Bubbles

---

I waited until she was in a deep sleep, got out of bed, and went out onto the deck to call Gavin.

“I have a job for you. Need a face-to-face to talk about it. Any chance you can come to me? I’m protecting someone and she’s asleep in my bed.”

“I’m at Abbott’s place on the mountain. Need to tie a few more things up here. I can be there in half an hour, but I won’t have long.”

“Don’t need long.”

I was sitting on my front steps when he pulled in, and I walked to his over-the-top fancy sports car and sat in the passenger seat.

I handed him my phone, cued to the video. He hit play and watched. Started it over and watched again. Finally handed it back, but never said a word.

“I need you to lobotomize the three men. I’ll pay you twenty grand for the three. Cash. Two are in county lockup, the other’s in the wind but I can tell you who to go to — a quick dip in their minds should tell you where he is. We’ll throw a club party Saturday night, and you should do it then, while the MC has an alibi.”

Usually, Gavin says he doesn’t need money and asks for services, but he makes exceptions sometimes and I was desperately hoping he’d take my money. He’d seen the video and I knew he’d probably looked in my head for the rest of the story.

He tapped the steering wheel of the black Ferrari a few seconds before saying, “Ten grand for the two in county lockup — five each since I can do them together and won’t have to chase them down. We’ll start with twelve for the other, but it’ll be more if I have to dip into too many brains to find him. Also, if he’s left town it’ll be more. I’ll probably be able to get someone local to him to do it, but I’ll have to travel if there aren’t any friendlies close to him.”

Bud had handed me over a half-million in cash when I’d gotten out — all the money I’d have made as enforcer if I hadn’t been inside — my share of the jobs. My salary was in another account. I could afford this, but I needed to put a cap on it. “No more than twenty for the one in the wind, and I’d rather keep it below fifteen, if possible.”

“I’ll let you know if it’ll be over fifteen, and you can let me know whether to proceed, but you’ll still owe me for the heads I’ve been in. How lobotomized do you want them?”

“A suggestion that they can’t do anything wrong, can’t hurt humans or animals, can’t tell a lie. Wipe their brains of anything that could hurt you, me, Lex, the MC, or the Playas. Make them forget they love the people they’re close to. They’ll know them, but as acquaintances. Nothing intimate. Take their IQ down so they can only do super-simple jobs — bagging groceries, bussing tables. Erase their damned personalities. We want everyone who knew them before to be scared shitless to piss us off for fear of being lost like that. Worse than damned death.”

“Got it. Anything else?”

I shook my head. “Saturday night, while the MC is partying with LEO present. Not that they could accuse us of doing anything, but it can’t hurt to be alibied.”

I handed him an envelope with fifteen grand. “More than half. Let me know the total when you finish and we’ll settle up.”

He nodded, I got out of the car, and he left without turning his headlights back on. Even with my wolf vision, the black car seemed to fade into the dark night.

I sat back on the porch steps, just in case a brother came to ask what was up. I didn’t want anything to wake Lexi.

A long inhale told me some deer weren’t too far away. I also smelled raccoons and possums, and an owl. I stopped to take in the owl’s scent better, and relaxed a little when I was certain it wasn’t a shifter.

I ran through all available scenarios in my head again, and there was no way this would blow back on me or the MC. Everyone — cops, Playas, and the assholes’ families — would know the three had been hit because they’d pissed off the MC, but no one would understand how we’d done it, or even what we’d done. It should scare the fuck out of everyone enough they’d know to leave Lexi the fuck alone, though.

When I was certain no one was going to come ask why Gavin had paid me a visit, I finally went back inside. My little Half-pint woke when I climbed into bed.

“Where’d you go?”

“Went outside and walked around. Needed to think.”

“What did you decide?”

“To wait until Sunday and bring it up to my brothers in church. They’ll help me figure out a reasoned, measured response.” I kissed her forehead. “No killing. Go back to sleep.”

She closed her eyes and drifted off, but I held her for an hour before sleep took me. I hated being dishonest with her, but I couldn’t tell her about Gavin. About vampires.

Deep down, I knew I was giving myself an excuse to lie, but I’d have to live with it.

Bubbles

---

Lexi’s scent had mostly evened back out by the following morning. She slid out of bed when her alarm went off thirty minutes early, studied, did ten minutes of yoga on my back deck, dressed, and was ready to go on time. She’d said she didn’t want breakfast, but I made her a smoothie with milk, plain yogurt, bananas, and blueberries, and she’d downed it while she studied.

