CHAPTER TWO
CHERRY
Sitting in the car, I watch the moon rise high in the sky. It’s still hot out, and my legs stick to the seat of the car. I can’t sleep, and all I can think about is Piper. I know it’s stupid, but I want to go get her from Eric. I hate for her to think that I’ve given up on her, that I didn’t fight harder for her. Looking at the moon, I sigh heavily.
I remember as a little girl how bad I wanted to know if my mom ever wanted me. I wonder if Piper will feel like that. The thought saddens me.
“I can’t give up. Not yet,” I mumble, sitting up in the seat of the car. Starting the engine, I pull onto the highway. I’m going to get my daughter back, damn it. I want my daughter, and I’ll get her one way or another.
I drive and drive until I make my way to the trailer park. The sun is nearly rising by the time I finally reach the shitty area. My hands begin to build a nervous sweat, and my stomach flutters with unease to the point I may puke as I get closer. I can’t believe what I’m doing. I’m stupid. I’m being reckless.
I blow out an unsteady breath and pull into the circle drive, but I still don’t turn around. I’m determined to continue my journey, even if it kills me.
“You can do this. You can do this,” I whisper to myself. I don’t even know what this is. All I know is I want my daughter back. I guess if I have to put a label on it, I’m kidnapping my daughter. Opening the car door, it creaks loudly and I wince. I slowly close it, hoping it doesn’t make as much noise, but it does. Thankfully, nobody comes out to investigate the noise.
Looking the house over, I notice only two lights on. One on the second story and another in the front of the house. My best bet would be to enter from the back. I tiptoe around the house and chills run up my back, so I rub up and down my arms trying to smooth them away. Climbing the steps, I test the door to find it’s unlocked. I shake my head; Eric is so fucking stupid to leave his house unlocked in this neighborhood.
Slowly, I push the door open and hear a TV playing in the front room. The house is dark, and nobody seems to be moving around, so I quietly proceed into what looks like a kitchen. Crying sounds from upstairs, and my eyes prick with tears. Piper. I step to where the TV is playing and find Eric passed out in a chair, his hands down his pants. This is it, my time to take Piper. I turn quickly and make my way up the stairs to the crying. I pass pictures of little Eric and his family, and find the one bedroom that is lit up. There, in a small white crib, is Piper. She has little red curls and is bundled in a white blanket. I sob and step closer, just wanting to feel her small little body in my arms.
“I wouldn’t.” I freeze, panicking. I turn slowly, finding an older lady with silver curls and a long, off-white pajama gown. “Lindsay, right?” I don’t answer, frozen scared. “I get it. I knew you would show up. I’d expect it from any mother who cares about her child.” She shuffles past me, and I frown in confusion. Is she just going to give me Piper?
I follow her into the room as she scoops up my little girl.
“I’m Eric’s grandma, and I’m taking care of Piper. No need to worry.” She pats Piper to soothe her.
“It’s not fair,” I mutter. I should be taking care of Piper. I want to take care of her, yet Eric just passes her off to anyone who will do his dirty work. Anyone but me that is.
Eric’s grandma scoffs at my remark. “Get real, honey; nothing in life is fair.” I scowl. “I’ve raised my children, yet here I am raising yours.”
I close my eyes and shake my head, not wanting to hear that.
“You need to leave.” Her voice cuts me, the words searing through my heart. I should have known it wouldn’t have been as easy as sneaking into Eric’s house and taking Piper.
“No, I am not leaving without my daughter.” I lift my chin in confidence. The lady narrows her wrinkled eyes.
“I don’t think you understand. Eric wants you dead. That judge wants you dead. You are a dead woman as long as you are around this little girl. How much are you going to help her if you’re dead?”
“I can’t just leave her with him,” I cry, tears filling my eyes.
She looks at Piper then to me. “You’re not; you’re leaving her with me. I have another six or seven good years in me before Eric checks me into a nursing home. That’s when she’ll really need a mother, and that is when you need to come back.” She looks up at me. “When Eric thinks you’re gone, when you can put your emotions to the side and really fight for what you want in life.”
“No. I can’t leave her,” I sob. I step up to her and rub my finger along Piper’s cheek. It’s so soft and silky.
