12. Scale of One to Ten
Chapter 12
Scale of One to Ten
Simone
“I didn’t guilt you into this, did I?”
He tipped his head back on the pillow and he laughed long and loud. “You won’t believe this, woman, but I’m not known for laughing much. That first night with you, I laughed more than I had in over a year.”
“You didn’t laugh much then, either. They were more like chuckles.”
“You’ve made me belly-laugh at least twice in the past hour.”
“So you needed a comedienne in your life?”
“No. You believe you’re made to be a president’s old lady. Well, I’m certain only a woman like you would be able to make me laugh.”
“Fair.” My eyes darted to the side and back. “Um, I don’t move to Jacksonville until late next week. I’ll be back in Gainesville tomorrow night.”
“Right. My bike is getting dropped in Jacksonville. I’ll ride to Gainesville with you, it might give me a chance to patch shit up with Jordan. But Tuesday, I’ll have to hit Jacksonville for the rest of the week to start laying the groundwork for shit there.”
Nosy by nature, I asked, “What kind of groundwork are we talking about?”
He cocked a brow. “Not gonna tell you that, woman. How much club business does your mom get from Volt? Damned little, if I had to guess.”
I returned his brow arch. “You’re not Volt and I’m not Mom.”
He nodded. “You’re still not getting that info from me. Thought you wanted to see the wrestling today? Or would you rather spend all day in bed?”
I smiled and lowered my mouth to his ear to whisper, “The wrestling, but I’m wearing my dress sans bra, baby. It’ll drive you wild all afternoon.”
His head tipped back and he groaned.
It was music to my ears.
We arrived in the nick of time to see Jasmine win her first coleslaw-wrestling round. Steel stood ten feet away while I congratulated her.
After she wiped a hand towel across her face, she asked, “Is that him over there? All broody, dark, and handsome?”
Jealousy flared inside me, even though I knew she wasn’t interested. “Yeah.”
Her eyes locked with mine. “Not my type, but he’s fuckin’ hot.”
“Yeah,” I whispered. “So, you move on to another round, right?”
“Technically, yes, but it’s up against the woman who always lost to mom. Dad’s hell-bent on me bowing out with just the one win.”
My eyes widened. “You’re not going to do that are you?”
Her eyes scanned the area around us. “They don’t know I’m only seventeen. That bitch will rat me out… hell, I suspect she’d claim I’m seventeen even if I were older.”
I frowned. “That sucks.”
She shrugged, a couple strands of coleslaw falling off her shoulder. “Nah. I’ll be eighteen by October and it gives me plenty of time to practice.”
Her older brother Rafferty lumbered over to us. “All right, Jazz, let’s go. Your ass is falling out of your bikini bottom. Nobody needs to see that.” He nodded at me. “Simone. I’m surprised you’re here without your roommate.”
I smiled. “My roommate has a name, and Alexandra headed back early yesterday.”
He made a strange humming sound. “You take care, Simone. C’mon, Jazz.”
Jasmine rolled her eyes. She leaned forward to hug me, then realized she was covered in coleslaw and backed away. “He needs to get over his shit with Alexandra, but I’ll see you soon.”
Steel’s arms came around my waist from behind and he rested his chin on my shoulder. “She going to get ready for the next round?”
I sighed. “No. It’s a long story, but let’s just say Biketoberfest will be one to remember.”
His hands moved down to cup my small, but growing belly. “It sure as hell will.”
A tiny smile played at my lips as I caught his meaning. I’d be a new mom by then since the baby was due September eighth.
“You wanna get some food?” he asked at my ear.
I nodded and turned in his hold. “Yeah, that’d be good.”
He smiled down at me. “Barbeque beef? Noticed you made a face when you were near chicken.”
“Yeah, brisket would be great.”
We carried our food to an empty picnic table. I hadn’t seen any Devil Lancers around, and I had no idea where the Riot members were at either.
Steel sat on the bench sideways – straddling the bench. When I sat down, he guided my hips so I sat between his legs.
