Chapter Twenty-Four
Jinx and Palmer visited for over an hour before the guys returned. She found the other woman to be a breath of fresh air and knew if she stayed with Viking, she and Palmer would be fast friends. Like the ladies from the night before, she had truly been kind and open.
“Did you have fun with Palmer?” Viking asked as they drove over to the clubhouse.
She nodded, wondering why they were going there instead of staying at Keys to find out the information.
“What’s bothering you?” he asked, sliding his hand over her thigh.
“I don’t like waiting to hear what the fuck is going on.
We went up to Keys to hear what he found out, but now I have to wait until after you talk to King or whoever.
It’s like a bunch of bureaucracy, and I don’t like it.
Just cut through the bullshit and give me what I want to know, even if it’s horrid.
” She looked over at him. His side profile showed him gritting his teeth.
“Is that what you think I’m doing, withholding information?” he asked in a low tone.
“I don’t know, aren’t you? We went up to Keys for the purpose of finding out what he’d found.
You said he had a program running to find information on my brother’s condition, but then you and he went off to his office, and then you came back all smiles.
Neither of you mentioned a word to me about it.
What else am I to think?” She slapped her hands on her legs in frustration.
“Shit, I didn’t think of it like that. Keys and I were talking club business, Baby.
His programs are still running in the background on your brother and a few other things.
He doesn’t have anything definitive, so he didn’t want to say anything to either of us.
That’s the truth. I’m taking you to the clubhouse because King has organized a day trip for Ayesha and a few other women.
I thought you might like to go with them.
” He rubbed his hand on her thighs where she’d hit.
“Why are you so nice to me when I’m such a bitch?”
“You can repay me with sex and blowjobs,” he offered.
She licked her lips. “Deal.”
The ATV jerked as he revved the engine too hard. “Woman, you weren’t supposed to agree so easily.”
She looked down at the fly of his jeans. “Is it hard driving with that monster in there, trying to break free?”
He grabbed her hand, placing it over the bulge. “Yeah, it fucking is, tease.”
He came to a rocking stop at the back of the clubhouse, parking the little vehicle near the back door.
Jinx couldn’t contain her laughter as he pulled her out of his side of the car, standing her in front of him.
“You know, we have extra rooms here for the brothers who don’t want to ride home or for those who just want a little privacy. ”
She looked at the back of the building again with fresh eyes. When they’d arrived the first night, she’d thought it reminded her of a hotel from the back. “We are not going to go in and fuck while the women wait for me.”
“Then quit being a cock tease,” he growled.
The eyes staring down at her held humor and love. Neither had said the words, but in her heart, Jinx knew she loved him and was sure he felt the same.
“Got it. Don’t rile Viking’s cock.” She mock saluted.
He turned, grabbing her hand. “Let’s go before I change my mind and take you home and fuck you senseless.”
The bar wasn’t as busy this early like it had been the previous night, but there seemed to already be a small crowd. Viking maneuvered them around to the far corner away from the front, near where a DJ booth sat. King and Ayesha were seated together with T-Rex, Lux, and another couple.
“Archer, good to see you, brother. This is Jinx, my ole’ lady,” Viking introduced her to the others.
She noticed he called her the same thing the other men called their women, even though he hadn't officially claimed her.
She wondered how that went and if she needed to do anything.
Making a mental note to ask Ayesha when they were alone.
“Nice to meet you, Jinx. This is Tiana. My better half and also Ayesha’s sister.” Archer stood, pulling his woman to her feet.
“I won’t argue about either of those. I’ve already heard a lot about you, Jinx. It’s great to have another sister in our club. Do you like tequila?”
The men around them groaned.
“Hey, I’m just asking, like a survey,” Tiana said.
“I’m not a huge fan of tequila, but I’ll do a shot on occasion. But, if we’re talking Tequila Rose, I’m totally down. That’s some good shit,” Jinx answered honestly.
“Oh, see, now that’s how you know she’s not an amateur. Our first shot will be Tequila Rose on ice. Booyah, baby,” Tiana said and held her hand up for a high-five.
Jinx slapped their hands together and shook her head at Tiana with a smile.
In twenty-four years, she’d missed having girlfriends other than her twin sister.
