by Chiah Wilder
“Don’t worry, bro. I’ll take care of everything. It’s gonna be beautiful.”
“It better fuckin’ be. We’ll go out drinking after the party’s behind us. It’ll be on me. Say hi to Linda for me. How’s she been?”
“Busy with the kids and telling me all the things I’m supposed to do and fix around the house.”
He sniggered. “You’re the one who wanted to get married.”
“And I wouldn’t trade it for the world. I’ll tell her you said hi. I’ll be in touch with you about the pricing. We gotta move fast on this.”
“Later, dude.” Relief washed over him as he slid the phone in his pocket. Raul was a good buddy he could always depend on, even though they didn’t see each other as much as they used to. Once Raul married and started having kids, he became more preoccupied with his business and family. Muerto got it, and he was always glad that he wasn’t the one saddled down with a wife and kids, but at that moment, after speaking to him, he felt a prick of restlessness.
“Hiya, handsome.” Ruby walked over to his Harley. “Are you going for a ride in this heat?” She ran her long fingers over the handlebars, slightly brushing against his hand.
“Nah, I’m going over to my sister’s. How’ve you been?”
“Horny for you. What gives? None of us girls have been with you for almost a month. You fucking someone in town? Not that that ever stopped you before.” She giggled and leaned in closer to him, her plunging neckline leaving little to the imagination.
“Just been busy with work and family stuff.”
“You got time for a little fun before you take off? I’ve missed you.”
“Not today. I’m already late.”
“When are you gonna take me for a ride on your bike? Skull took Kelly for a ride down Highway 36 and she said it was so fuckin’ cool.”
Shaking his head, he adjusted his sunglasses. “I don’t take chicks on my bike. No exceptions. That’s the way I roll. Now I gotta get outta here. See ya.” The Harley roared to life and Ruby jumped back. With her waving enthusiastically, he rode away.
As he headed to Laura’s house, he made a sharp turn on Trail Ridge Road. It was as if the bike were directing him instead of the other way around. Before he knew it, he was in front of the duplex, his bike vibrating under him. Changing his mind, he started to pull away from the curb when he heard Raven call out, “Hey, Muerto.”
He killed the engine and swung his leg over. “Hey. I was just in the neighborhood. What’re you doing?”
“Working on my painting. I heard your bike. It’s weird but I can tell it’s you from the sound of your Harley.”
“That’s not weird. Different bikes have a different sound. You still painting the woman who chops off the balls of the men she desires?”
Her laughter was like the sweet tinkling of wind chimes. “Still working on it. I just stepped out for some fresh, albeit hot-as-hell, air. I have a pitcher of Arnold Palmer if you want a glass.”
“What the hell is that?”
“Half lemonade and half iced tea.”
“Throw a shot of Jack in mine and I’ll be good.” Again her soft laugh made him smile. He walked up to her porch.
“I’ll be right back with that shot.”
Settling on the cushion of the bamboo chair, he lifted his feet and placed them on the ottoman. His phone pinged again. Laura. Not in the mood to talk, he shot her a quick text telling her he was tied up and would get in touch with her later.
“Here you are.” She placed a glass full of amber liquid on the side table next to him.
Her long hair was up in a messy bun, showing off the graceful curve of her neck. He wanted to reach out and tug her to his lap so he could kiss her creamy white skin. Maybe even put a nice love bite on it to give her some color.
“I love lazy summer afternoons,” she said as she sat in the chair next to his. “The hours just drift like they’re small pieces of eternity dropped into our hands. I’m always sad when the summer ends. It feels like the end of carefree days and easy living. I guess it’s because the heat doesn’t make you want to do anything. When it’s cold out, I always feel so much more productive and invigorated.” Shifting her gaze from the street to him, she smiled.
I’m so into this woman. She intrigues the hell outta me. “When it’s hot as hell, I always want the cold and when it’s cold as fuck, I wish it was hot.” He shrugged. “I like fall the best. It’s awesome to ride your bike over the small roads around the mountains and see the trees lit up in red and yellow with the desert below.”
“That sounds gorgeous. I’d love to see that sometime. I haven’t explored much of the countryside.”