I walked her all the way to class, not just to the door of the building. I had to be sure she was as safe as I could make her.

I needed to get out of my head, and the car I was working on called to me when I walked into the shop, but I texted Bud before I got started.

He called me within minutes, and I answered and made my way downstairs.

“Started seein’ someone. Told her the basics of why I went in and she didn’t freak. Thought that meant I’d be able to be honest with her about… other things.”

“But seven years ago is different than the present.”

I breathed out in relief. He got it. “Yeah. Three guys grabbed her yesterday. She pepper sprayed them but probably wasn’t going to get away. Viper rescued her and she’s okay, but I made the mistake of saying they were dead men walking, and she was ready to walk away from me. I had to promise not to kill them — tell her I was just being emotional and hadn’t had a chance to think it through.”

“Nickie knows a lot, but there are certain aspects I keep from her. It isn’t ideal, but I respect her morals. They aren’t mine, but I get where she’s coming from.”

“Yeah. You know how I feel about honesty. It might eat me up inside to have to lie to her, or to be someone she wouldn’t want to be with, and let her think I’m…” I shook my head. “Am I complicatin’ this too much?”

“Find another way to handle these guys, and just don’t bring shit up you know she’ll have issues with. Keep it so you don’t have to lie.”

“An omission still won’t be honest.”

He sighed. “I know. You’re going to have to figure out what you can live with. If she isn’t right for you, it’s better to figure that shit out now.”

“I’ve known her a damned week and I’m head over fucking heels.”

“Then do whatever it takes to keep her.”

“Yeah. How’re things in Atlanta?”

“Peaceful, thank goodness. All our truces are holding, and the cops have other things to focus on. Life is good. I miss you, but I’m glad you’ve settled in and found family up there.”

“I already knew and trusted Brain and Duke. Things were just so different in Atlanta, nothing felt right. It worked when I got up here.”

“I know. How’s my Angel doing?”

“Your Angel is fine, as always. Thanks for listening.”

“Anytime.”

I texted Brain to let him know we needed to talk when he had a moment, and I went back upstairs and got to work.

Brain showed up about an hour later, and I motioned him back downstairs. LEO could theoretically listen in on our conversations aboveground, but between the concrete and the tech bits Brain had installed underground, they shouldn’t be able to hear us from across the street, or even from our parking lot.

“We need to increase the scope of Saturday night’s party. Gavin’s going to take care of the two in lockup for us. No one dies, but they’ll never be the same.” I leaned against the concrete wall. “If he can find the one in the wind, he’ll take care of him on the same night.”

He wasn’t happy, but I saw him run it through his head and realize I hadn’t broken any rules.

“I wish you’d let us vote on it, but the disrespect was to you personally, and I’m assuming you paid him out of your funds, so it isn’t technically something you had to bring to the club. The rest of us see it as an insult to the club, but…” He shrugged. “Okay, we’ll make sure everyone’s alibied every direction from Sunday.”

I nodded. “Lexi freaked when I told her they were dead men walking. She was ready to call it quits between us — wanted me to take her to her sister’s apartment. I had to promise not to kill them.”

“And what will you tell her when she asks if you had any part in their personality extraction? You have to know she’ll find out. People will talk.”

“She’ll be with me — with us — the whole night. I’ll ask how we could’ve possibly had anything to do with it, and tell her Marlin must’ve gotten to them and dosed them with something.”

“It’ll hurt you to lie to her.”

“It’ll hurt worse to lose her.”

“Will you eventually get pissed that you can’t let her see who you really are?”

I shook my head. “I have no idea.”

“Harmony knows everything. Gen doesn’t.” He put his hand on my arm. “Find something in the middle. She has spunk and she grew up in the hood. I have a feelin’ she’ll deal with most things without battin’ one of her sparkly eyelashes.”

I wasn’t so sure, but I nodded and let him hug me, then hugged him back.

Lexi

---

My boss texted me Friday morning to let me know they wouldn’t need me again until Monday. I figured he wanted to give things time to settle before I disrupted business with people trying to abduct me again. Or, maybe he’d been telling the truth about wanting to be sure I was safe. He’s a cool guy and a good boss.

I didn’t see his text until class broke for lunch, and I texted Bubbles to let him know.

I’d been doing homework during lunch since Bubbles always fed me right after school, but I decided to call Etta instead — we hadn’t had much time to talk since all hell had broken loose.

“Hey baby sister. You eating?”

I explained why I wasn’t eating, and she asked how things were going with me and Bubbles.

