Chapter Nine
Diesel
Diesel stood next to Rachel as he watched her survey his home. For some reason, her opinion mattered to him. He stood nervously as she pulled her hand out of his and walked around the room. The further she moved away, the more nervous he became.
The living room stretched the width of the house, but was divided into two separate seating areas by Diesel’s favorite fixture in the entire house - a fireplace that stretched from the floor to the ceiling, twenty-one feet above their heads. In the front half of the space was the TV and surround sound, large mahogany bookcases filled with all of his favorite books and family pictures, and a wrap-around sofa; plus, the stairs that led to the second floor. On the backside, a large pool table took up most of the room. A bar was added to the back corner, fully stocked with just about every brand of liquor a person could want. But what made that area special was the glass wall that opened the space up to the lake behind the house.
“Diesel, this place is amazing!” Rachel turned towards him with a smile that lit every corner of the large room.
“Thank you. I’m glad you like it. Especially since you’ll be staying here for a while. Come on,” Diesel held out his hand. “I’ll let you pick out a bedroom.”
“How many bedrooms do you have?” Rachel asked, genuinely curious.
“Four,” Diesel replied.
As he led her up the stairs, he was beginning to think this was a bad idea. No woman had ever stepped foot in this house, other than his mom and sister. Would she like it here? Diesel remembered she said she would love to live in a place like this, but it was different when you were actually forced to do it, rather than it being a choice. Right now, Rachel didn’t have much of a choice. The assholes who were after her, took all the other options away from her.
“You can pick any room you want. Mine is the one at the end of the hall. So any of the other three are available,” Diesel said. “I am going to go change real quick. Feel free to look around.”
Diesel left her to choose her room and walked into his, closing the door behind him. Being so close to her was causing issues for him. He was beginning to think this was a really bad idea. Maybe he should have taken her to a hotel.
Oh hell no, he thought after a brief moment.
That was an even worse idea. Him and Rachel together in such close quarters. Yeah, not a chance.
Rachel had a sweet innocence about her that called to something inside of him. Diesel always felt the need to protect her. It was one of the reasons he kept his distance from her at the club house.
Diesel quickly changed into a pair of loose sweatpants and slipped a black t-shirt over his head. Not ready to face Rachel again, he opened the double glass doors and stepped out onto the deck. The evening breeze was blowing in from the lake, cooling the humid Texas air.
Resting his elbows on the railing, he stared out across the backyard. He had forgotten how much this place relaxed him. He told Rachel that he liked staying at the compound because of all the people, but really Diesel loved the calm quietness that came with being home. However, he hated the loneliness. This place was always a reminder of his failure to maintain any type of healthy relationship. He built a home for a family, yet he had none to fill the rooms.
A noise brought his attention to the other end of the balcony. Diesel watched as Rachel stepped outside, the evening sun casting shadows around her. Rachel was stunning. She was about a foot shorter than his six foot two inches. She had a thick hourglass figure with round hips that Diesel wanted to grab ahold of and never let go. Her black hair was cut short and shaved on one side. A cute diamond sparkled from the side of her nose. For all intents and purposes, she looked like a take no shit kind of woman. Badass to the bone. But Diesel knew better. Rachel Moore was a walking contradiction. Timid, yet stubborn. Polite, yet forceful. She was everything he desired, but always everything that scared the shit out of him.
“Hey,” Rachel said from her end of the balcony.
“Did you choose a room?” Diesel asked, pushing away from the railing.
“I did. This one is perfect,” Rachel answered, pointing to the room she had emerged from.
Diesel could understand why she liked that one. It was decorated by his sister in tones of black and burgundy, with cream colored walls. It was also his favorite of the extra three rooms and the furthest from his.
“I’m going to head downstairs and start something for dinner. Are you hungry?”
“Not really. I ate at the diner while I was waiting for you and Thomas,” Rachel replied.
“Thomas?” Diesel asked, raising his eyebrow. He had never heard anyone call Viper by his real name. It sounded weird.
“Viper. His real name is Thomas. I forget sometimes that the Henchmen never use it.”
“I know what his real name is. He and I were on the same Ranger team,” Diesel explained.
“You were a Ranger, too?” Diesel could hear the genuine surprise in her voice. He knew he was young for a Ranger. Many people were surprised to find out he was one of the youngest Rangers in history.
“Yep. And a sniper,” Diesel said with a cocky grin. “I’ll be downstairs if you need me. Just holler.”
