CHAPTER FIFTEEN
Cody—
Energy shoots through my body, and suddenly I don’t care that I’ve only had about four hours of sleep.
The most stunningly gorgeous woman on the fucking planet had breakfast with me and gave me her number. Life is fucking good.
I bolt upright and take a quick shower, humming a tune the entire time.
Stepping out, I towel dry, then dress and throw my cut over my shirt. A yawn escapes as I walk down the hall to the main room.
A few of my brothers are already at the bar, and the aroma of freshly brewed coffee hits my nose.
“Pour me a cup, will ya, kid?” I take a barstool, and the prospect brings me a steaming mug.
Billy, TJ, and Marcus all sit next to me.
“Thanks for last night, brothers,” I say.
“You want to fill us in?” TJ asks. “What the fuck happened? My dad is on the warpath this morning, and his tomahawk has your name carved on it.”
“I met Ginger back in Alabama.”
Billy frowns. “What do you mean?”
“My buddy from the military—Ryan, the one who was killed?”
“Yeah?”
“That’s his girl. I’d say his widow, but they never made it to the altar.”
“No shit?” TJ mutters.
“She was standing at his grave when I rode up there to pay my respects.”
“Wow, that’s wild,” Marcus murmurs.
“She’s also the chick from the bridge.”
“You mean that girl you stopped from jumping?” TJ asks
“Exactly. Weird, huh?”
“And now she shows up here and starts working at Sonny’s?” Billy asks. “Did you have a hand in that?”
“No. I swear. I never even got her number when I met her.”
“So, what’s she doin’ here?” Billy asks. “Her showin’ up—that doesn’t seem suspicious to you? I mean, what are the odds?”
“Said she wanted a change of scenery. Someplace to start over, ya know? I guess when I told her I was from San Jose, she filed the answer away. She needed to leave town in a hurry.”
“Why did she need to leave town?” TJ asks.
“She told me some guy was getting abusive with her, and she needed to put some miles between them.”
Billy leans his elbows on the bar. “So, she comes all the way to California? San Jose, more specifically, and you don’t think she came to see you?”
“Nah. I think I’d just mentioned I was from San Jose area when we met, and something made her latch onto that.”
“Do you know how absurd that sounds?” Marcus asks.
I ignore him and take a sip of coffee.
“You gonna tell us the rest? Did you hook up with this chick last night?”
“I waited for her after Sonny’s closed. Took her to breakfast.”
“Did you fuck her?” TJ asks.
“No, asshole.”
We hear the rumble of a couple of motorcycles pull up, and our VP, Crash, comes through the door with our president.
Crash spots me at the bar and points a finger at me. “Cody. Let’s go.”
They head toward the hall that leads to Cole’s office.
I stand, and TJ smirks. “Dead man walking.”
“Knock it off,” I say, grabbing my coffee and heading down the hall.
Cole moves behind his desk, and Crash and I take the chairs in front of it.
“What the fuck happened last night?” Cole barks. “I gotta get a call from Ronnie to deal with my crew.”
I tell him everything that happened, and when I’m done, Cole runs a hand over his beard.
“You swear on your patch you didn’t touch her?”
“I touched her. Okay, I broke the rules, but I didn’t hurt her. Well, I mean, I grabbed her arm trying to stop her from running out, but…”
Crash shakes his head. “Jesus Christ, brother. You don’t touch the dancers, and you sure as fuck don’t restrain them like that.”
“It was a reaction. I was shocked to see her.”
Cole leans his elbows on his desk, steeples his hands, and presses his forehead to them like he’s praying for strength to keep himself from blowing up. “Where do you know this girl from?”
“When we were in Alabama, I went to visit the grave of my buddy who was killed.”
“The one from your unit?” Crash asks.
“Yeah. I met her at the gravesite. I recognized her as the chick from the bridge.”
“Wait a minute. You mean the jumper?” Cole asks.
“Yeah. Then when I saw her at Ryan’s grave, I immediately knew she was the girl from the photo he’d had above his bunk. His girl.”
“And now she’s here?” Cole lifts a brow.
“She said she wanted to leave town to start over fresh. I guess when I told her I was from San Jose… hell, I don’t know why she picked this place.”
“She came for you, obviously,” Crash says.
“If she did, why was she pissed when I recognized her?” I ask.
Cole leans back in his chair and points a finger at me. “You stay out of Sonny’s. Understand?”
“Um… well, we sort of started seeing each other.”
“What the fuck are you talking about? Since last fucking night?” Cole barks.
“I went back and apologized to her and Tiny. I asked to buy her breakfast, then we went for a ride on the bike and watched the sunrise. I made sure she got home all right. We agreed to start seeing each other. I’m goin’ back there later today to fix her sink.”
“To fix her sink?” Cole looks at Crash. “Is that code for sex these days?”
