“Ah, there’s that smile.” Aggie wags her finger at me. “Child, I’m worried about you.”
I try to brush it off, but I know Aggie isn’t going to let it go. “What do you mean you’re worried about me?”
“You have tangled yourself up in a web of lies, betrayal, and danger. I mean, hell, you have a bodyguard watching your every move.”
I shake my head, trying to downplay her concerns. “It’s just a precaution. Once this is all over, everything will be fine.”
She looks at me like I’m crazy. “You say that like it’s a one and done deal. Wake up, child. Just because we take off one head of the snake doesn’t mean it ends.”
“So, we keep fighting.” I raise my voice’ I’m going to spiral if this keeps up.
“When is it going to be enough? When you end up on the table?” Her words hit me like bricks, suffocating me. I jerk back at her words.
Aggie seems to realize what she just said. “No, Tessa. I didn’t mean that.” She tries to reach out to me, but I flinch away. Sparky’s lurking in the back, ready to bounce at the first sight of something off. I wave him away, knowing I’m not in danger with Aggie.
“Aggie, I’ve, for some reason, been oblivious to what’s going on. Someone has to fight, and no one’s standing up. I’m not naive. I know it’s going to take a lot to figure everything out, but one step at a time. Have a little faith. Do you really think I’d risk everything, including mylife, getting tangled up in a motorcycle club? No offense, Sparky.” I look back at him over my shoulder.
“None taken,” he mutters back.
With a deep sigh and a small grin, Aggie backs down. I know her heart is in the right place, but this is my mess and I have to clean it up.
We continue to tour the building, looking into every new area and talking shop. “What do you think, Aggie?
She peers around, nodding. She continues to roam through the corridors, staring into each room. She looks back at me. “We could plan something together. Only if this threat to the community stops.”
“Agreed” I reach out to her and put my arm around her shoulders.
I walk her back to her car and wave her off, Sparky still a shadow behind me. I glance at him as the sun begins to lower in the sky. He’s hiding in the shade, waiting on me.
“Shall we, Sparky?” I ask him, glancing through my glasses.
“I have a name.”
I chuckle. “Yeah, and it’s Sparky.”
He mutters something under his breath.
“I’m sorry, what was that?”
“You’re lucky you’re boss man’s woman,” he answers back.
“Oh Sparky, that shouldn’t scare you anyway,” I say as I get back into my car. I start my car. The playful spat plants a genuine smile on my face.
Tonight’s the night we finally figure out when to make a move. For once, Rawlings lets me get involved, with the understanding that normally, women don’t get involved with club business. Unfortunately, I’m stubborn.
We weave our way to the compound as the sun sets, bringing in the darkness of the night. I park my car nearby, and a chill runs down my spine when I sense a large looming shadow waiting for me. The door opens for me, more like being ripped off its hinges. I exchange my sunglasses for my actual glasses, since I left my contacts at home.
“Darlin’, if you don’t get out of the car now, consequences will follow,” the shadow growls out.Hi Alexander.
“You act like I should be scared.” I try to get out of my car.
“Mm, maybe a round of hide and seek will change that.” The devilish, tempting smile I adore peeks out.
“Maybe later.” I get out and tap his cheek. “For now, I feel the urge for blood and justice.”
“Mm. Yes ma’am.” He leads us into the main building, into the bigger meeting room. The smell of smoke and grease fills the air. A long oval table sits in the middle of the room, with swivel chairs surrounding it. On the table are maps of the cities, photos, and a mock-up of the shipping yard in Wilmington. Rawlings, Keola, Doc, Memphis, Joaquin, and Coda are already there. There are still a few older members that I do not recognize very well, but their appearance and body language of me being here, sends chills down my spine.
“Bjorn, have a seat,” Rawlings commands, his face twitching with frustration. I take a seat closest to Alexander: not at the table, but not out of sight.