“I’m afraid you don’t have a choice.” Her hand sweeps beside her, grabbing a rifle. My body freezes, and my eyes widen.
“If I let anything happen to Piper, Eric has threatened to end my life, honey. So as much as I want you to be reunited with your daughter, it ain’t happening,” she sneers.
I look at the rifle then her. “I ain’t leaving without her,” I reaffirm, tears in my eyes.
“ERIC!” she screams. My eyes widen, and my heart jump starts in fear. “You better run,” she whispers, her tone eerie. I look at Piper one last time, and then her.
“Go, before he finds you and knows you’re alive,” she mutters. I purse my lips, and as much as I don’t want to, I pull away from Piper. I run down the stairs and out of the house as fast as I can, passing a sleeping Eric on the way, nearly tripping on my feet as I head toward my car. I jump in and look at Eric’s house one last time. I don’t want to leave, but if I stay it could get me killed.
“I’ll be back, baby girl.” I sob, starting the car. “I’ll be back one day,” I mutter, tears falling down my cheeks. I pull out onto the road and gun it, driving as fast as I can back to where I belong. Nowhere, and out of Piper’s life.
***
I sit in the car two freeways over from where I ran into Phillip yesterday. I thought about calling him. I more than thought about it actually, but I just can’t. Men and I, we don’t mix. Obviously. I just need to figure my shit out right now and not be distracted by some dirty-talking, rugged-looking biker guy. No matter how sexy he is; it’s best if I keep my drama to myself. Like Tyler said, I need to stay clear of bad boys, and looking at Phillip I can tell he is every bit of a bad boy. I need to focus on my next pickpocket; I need money. My seat vibrates, and the familiar thunder of a motorcycle sounds behind me. I look in the rearview mirror and find Phillip on his bike, staring right back at me in the mirror. A huge smile creeps across my face, and my toes curl in excitement. How many ramps did he search for me? He swings his leg off the bike, carrying something black in his hand. I frown, unsure what it is. I climb out of the car and that’s when I see it—a helmet. It’s small, so I know it’s not for him. My face falls. What is he planning on doing with that?
“Pretty sure I said don’t make me come find you,” he growls, his tone coming off angry.
I cross my arms and pop my hip out. “Look, Phillip—”
“Lip,” he interrupts.
“What?”
His left eyebrow lifts as he shoves a hand in his jeans pocket.
“My name is Lip,” he reaffirms, his tone coming off strong and confident. I cock my head to the side and eye him from boot, built torso, to rugged face. He looks like a Lip.
“Okay, Lip,” I continue. “I can’t get involved right now. I’m just…” I shake my head, humiliated to say I’m living out of my car and poor. Looking at Lip, I’m sure he has no problem finding girls. He can definitely do better than me. “I’m not the girl for you. I have too much baggage right now, and I can’t get involved. Not to mention I’m staying in my…” I look at my car, but decide against telling him I’m homeless. “I’m staying with my brother until I can find a place to live.”
Lip cocks his head to the side, that tongue of his flicking his lip ring. My stomach flutters with lust. I want to bite that lip ring.
“The way I see it, you should really come with me then.” I snap my head toward him, and my mouth falls open with shock. “And why don’t you let me decide what woman is good enough for me, hmm?”
“What?” I mumble. He walks up to me and grabs my chin softly, lifting it so I have to look at his brown eyes. There is something about gazing into someone’s eyes that makes you vulnerable. You see more than just the color of the iris—you see the color of their soul. The intensity of them has me taking a step back, and I draw in a sudden breath.
“If you’re staying with your brother, then why are you out here picking strange men’s pockets?” he whispers. I furrow my brows. “It’s dangerous,” he breathes.
“Not that it’s any of your business, but…” I inhale, looking at my fingers while I think up an excuse. “It’s just complicated,” I exhale.
“Come with me, Cherry, just for the night.” He shrugs. “If you don’t like it, I’ll bring you back to your car,” he offers. “Come on, there’s a party tonight. Don’t make me show up alone,” he flirts, a gorgeous smirk lifting the corner of his lips. Fuck, those lips are amazing. I tear my eyes from him and look at my feet.