I turned my head to him. “Are you trying to send a clear message to people or something?”
He scratched his stubbled cheek and stared past me for a long moment. His eyes met mine. “Yeah, I am. Every asshole who looks at you needs to know you’re with me.”
I nodded. “Okay, then.”
Three shadows formed on the table. I glanced over my shoulder and saw one of my favorite people, Uncle Yak. Uncle Roll and Uncle Rage stood on either side of him. They all looked unhappy.
Yak spoke before I could greet him. “You get lost, Simone? The rest of the Riot is on the other side of the food truck with the wings.”
I widened my eyes at him. “Well, I definitely don’t want to sit over there. The smell of chicken makes me nauseous these days.”
His eyes cut to Steel. “Yeah, I heard about that.”
Uncle Yak’s glower deepened when Steel’s arm came around me, resting just under my breasts. “She’s not sitting with the Riot today because she’s with me.”
Rage stepped forward. “Find someone else to sit with you, Steel.”
“There isn’t a problem here,” I said.
He widened his eyes at me. “There isn’t a problem here? Think again, Simone. It’s because of this man that Lisa and Nora were—”
I shifted so I could look at Rage and Yak without twisting my neck. “It isn’t his fault directly. He didn’t even know what had happened until after the fact.”
Uncle Roll spoke in his firm, even tone. “You think long and hard about what you’re doing, girlie. Maybe you need to talk to my niece about what Steel’s brothers—”
In a fluid movement, Steel rose from the bench. “Stop right fuckin’ there, Roll. I had no fuckin’ idea about those two members. And the whole fuckin’ chapter lost their charter because of that shit. Waited over three years before approving another charter, but that’s the past. Right now, Simone’s carrying my baby and I’m not bailing on her.”
“That’s not what you said yesterday,” Dad muttered from behind us.
Could this get any more awkward?
“Fuckin’ A,” Steel hissed and turned toward Dad.
I stood and put an arm around Steel’s waist. “Things changed, Dad. This isn’t really the time, though, don’t you think?”
“You’re not gonna negotiate your way out of this,” Uncle Yak said.
Dad shook his head. “Thanks, Yak, but you, Rage, and Roll can join the others. I’ll handle this.”
“There’s nothing to handle, Volt,” Steel said.
Dad set his full plastic cup of beer on the table and sat. “The hell there isn’t. You say you aren’t bailing, but you aren’t moving her to Augusta either.”
Steel guided me back to the table and I sat down. “I am an adult with free will, Dad.”
Rather than sit sideways, Steel settled next to me facing Dad. “For all intents and purposes, there’s only four, maybe five members who make up the Jacksonville Devil Lancer chapter. That’s a problem.”
Dad’s eyes lit with something like mischief. “I’d think that when you run the mother chapter, you’d know this, but it seems to me if you want a decent chapter in Jacksonville, you’ll have to lay the foundation yourself.”
Steel stared at Dad for such a long moment, the similarities between their personalities couldn’t be ignored. In tense situations with heated emotions, Dad always took his time before speaking or acting. The only problem now was that I didn’t know Steel well enough to say if he was angry or just thinking.
Finally, Steel nodded. “Yeah, the only upside to Jacksonville needing my direct attention is that Simone will be there, too.”
Dad took a long pull on his beer. “Are you claiming her?”
Steel’s jaw shifted. “At this time, no. Me claiming her puts a visible mark on her—”
“Glad you don’t have your head up your ass.”
“Dad,” I scoffed.
Steel put his arm around my shoulders without losing eye contact with Dad. “But I’m taking her to Augusta on the weekends.”
Dad’s eyes flared for a moment, then he focused on me. “And you’re cool with that?”
Part of me was cool with whatever Steel would give me, but not only did that reveal too much, it might have been my lust talking.
“For now, I am.”
Dad turned back to Steel. “Do you intend to bail Ghost and the others out of jail?”
Steel shook his head. “That’s not your business, Volt. But… out of respect for you and your daughter, I’ll tell you that I’m not. Their patches haven’t been stripped publicly, but notices went out that they’re no longer members of the club.”
