Swerve Chapter 8 #2
“I can kick your ass and make sure to pound some sense into those empty heads of yours. And calling me names won’t make me want to cry. You’re just jealous that I have such a great bike and an amazing dog. Dozer has more brains than both of you combined times a million.”
As I was responding, I put the hose back in the pump.
I didn’t want it in the way. I was in a less-than-ideal position, but it wouldn’t prevent me from fighting.
I was limber and had practiced mounting and dismounting the seat despite my mostly nonfunctional legs.
It was similar to a gymnast on the pommel horse, using only their hands and arms to swing their legs around and over the top of it.
In fact, that was one item I practiced frequently when I worked out.
I didn’t need Dozer to defend me, but just in case he needed to protect himself, I unhooked his harness from the hook inside his sidecar. I wouldn’t use my gun unless it were life or death, but I carried it and knives, too. My throwing skills were damn good.
The two men came slinking around to my side. Without a word, I lifted my right leg and bent it, then used my arms to lift myself and swing it so I was seated side-saddle on my motorcycle. I saw Blond Bonehead blink in surprise. He hesitated.
My blood was pumping hot through my veins. Anticipation was growing. I was going through my moves in my head. Short of them shooting me, I was sure that I’d make them remember me. Dozer growled low and long. I tensed, prepared for their first move, when a man’s voice from behind me spoke.
“What the hell are you doing? It looks like you’re ganging up on him. Two against one isn’t fair. I suggest you back the fuck off. Because if he wants backup, he has it. I don’t like bullies. And I don’t believe his family will appreciate someone touching him.”
The man came to stand next to Dozer’s car. He kept a respectable distance between himself and it. By the looks of the guy, he was a regular citizen. His haircut, build, and the way he carried himself made me think he was or had been in the military. It was in his bearing.
“You need to go back to your truck and mind your own business, buddy. This conversation doesn’t involve you,” Shaved Stupid sneered.
“I’m not your fucking buddy, and I’m making it my business. You’re not fighting with him unless you come one at a time and make it a fair fight. I’ve been feeling a bit bored lately, so I could use a show. However, if you want to play dirty, I’ll even the playing field,” my defender stated.
Blond Bonehead snorted and rolled his eyes. “As if he has a chance against even one of us. People like him should stay out of public. And he shouldn’t own anything like that bike. I bet our hard-earned tax dollars paid for him to get it. Our money can be used for better things.”
What goddamn idiots.
“And what’s his family got to do with it? If they say anything, we’ll kick their asses, too. He needs to give back the bike. Our taxes aren’t meant for shit like that. He probably has sat home on his ass his whole life, making hard workers like us pay for his lifestyle,” Shaved Stupid sneered.
I’d had enough. I was about to force them to make the first move when my defender threw back his head and laughed.
When he was done, Shaved asked, “What’s so damn funny?”
“You have eyes but don’t see shit, do ya? He’s prepared and capable of kicking your asses. This guy hasn’t sat on his ass doing nothing, I can guarantee you that. His bike isn’t your concern. And as for his family, don’t you see his cut?” He gestured toward me.
The instigators glanced at it, then shrugged. “So?” Blond asked.
“Why don’t you walk over here and peek at the back? Then you’ll know what I mean,” my new ally taunted.
It was Shaved Stupid who moved. I made sure to keep him in my sight. Dozer was watching the other one. I knew the moment he read what my cut said. Shock turned to worry. He took several steps back before he stopped himself. He gave me a disbelieving look.
“There’s no fucking way you’re one of them,” he muttered.
“What does it say?” Bonehead demanded to know.
“Wanna bet? But make no mistake, I don’t need my brothers to fight my battles. I can take care of you two myself,” I taunted.
Stupid swallowed before he answered his friend. “It says he’s part of the Horsemen of Wrath MC here in St. Augustine. He’s part of a biker club.”
“Damn right he is. I’ve seen him riding with his club several times,” Defender stated.
Disappointment filled me as they made their choice. Stupid rejoined his buddy and whispered urgently in his ear for a minute. There was some head shaking and then more whispering. When they were done, they both held up their hands.
“We’re just fooling, man—no need to get upset. We’ve got to go. No hard feelings,” Shaved Stupid stated.
“If I see you again, there won’t be any walking away. And if I find out you’ve done this to others, you’ll be spending time in the hospital. That’s a promise,” I snapped.