“I’m sure you don’t have trouble finding a date, Lip,” I reply, sweeping my hair out of my face. I peer up from under my eyelashes, risking a look at him, and find his chest rising as he juts his chin out. He looks even sexier, and is making it that much harder to reject his offer. I shouldn’t have looked.
“I don’t have a problem finding dates, no.” He laughs. “But there’s something about you, something that has me searching six freeways trying to find you.”
“Six?” I repeat meekly. He smiles a big grin and nods.
“Yeah, six.”
Fuck me.
“Do you normally chase strange women along the freeway?” I tease, crossing my arms.
“Nah, just the ones who have a nice rack.” He winks, his tone not holding any humor. My face falls, my urge to tease him vanishes. For some reason, I want to look at my tits, to see what he’s seeing, but I hold his hard stare.
He steps toward me, and I uncross my arms. “Come,” he whispers. My eyes flick to his; hearing him say the simple word sounds so erotic. He grins like a Cheshire cat. Oh, yeah, he knows what he’s doing.
He tucks my hair behind my ears, his finger skirting against my skin, and pushes the black helmet on my head. He smiles, and little wrinkles form around his eyes.
“What?” I smile in return, his energy contagious.
“You look fucking adorable,” he whispers ever so softly, like he didn’t mean to actually say it. His eyes flick to mine, as if he just realized what he said out loud. His smile fades into something hard, his eyes never leaving mine as he awaits my answer. After him putting the helmet on my head, I don’t see him getting on his bike and riding off solo.
“All right, I’ll go,” I whisper back. My heart slams against my chest, telling me not to do this, not to give in. But the churning in my stomach and the throb between my legs have me climbing on the back of his massive bike with him moments later.
I wrap my arms around his solid body, and my nipples are flush with his back, suddenly aching with arousal. His vest is hot and smells of leather. The scent has me inhaling deeply; it’s sexy and masculine. Fuck, I’m in trouble. Why did I do this? Why in the hell did I climb on his bike? I know nothing good can come of this. “Just one night,” I mutter, trying to talk some reason into myself.
Lip shifts in front of me, resting his hand on my knee. “You okay?” he questions, his touch making my knee tingle. I nod, and the helmet that’s suffocating my head shifts forward slightly. I lean back to adjust it when I notice his leather vest says ‘Devil’s Dust’ across the back of it with a menacing-looking skull right dead in the center. My eyes widen. How did I not see that before? He’s a part of that gang the news is always talking about. They say they’re dangerous criminals. I swallow the lump in my throat and blow out a scared breath. Maybe I should step off and tell him this isn’t a good idea.
He gives my bare knee a tender squeeze. “Hold on, Cherry.” Shit, I can’t get off now. I close my eyes tightly and claw at the front of his shirt in fear of falling off. The bike starts, and everything on my body vibrates with such intensity my vision doubles. Lip doesn’t even look behind him and just jets off onto the freeway. The wind blows in my face harshly, nearly taking my breath away. I look over Lip’s neck and strong shoulders. God, he is the sexiest man I’ve ever seen. Lip darts left quickly, and I cling to him as a squeal sounds from my chest. I can’t help the big smile that forms along my face as Lip chuckles at my reaction. I’ve never been on a bike before—never really gave it much thought, to be honest. But this, it’s amazing. It’s dangerous yet freeing, daring yet comforting.
I love it.
***
“You want a drink?” Lip asks me. I wasn’t scared of coming to the party before, but now that we’re here, I’m freaking out. We aren’t at a party; no, we’re at the fucking club where his motorcycle gang hangs out.
“Yeah. A soda would be nice,” I yell, looking all around me. There is smoke dancing up into the ceiling from all the cigars and cigarettes, the smell of booze and cheap perfume strong. There are girls giving me dirty looks, and I’m pretty sure a man is getting head against the wall in the corner. I dig my nails into my palms and follow Lip to the bar. I’ve been to parties, but nothing this brazen. Girls are wearing leather chaps with no panties, and most of the men are shirtless revealing tattoos and piercings.
