Sinful Duo: Lost Angels MC, page 4
When eight rolls around I am ready to get out of here. Thankfully our replacement shows up not long after. Tank is completely opposite of Echo. Where Echo has no tattoos...at least from what I can see, Tank is covered. He doesn't have any deterring from the beauty of his face, but his neck and what I can see of his collarbone, arms and hands are colored with some form of tattoo. His mohawked hair isn’t gelled so it lays to one side of his head. The front as if it meant to lay perfectly covers one eye makes him look dangerously mysterious. He greets Echo with a smile, and I see something that may be the same mirrored on Echo’s face. They chat for a second before he comes around to our side, and once he does his attention zeros on me.
“Well, who do we have here?” He holds out a hand to me. I expect for him to shake it, but instead, he pulls it up to his lips and kisses it gently. I can feel my cheeks burn slightly.
“I’m Lidia your new partner behind the bar.”
“Oh yeah, well it will be nice to look at something so pretty while I work. It’s a nice change from Echo all the time, that’s for sure.”
Echo scowls but doesn’t say anything, So I step in for him, “In addition to being here to lighten your workload, I’m Echo’s translator. He says to stop being a dick.”
He snorts and smiles back, “Oh does he now?” He raises an eyebrow at me, “What are your credentials?”
“I’ve been around nearly silent brooding men all my life. I don’t know a woman more qualified than me.”
He raises his hands in a show of defeat, “Fair enough.”
As Tank and I fall into conversation, Echo leaves. I’m not sure why it bothers me that Echo is gone, or why I didn’t want to leave Tank. It felt kind of like I’m being pulled in two different directions, which since I’ve never felt a pull in any direction...it scared me a heck of a lot more than it probably should. So with a quick goodbye and farewell with promises that I would see him tomorrow, I take my leave.
When I make it out of the club the music only just a pulsing bass, I bring out my phone and text Ric to let him know to forget about the shopping. We can go tomorrow if we are up for it. Since I don’t get an immediate reply, I shove it into my back pocket and start my walk towards the house.
There is a single headlight that switches on behind me, illuminating my back, letting my shadow reach far in front of me. Gooseflesh appears on my skin though it has nothing to do with the temperature of the air. As the bike growls to life, I jump and my pace quickens. Sweat beads on my brow with the hustle of my body as well as the fear that surrounds me. Did someone tip Axel off? Or maybe someone else from the Scavengers? I didn’t recognize anyone in the club tonight that would have talked, but that means nothing. There could be ties that I don’t know of. Shit. I’m an idiot. What made me think that I could come out so early and live a somewhat functional life? The cycle behind me revs as it starts to speed up and my body goes stiff. I don’t breathe until it pulls up beside me and a familiar face peers at me through the dark. Exhaling in relief I reach out to smack him on the arm, but he easily catches it.
That stupid eyebrow arches as it’s been doing all night, and now that my adrenaline is leaving my body, I want to simultaneously kiss it and smack it off his face, “You scared the shit out of me!” I wheeze out.
He doesn’t look apologetic, in fact, it seems like he’s going to disregard the statement altogether, “Ride?”
I shake my head, and jerk my hand out of his grasp, “No.” I stomp off unnecessarily. Out of the corner of my eye I see him shrug. He speeds off shortly after. I swear as I make my way back to the little white house, I notice a bike going in and out of my hearing.
Chapter 6
Several days pass the same, and as the first night even when Echo has the day off, he’s there at the end of my shift to offer a ride. I’m not sure if it’s chivalry that compels him or a different reasoning altogether. Since it feels like there are several tons of water coming down on my head, I decide that one ride won’t make his head big or my resolve against him too soft. So with an exasperated shrug in answer, he holds out a hand to help me on.
He’s warm against my front and I snuggle even further into him as we make it through the storm that in reality is no worse than any normal April downpour. When we get to my house, I should be suspicious of how he knows where I live, but I figured out that the distant cycle every night had been him. One night I had waited by the door to see him stop in front peering at the house then ride off. Plus, it might sound completely ignorant and fool-hearted but I find I trust him.