Crash chuckles and shrugs.
“She could be the one, prez.”
“The one what, moron?” he snaps. “She’s a dancer in the club the MC owns.
You don’t see where this could all go to shit?
Hell, it already has. I’ve got guys who apparently don’t think the rules apply to them.
You put Tiny in a spot, made him break the club rules, and put his job on the line.
You think you got the power to do that?”
“No, I was wrong. I got carried away by this girl.”
“She’s the club’s headliner, Cody. Ronnie says she brings in more business than Velvet ever did. Do not fuck that up for us.”
“I want to see her.”
“You want to fuck her, fuck her. I don’t give a damn, but you stay the hell out of the damn VIP rooms, you hear me?”
“Yes, sir.”
“You cause any problems, I’ll ban you from Sonny’s entirely. You won’t even be allowed in the parking lot to pick her up. You got that?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Only reason I’m cutting you any slack is because I respect your father and your service in the military.
I get you were shocked to find out you knew this girl.
But what I’m not okay with is you thinking you’ve got a right to tell Tiny to break a rule.
Like you’ve got that kind of weight to throw around.
He complied because of that patch you wear, and that puts our club in a bad light.
That’s not how I run that place. Patches don’t get special treatment.
It’s the only reason we’ve kept the standards at that place and drawn the talent we have. In one night, you fucked that all up.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Get the fuck out of here.”
I walk out through the clubhouse and outside, dipping my head to light a smoke.
TJ follows me out. “How’d it go?”
“Not as bad as it could have. I still have my patch.”
“I see that.”
“He’s pissed, though, and he’s got a right to be. I fucked up. Threw my weight around with Tiny, and that was some fucked up shit. I don’t know why I did it.”
“Pussy will do that to a man. Especially one with world-class tits and ass like Ginger has.”
“Shut up about her, TJ. Right now, you’re makin’ me want to put my fist in your face.”
He grins. “You got it bad, bro.”
“Yep. Never felt like this before. Somethin’ about this chick, ya know?”
“I get it. I felt that way the first time I laid eyes on Gigi.” He snaps his fingers. “Happened just that fast. Bam. Never looked at another woman after her.”
“She’s got a kid,” I admit softly.
“A kid.” He lifts a brow. “Your buddy’s kid?”
“Yeah.”
He’s quiet for a minute, rocking on his heels, and I take another drag off my cigarette.
“That bother you?” he asks.
“Not a bit. She says the boy is just like Ryan.”
“The kid needs a father. Why not you, huh? You ready for all that?”
“Yep.”
“Really?” He drags out the word. “Because it’s not fair to get involved with this girl and her kid if you aren’t planning to stick around. I’d think long and hard on that.”
“I get your concern, but I already have. I’m not afraid of commitment.”
“You barely know this chick, and do I gotta remind you she was about to jump off a bridge not long ago? She may have emotional problems.”
“Then I’ll help her with that.”
“Brother—”
“TJ, I appreciate your concern. I do, but I’m doing this.”
“Okay. I just hope you know what you’re doing, man. She is a stripper. That doesn’t bother you?”
“No.” It’s a lie even I don’t believe.
TJ pulls a pack of smokes and shakes out a joint. “You got a light?”
I pass him my lighter. “You want to know something freaky, TJ?”
“What’s that?” He lights it and passes it to me after taking a drag.
Dropping my cigarette, I grind it under my boot and take the joint. “I know it sounds crazy, but I feel like Ryan put me on that bridge. That he keeps putting her in my path for a reason. First the bridge, then the cemetery, now here. You believe in shit like that?”
I pass the joint back, and he studies the glowing tip. “I don’t know. Maybe.”
My phone chimes with a text. I pull it out and glance at the screen. It’s Heather, and I grin.
HEATHER: Good morning, Cody. Are you up? I had fun last night.
I smile, and TJ glances at me.
“I take it from that stupid grin on your face that text is from her.”
“Yup.” I tap out a reply.
ME: I’m up. Standin’ next to my bike, thinkin’ about how good it felt havin’ you on the back of it with your arms around me.
HEATHER: I really had fun last night. I think you won the bet. I’m addicted to riding now, and it’s all your fault.
ME: Can I come over?
HEATHER: Yes
ME: Headed your way, darlin’.
I move to my bike.
“Guess I don’t need to ask where you’re goin’,” TJ remarks with a smirk.
“Guess you don’t.”
“Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.”
“There’s not a lot you wouldn’t do, TJ.”
He chuckles. “True. Guess you got a really nice birthday gift, huh? By the way, you’re welcome.”
“Thanks for the celebration last night.”
“You better be thankin’ me. If it weren’t for me and the boys, you wouldn’t be headed across town right now.”
“I’m in your debt, then.”
“Damn straight you are.”
I lift my chin to him and roar off the clubhouse property.