It had taken Elle an inordinately long time to pull on the skin tight leather pants that Hot Wheels had loaned her and now that she had the entire outfit on she couldn’t help but feel…exposed. She took a minute to inventory everything. Besides the black leather pants that clung to the curves of her legs she was wearing a dark gray tank top.
At least, she was pretty sure it was a tank top. The sides of the armholes were ripped so low that the opening reached her bottom rib and the black lace bra that Hot Wheels had tossed at her was plainly visible from the side. The outfit was finished with a pair of surprisingly lightweight black boots and fingerless gloves that sat snuggly at her wrist. All in all, she felt utterly, completely ridiculous.
Not for the first time, Elle wished there was a mirror, but she had been pushed into the broom closet turned dressing room to get changed after Hot Wheels had done her makeup and teased her hair and hadn’t had time to sneak to the bathroom upstairs to see if she looked as big of a fool as she felt.
Who was she kidding, she couldn’t do this. She couldn’t make anyone honestly believe that she was a biker. But she also knew that this was their only chance to stop the Nomads before someone got hurt, and she wasn’t about to let that happen, not if there was even the slimmest chance of her being able to stop it.
“Sugar are you gonna come out here anytime soon? We kind of got things to do. Places to be. Leaders of biker gangs to fool.” Hot Wheels voice was muffled by the heavy closet door but not enough to stop them from reaching her, and making her feel like a coward on top of everything. Here she was, cowering in the closet when they were all out there figuring out the plan, figuring out how to save the farm.
Come on, Elle. You can do this. You can be brave this once. The words were enough to have her hand moving, reaching for the door knob and twisting, pulling it open. But her feet were stuck in the doorway and she couldn’t take another step.
“Elle, are you coming out or– Well, damn girl!” Hot Wheels said as she turned around, drawing out the word in a way that had Elle shifting uncomfortably once more. “Come all the way out so I can get a good look at you.”
Hot Wheels waved her out but she still didn’t budge.
“Don’t worry, we’re in the back and the door is closed. Nobody else is gonna see you right now except little old me.” Hot Wheels said, then rolled her eyes, reaching forward until she grasped Elle’s wrist and physically tugging her until she was standing in the middle of the back room, which had been converted into extra storage.
“Well?” Elle finally asked, staring down at herself, but all she could see was a stranger. It didn’t help that she had no idea what Hot Wheels had done with her hair or makeup either, except for the heavy black cat eye liner that she’d applied and the mascara that felt heavy on her usually unpainted eyelashes.
“Sugar,” Hot Wheels stated after she’d walked around her in a circle, twice, “if I was into girls I’d be all over you in a heartbeat.”
“Oh, um, thanks?” Elle replied faintly causing Hot Wheels to throw her head back and belt out a belly laugh.
“Oh, you are just too sweet, sugar. It really is no wonder that Honey is head over heals for you.”
Her words had warmth spreading through her, and that warmth chased away some of the uncertainty that had her shaking as Elle turned to face Hot Wheels.
“Okay, so I look the part? You think I can really do this?” Elle asked the question that had been weighing on her the hardest since her decision to be a part of this plan. But Hot Wheels was already shaking her head.
“No, sug, it’s not about how you look. We talked about this already, remember? Sure, this get up will get you through the door but if you start in on one of your school marm lectures they’re gonna see right through you like that!” Hot Wheels snapped her fingers to drive home her point and Elle flinched.
“It’s about attitude.” Hot Wheels said, staring at her so intently it made Elle want to look away, but she couldn’t, “It’s what you perceive yourself to be.”
“But I’m just…me.” Elle said weakly.
“There’s no ‘just’ about it, sweetie.” Hot Wheels said, not unkindly, “you are strong. I’ve seen it in you. You just need to make other people see it too.”
“How? How exactly am I supposed to do that?” Elle shot back, frustration filling her at the other woman’s cryptic words.
“What made you step in between Honey and Scorpion that first day when he came here? You must have known that either of those men could squash you like a little bug. Why did you do it?”
“I, um, I guess I–.”
“No!” Hot Wheels interrupted, cutting her off and taking a threatening step forward. “Don’t guess. Know!”
“I don’t know!”
“You think you’re a coward?”
“Well, no, I just–.”
“You think you’re not brave enough?”
“I am! It’s just that–.”
