Chapter Ten
The bonfire was fun. Mary had been to several parties over the years with Holly. Neither of them had parties late at night with the club. This was all new to her, old ladies and club whores, the men. She glanced toward the main forecourt of the compound to see Russ and Sheila dancing together. The couple was happy. The news of Holly’s pregnancy brought joy to the whole of the club.
The happy couple was sitting at the table with her and Pike.
“If I’d known my baby would bring them together I’d have gotten pregnant sooner,” Holly said.
Her friend leaned against Duke, who was drinking a beer. Matthew was at the party earlier but had been sent home with a babysitter.
“They’re going to be grandparents. You’ll get a lot of free child care,” Mary said.
“Yeah, I will.”
“It’ll give us plenty of time to make another one.”
Holly slapped Duke on the arm. “Stop it. I want to get this one over and done with first.”
Mary watched as Duke placed his hand on Holly’s stomach. “Everything is going to be fine.” Duke kissed her neck, sucking on her flesh.
“Stop it, we have guests.”
“So? Pike can do whatever he wants to Mary.” Duke tilted his beer in their direction.
Chuckling, Mary leaned against Pike. His hand rested on her thigh. She had her leg out in front of her on the bench. Her leg was all healed up, but the doctor had warned her that at times it’d feel stiff. Pike’s gentle strokes were helping to ease out the stiffness and also turning her on.
“It’s getting really cold,” Holly said.
“There’s a small group of guys inside. No other women,” Duke said, staring at Pike.
“What’s the matter?” Mary asked, glancing between both men.
“Nothing. I just thought now would be a good time to take the party inside.”
“Duke?” Holly asked. The happy couple shared a look. “Yes. I think it would be a good time to take this inside.”
She watched the couple stand up, heading toward the clubhouse. Duke said something to Russ as he passed.
“What’s going on?” Mary asked, confused.
“Nothing. Come on. I’m freezing my ass off. I’m sure it’s why your leg is giving you some problems.”
“How did you know?” she asked.
“I called your doctor when I saw you a few nights ago rubbing your leg when we were watching a movie. I figured that’s why you’re leg was out like it was.” Pike got to his feet helping her up. “Hold onto me.”
She held onto him as they walked toward the clubhouse. Moving around helped ease out the stiffness of her leg. “You’re probably right, it’s the cold.”
“My brave little woman.” They entered the clubhouse, and Pike picked her up over his shoulder.
“What are you doing, Pike? Put me down.” She slapped his ass, giggling as he swatted her own.
He placed her on the pool table in the center of the room. She glanced around the room to see Daisy, Raoul, Pie, Duke, and Holly, along with a few men. None of them paid her any attention. The lighting of the room was turned down, creating a sensual scene in the room. The music was slow. Her body warmed under Pike’s gaze.
“What’s going on?” she asked.
His fingers rubbed her leg, making her moan in pleasure at the attention he devoted to her.
“Do you trust me?” he asked.
“What?” His hand cupped her against her jeans. “Pike?”
“We’ve got a rule at the club, Mary. It’s a strict one, and I can’t let you leave this room until after I take you.”
“Take me?” Glancing around the room she noticed Holly was making out with Duke. The two were not looking toward them. The men, they were watching the scene.
“You’re going to be my old lady.”
“No, I’m not. I’m not ready for that.” Mary gripped his arm, pushing him away. He released her immediately.
“I want you, Mary.”
“I just offered you my forgiveness for treating me like a whore when I gave you my virginity. You made my first time one of the worst experiences in the world, and now you want to claim me as an old lady. Is this some kind of an orgy?” she asked. She hadn’t let him go.
“It’s not an orgy. This is going to make sure you’re protected.”
“The only reason I’m not protected is because of the club.” Her heart was racing. The thought of Pike screwing her turned her on, even with the men in the room. The thought of another touching her, doused any kind of arousal.
“I can’t do this. Is this what you were going to do? Fuck me on the table for others to see?”
She saw the truth in his eyes.
“You hoped I’d want you too damned much not to give in.” She jumped off the pool table, wincing at the pain going up her leg. Pike tried to help her. She pushed him away. “No, I don’t want you to touch me.”
“Mary?” Holly said.
She turned on her friend. “Is this what you did? Fucked them all to be protected?”
Duke rose to his feet.
“Mary, please, this is what the club—”
“No, I’m not doing this.” She stepped away from Pike. “I’m not doing any of this.” She made her way toward the door without looking back.
“This is what the old ladies do, Mary,” Pike said.
