Page 9 of Medusa's Revenge

“Are you cold?” Bubbles asks me. I shake my head no. “Okay. So this meeting is starting. We’re not reviewing the minutes from last month, as this came up recently. It’s not normal club business, as we will still have our original meeting next week.” I look around at the table.

“Tommy DeMarco is back in town.” I got it out before anyone could start asking a bunch of questions. I sigh as you can hear the conversations from outside if you listen hard enough. When we redesigned this building, I wanted this room to be soundproof so no one could listen to what we were talking about, but we could hear what was happening outside these doors. I get a lot of “What the fuck,” “Jesus fucking Christ,” and “Where is he so we can kill him,” responses. I raise my hand to silenceeveryone. “I don’t know where he is. I received a note.” I go on to explain the notes from the past and now. “We need to be extra vigilant when we’re out. He knows about me and the Valkyries MC. I don’t think he’ll try to hurt any of you, but being on alert is better than getting complacent.”

“I have his picture, so you can let any of us know you’ve spotted him. I even added some gray to his hair in case he’s not coloring his hair. I’m still looking for any children he has, but I can’t find anything. I’ll keep digging, though.”

“Thanks for that, Joker. Please know I value every one of you. I can’t lose any of you. We will let the prospects know as well. We will find this fucker, and when we do, we will end him and his family. I promise you.” Everyone cheers, and we end the meeting. Joker sends out the photos.

“Are you going to be okay?” Duchess asks me as we walk out together.

“I’m always going to be okay. I have to be.” I smiled at her, not believing the words coming from my mouth. When it comes to Tommy DeMarco, I’m not constantly thinking right. I tend to run before checking out my surroundings.

“I need to head back to the body shop. The new guy started today. He was getting a crash course from TJ.” Derby laughs.

“Don’t tell TJ. I know you won’t because of the sanctity of the Church, but being friends with him and me tends to put you in the middle of things.” I look up to Derby because I'm five feet four inches without shoes and the shortest one here. Everyone towers over me, but my bark is not as bad as my bite. She shrugs. “What?”

“You need to tell him. I'm not telling Michelle since she’s all about herself and this guy Lucas.” We both roll our eyes at his name. “He was there with you and knows how this man makes you feel. Don’t put him in the dark.” I open my mouth. She holds up her hands. “Don’t shoot the messenger. I see it fromboth sides. I will always have your back. I promise.” She hugs me before leaving. I bite my lower lip, replaying Derby’s words. Should I tell TJ about the note? I check my cell phone to see that Smitty's classes run all day. I’ll head to him at the end of the day. I have some paperwork and places to visit today. I need to talk to him, so I put it in my cell phone calendar to remind him. He always has my back.

Chapter Eight

Noah

The work was excellent. Once Ruby showed up, I was able to work on some cars. TJ never mentioned the guys showing up after they left, with some heated words between everyone involved. TJ was impressed with my knowledge of things.

After work, I drive around, checking the town before heading home. I pull into my spot to see Arthur walking from his apartment to the dojo.

“Hey, I’m glad I caught you.” I stiffen. Did I do something wrong? “Donald told me you went and got groceries for him. I was going to do it yesterday, but a family emergency came up.”

“Is everything okay with your family?”

“Yeah, things are okay for now, but it will get bumpy before it gets better.” He hands me an envelope. “Donald went to pay for his groceries today, but there was no bill.”

“It was easier for me to put it all together than to separate it.” I lied. I could’ve done it quickly, but I wanted to move forward.

“Donald is a proud man. He doesn’t like handouts.” Arthur is still holding the envelope. My hands are in my pockets.

“It wasn’t a handout, I promise. It was busy, and there was one cashier at the time. I’m not taking that money. He can use it for next month or forward it to someone else. His groceries were barely a tank of gas for me. I’m not bragging, but I have a trust fund and just started a new job. Money is not an issue for me.”

“Why don’t you tell him all of this?” Arthur puts the money into the collar of my T-shirt. I roll my eyes, grabbing it. “I have a class in an hour.” I nod. “Maybe use that money toward the pizza party for the kids.”

“That is a brilliant idea.” My head turns to the right as a motorcycle enters the parking lot. The biker pulls into a parking spot next to Arthur’s car. The back of the leather jacket has a symbol and reads Valkyries Motorcycle Club. I wonder if this is who TJ was talking about. The biker I now notice is a woman who got off her bike with those jeans, hugging her curves. Damn, her ass is a thing of beauty. All the blood is rushing south, especially when she removes her helmet. The red curls bounce as she shakes her head. My god, she’s a beauty.

“Amelia? Everything okay?” Arthur’s tone takes a brotherly tone with her. It shows a lot of concern. His body even tenses, going rigid, waiting for her to answer. I watch him and her closely.

“Things are fine. I need your advice, but I didn’t mean to interrupt.” Her voice is even heavenly. What the fuck is wrong with me? I’ve never thought a woman’s voice is angelic.

“Amelia, this is Noah Cameron. He’s the new tenant. Noah, this is Amelia Baxter.”

“Are you related to TJ?” I ask as we shake hands. She nods. “I work for him. Today was my first day. He’s a great guy, and Ruby is hilarious.”

“TJ is my younger brother, and Ruby is one of my best friends. I know TJ has been killing himself lately, so it’s good he found help. I just hope you don’t bail on him like those fuckers did to him.” Her tone changes to one of nastiness. There is more to this story than TJ is telling me.

“TJ took a chance on me, and I won’t disappoint him.”

“What do you mean?” Amelia stands there with her arms crossed, pushing the swell of her breasts up through the V-neck purple shirt she’s wearing.

“I’m a lawyer and hate it with a passion. Cars have been where my true love lies. I’ve never worked in a garage, but I have all my certificates and an associate’s degree. Once I achieved that goal, I moved here. I spent the last eight hours with the man, and he respects me. He’s hardworking and willing to help people who need it. I’ve only met one man like that in my entire world—my granddad. He taught me about cars growing up.” I shuffle my feet. “He told me the new shop hired his guys for higher pay. It’s not about money when you’re doing something you love.” I smile at her.

“I like that.” Amelia steps closer to me. “But if you screw him over, I’ll be your worst nightmare.” She pats my chest a few times. I grab her wrist, tugging her close to me.

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