Eight
Veronica
Unbelievable! He took my phone. I scoot over as far as I can to allow him some room in this tiny two-man tent, scowling at him as I do. His answering grin only angers me further.
“You are very annoying,” I mutter as he sits way too close to me.
“It’s all part of my fucking charm. Reaper said you’re going to be okay but we need to tell the Savage Angels what happened to you.”
I know he’s right but I do not want to be perceived as some damsel in distress who can’t look after herself. Unfortunately, in this instance it happens to be true. I let myself fall back and sigh.
“What a mess. I don’t want or need them going after some drunk fuckwad to protect my honor.”
“It’s more than that. If they’re anything like us, it’s a family, a way of life and we protect our own. And if that fucking asshole is prepared to do that to you, knowing you’re involved with the Savage Angels, what the fuck would he do to some other woman who’s not affiliated? He needs to be put down like the rabid fucking dog he is.”
“Okay, okay.” Tentatively I touch the back of my head. “Ow. I need a shower and I need to handle this with care. I don’t want it turning into a media frenzy.”
“You’re worried about the press?” asks Gear with genuine surprise in his voice.
“Yes! The Grinders are an international band. I can’t have anything blowing back on them.”
“Woman, you are fucking incredible. I get you’ve got a job to do, but you got attacked, not The-fucking-Grinders.”
I nod. “It’s the way the business works. I need to keep this under wraps.” I look at him and smile. “Did I thank you? Cause if I didn’t, thank you.” I sit up and lean in to kiss his cheek, when I pull back he’s staring at my mouth.
“You didn’t,” he says, a deep rumble in his voice. “But I’ll take that … for now.”
His reaction confuses me and now I feel awkward.
“I think I should go. I really want a shower,” I say as he continues to stare at my mouth.
Gear shakes his head, looks me in the eyes and says, “Not without me. You got showers on those buses or you going back to the communal block?”
“There’s no way in hell I’m going back there. There’s showers on the buses.” I begin to stand and Gear reaches out and touches my arm.
“Let me go out first and help you to your feet.”
I give him a small smile as he scrambles from the tent. Crawling out, I raise up onto my knees, and he reaches down and helps me the rest of the way out.
“Thank you,” I say as I straighten my skirt.
Gear reaches down and touches my face, tilting it up. “How’s the lip feel?”
Reaching up I grab his hand and look him in the eyes. “Sore but I’m sure it’s nothing makeup can’t fix.”
The barest of smiles goes across his face and he grasps my hand firmly and leads me toward the Savage Angels encampment.
We’re almost to the bus where all my belongings are when Dirt comes into view. He takes one look at my face, claps a giant hand down on Jonas, who’s right next to him, and strides toward us.
“Oh crap,” I mutter as I put myself before Gear.
Dirt approaches me, eyes blazing, reaches up and grabs my face with one hand and then everything happens so fast I don’t have time to do anything but stand there with my mouth wide open. Gear grabs his hand and pushes him backward. Dirt stumbles back just as Jonas tackles Gear from behind, knocking me on my ass in the process.
Fists are thrown and the three of them are scuffling around on the ground in a heap of leather and muscle. “Stop!” I yell angrily as I get to my feet. All three men freeze and stare up at me. “This!” I say pointing to my face. “Has nothing to do with him! Gear saved me!”
Dirt stares at me for a minute before finally standing, offering a hand to Gear, who takes a moment but then grabs it and stands. Jonas grins up at me then slowly gets to his feet.
Gear looks from me to Dirt and a look of understanding comes over his face. I sigh and push my hair away from my face.
“I do not want this to be blown out of proportion,” I state firmly.
Dirt looks at me then to Gear. “What happened?”
“A dirt bag followed her into the ladies and tried to fuckin’ rape her. She didn’t want to cause a problem, so she asked me to keep it from you. I see now, that was a fucking mistake,” replies Gear.
“You fucking think so? What if this was one of yours?” asks Jonas, his hands bunched in fists at his sides.
“Man, I get you, but the lady wanted some time to re-group. I had one of my brothers check her out. He’s an ex-army medic. Reaper said she’s fine but shouldn’t sleep for a while.”
“You will not talk about me like I’m not here,” I say through gritted teeth.
Dirt completely ignores me. “You know where this fucker is?”
Gear nods. “I know which MC he’s with and where they’re camped.”
“Hello! Still here!” I yell and all eyes come to me.
“What the fuck is going on?” asks a deep voice from behind me.