“You think you’re weak? You’re not strong enough? You can’t take it? You can’t do what needs to be done because you are weak, and a coward, and–.”
“It was because of Honey!” Elle shouted, cutting off the woman’s words. She took a deep breath when she saw Hot Wheels staring at her, waiting for her to go on, “I did it because I didn’t want Honey to get hurt and he would have.”
“You were protecting him.” Hot Wheels nodded as she spoke, a small proud smile tugging up the corners of her mouth, “Because you weren’t thinking of yourself, or your own strength. You were as strong as you needed to be to protect someone you love.”
“I don’t–.” Elle cut off the words at Hot Wheels’ sharp look, “Yes. In that moment, I forgot everything else, all of the reasons I wasn’t strong enough, and I just did what I had to to keep him safe. I couldn’t…I couldn’t stand there and watch him get hurt.”
“That’s were real strength comes from.” Hot Wheels said, taking a step closer and pointing at the spot just above where her heart was, “Here. It comes from right here. Not up here.” Hot Wheels gestured to Elle’s head for a moment before letting her hand drop and taking a step back.
“And besides, you look hot as hell. Those bastards will probably be drooling to hard to notice anything else.”
“I hope so.” Elle said on a shaky laugh, but Hot Wheels words still echoed through her, settling somewhere in the vicinity of her chest and as she took a step forward she didn’t realize that her shoulders were thrown back, her chin up as she looked back at the other woman confidently.
“That’s it.” Hot Wheels said, looking at her like a proud mama hen, but still doubt ate at her.
“What if…What if I can’t do this? What if I mess up?” Elle asked, letting her fears shine in her dark eyes.
“You can do this, Elle. I believe in you. So does everybody else.”
“Honey doesn’t.”
“Psh. All Honey knows is that he loves you and that shadows everything else. He can’t see clearly right now.”
“But I really need him to.” Elle admitted, her voice shaky, hating the way the words made her feel weak but a moment later Hot Wheels was there, walking close with something draped over her arms.
“No, you don’t.” The other woman said, staring at her intently, “You don’t even need us. All you need is to believe in yourself. That is all you need, Elle. Don’t let anyone ever tell you differently.”
Hot Wheels glanced down, sliding a hand over whatever it was she held, almost caressing it. It looked like a bundle of dark leather but Elle couldn’t see it clearly in the dim light of the storage room.
“Here, I want you to wear this.” She held it out and Elle gasped. It was her Dirty Cruisers jacket. Elle didn’t know much about the inner workings of the crew but she knew how much these jackets meant, and how much it meant that Hot Wheels was offering hers.
“I…thank you.” Elle said, quickly sliding her arms in as Hot Wheels held it out for her. As she pulled it on, Elle could practically feel herself changing, growing more confident in herself, like she’d just put on a suit of armor instead of an old, worn leather jacket. Elle ran her hand down the soft dark leather before looking up at Hot Wheels again.
“I’ll return it safe and sound, I promise.”
“You better.” Hot Wheels said with a laugh, “That coat is my baby. You treat it like that and we’ll get along just fine. Now, there’s a few other things you need to know before we toss you to the wolves…”
***
Impatience bubbled in his gut like an acid, corroding what was left of his ability to sit still and Honey started pacing the small office as the others continued to hash out the details of the plan. What the fuck was taking them so long? A change of clothes, a little makeup. How long could that possibly take?
With a muttered curse, he threw himself back into one of the old armchairs shoved into the corner where he could sit with a clear view of the door that lead to the storage room in the back. A door that hadn’t opened in almost an hour. If he had to wait any longer he thought, he might just perish then and there. Had anyone ever died from sheer impatience before? Honey thought it a distinct possibility.
He wasn’t sitting long before he noticed a shadow thrown over him. He didn’t break his gaze from watching the door as he spoke.
“What, any other dangerous stunts you’ve thought up for Elle? Want to see her jump through a ring of fire or shoot arrows at an apple on her head and see if any of them stick?” Honey knew he sounded like a petulant child but he couldn’t’ keep the bitterness from his voice.
“Honey, you know it’s not like that,” Joel said with an exhausted sigh, “if there was any other way we could make this thing work, we would do it. But we haven’t been able to come up with anything. Have you? Because if you have an idea I would love to hear it! Don’t think for a second that I’m happy about how this is playing out.”