“Lip, who’s your friend?” I slowly turn my head toward the unfamiliar rough voice, finding a tall man with dark-colored hair and the greenest eyes I’ve ever seen. His eyebrows are knitted together, causing hard wrinkles to form on his forehead. His jaw is defined, cheeks strong. He’s even more intimidating than Lip, if that’s possible.
The man holds his hand out to shake. “I’m Bull.” His tone is friendly, contradicting the hard stare that’s chiseled into his face. I shake his hand and muster a smile, my eyes falling to his patch on his leather jacket reading ‘president’. He must be in charge. His strong palm grips my hand, and his arms are bigger than anything I’ve seen before. I gently pull my hand away and shrink where I stand, nerves and fear creeping up my back.
“I’m—”
“This is Cherry,” Lip answers for me. I sigh with relief that he took over the conversation.
“Cherry, huh? I like it.” Bull smiles, nodding. Actually, he doesn’t look so scary when he smiles.
“She’s truly beautiful, Lip. Why don’t you take her out back, get her away from all this noise and commotion?” Bull suggests. Silence falls between the two and Bull pins Lip with an unknowing stare. I turn my head, watching Lip return the hard look.
“Yeah, sure. That sounds like a good idea,” Lip replies, his tone dry as he takes a sip of his beer. “Come on, Cherry.”
Once we’re out back and the music is drowned out, cool air sweeps the hair off my neck. I inhale a deep breath, filling my lungs with clean air. Lip lets go of my hand and steps a few feet in front of me. His shoulders are tense, and his body is rising with rapid breaths. He looks pissed.
“Um, are you okay?” I ask softly. He lowers his head and runs his hand back and forth through his hair. My thighs clench from the sight of him. It’s dark out here—the only light is from the street lamp from above, casting the meanest shadow over him—but it makes him that much more appealing to me. He looks damaged, broken like me.
Lip slowly raises his head and tilts his chin upward. He has a look in his eyes that is hungry, primal. I swallow the lump in my throat, and my lips part to allow my harsh breathing to escape. I want him, even though I know I shouldn’t. I know the timing is wrong, and I know a man like him can’t love a woman. But it’s not stopping me from craving him.
“Fuck, you’re sexy,” he breathes heavily. His eyes tear into my soul, unlocking things I couldn’t yet figure out. He steps forward and cups the back of my neck. “Do you know that?” Glancing up under my lashes at him, I shrug. I’d never call myself sexy, average at most. Growing up, I was nothing but bullied, told how I was a geek and ugly. After hearing it for so long, you start to believe it. His eyes narrow with confusion as he looks me over. “You have no clue how attractive you are,” he mutters as if he can’t believe it. I inhale a shaky breath through my nose, my gaze never leaving his. His gorgeous eyes burn a trail of desire along my skin as he looks me over. “You have the eyes of a saint, but the body of a fucking temptress, Cherry.” My eyes go heavy and my body rushes with adrenaline, making me feel drunk. His eyes fall to my lips, and my chest constricts. I want to pull away and break this spell I’m under, but I don’t move, don’t do anything. “I don’t know if I should kiss those sugar lips or bite them.” My lips suddenly ache with the urge to be tasted by him, to see if he tastes as dangerous as he looks. My gaze trails from his dark eyes to his lips. I bet he tastes like sex and sin.
As if he read my mind, he slowly lowers his head toward me, as if he’s scared I might pull away. I should turn my head away, but I don’t want to. When he figures out I’m not going anywhere, his lips claim mine with a hard demand, his tongue seeking entry and tasting me with a sense of urgency. I moan into his mouth, expelling the hurt and distress I’ve kept hinged within for months. My fingers tangle into his hair as my legs try to climb him, wanting to become one with his strong build. Our mouths explore each other’s, taking and offering in a dance of chaos. His calloused hands grab at my ass, his touch foreign and rough.
He tastes like beer and mint, a flavor that is toxic to my resistance. He breathes in my pain and fills me with a sense of hope. A hope that not all men are assholes, and maybe, just maybe Lip is different. He pulls away slowly, nipping on my bottom lip.
