Steal Me (Haunted Roads Book 1)

by India R. Adams

  Delilah whispered, “Jerry,” looking worried. I hoped she wouldn’t learn just how capable of handling my own I was.

  Tucker pointed to his sister. “Not fair for you to tie up Mav’s balls and ask him not to protect himself.”

  Delilah looked as though she was going to say something, but all of a sudden, the front door slammed. “What up, boys and girls?”

  “Aunt Viola!” Bailey shouted.

  Tucker became extremely focused on the kitchen’s entrance. I was confused about what Viola was doing there, but it was cleared up when she walked in and kissed Diesel’s cheek. He smiled at her. “Hey, baby girl. There’s stew in the fridge. You’re late.”

  “Sorry, big bro.”

  Viola walked to Tucker, feet faltering as she glanced at his bare chest, then kissed his cheek. He tried to act nonchalant about it, but he had his fists clenched so tight I believed circulation had ceased. After kissing Delilah’s cheek, Viola opened her arms for an anxious Bailey. While holding her, Viola went to the fridge and opened it. She asked Diesel, “What do you think of Maverick here?”

  “Mavowick’s my big brother.”

  Viola kissed Bailey then handed her an apple. “I know. You’re a lucky, lucky girl!”

  Bailey took a bite of the apple and spoke with a mouthful. “Dat’s wha my mommy says.”

  I looked at Viola quizzically. “You live here?”

  She pulled out a bowl covered in tinfoil, something I would never have pictured a rough biker preparing for his little sister. She unwrapped the foil and stuck the bowl in the microwave. “That’s what my license says.”

  And then, I had to ask that dreaded question. “When?”

  Viola’s eyes met mine in understanding as she solemnly answered, “Ten years ago. Plane crash. Diesel was already grown and took me in.”

  As if sensing Viola’s pain, Bailey reached out for Delilah to take her back. Once returned to her favorite arms, Bailey leaned her head on Delilah’s shoulder and continued eating her apple. Delilah rocked my sister, and it warmed my heart to the same temperature as the sun.

  Viola’s mature side made so much more sense after hearing her story. Both parents passed in the accident, so her brother sold their house and put the money in a college fund. I thought about what Tuck had said about Diesel’s investments and was sure Diesel was behaving wisely with whatever compensation money they’d received from the airline. It was weird to be experienced in the department of lawsuits and settlements.

  Viola looked sad, so I apologized. “I’m sorry I asked you to talk about it.”

  She waved her hand, dismissing my apology, while she ate her stew. “No, it’s not that. I’ve come to terms with my parents’ deaths. Diesel and I have had many talks about the subject… good talks, but I get sad when I think of what he had to give up for me.”

  “V, she was a b—a crazy person. You did me a favor,” Diesel said to her, not missing a beat with his work on Tucker’s skin.

  Viola’s brows furrowed at her brother’s unlikely restraint. Delilah said, “Replacing cuss words,” pointing to Bailey on her hip. Viola smiled and waved to Bailey.

  Tucker, witnessing my confusion, said, “Diesel was married when this all went down. He was in court fighting for Viola because an aunt wanted her and was claiming Diesel’s biker lifestyle was inappropriate.”

  “Another b—” Diesel eyed Bailey. “Another coo-coo person who would have ruined V.”

  “Diesel won but lost his old lady,” Tucker added.

  My jaw dropped. “What?”

  Tucker was just as astonished. “I know. I know. She didn’t want kids, made him choose.”

  “So I did.” Diesel laughed, clearly not regretting his decision.

  I took a deep breath, understanding why I was there and appreciated for what I was—a big brother who would die for his little sister, just like Tucker and Diesel.

  Six beers in, I asked, “Isn’t alcohol a bad thing for tattoos?” Ink was taking recognizable shape on Tucker’s arm.

  “Thins your blood and all that sh—er, stuff?” Diesel said.

  I nodded.

  He smiled. “Yep. Want another?”

  I nodded and grabbed another cold one from the fridge.

  “You won’t die. Promise. Ask any Vegas victim,” Diesel assured me.

  Once Diesel finished with Tucker’s tattoo, he pulled out a bottle of tequila. “Let’s celebrate!”