I jump off his bike and I’m about to turn to ask him why he feels the need to ask if I need a ride every night, but he is already down my drive. For a second, I stupidly stand there, in the rain, looking after him. When I walk into the house, I strip almost everything off so as not to not track in the water around the rest of the house. Leaving everything there for the moment, I grab a towel from the bathroom, drying off what I can of my body and wrap my hair. I take off the last bit, my bra and underwear, and just slip on a pair of sleep shorts with a tank before gathering up everything to take downstairs.
There isn’t enough to start a load, so I go up the stairs to turn on the television in the bedroom that Ric gratefully bought the second night. He was tired of my complaining, and I was tired of whining by that point.
It doesn’t matter what channel it rests on I won’t be watching it closely anyway. I’m so tired already. I untangle the towel on my head and rub more water from my scalp before letting it fall to the floor beside the bed. Without preamble, I snuggle deep into the covers and close my eyes.
When I wake it is Thursday which means I have a three-day weekend ahead of me. Ric took me shopping the morning before my second shift, but I’m getting low on things that I need. I need to find another form of transportation. It’s nice and all getting to see him, but I’m tired of using him as my own personal valet. Maybe there’s a bike shop in town or something, or a car for sale for a reasonable price. Though until then I’ll be walking, so I better get up and ready to go.
Thankfully, I’ve adapted to the weird hour routine of the club lifestyle. Wake around ten, stay out late at night, and filling the hours in between with a bit of mischief. Though in such a small town there isn’t much going on, at least not on my side. Being out here with no real transportation has limited me to my exploration, and I find I’m becoming accustomed to the isolation, liking it actually. That’s something new for me.
My hair is a frizzy mess from yesterday, so I just throw it up in a bun that’s almost as messy, put on some mascara to make my eyes pop, and dress in the usual laid-back attire. I truly should invest in new shoes. My chucks I love, but they are really worn down. Another thing to put on my list for tomorrow.
In the past few days, I’ve made a friend of my neighbor on my right. Brooklyn is a thirty-eight-year-old newly divorcee, with a rambunctious teenage boy. We hit it off almost instantly, though I admit I tried to save her from myself in the beginning. I have no intention of staying long enough to grow attachments, yet she’s even more stubborn than I am. She’s got bright blonde hair, stark green eyes, and only in her gardening gear can I tell she’s got a figure. Otherwise, she plays it pretty safe like I do, but I don’t have that body hiding underneath my clothes. I gathered pretty quickly her husband was an abusive ass in more than just the physical sense. Her healthy ego must have taken a real beating to hide under all that unnecessary layers.
“Hey Brook!”
She waves over her shoulder at me since one hand is still buried in the dirt with her flowers, “Oy! Work again? When are you going to have a day off? I need an equally qualified wine taster such as myself to have a sit down soon.” When she turns to look at me, most of her left cheek is covered in dirt.
“Are you able to leave your flowers alone long enough to even savor wine?”
That has her straightening up, her hands go straight to her hips, and that scowl appears that I’ve discovered is her mom look, “I’d like to see you say that to my face!”
“I believe I have, love,” I make it to the end of my drive, she follows me with her eyes as I start to pass along her sidewalk.
“Uh, why did I bother saying hello to you?”
“You’re one of those nosey neighbor types, you couldn’t help yourself. So how about Saturday I strap you down in my dining room chair for that tasting?”
“I can’t Saturday. Liam will be home. Sunday?”
I start to nod and throw a hand up in agreement since my back is to her, “I’ll keep the rope handy!” I hear her scoff and closely behind, her giggle as a response.
When I make it to the club there are only three bikes parked in the gravel lot. One of which is Ric’s. He still has the same bike as he had years ago when I still lived with him. Though I can hardly blame him. It’s a classic 1946 Knucklehead Bobber in the classic black and silver. He’s taken really great care of it, though I do see the engine has been revamped since the last time I had a look at it.
