“Yeah but you can't stalk a woman from a bike.”
Brick glared at him.
King grinned, “so better change the blades.” He pointed to the auto store sign ahead.
Brick pulled into the parking lot. They folded out of his truck and entered the store.
Following Brick down an aisle King asked, “When's the last time you drove that thing anyway? You know, before you became a stalker.”
Brick growled, “Took Rash to rehab.”
King laughed. “Damn, no wonder. That's been years ago.”
The rain slowed to a light drizzle as Brick and King stood by the truck replacing the wipers.
Two younger men maybe in their twenties came out of the store to the truck next to them. The driver whistled. “Get a load of that ass! Get in let’s pull over there. May get lucky.”
His friend laughed. “Hell yeah. I could do that.”
“Cocky little shits,” remarked King.
“Awe, hell!” exclaimed Brick.
He stared across the road at the service station to the only woman at the gas pumps. He rounded the truck in a flash, grabbed the first boy by the throat and shoved him into the truck as he yanked opened the door.
“Leave,” he demanded, “Don’t look. Don’t talk.” He leaned in nose to nose. “Touch her and I kill you.”
He slammed the door and jogged across the road.
He reached behind the woman and put his hand on the pump pushing her aside.
“Get in the car,” he growled next to her ear.
Nealy knew that voice. She spun and tilted her head back.
“Get…In…The…Car.”
She climbed in the car.
He filled the tank, returned the hose, and stepped to the car window.
“Thank you,” she smiled.
“What's that?” he nodded toward her.
She looked around, “What?”
“That get up.”
“What’s wrong with my yoga outfit? I think it's cute.”
“No,” he barked.
“It’s not cute?”
He shook his head still leaning on the door.
“Oh.” Her lips tight.
“Tempting. Not for public.” He turned without another word.
She smiled and watched in her mirror as he crossed the street.
King leaned on the hood with his elbows and a huge grin.
“Get in,” Brick barked and held a palm out to him. “Don’t say it.”
At that King laughed out loud.
They followed Nealy to the yoga studio and waited as she entered the building.
She stopped at the door, turned and waved to him. Opened the door and went in.
She knew she would see him again. Soon.
Chapter Eight
Nealy pulled up to the front of the clubhouse. Late evening she expected to see the place full, but only one truck sat backed to the building near the door. She stepped from her car and circled to the passenger side. Three tin boxes sat on the seat. She opened the door and collected them. Using her hip she pushed the door closed and walked to the entrance. As she was about to push the door, it swung open. Both doors.
She stepped to the side.
“Hey, cupcake,” Nova said as he backed out past her.
He and KO held one end of a pool table. Rash and a Sprocket were on the other end. They loaded one of the two pool tables from the common area into a truck bed and secured it before jumping down from the truck.
“Here,” He took the tins from her. “What do we have here?”
“Icing.” She replied as she grinned up at Nova.
His head tilted to the side.
“Last time you said you wanted icing.”
He laughed. “So I did. And you made extra for Brick to share.”
“This one is his,” she pointed to the top tin, smaller than the others. “I hope I made enough. These are for everyone else.”
He rounded the truck and placed them inside.
She followed.
“We’re working on a project right now. Taking up a lot of time. These will be a welcomed break.”
“Hope y’all enjoy.”
“What’s this?” A face she did not know moved the tins over as he climbed in the truck.
“Brick’s woman brought those.”
“Oh. No,” she quickly corrected. “We’re just friends.”
To that, all four men looked at each other and burst out laughing.
“What?” She whispered.
“Darling, Brick doesn’t have friends,” Nova informed her.
Nova opened the driver's door and turned to face her. “He has family. Us. He protected you and threatened anyone who touched you. That makes you his.”
She stood speechless, mouth open as they all folded in their vehicle.
“Where ya headed cupcake?” The window was down, his elbow on the door as he leaned out waiting for her reply.
“Home.”
“Get in,” He pointed to her car. “We’ll make sure you get there okay.”
They followed her home and stopped in front of her house until she disappeared inside.
His woman. She couldn't shake those words from her mind. The thought of being his woman sent tingles down her body. It sounded natural to her. But the things he said confused her. Not to trust him. He was bad for her. He was such a contradiction. Pushed her away but protected her.
* * *
The guys had worked on the bar for weeks now remodeling and cleaning up. It had become run down and neglected. A place only the roughest would go. Any type of illegal activity could be found there. They knew this to be true because they were part of that activity. That is until the Voodoo Troops took it over. From here forward this business would be clean.
It had been several long weeks. Today they were putting the final touches on it, preparing to open for business soon.
“Everything looks good. Where's the pool table?” King asked as he surveyed the room. “They should be back.”
He turned to Oz, “What ya got?”
“Liquor delivery Tuesday. Meat Thursday.”
He nodded.
“Coke?”
“Coming out Tuesday as well.”
“Items needed,” Ghost held out a list to King.
He scanned it and handed it back.
“Get that to Cowboy.”