“I can take you when it cools down. Riding with the wind hugging you is the best.”
“I may take you up on the offer.” She sipped her Arnold Palmer.
Did I just ask her to ride on my bike? What’s going on with me?
“You look pretty with your hair up,” a gravelly voice said. Muerto craned his neck and saw Walter. “Oh… Muerto. I didn’t see you with Ms. Raven.”
Huh? “Hey.”
“Are you and Ms. Raven imbibing in some cool refreshments? It’s certainly a hot day.”
Muerto noticed the man’s gaze fixed on Raven, and she fidgeted around in her seat. “Yeah, we’re shooting the shit and having a couple of drinks.” He chuckled when Walter’s nose crinkled. “Did you want anything?”
“No. I just came back from the store and stopped to say hello to Ms. Raven.” With his head bent down, he slinked away.
“What the fuck’s up with him? I know he’s weird, but he was stranger than usual.”
Wringing her hands, she looked at him and said in a low voice, “He creeps me out. He’s always skulking around, popping up when I start to garden or coming up to me whenever I’m outside. At this rate, my vegetables are going to die because he watches me the whole time I’m weeding and watering them. It makes me very uncomfortable, so I just go back in the house.”
“Really? How long has this been going on?”
“Since I moved in.”
“You should’ve told me about it. You’ve got every right to garden and be outside as he does. He shouldn’t be intimidating you.”
Grasping the back of her neck, she said, “It’s not like he’s intimidating me. I mean, I can garden if I want to, of course. It’s just that he unnerves me. I don’t know how to explain it. I guess you have to be a woman to get what I’m trying to say.”
“I get it. I’ll have a talk with him and this shit will stop. I’ll take care of it.”
“No, don’t do that. I don’t want him to think I’m against him. I’m not sure what he’s capable of.”
“What does that mean? Has he done something besides staring at you?”
“I’m not sure. A few days ago, I stepped on a rose that had been left on my porch. As a matter of fact, there were a dozen roses laying on my front door mat. It was the oddest thing. And there wasn’t a note.”
“You think Walter put them there?”
She shrugged. “I don’t know what I think. It was the strangest thing, and no one has fessed up to it as of yet.”
“Maybe some teen in the neighborhood has a crush on you. You’re a very striking woman.”
Smiling, she looked up at him demurely. “Thank you. And maybe you’re right. There’re a couple of high school guys who are always smiling, waving, and offering to help me with my groceries. I forgot about that. I bet you’re right.”
“I’m sure I am. You’re a teen boy’s perfect wet dream with your long hair, cute ass, and sexy curves. Hell, you’re a man’s wet dream.” Leaning over, he picked up his glass. “Did I embarrass you? Your cheeks are as red as your paints.” He chuckled when her hands flew to her face.
“You don’t have any filters when you speak, do you? I’m not used to men speaking so bluntly. But thanks for your… unconventional compliment.”
“I just tell it like it is. I find you attractive and alluring
. I have from the first day I saw you. That’s all.” Finishing his drink, he wiped his hands on his jeans, then stood up. “I gotta get going. I have to see my sister. We’re planning a birthday party for our mom.”
“How nice. Sounds like it’s going to be a surprise party.”
He nodded. “It is, and Laura’s making a huge deal out of it.” She chuckled. “I better go before she freaks out. She’s already called several times. Thanks for the drink.”
“I’ll walk you to your bike.”
After walking in silence, he leaned against the bike and fixed his gaze on her lovely face. “Come here,” he said in a low voice, his arm stretched out to her. She took a small tentative step toward him. “I’m not gonna bite you unless you want me to.” He winked.
Shaking her head, she said, “You’d like that, wouldn’t you?” She took a few more steps forward, placing her small hand in his large one.
Yanking her to him, he breathed her seductive scent in deeply, the one that was causing his dick to wake up. “I wanna ask you something.” She tilted her head back, her full lips slightly parted. “You wanna go with me to my mom’s birthday party? It’s gonna be in two weeks.” A chortle escaped from her parted lips and he wanted to swallow it.
“I wasn’t expecting that. I thought you were going to ask me something cru—uh… yes, I’d love to go to your mother’s birthday party.”