Echo is behind the bar where I expect him to be. Looking completely gorgeous and equally unapproachable as usual. Taking a glance across the bar I don’t see a soul. So the other bike owner must be up with Ric in his office. I don’t let myself think of the things I have to talk to him about, instead settle for getting some from Echo.
I walk over to him, his eyebrow inch up the smallest fraction up his forehead. Planting my hands on the bar, I place my bum in a stool to stare him down. Though I should have known my actions wouldn’t be intimidating for the likes of him. He exudes the stuff without the slightest effort.
“So,” I sit back against the chair and loosen my posture, “tell me, why do you keep asking me every night if you can give me a ride?”
There is a long pause as he seems to take great interest in the glass he’s wiping down, my fingers itch to grab the nearest thing and launch it towards his head, but then he speaks, “Only ignorant people walk home alone.”
This time I don’t hesitate. I have no idea what I grab but he catches it easily. I sputter angrily, “Why is it that every time you open your mouth, I wish that you kept it shut! You’re such a Neanderthal,” and because at this moment, I can’t think of anything more insulting, I give him the one finger salute and turn my back to him as I stomp towards Ric’s office.
Chapter 6.5
She’s got the most hypnotizing ass I’ve ever seen. I let it seduce me for only the time it takes me to put the shaker of salt back on the counter where it had been before she hurled it at my head. She’s got a good throwing arm, if I hadn’t expected it, she would have had a good shot at hitting her target.
I can’t tell her the real reason I’m acting like her personal guard dog. Ric would have my ass if I let it slip that he had insisted. I could also tell if she knew, she would find a way to make this harder on me than it already is. I’d rather be doing other things once I get off of work. At least after the second night Ric switched our schedules so that we were out around the same time. I had to wait in the fucking parking lot for hours and she didn’t even end up taking me up on the offer anyway. It turned out to be a waste of everyone's time, the stubborn wench. I almost didn’t follow to make sure she got home okay being as frustrated as I had been.
“Your face looks like it’s about to cave in on itself it’s scrunched up so tight.” I hadn’t even realized Bear had come down from Ric’s office, let alone walk across the room to stand in front of me. When she takes up space in my head there isn’t room for anything else. So that’s why I try every other second not forced in her company to think of other things. It seems I’ve got to work harder on my own objectives or I’ll be sure to go more insane.
“Alright then. I’ll take two fingers of bourbon.”
I touch the bottle on the bottom shelf by my hip, grab the glass I just rubbed clean, and pour. Once it’s across the bar he tilts his head in a nod, taking a seat at the bar.
Despite myself, my mind wanders again to Lidia. When I pick up the dish rag, the red of it reminds me of her mouth. Her bottom lip is always a little redder than her top because when thinking she sucks on it. The dark bourbon that’s almost the right shade of her hair I poured for a member. The little circular grooves in the bartop that are darker than the rest of the wood remind me of her freckles. I’m surrounded by colors that make her up so it’s impossible not to see her wherever I go.
“Did you hear a word I said?’ Bear sounds more amused than irritated. I hadn't and seeing that knowing smile I know he is aware too, “I asked what you were smiling like an idiot for...you know I haven't ever seen you like this. Should I call Tank?” He raises his caterpillar-like eyebrows as he waves his phone back and forth between us. I have the urge to snatch it, but instead, shrug as if nothing is amiss. In reality, nothing should be.
“Mmh hm,” Bear hums with his lips still sealed around the edge of the glass. When he sets it on the counter he rises, “Whatever is making you smile you need more of it,” he turns and walks right out of the club.
Maybe he’s right...maybe having her is just the solution. I need her out of my system, but if Ric finds out. I start to shake my head instinctively to the consequences.