“Okay,” Rachel said, staring at him as he walked back into his room. Diesel could feel her eyes on his back. Internally, his grin spread even bigger. Maybe having her in his home wouldn’t be so bad after all.
Diesel walked into the kitchen and immediately headed for the fridge. Pulling out a cold beer, he twisted off the top and threw it into the trashcan just as the sound of a bike met his ears. Quickly, he made his way to the front door, grabbing the gun from the top shelf of the bookcase on his way through.
Looking through the peek hole, Diesel saw Viper making his way to the door. Opening the door, he greeted his friend with a huge smile.
“Good to see you again, Thomas,” Diesel chuckled.
Viper stopped walking. “Fuck you,” he said.
“Maybe later, big boy,” Diesel winked, stepping to the side so Viper could enter.
“Bitch, you wish,” Viper retorted, entering the living room.
“Every night,” Diesel laughed.
“You’re totally fucked in the head,” Viper chuckled, shaking his head.
“Right,” Diesel asked, still laughing.
“Why the fuck would you even call me Thomas? You haven’t used that name in years.”
“Rachel called you Thomas a bit ago,” Diesel smiled.
“Hey, I didn’t expect to see you again tonight,” Rachel said, joining the guys in the room.
Diesel couldn’t help but admire the sway of her hips. The woman was the epitome of sex. Everything about her was perfect.
“He just got here,” Diesel said, watching the bounce in Rachel’s ass as she walked over to Viper and gave the man a hug.
“Hey, Rach. Are you doing okay?” Viper asked.
“Yes. Diesel just showed me upstairs and I picked out which room I’ll be staying in,” she admitted.
“Let me guess... Room number one?” Viper asked, smiling.
“How did you know?” Rachel answered, surprised.
“It will have the best lighting when the sun rises in the morning,” Viper grinned.
Diesel listened to the exchanged and felt like a third wheel. Clearing his throat, he asked, “you hungry, dude? I was about to cook me a steak. I can add another for you.”
“Sure. That sounds fuckin awesome. I’m starving,” Viper answered.
“No problem,” Diesel said, making his way to the kitchen.
“Thanks, Marcus,” Viper laughed.
Diesel turned back to his friend, eyebrow raised. He hated that name. He was named after his father. The man that molded him into the bastard he was today.
“Fuck you! Now, you can starve,” Diesel said, flipping Viper off as he turned back towards the kitchen. Viper’s laugh echoed through the house, bouncing off walls.
As he started to prepare dinner, Diesel couldn’t help the feeling of loneliness that invaded him again. He could hear the chatter coming from the living room. Rachel’s laugh pulled at him. Again, he felt like he was trapped on the outside.
Story of your life, he told himself.
It had always been that way for him, even as a kid. It wasn’t until Diesel joined the Army, that he finally found a place that he belonged. And in one night, that too was ripped away from him. Refusing to think about, Diesel busied himself cooking. Not many people knew, but he loved to cook.
“Wow. It smells so good in here,” Rachel said entering the kitchen with Viper not far behind her.
“For real. Marcus here is a real chef,” Viper said, patting Diesel on the back.
“Marcus, huh? I don’t think I have ever heard your name before tonight,” Rachel confessed.
“Marcus Briggs, at your service, Ma’am,” Diesel said, taking a bow and causing a giggle to fall from Rachel’s lips. It was the prettiest sound he had ever heard.
Diesel swore at that moment that he would do anything to hear it again. His life lacked pretty things. He had no idea how he would be able to keep her, but he wanted Rachel. Diesel was horrible at relationships, but for her, he would try. Now if he could just convince her that he was more than just a womanizing perv.
Dinner passed by quickly. The three of them sat together at the kitchen bar and laughed long into the night. Viper and Diesel shared stories of their time together in the military. Rachel listened to every word. Her honest interest in the events of Diesel’s life gave him hope that one day, she would view him differently and just maybe she would learn to trust him. It was during the course of the night that Diesel realized trust was a huge thing to Rachel. So many times she trusted someone only to have it blow up in her face. He could understand now, why she was reluctant to confide in him. Diesel sent up a silent prayer that he could find a way to change that.
After saying good night, each of them departed to their own rooms. Diesel lay in his bed thinking about the woman down the hall sleeping in his home. He had to find a way to keep her safe - permanently. After some rest, he would see what he could find out about the man who was after her. Then he would formulate a plan. One way or another, Rachel would live the life she wanted and deserved.
“No matter what,” Diesel said out loud. Closing his eyes, Diesel was asleep in a matter of minutes.