When I turn around, Dane is standing behind me, his hands on his hips. He takes one look at my face and lets out a growl of fury aimed right at Gear.
Jonas moves in front of Gear and says, “Be calm, brother. He wasn’t the one who did it but he knows where we can find the fucker.”
Dane’s chest heaves as he takes in my face. “Jesus,” he mutters. “You okay?”
His concern is both touching and annoying. I love that he’s worried for me, but I just want this whole ordeal to go away. “I’m fine. I need a shower and some clean clothes. I don’t need anyone to do anything on my behalf. I’m perfectly capable of looking after myself.”
“That’s why you told us Gear saved you?” asks Dirt.
I purse my lips and glare at him. Gear grabs my arm and gives me a squeeze, wordlessly telling me to keep quiet. “How about we let the lady clean up? Then we can talk.”
“Deal,” replies Dane, his voice firm.
Gear nods at him and leads me toward the bus. “I can walk on my own!”
“Baby, I know you can, but I’m in unfamiliar territory, so until I have more of my own kind here, you are stuck with me.”
That shuts me up. Freaking bikers and their politics. I step up into the bus with Gear right behind me and continue toward the back where my sleeping quarters are.
“There’s alcohol in that cupboard and glasses above it,” I say with a wave of my hand. “Could you pour me a whiskey?”
“Not sure that’s such a great idea,” says Gear as he looks at his surroundings.
“Just a small one. I’m going to shower, make yourself at home.”
He nods as I close the door between us, giving myself the alone time I need so badly. Gingerly, I strip off my clothes and step into the shower. I spend extra time washing my hair, getting the blood out and letting the warm water wash over me. I fight back the memory of that greasy bastard’s hands on me as I wash the smell of him from my skin. I won’t let him get into my head.
Knowing I’m about to run out of hot water, and finally feeling cleansed, I dry off, and slide on my bathrobe. Then I open the door, sit on the bed and dry my hair with a towel.
“You look different without makeup on,” says Gear as he approaches, handing me a glass. He takes a seat on the bed beside me. He smells so good. Nothing like the man in the bathroom. Gear smells like sunshine, fresh air and man.
“Ahh, different as in good or different as in bad?”
“It’s all good, baby.”
I glance at him and he smirks, looking too damned gorgeous for my own good. He really is very attractive. Sipping my drink, I smile at him as the cool liquid does it’s magic, warming my belly. Gear reaches up and pushes a lock of hair away from my face. Without thinking I lean into him, not sure if I want him to kiss me, but wanting something from him.
Gear stiffens and leans away from me, taking a sip of whiskey. “Are you and Dirt together?”
“What?” His question pulls me out of the daze he had me in.
“The way he went after me, it seemed like you might belong to him. I don’t want to get in the middle of somethin’.”
“No, no, we aren’t anything. I like Dirt but we’ve never done anything. We’re friends.”
“Does he know that?” Gear asks, an eyebrow arched high.
“Pfft! There’s nothing going on between me and Dirt.” I take another sip of my drink and hold his appraising stare.
“Good.” Gear smirks and reaches out, taking the glass from me. “You’ve had enough, for now.”
Yep, the lustful daze is definitely gone. Now I’m just annoyed. “I am perfectly capable of knowing if I’ve had enough, thank you.” He grins at me and shakes his head. “What?”
“You’re gorgeous when you’re bitchin’ at me.”
My jaw drops at his nerve and that’s when he leans in, putting his lips only a whisper from my own. My shock is gone. Maybe it’s the whiskey, but without thinking, I close the gap between us and press my lips to his. They are surprisingly soft, and I sink deeper into him, my arms going around his neck.
Gear chuckles and pulls away. “Maybe we should take this slower. You’ve just had something really fucking traumatic happen, babe.” He eyes me, his gaze sweeping me up and down. “Just not too slow.”
Heat pools between my legs and then there’s a cough at the far end of the bus. My head swings in that direction, and there’s Dane, watching us both with an amused expression on his face.
I jump to my feet, like I’ve been caught doing something wrong. “Hey Dane! Nothing going on here.”
Gear chuckles and walks past me toward Dane, holding out his hand. “Shall we sit down and talk?”
Dane grasps his hand and smirks. “If I’m not interrupting anything?”
“You heard the lady. Nothing going on here.”
I huff at both of them and shut the door so I can get changed. I don’t hear the rest of their conversation but I’m fairly sure I hear laughter.