“Christ.” Doug closes his eyes for a second, then looks at both of us. “We’re all going to be calm and fantastic. This is a welcome home party for Dolly, remember?” He looks at Cindy who rolls her eyes.
“Second. No one is hiding.”
Doug grabs my arm and walks me into the bedroom, sighing as he looks at me.
“Look, they’re men, Antoinette. They think they’re gods but they’re not, and I’ve seen firsthand how my girls bring those bikers down.”
He grins. “But don’t do what Eve or Dolly did…” He takes another sip and hands the bottle to me.
“What did they do?” I take a huge sip, needing the liquid courage, and instantly choke.
“Oh my God, is this gasoline? My mouth and chest are burning.” I wheeze and glance around for water.
He calmly walks to the refrigerator, grabs a bottled water, and dumps it into my hand.
“Eve got pregnant and Dolly stabbed Edge.” With that, he walks back into the bathroom to help Cindy.
ANTOINETTE
I sit down on the edge of the bed. What is going on? Everything was perfect last night and this morning, yet now I’m not so sure about anything, including Axel.
“Okay, let’s do this. Eve and Dolly are here, and the party is starting.” Doug comes out looking at his phone.
Cindy walks out like Barbie herself. Her hair is back to being perfect and her coloring appears somewhat normal.
“I have to be honest,” I say. “No one will miss me today.”
Music infiltrates the bedroom. I can’t make out the song, but the beat is making the pictures on the wall vibrate.
“Um, no. Dolly is already asking for you. See, we all need the woman who has stolen Axel’s heart and moved into his room.” He grabs my hand, pulling me up.
“To be honest, he did it to help me. It’s not like he wanted me to move into his room.” Both of them are staring at me like I’m crazy. Rolling my eyes, I continue. “What I’m saying is… it’s not like were dating.”
“Jesus, Antoinette, let’s go.” Doug swings the door open.
I bite my lower lip suddenly wanting to be anywhere but walking down the stairs heading toward God only knows what.
“Can I have another sip, please?” I whisper.
“Small one. And no, Cindy, you have to drink water.” He hands me the tequila. This time it goes down easier, still burning, but at least I don’t feel like a fire-breathing dragon.
Downstairs, the scene is crazy, and the number of bikers is staggering. In the game room, people are packed close together, drinking and smoking. The snap of the pool tables and dinging of video games echo in the background along with some song by Ozzy Osbourne.
It’s like the clubhouse has come alive, not only with Disciples but with tattooed women of every size, wearing tons of makeup and bikinis or short dresses.
“Am I being paranoid or is everybody looking at us?” I say into Doug’s ear as my eyes scan the room. “How many Disciples are there?”
“Probably three hundred, maybe more,” Cindy says. She must have overheard me, but her real focus is elsewhere, her eyes locked on someone in the crowd.
“For the love God, don’t do it.” Doug jerks her forward as we go out the front door.
“I need to have it out with him. I need to tell him exactly what—”
Ryder, who was in the corner with a woman, walks over to us as I mold myself into Doug’s back.
“Antoinette.” I jump at his stern voice. “Axel’s still with Blade and Poet. So, stay with Doug.” His eyes bore into me as he takes in my dress and gives me a nod of approval. I almost laugh because I look absurd, like I’m a solo wallflower surrounded by a massive amount of poison ivy.
“Let’s go,” he says, grabbing Cindy’s arm. My mouth opens to say something, but nothing comes out as I watch Cindy willingly go with him.
“Oh God.” I blink in shock at their retreating backs. “What do we do, Doug?”
“Nothing.” He takes a swig from the bottle. “She’s been dying to fuck Ryder for weeks. All we can do is be there for her.”
“She said she hated him.” I grab the bottle for another sip, feeling much more relaxed. Doug snorts and pulls me around a large group of biker wives. At least that’s what I’m assuming since they’re all wearing vests saying “Property of.”
The sun beats down with not a cloud in the sky as we make our way toward Eve and a tiny dark-haired woman wearing bright red lipstick and red flats.
“I need sunglasses,” I hiss as he drags me forward.