Now, these women were welcoming her like they’d known her their entire lives.
She wanted to pinch herself to see if she was awake or dreaming.
“So, here’s the deal,” King began. “Ayesha and the ladies are going to go into town. Lux and her partners will tattoo those who want one. Jinx, you don’t have to participate in that if you don't want to.” King looked at her, then at Viking.
“It’s up to Jinx. Her body, her choice.” Viking’s hand snaked around her hip, resting there but not gripping, letting her know he wasn’t making her choose.
She took a deep breath. “I’ll go for support.”
“If you change your mind and want something, let me know. I can draw anything and work you in,” Lux said.
Tiana nodded. “Lux is the best.
Once they agreed on the time they’d leave, she looked at herself, then at the others. “I didn’t pack anything nice for a shopping trip to LA.”
Lux stood up, wearing black leather-like leggings and a band T-shirt with combat boots on her feet. The shirt had been ripped along the sides, showing the red sports bra underneath. “You look fine, unless you want to borrow a ripped T of mine?”
Jinx looked at her thirty-four G breasts compared to the other woman’s chest. “I might get arrested for indecent exposure.”
“I think you look great in what you have on. If you want to order some new clothes when you get back, we can do that, or maybe you can grab a few things while you ladies are out. Whatever you decide is cool with me.” Viking ran his thumb along her ribs under her shirt.
The movement wasn’t meant to be arousing, yet Jinx found anytime the man put his hands on her bare skin, she wanted him.
He’d made her a sexually obsessed woman in days when she’d gone years without wanting to jump a man’s bones.
“Duke and T-Rex are on lady duty. Viking, I need you to hang back here for some contract shit that can’t wait. Vacation is over, brother.” King knocked his knuckles on the table once, pushing to his feet.
Jinx tensed next to Viking, hoping he wouldn’t say she had to stay behind since he couldn’t go.
“Who’s driving them?” Viking asked.
King raised one brow as if he didn’t like being questioned.
“Coal will be driving my tank with everyone able to fit since not all the men are demanding they follow their ole’ ladies. Now, if that’s all the questions, I’ll see you and Keys in the upstairs office.”
Jinx turned to face Viking, watching a muscle jump in his jaw. “Everything will be fine. Nobody knows where we went, and I’ll be with your people. Besides, King wouldn’t let Ayesha go somewhere he didn’t feel she’d be safe, right?”
“Don’t use a credit card.” He pulled out his wallet, sliding out several hundred-dollar bills. If you need more cash than this, let Duke or T-Rex know. Either one will make sure you’re taken care of. When you guys return, I’ll settle up with them.”
She counted the cash in her hand. It stunned her that Viking thought she’d need more than twelve hundred dollars.
“Viking, I’m not going on a shopping spree on Rodeo Drive.” She held the stack of cash out to him.
He kissed the tip of her nose. “Humor me. Spend what you want. Trust me, that’s nothing.”
“It’s really not, Jinx. Let the man spoil you.” King’s deep voice reminded her they weren’t alone.
“Let’s roll out, ladies. My skin is itching to feel Lux’s needle.” King swatted Ayesha on the ass, making her yelp. “Hey,” she cried.
“Be good,” King warned Ayesha.
“I’m always good, King.”
Keys entered the room with a boy, his tall commanding presence drawing Jinx’s attention. “Is that his son?” she asked Viking.
“Yes. He’s a good kid.” Viking didn’t say more, so she didn’t ask.
Keys stopped in front of them, holding out a cell phone. “I cloned yours, but this one can’t be traced or tracked by anyone who might’ve been trying.”
Jinx pulled her phone out of her back pocket, holding it in her palm.
“I didn’t think about that.” Within our property, nobody short of NASA can get a bead on us.
Even then, they’ll have to work really hard to get past my security.
They think I’m a paranoid motherfucker. I’m just proactive.
Anyway, that phone has everything your old phone had, minus location tracking.
No, you don’t have to worry when you get a call from someone that they’re able to track you. ”
She passed Keys her old phone. “Do you want to boil that thing?”
He chuckled. “There’s no need for you to do anything drastic. I’ll fix it, and we’ll use it as a burner.”
Jinx looked at the newer phone in her hand and was sure she was getting the better end of the deal.