“If they were granted parole tomorrow, you wouldn’t welcome them back in an effort to build up the ranks?” Dad asked.
Steel shook his head. “No. Hell, every one of them has been inside for fifteen years, so they’d all owe well over nine grand in back dues.”
“You don’t waive that for time served?”
“In this case, no.”
Dad’s eyes cut to mine. “You still moving into that apartment on the westside?”
I nodded. “Yes.”
His eyes slid to Steel and back to me. “You’re sure you’re not staying at their fuckin’ clubhouse?”
My eyes widened. “I’m sure, Dad.”
Steel gave my shoulders a squeeze. “I’ll be staying with her, so I can help with the move.”
Dad’s jaw clenched. “What the hell changed your mind so fast?”
Steel raised his chin and ran his hand down his neck. “This isn’t your business either, but Simone pointed out that she isn’t like Jordan’s mom. I still think she can do better than me, but I’ll be damned if I let her figure this shit out alone.”
“She wouldn’t be on her own,” Dad bit out.
Steel gave a single nod. “Maybe not, but now I’m gonna be there, too.”
Dad stared at me for a beat. “I love you. Wanted you to try civilian life. Are you sure—”
I grabbed his hand. “Dad, I love everything about MC life and you know it.”
He sighed and stood. “All right, I’ll trust you on that, sweetheart.”
I smiled. “Thanks, Dad. I love you, too.”
His eyes traveled down to my dress and he shook his head. “If you love me, when you get home, do me a favor. Burn that fuckin’ dress.”
“Bye, Dad!”
Once he was out of earshot, Steel nudged my bicep with his. “It’s official. I’m framing your dress when you get home. Then I’m gonna buy you fifty more of ‘em.”
I burst with laughter.
“I’m so glad I got to help you mark something off your bucket list, Steel,” I said, standing on the beach blanket, toweling my hair dry.
With his back to me, he adjusted his underwear. “Hurry up and get dressed, Jade. I don’t want to court either of us getting arrested for indecent exposure.”
I grinned. “Already done, baby. Another perk of my favorite dress, easy off, easy on.”
He glowered over his shoulder at me. “And your underwear?”
I shrugged. “Wearing a thong is fun, but wearing a sandy thong is not.” My gaze slid across the horizon. “Riding on your bike is going to be more of an experience tonight.”
He yanked his jeans up with a growl. “I should spank your ass for that.”
“I know.”
“Woman.”
“What? I get the feeling I’m keeping you young, Steel. When was the last time you had this much fun?”
He bent and grabbed his boots now that he’d shrugged into his t-shirt. “Get your shoes, baby. It’s time to make tracks.”
“Did you have any fun?” I asked, trudging through the sand next to him.
He squeezed my hand. “Sex with you is always fun, Jade.”
I shot him some side-eye.
He stopped us on the trail to the parking lot. “Yes, baby. I had fun. More than I’ve had in a long-ass time.”
I smiled. “Good, but you seem awful grumpy for having had so much fun.”
He lowered his lips to my ear. “You haven’t been paying attention, Jade. I fuck you once, I want seconds very soon afterward. But I’m not doing sex on the beach, and the thought of your pussy on my bike getting wetter and wetter from the rumble of those pipes…it’s gonna be a fuckin’ challenge to get us back to the campsite.”
I turned my lips toward his ear. “You could always fuck me on your bike when we get back.”
He made a growling noise and kissed me hard. “Not happening, woman. Not there, anyway. Hell, I don’t even think I could trust my brothers not to watch us at my clubhouse.”
I pressed my lips together. “Bummer.”
The following Thursday, all my stuff had been moved into my two-bedroom apartment. To my chagrin, Dad and the Riot brothers had worked well alongside Steel to move my crap.
Now, it was closing in on five o’clock. Mom, Abby, Alexandra and I were sitting around in the living room staring at my boxes. The men had all left. Steel had things to do with a couple of the Devil Lancers and the Riot men had all gone to the clubhouse, which was only a couple miles away.