This has to be Dolly, and next to her is a tall, redheaded god. He’s striking. With his arm hanging casually around her shoulders, he laughs at something Rip said.
Dolly laughs with Eve, then screams when she sees me with Doug. I cling to Doug—it’s as though I’m about to be introduced to the queen, what with all the fuss they’ve made about Edge and Dolly.
Don’t do what Eve and Dolly did. It rings in my head as we stop in front of her.
Dolly looks me up and down and her eyes mist with tears as she almost claps but puts her hands to her lips as if she’s praying.
“Baby doll.” Doug laughs as he lets me go and grabs her. “Look at you. I missed you.” Edge frowns then goes back to laughing with Rip.
“Holy fuckety fuck.” She grips Doug’s T-shirt and stares at me wide-eyed.
“I told you.” Eve beams at me like I’m some kind of mythical creature.
“I just… Oh my God. Edge—” She reaches for his hand and stays in Doug’s arms. “Rip, be quiet.”
She pulls back to karate chop her way into their conversation. Edge’s lips twitch as he gives her his full attention.
“This. Is Axel’s.” She points at me. And I want to slink backward. Instead, I plaster on a smile and hold my head high.
Edge turns to me. His eyes are blue, but not like Axel’s sapphire blue. Edge has turquoise eyes and they’re definitely intimidating, which is stupid. They all are, but Edge seems to have an anger that the others don’t. He stares at me and smiles.
“There is a God and he sent us Antoinette.” He looks me up and down, but it’s not sexual, more like an approving father kind of way. “I’ve been waiting for you for years. You’ve no idea.” And I swear to God, he looks like he wants to lift me on his shoulders. I smile back, but sheesh, all his buddies seem so happy that Axel has me.
“It’s nice to meet you both.”
“If you need anything, you let me or Dolly know,” Edge says.
Dolly gives me the once-over, causing me to flush even more. Still, I hold my head high.
Thankfully Doug takes pity on me. “Let’s all go for a swim before it’s not sanitary.”
“I have to sit. My feet are swelling,” Dolly informs Edge who looks a little lost.
“Wait, you okay?” His eyes caress her face.
“She’s doing great, Edge. Just pregnant,” Eve says.
Edge frowns but stays focused on Dolly. “If you’re tired, maybe we should go—”
“I’m fine.” She laughs. “We’ll be at the pool.”
“Just take it easy, babe.” He kisses her so tenderly it’s strange that a man that rugged can be so gentle.
Doug’s phone rings as soon as he sinks into a cushioned chair under the umbrella. Dewey walks up, sweating, his face red.
I have a soft spot for him. He’s one of the sweetest guys. He adores Eve and is basically the manny to James Dean and Nicole.
Since Axel’s been gone, I’ve started having coffee with him before I go to work. Sometimes he drops me off.
“Eve, I need to talk to you.” He looks at me. “Hey, Antoinette.”
“You okay, Dewey?” Eve’s face instantly softens as she takes his arm, trying to move him to a corner of the gated pool area.
“That new girl, Memphis, is trying to be a nanny. Have we checked her out completely?” He wipes sweat from his brow with his hand.
“We’ll… it’s Donna and Bear’s daughte
r. Dewey, you grew up with her. Is she doing something wrong? Because she’s meant to help you.”
“I guess she’s fine. But I need her to know I’m in charge.” He starts to pace, but it’s crowded so he’s only able to take a few steps while trying to avoid some bikers who are laughing and drinking.
“Well, I’m sure she does. And I’ll tell her later on. Now come on, Dewey, it’s Dolly’s welcome home party. Sit and enjoy yourself.”
He nods. “I should go check on them. I’ll be right back.” He takes off, his large, muscled body weaving in and out of the crowd as a few other bikers bring out the grills.
“He’s so wonderful.” I look at Eve who watches him with a small smile.
“He truly is my sweet Dewey. I tried to get him help, and I think I created more anxiety for him.” She sighs and sits down next to Dolly and Doug who’s smoking and laughing on the phone.
“Grab a lounge chair,” she says. I glance around for an empty lounger or anything to sit on, but all of them are occupied by heavily tattooed women. Eve and Dolly are laughing and I stand next to them as the sun beats down on me, wondering how I could not have put on sunscreen. I’ve already started to burn.
