Chapter 18
Eagle
After tossing and turning all night, I dragged my ass out of bed. Lacy’s scent was already fading from the pillow. All I could think about was her. It had only been a few days since she left, but it felt like an eternity. And the thoughts that ran through my mind all night only tortured me.
I didn’t think she would ever allow it, but visions of Butch with his grubby hands all over her kept flashing in my mind. Even if she didn’t allow it, fuck him for his little comments. She was stripping when we first found her and Daisy, and I knew it would be fucked to want to never allow her to do it again, but I couldn’t help how I felt. She should only be for my eyes, for my hands. It was bad enough strangers could ogle her there, but at least ten brothers worked there at various times, including Butch. He was there a lot because he was Mama Hen’s precious boy and he ran security. He was nearly ten years older than all of us but the story we’d all heard was that she found him shortly after she met Raven and saved him from a dangerous home life. I could never remember if that was before or after Hawk was born. Either way, she treated him like a son but coddled him way more than Hawk.
Hawk was raised to be like Raven. So far, I think Raven would’ve been proud of him. I was out of line trying to storm off to Mama Hen’s the way I did. I wasn’t sorry for what I did to Butch, though. He asked for that shit. He was a big mother fucker and had been an Enforcer for the longest time, so he was cocky and thought he couldn’t be taken down. Maybe on a normal day that would’ve been true, but something about him talking about Lacy that way set me off.
After a shower, I headed downstairs for coffee and breakfast. I needed to mainline caffeine to get through the day. There was also the issue of seeing Daisy again at work. I didn’t want to further piss her off because it would just get back to Lacy but she was being obnoxious. I needed to get my head straight before I got there.
It was pretty empty besides a couple of bunnies, so I took a seat and one of them came over. “Need something, Eagle?”
“Coffee and if there was any food left, that would be great.”
She smiled and walked away. At least she didn’t flirt. Glancing around, none of them seemed to be looking my way. Stark contrast from the other day. Apparently everyone but me knew she was gone Sunday when I was on my rampage. But they also seemed to have gotten the hint that I wasn’t interested.
My phone buzzed and it was Keys. He confirmed Lacy was on the day schedule at Destiny’s Desires, but Jeannie was late shift. Lacy didn’t have a car and I’d be damned if she would be taking a ride share, or worse, be on another man’s bike. Until shit simmered down with Butch and I, though, I couldn’t go inside or Hawk would put me on grunt work. But I could be in the parking lot.
My chances of getting her on the bike were slim, but I could probably talk her into the cage. Plus, she probably wouldn’t have good riding gear on. My tension was through the roof and an open ride would be best, but I wouldn’t have time to leave the shop, come get the truck, then get all the way to the club. I’d just have to ride with the windows down or something.
The bunny brought me a sausage biscuit and some coffee and promptly left to join some of the other girls. I ate and downed the coffee, then headed to work.
Falcon and Daisy were walking inside as I pulled up and I didn’t miss her eye roll. But Falcon pulled her close and said something before pushing her ahead. I parked and caught up to him since he was waiting on me.
He glanced over my shoulder. “Did I miss a memo?”
“No. I got something to do after work.”
He quirked a brow. “Need some help? Hawk told me you tailed alone yesterday.”
“I was just tailing. Would’ve been more obvious for us both to go. But that’s not my business this afternoon.”
We walked inside and Daisy was seated at the desk, tapping on the keyboard already.
“Good morning, Daisy,” I said, trying to keep my tone neutral.
She kept tapping away so I gave up for the time being and went to prep for the day. I had my appointments written down already, so I didn’t have to ask her for them.
Falcon popped his head in as I was getting ready for the first client of the day. “She’ll come around once you get it all sorted out.”
With a deep sigh, I said, “If she was anyone else she’d be fired. But I can’t fault her for defending her friend, I guess.”
He crossed his arms as he leaned against the door. “Yeah, she’s missing her bad. So you should get your shit together.”
I grinned. “I’m trying, brother. Trust me.”
“Hey, I got your back, man.”
I stopped fiddling with the ink and looked up at him. “I know.”
“Alright, I gotta get busy. If you need anything let me know.”
I nodded and he walked away. Hawk may have had to lay down the law, but he had my back, too. Even though we had a rat, I knew it wasn’t one of those guys.
After wrapping up with my last client, I cleaned up my booth and let Falcon know I was taking off. “Good night, Daisy,” I called without looking back. I didn’t expect an answer but I’d be damned if she thought she could intimidate me.
I could appreciate the fact she was doing her part as a friend, but she also worked for us. Being a complete dick was never my thing, not on purpose anyway, so I wasn’t used to the sheer hatred oozing from her every time she saw me. Bunnies operated under the knowledge they were bunnies. Daisy was never a bunny, and neither was Lacy. Having to endure such hostility at my own shop wasn’t something I thought I’d ever have to do. She was Falcon’s Old Lady, so there’s not much I’d say, but I knew he’d be having words with her. Whether or not she’d be listening was a different story.