“They're here,” announced Mac.
Brick strolled to the door, pulled it open and blocked it to stay. He watched as the truck backed up to the steps.
All four doors opened and out folded Nova, KO, Rash, and Sprocket. They rounded to the back of the truck.
Brick noticed the tins Rash held.
Rash raised them and grinned, “Your friend brought a gift.”
“Damn Brick, you made a friend?” Ghost teased from next to him.
Nova, now unstrapping the pool table from the truck, teased Brick. “I know I don't have friends baking for me.”
“Friends?” Rash passed by Brick.
Brick stepped to the truck and helped pull the pool table off and carry it up the steps into the bar and place it near the right side of the room.
“That's it,” declared King.
Everyone had gathered in the bar now as the pool table was the last job of the day.
“So why does she think y'all are friends Brick?”
“She doesn't understand no,” he replied.
Nova shook his head, “just admit she's yours and be happy.”
“Can't be.”
“She didn't bake all that for us just to have something to do. She did that for you.”
Brick looked at the tins on the bar and shook his head.
“Man, she wants you. And I personally have never seen you look at a woman,” Ghost paused.
Brick turned squinting eyes on Ghost.
“God only knows what she sees, but she sees something past that wall of yours.”
“It's that charismatic personality of his,” Oz joked.
They laughed. Brick closed his eyes and shook his head.
“I don't think she sees very well. I mean, have you looked in the mirror lately? I'm much better looking than you.”
Brick put his arm on Rash's shoulder and pushed.
More laughter.
“Let's eat,” he barked.
Pizza on the bar. Ice chests on the tables. Work was finished. Time to celebrate.
Mac passed beer around. Except for King; he had a Coke.
Nova jumped on the bar and held out his beer. “We have now landed in the realm of legality.” He shouted. “A toast to that landing.” He raised his bottle as did everyone else.
“To the landing,” someone agreed.
“The landing,” others echoed.
The tins they had brought in from Nealy sat on the bar while they ate. Now everyone relaxed with his drink of choice celebrating the job done. Brick opened the tins and passed cupcakes to everyone. Delicious chocolate with buttercream frosting swirled on top. He opened the small one where he saw a note tucked underneath three cupcakes and some peppermint candies. He closed it and made his way to the water’s edge.
He sat leaned against a tree when King approached and sat on his heels beside him, arms resting on his knees.
Brick opened the box and handed him a cupcake and took one for himself then placed the tin on the ground next to him. They ate in silence.
He pulled out the paper and flipped it open. It simply said; Always my protector.
He dropped his head against the tree and closed his eyes. His arms were on his raised knees hands hanging with the paper in his right.
“You alright?”
He didn't answer. He reached out handing the note over.
King read it and handed it back.
“And?”
“She thinks I’m some fucking prince charming.”
“If that’s what she needs that’s what you will be.”
“That's not me.”
“I can see how you feel. Hell, we all saw it the day you stood up for her. Like it or not, she became yours that day. Stop fighting it.”
“Listen man, she knows the worst about you and still bakes you cupcakes and leaves notes. She's still here. Don’t push that away. There's something special there. I lost mine by being an ass. Don’t do the same.”
He paused making sure Brick was taking it in.
“Take her out. Talk. Get to know more about each other. You made your choice. Now you let her make hers. You will be a lot happier than staying in the shadows guarding.”
Brick let out a deep sigh and nodded once.
King stood and turned to leave.
“Hey, good you're back.”
“It’s good to be back,” he grinned lifting his coke in a salute then disappeared into the darkness.
* * *
The weekend arrived. Edna’s boyfriend was out of town so Nealy invited her over for a girl’s night. Company was a rare occasion for Nealy. So, they made the most of it. Pizza, movies, and girl talk.
“So, when’s the big day?” asked Nealy. “Details. I want to hear it all.”
The week before, Marcel surprised Edna with a dinner at the Brick House. And a proposal.
Edna admired her ring.
“It was more magical than I ever imagined it would be. The whole place is amazing. But the section near the back is so romantic. We were on one of those landings just down from the main building. Very private. After dark with all the lights, it was like stars in the trees.”
She sighed with the memory and continued, “When the waiter brought dessert down, there were three covered trays. He sat one to the side. When he opened it, there was my ring. Marcel came around the table, knelt down, and proposed!” she squealed.
“I am so excited for you,” Nealy said as she set the pizza box on the coffee table.
Edna circled the coffee table and set two glasses on coasters and joined Nealy on the sofa.
“Have you picked a date?”
“I'm thinking next spring. Girl you know I need time to plan and change my mind a dozen times,” she laughed.
“That's less than a year.”
“We even discussed having a destination wedding.”
“How wonderful.”
“Both of our families live away,” she shrugged. “They have to travel anyway. So why not travel to some amazing place?”
“Sounds perfect. They leave and you're on your honeymoon. Where you thinking?”
