Chapter 16
Ava
CRAP. HE’S MAKING his move.
“I don’t know. You seem like a nice guy. You’re obviously handsome, too. I thought that maybe we could get to know each other a little more. Especially since we’ll be spending a lot of time together in the next couple of days.”
“True. Handsome, huh?” he said as another waitress stopped at our table.
I smirked. “A little.”
“You two doing okay, or would you like another round?” she asked.
“How about one more?” he said, looking at me.
I nodded.
He ordered the drinks and then the waitress walked away.
My cell phone went off, startling me.
I reached into my purse to see who was calling. It was Millie.
“My mom,” I offered without thinking.
He gave me a puzzled look. “I thought you said you had no family?”
“She’s my foster mother,” I explained, kicking myself mentally. “My blood relatives are dead. She’s all I have.”
“You grew up in foster care?”
I nodded.
“What was that like?”
I laughed dryly. “A nightmare.” I took another drink of my cocktail and decided to tell him about my past, without giving anything else away. I explained that my birth mother had lost custody of me because of her drug addiction and I’d hopped from foster home to foster home up until meeting Millie.
“You moved around a lot. Why?” he asked, studying my face.
“Let’s just say that some of the foster parents were either assholes or just far too ‘nice’… if you know what I mean,” I replied, finishing my drink.
“They abused you?” he asked angrily.
I nodded and looked up from my empty glass. “I survived though. It’s true what say, ‘what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger’. I can certainly vouch for that,” I said with a brittle smile.
“Fuck, I’m sorry you had to go through that,” he replied, a look of disgust on his face. “Did anyone get in trouble for it?”
“No. Nobody believed me. Or, decided not to because it was easier,” I replied, remembering the first time I told the wife of the first degenerate who’d touched me. I’d only been eleven. She’d accused me of lying and trying to get them kicked out of the foster program. I told Jayce about it and he looked like he wanted to murder someone.
“That’s fucked up,” he said, reaching over again to grab my hand. “Really, really fucked up. I wish I’d known you back then. I’d have done something about it. See, that’s one reason why I’m with the Gold Vipers. If they found out something like that was going on, they’d stop it.”
I smiled.
“Do you know if these people are still involved with foster care? The ones who did it to you?”
From the look on his face, he looked like he wanted to pay them a visit.
“I don’t know.”
“Do you remember the neighborhood the asshole who touched you lived in or anything like that?”
Of course I did. One never forgot the places they were abused. At least I couldn’t.
“I appreciate you wanting to help, but I’d rather just forget about it,” I said, moving my hand away from his as the waitress returned with our drinks.
“Here you go,” she said, setting our cocktails down in front of us. She included two shot glasses filled with orange liquid.
“What’s this?” Jayce asked.
“Fireball. Compliments of Len,” she replied, nodding toward the table of Gold Vipers. “He said something about you two needing something to heat things up over here.”
We both looked over and Len raised his beer.
Jayce smiled and shook his head.
WE DRANK THE shots and talked for the next hour about the club and how ‘great’ they were. It was hard to listen to, but I kept a smile on my face. He also told me about his stint as a model, which intrigued me.
“How did you go from modeling to being in a biker gang?”
“Biker club,” he corrected. “And I’d wanted to belong to one long before I modeled, especially after attending some of the parties with Brass.”
He explained that his chapter used to be called the Steel Bandits before getting patched over. I’d already read about it online, but pretended to be clueless.
“Now the club is stronger and part of a bigger unit,” he said with a glint in his eyes. “People really take notice when you’re wearing Gold Viper colors, even as a prospect.”
“And that means a lot to you?” I mused.
“Respect means a lot to me. But, it’s more than that. It’s about the brotherhood and representing something we take pride in. You know, outsiders only know about what they see on the news, and everyone knows that the media will write anything that sells—bullshit or not. They don’t ever talk about the good things our club is involved in, like volunteering and raising money for local charities. Last month we raised twenty-thousand dollars and donated it to a homeless shelter up the road. Was that ever on the news?” He snorted. “Hell no. Because they’re only interested in making us look like criminals.”
The Gold Vipers didn’t need any help there, I mused.
“Wow, that’s amazing,” I replied. “Do you do this all year ‘round, then? Raise money for those in need?”
“During the holidays is when we do the majority of our charity work. It’s a hard time for people during that season and we’re committed to helping families who need help. Last year some of the clubs had guys dress up as Santa Claus and visit nursing homes. Tarot volunteered for our chapter. We all got together and delivered cookies Lily and some of the other Old Ladies made. You know, some of those people never get visitors, let alone presents.”
“I bet. It’s sad. I’m sure it was very special for them,” I replied. It still didn’t excuse the fact that they were a bunch of criminals.
He smiled. “Anyway, enough about me. What about you?”
I hadn’t really learned much about him other than he was affiliated with the club, had modeled once, and was now a tattoo artist. For all I knew, he was a cold-blooded killer with a bad temper, a drinking problem, and dog he kicked around when he got home.
“There’s not much to tell,” I said.