“Hey,” and she’s back. She’s cuter than when she left, and it’s driving me crazy! She raises her hands in surrender and it makes me wonder what expression I’m wearing, “Look I just want to finish my shift and go home. Then for three days, I’ll be out of your hair.”
She doesn’t wait for a response, not that I would have voiced one, and she does an excellent job at avoiding me for the rest of the time I’m tending bar beside her. In such a small space with such luscious hips, it’s an accomplishment to be sure. Yet I spend most of the time wishing for her useless chatter, her voice is soothing.
Though I know she’ll say no, I assume the usual routine of waiting for her in the parking lot. What I didn’t expect was her to be walked out by Tank. He says something to make her laugh enough to tilt her head back, and upon returning a loose hair that falls onto one cheek. Tank without even the slightest of hesitation brushes it back behind her ear. Her eyes go wide for just a second then soften as she looks up with a smile. The action he took and that look he just received has happened countless times with more women than I can count, me being a regular spectator. Never have I felt this feeling of wanting to sever his arm for touching, or resented the recipient of that look. He’s my best friend, my brother in all the ways that matter, yet there is a feeling of betrayal that I don’t understand.
There is something wrong with me. My bike rumbles under me as if on command since I don’t recall firing it up. My friend looks me in the eye as I ride from the parking lot, and as his face falls, he sees right through me as he always does.
Chapter 6.75
When coming through the door he's already there waiting for me, a beer stretched out in greeting, as he takes a swig of his own.
“Shit,” is all that I can seem to say. He nods an agreement, the place between his brows creasing, “I never thought I'd see the day you'd be jealous, or for a girl to come between us.”
“She's between us?” He takes a seat on the couch and I follow.
“Not if I've got anything to say about it. If we both feel something…maybe there's a chance.”
I see him nod in my periphery, “There's something about her. Do you think she'd have us… as we are?”
The vulnerability in his voice is a sign of how much he wants her. Not since before we came home had he even hinted that being with a woman beyond sex was a possibility. I'm not sure if I have equal feelings for her, but if there's a chance to see my friend start to live again, it's worth a try.
“There's only one way to find out, but first…”
Chapter 7
I'm so glad that I'm not going in for three solid days! I need a break from those two. They take up too much brain space as it is. Now I just need to figure out how to get things done. Ric already said he wasn't an option and I've asked around about a car or bike available in my price range. So far, I've found nothing, meaning I'm going to have to find a way into town on my own. Do they even have a cab company here? I was all about taking risks, but Uber wasn’t for me. I mean as we grew up we were told to not talk to strangers, or get into their cars. Now we are getting into their cars and calling it a good idea. Groaning I pull the covers over my head and bury myself deeper into bed. A full day in bed sounds so much more appealing than hiking into town.
Before I can convince myself, a knock comes from the front door. I fly into a seated position and look towards where the door would be across the house. I can feel my eyes grow wide as if that would help give me x-ray vision. When the doorbell rings I’m up and on the far side of my bed in a crouch faster than I thought my fat ass could hustle.
“Hey! I know you’re in there!” Another ring of the bell, but this time my body relaxes and I stand. Even after all this time, I'd know that voice anywhere.
Briskly walking to the door, I swing it open, “Emmy,” I want to wrap my arms around the brown-headed beauty but know by her expression, it wouldn’t be welcome.
“Emmy is for my friends. You’re back to square one.”
“Alright should I call you Emmily or Emmeline?”
“Don’t be an ass,” she says with a scowl
I force back the laugh at her sass, “Okay Emmily, what are you doing here?” I ask while ushering her in, but she stands right where she is, her arms crossed over her chest.
“Daddy said you were here so I moved up my vacation. Good thing I’m between projects. The real question is, what are you doing here? You better not be bringing trouble down on him,” her lips twist in disgust, and it seems I’ll be doing more than just apologizing. Groveling may be the right term, but she’s testing my patience without giving me the chance to explain myself. What gives her the right...oh yeah, I walked out on her and her father when I had made it seem I was a permanent fixture.