Turning back to look at him, Mary let him see the whole truth of the pain he’d caused. “It’s a good job I never wanted to be an old lady.” Opening the door, she found Russ stood guarding the door from the outside.
It was all planned. Duke suggesting they go inside, him talking to Russ.
“Mary?”
“No, I can’t deal with this now. This is too much.” She shoved her way passed, moving out of the clubhouse. They all fucked each other while watching. No, she couldn’t do that. When Pike had her up against the tree, she’d truly thought he was being caring, loving, even. It was all a mistake. This was too much to take in right now. What kind of club fucked women like that? It was wrong.
Walking the streets toward town, Mary found herself knocking on Mac’s door. He was the only person she could think of to go to. It was late, it was cold, and she didn’t want to go anywhere else.
Seconds later Mac opened the door. He was wearing a pair of jeans with a white shirt.
“Mary, shit, are you okay?” he asked.
“I know this is a lot to ask. Could I come in?”
“Sure.” He opened the door wider to allow her inside. “You know I’m always happy to have you at my place.” He closed the door behind her.
“Do you want to tell me what’s going on?” he asked.
Did she? The club business had to stay part of the club.
“I’ve had an argument with Pike. I don’t have an apartment anymore. You’re the only one I could think to come to.”
“What about Holly?”
“Yeah, I can’t go to her right now.”
She bit her lip, taking a seat on his sofa. His apartment was surprisingly tidy, a complete contrast to his office. She’d spent a great deal of time fixing his office.
“Look, Pike, he cares about you. You can’t tell me what’s going on, and I’m guessing that’s club shit. You can stay here however long you want.”
“I don’t want to sleep with you. Our relationship is never going to change,” she said.
“Whoa, I’m not going to make demands. I think we both know Pike has always been the one, not me.”
Tears filled her eyes as she thought about what just happened. She’d not really let him explain.
“I, erm, I don’t know what to do. I’m so confused right now. They just sprang it on me without giving me the chance to think things through.”
Mac sat beside her, tugging her close. “It’s okay. I’ll be here when you need me. I like being your friend. I care about you, and that’s not going to change.”
Resting her head against his chest, Mary let the tears fall.
She was in love with Pike. Talking to him against the tree, she hadn’t lied to him. She did forgive him. Hating him had never been something she could do. What she didn’t know was if she could take that next step with him.
****
“She’s not answering her cell and neither are her parents at the trailer. I’m telling you, her parents would be the last place she’d go,” Holly said.
Pike stood inside Duke’s home, trying to think of what to do next. He’d not followed her out of the clubhouse, which had been the biggest mistake he’d made.
“I told you he needed to tell her, Duke. I didn’t exactly handle it well. Their history, what made you think Mary would handle it any better?” Holly threw her phone against the wall. Her anger had peaked since Mary stormed out of the clubhouse. Russ hadn’t been too impressed either.
“You need to calm down, Holly,” Duke said, moving behind his wife, holding her close.
“Calm down? Calm down? I just had my best friend walk out on me looking at me like a stranger when all I was trying to do was help her. God, she’s in love with you, Pike. Always has been and you’ve got to find ways of screwing it up.” Holly’s temper was high, her hormones obviously affecting her attitude.
“I love her, Holly. I did what I thought was best.”
“Well, you screwed up there.” Holly moved toward him. “You better make this right with her.”
Duke wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her back. Pike wouldn’t have hurt her. He didn’t believe in physically harming a woman.
“Have you considered calling Mac?” Matthew asked, walking into the sitting room. He carried a soda in his hand. Pike hadn’t even heard him wake up.
“What?”
“Mac. He’s got a place in town above the diner. If she’s not going to her folks, she’s not here or at home, she’d go to him.”
“And you know this how?” Duke asked.
“I listened. Mary likes to talk. They work together, but they’re still friends.”
“I’m going to head out to the diner,” Pike said.
At the door, Holly called his name. Turning toward her he waited. “Please make it right with her,” she said.
“I will.” He left Duke’s house, climbing on his bike as he made his way toward the diner. The town was quiet, and it was late. He’d fucked up, but then he was always fucking up with his woman. Parking his bike, he started banging on Mac’s door. Resting his hands on either side of the wall, he waited for Mac to open.
He was rewarded seconds later.
“Please, tell me she’s here,” he said.
Mac stepped out of the door, closing it behind him. “She’s sleeping on the sofa.”
“I need to see her. I need to explain.”
“You needed to explain to her before you did whatever you did. She’s hurting right now.”