Ayesha ushered them all out the front door of the clubhouse into a huge blacked-out vehicle.
She climbed into the very back, running her hand over the camel colored leather.
She’d been in luxury vehicles growing up.
Her father traded in his Mercedes every other year, while her mom insisted she needed a new one each year when the latest model came out.
She’d never seen a make or model like the vehicle they were riding in.
“This is the coolest rig, isn’t it?”
Jinx smiled at the girl next to her. They looked to be about the same age. “Tiana, right?” Jinx asked.
“Yes. It’s a lot to remember. This is King’s solution to allowing my sister to leave the compound.
That’s what we call the homestead now. Our family has acquired hundreds of acres of surrounding property.
You might have noticed there are a lot of houses inside the gates.
” Tiana pointed toward the house they passed. “That’s mine and Duke’s.
“This big tank is bulletproof. It’s a 2025 Rezvani Arsenal custom build, which was my birthday present from King. I told him if he really wanted it to be mine, he’d have given me a purple one.” Ayesha turned from the middle seat, resting her arm over the back as she spoke.
“How many swats did that get you?” Lux asked.
“Enough.” Ayesha grinned.
During the drive, the women talked about their lives, giving Jinx a chance to learn more. While she worried they’d grow tired of her lack of depth, Jinx decided to enjoy their company. By the time they pulled into the lot of Twisted Ink, the tattoo shop where Lux worked, Jinx’s nerves had settled.
“Tymber and Ivy are here,” Lux announced.
She’d heard about the woman who’d been best friends with Luke, Duke’s twin brother, who’d committed suicide years ago.
Ivy found her husband, Tymber, by chance at a survivors’ meeting when the tattoo artist noticed her hesitating to enter a session.
Tymber, being a male breast cancer survivor, approached Ivy to scold her for spying. Instead, he fell hard.
“Is he going to be tattooing any of you?” Jinx asked the ladies.
“Both he and Ember are here to tattoo whoever wants one. Trust me, they’re the best of the best and completely vetted by our men. If you decide you want a tattoo, even if it’s not today, one of us will gladly ink you.” Lux gestured toward the door leading into the shop.
A woman opened the door, grinning. “Are you going to stand out there and talk all day or what?”
“Is Tymber getting tired of watching us on the cameras?” Lux asked, flipping the bird toward the door monitor.
The two women hugged as a male voice grunted from the interior. Jinx stepped forward to follow the group inside.
Coal, their driver, waved as T-Rex barked an order. The deep rumble of the Rezvani stood out among the row of motorcycles by the back door.
“You going to think about getting one?” T-Rex asked, startling her.
“Jesus H Christ. You move like a wraith for such a large man,” she muttered.
He grinned. “That’s a good compliment. I spent my childhood in the bayou. My friends were the gators and my cousins.”
“Your accent is lovely,” she said.
His eyes narrowed. “You have the refinement of a rich girl. I can’t place your accent, nor where you’re from.”
She stiffened and turned away. “Connecticut.”
“I would’ve guessed Upper East Coast. Chère, family doesn’t have to be the one you’re born into.
In fact, cutting the ties that bind through blood can be freeing.
Once you find your true family, the ones who accept you for who you are, you’ll set down roots that’ll thrive.
Don’t be afraid of where the dirt comes from.
We all have mud under our feet that squishes between our toes.
Dig in, don’t let the storm blow you over unless that storm feeds your soul. ”
“Damn, you’re fucking deep, T. If I wasn’t hooked on one sexy Viking, and you didn’t have an amazing woman I respect, and well, you didn’t kind of scare me, I might have a crush on you. As it stands, I think I’ll call you my Mr. Miyagi.” She patted his arm.
“He really is like that little dude, except the little part,” Lux said. She reached for Jinx’s hand. “Come on, girl. We are having estrogen time.” She winked.
“I should’ve brought Koko then.”
Lux rolled her eyes. “You know King doesn’t like it when you bring her into his precious.
” Lux led Jinx into the open space where several stations were set up.
“Koko is his baby and a Komodo dragon. She’s getting up there in age, so taking her out in the wild is getting harder. The wild being here.”
Jinx knew her mouth had to be hanging open.