Chapter 22
The man they call Prez lets out a low whistle. “Well, that’s a first.”
My heart is now at the bottom of my stomach. Standing up, I say, “Gentlemen, excuse me, I’ll go check on him.”
No one moves as I tuck the notepad under my arm and walk out.
Ace is nowhere in sight. A man wearing leather and denim is leaning against the bar, scrolling on his phone. “Excuse me,” I say.
He glances over and does a double-take. “You’re Ace’s woman.”
Whoa. That’s strange and pleasing to hear. “Yes I am,” I reply and extend my hand.
“Rio,” he says nodding once as he gives me a hearty shake like no stranger has ever given me. “You need something?”
“I do. Can you tell me where Ace might go if he’s after some alone-time?”
In my gut, I know he’s not going back to our room—oh my god—I mean, his room.
“That would be the garage. He’s restoring a bike. It’s quiet out there this time of day.”
Makes sense. He does seem to like his solitude. “Could you point me in the right direction?”
He pockets his phone, and nods toward the door. “I’ll do even better. Follow me. Wouldn’t want you to walk around alone with everything that’s going on.”
“So everyone knows?” I ask, as he holds the door open for me.
“Club business is club business.”
“I’m sorry you all got dragged into this.”
He stops and looks down at me. “What are ‘ya talking about?”
“Association with a criminal.” I cringe when I say the last word. I can’t believe I have to say that about myself.
He chuckles as he glances at the sky. “You do know who you’re talking to, right?”
“I mean…” I fumble for words. “I know you’re a bike club.”
“Honey, there ain’t no saints here.” He half grins. “But we got plenty of sinners. Come on. Let’s go find your man.”
Your man.
I give myself a mental shake as he strides down the steps. Rio doesn’t walk slowly for me. Probably because he knows I’ve got long legs. I really like this guy right now.
He points as he walks. “That’s the greenhouse.”
“What do you grow?”
“Prez has got a collection of plants in there.”
“Illegal plants?” I ask and he snorts.
“No. Orchids and shit.”
This makes my brows go up. And they go even higher when he says, “Got some of those carnivorous plants too.”
This is going to require some Googling, if I ever get a phone. Which is weird in itself that I have no connection to the outside world.
We pass the carnivorous greenhouse and head toward a pond with a big fire ring next to it. “I’m curious about those plants now,” I tell him.
“Prez will be happy to give you a tour. Geeks out over it. But don’t you say I said the word geek associated with him.”
“Noted. Your reference is safe.” I’m once again surprised at these men. “So, Rio, what happens when one of your guys starts… um dating a woman.”
“You mean when he gets an old lady?”
I stifle a gasp and fidget with my hair, wondering if I’m suddenly sprouting grays. Which could be the case. Jail and all.
Ruffled, I reply, “I’m only thirty-four.”
He looks at me puzzled. “What’s that got to do with anything?”
“Old lady,” I reply.
Rio stares at me for a beat then laughs loudly. “Oh shit. You need a vocabulary lesson.”
I still have my notepad and pen. “Let’s get started. Sounds important.”
He goes on to explain all the club terms he can think of as we walk down the path toward an isolated garage. “The vest we wear is called a cut. The patches are called rockers.”
Both are jotted on my pad, as I keep one eye on the trail and one on what I’m writing.
“Prospects are guys trying to earn a spot in the club. Patched members are… well, patched. They’re in.”
I’ve written about ten things down by the time we reach the garage. Unfortunately the building is closed up tight.
“Well,” he rumbles. “Not looking good.”
Rio opens the door using a keypad lock. It’s dark inside until he steps in and turns on the overhead light.
“That’s the bike,” he says motioning to the far corner.
It suddenly feels like I’m seeing something very personal. Ace’s project is parked next to a work bench and for not knowing much about bikes, I know it’s gorgeous. “It’s beautiful,” I say, stepping closer.
“Lot of work has gone into that. The pinstriping and the custom paint. All the chrome. Engine work too.”
Why do I have tears in my eyes? “How old is that incredible machine?”
“Nineteen seventy, I think.”
“It’s lovely.”
He chuckles softly. “Probably don’t want to tell Ace it’s lovely. Maybe badass.”
I grin. “Okay. You’re right. I already made the mistake of saying he was being lovely.”
“Oh shit. Bet that got you a look.”
“Yep.” And I won’t tell him what else Ace gave me but the heat on my face might give it away.
“Come on.” He motions toward the door. “Got another idea for where the bastard might be.”
As we follow a trail, the sound of thumping emerges.
Thump. Thump, thump, thump.
“Fifty bucks that’s him.”
“Sorry, I don’t have fifty at the moment,” I reply, trying to peer through the trees.
“How about I let you go the rest of the way on your own?”
I look up at Rio. Up again. These men are tall. Where do they get all these guys? “You’re making me kind of nervous,” I admit.
“Oh, don’t worry. I won’t be far. It’s just around the side of a shed. No one’s gonna grab you… except maybe Ace.”
When I glance at the trail and back at him, he chuckles. “Go on. You’re safe.”
I take a breath and walk the last few yards and round the corner to the shed. My feet halt on their own.
“Oh my,” I whisper, holding the legal pad to my mouth.
Ace doesn’t see me. But boy, do I see him.
He hasn’t been gone long, but his bare chest is covered in sweat already. His knuckles are bleeding, and it will be a miracle if the punching bag doesn’t need a coroner.
I back away slowly, and when I’m out of range, I turn and jog back to Rio. “I think he needs to finish letting that out.”
“I think you’re right. Was he bleeding?”
“All over the place.”
He nods grimly. “Let’s go. I’ll show you where the first-aid room is so you can get some supplies for when he comes back.”
We walk toward the main building in silence. A few people stare. Rio glares at them.
“You must be close with Ace,” I say. “He said you were going to shop for me. Which I feel really awkward and bad about.”
“Close?” he asks, glancing at me. “You don’t know Ace that well yet, but that man’s a closed door.”
“He doesn’t have friends?”
“He has club brothers.”
“But that’s not the same?” I ask.
“It’s a deeper bond in a lot of ways. Built on loyalty, but it’s not always personal. Nothing with Ace is personal.”
He stops, glances around and shoves his hands in his pockets. “He is a lone wolf.”
My stomach sinks. “I’m sorry to hear that.”
“Maybe he’s changing,” Rio says, thoughtfully, “But I wouldn’t hold my breath. None of us knows what happened to him.”
My heart nearly splits in half thinking about Ace’s determination to keep himself apart from everyone else.
“God. Okay,” I say. “I’m feeling really emotional right now.”
“Good. Every man deserves a woman who is going to heal his heart.”
I blink at Rio. “I never expected bikers to be so… deep.”
“Deep is a far stretch. Speaking of deep,” he says, tipping his chin back toward where we just came from. “I’m about to be in deep shit.”
Ace is coming up the trail like a bloodied freight train. His eyes are lasers pointed toward Rio.
“Oh no,” I murmur. “Is he really mad at you?”
“Guess we’re about to find out.”