He asked me what I did for a living.
“I’ve waitressed here and there. Nothing like this place,” I said with a smile.
Jayce chuckled. “Obviously. Tell me about your foster mom. Millie.”
I gave him the basics, explaining that she’d saved me from the system, provided me a loving home, and helped me to move forward.
“You love her very much,” he stated, studying my face.
I nodded. “I don’t know what would have happened if she hadn’t come into my life. Like I said, before living with her, I’d been transferred from home to home. Of course, not all of them had been horrible, but none had been terribly great, either.” I stared off into space, smiling wistfully. “The thing about Millie was that she actually cared from the get-go, although it took me awhile to figure it out. Thank goodness she had the patience to deal with my anger and stubbornness.”
“She sounds like a great lady.”
“The best.”
“So, what is it that you’re running from then?”
Surprised, I looked at him. “Why do you think I’m running from something?”
“Because you don’t know where you’re going and you’re leaving behind a woman who supports and loves you. Coming out this way isn’t work-related and you haven’t mentioned anything about a psychotic ex hunting stalking you.”
“Maybe I’m just trying to find myself?” I replied, smiling.
He raised his glass. “I can appreciate that.”
I laughed and raised my drink, clinking it against his.
“Little did you know that you’d find yourself here. At a strip-joint with a total stranger,” he added.
“Little did I know,” I repea
ted. A stranger who I had to keep remind myself was the enemy, no matter how pretty he was.
Chapter 17
Jayce
SHE FASCINATED ME and it wasn’t just her looks. There was a hidden strength inside her that would pop up every once in a while. I couldn’t begin to imagine the kind of horrors she’d suffered growing up. Not to mention she’d not only survived, but here she was all alone in a big city, trying to get her shit together. It was very admirable, considering she couldn’t have been more then twenty-three or twenty-four. As far as her relationships with the opposite sex, I began to wonder if she might be might be batting for the other team, or maybe both teams. Especially after being hurt in the past by shithead men.
Fuck it. I decided to ask her if she was gay.
“I have a personal question for you. You don’t have to answer it if you don’t want to.”
Her eyebrow raised.
“I’m just curious,” I said, trying to be subtle, “has it been hard? Trusting men?”
“Depends on the man and the situation.”
That didn’t help. “What about relationships? Have you gotten close to anyone?”
She shrugged. “Not really. I tried dating a few times, but not everyone is as patient as I’d like them to be.”
“What about other women?”
Candi smiled. “I tried that, too. Once. It didn’t work out. Besides, I told you earlier I wasn’t really into chicks.”
That’s right. “So, you really haven’t had a decent relationship with anyone?”
“Not romantically. No. What about you? We keep talking about me, but you’ve never actually talked about your love life. I imagine being a Gold Viper, and as handsome as you are, women are always hitting on you.”
“I get my share of dates.”
She laughed. “Dates? Nothing serious?’
“I haven’t had a real relationship with anyone for a long time,” I said. “Hell, I’m too busy.”
Of course, I still got laid whenever I wanted to. I didn’t much care for sharing women, though, and it was always the same chicks hanging around the clubhouse. They were basically open to having sex with any of us, any time, and any place. I wasn’t into sloppy seconds, so I stayed clear of them. If I was in the mood for sex, I used Tinder for quick anonymous hookups. It had been a few weeks since the last time I’d logged into the app. Obviously, I wouldn’t be getting anything tonight. Trying to get Candi into bed, after everything she’d told me, would make me a monster. As much as I wanted her, I wasn’t going to be a fucking asshole.
“You want another drink?” I asked, noticing she was on her last sip of whiskey-sour.
“No, I really should get going,” she replied.
“Are you okay to drive?” It had been two hours and she looked sober enough, but it was hard to tell with some women.
“I’m fine. I should probably use the bathroom, though.”
“I’ll follow you there and then walk you out to your car. Are you parked outside of the shop?”
She nodded.
I quickly finished the rest of my drink and then we both headed over to the restrooms. She stepped into the Ladies’ and I waited in the hallway. After a few seconds, Tarot and Peyton appeared as well.
“Having fun?” Peyton asked.
I leaned against the wall. “Yeah. Definitely.”
She winked. “We can tell.”
Peyton disappeared into the restroom and Tarot waited with me.
“You and Candi seem to be hitting it off pretty well,” he said, checking his phone for messages.
I smiled. “Yeah.”
He looked up from the screen. “This your first date?”
“First and probably last. She’s just passing through town.”
“Oh yeah? Why is that?”
“She’s trying to ‘find’ herself,” I said in a low voice.
“Maybe she needs you to do that for her,” he said with a devilish grin.
“I wouldn’t mind, let me tell you,” I replied. “Anyway, she’s had a tough time of things and needs to be handled with kid-gloves.”
Tarot’s smile faltered and I could tell that he was suddenly a million miles away.
“What’s up?” I asked, recognizing that he was having some kind of premonition.
“I don’t know,” he said. “For some reason, I just had a flashback from last year. I keep seeing Blade’s smug-ass grin.”
