Will glared. "You're giving me an attitude?"
"I'm tired. I went for a long hard run before I got attacked," she said with sarcasm.
"And just what were you thinking running on the streets of Baltimore after dark?" he lectured.
"Hey," Lucas interrupted the bickering, "this is my fault. Don't you two start fighting. She was no doubt running off the stress I caused her. The important thing is that we're safe. We're all safe."
"And we are going to stay that way," Will said sternly, looking directly at Laura. He said that more like a threat than a promise.
She couldn't help but chide him. "Whatever."
Will went off. "Not whatever-" He lunged for her but Lucas braced him.
"Why don't we pack and go," her brother changed the subject. "You, her, and me. We have to travel in separate vehicles since we are the ones they're after. Where exactly to?"
Pete answered, "We're going to a little town out in California. We have a place there and a membership there. The Ocean Beach Chapter of Knights' Disciples is small but solid. And as far as we know, the Marauders are strictly a street gang. No one has even heard of them out there."
Will added, "That might just be a stopping point. I have property in Costa Rica I am developing."
"How does a retired cop get all this money?" Laura asked randomly. "You guys have places everywhere."
"Is that an accusation, Miss Mills? I don't own every house associated with the club, for your information. We are a club. We support each other and we share. But in case you're writing a book, you can live like a king in Costa Rica for half your year's salary. I am making a house out of cinder blocks on the beach. Any other questions?"
"I was just wondering if Lucas was the only bad boy in the room, that's all."
"Meaning?" Will demanded.
"Meaning we all make mistakes, big ones," Laura replied with a double meaning. Meaning Will might have been one of hers and she saw he understood her.
"And what do you know," he replied facetiously. "I am willing to be nice guy anyway and offer you two protection yet again."
CHAPTER FORTY FIVE
She felt like a spy.
In the middle of the night, a woman from a salon over in Hampden, a notorious Baltimore neighborhood famous for its style, arrived at Laura’s house under Knights’ Disciple escort to Laura’s house. Without so much as a discussion, Will had ordered Laura’s and Lucas’s appearance to be drastically altered.
The stylist was introduced as Becky. Laura wanted to hit the ceiling but she liked Darren an awful lot. All of the Knights’ Disciples were so good to Lucas and her.
Lucas’s hair was darker than Will’s; it was almost black. It couldn’t really be colored so he got a close-cropped cut and was given a suit. He looked like a CEO. Laura’s hair color was naturally medium ash. She had it dyed black and cut sharply, shorter in the back and long in the front. Will said she was already in disguised. Still, Becky’s order was to make it corn-silk blonde and to give it soft curls.
Laura was so annoyed at being completely bypassed in the decision-making. She cooperated, but just barely. They did her hair in the bathroom. She sat tight light-lipped, on the commode, as Becky tented her shoulders with a drape. Becky had Laura’s hair up in clips before Will made an appearance. He looked wary.
“I think someone is not too happy about this,” said Becky.
Laura scowled at him even though he was doing all of this for her brother and her.
Will scowled back and said to Laura directly, “I don’t care.”
Laura noted the gentle way in which he touched the small of Becky’s back. She prickled with jealousy but tried her best to hide it.
“I tucked an envelope for you in your jacket,” he said to Becky.
Laura saw tenderness transfer between them. She was sure that meant they had slept together. It was more than she could bear. She stood up abruptly. “This is ridiculous. I can bleach my own hair. This is actually way past my bedtime,” she blurted out.
Will just blinked at her. She saw the muscles of his jaws flex like crazy. “There’s a reason for everything I do, Ms. Mills. Believe me when I say there are better things I could be doing right now, but the Knights’ Disciples are dedicated to this mission of your safety and to Lucas’s safety.”
Laura sighed. She appreciated that, even if the speech was getting a little old. “Yes, Will,” she said.
“We are going to California. Tomorrow,” he said. He looked at his phone. “I mean today. And you have to look like you belong there. After she does your hair, you’re getting a spray tan.”
“Why the middle of the night?” Laura squawked.
“Because we have to catch the red-eye,” interjected Lucas.
Laura knew that her brother popped in to play peacemaker – to get her to stop fighting Will every step of the way and to remind why they were all going through these moves anyway.
“And,” added Lucas. “The less you know, the better. Let’s just get this over with and enjoy the ride as best we can.”
“Can we have some privacy then?” Laura asked.
“We can’t really close the door,” said Becky apologetically. “Fumes.”
“I brought coffee,” Will said softly to Becky. A lightning bolt of jealousy rifled through Laura. “Would you like a cup?”
“Love some,” she replied softly.
Laura had left Will alone for those few months. It was completely reasonable that he moved on and found someone new. She wasn’t exactly there for him. But was he really so insensitive as to bring it around her? God knows there were plenty of hair stylists in Baltimore. She couldn’t possibly be the only one he could get to do this.