Fuck yeah! Cupping her chin in his hand, he dipped his head down and kissed her gently. “Awesome.” His phone pinged. Give me a fuckin’ break, Laura. “I really gotta go. I’ll be in touch.”
“Okay. Thanks for the invite. Ride safely.” She stood back as he jumped on his bike and peeled away from the curb.
As he turned at the corner, he looked back and saw her shimmering in the sunlight. Turning back to the street, he rode to Laura’s house.
Chapter Fourteen
Silverado was a town about an hour away from Alina. The brothers liked going there to hang out with the guys in the Fallen Slayers MC. The two clubs had been friendly with each other for several years, and they met up every two months or so to play pool, party, shoot the breeze, and ride together. They usually took turns between coming to Alina and Silverado. The last time the Night Rebels saw the Fallen Slayers was when the Silverado club came to Alina for one of their no-holds-barred parties. Since then, the Fallen Slayers had been bugging the brothers to come to their neck of the woods to shoot some pool at a new place, the Trick Shot, that one of their buddies had opened a few months back.
Since it was Monday night and Balls and Holes was closed, Crow and Muerto thought it would be a nice gesture if they asked Brandy and Jaime to go to Silverado and check out the new place. The women had worked their asses off over the weekend, and a night spent in another town with a new group of men provided them with a much-needed distraction. They’d readily agreed, and since neither Crow nor Muerto wanted to have the women on the back of their bikes, Crow volunteered to take the four of them in his SUV.
Several Night Rebels rode up on their Harleys to meet up with their Silverado buddies. Fallen Slayers MC was a smaller club with only ten members. Roughneck, the president, had met Steel at a biker rally several years before. They hit it off, and when Steel invited Roughneck and his brothers to one of the Night Rebels parties, a bond had been formed. The revenue for the Fallen Slayers club came mostly from receiving and selling weed and stolen property—usually bike and car parts. Since they didn’t have a license for selling pot, their transactions were illegal. Every once in a while, they’d enlist the help of the Night Rebels in an arms trade with another club or a low-level gangster from the bigger towns.
“Hey, Roughneck, what’s up?” Steel said as he entered the pool hall with his brothers.
“Not much.” He raised his eyebrows when he saw Brandy and Jaime. “You brought women? I thought you had a woman.”
“I do. They came with Crow and Muerto. They work for us at Balls and Holes. They’re not club girls or hang-arounds. You got my drift?” Steel pulled out a chair with his boot.
“Too fuckin’ bad. They’re real lookers. I gotta tell my men. I see the hunger in their eyes already.” Roughneck went over to a group of guys hanging around the bar.
Muerto noticed all the Fallen Slayers were there: Skeet, Buzz, Tequila, Tats, Griller, Knuckles, Ironclad, Patriot, and Brick. Knuckles was the sergeant-at-arms and was always on the lookout for a good fight. Muerto had jumped in on many a barroom brawl with him, Buzz, Griller, and Brick. He held his fist in the air and they returned the gesture.
“It’s really nice in here,” Jaime said as she sat down on one of the barstools.
“It looks like an upscale bar.” Brandy scanned the place while pulling her spandex top down a bit more.
Muerto saw the look a couple of the Fallen Slayers gave her and knew if she laid it on too thick, he’d be knocking their heads before the night was over. I’m gonna have to play babysitter to her and Jaime. Fuck. They probably shouldn’t have asked them to come; he hadn’t thought it through. A light tap on his arm made him turn around.
“Thanks for bringing us here,” Jaime said, her eyes shining. “I don’t get out much, and when I do, I always end up at the same places. Alina isn’t that big. It’s fun being in a different place. I’ve never been to Silverado.”
“No problem. Order yourself a drink. Tonight’s on the club.”
Paco came over to Muerto, a skinny girl hanging onto his arm. “You in for a game of pool? Knuckles and Brick are asking.”
“You work fast,” he said as he nodded to the girl. “I’ll pass on the game. Maybe later.” He leaned closer to Paco. “I gotta keep an eye out for Brandy and Jaime. I don’t want any shit to come down on them. You playing?”