  I was plenty buzzed by that point and all for celebrating until it dawned on me: I’m next! “Hey, Diesel, maybe the tequila drinkin’ should happen after I receive my tattoo?”

  His big paw shook my shoulder. “Wonderin’ if you were paying attention.”

  As I started to take my shirt off, Viola cheered. “Now the party is getting started.”

  “Hey!” Tucker pointed to his impressive bare chest.

  Diesel’s rendition of Bailey’s name was breathtaking. The script perfectly balanced femininity and male emotion. It was clearly not a girly tattoo, but I was about to screw that up. Thinking of the day I saw Bailey in that field, I asked Diesel to include a butterfly.

  “You want a butterfly on your male skin?” Diesel asked in dismay.

  Delilah gasped. “That day… free.”

  I nodded.

  Diesel shook his head, grabbing his black pen. “I see I’m not pulling you from the dark side, so at least let me make the butterfly blue.”

  Once the gun fired up and Diesel started poking me, I winced. It felt a little like a doctor had gone mad and was attacking me with his shot needle—rapidly, over and over. Delilah tenderly touched my face. “Want another beer?” I nodded, my breathlessness no longer from the needle.

  Tucker bitched, “What the hell! Why does Maverick get all this attention?”

  Viola laughed, handing him a beer. “Shut up and drink. And yes, I’m very aware you are shirtless.”

  Tucker sounded like a spoiled brat finally getting his way. “Thank you.”

  Delilah smiled at me so tenderly. “Here, one for you.”

  I needed a distraction from her beauty and the needles jabbing my arm. “Okay, I’m ready to hear about June.”

  Tucker chuckled, looking at his bandaged arm. “You are, huh? Hmm, June. Where to begin?”

  Delilah snorted, so I said, “Oh, there’s a story there.”

  Tucker’s alcohol consumption was making his words come easily. “June is a girl from college who needed help… I stepped into a boyfriend role to help her see.”

  Huh? “See what?”

  Viola looked at the countertop of the island, deep in thought.

  “Exactly,” Delilah said, leading Bailey to me. “Kiss your brother goodnight.”

  I stopped quizzing Tucker so I could get the best kiss in the world. “Love you, Peanut.”

  “Wuv you. Show me yo tattoo tomowow. My eyes are too tiwred tonight.” Her worsening impediment told me how tired she really was and how right Delilah was to lay her down.

  Diesel kept working on me as Delilah carried Bailey to a couch in the connecting living room. He said, “I want one of those,” referring to Bailey.

  Delilah covered Bailey with a blanket and headed back to us. Staring at her sexy strut, I mumbled, “I want one of those.” Viola spit out her Coke. My eyes bulged out of my head. “Shit! Did I just say that out loud?” Viola kept nodding and laughing, wiping her mouth.

  Tucker jumped up, laughing and screaming, “I knew it!” He was high fiving Viola as if they had been all over this discussion before.

  “Tucker!” Delilah scowled at him and pointed to Bailey. Delilah clearly had not heard me.Tucker did a funny dance, singing, “I know something you don’t know.”

  Delilah watched her over-the-top, manly brother dance around the kitchen like a fairy with his hand over his mouth. “Diesel, did you put drugs in my brother’s ink?”

  “Only drug around here is the love drug.” Diesel’s words only got Tucker more fired up. My drunken ass couldn’t believe Tucker was
happy for this. Are Delilah and I fooling anyone?

  I’d never seen Tucker so lively before. Tequila was quite a ride. Working his gun, Diesel told me, “Just for the record, I don’t blame you.” Delilah was now watching us all, trying to figure out what the hell was going on.

  I changed the subject. “So, back to June. Make her see what?”

  Tucker stopped dancing abruptly and lost his smile. A weight consumed his body in the blink of an eye. I felt guilty for bringing June back up, but I had thought he liked her. Tucker sat down heavily in his chair. “June’s a good girl.”

  “But… you're not in love with her?” I asked.

  “I love her, but no, nor do I want to be in love with anyone.”

  I caught Viola looking at the counter again.

  Tucker inhaled deeply, as though suffocating from weight. “June needs to know she’s worthy. I’m simply respecting her like she deserves, hoping it becomes more of a habit for her, so when she meets the one she really wants, she’ll recognize someone treatin’ her right.”

