Page 24 of Pearl
My heart beats faster as I look at the older picture of the man I killed with one scared thrust of the knife, trying to get away with my virginity and my life, only to gain a sentence of running from that day and always looking over my shoulder. At least that never ending feeling will end. “Yes,” I whisper, resigned in my decision to not try fighting my way out of the inevitable. Enough running.
Those dark eyes hold mine captive. “You didn’t kill our cousin, Pearl. Hurt him, yes. But honestly, physically the damage was minimal. A few stitches to repair, nothing he hasn’t endured numerous times before or after.”
My head spins. “He’s alive?” And now they’ll take me to him. After everything I’ve been through, he’ll get what he wanted to begin with. I’m not the crying kind but the injustice of it all brings moisture to my eyes.
Renzo’s eyes meet mine without flinching. “Our cousin is dead. Let’s just say that his penchant for women and greed was his demise. He made his bed and lies buried in the ground. I’ve seen your courage firsthand along with your values, like not killing that man in the bar who worked for us without even knowing we were there. Pearl, you have nothing left to fear. My cousin Matteo and I are sorry for what you endured. We’ve offered Carver a position with us and would extend one to you as well. But we know your dedication to staying in Phoenix with your crew.”
It’s a lot to take in. I didn’t kill the bastard. Part of me is relieved while another one thought his death at my hand was just. But it’s freeing, free of the running, hiding, and everything about that night. But it also comes with the loss of Carver. Because no matter what, I believe Carver is a man of his word.He’ll work for the Larussios and their home is Vegas, not Phoenix, where me and the Harlots call home.
“Thank you very much. I appreciate your kindness.”
Matteo looks over at the Harlots. “You and your ladies, you made a couple runs for a friend of ours. If we need more help moving women who have fallen on hard times or find themselves in need of relocation, we’ll send word through Duchess. Thanks for keeping them safe, and for your tenacity in getting rid of so many of the Riders. They work for a rival family who . . . let’s just say their values regarding women do not align with ours.”
Now my interest is peaked. He’s not going to come right out and say it, but I’m damn good at reading between the lines. Those women aren’t a source of contention between the bikers, but mafia families. The bikers are just the ones running the girls and playing interference. “You’re welcome. The ladies and I are always willing to help women in trouble. Call us anytime. Duchess has our number.”
Renzo and Matteo turn to Ryker and Capone. “The trash on the road?”
“Cleaners will be here before you know it. The cops have the traffic on either side being rerouted until we’re done.”
Renzo nods, looking around at the carnage on the ground. “A good day’s work,” he says, spinning and heading back to the SUV still running on the road. Matteo looks at Carver. “We’ll be in touch,” he says, and joins his cousin.
Chapter 22
Carver
Iput my arm around Pearl, who is quiet as we walk back to the bikes. They may not be ours, but they’re ours for now. “Let’s go back to your club. I have a proposition you may want to hear.”
Pearl nods, getting on her bike, but she’s quiet, contemplative, and doesn’t look in any way convinced that whatever I say will solve our issues. And fundamentally, she may be right. Especially if she’s been harboring resentment, fear over the situation with a mafia family she never knew. No matter where I work or that I would be able to come and go between Vegas and Phoenix, the math just doesn’t add up for her. She’s not going to date an employee of the mafia. No matter that I’ve been running for them since she met me, just taking my pay from Ryker and Capone. Those two, she’d deal with, but the cousins, not so much. Clearly.
Pearl rides in front, with me by her side, while her VP and Road Captain Briar ride behind us, with Flame and then the entire Phoenix Crew covering our ass at the end of the line. No one is getting the drop on us again with so many of the enemiesdead, but we’ve thought that before and until we reach our home turf, it’s better to be on guard.
The road stretches out in the distance, but our bikes make fast work of the miles beneath our wheels. As we reach the city, traffic gets congested and we spread out, weaving in and out until we reach the Harlots Club. The place is all lit up from the inside. “What’s going on?” I ask, easing off my bike to stretch my legs and park it near the front next to hers.
“Sometimes we open up the club to different crew members around the city, allies only obviously,” she says. “It gives the dancers in the community another place to entertain, helps them pay the bills, and it’s our way of community with the crews.”
“Any of your crew dance?” I ask.
“Fuck no! We do it because the ladies love what they do and we have a place for them to do it and make enough money to pay the bills. And we make damn sure they’re safe. If you think this is crowded wait till tomorrow night. We’ve been spreading the word about Saturday night for a while. It’s going to be standing room only,” she says.
I drape my arm around my fearless beauty as the rest of the Harlots and Phoenix Crew pull in behind us. “Looks like there are enough people to keep the ladies safe,” I tell her as we enter the building, with dancers strutting around on the bars to music playing loudly, and bikers yelling over the top of it all.
No trouble is going to walk into this club tonight, because any of these men or women would stand together as one, that’s clear as fuck to see. I sneak behind the bar where a woman is looking at the bottles behind the counter. “I’m not the barkeep but they keep asking for drinks,” she says, glancing at the variety of bottles lining the wall.
Pearl laughs. “Brandy won’t be far behind us. Go dance, make some money, we’ve got this,” she says, joining me behindthe bar. She looks at the grizzly dude sitting on the bar stool across from us. “What’ll it be tonight, Mac, regular?”
He gives her a wink. “Now we’re talking,” he says as Pearl reaches for the whiskey and I move to the next customer down the bar. Brandy joins Pearl shortly and between us all the customers have full drinks to enjoy the show. She looks out at the filled bar, standing room only in some areas. “That’s what I like to see.”
My baby is in her element. This is where she belongs. I put an arm around Pearl, and lead her through the throng of rowdy bikers, here to blow off some steam and have a little fun. But my mind is somewhere else completely, contemplating everything we’ve learned about each other this week. How this fierce woman with a heart of gold has managed to turn my life completely upside down.
I probably knew it the first time I saw her mischievous bright blue glint, but she’s much more than looks, there’s something about Pearl that speaks to the dark untrusting soul I’ve always been known to be. And seeing how she takes care of her crew, how they all take care of each other, she’s learned the lesson of loyalty, brotherhood and comradery far sooner then I.
But that’s about to change, because I want it all now, and I’m claiming what’s mine. The minute we’re upstairs, she turns, concern registering in her eyes. Now it’s just me and her and the truth to unfold between us. “I’m sorry I dragged you into this mess,” she starts, but that’s not how this conversation is going to go.
I close the distance with a few close steps, snaking my hand behind her silky golden hair, drawing her close and kissing her until I have to let her come up for air. “Shhh … You did not drag me anywhere. I was a willing and engaged partner in this. If it had only been you, I would have done the same, but look at all the lives that were saved.”
She swallows. “And the ones that were lost?”
I stroke a finger down her cheek. “The ones who kidnap women, use them for themselves, half starve them, drug them up, and then sell them to the highest bidder? They got what they fucking deserved.”