“Okay, I guess. I mean, he hasn’t tried to have sex with me since Monday, and he says it’s because he wanted me to recover, but it feels more like maybe I couldn’t give him what he needed.”

“I don’t think he’d lie. He might soften the truth, but…” She sighed. “He likes anal, Lex. I mean, he really likes it. He’s huge, and hard to take even for me, but he can go deeper that way.”

“I don’t do that.”

“I know! You’re the one wanting to be a biker’s ol’lady. I tried to tell you—” She cut herself off. “You won’t be able to put him off forever. I mean, I don’t know how he is in a relationship, but he doesn’t strike me as the type of guy to…” She gave a frustrated sigh. “Fuck, Lex. He’s gonna complicate the shit out of your life.”

“I know this is kind of a sick question to ask, but do you know what he likes? I mean, you know, blow jobs and stuff?” My face was hot and probably bright red, but I was in the courtyard away from people, and speaking softly. No one should be able to hear me.

“I think he paid me when he needed it rough, which meant it was face-fucking and not so much a blowjob.”

“Fuck. Sorry I asked. I’m pretty sure he can’t do that to me.”

“Pretty sure he will eventually, if this lasts. He needed it before, he’ll need it again. He has no business starting shit with you, but if you’re sure you want him, I’m here for you. Whatever you need. Always.”

“I know, and I love you for it.”

We talked about random shit until I needed to go back to class, and the rest of my day flew by.

I was surprised to see Bash waiting on a bench outside my building when I was finished for the day. At my probably confused look, he gave me a crooked smile. “You didn’t see his text?”

I looked at my phone. It’s programmed to be silent during class, and I hadn’t felt it vibrate. The text told me Bash would be picking me up, but didn’t say why. I looked up, worried.

“He said to tell you Adam told me to pick you up, instead of calling him Bubbles.”

I nodded, and my insides relaxed a little, but not entirely. “Is everything okay?”

“Yeah. He rode with a customer to look at a classic car the guy’s thinking of buying. Bubbles can give him a rough estimate of restoration costs — help the customer decide whether he’s willing to pay what the seller’s asking. I told him I’d make sure you were taken care of and safe.”

“Where are you taking me?”

“Under normal circumstances, no one rides the back of my bike except my wife, but I texted her and she knows I’m picking you up for Bubbles, and she’s cool with it. I’ll take you to our restaurant. Not sure who’ll be there, but I’ll walk you in and get you settled in the VIP section.”

I froze at the idea of having to go in there without Bubbles, and Bash touched my arm. “It’ll be okay. I won’t leave until you’re comfortable with whoever’s there.”

I didn’t want to ask him to take me all the way to Bubbles’ house. “Can you just take me somewhere so I can do homework?”

“If you don’t want to stay once you see who’s there, I can set you up in the office.”

I nodded. “Yeah. Okay. Thanks.”

We walked to Bash’s bike, and I pulled my hair up before stretching the elastic tube thing around my head. Bubbles had bought it for me the day before, and it was easier to handle than the bandanna. Bash had brought a different helmet than the one I’ve been using, but I settled it over my head, fastened it, and climbed on behind Bash. It didn’t seem as heavy as the one I’d been wearing, and I liked it better.

At first, I held onto Bash’s side, but he pulled my arms around him and put my hands together. Awkward with someone I barely knew, and I was glad he’d told me his wife had given the go-ahead.

I also made a mental note to tell Bubbles I didn’t want anyone riding with him.

As promised, Bash walked me into the restaurant. Gonzo was near the door, and he walked with us to the back and up the steps, too. I recognized Razor, and he was sitting with two much smaller men, both off to his right. The one right beside him stood and walked to us, and there wasn’t a doubt in my mind this man was gay. Not super-effeminate, but still — obviously gay.

“Oh, my goodness. Aren’t you just the cutest thing? And this hair! We have to talk about who does it for you!” He ran his hands through it without asking, then focused on my face. “And fuck me, but your eyes are a work of art. Come. Sit. I’m Matty, this is Davy, and you’ve already met Razor.”

I looked at Bash, and he chuckled. “You good, or do you need rescuing?”

“I think I’m good. How long do you think Bubbles will be?”

“Hard to say. You can either go home with Razor and Matty, or hang out in the office of the bike shop when you finish eating. Up to you, just text Bubbles and let him know when you leave, and where you’re going.” He gave me a pointed look. “And you don’t go anywhere without a brother with you.”

I nodded, and he tousled my hair and left. Matty pulled me to the table and sat me on the other side of Razor.