Alexandra wandered to the breakfast bar where she’d left her phone and keys. “I have to get back to Gainesville. It’s cool that Ines could take over your part of the lease, but I’m gonna miss having you as a roomie, Simone.”
“I’m sorry, sweetie,” I said.
She gave me a reluctant smile. “Don’t be. Aunt Jackie can disagree all she wants, but I think Steel is really good for you. You’re so happy now. I mean, you’re still turning into a pumpkin at five-fifteen every evening, but man… I want some of what you’ve got, chickie.”
“Don’t let Cal hear that,” Mom said.
Alexandra shook her head. “I don’t mean with a Devil Lancer. I just mean… well,—”
“You want the look of being well-fucked on the regular by someone who knows what they’re doing,” Aunt Abby suggested.
Alexandra blushed.
Aunt Abby and I cackled.
Mom sighed.
I walked Alexandra to the door to avoid Mom’s judgment or disappointment. At this stage, it felt like they went hand-in-hand.
After I locked the door, Aunt Abby stood at the kitchen counter with a bottle of chardonnay in hand. “My man’s picking me up here, so Jackie, unless you want another glass, I’m polishing this off.”
Mom took her red Solo cup to Aunt Abby. “No, you’re splitting that with me.”
Aunt Abby held the bottle aloft. “Why? Because you’re stressed about Simone’s new living arrangements?”
“Yes, amongst all the other things, Abigail.”
She stared at Mom for a moment before she poured the wine. Aunt Abby caught my eyes. “How good is he?”
Mom gasped. “Abby, I don’t need to know—”
She wagged a finger at Mom. “Jacqueline. Every woman deserves happiness. Happiness includes a healthy sex life. So what if he leads the fuckin’ Devil Lancers. As long as he’s good to our girl, that’s what matters.”
Mom glared at Abby. “It’d be nice if she had a good man in her bed.”
Abby shrugged a shoulder. “Good men come in all shapes and sizes. There are people who think your man isn’t very good. But you and I know they’re wrong.”
“This isn’t the same,” Mom muttered.
“Oh, but it really is, Jackie.”
Mom threw her hand out in my direction. “She could go to jail! Then what happens to my grandbaby?”
Abby’s head tilted in question. “Has Volt ever put you in a position where you’d be incriminated?”
Mom kept quiet.
“Right. Nor has Blood done that to me. Open those eyes, Jackie. The way Steel looks at her, he’s not gonna do that either.”
“He fucking better not.”
Aunt Abby’s head dipped. “Right. And if he does, I’ll lead the brigade to cut him into eighty-five little pieces and scatter his sorry ass across the Southeast.”
“Geez, eighty-five is rather specific. Vengeful much?” I asked.
Aunt Abby made big eyes at me. “Very. Now, how good is he? Scale of one to ten.”
I didn’t hesitate. “Best ever.”
Aunt Abby’s expression fell. “Really?”
“Definitely.”
Mom downed her wine. “We’re so fucked.”
Aunt Abby grinned. “No, she is. And I’d say, that’s how she wants it.”
“What are you so worried about, Mom?”
That earned me a glare. “Oh, I don’t know… you moving to Georgia, getting hurt, all of it.”
I nodded. “If the tables were turned, you’d tell me to have faith. That you and Dad know what you’re doing.”
She shook her head. “Simone, that doesn’t work here.”
I shrugged. “Fine. I’ll tell you what Steel keeps saying, one day at a time.”
“One day at a time! That’s easy for him to say. At least he didn’t insist you move closer to the Devil Lancer compound, then—”
“She’d be on the same side of the river as your house,” Steel said, walking inside.
I made a mental note to ask him how he unlocked the door so quiet and stealthy.
He came right to me. His hand cupping my belly while his other curled around my neck. He kissed me quick. “Hey, Jade.”
He nodded at Mom, “Jackie.”
Then he did the same with Aunt Abby.
Mom nodded back at him. “How do you know where we live?”
Steel grinned. “I don’t. Simone said you live across the river. I do my research, but I haven’t looked into you or Volt.”