Joel’s growl was just as pissed as his own had sounded and Honey looked up at him, for the first time he noticed the dark circles under his eyes and the haggard way he held himself as if he hadn’t slept in days. It was more than likely that he hadn’t. Honey bit back the caustic words he’d been about to say, realizing that whatever he was going through, his leader was going through far worse.
“No,” Honey finally sighed as he turned his attention back to the door. Just because he understood, didn’t make it any easier for him to swallow, “I haven’t been able to think of a damn thing.”
“I am sorry for putting you in this position, but,” Joel took a deep breath, “I believe in Elle. I wouldn’t have suggested it if I didn’t think she could do it. And I think…well, I think she needs you to believe in her too.”
“I do, damn it! Of course I believe in her. But that doesn’t mean I have to be happy about tossing her into the lion’s den. Would you be if it was Carla we were sending out there?” Honey turned his questioning gaze back towards his leader and the look in his silver eyes was answer enough for him, “I didn’t think so.”
“Honey, I am sorry.” Joel finally said, repeating his words and Honey could hear the sincerity in them. Slowly he nodded.
“I know, Joel. I know you are. It’s okay.” Honey had to force to words out, wondering if he could ever truly mean them or not, “but if anything happens to her, anything at all–.”
“I know. I know!” Joel said, throwing his hands up in the air. Honey was still watching the door so he missed Joel’s smirk as he glanced down at him.
“I never thought I’d see the day,” Joel said, a bit of humor tinging his voice, “the great Honey has finally fallen.”
Honey was about to reply with a biting comment but he didn’t have the chance, and he didn’t hear any of the other words that Joel was saying because just then the door to the back storage room was finally creaking slowly open.
Shock hit him first, and then confusion. There was no way that was Elle. That couldn’t be his Elle. But it was. That long honey blond hair, wavy and teased and tousled as if someone’s hands had just been running through it, was hers. And those eyes, those big, dark, fathomless eyes couldn’t belong to anyone else, even if Hot Wheels had done something to them to make them look enormous.
And her clothes. She was wearing the sexiest thing he’d ever seen. Every inch of her bottom half was molded with skin tight soft black leather that made him ache to reach out and see if her curves were as lush as they looked. He knew from experience that they were but even still he found himself curling his fingers into his palm to keep from reaching for her.
Her top half was covered with a tank that revealed more than it hid and he felt his mouth water for a taste at the glimpse of black lace just underneath it. Boots, fingerless gloves, and finally a black leather Cruisers jacket that Honey recognized as Hot Wheels own completed the look.
“You better close your mouth,” Joel said under his breath, his words were quiet but still held a wealth of amusement, “before you start drooling on the floor.”
Honey glared up at him, or at least he tried to but he couldn’t tear his gaze away from Elle as she walked further into the room. Hot Wheels was right behind her, looking like nothing more than a proud mama bear with her cub but it still took him a moment to drag his attention away from the temptress in front of him to notice.
Elle walked over the table, tucking a lock of hair behind her ear and suddenly the two versions of Elle that he knew collided. There was the Elle that taught piano lessons to kids, always patient, always kind. Who always stopped to help an injured animal and who would bring home strays just to nurse them back to health. The Elle that was quiet, watchful, and hated being the center of attention. The wallflower that he loved.
And now, there was this Elle. Not knew, but merely hidden until now. The strong Elle, the take no prisoners Elle. The Elle that would always do what she believed was right no matter how hard it was, no matter how much it hurt. The tough Elle. Honey didn’t know how he could have missed it before.
It was like his eyes were opened for the first time and he saw the real her. As the other’s joined her to start talking about how the plan was going to go down, all he could was marvel. It wasn’t the clothes. It wasn’t the make up or the sexy hair. As much as he liked those things. No, instead it was like there had always been a picture of her in his mind that he’d seen whenever he looked at her. And now, instead of the picture, he could see her, in all her complex, complicated, infuriating beauty.
She’d tried to tell him again and again. That she could make her own choices, even if they put her at risk. That she wasn’t some fragile doll to be placed on a shelf. And he could see the truth of her words, finally they sank in and he felt like a…well, like a damned fucking fool for not seeing it sooner.
“I’ve got Scorpion taken care of,” Sparkplug’s words drew Honey out of his deep, swirling thoughts and his ears perked as he listened, “I got a hold of him and convinced that I needed to talk to him. Alone. I’ll be able to draw him away from the warehouse long enough to give you the time you need.”
