Page 81 of Cash

“Wouldn’t it be better to do this outside? Guys? Reeves?” I ask but am ignored.

They continue doing their thing, and I continue trying to talk reason to them.

Lucy pulls on the helmet and straddles the bike. Trigger leans close and speaks to her for another moment before stepping back. I see Horse Nuts and Reeves both pull out their phones, completely ignoring Lucy’s demand. Even Mac stops what he’s doing and watches intently.

Lucy gives the bike some throttle, and it moves off. She slowly makes a loop around the large room, carefully avoiding the furniture. After her second loop, I start to relax, thinking all is going to be fine when the kitchen door swings open. Chubs enters, and it distracts Lucy. Going as slow as she is, the bike wobbles. Lucy must hit the throttle instead of the brake and shoots forward at an alarming speed. I can see her body stiffen in panic, and it only makes a bad situation turn worse.

Chubs shouts “brake” and takes off running toward her. Going much faster than she had been earlier, Lucy and the bike crash into Gunner’s office door. The door isn’t closed tight and flies open with Lucy shooting straight into the office.

I take off running a second before I hear the crash. Chubs slides sideways through the doorway a second before I reach it. We find the bike on its side, still running, in front of Gunner’s desk and Lucy in a pile behind it. She must have flown across the desk because next to her is a laptop, ink pens and scattered paperwork. Somehow, Lucy got tangled in the cord from the desk lamp, and the lamp is now dangling from her neck.

Chubs jumps over the desk and makes it to Lucy’s side just as she sits up. Helmet skewed, Chubs has to straighten it some to see her face. While he’s checking her over for injuries, I fiddle with the bike until I get it shut off.

In the sudden silence, I hear two different voices. One is Mac shouting, “ride it like you stole it,” and the other is Lucy promising dreadful repercussions for three club members. I don’t want to laugh, but now that I can see she’s okay, I kind of do. Getting a look at her angry face though solves that problem.

“Someone want to explain why there’s a bike in my office?” Gunner asks in a calm, controlled voice from the doorway he’s standing in.

Looking up, I see the large man, feet spread, hands on hips. He’s not amused in the least. He’s taller than Cash, but not by much, and isn’t as broad, but he’s fucking intimidating with his dark hair and eyes.

“I’d like to know that too,” Chubs spits out.

I turn back to see a sight I don’t think many have seen. Chubs is pissed. Gone are the usual smile and good-natured attitude. His eyes are flashing, and his body’s rigid. He’s got Lucy on her feet and his arm around her shoulders. Seeing that she’s unhurt hasn’t cooled his anger in the least.

The quick thought of who I’d rather not want mad at me flies through my thoughts. Lucy, on one hand, is female and we all know how to turn loose the she-devil when we’re mad. On the other hand, Chubs is always nice, happy and easy-going and those sometimes can be the ones who lose it the most when angered.

Lucy explains how she ended up in Gunner’s office as I watch the men’s faces. Chubs doesn’t look any happier with her explanation, but it’s clear Gunner’s now trying hard not to laugh. He blanks his face when Lucy or Chubs look at him, but his struggle is real the rest of the time. When he looks my direction, I give him a warning look. He drops his head, staring at his feet before speaking.

“Take Lucy to the bar and check her over, Chubs. I’ll deal with the bike,” Gunner orders as he steps aside and allows them to leave.

As soon as they do, he pushes the door closed and looks at me.

“Did you get video?” he whispers.

“No! She asked us not to,” I answer then press my lips tight together.

“One of the guys would have anyway. By the way, where are they?” he asks as he pulls the bike upright.

“They were in the main room.”

“Rat bastards must have bolted to safety. I’ll lock the bike in here until they apologize to Lucy.”

I help Gunner get the room put back together, and then we join Lucy and Chubs at the bar. A moment later, James and Cash enter the clubhouse. James is grinning from ear to ear and talking Cash’s off. James is covered in dirt, has a hole in his jeans where there wasn’t one before and his shirt looks like he’s been involved in a dog attack.

“Holy shit, Livi! You wouldn’t believe how much fun that was! You’ve got to get Cash to teach you how to ride. We can get matching bikes and go riding together,” James says with a beaming grin.

“Uh, yeah. I don’t think so, James,” I answer.

“What? Why not? You’ve always wanted to own a bike,” James insists.

Glancing at Lucy, then at the office door, I respond.

“I think I’ll stick to four wheels, James, but I’m glad you like it.”

“Amen, sister,” Lucy mumbles while rubbing her elbow.

Gunner tries valiantly, but a snort of laughter still escapes him. He turns his head away, suddenly very interested in the back of the bar. After a moment, he must regain control because he turns back to ask “Looks like you took a spill or two, James. What’s your bike look like, Cash?” Gunner asks with a grin.

“My bike looks fine. I borrowed one of Axel’s,” Cash answers with his own grin which only gets bigger when Gunner and Chubs start laughing.

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