“You scared?” he questions, his words feathering against my swollen mouth. My lips still feeling like his are devouring them, fluttering with phantom kisses. I keep my eyes closed for a second longer, wanting to stay in this state of bliss.
I thought about lying to Lip and telling him I wasn’t scared at all, but the way he’s smirking, he already knows I’m nervous. Being around a bunch of dangerous bikers, criminals who were known killers around the area, is enough to make anyone sweat. But what really scares me is the way I want Lip so badly, the way my thoughts of realism succumb to his confidence and aura of safety. He grasps the nape of my neck and kisses my lips softly, holding his against mine a second longer than needed.
“I got you, Cherry,” he whispers. I close my eyes and inhale his scent as I soak in his words. I don’t know what they mean, but I don’t fucking care. I was literally just kissed stupid seconds ago, and the way my body warms with knowing that I’m safe… I can barely breathe.
He grabs my hand, and we sit down against the brick of the building. Heat wafts off it from the sun bearing down on it all day.
“You got a man?” he asks, and I look down at the gravel and laugh.
“You ask after you kiss me senseless?” His lip curls into an arrogant smile. “No, no man. What about you? Any girlfriend or kids?” I question.
Lip scoffs. “No woman, and fuck no to kids.” He leans his head back against the wall. I laugh at how his tone dipped at the last part, but my fingers dig into my palm with unease at the same time.
“I’m serious. I can’t have kids. I would make a shitty dad. They’re a deal-breaker for me.” I nod, unsure what to say, and look up at the night sky.
“You don’t have kids, do you?” I can feel him staring at the side of my head, but I don’t take my eyes from the stars. I just keep looking into the dark abyss.
“Does it matter?” I whisper. “I’m alone now, and I will be for who knows how long.” Lip doesn’t reply, and I look over at him. His brow is lifted and his face is hard.
“Someone did a number on you, didn’t they?” Lip looks me over, and I pull my gaze from his before I see that same kind of sympathetic expression cross his face.
“Someone taught me that if you want to live, you have to have patience.” I exhale loudly, closing my eyes to fight the tears. Lip grabs my hand and stands, pulling me with him.
“Come on. Let’s go get a drink or something.”
I smile, relieved he isn’t going to push any further about me having kids.
LIP
I watch Cherry closely as she searches the crowd in the club. She seems nervous, but more curious than anything. I take another pull on my beer and drape my arm across her shoulders, my fingertips nearly brushing the top of her tits. I sweep my eyes up her frame, landing on her chest. Man, she’s got a nice rack. She is so small standing next to me; it makes me wonder how small she would feel under me naked.
I didn’t know what to think when I pulled over on that freeway the other day, but I sure as hell wasn’t guessing it’d be a girl like Cherry. She’s a spitfire, though. Most chicks go weak in the knees when they’re around me, or are so scared they walk on the other side of the street to avoid me. Being a part of the Devil’s Dust definitely has its perks—lots of pussy, and respect from those that fear us. But Cherry? Let’s just say she wasn’t something I was expecting.
“You want a drink?” I whisper into her ear. She nods, but doesn’t stop watching the crowd. It’s nuts in here tonight. Girls are fast, drugs are flowing, and the booze is top-notch. Heading toward the cooler, a small busty brunette steps in front of me.
“Hey, Lip, you look good tonight,” she flirts. Recognizing her voice, I realize it’s Chasity. She is a common ho around here, but she has the pinkest, wettest pussy I’ve ever had. She ain’t tight by no means, and she’s fucking annoying as hell with the way she clings, but she gets the job done. She has on a white tube top, her nipples clear as day through them, and a skull belly button ring shining against her tanned skin.
“You wanna go somewhere quiet?” she purrs, caressing her hand up my stomach.
I look over my shoulder at Cherry and groan. Fuck.
I grab Chasity’s wrist, shaking my head. “Not tonight, babe.” Her face instantly drops into a pout. She pops her hip out, her mouth falling open.
“‘Cause of her?” she sneers, looking around me at Cherry. I follow her line of sight, and find Cherry smiling at a couple of guys trying to dance with some girls, who have clearly had too much to drink cause they are falling everywhere. Watching Cherry giggle, seeing her without her knowing I’m seeing her, she looks fucking adorable. Cute and adorable isn’t something you see around here much. I trail my gaze back to a fuming Chasity.