“Oh,” Mom whispered.
At the same time Aunt Abby muttered, “Yet.”
Steel chuckled. “Listen, we don’t have issues with the Riot. The shit in the past is past. Seeing as the Riot isn’t in the same… trade as us, I don’t anticipate problems.”
Mom choked on laughter. “Trade? You call what you do—”
“Mom,” I said.
“No, Simone. You should know about their trades .”
“She does,” Steel said.
Mom’s eyes danced between us. “She doesn’t.”
“I do.”
“And it doesn’t bother you?” Mom asked.
I took a deep breath. “I’m not entirely down, but the Riot runs Platinum’s right down the street.”
“Yeah, that’s the one area of overlap,” Steel murmured.
“Are you hearing this?” Mom demanded.
I nodded. “Yeah. That’s a problem for Uncle Yak and Turk.”
“That’s our girl,” Aunt Abby said.
Mom ignored her. “Simone, you can’t be that dense. More goes—”
Steel’s voice became stern. “She isn’t dense and we discussed it.”
With her plastic cup to her lips, Mom stared at Steel. She sipped her wine, then put the cup down. “Are you certain you can keep her safe?”
Steel’s lips twisted a touch. “Are you certain you’re always safe? There are risks being a president’s old lady.”
Mom’s eyes lit with triumph. “She isn’t your old lady, so the risks to her are increased seeing as she wouldn’t have your protection.”
His dark eyebrows lowered and he stared at Mom. “Whether or not you mean to, you’re twisting this around. Not being my old lady doesn’t mean she isn’t protected.”
Aunt Abby tossed her empty cup in the trash. “I don’t think Jackie’s trying to twist your words.”
“But if she’s yours, that would come with heavier protection, wouldn’t it?”
I shifted out of Steel’s hold. “Mom, you need to stop.”
“You need to stop and think about these things.”
“I have. Everyone keeps talking about a threat, but no details.” I pointed at Steel. “You should share if there’s more information, by the way.” I turned back to Mom. “But, there’s a risk being Dad’s daughter, too.”
“Old ladies and kids are off-limits.”
“Not always,” I said.
Mom’s eyes widened. “When have you ever been threatened?”
“You were threatened when you and Dad first met.”
“That was before he claimed me, so you’re only proving my point.”
Steel shook his head. “If the rumors are true, it was non-bikers who threatened you, so in reality, Simone’s right. There are risks to being anybody. Wrong place, wrong time happens plenty.” A sly gleam hit his eyes. “A woman who speaks up for her best friend when she’s been done wrong in such a heinous way garners the wrong kind of attention.”
Mom’s jaw shifted. “Thought you didn’t look into me and Volt?”
Steel grinned. “Not your address.” He tipped his head toward me. “She’s got spunk, and I asked a few people what they knew about how you and Volt met.”
Aunt Abby’s lips pursed and she narrowed her eyes at Steel. “Who would run their mouth about that?”
“Hard to say,” he said, looking at Aunt Abby.
From his expression, I realized he was telling her something else. I shook my head. “Uncle Blood would never.”
She turned her head to the side. “Sonuvabitch. I knew I should have stuck closer to him that last night at Bike Week.” She glanced back at Steel. “But you weren’t around for that conversation.”
He turned his hands up. “No, I was somewhere else.”
Mom grimaced. “This is getting awkward. I just want to know she and her baby are going to be safe.”
Steel nodded once. “She will be safe.”
From the set of Mom’s lips, I knew her irritation had amped up another notch. “Seeing as you aren’t claiming her, forgive me if I don’t believe you.”
“Someone fucks with her, it’s the last damned thing they’ll ever do, Jackie. I’ll burn their whole fuckin’ world down. Do you believe that?”
The conviction and malice in Steel’s tone alone had me believing him.
After a beat, Mom nodded. “Yes. I believe that.” She pointed a finger at him. “But let’s make sure it doesn’t come to that.”
Steel chuckled. “Yeah. That’s the plan.”