Chapter 5 #2
“Dad!” he protests. “Can’t I stay here with Aunt Toni?”
“Actually, I was going to extend an invitation for her to come back with us.” I raise a brow to the woman who looks so much like Josie, but who, as I’m quickly finding out, doesn’t much resemble her in anything else.
She gives a quick grin. “Visit a biker clubhouse? Now, how can a girl say no to an offer like that?”
Josie would have hesitated, would have been nervous about going somewhere new, when she was on her meds.
I could never understand why one minute she was reluctant to do anything which, in her perception, had a little risk attached, and the next she was the life and soul of the party.
Once I’d found out the diagnosis, it had all made sense.
Especially that cringeworthy time when she begged me to stay and not go on a mission – something Uncle Sam wouldn’t have allowed even if I’d had the inclination.
I’d left my son alone with her for months.
The thought of what might have happened during those months when they’d been alone had had me crashing to my knees and burying my head in my hands more times than I care to remember.
While it doesn’t hit me so hard nowadays, I won’t go back on my vow to keep Ace safe, whatever it takes.
And I won’t leave him alone with a woman who might have a hidden agenda, or an illness that could cause her to hurt him.
If she comes back to the club, my brothers will meet her.
I value their opinion, and, plied with some drink, any mask she may be wearing might slip.
I’d really like Pippa to meet her. She’s been trained to read people.
If Antoinette has an ulterior motive, Saint’s woman might be able to ferret it out.
Never mind I actually find her attractive.
I’ve already been fooled by one Mordrake female, and I won’t put myself in the same position again.
No, I won’t allow a pretty face, sexy body, and legs that seem to go on for miles under that plain librarian-type skirt that clings to her ass and does nothing to hide her shapely thighs, to affect me.
Jumping out of his seat, Ace seems excited to take her back to what is his second home. He holds his hand out to her, and when she takes it, I feel a pang of regret, almost able to imagine him holding the hand of his mother.
What would it have been like if Josie had lived? Oh, I can’t see us still living together. But if she’d continued taking her meds, maybe she’d still be playing the role of his mom, and I’d be just a bystander, the provider, making sure they had everything they needed.
Would she have been able to cope with his autism diagnosis?
And would I have been content to stay on the sidelines? One thing is for sure, I’ll never regret being a hands-on dad, or having to raise him as a sole parent – with the help of my ma, that has to be said.
As we exit the coffee shop, I notice the car she approaches is a rental. It makes me realise I don’t know where she’s come from, or where she’s staying.
I try to rectify the gaps in my knowledge as Ace escorts her to her vehicle. “Where are you from?” I use a conversational tone to disguise my interrogation.
“When Dad and Mom split up, Dad wanted a fresh start. We moved to California, near San Diego, and then moved to Flagstaff when I was in my teens. I still live there now.” She’s happy to give me the information.
“You got a place to stay here?”
“Yup. I’m staying at the motel. Seems it’s the only option in town, but it’s not too bad.” She shrugs. “The rooms are clean, even if they’re not luxurious.”
“She could stay with us,” Ace says eagerly.
Wincing, knowing that my ma is just as suspicious as I am about why she’s here and whether we can trust her stated reason, I try to put it politely. “Your nana likes her privacy, son.” She’s also got a house full of guns, and wouldn’t hesitate to use them given a reason.
“I wouldn’t want to put anyone out. The motel’s fine, and I’ll only be staying a few days. I’ve taken leave from my job, so I can’t stay indefinitely.”
“Maybe I can come and stay with you in Flagstaff?”
She responds to Ace’s request with a broad smile. “I’d love that.”
Jesus no. I’m not letting him out of my sight until I know a fuck ton more about her.
I’m called Freak because I have a tendency to lose my temper, and, well, freak out.
Never around Ace, somehow I’ve got control around him.
But now I deserve a prize for being able to bite my tongue and just say reasonably, “Maybe in time, but, Ace, you and your aunt have got to get to know each other properly, before you commit to spending vacations together.”
She earns points with me as she backs me up. “Your dad is just being sensible. You might hate me when you get to know me. I’ve never been around a teenager before. I’m just flying by the seat of my pants. Let’s take this slowly.”
“I’m not a kid. I’m almost sixteen.”
She focuses on me as she rolls her eyes, and again, she goes up in my estimation. Yeah, at his age, he’s on the verge of becoming an adult, but, and especially in his case, not the experience or wit that goes with it.
It reminds me that, if she’s going to foster a relationship with him, I’ll have to explain about his autism, and that while he’s intelligent as fuck, his common sense can be severely lacking.
Not wanting to continue this conversation standing in the coffee house parking lot, I go to the Softail, collect our helmets, and returning, hand Ace’s to him. “We’re on the bike,” I say, though it’s obvious. “Clubhouse isn’t far. You can follow us.”
“Sure.” She seems to anticipate that Ace is going to ask to go in her car, and, cutting him off at the pass, tells him, “I’ll be right behind you, Ace.
I hope you’ll be able to show me around and introduce me to everyone.
” She bumps her hip against his as though they’re already confidants.
“I’ve never been anywhere like this before. You’ll have to tell me how to behave.”
Ace, of course, takes the suggestion literally. “You can’t touch anyone’s bike, nor their cuts…”
Gently, I cuff him around his head. “Time for that later. For now, let’s just get there, alright?”
Giving a little finger wave, she turns and unlocks the car. Then she slides into the driver’s seat and closes the door. With no other option, Ace all but drags me to the bike.
As I mount up, then wait for him to slide on behind me, in an enthusiastic tone, he asks, “She’s great, isn’t she, Dad? Is she like my mom? Does she remind you of her?”
I give him just one thing before I start the engine, and the inevitable roar which will make further conversation difficult. “She’s different.”