Dozer gave a loud bark, which made them break and scramble to their car. I couldn’t see them, but the guy next to me shifted to where he could keep an eye on them. We didn’t speak until they drove off. When they were gone, he faced me.
“Too bad we can’t regulate stupidity and prejudice. I hope I didn’t offend you by stepping into your party. I didn’t want them to gang up on you. My name’s Vicente.” He kept himself where Dozer and I wouldn’t feel crowded.
“Thanks for the backup. I’m Swerve, and this is Dozer.” Making a quick decision, I added, “If you’re not in a hurry, why don’t we go across the street and let me buy you a coffee. It’s the least I can do. I’d like to get to know my defender.”
Vicente nodded. “I have time if you do. Let me finish filling up, and I’ll meet you over there. I wanna learn how you got such a kickass bike and this monster. I bet it’s a helluva story.”
“It is. See you over there.”
I got myself repositioned correctly on my bike and fired it up after reattaching Dozer’s harness.
Throwing up a hand at Vicente, I took off for the coffee shop that was across from the gas station.
It wasn’t often that anyone outside of my club interested me enough to spend time with them.
I hoped Vicente was the upstanding man he appeared to be.
???
The rest of my afternoon passed with me in a better mood.
My ride, combined with meeting and talking to Vicente Bravo, helped to elevate my mood.
We spent over an hour talking. I discovered he was, as I thought, a Marine.
He told me that he was running out his terminal leave before getting out of the service.
Vicente was using it to find a place to live and work in Florida.
I found that I liked Vicente. He was intrigued with the Horsemen, he told me, when he discovered what they did to patch me in and their gifts of the bike and Dozer.
There was something about him that made me make an offer at the end of our coffee chat.
We exchanged numbers, and I asked if he’d be interested in meeting the rest of the club.
He was. I informed him I’d be in touch with a good day and time to do it.
As we parted, I had the idea in the back of my mind that Vicente might be a good prospect candidate if the rest of the club liked him and his background checked out. I thought I knew enough to get Micro checking that. If something flagged, I’d forget the invitation.
It was the desire to get Micro started and let the others know I had met someone who might be a prospect candidate that kept me from staying home that evening.
Instead, after a short rest at the house, Dozer and I headed over to the compound.
I felt I was in a better frame of mind to hang with the club.
It was no surprise to find the clubhouse was hopping with noise and activity. Saturday night was always this way, unless the club was out at a bar, on a ride, or visiting someone or some place.
As soon as we entered, and I gave Dozer the okay to roam, he went to find the other dogs and Jaycee.
They weren’t hard to find. I watched as Jaycee hugged my massive dog around the neck and kissed his nose.
You’d think between her Isis and seeing Fenrir all the time, she’d be sick of dogs, but not Shortcake.
I decided to hit the bar, then check out who was here and what I wanted to do. I weaved through bodies, returning greetings as I made my way there. When I arrived, it was Boden at the bar. He gave me a chin lift.
“How’s it going, Swerve? What can I get you?”
“It’s been a bit bumpy, so how about a beer, my usual?”
“You got it. Just give me a minute to serve Crash.” He gestured to the opposite end of the bar. Crash grinned at us.
“Hey, Swerve. We wondered if we’d see your ugly mug this weekend,” Crash joked.
“I wouldn’t call anyone ugly unless you want to discuss how butt ugly you are compared to me,” I hollered back.
Crash snorted, and I knew I was about to hear some smack talk, which I was all for. A tug on my arm had me turning my head. I knew who it was, but I pretended not to and jumped when I saw her.
You scared me, Jaycee. Stop being so sneaky, I signed.
Her smile lit up the damn room. God, Diablo was so in trouble when she was old enough to date. I recalled how protective he’d been with Brooklyn when she was here. It was hard to find a man worthy of a club princess.
I like to keep you on your toes. Daddy says you need to stay alert, she signed back.
No surprise that Diablo was teaching her about safety, even at her young age. You never could be too careful.
I’ll remember that. I thought you only liked Dozer, I teased.
No, I love you, too. Can I take a ride?
Jaycee liked to sit in my lap and have me zoom us around. I was in my regular chair since I came on the bike, but she loved it even more in my motorized wheelchair.
Let me get my drink. Meet me at the table where Mommy is.