Page 19 of Protective Biker
“Want some company?”
“Not this time.”She signs back, and my throat tightens, knowing there’s no way I can fix things for her in this moment. I had hoped the ride would help clear her mind, like it helped calm me down so I could think straight again.
“Okay, shortcake,” I nod and let her fingers slip through mine. I hate that she’s hurting.
Mouse, Blow’s prospect, comes in right behind us, and I stop him. “Ride over toHEBand get my little feisty paprika some hot chocolate mix and marshmallows. Make sure you get the ‘Organics’brand; she doesn’t like any of the crappy ingredient shit.” He already knows she’s picky on ingredients; hell, the entire club does. I wouldn’t have it any other way, though. I love my boo bear just the way she is.
“Sure, Powerhouse, no problem.”
“Get some of the peppermint essential oils too. They’ll be in the health food section, again, make sure it says organic on it.” I pass him a twenty-dollar bill and nod my thanks.
“Be back in a few,” he says, and then he’s headed back outside in the cold. Kid’s gonna freeze his dick off now since the sun’s setting. He better hurry the fuck up; I need something to cheer my woman up, and I’m hoping hot cocoa is the way to go.
“Richardson!” I bark, waving him over to me as I find a spot at the bar. I gesture to Manic to get me a beer and then turn to Angel. “I’m going to need to talk to you about this shit, too.”
Angel’s scarred brow rises, but he remains quiet, waiting. He’s got the woman we found in the club from when we rescued Plague’s friend beside him. She watches us, not saying anything. I can’t help but wonder how their dynamic works. As far as I know, he’s not fucking her. I’ve caught a glimpse inside his room, passing by, and I saw an oversized dog cage in there. Makes me think maybe she was a little more fucked up over what happened to her by the cartel, who took her, and she refuses to give the safety of a cage up. I know he won’t be locking her in there against her will. Prez wouldn’t put up with that shit, regardless of how much of a badass Angel is.
“It’s about my girl,” I admit with a sigh, once I have both of their attention. I know that out of everyone, my brothers will be there for us. I’d never trust anyone else with something this important.
“Is Raven okay?” Richardson asks.
I send him a silent glare telling him to shut the fuck up until I’m done talking. He’s the newest patched member aside from the prospect we’re about to vote on, so he’s low on the pecking order.
I proceed to fill them both in on her injuries, how they happened, and share that she still suffers from the repercussions. I end the story on today, and what went down on our ride earlier. Everything inside me wanted to follow the fucker and handle business right then and there, but Raven wasn’t having it, and I respect her enough not to press her.
“She won’t tell me what he drives. Let alone anything about him to point me in the right direction. I don’t know what dance she was practicing for when everything happened. Raven was the lead role in more than one, which, from what I’ve Googled, is unheard of in ballet. She was that fucking good, to be cast in multiples. My woman was completely dedicated, spent damn near her entire life planning to be a top ballerina.” I have to brag a little, because she earned that shit.
I continue, “I need to find this prick. I’m going to break his leg bones and disfigure his feet, but I don’t know what to do to figure out where to snatch his ass. Richardson, I know you have experience in searching for people since you worked alongside Prez’s ol’ lady. Angel, you always find whoever the fuck owes us or crosses us. Well, this motherfucker has crossed me by hurting my shortcake. I want his name. I want his location. And, so help me, I want to hurt the motherfucker, like yesterday. Can you two get me what I need?”
Richardson pins his stare on Angel, waiting to take orders like he’s good at. The guy is smart, a lot smarter than me, so he should know where to search. Angel flicks his gaze to the woman beside him, then back to me and Richardson. “Yeah, brother, I can do that. Richardson, do a search online, and see if you canfind the basics out about this dipshit. Once we have a potential name and location, I’ll go to work about rooting him out.”
My chest deflates, the stress I was holding letting up with these two in on my dilemma. “Appreciate it. I wanted to chase him down today,” I confess.
Angel shakes his head, “Too messy.”
Richardson speaks up, “You sure this is what she wants? Raven doesn’t strike me as a violent type of person, more of a live and let live.”
I nearly punch him for thinking about my woman period. “Hey numbnuts, the fuck do you know about my gumdrop and what she’s like?”
His hands rise in surrender, “Nothing. I know nothing, just her temperament is calm and kind.”
“Say something nice about her again and I’m chopping your dick off.”
The woman beside Angel laughs quietly to herself, and witnessing her relax around us has my lips tipping into a smile. Angel pulls her to him, always ready to show her she’s protected.
“Look, my woman may think she can let this go, but I can see inside her. Her soul needs to be able to heal, and while this fucker continues to breathe, she’ll always have the fear locked inside her. I may not be able to give her much, but this is something I can fix.”
Ripper comes up from the open side of our little group. “You digging into something that will stir shit up for the club?”
I shrug. “It shouldn’t. However, if that changes at any time, I will bring it to the table.”
His hand falls to my shoulder as he claps it and squeezes with brotherly affection. “Good. I can always depend on you to help keep the club out of shit, ‘House, so if you have an issue, let us help.”
My chest puffs out a bit at his compliment. I’m a whore for Raven’s praise, but the prez’s isn’t so bad either. It’s tough being the favorite around here some days, but someone has to do it, and that someone is obviously me.
“Thanks, Prez. Also, I booked a fight, so get your betting money ready, brothers.”
Prez lets out a whoop, announcing to the group who are drinking and kicking back all around the room, “Guess what, brothers? Powerhouse has booked a fight!”