Knowing that will only raise more questions later, I tap the bike down into gear and, once rolling, swing out onto the road.
She is different, yet she looks exactly the same. I’d fallen in lust with Josie the first time I’d seen her, and the sex was good enough to go back. So good, I’d decided in my na?ve mind that I wanted that on tap.
I’ve had the same reaction to Antoinette, a feeling I wouldn’t be disappointed if I got her into my bed.
Yet, I’m no longer the soldier who lives life on the edge, even though some might say my current occupation is just as dangerous.
I’m more mature and know it will take more than a pretty face and sexy body to hold my interest.
Given all that, I have to say she’s impressed me today.
I never fell in love with Josie, and didn’t keep her around for her intellect.
But Antoinette? Toni as she prefers to be called.
She’s shown herself to be more perceptive than her sister, and right now, I don’t want to admit I find that as compelling as that body that’s hidden in the trappings of a librarian.
As I approach the gates, they open automatically, courtesy of one of the upgrades to our security that Genie had installed, a remote device attached to my bike.
I stop parallel to the reinforced steel to keep them from closing, wave her through, and then proceed inside.
I back my bike into the parking spot, and Ace jumps off.
I watch as he runs to her. She winds down her window, obviously asking where she should pull up, and he directs her to a space off to one side, and out of the way of our rides.
Then, once she’s parked and out of her car, he again takes her hand and starts tugging her forward. She halts beside me as I dismount.
“This,” she waves her hand around airily, “wasn’t what I was expecting.
” Our clubhouse is an old two-storey farmhouse, complete with a veranda that stretches the length of the front.
After the attack by the Mojave Devils MC half a year back, we’d had to replace all the glass in the windows, and had taken the opportunity to refresh the paintwork and do the place up.
“It’s smaller, though, I imagined all your club living here. ”
“Some of us live in the main house. Officers’ rooms are up there.
” I jerk my hand upward to indicate the second floor.
“But we have a bunkhouse where most of the members reside.” As I point off to the side, her eyes follow, and she nods as she spies the large, newly constructed barn.
“We’ve got a lot of land. Saint, our VP, has recently moved into his house, which he built behind the clubhouse, and the ground’s just been broken on Short’s.
I reckon, in time, most of us will have our own places here. ”
As she looks around her, I reckon she’s eyeing the steel eight-foot-high fencing that borders our whole plot. “Are you going to build here yourself? It looks like you’ve got good security.” She looks down fondly at my son. “That would be great for him.”
Another notch on the good side of the notes I’m mentally taking.
“Yeah, I’ve been thinking about it.” Actually, I’ve already picked out a plot, but I’ve yet to draw up plans.
“My ma gave us a roof over our heads fourteen years back. I reckon she might like some space to herself. Or…” I’m half talking to myself.
“She could move here along with us.” Though fuck knows how the brothers would take to her.
She’s likely to pull a gun on them for looking at her wrong.
Maybe that’s an idea that needs shelving.
Ace is shifting from foot to foot impatiently. I wave him forward. “Let’s get inside and out of the heat.”
She wipes sweat off her forehead. “I’m certainly not used to it. Sure is hotter here than Flagstaff.”
Ace leads the way, and we fall in step behind him.
I even find the gentlemanly side of me, that I’d thought long buried, emerging as I place my hand to the small of her back and guide her into the blissful air-conditioned interior.
Despite the windows, the clubroom appears dark, and we all take a moment to accustom our eyes.
It’s late afternoon. I’d taken the chance that the club girls wouldn’t be servicing anyone out in the open, and anyway, there aren’t too many brothers around.
Those working at the auto shop or gun range will be there for at least another hour, and Words would still be at the funeral home.
I’m not surprised it’s only Stalker and Paint who are sitting by the bar, as, like me, they won’t be heading to the strip club for another few hours.
And, oh fuck, there’s Rattler. I’d forgotten he’d also be around.
It will be baptism by fire as far as he’s concerned.
Might as well get this over with. “Want a drink?” I ask her.
“Coffee would be great.”
I approach the bar nonchalantly as if it’s totally normal to bring a complete stranger into the clubhouse. Rapping on the wood, I’m not surprised when Dee, or is it Dum? pops his head up. I notice he’s wearing a t-shirt with Gravediggers Dig Their Job emblazoned on the front.
“What can I getcha?”
“Beer, coffee, and a soda for Ace.” I place the order.
“Coming right up.”
Toni appears behind me and starts fumbling in her purse, I place my hand over hers, unintentionally noticing how soft her skin is to the touch. “Your money’s no good here. Bar’s on the house.”
“And who’s this?” Of course, it has to be Rattler who asks, his words offered with a leering look that suggests he’s mentally undressing her.
“This is Antoinette, Ace’s aunt,” I snarl, my glare willing him to behave himself. To her, I add, “This is Rattler, our resident pain in the ass.”
“Hey, I resemble that remark. Pleased to meet ya.” He holds out his fucking hand.
She takes it, and the sides of her mouth turn up as she returns his firm grasp. “Likewise. And please, call me Toni.”
I want to knock his fucking hand away. How dare he touch her. Then I feel the need to slap myself around the head. What the fuck am I thinking? She’s nothing to me. She can touch whom she likes.
“I’m Stalker.” At least someone sensible is addressing her. Sensible enough, unless he decides to show off his prowess, which he’s prone to do by swinging around the fucking pole that’s been installed in the clubhouse. He’s got no shame, and often shows he’s got better moves than the club whores.
“Paint.” The last brother introduces himself. He’s also eyeing her with undisguised interest.
Then the door to the kitchen opens, and stepping out, carrying the coffee Toni had ordered, is Pippa. Thank fucking God.