“What do you think it means?”
Tarot shrugged. “Honestly? I don’t know. He’s long gone, but I feel like I’m not done with him yet.”
“What if it just has to do with the Blood Angels?” I asked.
“Could be. Maybe they’re plotting more shit, although Cane and Jet are gone, too.”
“His club brothers could be plotting some retaliation.”
Tarot nodded. “Yeah. Retaliation,” he said, looking troubled. “That’s the vibe I’m picking up. We’d better keep our eyes open.”
“Agreed.”
Chapter 18
Ava
I WAS WASHING my hands when Peyton walked out of one of the other stalls. Seeing me, she smiled and turned on the faucet.
“You and Hollywood seem to be hitting it off really well,” she said, trying to be friendly.
“Yeah.” I forced a smile to my face. I couldn’t let my true feelings for the woman get in the way. It wasn’t going to help my cause. I needed her to like me so we could become chummy. “He seems really nice. All of them do.”
“They all have their moments, let me tell you,” she said wryly.
“I bet. So, you and Tarot are together, huh?”
She turned off the water and pulled at the paper towels. “Yeah, he’s so sweet.”
“Sweet?” I laughed.
Peyton chuckled. “I know he looks like a real badass. The first time we met, he scared the hell out of me, to be honest. But, he’s seriously one of the nicest men I’ve ever met.”
“No offense, but you seem like such complete opposites,” I replied, staring at her. Peyton wasn’t like the other women I’d seen hanging around the guys in the bar. She wore slacks and a classy top while most of the others were dressed like me.
“I know. I guess opposites really do attract,” she replied, smiling at me through the mirror.
“How did you two meet, anyway?”
“I used to work for this real estate company and he was looking to buy a house,” Peyton replied, tossing the paper towel into the garbage. She turned back toward the mirror and began fussing with her hair. “I ended up showing him a couple of homes and we just kind of hit it off from there.”
“So, you’re a realtor?”
“I am. Back then, though, I was just an administrative assistant. I received my realtor’s license a couple months ago, however. So now I’m doing it part-time.”
Peyton explained that she’d quit the company she’d been working for to become a fulltime writer, but it hadn’t been paying the bills. “So, now I’m back in the real estate world, only this time I’m enjoying it so much more because I’m working for myself. My last boss was such an asshole.”
“Good for you.” I turned the conversation back to Tarot. “So, when’s the wedding?”
Her eyes sparkled as she stared down at the ring on her finger. “We haven’t set a date yet, although we were talking about having a winter wedding. I thought it would be really romantic to drive up to the North Shore and get married.”
“Where’s that?”
“Just past Duluth. It’s gorgeous there. You should take a trip sometime.”
I nodded. “Maybe I will.”
“Are you sticking around? They’re going to be doing karaoke soon. The guys love doing it.”
I snorted. “Really?”
She chuckled. “Yeah. Especially Len. He has a surprisingly good voice. Reminds me of Joe Cocker.”
“It sounds fun, but I was about to head out,” I replied. “Anyway, it was nice meeting you.”
“Same h
ere.”
An idea came to me. “You know, I might be in the market for a new house. Can I call you?”
Her face lit up. “Yes, definitely. Let me get you my number.” She reached into her purse and pulled out a business card. “Call me when you’re ready. I’d love to help you find something.”
“I like it here. I’ll probably be getting in touch soon and take you up on that offer. Just don’t tell Jayce. If I do move out here, I want it to be a surprise.”
She winked. “Don’t worry. I won’t say a word.”
I grinned.
Chapter 19
Jayce
CANDI’S FACE WAS beaming when she walked out of the bathroom, with Peyton right behind her. In fact, both women looked pretty happy about something.
“Uh oh,” said Tarot, noticing it too. “What happened in there? Don’t tell me Len gave you some of his ganja?”
“No,” Peyton said, chuckling. “We were just having ourselves a little chat.”
He raised an eyebrow. “About what?”
“Don’t worry about it, Dom,” she said, putting her arms around his neck. “Just worry about having a good time before I have to drag you out of here. Remember, Ruby’s sitter has to be home by one.”
He sighed. “I know. I was thinking of leaving soon anyway. I miss the little munchkin. I’m going to wake her up and give her a big hug.”
She smiled. “You’ve been out of town so much lately. She’ll like that.”
“I know. Club business isn’t always fun business. I’ll make it up to her,” he replied. “Maybe we can go for ice cream tomorrow. Then we’ll give her the good news.”
I could tell that Candi was getting anxious to leave. “Hey, we’re taking off, you two. Happy Birthday again, Tarot,” I said.
He released Peyton and turned to me. “Thanks for stopping by and chipping in on the gift.” He held out his hand. “Amazing, by the way, brother.”
“Oh, you opened it?” I asked, shaking his hand. We’d put enough money together to send Tarot, Peyton, and Ruby on a Disney cruise. He’d been talking about booking one for a while, so we’d rounded up enough money to buy the tickets as a gift.
Destroying the Biker (Book 8): (The Biker Series ) Page 8