Chapter 32

 

Ava

 

 

I HEARD JAYCE’S Hog approach as I was applying more lipstick in the mirror. I’d just gotten back from Peyton and Tarot’s place a few minutes before, and wasn’t really in the mood to party. But, I needed answers. I was hoping that, at some point, I might even be able to chum up to some of the bikers and get them talking. If I did find out anything and manage to get it recorded, I would bring it to the police and demand that they re-open the case.

Jayce knocked on the door.

I grabbed my purse from the bed, making sure it was zipped up, and answered it.

“Hi,” I said, beaming a smile up at him. It was such a shame that he was part of the Gold Vipers. The man was so damn handsome. Tonight he had on a light-blue cotton shirt under his cut, which brought out his tan and made his blue eyes really pop.

“You ready?” he asked, looking distracted and impatient.

My smile fell. Not that I was one to fish for compliments, but I hoped he’d at least notice how different I looked compared to the last couple of days. The style was a reflection of the real me.

 “Yes. Is everything okay?”

He nodded and then looked down at my dress. “Not sure if that’s the best choice for the back of my bike.”

I really wanted to keep the dress on. Especially since I didn’t have anything else appropriate for a biker party. I told him that we should take my car instead if I had to change.

 “Sorry, but I’m not showing up in a cage. I’d have brought my Mustang if I was going to use one. We’re taking my bike.”

My eye twitched. His testosterone was shining bright tonight. “I know. Why don’t I follow you out there?”

“Nah.” He scratched his chin and sighed. “I guess you’ll be fine wearing that. You have everything?”

“Yeah.”

He stepped inside. “You have a jacket? It could get cold tonight on the way back.”

“Okay.” I walked over to the closet and pulled out a short, white denim jacket. I put it on and turned around. “Will this work?”

He nodded.

“You look nice, by the way,” I said, pulling my hair out from under the collar.

“Thanks. You too,” he said. “Too nice to have road rash. You sure you want to go in that short dress?”

“Okay, now you’re making me nervous. Maybe I should drive your bike if you’re so worried about crashing?” I teased.

“I’m not worried about my driving. There’s going to be a lot of drunks out later. I’m just being cautious and thinking of your safety.”

“Would it make you happier if I slipped on a pair of jeans under my dress? Or maybe a snowmobile suit?”

He grunted. “Let’s go.”

“Next time, I’ll make sure to rent some chainmail. I bet they have some across the street at that costume shop.”

Jayce smirked. “Smartass,” he said dryly as we headed out.

I turned around and locked the door. “So, where is this party?”

“Chisago. It’s about a forty-five minute drive.”

We walked over to his motorcycle and he handed me a helmet. “Here.”

“You’re really into safety, aren’t you?” I mused.

“I’m into keeping you alive.”

“What about you?” I replied, seeing that he was giving me his helmet and didn’t have another.

“If anyone’s brains are going to be splattered on the concrete, I’d rather have them be mine,” he replied.

“You’re so sweet,” I said, putting the helmet on. As I tried adjusting the straps, he reached over and did it for me.

“How’s your tat doing?” he asked softly.

“Okay. Tender.”

“Have you been putting the moisturizer on it?”

“Yes.”

Jayce gently pushed some hair away from my eyes. “Sorry in advance about the helmet hair. I like it much better this way,” he said, tugging at one of the strands playfully. “I bet it’s a lot softer, too, without all the hairspray.”

I smiled. “True.”

Jayce stared into my eyes and I could see a question in his. Just when I thought he was going to ask me something, he looked away. “You ready?”

“Yeah.”

“Why don’t you let me put your purse in my saddlebag?”

I thought about the gun and it made me nervous to let it go. But, what choice did I have?

“Sure,” I said, handing the purse to him.

“Damn, it’s heavy. What do you have in here?” he asked with a chuckle. “A bomb?”

“Just an arsenal of makeup,” I said, feeling the hair stand up on the back of my neck. “A girl has to be prepared for anything, you know?”

“I guess,” he said, putting the purse in the saddlebag and buttoning it back up. “You don’t need any makeup, though. I have a feeling the less you have on, the better.” Jayce’s eyes dipped down and he grinned. “Actually, I can already vouch for that in more ways than one.”

I just laughed.

He swung his leg over the bike and then I got on behind him.

“Ready?” he asked, after starting the engine.

I slid my hands around his waist.

Was I ready to surround myself with a bunch of hell-raising, dangerous bikers who were going to get drunk and rowdy? “Yep.”