  I thought of the night I’d met everyone, that little thing who’d been propped on his knee, and how gentle he was with her. Admiring his efforts didn’t prevent my curiosity or concern. “Do you feel like you’re missing out?”

  “I’m not going without sex, if that’s what you mean. Lessons of being respected in the bedroom need to be learned as well.”

  “Preach on!” Viola cheerfully hollered, but she lacked a convincing smile.

  “Like Bryce has anything to teach you,” said her brother.

  Viola lifted her chin, defending her man. “Bryce is a great guy.”

  “Too pansy-like. Can’t handle you,” Diesel complained. “You should be with someone like Tucker—man enough to handle your wicked, wicked ways.”

  Tucker grinned, looking intrigued. Tequila was keeping him from hiding his positive reaction to the challenge.

  “Bryce may not be big and manly—such as you three—but that doesn’t mean he is not good to me. And Bryce is very good in bed—”

  “If—when June sleeps with another,” Tucker interrupted, “she will know right away if he is going to ask for more than what she wants to offer, and hopefully she’ll get the hell out if he is.”

  Vixen stomped to the sink, mumbling about a goose and gander… and poured out her coke.

  Delilah was watching her brother, not V. “Tucker should be with someone he really cares for and stop wasting his time.”

  Tucker eyeballed his sister with judgment. “You’re going to give this lecture to me?”

  Her gaze found mine. I couldn’t help but wonder what had changed. Why is Tucker giving her little pushes to move forward? It was an awkward moment, and I couldn’t have Delilah uncomfortable at my expense. “Tucker, why is June not here tonight?”

  Diesel chuckled but said nothing. Tucker’s expression deadpanned. “Because I’m getting a tattoo of my sister and not her.”

  “What?” Apparently, Delilah and Viola had not heard that part either.

  Tucker let June’s apparent fit roll off his back. “She’ll get over it. The only problem with the whole situation is now June is asking questions about our future. She’s no longer going with the flow. Maybe this is a good thing, though. Maybe she’s ready to be set free. She’s much stronger than when I first took up with her.”

  Viola cracked open a beer and guzzled it. I guess Coke wasn’t doing it for her.

  “You make June sound like an apartment you’re leasing. Where’s the romance?” Delilah asked.

  Tucker looked haunted. “There’s no romance in a story of abuse, baby.”

  Delilah went still. Her eyes were knowing. My instinct alarm went off.

  Tucker said to his sister, “You know I’m not one to share someone else’s story, but I ask that you ease off the girl who has a story that would bring you to your f—your crazy knees.”

  Delilah’s hand went to her chest. “I’m sorry, Tucker. I know you and should’ve known you always have a reason behind your actions. Shit, you probably have something steaming in your head about tonight—” She suddenly went stiff, then mumbled, “Shit.”

  “Don’t you mean crazy?” Diesel teased.

  A couple hours and many beers later, my first tattoo was completed. It was more than I could have hoped for and much more beautiful than I expected. Of course, us men found that reason to celebrate even more. Now that Diesel was finished, he, Tucker, and I proceeded to get pol-lu-ted!

  I stood and stretched my arms, showing my bare chest. “Now I want Delilah’s name.” I pointed. “Right here over my heart.”

  She gasped.

  Viola squealed, and Tucker spit out his beer. He was just as drunk as I. He stumbled over to me and slurred, “Isn’t that bad luck or something? A relationship doomsday?”

  I was thankful Bailey was sleeping because a drunk Diesel busted out with, “Oh, that’s for pussies! If you love her, get it inked.”

  We all burst out laughing as poor, sober Delilah buried her face in her palms.

  Chapter Seven

  “How’s your tat? Need me to re-dress it?”

  I was more than capable, which Delilah was aware of, but any excuse to have her near or touching me was taken full advantage of. “Sure.”

  Seeing her reach into her locker and pull out items for just me—no one else—was rewarding. Taking constant care of Bailey made me forget about myself sometimes. I watched Delilah’s slender fingers rub ointment into my skin, and it shut out the racket of surrounding students and had me wishing I had gotten a tattoo all over my body. As she wrapped a fresh bandage around my bicep, I loved how she made sure the tape was sticking properly by smoothing her fingers repeatedly over my arm. I could have stood there all day with that action alone.

