Page 73 of Cash

“For what?” Livi asks, confused.

“For opening up about your job.”

“I have a confession. I wasn’t sure how much to tell you about today, but Chubs was waiting for me outside the motel when I came out. He said to talk to you. To trust you. I’m glad I listened to him.”

“Chubs gives good advice. He told me you had an incident today but didn’t give me any details,” I reply.

“Talking with him today settled me down after the fight. I like him. He’s a good guy.”

“Everyone likes Chubs. Especially the women,” I answer with a chuckle.

“Chubs lay wisdom on you today too?” Livi asks.

“Mostly it was Axel who did. He was spot-on, and I’ll always have to live with that fact. Said he used up his week’s worth of wisdom on me.”

“About what?”

“I absolutely refuse to quote Axel. I’m here, whenever, however, you need me to be here for you. We’ll deal, together, with your job and things that may come up with the club. We’ll find our way, Livi,” I promise before leaning over and sealing it with a kiss.

“I forgot to ask before, but is everything okay with the club? You guys rushed out after dinner. Problems?”

“It turned out to be nothing. Looks like someone tried to set fire to the bike shop, but it burned itself out before much damage was done. Mostly just cosmetic to the outside. Trigger and Petey will have it back to normal in no time,” I explain.

“Arson? That’s serious, Cash. Did you report it?”

“Bikers aren’t big on calling the cops, Livi. We’ll figure it out,” I answer.

“If you need anything that James and I can help with, let me know. If the club decides to handle it without cops being involved, it might be best not to tell me how that happens. It’s a fine line wanting to help but not wanting to be pulled into something illegal. If it’s official, we can help in many ways. But if the club finds out who did this and handles it without the cops, I don’t want to know the details. I know with your lifestyle and my career, we may need to walk this line from time to time. I just need you to understand that I’m not down with breaking the law but what I don’t know, I can’t be held accountable for,” Livi says carefully.

I give Livi a nod of agreement. Our lifestyle and career choices could have clashed at this point but instead, we found our way around another obstacle. Maybe a cop and a biker could make things work together.

Chapter 15

Livi

My back slams into the mat again, but it’s James who makes an oof sound. Even exhausted and hurting, a grin spreads across my face. Rolling my head to the side, I see him in the same position as me. While I have Ava standing over me, James has a grinning Axel.

“Again,” Cash orders as he offers a hand to help me stand. “Read their body language and plant your feet accordingly.”

“Please Jesus, take me now,” James moans as Axel pulls him to his feet.

“Jesus? I’m usually called God. As in, ‘God, yes! Please, God, don’t stop! God, your dick is—,’” Axel shouts.

“God, save me from big egos and tiny dicks,” Ava mutters from beside me.

I laugh at the look of mock outrage on Axel’s face as do the others standing nearby. The training has been brutal, but Axel keeps it fun. He’s outrageous, hilarious, and yet a very good instructor. I have newfound respect for Ava’s skills too. She takes the training seriously and is intent on helping me improve my abilities. She’s tossed me around like I’m Lucy’s size when I’m not. She’s also allowed me to take her down numerous times for practice. Best yet, she has great insights that the men lack when it comes to fighting larger opponents.

During a break, which Pooh claimed Axel needed so he could express his breasts, I noticed a small group of women in the far corner chatting with Pippa. One of them looks slightly familiar, but I don’t know why. While trying to figure it out, Craig walks into the gym with Chubs and Lucy. Strolling up, Craig looks at James, then me.

“What are you doing here?” he asks.

“Getting some extra training,” I answer.

“Why do you need fight training? Don’t cops have tasers and guns? Be easier to just light their asses up,” Craig states his thoughts.

“Cops need to have a lot of tricks to stay safe and to protect others with. We can’t just use tasers and guns, Craig,” I explain.

“You mean non-lethal tricks. You can use big words with me, Livi. I’m very smart, you know. I can help train with you if you want. I help the guys train my mom and the New Horizons’ ladies all the time. Holler if you need me,” he explains patiently like he’s the one talking to a child before walking away.

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