“My ladies.” Rip comes over with what looks like a pitcher full of margaritas.
“God.” Dolly throws back her head to rest on the pillow. “I’d kill for a margarita.”
Rip pours a plastic cup and hands it to Eve.
“My Queen.”
“Thank God, I’m not pregnant. Keep them coming.” She looks at Dolly. “Sorry. Remember, it’s almost over.”
Dolly’s eyes are huge. “No, it’s not. I’m not even six months yet.”
“I’m trying to be positive,” Eve says. After taking a sip, she moans. “God, so good.”
Doug motions for Rip to give him one, lowering the phone to say, “I’m not pregnant either.”
Rip laughs and dumps a cup into Doug’s hand so he can pour the frosty margarita into it. “What about you, my goddess?” He winks at me. “Oh babe, you need to get under the umbrella. You’re pink. Did you put on sunscreen?”
“I didn’t and I can feel it already. Maybe I should go upstairs.”
Eve and Dolly stare at me. “Stop it! Dougie, give Antoinette your chair and spray her.” Dolly slaps Doug who stands, motioning for me to sit, a huge frown on his face.
“That’s a good idea.” I lift my dress and toss it onto the glass table waiting for the cool spray.
“Oh shit.” Rip eyes me. “Yeah, you should put your dress back on.”
“I don’t understand.” I look over at Eve who’s in a bikini. Aside from Doug, everyone is half-dressed, even Rip. What the heck?
“Trust me,” he says. “I don’t want to deal with this today.”
Doug hangs up the phone and grabs the Coppertone from the glass lounge table. “What’s the problem?” He looks at Rip.
“This.” He points the margarita pitcher at me, and I swear to God, I hear snickering. “Just put your dress back on, Antoinette. Axel will be out soon, and if he says it’s okay…”
“Hold on.” I turn to him. My skin truly is on fire. I’m two seconds from pouring the margarita pitcher all over me. “Axel, has to give me permission? That’s absurd.” This time I do hear full-on mumbling about how I won’t last, don’t fit in. The usual.
Eve stands up. “She’s perfect.” As she raises a brow at Rip, Dolly tries to heave herself up, but Eve stops her with her hand.
“Eve, please. I know Axel—”
“This is my party, for Dolly and me, and I say she looks magnificent. I only wish I had her body,” she snips.
I look at her. Eve has a perfect body. Thin, with curves, naturally great boobs, and long legs. But I love her for trying to make me feel good. Also, she’s the first woman besides Cindy to stick up for me. I almost want to hug her.
Poor Rip looks over my head at Edge who we all turn to and glare at. He laughs and holds up his hands.
“Fine.” Rip starts drinking straight out of the pitcher causing catcalls and Dolly to scream that he should get out of here.
“Fucking barbarians,” Doug mumbles as he sprays me, and I want to cry at how good it feels already. Eminem pumps through the speakers and I’m about to sit down and enjoy myself when I hear, “Candy?”
I almost forget that’s my stripper name, except Frenchie screams it again.
“What are you doing here?” She stumbles forward in her clear stripper heels and a scrape of a hot pink bikini that barely covers the nipples on her large fake boobs. I almost call Rip over to show him that I look conservative compared to her.
“Hey.” I wave, completely uncomfortable that again, all eyes seem back on me. I shift, but my flip-flops are slippery with the sunscreen that Doug saturated me in.
“I can’t believe you’re here. I mean, how?” She tries to take a sip of her drink but misses the straw. I don’t even get a chance to respond when she leans into me, reeking of alcohol.
“Are you okay?” I hold her up as she laughs.
“I’m gonna fuck Axel. I want his cock.”
“Oh wow.” I glance at Eve who’s talking to Doug, but Dolly hears her and heaves herself up.
“Are you kidding? Go away.” Dolly puts her hands on her hips, looking fierce despite her five-foot height.
Completely horrified, I wonder, Do I even respond? Also, what the hell? Axel is mine… I think.
