Chapter 12 Trouble in Paradise #2
That’s not the only reason.
“Our fights have always been fair, and if you’ve spoken to any of our associates or the fighters, you’d know that already. We’ve always had a good reputation, so what are you really doing here?” Bomber’s hardened voice is cold and echoes his suspicion.
The tension doubles, and I pull Rose tighter, so her back is to them.
Ivan glances at Rose and me first, and a cruel smile curves his face. I glare back. He turns to the men and puts his hands up in a defensive gesture. “I didn’t mean to offend anyone. We’re new to fighting here. I wanted to make sure it was going to be fair because Rage is one of yours.”
Reaper stands tall, eyes narrowed, and takes a step toward them. “This conversation should have been had at the warehouse. Not at our home. Show some respect. If something like this happens again, I’ll kick you out of the competition. Easy as that.”
Their eyes bulge. “No disrespect. We’re going,” the manager says and opens the car door. He gives me one more glance before they go.
When they leave, I stay standing frozen, watching the dust turn into clouds behind them as they speed away. I inch back from Rose and cup her face so that my gaze meets hers. “What did they say?”
She shivers. “The big guy asked how much one night with me would be.”
I clench my teeth. “I’m so sorry. They weren’t supposed to be here.”
Her face twists. “He’s disgusting. Can we go now?”
“I’ll meet you inside the truck,” I say as softly as my voice will carry.
She looks over to the MC men before looking back at me. “Okay.”
I wait until I hear the truck door close so she can’t hear us. I turn to the men. “They’ve seen Rose’s face!” I yank at my hair. “They know she’s important to me.” I made it very obvious. I’m an idiot.
“We won’t let anything happen to her,” Reaper says reassuringly.
Bomber shakes his head. His face is red, like he’s barely restraining himself. “I want to bury those smug bastards for showing up where all our families are. What if the kids had been out front?”
“I’m down,” I reply. He sounds serious, and so am I.
“I’ll mention it tonight at the fights. Anyone coming to our home is automatically disqualified,” says Reaper.
Viper leans over and messes up my hair. “I hope you flog him tonight,” he says, lightening the mood with a smirk.
I push my fist into my hand. The darkness in me rejoices. “You bet I will.” I’ll make him suffer . . . I’ll make him bleed.
“They have ties to shady people. I don’t want a war. Let’s just get through tonight and see what happens, but everyone needs to be on guard and more cautious.”
Reaper is always the voice of reason, but this time, I wish he wasn’t because I’m convinced that performance was a threat, and what happens if they lose?
“I don’t trust them,” says Bomber, his eyes still narrowed and directed at the path they left along.
Reaper sighs and rubs his temples. I can see he’s stressed. Hell, his partner and child live here too. He glances at me. “Where are you off to?”
“Rose wants to go get her things and bring them to the clubhouse,” I reply.
“Are you even in the right mind to do that now?” Bomber asks, looking down.
I follow his eyes to my clenched hands. I didn’t even know I was doing it, so I loosen them up and crack my neck from side to side in an effort to relax. “I’ll be fine. The ex shouldn’t be there.”
“I’m going too,” Viper chimes in, “so it’ll be all good.”
“We need you tonight for the fight,” Reaper says firmly. “I don’t want to be bailing you out of jail on an assault charge.”
My mouth slams shut. It’s quiet before I respond, “I’ll try my best.” I’m not making any promises.
Reaper just sighs again and shakes his head.
Viper puts an arm around my shoulders. “It’s all good, Pres. I’ll get him home without the fancy silver bracelets.”
He says it jokingly, but I’m revved up. I’m glad he’s more confident than I am.
Reaper, Bomber, and Twitch walk inside, their voices low as they talk.
“I’ve got your back, man,” says Viper.
“Thanks,” I reply, grateful I have a friend by my side. I’m close to Viper. We’ve always gotten along and enjoy the same things.
“I’ll just get my shirt, hold on.”
Once Viper leaves, I walk over to the truck. Anxiety shoots through me. I’m not sure what to expect. When I get in, I search Rose’s face. Before I can apologize, she says, “Do you see why I don’t want you to fight? Being around people like that.”
I get it . . . but it doesn’t change things. “That was a once-off. No one has come to the clubhouse before. I’m sorry you saw that.”
She frowns and looks out the window. “It doesn’t mean it won’t be the last. Everyone knows where you live. Why risk it at all?”
I’ve got no answer for her. I’ve never had anyone to worry about but myself. I put a hand on her leg. “I’m sorry.” It’s a copout.
She briefly shakes her head. “You didn’t hesitate. You slammed the man against the car without even finding out if he’d done or said anything to me.”
Ouch! The disappointment in her eyes slices through me.
I watch Viper get onto his bike and put his helmet on, so I reverse the truck and watch him follow us as we drive away from the clubhouse.
Annoyance eats at me. “I’m still me, Rose.
” I glimpse at her, then return my eyes to the road.
“I saw your body language. Something had happened or was said. I’ll never hesitate to protect you .
. . ever. I don’t want to scare you. It’s the last thing I want, but I’ll never put up with disrespect.
I’m a biker. It’s in our blood to protect. ”
She’s silent for the rest of the trip. I keep looking in the rearview mirror.
Viper’s still following. The trip over gives me a bit more time to cool down and prepare myself.
I can’t scare her again today, and Reaper is right, I can’t end up in jail.
I’m better off fighting tonight and winning, and hopefully Reaper says the Russians are not welcome back.
I see her house and pull into the driveway, relieved that there’s no other car here. “Do you own a car?” I ask her.
She shakes her head. “It’s only a short walk to the main road with all the stores. Usually, if I needed to, I could use Tyler’s car, or he would take me.” She cringes. “If I need to, would I be able to use the club van or truck?”