Davy looked like he wanted to dig a hole and crawl into it. It was up to me to keep things from being awkward, so I told him, “It’s nice to meet you. Bubbles told me about you. Are you getting settled in okay?”

“I am. It’s nice to meet you, too.”

Ten seconds of awkward silence, and Matty asked me, “Who did your hair in those gorgeous pastels?”

“I’m going to school so I can do hair. I mixed the colors and sectioned it off, did the front parts myself, but had a friend help me with the back. Who does your hair? I love the blue and green streaks.”

He chuckled. “I race MX-Cross, and it matches my current sponsor’s colors. They have someone who does it for me so they can get it just right.”

A waitress showed up and told me, “Bubbles told us how you like your burgers, but said to double-check before I put the order in.” She put a bottle of beer in front of me. “He said you aren’t driving, and he’d like you to be slightly toasted when he gets here. You good with a burger and fries, ladybug, or do you want somethin’ else?”

“That’s fine. Thanks so much.”

I stared at her in wonderment as she walked away. She wore tight jeans and a black tee with Rolling Thunder Bar and Restaurant and some handlebars on the back, and a smaller version on the front where a pocket would be, but there wasn’t one. I’d never had anyone know what I wanted when I walked into a restaurant before. I’d never felt like I belonged somewhere before.

“It takes some getting used to,” said Matty. “Once you’re one of us, it’s kinda like a big family.” He sighed. “It was a pretty damned dysfunctional family right after Razor and I started dating, but everything’s okay now.”

It was a chance to ask, so I took it. “The MC is okay with… ummmm... ya’ll?”

“Yeah,” Razor grinned. “My brothers are good with Matty. Davy’s just an employee, but they’re good with him, too. Are you okay today? No injuries that took a day to show up? You fought hard on the video. I’m impressed.”

“My arm’s black and blue with shades of purple, and my shoulder’s tender, but nothing that won’t heal.”

“I teach a self-defense class. Talk to Bubbles if you’re interested. You have the right spirit and attitude, and a little technique already. You’ll be fun to teach.”

The waitress brought their food, and I noted Razor had three burgers and a mountain of fries, Davy had a burger with no fries, and Matty had a burger without the bun, and he ate it like a steak. He also got a small salad, and I wished I’d thought to order one.

My food showed up not long after theirs, and our conversation moved to stories about Matty racing. A girl named Micca showed up and the waitress brought her food without having to ask what she wanted. Davy left to return to work, and Gen came in with someone she introduced as Bethany, and they sat with us. It was a large round table, and there were still a few spots for more people, but it wasn’t even lunchtime anymore.

I’d finished my meal and stopped the waitress from bringing me a third beer, so I was sipping water when Bubbles finally arrived. He pulled a chair between me and Micca, sat in it, and lifted me from mine to sit me in his lap, but I honestly didn’t mind. I’d missed him.

“I told Hot Pocket I wanted you toasted when I got here.”

“I drank two beers but didn’t want to be drunk around your friends.”

Another beer landed in front of me as I spoke, and I rolled my eyes and took a long drink.

“She met Davy,” Razor told Bubbles, “but he wasn’t too talkative. I believe my boy’s going to want to go with pastels in his hair when he makes a change next time, and you wouldn’t believe how long the two of them compared eyeliner brands.”

Bubbles chuckled and kissed my forehead. “Glad you’re fittin’ in.” He lifted my beer and put it back in my hand. “Drink.”

“Why do you want me toasted?”

“Because you don’t have to work and won’t have to do homework tonight, and your ass is mine.”

I didn’t especially want to argue with him about butt stuff around his friends, but my ass was not going to be his and it was important he understand. “There isn’t enough beer on the planet for that.”

Bethany and Matty chuckled, and my face went hot.

Gen told Bethany, “Shut up. It isn’t funny. Don’t embarrass her.”

“Gen didn’t think there was enough tequila to make it happen, but Duke had other ideas. Good luck to you, but…” Bethany looked at Bubbles and back to me. “Yeah. Drink your beer.”

I buried my face in Bubbles’ chest, and he wrapped his arms around me.

“Hmmm. Perhaps I should clarify and just say you’ll be getting my undivided attention tonight. Don’t stress, Half-pint. You still have some time.”

Great, now the whole damned club was going to know Bubbles’ girlfriend was an anal virgin.

Of all the people to come to my rescue, I didn’t expect it to be Gen. “I get embarrassed when they talk about sex, too. It’ll be nice to have another ol’lady around who understands this isn’t conversation for the dinner table.”