Of course the way she bickered with him every two minutes it was conceivable that Will thought she absolutely didn’t care about him and therefore it wouldn’t matter. But then there was the matter of the other night when he so gallantly brought her home and tucked her in. He gave her pleasure but nothing more. Still every detail was still smoldering in her memory. Recalling the other night when she and Will got into it stirred her As Becky went to work on her hair, Laura had a time separating the soothing sensations of the stylist’s fingers in her hair and the relaxing recollection of Will’s hands. The two experiences started to blend and Laura was uncomfortable. Laura was struck with an urge to drink.
“What did you say?” Will demanded.
Laura opened her eyes. “What?”
“You just said you need a drink,” he replied, scolding her.
“I must have dozed,” she said, burning with shame that had actually said that out loud.
“Well there will be no drinking. We have to get you and your brother on a plane,” he said.
CHAPTER FORTY SIX
Will left. Pete and Darren took Laura and Lucas to the airport. She was a little worried that their new looks wouldn’t match their IDs and the airlines wouldn’t let them on board. But it was fine. If it didn’t look so different from her, Laura would actually love her new look. If she had looked like this as a teen and a younger woman, she would probably have had quite a different life experience. She might have had more confidence in herself. The woman looking back at her in the mirror with the white blonde hair and loose ringlets was stunning.
She was sad that Will didn’t have a chance to see the final product, spray tan and all. It was just as well. She didn’t want things to get any worse between them than they already had. They had some amazing moments. Perhaps it was best to leave it at that.
The Knights’ Disciples were apprehensive about letting the brother and sister board the plane without them.
“Don’t worry,” assured Lucas. “I am on watch.” The two Disciples glared at him. “I deserve that and more,” said Lucas, “but I will prove myself if it is the last thing I do. I will take care of her.”
Laura felt safe. The plane ride became the perfect opportunity for them to rebuild their relationship. The one topic though they avoided was what had happen
ed that fateful night when Laura and Will returned to find an eerie scene and that everyone had vanished. She still did not know where he had been all those months, but she didn’t feel like getting into it on the airplane.
As they chatted, Laura noticed that Lucas was staring at her. “What?” she asked.
“I don’t know whose idea it was to make you a blonde, but it was a good one. You don’t really look like you,” he said.
“Thanks,” she said. “I think.” She reached up and mussed his new short haircut. “You look almost respectable.”
“I will be respectable. I swear,” he said. “I see that you and Will aren’t getting along. I guess I ruined a lot of cool things in my campaign of destruction.”
“It doesn’t matter. I think he likes my hair dresser,” she said wanly.
“You mean Becky? The girl who did our hair?” Lucas asked.
“That would be the one,” she answered.
“Well I hope not,” said Lucas. “She belongs to me. I’m the one who suggested her.” Laura made a face. “What?” he asked.
“How old is she?” Laura asked.
“She’s a little old. Okay she’s about ten years older, but Will is old enough to be her dad just about,” Lucas smiled.
“I don’t think that’s a deal breaker for either of them,” she replied sadly. Will was a little bit older than she was, as well. Suddenly it occurred to her that it might be his thing, going for younger women.
Lucas covered her hand with his. “Trust me,” he said.
Trust me, thought Laura as she looked at this young man she hardly knew – her sweet, young, once little brother. She wondered what he had been through in the short time he was associated with a vicious gang – if he hurt anyone…killed anyone. His time with the gang obviously changed him. “Lucas, we are going to California,” she said. “Will and the hair dresser are back in Baltimore. I don’t care how much she likes you; she isn’t with you. He isn’t with me. They are with each other,” she said.
Lucas guided her head to his lips and kissed her. “Get some sleep. You have to go to sleep to see what tomorrow will bring.”
He said something that she had always said to him, tucking him at night. It was something their mother and father had said to both of them. It warmed her enough that she could recline in her seat, pull the blanket up, and close her eyes.
CHAPTER FORTY SEVEN
To her surprise, the short amount of intensely deep sleep Laura got on the plane was restorative. Thoughts of Will and the turmoil her life was still in pained her, but the good sleep and the fabulous California weather made for good band aids.
Laura wore some form-fitting capris and her top was short sleeved and slightly cropped at the waist. The sun was so warm when they landed that its heat pinched her bare midriff. The world in California was literally golden and it lifted her spirits immediately.
Laura and Lucas ambled into the airport. He seemed to know what was going on, but she didn’t have a clue until she spied a familiar, handsome, lanky biker-type leaning against an airport chair.
Will. And there was no Becky with him.
Without thinking, Laura rushed up to him and threw her arms around him. She was emotional.
