing by Sidney’s house and see if I could bunk with her tonight.
“Cocktails?”
“I’ll have something, honey.”
I froze at the sound of my mother’s voice coming from my right.
Closing my eyes, I mentally ran through every curse word I knew. But it wasn’t enough. Because when I turned and opened my eyes, I found not only my mom, sitting at a slot machine, but all her biker chick friends. And they were all grinning like fools, happy to see me when I was feeling anything but.
I held my tray like a shield in front of my body, trying and failing to hide behind the tiny circle of plastic. “Mom, what are you doing here?”
“What does it look like, honey? We’re gambling!” My mom grinned hugely, and I took a step closer and subtly sniffed the air.
Or so I thought.
My mom’s smile fell off her face as she bit her lip. “I haven’t been drinking, Amber.”
I winced. “Sorry, Mom. It’s just…” I trailed off and shrugged helplessly. There was really nothing I could say to make it better.
“Right.”
I cleared my throat and tried to reclaim my professional outer shell. “So, what can I get you ladies?”
“A diet coke for me,” My mom ordered quietly.
“Sprite,” Mom’s friend Emily requested.
Nicole smiled. “Full sugar coke for me.”
“Diet,” Jessica said.
My mom turned and blinked at her friends. “You guys don’t have to order sodas because of me. It’s okay if you drink; I swear I can handle it.”
“It’s not even five o’clock yet.” Nicole scowled. “Has nothing to do with you.”
“Right,” my mom drawled. “When was the last time we went out on a weekend, and you didn’t drink?”
“You’re gonna drive me to drink today,” Nicole muttered before turning to me. “Regular coke. Please.”
I turned and beat a hasty retreat as the ladies quietly bickered behind me. Hunching over the bar, I repeated their drink order to the bartender. While I waited for their sodas, I peeked at my watch and mentally cursed the fact that I still had several minutes on my shift, and that it hadn’t ended ten minutes ago. Why? Why me? At least they hadn’t commented on the ridiculous outfit that I had to wear.
Accepting the sodas from Sean, I carefully arranged them on my tray, then slowly walked back to my mom and her friends like I was approaching a death squad.
“Two diets, a Sprite, and a regular Coke. I’m off in ten minutes, but I think Tracy is on shift after me. She’ll take care of you ladies.” I smiled brightly and was halfway through my pivot when my mom shouted.
“Wait, you forgot your tip, Amber.”
I turned back; all the ladies were holding out dollar bills. My cheeks burning brightly, I tipped my tray down and let them place their tips on the tray. I don’t think I’d ever felt more like a stripper than I did at that moment.
My mom looked at me with wide, knowing eyes, and asked, “Can you hang out with us after your shift ends? We wanted to celebrate your new status in the club.”
“My status?” I repeated as I stacked the singles and discreetly folded them so they wouldn’t be visible to customers.
“The guys told us that Bam claimed you as his old lady.” Emily smiled. “That’s something to celebrate!”
I shot wide eyes over at my mom and caught her wince before she smiled bravely at me. “She’s right, honey. We should celebrate.”
I didn’t know if my mom’s wince was from my new biker bitch status or the fact that the information hadn’t come from me. I bit my lip and nodded slowly. “Sure. I don’t have any plans.”
“Fan-fucking-tastic,” Nicole hooted. “Get changed out of that crazy getup, and we’re gonna tear this place up!”
“Or we could go to the Pay Dirt Casino.” I held my tray in front of me again. “I don’t really like to hang out where I work. Some customers might recognize me, and it can get a little…uncomfortable.”
My mom’s eyes narrowed. “I see.”
“Sounds good, Amber.” Jessica nodded. “I worked here a few years back, so I totally understand. We’ll play the machines in this area while we wait for you, and then we’ll make our plans.”
“I like the sound of Pay Dirt.” Emily tossed in. “They have that risqué cabaret show that we never got around to seeing for Jessica’s bachelorette party.”