“You promise?” Elle asked warily, “He won’t be there?”
“I promise. Scorpion is a very logical guy, in his own way. He knows it’s best to settle things with me quietly. So the coast is clear. He’s the only one that knows what you look like and believe me, even he would have trouble recognize you looking like that.”
Honey had to hold back a possessive growl at the appreciative look in the other man’s eyes but he had a feeling it was more for Elle’s benefit than anything else. Slowly, she nodded and he released a pent up breath. A part of him had still hoped that she would come to her senses and tell everyone to just fuck off. Well, maybe not in those terms exactly, not Elle, but he’d hoped she would change her mind. Had prayed for it the whole time she was in that damned back room with Hot Wheels.
But he could the determined slant of her shoulders, the focus in her furrowed brows as Joel told her everything she would have to say, everything she would have to do to convince the leader of the Nomads that she was one of Viper’s thugs, and that he was demanding more, changing the terms of their deal. It was crucial that she convince them, not just for their sake, for the farm’s sake, but for her sake as well. He shuddered to think of what Damaris might do if he suspected any sort of duplicity. It wouldn’t end well for Elle, that he was certain of.
All too soon, they were wrapping it up. The plan in itself was relatively simple so there wasn’t much to go through and Sparkplug had already left to draw Scorpion away from the warehouse. Now, the path was clear for Elle to play her part. And Honey was more terrified than he’d ever been in his life.
“I’ll take her.” He blurted out, striding forward.
“The plan was for her to drive herself. If you’re recognized–.” Joel started but Honey didn’t let him finish.
“I won’t be. I’ll be careful. But I am driving her. I’ll take my bike.”
“Your bike isn’t here.” Elle said, staring at him now. He just stood his ground, refusing to back down. She was right but it didn’t matter.
“Here, take mine,” Tucker was leaning forward, tossing his keys towards him and Honey barely caught them through his surprise, “It’s parked out front. Just don’t scratch her up.”
“I won’t. Thanks, man.” Honey breathed out his gratitude and the large man just nodded in acknowledgement. They didn’t waste much more time. There was a round of quick but heartfelt goodbyes and he noticed Hot Wheels lean close, whispering something in Elle’s ear that made her stand up straighter but it was too quiet for him to hear the words.
Then they were heading outside, just the two of them and he revved Tucker’s bike, getting used to the unfamiliar machined while Elle slowly climbed on behind him. He handed her a spare helmet and she put it on quickly, buckling the strap under her chin before nodding towards him.
“Are you ready?” Honey asked quietly.
“I feel like I’m going to throw up.” She replied but then took a deep breath, nodding again, “Yeah, I’m ready.” Despite how stupid he thought this whole plan was, he couldn’t help be proud of her.
Honey turned back around and had to close his eyes against the exquisite feeling of Elle’s arms wrapping around his waist.
“Hold on.”
Honey tore off down the driveway, flying onto the highway, blind to the mountains and tree lined roads that they passed. The ride felt like it lasted an eternity, heaven and hell all wrapped up together in something that Honey was pretty sure was the closest to torture that he’d ever come to. Finally, almost an hour later, he started to slow and pull over to the side.
“Are we– Are we there yet?” Elle asked breathlessly, looking around but all that she could see were the forest that lined this part of the road.
“Almost. It’s just through the patch of trees. I came in from the side so anyone driving in through the front won’t see me. I don’t want to give you away.” Honey said softly as he threw the kickstand down and helped Elle off. Honey pointed ahead and just to the right.
“It’s down there. Just a shout away, okay?” Honey asked, cupping her face in his hand as he drew her gaze up to meet his. He could see her fear, but he could also see her courage, her determination. And he didn’t think he’d ever loved her as fiercely as he did in that moment.
He drew her close, laying a hard kiss across her lips. He couldn’t stop himself even if he wanted to and he damn well didn’t. The way she melted against him drove him crazy and all to soon she was pulling away, breathless and flushed, and some of the fear in her eyes had lessened. He would have to be satisfied with that. For the moment.
“You’ll wait for me?” Elle asked softly and Honey kissed her one last time.
“I’m not going anywhere, baby. I promise you that.” Elle nodded, and then he did the hardest thing he’d ever had to do. Let the woman he loved walk into danger, alone. Unprotected. The only thing he had left to do was wait.