“Depends on exact date,” she paused. “Or, maybe the date depends on the place. Anyway, I've always wanted to see snow-covered mountains. Or.... beach weddings are always pretty.” She sighed. “Marcel is such a western nut it could always be some western place.” Edna laughed, “I can't decide.”
“Anywhere you choose will be fabulous. What matters is you two beginning your new lives together.”
“Think you could swing a trip like that?”
“Of course I'll be there,” Nealy assured her. “No way am I missing my best friend getting married.”
They planned and dreamed of wedding ideas all evening. After the movie Edna helped tidy up the kitchen.
Nealy followed her to the door. She pulled the door open and stepped out. Kitchen tins sat on the steps. The same ones she left at the clubhouse.
She picked them up and looked around but saw no one and never heard a motorcycle. She exchanged good nights with Edna and watched as she got in her car and drove away. Then Nealy went inside and locked up.
She didn’t notice the vehicle down the road. Watching.
* * *
Work was work, no excitement. Never anything new. Some days that was good; others made for a long day. Today seemed to drag out. It was a small bank branch about half the size of her home. It consisted of a lobby with a teller booth in front of a drive-thru window. To the right a receptionist desk and restroom and tiny break room. To the left was an office for the manager and the safe. There were two or three tellers there at a time. The third teller, who only worked part time, was an older lady, Mrs. Lipscomb. She was friendly but not talkative. The receptionist, Taylor, was maybe twenty-three. She answered and directed calls and helped when she could. And always studied. She worked during the day and took classes at night for fashion design and business. She designed and sewed many of her clothes. She was talented and very bold, judging by the designs she wore: bright and sometimes flashy. The manager was also friendly but kept to herself. Mrs. Tedditon had been in banking for many years; always dressed in business suits with her gray hair perfectly coiled on her head.
Nealy dressed professionally but also comfortably for work. Today she wore a slim cut dress that stopped just above the knee. It was a jersey knit and easy fitting but also work appropriate. Knee high black boots and a multi-color sweater completed her outfit. The thermostat was controlled by the manager who kept the bank colder than Nealy liked. Even during summer months, she would wear something to keep her warm.
It was the end of the day. Mrs. Tedditon locked the door and followed everyone to the parking lot.
A motorcycle started up and pulled from beside Nealy’s car to the front of the building and stopped in front of her.
Brick shut off the engine and held out a helmet.
“Hop on.”
“But I’m…,” she trailed off looking down at her dress.
“Perfect,” he finished for her. “You’re perfect. Takin' you out.”
Edna grinned and shoulder bumped Nealy. “Have fun. See ya tomorrow,” and she continued to her car.
Taylor sauntered around Nealy to the bike. She put her hand on the handlebars. “Hey there. I could go for a ride if you’re looking for a date,” She purred.
He reached up and gently removed her hand from his bike and replied, “Got one.”
Her mouth fell open. “Surely you...,” she began but was cut off by Brick's glare. She stared as Brick reached up with the helmet and fastened it on Nealy.
“Hmph.” Taylor stormed
to her car.
Nealy pulled her sweater tight and straddled the seat behind him. He took her arms and pulled them around him tighter. The bike roared to life and they disappeared down the road.
Chapter Nine
Nealy's first experience on a motorcycle was breathtaking. Fresh air blowing through her hair. Blue skies dotted with cotton white clouds. Smells and sounds she had never experienced while driving in her car were amazing. Even the trees seemed greener than normal. The best part though was being wrapped around the strong hard body in front of her.
Twenty minutes into the ride they turned onto a long drive lined by beautiful shade trees on each side. A large brick and log building stood at the end with a circle drive and parking lot to the left. To the right was a small lot under a roof and walkway adjoining it to the building.
Brick pulled to a stop under the roof and dismounted. He helped her off and took her helmet, then fastened the strap and hung it from the handlebar grip just as he had done his.
She spun, admiring the view. In the center of the circle drive stood a white sign with scrolled letters. The Brick House.
“This is way too much.”
“Don't like it?”
“It’s beautiful. And I hear it’s so elegant. I’m not dressed for somewhere like this. I don’t need anything this special.”
“Ever been here?”
Quickly she shook her head.
“Settled,” he held his arm out for her to take. “Need to try it. I hear it’s one of the best places around. And you,” his gaze caressed her body as he grinned, “like I said, perfect.”
She blushed and looped her arm in his.
He pulled her arm close and squinted down at her. “Me?” He never cared how people viewed him. But her opinion mattered to him. Not that he would change. Because he wouldn’t. He also didn't believe she judged people by appearance. Her answer would say a lot.
“No, no,” she immediately responded. “You look great. I like how you look. I would never change a thing about you.”
He continued to the door. “This place, no riff raff. No judgment. Pleasant and private.”
He opened the door to a short foyer with two plush benches on one side. A hostess stood at the end behind a podium, with entryways on each side of her. She smiled as they approached.
“Mr. Jackson, your room is ready. Luke will escort you.”
Brick Solid (Voodoo Troops MC Book 1) Page 6