Because I totally wanted to go see a male strip show with my mother.
“Wow, being with Reb really has changed you.” My mom smiled. “I remember how…tense you were that night. And now you’re the one all excited about going to a strip show.”
“Well, it’ll be kinda my last hurrah. I know Reb won’t want me to be seeing any other naked guys once we get married in the fall,” Emily announced as she held out her left hand where a huge solitaire diamond ring sat on her ring finger.
All the ladies squealed with excitement as they crowded around her.
My mom hugged her. “When did he propose?”
“How did we miss seeing this huge rock today?” Nicole scowled down at Emily’s ring.
“When are you getting married?” Jessica asked.
I slowly backed away. It was a toss-up which I was more excited by: Emily’s engagement or the fact that the attention was off me. And then my mom’s eyes met mine.
“Here. Fifteen minutes.” My mom commanded.
I nodded and disappeared into the rows of slot machines. Making my way toward the locker room, I was lost in my thoughts of old lady titles, vests, and engagement rings—not to mention that look in my mom’s eyes—when I became aware of someone walking behind me, following me in a not so subtle way. I turned, ready to give Jackson a piece of my mind, and locked eyes with Ruslan.
I froze as my mind whirled. What was he doing here? After our last confrontation, he knew I was Bam’s. Where was everyone? I looked frantically over his shoulder, but we’d entered a deserted back hallway of the casino where only employees and deliveries were allowed.
“So, he has claimed you, and yet you still walk around this casino dressed like a common prostitute? Begging for tips dressed like that when I can offer you so much more?”
“I, uh, Ruslan. Hi. I’m not, uh, dressed like a common prostitute. It’s supposed to be an 1800s saloon girl. You know, the gold rush, cancan dancers, that kinda thing.” I smiled weakly as my heart raced.
“I could have given you so much, moya zvezda. How could you choose that lunkhead instead of me?”
The depth of pain in Ruslan’s voice stole my breath. I didn’t know how anyone could feel that much about me after such a short amount of time. Clearly this was more wounded pride than anything to do with me. And he was crazy. I had no idea ho
w to handle this.
I bit my lip. “I’m sorry, Ruslan. Believe me, the last thing I wanted was to fall for a guy like Bam, but it just happened.”
“I could give you so much more. The entire city would lie at your feet if you were by my side.”
I shrugged helplessly. “I’m with Bam.”
Ruslan’s eyes narrowed. “I see.”
A shiver shook my body and I gripped my tray tighter. Something about the way he’d said that made me more worried than anything he could’ve said. “Bam’s really a great guy. I don’t—”
Ruslan waved a hand, cutting me off. “I understand. I hope you are happy with your…biker.”
He’d bit the last word off like it was an insult. I was trembling from the combination of his unspoken threat and his raw anger when someone jostled me from behind.
“Sorry, Amber,” Sean muttered as he walked by me to the men’s locker room.
And when I turned back, Ruslan was gone.
I sprinted to the ladies’ locker room, where I collapsed on the bench in front of my locker and panted. I didn’t know what to think. That was the weirdest confrontation with Ruslan to date, and I’d had a few to choose from. Was he threatening Bam’s life? Should I tell Bam? Why was Ruslan so fixated on me? Was it because I was the one that got away? More bruised ego than obsession? Or was he just plain crazy?
The only thing I did know was that I was definitely not telling my mom.
Chapter 21
Amber
I had to wait until my hands stopped shaking, so I could change into my street clothes. Hopefully nothing had happened to Jackson, who was my guard for the afternoon shift. I didn’t want anyone hurt because of me.
When I finally returned to the casino floor, I found the ladies still haunting the same group of slots, only this time in the company of my brother.
My eyes found him in the crowd and I slumped in relief that he was unscathed. Although now that I knew he was safe, I was more than a little pissed that Jackson hadn’t done his job. Maybe if he’d stepped in, I wouldn’t have had my little run-in with Ruslan.
Rough Ride Page 19