“Yes, sure. It shouldn’t be an issue.”
I get out of the truck. Viper pulls up behind us, and I meet Rose at the front, putting my hand in hers to remind her I’m here for her.
Rose’s expression softens as we approach the front door.
Her trembling hand struggles to fit the key into the lock, so I gently place my hand over hers, guiding the key until it slides in and the door unlocks.
I pull her hand back and step in front of her, taking slow steps inside. My eyes roam over everything, searching for her ex, but there’s silence.
Viper steps in beside me, checking too. “He’s not here.” He looks over his shoulder at Rose. “Are you okay? You can just point to the rooms we need to get your things from, and you can wait in the car.”
“Thank you, but it’s okay.” She brushes past me. “Follow me to my office and I’ll show you what needs to go, and I’ll go pack all my clothes.”
We do just that and stand in shock by the bedroom door when she points out all her business things. There’s machinery, a table, equipment, and tools.
Viper chuckles. “We should have brought the van as well.”
Rose’s eyes widen. “Oh, won’t it fit?”
It will be close. “He’s only teasing,” I say to Rose, which makes her shoulders drop with relief.
We fit three suitcases and all her machinery and equipment but have to tie it all down for the trip home. Rose puts the key under the mat. She blows out a heavy breath. He was a jerk, but I can understand how hard it must have been for her to walk away from years of her life like that.
A small car pulls up behind us in the driveway and I tense.
A woman gets out. Rose’s face falls. I don’t get a good feeling about it, so I make my way over to stand by Rose’s side.
The woman approaches cautiously, her movements hesitant, almost unsure. Her eyes flicker nervously between Viper and me as he secures the final strap on the truck.
“What do you want, Kayla?” Rose’s acidic tone has me standing up straight.
I peek at Rose. The look of bitterness she has as she looks at the woman is crazy.
The woman shuffles her feet, peering down before looking up. “I miss you. I know I have no right to because I’m a terrible friend.”
It clicks. She’s the friend who slept with Rose’s ex. I frown.
Rose’s voice is calm, but there’s an edge to it. “We’re done,” she says. “You showed me exactly who you are, and I refuse to be around someone like that. You and Tyler are perfect for each other.” She takes a steady breath, her gaze unwavering. “Leave, and don’t ever contact me again.”
Tears fall down the woman’s face and her lip trembles.
I puff out a breath of air. The nerve of her. “You heard Rose,” I say sternly. “Leave.”
“I’m sorry,” she murmurs, her voice barely audible. She casts one more glance at Rose before turning and rushing back to her car, starting the engine, and driving away.
I peer at Viper. He has that stupid-ass grin on his face.
Rose walks past me and gets into the truck, so I take that as a sign to get out of here. She’s sitting back in her seat, looking out the window.
“Are you all right?” I ask.
Her eyes glisten with tears. “It still hurts losing someone who I thought was a friend.”
I reach over and put an arm around her, and she sobs into me.
Each tear, each sound, tears me up. I wait for her sobs to quieten, and she leans back in her seat with red, raw eyes.
She sniffles. “We can go now. I just needed to let that out. It’s hard coming to the realization that I never meant anything to her, and now I have to mourn a person who’s still alive. ”
I can’t relate. The MC men have always had my back, and I’ve never had to question their loyalty.
Tires screeching behind us makes me turn around. It’s a Honda SUV—it’s Rose’s ex. “You’ve got to be fucking kidding me,” I mumble under my breath.
Rose looks behind us. Her eyes are wide at first but then they narrow into slits. Good. She’s angry.
I feel the tension gripping me, holding me tightly, but I take some deep breaths. I need to get my shit together . . . for Rose . . . for the club. I can’t let everyone down.
Viper is off his bike and standing in front of Tyler, not letting him through. Tyler is shouting, but I can’t hear what he’s saying.
Rose gets out of the truck and slams the door, so I get out and meet her at the back, then step forward so that I’m in line with Viper.
“Rose,” the loser says as his eyes well up with tears. “Please come back home, stay with me. We can work it out.” He clasps his hands together in front of him as if he’s praying. “I need you.”
My hands clench and unclench by my sides. He has caused her so much pain.
Rose has her hands on her hips. “You don’t want me—you want a maid. You can’t even respect me enough to abide by my wishes and not be here. Instead you cause a scene.”
The man drops to his knees. I stifle a laugh.
“I’m sorry, I fucked up.” His voice twists with agony. “I won’t cheat on you again. We can make it work. I’ll try harder.”
“Hell no! I’m moving on.” Rose gives me a quick glance, then looks back at him. “I suggest you do the same. Hell, you can screw anyone now. I thought you’d be happy about that.”
His face turns red and he abruptly stands. He doesn’t like Rose having a voice. “Moving on”—he turns his nose up at me—“with a biker? A criminal?”
My heart races. My teeth clench. I take a step forward. Viper casually puts a hand on my shoulder and squeezes it, signaling for me to chill.
Rose laughs. It’s light and unrestrained. The tension rushes out of me.
“Oh, Tyler.” She clicks her tongue. “Rage has shown me what a real man is. You will never compare.”
His mouth drops open.
I grin.
“Oh, whatever,” he spits, and we watch him storm back to his car and take off, his tires screeching once more, leaving a sharp burning-rubber smell.
Viper pumps his hand in the air. “Go Rose, go Rose!” he cheers.
She smiles at him, and I see her body relax. I put my arm around her waist. “I’m proud of you.”
She looks up at me. “Thank you for letting me handle it.”
I didn’t lash out for once, but if Viper wasn’t here, I’m not sure if I would have been able to stop myself. But hey—I’m trying. “Time for a fresh start,” I say. She’s strong, she deserves to have people in her life who treat her right.
Her face softens. “Yes. I need it.”