  Something was different with Delilah and me. In the school hallways, we were standing closer to one another through conversations with friends as if nothing unusual was happening between us. At lunch, our two chairs were closer than anyone else’s. She constantly had something to pick off my shirt, and I was always fumbling for permission to touch her, which she was eagerly giving. The unspoken tension between us was getting thicker.

  “Maverick, how do you do it?” Jazebelle asked me at our lunch table. “Hailey is home sick again. Bailey never gets sick. What’s your secret?”

  “No sodas. Lots of water. And my secret is… vegetable juicing.”

  “Yuck!”

  “No! It’s good! Throw in some fruit on top of eighty percent veggies. She’ll never taste the spinach or green veggies, and I don’t have to miss school when Bailey isn’t catching every bug her school has to offer.”

  “What up, Betty Crocker,” teased Cole.

  Delilah wasn’t listening to us. She seemed distracted and wound a little tight. “Umm, well, I better get to class.” She rose from her chair.

  I stood. “I’ll walk you.” I was hoping no one caught how eager I sounded.

  No such luck.

  “I’m your friend. Wanna walk me?” Cole leapt out of his chair—he was in reaching distance from my fist.

  Walking with Delilah, I asked, “You okay?”

  “Y-yeah, umm, yes… I’m fine.”

  I thought maybe I had done something wrong, but then she suddenly embraced me. My arms went around her without needing to ask if that was what I wanted them to do. Her touch spoke volumes. I inhaled and smelled shampoo and soap. Damn, girls are so clean and lickable. Sadly, her arms eventually released, so I had to follow. Delilah stood in front of me, so close I could almost hear and feel her heart beat. Mine began to pound, sensing she might be ready to take another step. Don’t push her, Maverick.

  It was becoming more and more difficult to keep my word and treat her as only a friend.

  “Umm, how’s you arm?”

  “What arm?”

  She laughed and smacked me right on my wounded arm. I yelped like a little bitch.

  “Oh my God! I can’t believe I just did that! Maverick, are
you okay?” Delilah was rubbing my back. Chills broke out all over my body, causing me to ignore my throbbing bicep. But yes, I decided to climb aboard the pity train. “Maybe if you walk me to class, still massaging me, I might be okay.”

  “Are you using me, Mavy?” We started walking as she continued to touch me.

  “Absolutely. Please don’t stop.” I curled my back like a cat wanting more.

  I had just put Bailey to bed and was minding my own damn business when I got a suspicious text. It was from Hu: Look out your window

  Lying in bed, doing homework, I texted: Why?

  Someone wants to serenade you

  Wondering what the hell the fool was up to, I walked to the window and got an eyeful of Cole’s naked ass. The fucker was bent over, showing me the horrid view of his hairy… oh God! It was awful. Cole was laughing and pulling up his drawers when I opened my window to whisper—in horror—“What the fuck?”

  Houston could barely stand in my front yard, holding his cell—he was laughing so hard, pointing to my window. “Your face was priceless, dude.”

  “Well, the view from up here was a clear shot to Never Never Land.” My body shuddered.

  Hu started looking around and noticed my scaffolding and construction materials. “What the hell you got going here?”

  I looked down at my mess of paint buckets and such. “Repairs.”

  “Come on. Were going out.” Cole was waving for me to follow. “No talk of work.”

  “Na, got homework,” I explained.

  Cole looked at Hu in dismay. “Did I not just say no talk of work?”

  “Steroids must have ate his brain, dude.”

  I rolled my eyes. I never touched the shit.

  Cole had so much etiquette in his ways of communication. “It’s Friday, you moron. Let’s go!”

  “I don’t think so—”

  Cole pointed to the car behind his truck. Delilah smiled and waved.

  My heart stopped. “I’ll be right down.”

  Hu chuckled. “That’s what we thought.”

  Quickly, I ripped off my shirt, getting ready to replace it with a fresh one. When I heard females screaming, I turned around and saw Viola and Jaz hooting and hollering out the car window. Viola yelled, “Take it all off.” Delilah hid her face in embarrassment.