“Yeah, ‘cause of her,” I state up front.
“That is so fucked up. You always want me.” She shakes her head, her lips pursed. Her self-assuredness pisses me off.
“Nah, that’s where you’re wrong. You’re just the closest pussy around when I need to get my rocks off. You’re always open, if you get what I’m saying.” Her mouth falls open with shock, and her nostrils flare. “If you think we have anything more than me fucking you, then you have less brains than I thought,” I insult, pushing past her.
“You are a fucking prick!” she yells in anger as I head toward Bobby, who’s sitting on the cooler.
I tap his shoulder, urging him up.
“Hey, man,” Bobby greets. “Who’s the hot chick you’re with? I haven’t seen her around here before. She like to double team?” Bobby laughs, referring to Cherry as a club whore. My lips form a tight line as my hands fist at my side. A strike of jealousy paining my chest, I rub at it with my fist, the feeling unfamiliar and unwelcomed.
“Back off,” I respond, my tone dry. Bobby’s face falls before turning into a big-ass smile.
“All right, I get it she’s yours.” He laughs. I stare off, not liking the fact that I’m more than intrigued by Cherry. “Where did you find her?” he continues. I glance over to where Cherry is standing and find Bull behind the bar, smoking and talking to Cherry. Bull grins and glances at me. I swallow hard and look back at the cooler.
“Her car was broken down. I stopped to help her and the little shit stole my wallet.” I laugh at the last part, remembering her ass taking it.
“No shit?” Bobby laughs. I nod and grab two beers from the melting ice. “I like her already.”
“Yeah, she’s hard not to like,” I mumble, mostly to myself. I choke the neck of the beer bottle, thinking about how much I really do like Cherry. I don’t want to like her, though, because I don’t want to feel jealous when another guy looks at her; I hardly know her. A piece of me hopes she has flaws as big as some of these other girls who throw themselves at me. It would help get myself in check, and my dick. I’m not the relationship type; it’s in my blood to be terrible at caring for another person. As my father used to say, “Phillip DeLuca, you are a prodigy of my blood. A powerful DeLuca doesn’t have a woman by his side. He has many.”
“Well, you enjoy that. I’m going to go find some ass to tap.” Bobby chuckles. I nod at him and head back over to Cherry. Getting closer, I see a guy who hangs around the club occasionally leaning against the bar, talking to her. My jaw clenches.
He reaches forward and grabs her waist, and Cherry’s body tenses with fear. Her eyes are wide, her face stoic. I double my step and toss the beers on the bar. Grabbing the guy by the wrist, I snatch if off her.
“She’s not available,” I snap, my brows drawn together, the wrath of hate bursting through my limbs to unleash on this fucker. Cherry’s head lifts, staring at me in disbelief.
“Dude, I saw her over here by herself, and she ain’t got a property patch on. She looked like free pussy.” He gives Cherry a salacious grin and she scoots closer to me, her hands fisting my shirt in unease. I step forward, my left hand pushing Cherry behind me. Guys around here can get territorial over unclaimed women. “I saw her first, cock-block!” the guy hollers.
I grit my teeth and lower my head. I’m about to put this punk in his place but Bull suddenly steps between us, blocking me.
“Okay, why don’t we all just calm down,” Bull advises. My nostrils flare with anger; I don’t need Bull handling my affairs. The guy rubs at his chin, eyeing Bull before walking away. Bull lifts his brow in a gesture that I need to turn away and leave. I bite my lip ring and give him an understanding nod, even if I don’t agree with his order. I’m a prospect, so I don’t get to argue or dictate his ruling. Not yet anyway.
I turn my back and lower my mouth to Cherry’s ear. “You all right?”
She nods and runs her hands up and down her arms. She’s uncomfortable. I shouldn’t have left her; I knew better.
“How about we take these beers to my room?” She bites her bottom lip, unsure. I spread my feet apart and lower myself to her eye level. “We don’t have to do anything you don’t want to do. It’s just quieter in there,” I explain. She purses her lips as if she’s thinking about it.