Paco smiled and pressed the woman closer to him. “Yeah, but not pool.”
Muerto laughed and shook his head as he watched the vice president walk away. Looking around the place, he spotted Goldie, Chains, and Skull by the pool tables in the back. The pool hall was one of the modern ones: top-of-the-line pool tables, wooden tables and red leather chairs, a dance floor, and a menu for sandwiches and appetizers. It was the total opposite of Balls and Holes, and Muerto wasn’t crazy about it. It looked like some of the modern places he’d seen in Durango and Pueblo. It didn’t have the feel of the game about it.
“You look real handsome tonight,” Brandy said to Muerto as she outlined the rim of her glass with her green-tipped fingernail. Muerto smiled and picked up his beer bottle.
“What about me? I took hours to get ready. You’re always going on about Muerto.” Crow winked at his buddy.
Brandy laughed. “And you look damn good too. You’re always coming on to me and Jaime. You’re too easy. But Muerto?” She glanced at him and cocked her head to the side. “You’re a different story. You act so aloof, but I know you’ve fucked half of Alina. What’s the secret to riding you?”
“Don’t work with him,” Crow said. “We got a policy of no fuckin’ the help.”
“Didn’t stop you from making out with me and Jaime when we first got onboard. You remember that, don’t you?” She looked at Jaime and then Muerto. Jaime smiled tightly.
“We were all so damned drunk and I didn’t think either of you would last more than a week. Anyway, making out and screwing are two different things.” Muerto took a long pull on his beer. “You sayin’ you never made out with Crow?”
“Don’t drag me into this, brother. I follow the policy.” Crow leaned back against the bar.
“Muerto does too. It was just that one night, and I’m just giving him a hard time.” She leaned against him. “And you’ve been a perfect gentleman ever since, hasn’t he, Jaime?”
Nodding, Jaime stared at her drink.
“Lay off, Brandy. You’re embarrassing her.” Muerto put his arm lightly around Jaime. “Don’t pay any attention to her. She’s tipsy. Remember, she had a few shots on the way up and a couple since we got here. Just have a good time.” He pulled away and raised hi
s fist to Army, Jigger, and Sangre as they walked in.
As the brothers talked, played pool, and flirted with Brandy, Jaime, and a few other women, Muerto found his thoughts drifting to Raven. He still couldn’t believe he’d asked her to his mother’s birthday party, but he wanted to share that part of him with her. For the first time in his life, he wanted a woman to meet his mother and sisters.
A buxom blonde stared at him from a booth against the wall, smiling broadly when he looked at her. If he was into it, he figured it’d take him maybe twenty minutes and a couple of drinks before she’d spread for him in one of the back rooms. Shifting his gaze away, he reached for his beer. I haven’t fucked in almost a month. Damn! How the hell did that happen? He’d been so busy with the pool hall, bike repair shop, and running his rental properties that he hadn’t been interested in anything else. Actually, he hadn’t really been that involved with his properties except for one of the duplexes, the one the black-haired vixen rented.
I don’t know how she’s doing it, but she’s got a hold of my dick and it doesn’t want to go anywhere else but in her. No woman had ever had such an impact on him, and he wasn’t quite sure how to handle it. The more he tried to forget her, the more he thought of her. And then he went and asked her to his mother’s party. I don’t know what the hell is—
His thoughts were interrupted by some ruckus in the back where the pool tables were. Before he could figure out what was going on, Roughneck, jaw tight and scowling, came over with one of his brothers, Tequila. Slamming his fist on the counter, he yelled, “Fuck that shit!”
A muscular, broad-shouldered man in his late thirties came over. “What’s got you so pissed off?”
“You got a fuckin’ pool shark hustling my brothers, Mac. Since when do you let that shit go on in your hall?”
As the owner and the biker president spoke, apprehension and anger knotted inside Muerto. He glanced at Crow, who stared back at him. As Muerto opened his mouth to say something, Brick came over, cussing up a storm.
“I fuckin’ lost my balls to a bitch who hustled me. I been playing the game for the last couple of hours and she acted like she was a dumb fuck. Turns out she’s a damn good player. Like a fuckin’ pro.”