19. Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Eighteen
Reeve
Trix excuses herself, pushes away from the bar and all but runs toward the bathroom door, as I watch her in confusion.
Mouse has spoken to her.
The ginger-haired, silent giant with scars littering his body and a devastating story that none of us know, has spoken to someone.
Mouse has been a part of the Steel Devils since he was eighteen. He was patched in just before he was twenty after he proved his loyalty by killing a snakey little fucker who slithered through our doors undetected, trying to steal weapons and information.
His loyalty is unwavering, and he's proven time and time again he'll do whatever it takes to keep every member of this club safe, which makes him family.
He's never spoken a single word to any of us, as far as I know, anyway.
The fact he's spoken to Trix is astonishing.
From her reaction, it also seems like she had no idea he doesn't talk.
Or maybe that's all an act?
It's possible she does know, and maybe she's lied about speaking to him in the hopes that we'll trust her more by knowing that.
I shake my head, lift the bottle to my lips, then guzzle the remainder of the liquid.
No. I'm being paranoid now.
I know she's not here for anything other than money.
I'm letting Milo's suspicion cloud my judgement… aren't I?
Leaning across the bar, I toss my bottle in the trash, wipe my hand over my beard, then glance around the room before moving over to the stairs, climbing them quickly.
Reaching the top, I'm surprised to see the room empty.
Maybe she really was lying…
Walking past the table, I push open the door that leads to the upstairs hallway opposite my bedroom. Bypassing Milo's room, I trudge down the stairs until I'm at Mouse's door.
Rapping my knuckles against the wood, I lean against the wall behind me, waiting for him to open up.
When he does, he stares at me for a minute, then glances left and right before dragging his eyes back to mine. He mirrors my posture, leaning against the doorframe with his hands in his pockets.
"You been in the living room today?"
He squints slightly, rolls his lips inward, then nods sharply.
"You see Trix at all?"
He nods again, this time with apprehension.
I can see his hands fidgeting inside his pockets, and although his face remains calm and collected, I can tell he's uncomfortable, so I choose my next words wisely.
"Do you trust her?"
His eyes dart down the empty hall, then back to me. His narrowed gaze studiously runs over my face before he nods once more.
I watch him for a moment before nodding myself, then walk away.
Heading down the hallway and onto the porch outside, I spot Milo and Mackie having a smoke.
"Coming for a ride?" I ask my best friend as I pass him, making my way down the wooden steps.
Unlocking my car, I grab my cap, sunglasses and keys, then close the door and walk to the wooden covered carport beside the clubhouse where my bike is parked with a few others.
Glancing over my shoulder, I see Milo swinging his leg over the body of his Harley before he looks at me and dips his head.
Sweeping a hand through my hair, I place my hat on my head, slide my glasses into place, then climb onto my Scout, turning it on.
The sound of my bike mixing with Milo's brings a smile to my face. The vibrations run through my body and adrenaline pulses through my blood as I use my feet to push the bike out from under the shelter.
Pulling the clutch lever with my left hand, I push my foot down firmly on the gear shifter until it engages, then I slowly release the clutch until the bike pulls forward.
"We going to Deadman's Peak?" Milo asks, pulling alongside me as we gradually make our way down the road that leads away from the clubhouse.
I nod and roll the throttle, shifting gears as we pick up speed.
We make it to the edge of the rocky cliffs within ten minutes, the sea breeze whipping around us violently.
"About time you wanted to go for a ride," Milo says as he flicks the kickstand down, then hops off his bike while I do the same.
"Needed to clear my head," I tell him, shrugging. I walk toward the cliff edge, and stare down at the waves crashing into the jagged rocks sticking out of the water below.
He moves to my side, hands in the pockets of his jeans.
We stand in silence for a few moments, the cold wind beating against us.
"There's no need for you to be a dick toward her, you know?"
He glances at me and sighs, shaking his head.
"Look, I know I said I'd trust your judgement, but I still think you're being too trusting, and I—"
"Mouse trusts her," I say, interrupting him.
He frowns.
"He's spoken to her."
His jaw goes slack, and the crease between his brows deepens.
"Did she tell—"
"She did tell me, and at first, I didn't totally believe it either.
I also thought she could be lying about it, and that's exactly why I went to Mouse straight after.
I didn't outright ask him if he spoke to her.
I didn't want him to feel cornered, and I didn't want him to think she'd betrayed his trust by telling someone.
But from what I asked, I know she wasn't lying.
And when I asked him if he trusts her, he nodded. No hesitation at all."
"Holy shit," he mutters, turning away from me and looking back out at the ocean.
"You know how observant he is, and we both know he's a great judge of character.
He's also—in my opinion—the most loyal member of the club.
So, if he trusts her, which he evidently does, then I think we should too.
Not to mention, Prez also has no worries about her, and Ghost didn't seem to either. "
His eyes flick back to mine, and after a moment, he nods.
"Fine." He sighs.