“I don’t think that’s a good idea.” She shakes her head, avoiding eye contact. I grab her chin, forcing her to look me in the eyes, and her body nearly sways into me. Her lips part, and her body shivers beneath my hold. She’s affected by me, and her body reacting to my simplest touch is a turn-on like I’ve never experienced before. I feel like a preteen touching his first female, ready to blow my load in my jeans.
“Look at me, Cherry. I wouldn’t do anything to hurt you,” I reaffirm. She blinks her eyes rapidly, as if she’s trying to blink away the sexual spell I put her under.
“Then you’ll take me back to my car?” She glances up at me from under her thick lashes and my dick jumps. She looks so vulnerable, so innocent, and the best part is she’s not even trying.
“Yeah.” I chuckle.
“All right,” she finally responds, her lips curling into a small smile. I smirk and take her by the hip. We weave through the crowd and head to the back of the hall where my room is. I was just appointed it a few days ago from Bull himself. I have a place about fifteen minutes from here, but having a room at the club is way more convenient at times.
I open the door and turn the light on, and she instantly starts looking around the room. The walls are layered with porn stars and models. Most of them were plastered on the walls before, but I might have added to the collection.
“Shit, I forgot the beer,” I mutter, turning to leave, but then I stop. I place my arm above the doorframe and rest my forehead on my forearm. “You’re not going to try and run off or anything, are you?”
She smiles and sits down on the bed. “No, not yet.”
“Okay, good.”
I shut the door behind me and head back into the noisy-ass club to grab our beers. As soon as I spot them on the bar, Bull sits down on one of the stools.
“You better get your ass in check, boy,” Bull informs, a cigarette between his lips. He squints as the smoke trails into his face.
“Come again?”
“Your little incident with that boy. You about broke his jaw for getting a little grabby.”
“Yeah, so what?” I shrug. It’s who I am. I’m hotheaded and won’t hesitate to put someone in check real fucking quick. I fire first and ask questions later.
“You should have seen the look on her face, Lip. You better bury that shit and quick, or you will fuck this up.” He blows out a puff of smoke, and I grit my teeth at his tone.
“I agree,” Shadow adds, sitting down beside Bull. Shadow is a prospect, too. He has dark hair and crazy blue eyes; when he looks at you just right, they are freaky as shit. He’s always kissing up to Bull. It gets irritating sometimes, but I understand it. He and I are a lot alike. He grew up without a father, and my dad was a prick, so getting approval from Bull is something we both aim for.
“What the fuck do you know about women?” I sneer at Shadow. He doesn’t fuck with many girls and hasn’t been in anything serious since I’ve known him, but now he’s giving me advice about landing a chick?
“That girl is pretty—hot, even. They don’t want damaged men who can’t control their temper.” Shadow shakes his head and takes a sip of his beer. “Nah, they want romance, all that fairytale bullshit,” he continues.
Bull nods, and stands. “See,” he clips, pointing at Shadow.
“What were you talking about with her?” I raise a brow at Bull. His mouth turns into a sly grin.
“She was asking about you, what you did here and all.” He shrugs, and I can’t help but smirk. She asked about me, well damn. Knowing she was talking and asking about me makes me a little giddy, like a fucking teenager or some shit.
“Yeah, she likes you all right. But it’s up to you if it remains like that.” Bull slams his cigarette in an ashtray, and my brows dive inward with his remark.
I open a beer and take a big gulp. How do I keep a girl like that from running off? Fuck, this just got a whole lot harder. I’m not a gentle kind of guy. I beat my dad with a steel pipe the first time he put his hands on my mother, landing him in the hospital. When my brother Zeek would tease me growing up, I would get so angry I would black out. One time, I came to with my mother screaming and pulling me off Zeek. He was blue and unresponsive from me choking him. He was okay, but it just goes to show how screwed up I am. My father was proud, my mother prayed. I walk through mayhem with ease and leave a tide of crimson behind.
“Now you see why I don’t fuck with anyone ‘cept club hoes.” Shadow laughs. I flip him the bird and walk back down the hall.
“Hope that pussy’s worth it!” Shadow hollers, making the guys cheer in agreement behind me.