He lifted her and made a little spin. He kissed her hard on the side of her face. “Hey there, Goldie Locks,” he murmured.
“Hi,” she said, still gripping him tightly.
“Let’s go get your bags,” he said, to both Lucas and her.
Laura withdrew from Will feeling a little awkward. She avoided eye contact. She was quiet as they gathered their bags. Lucas and Will chatted, though Laura felt the tension between the two. Will did not like her brother; she could see that.
Outside in the parking lot, a small crowd of bikers greeted them – the Ocean Beach Chapter of Knights' Disciples. Laura had been mindlessly drifting along, following the guys' lead. She felt a pair of hands on her hips.
"Come back to earth, Goldie Locks," Will murmured. He fussed over the fit of her helmet once it was on. She was to ride with him. He straddled the bike first and waited for her. He hooked the backs of her knees and drew her up against his backside snugly. He situated her arms around him in a hug. Before they took off, he glanced around to meet her eyes through the space in the face-guard with a brooding, smoky look.
The swarm of Knights' Disciples roared down the Coast Highway towards San Diego. Ocean Beach was not too far from Lindbergh Field. The warm air brushed softly against them alongside a spectacular view of the ocean. There was nothing ugly about the terrain.
Laura had imagined a different sort of house. Something grander looking, like the Disciples’ house on the East Coast that they had been to a time before. Instead they pulled in front of a greyish, unremarkable, rectangular structure that rose straight up from a plainly landscaped lot. It sat very close to its neighbors. With its series of sliding glass doors and balconies, Laura thought it looked something like an apartment building. The bottom of the house was dug out. This was the garage. Its door opened by remote control. Up the door raised and down the bikers went, smoothly.
The sensation of going down the short hill to the lower level tugged at Laura's stomach like she was as on a roller coaster. She shrieked. When they came to a complete stop, she was breathing hard. Her chest rose hard against his back. She couldn't help it. He reflexively reached behind himself and patted her thigh. The garage door lowered and Will and the others, including Lucas, took an elevator to the first floor.
"Your house has an elevator?" Laura remarked.
"It does," replied Will, staring her down.
His gaze was piercing, smoky. She pressed her back against the elevator car, sweetly disturbed by him. Her attraction to him made her tipsy. Laura staggered as she stepped out of the elevator into an elegantly appointed living room.
Big picture windows lined the wall looking out over the ocean. The floors were huge planks of lightwood and the furniture was white or butter cream with big knit throws. It was a home decorated for comfort. She had an irresistible urge to lie down on the sofa facing the sea and take a nap.
As usual, Will was in tune with her. He guided her to the butter-yellow, leather sleigh bed. All the guys plopped on the furniture and took a load off. A housekeeper came out with a tray of hors d'oeuvres.
Lucas made a face. "Hummus?"
Darren scowled. "Dude you're a Californian. Better act like one."
“Sure, I just wasn’t expecting it,” said Lucas.
“You mean our gracious hospitality isn’t second nature to you by now?” asked Pete facetiously.
“No, I think he meant he wasn’t expecting it,” Laura replied acidly. “Guys, look. To say that the Knights’ Disciples have been the icon of chivalry to my brother and me would be an understatement. There are no words, but if you are put out by helping us, please, by all means, just stop.”
“Laura,” Lucas countered softly. “I was in the wrong. I am a big boy –”
Will’s voice was like steel. “You’re not a boy. You are a man. You have had a series of breaks I’ve never seen anyone get before. I think from here on out, you ought to keep your mouth shut and keep your mind open.”
“Yes, sir,” said Lucas.
Will fired back, “And don’t think you’re fooling anyone with that crap except for maybe her. You know what?” He stood up. “You,” he said to Laura. “You’re coming with me.”
Lucas began to protest. Laura was confused. “This is between us,” said Will. He looked at her. “Please,” he said.
Exhaustion from the little bit of sleep from the night before and the flight were catching up with her, but a discussion between them was long overdue. There was so much unresolved between them. She rose and instinctively scanned the room for her coat.
Will knew. “It’s ninety-one degrees outside. I don’t think you’ll need it. But bring your sunglasses.” His voice was void of any warmth. He too was tired.
Laura followed him down the flight of stairs
to the front door. The sun was glaring. She had to look at the green shrubbery and not at the walk, which was of light sandstone, because everywhere she looked bounced sunlight into her face.
“A little while out here and you’ll get some real color on top of your fake color. She did a good job, though,” he said of her spray on tan. Those were the closest things to kind words she thought she was going to get from him. Despite his iciness, he took her by the hand and hand in hand, they sprinted across the street. They wound their way to the shore by way of a public set of stairs that ran between two residential lots. The California beach was much different from the Carolina beach. It was bright and vivid and sprawling.
Disciple: Knights Disciples MC Page 18