“She’s mine, Mac.”
“Cut the crap. We both know she belongs to you. I get it. She’s yours. I don’t want a woman in my life who is in love with another man. I don’t get my kicks like that.” Mac ran fingers through his hair. “I care about Mary, but I don’t love her. I saw my parents make the diner strong. I figured with Mary as my wife, we’d make it strong, but I don’t love her. You need to make it right for her. Give her a day or two to clear her head. When she’s ready, I’ll let you know where to find her.”
“You better not be starting any crap with me,” Pike said. He couldn’t believe he was going to walk away.
“No crap. We’re friends, Pike, or did you forget that in your obsession with this woman? It has always been one favor after another with you. You think I didn’t realize you were in love with her. Mary doesn’t want me, and I’m not about to press an advantage for a woman I only care about.”
“If that’s the case, why did you start trying to date her, huh?”
“You told me to, Pike. You told me to show her a good time. You didn’t fucking give me a lot of choice. You’d hurt her, and I didn’t like seeing her hurt.” Mac shook his head. “Go, clear your head. Make a decision about Mary, and when you do, stick to it, and don’t let her get away again.”
Mac turned around, slamming into his apartment.
Looking up at the apartment building, Pike struggled to turn and leave.
Give her time.
Walking away from that apartment was the hardest thing he ever did.
****
Raoul stared down at the piece of paper in his hand. Diaz had come through for him again. Zoe’s address was a small apartment off the college campus. Turning off his bike, Raoul pocketed the address. It was late. The bonfire had sucked big time with Mary running out. That was going to cause some problems for Pike and possibly the club. Zoe had been on his mind ever since he’d saved her a few weeks ago.
“Okay, come on.” He entered the apartment building, not liking the lack of security.
He climbed the four flights of steps toward her room. Knocking on the door, Raoul leaned against the opposite wall, waiting. When she didn’t answer right away, he knocked again.
This time she answered the door, rubbing at her eyes. “Yes,” she said.
She wore the cutest pajamas with cupcakes on them.
“Oh, hi,” she said. Her cheeks went red.
“Can I come in?”
“Yeah, sure.” She let him inside, and he waited for her to close the door. “I didn’t know you knew where I lived.”
“I dropped you outside of the building.”
“I didn’t give you my number though.” She wrapped her arms around her body, rubbing the chill. He noticed there was no heating on. “I’m sorry it’s cold. I can’t afford to heat my apartment throughout the night.”
“How the fuck do you stay warm?”
She smiled. “I’ve got a big fluffy blanket.”
“Sorry for interrupting your night.”
“You’re not. I fell asleep while studying. Believe me, you’re not interrupting anything.”
“Those guys, I wanted to let you know that you don’t have to worry about them anymore.” He rubbed the back of his head.
Zoe tensed, tears filling her eyes.
“You don’t have to worry about them ever again.” He spoke the words softly.
“Are they dead?” she asked.
“I can’t tell you that.”
“I saw your leather jacket. You’re part of an MC, right? Like the ones people are always talking about nowadays?” She took a step back from him.
“I’m not going to hurt you. I’m part of a club in Vale Valley, the Trojans MC. You ever heard of it?”
She chuckled. “No, I’ve never heard of it. I don’t exactly get out much.”
“Well, if you ever want to party, I’d love to see you out of the city.” He reached behind his back, pulling out a gun.
“You’re not going to kill me, are you?”
“No, I’m giving you a gun.”
“Why would you do that?” she asked.
“Living in the city. It’s dangerous, and if you had a gun, you’d be protected.” He handed it to her. Raoul also handed her a card. “I’ve paid for you to have lessons so you know how to use it.”
“I don’t think this is a good idea. I’m not exactly—” She held the gun between her fingers and away from her body. “I’m not good at this.”
“May I?” he asked, stepping behind her.
“Sure.” She sounded breathless as he stepped behind her. He showed her how to hold the gun.
“This will not hurt you. The safety is on.” He showed her the safety then placed it back on. “Put it away, but take the lessons.” He didn’t want her getting hurt.
“Okay, I appreciate this.”
He stepped away from her going toward the door. “You can’t tell anyone I was here.”
“I wouldn’t do that.”
Raoul glanced back at the woman who’d gotten under his skin. Her bright red hair and startling green eyes would stay with him forever. “You take care, Zoe. Don’t let anyone hurt you, and don’t fall for any man’s shit.”
Opening the door, Raoul closed it behind him. Part of him hoped it wasn’t the last time he saw the woman.