Page 83 of Skid
“Only if you’re sure.”
I smiled and took her by the hand. “Let’s get ready, and we can stop by the omelet house on the way to the compound.”
We got dressed, and Grace pulled her wild hair into a curly pile on top of her head. I led her out to the garage and helped her into the truck, knowing we would need it to bring back whatever she bought today. After turning my cut around, I got behind the wheel and drove into Portstill, passing the compound and pulling into the omelet house.
We walked inside as Jackal was finishing up his breakfast at one of the tables in the back. He was in charge of the armory and ran the club’s gun shop in town. He was a pissed-off biker, but when he looked up and saw Grace, he gave her a rare smile as she sat down across from him. His scowl returned when he saw me, and I rolled my eyes at him.
“Good morning, Grace. I don’t think we got properly introduced yesterday. I’m Adam, but the brothers call me Jackal,” he said as the waitress brought two cups of coffee for Grace and me and cleared his dishes from the table.
Grace looked at me, then turned back to him. “Do you prefer Adam or Jackal?”
“Whichever you prefer, pretty lady.” He slid from the booth and slapped me on the shoulder. “I’ll see you soon.”
Jackal walked to the register and nodded at us before slapping some bills down and walking out. He patched in three years ago, and in that time, he turned our mediocre gun business into one of the most sought-after stores in Tennessee. His attitude left a lot to be desired, but no one expected chatty bikers, so I was used to it.
“He seems nice,” Grace said as the waitress walked up to take our order.
I choked back a laugh as we ordered, and when the waitress left, I responded, “No one has ever described Jackal as nice.”
“So, do I call them by their club names or their real names?”
“Some prefer their club names, and others don’t have a preference. The best thing to do is call them what they introduce themselves as, and if you get confused, just say ‘hey you’. They’ll answer.”
“I just don’t want to embarrass you. It’s bad enough I freaked out over Needles last night.”
The waitress placed our food down and refilled our coffee before leaving us alone. I took her statement as an opening and casually asked, “Do you still not remember how you know him?”
She took a bite and shook her head. I waited as she lifted her coffee cup to wash it down before she spoke. “It was probably the stress of everything yesterday because I’m certain I’ve never met him before. He’s . . . memorable at a glance.”
I wanted to believe her, but I saw the look of terror in her eyes yesterday. He did too, and that’s why he left so quickly. Needles would never hurt a woman, and seeing Grace so upset had him backing away to calm her.
“That’s probably it,” I remarked as we finished our breakfast.
The waitress stopped by, and I asked for the check. “Your friend covered it already.”
I shrugged, and we left the diner, driving straight to the compound. A new prospect was at the gate and he hustled to the truck. “Skid. Ma’am,” he remarked before opening the gate and giving us access to the compound.
Devlin’s black SUV was parked along the side of the clubhouse, so I pulled my truck next to it. Sadie walked out and started toward the truck when I turned to Grace, handing her my credit card. “I want you to go crazy.”
“I’ll get what I need, but I won’t be stupid about it.”
I grasped her by the back of the neck and pulled her to me. Her eyes grew wide as I kissed her, licking the seam of her lips until she opened. Our tongues dueled, and she moaned into my mouth as she surrendered to me. When I felt she was sufficiently pliant, I pulled back and said, “Have fun, baby. Spend lots.”
Sadie knocked on the window at Grace’s side, and she turned to see my sister waving like an idiot. The door opened, and Sadie rambled, “I was thinking we could go to the mall in Nashville, or if you’d prefer, there are some great outlet stores in Lincolnville.”
Grace climbed down from her seat, and I met her at the back of the truck. Pecking her on the lips, I whispered, “Love you.”
“Ditto,” she replied, and I lightly popped her butt as she giggled and walked away with Sadie.
I watched her walk beside the clubhouse and down the path to Sadie and Gunner’s house before I turned and walked into the clubhouse. It was early, and most of the brothers were either at their jobs or still passed out from last night. A few were nursing coffees, looking like death warmed over, and I bypassed them all and headed straight for Gunner’s office.
The door was closed, and I knocked, waiting for an invitation. His office was private, and no one entered except for Sadie, without permission, and even then, she knew to use caution when he was holed up behind closed doors.
“Enter,” Gunner yelled, and I opened the door to find him, Devlin, James, and Claw already gathered around the table.
Devlin sat at one end and Gunner at the other, while James and Claw sat to each man’s right. Closing the door behind me, I took a seat in the middle. My two worlds collided from time to time, but this was the first time we actually collaborated, and it gave me hope that Gunner would knock the chip off his shoulder where Devlin was concerned.
“How’s Grace this morning?” Gunner asked, and everyone turned their attention to me.
