Page 27 of Bound By Temptation

All of it was edible, except the frame that is. Marley made a wooden structure to hold the weight. Another reason I wanted Marley around, he was great at creating the sturdy bases for my cakes. Personally, I could make them, but I’d rather be creating.

When I’d called Tanner and told her about the size and weight of this cake, so she’d have some place sturdy to put it, she announced she was sending Booker, Deke, Green and Ryker here to help lift it into my van. Then we’d go to the club, and they’d lift it to where it needed to go.

One, I appreciated the help more than she could know. I was going to call in Marley, my brother-in-law, and Cody to come and help, but Tanner saved me the trouble of that task. Two, I was so happy that Ax wasn’t on that list of helpers.

That was why I was currently meshed between four Harleys. Two in front and two behind, following me down the road. It was like I had a million dollars in the van, instead of a cake that they’d be eating later on, and they were guarding it like a state secret.

I had to admit, it did make me feel safe nestled between them. Somehow, I knew that no matter what would happen, these four men would protect me, and it didn’t have anything to do with cake. It was a strange thought; that was for sure.

As we got closer to the clubhouse, an uneasy feeling slithered down my spine. This compound was not on my top ten favorite places to be list. It was more on the never wanting to be there again list. Some memories sucked ass, and they raced through me all at once.

There was a time I loved the thought of spending a Friday night here. My heart, my soul, and the depths of who I thought I would be were ripped from me in this very space so long ago. Yet, it remained vividly in my mind.

I found it to be a blessing.

Took some time for me to get there, but yeah, Ax ending it how he did taught me a hard but necessary lesson.

Trust no one with your faith, your future, or your heart.

Keep the walls up.

Have fun, but never let anyone see your pain, your insecurities, or your weaknesses.

Sucking in a deep breath, I forced the memories that wanted to invade me back down to the recesses of my soul.

Now wasn’t the time; hell, never was too soon for that. It needed to stay buried, and I wished I had the strength to keep it there forever. Alas, I didn’t.

The bikes in front honked as we approached, and the tall steel gate opened with a ratchet sound. It looked as though it could take a hell of a beating and still keep everyone out.

Entering the clubhouse was a sight to behold. The area was so much larger than it appeared on the outside. On the left was the clubhouse, and next to that was a huge blocked structure that held rooms for its members. Was it members? I forgot what Ax told me.

Off in the distance to the right was Banner Automotive that had a separate entrance. In the parking lot, bikes and vehicles were parked and next to the clubhouse was a wide open space with picnic tables, a fire pit and tons of chairs.

Currently, only a few people were out and their eyes were on us as we came into the place. As protective as they were about the cake, this didn’t surprise me one bit. They’d want to know who was on their turf.

Did I just give a football reference to bikers?Lord save me.

The bikes pulled off straight then to the left and parked. Deke motioned me to pull into an open area close to where the clubhouse was. Backing in slowly, I saw the door and it was big, which was good. This monster needed its space, and I just hoped everything went smoothly.

Shoving the gear shift into park, I unbuckled, shut down the van, and got out.

Closing the door, I jumped when I saw the men so close to the van already. They were like ninjas, being all quiet and sneaking up on me. I held my chest and gasped. “How about not sneaking up on me with your mouse shoes?”

Ryker burst out laughing. “Mouse shoes? Seriously?”

“Been called a lot of shit, but never told I had mouse shoes.” Deke grunted with a tip of his lip. He seemed to be the most serious of the four with me. Not Rhys serious, but a close second. He did have the same intensity though which was a bit scary.

“Y’all are so quiet. One minute you’re not there. The next ‘poof,’ you are.” I shook my head.

"Yeah, we poofed to you,” Ryker said, laughing harder, and seeing Deke actually laugh made him not so scary; at least for the moment.

“Can we get this monster out of the van? I still have some work to do on it, and I want it done before the party starts,” I told them, feeling myself smile as well. These guys were something else.

“Sure thing, boss.” Green mock saluted, making me chuckle.

These guys were funny.

I opened the back of the van and quickly inspected the cake. Luckily nothing had moved on the drive. That was always my biggest worry when traveling with cakes I’d spent hours on. One curve too fast or a pothole in the road could mean disaster quickly. It was why I drove much slower when it came to the cakes.

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