“Look. I have zero idea what is wrong with you, but I’m pregnant, swollen, and definitely not in the mood for strippers.” Dolly raises her voice. “Do I need to spell it out for you?”
The pool area has stopped to watch. Biting my lip, I touch Dolly’s arm. She’s getting fired up.
“She’s his old lady,” she says through gritted teeth.
“What?” Frenchie screams, then turns to glare at me. “You said you had no interest in him. That he was a killer and I was welcome to him.” She’s kind of slurring her words, but I did say that.
“Frenchie. I had no idea Axel was Axel when you asked.”
“You did.” She sneers and lets out a laugh. “Old lady my ass. I heard he fucked Roxy the other day.”
And everything stops. My mind goes blank. I’ve only had this happen one other time. When I found my parents.
All I hear is my breathing as I focus on her and me. In a flash, she snarls and I react. I’m on the move—I know I should stop, yet I don’t as I push Frenchie into the pool.
There’s a loud splash followed by Dolly’s laughter as she throws an arm around me and hugs me. Everything moves back into focus.
“Don’t fuck with us, bitch,” Dolly yells at her as Edge calmly walks over and scoops her up.
While I simply stand there, everyone is screaming. Some curse; others laugh.
The music is so loud I want to cover my ears. Instead I watch Frenchie sputter, her makeup dripping down her face, her hair making her look like a drowned rat, and still, I do nothing.
“I need to help Frenchie out,” I say more to myself than anyone else.
“Don’t you dare.” Eve stands to my right. “She’s a lying bitch and completely asked for
it. She’s lucky I didn’t have my knife.” I do a double take because holy crap, Eve is a badass.
While Frenchie curses at me, she slaps away a biker’s hand even though he’s trying to help her. Wobbling, she falls back again.
“I’ll kill you. And to think I was nice to you.” She starts coughing as she dog-paddles to the side of the pool.
“What the fuck is going on?” Crystal storms through the small crowd.
“Crystal, this does not involve you,” Eve says abruptly.
“Oh, really?” She looks at me. Her large breasts are somewhat pointy. She wears next to nothing held together by some small red strings.
“Eve, please. Candy is one of us. So, this does involve me.” She lets that drift around. Her smug face bears a nasty smile. “Yeah, I know you can’t believe that your little princess wants t
o strip to make a livin’. But it’s the truth, so instead of all you guys acting so high and mighty, remember that Axel’s old lady is gonna be rubbing her cunt all over anyone who can pay—”
“You’re a vile person,” I scream, ignoring Eve who’s trying to hold me back.
“Oh, please.” She turns to face me, hands on her skinny hips. “I’m you darlin’. Don’t you get it? Give yourself ten more years and you’ll be lucky if you look as good as me after getting passed around. Axel will fuck you, share you, then toss you to his club.”
She sneers and something happens. I snap. My head hurts as my heart pounds so hard that everything is gone and replaced by white noise.
And I do it.
“Never!” I scream, lunging at her. Though I’ve caught her by surprise, she has enough time to latch her nails into my arm. Somewhere in the background, I hear Eve screaming for Blade.
In seconds, the water of the pool smacks me in the face as we go straight down. Crystal’s legs wrap around me. She pulls us down into the deep end. Her hands reach for my hair as I try to turn. But her legs hold me tight.
For the first time in my life, I finally fight back. I’ve had nineteen years of it bottled up and I guess I’ve finally lost it.
I’m sick of everyone thinking I’m weak.
Fuck that.
I reach back and grab the first thing I can and jerk. There’s a snap and my hands toss her top away as her legs loosen up enough for me to turn. My foot goes straight to her face as I kick using her cheek to push away.
I barely get my head above water when I’m being lifted by strong arms. Sapphire eyes take my breath away as he tugs me out of the water. He holds my face as I try to take small gulps.
“Just breathe, baby. I’m right here.” His gravelly voice is soothing and my heart, which was beating out of my chest, starts to steady.
Screaming and crying fill my ears along with Eminem singing about losing yourself.
“She needs to go,” I think I hear Cindy say. Who knows? They could be talking about me. My nails latch onto his arms. I need him.
Ignite (The Disciples Book 4) Page 19