It was stifling hot out, but I had left the windows down all day so I didn’t get smacked in the face with the excessive heat of a sealed up cab. Still edgy, I decided to leave the windows down on the drive to the club but cranked up some Skynard and let my playlist run as I drove.
I pulled into the parking lot of Destiny’s Desires after sitting in traffic for nearly an hour. Stevie was at the door and I was glad Butch wasn’t around. The last thing I needed was him starting shit. Although, looking around the lot, I didn’t see Mama Hen’s SUV, so maybe it wouldn’t get back to her that I’d been there. If Butch saw me, I’m sure Hawk would know immediately. I found a spot off to the side so my truck wouldn’t be visible from the door, just in case Butch did pass by, and killed the engine. She would be getting off soon but would need to change and tip out before she left.
The lot wasn’t full, but it was a Tuesday and not even dark out yet. It would have more patrons later. It gave me a small sense of relief that she didn’t work the busy shift–not yet, anyway. Fewer eyes on her. I’d been to enough clubs to know that while there were rules against touching the fun parts, hands would still be on her, and her ass would be on them.
My jaw clenched, so I took a few deep breaths, trying to relax. I couldn’t be all pissed and mad when she came outside or she wouldn’t want to ride with me. She was going to, regardless, but hopefully she’d come willingly.
Out of the corner of my eye, something caught my attention so I put my hand on my pistol then rolled my head onto my shoulders when I saw who it was. “Hey, Jeannie.”
She tugged a bag over her shoulder and came closer. “Why are you here?” Her blonde hair was piled on her head, the same way Lacy did for bed.
“How was she planning to get home?” I asked.
She shrugged. “I’m sure someone would take her. I tried to tell her not to take a rideshare, but that just leaves the guys working.”
“She’s not riding with them and they’re not dumb enough to try.”
“Well, what were you gonna do, Eagle? Ambush her? Does she know you’re here?” she asked with a smirk.
“Will you see if she’s ready to go and ask her to let me drive her?”
“Why should I do that? She doesn’t want to go to the clubhouse.” Her brows pinched as she glared at me.
Sighing, trying to stay cordial, I said, “I’ll drive her to your house if that’s what she wants. I just need to know she’s safe.”
Jeannie’s scowl softened and she gave me a once over. “Fine. But if you don’t take her to my house, I’ll call Hawk.”
“Don’t I know it,” I said with a grin. “Seriously, I’m not gonna abduct her. But she doesn’t have a vehicle and she sure as hell ain’t riding with any of these guys. At least I didn’t bring my Harley.”
She shifted her weight and pulled the bag higher on her shoulder. “I’ll tell her. But maybe you should have grown a pair and asked her yourself.”
“Thanks for that suggestion. I’ll take it into consideration, Jeannie.” Shit, these women were all feral. But snapping at them wouldn’t get me any brownie points.
She chuckled before finally heading inside. It was nearly ten minutes of me thrumming my fingers on the steering wheel before the door opened and Lacy came out, but someone was with her. A man. Squinting, I recognized him as one of the DJs. It had been a while since I’d been to Destiny’s Desires, but I never forgot a face.
I was about to get out and walk over to ask what the fuck he was doing but they both walked toward my truck. Stopping my hand from going back to my pistol, I stared as they came closer. Whether this brave mother fucker was there or not, I climbed out to greet her. And maybe show him my full size.
“Down, boy,” the man said. I couldn’t remember his name. “She asked me to walk her. I was going to give her a lift in a few, but Jeannie said her chariot was waiting outside.”
Lacy’s eyes stared down but she was biting her lip. “Thanks, Rayne. You can go.”
His hand gripped her shoulder and my brow furrowed at the gesture. “Watch your hands.”
Rayne rolled his eyes. “Good sir, respectfully, I look out for our girls. And also, you’re more of my type than she is.” He looked me up and down. “Well, not you specifically. A little too Seattle circa ‘95 for my taste.”
Lacy grinned and looked over at Rayne. She grinned for him. It didn’t matter if he was gay, he’s still a man with his hand on her. “It’s really fine. He’ll take care of me.”
My chest swelled. There was hope. She just meant a ride, but still, I’d take it. It was an ounce of trust. I could work with that.
Rayne smiled at her, then looked at me. “Don’t be dumb. And Lacy, anytime you need a lift, you just let me know.”
I watched as Rayne-man walked back inside then I stepped closer to Lacy. She flinched a little but didn’t step away. But that small movement sent the weight of a Harley onto my chest. I didn’t want to push my luck, so I motioned to the passenger door. She walked that way, and I opened the door, then closed it once she was inside.
After climbing back inside, I started the engine and turned on the AC. I didn’t mind the hot air, but she had just gotten off work and dancing surely heated you up. “I’ll roll the windows up once this cools off some.”
“That’s fine. I don’t mind them down.”
Her voice was so sweet. I was practically vibrating having her so close but not touching her. This was harder than I thought it would be.