Chapter 16 Duke #2
“You might be. But I was coming in to tell you I’m sending someone else in later to help you. Or you need to reach out to Jessa or Aubree tonight. I have unplanned business to handle tonight for the Thorns. I’ll see you soon after, if you’re down to kick it with me.”
Solana’s brow creased at the mention of unplanned business.
“Is everything okay?” she asked.
I didn’t want to lie to her, but I also knew I couldn’t say too much.
“It will be. But, it’s nothing to worry about. Your man got it. Oh, yeah, I’m planning to go to a block party in the Parks soon. You down to be my date?” I asked.
Her smile returned, although I could tell she was still concerned about what I wasn’t saying.
“I would love to. Are they going to have someone making those ribs like the place we went to?”
I laughed. “Yes. He from around that way so he will be out there and this time you can get your own shit instead of eating mine.”
She swatted my shoulder and giggled.
I leaned down and placed another kiss against her lips before letting her know I would be checking in with her when I was on my way back and when I got here. I had no intentions of being there long about this situation.
I gripped her ass once more before slipping my tongue into her mouth, kissing her like we were going to fuck right here. We pulled back when the bell over the door sounded. One of my grandma’s friends walked over with a mischievous smirk.
“Don’t stop being fresh on my account,” she commented.
I shook my head.
“I hope you have a good day, Mrs. Maybeliene.”
“Mhm, you too Duke.” she hummed.
I laughed and winked in Solana’s direction before leaving. I was certain she was about to get the third degree, and that shit cracked me up.
I stood in front of my bike for a moment as thoughts of everything Solana had experienced crossed my mind. That shit had me rooted in place. All I could think about was how I could convince her to close up early and ride with me.
I pulled my phone from my back pocket and called Juelz. He answered on the second ring.
“What’s up?”
“You feelin’ Solana friend, right?” I asked.
The line went silent for a moment, and I heard a low chuckle.
“Man, you ain’t never gave a damn before. What’s the problem? You know we need to be heading out real soon.”
“I’m about to get Solana to ride with us. We show up with the ladies. It doesn’t alarm other folks around that some shit is going on here. We ride in just us. It alerts folks we may have a weakness around here.”
Juelz got silent. I knew everything I’d said made sense.
“You right. This is why you are the one in charge. I still don’t fully believe that’s the reason you asked me about Aubree. You think if Aubree agrees, it will get your girl to agree to close up her shop earlier.”
He responded a little too on the head for me.
“I didn’t ask you for that. She gone see shit my way, whether or not ole’ girl goes.”
Juelz chuckled, aggravating me more. “Yeah aight. I’ll see what I can do.”
I hung up, choosing not to go back and forth with him.
I pocketed my phone, then turned to head back inside the shop just as Mrs. Maybeliene was leaving.
I held the door open for her so she could walk past me.
She gave me a knowing grin and waved while heading to her car.
I’m sure she would be on the phone with my grandma before her feet touched the gas pedal good enough.
The moment I walked in, Solana lifted a brow and smiled in my direction, then looked around.
“Did you leave something?” she asked.
I placed my hands into my pockets, then lifted my shoulders.
“Yeah.”
She squinted, confusion written all over her face as she looked around for whatever I might’ve left behind. I walked around the counter and stopped right in front of her. I looked down at her as she lifted her gaze to me, expectant.
“You,” I said.
She smiled widely, then tried to cover it with her hand as her cheeks turned red. I reached out and pulled her hand away from her face.
Yeah, I wanted her to say yes for her safety—but I also wanted her to see what it looked like when I rode into another biker territory. The one that ran every club in the area.
“Flattery will get you everywhere, huh?”
I wrapped my arms around her waist, then pulled her into my chest. Then leaned in and placed kisses along the length of her neck, causing her to squirm and giggle. I pulled back to stare down at her.
“Truth, Sweets. I can’t tell you a lie. I need a favor from you, though.”
“What’s that?”
“Come ride with me. I want to show you how shit is done when we ride out to another biker territory. But the problem is, I need you to close up early and come now.”
She bit her lower lip and looked off for a moment before returning her attention back to me.
“You know I’m not actually rich anymore. I need to sell the rest of these treats before I can run off anywhere.”
“That’s it?” I asked.
Solana’s brow rose, and then she nodded skeptically.
I reached into my back pocket, pulled out my wallet, and took at least a thousand from it. Solana’s eyes widened, her mouth already opening to say something. I knew she was about to refuse, so I slipped the money into her pocket before she could.
“Duke, I can’t take that much money from you. Not to mention, do you even have enough money to do that? I know you run, Chrome, but I didn’t know it did that well.”
I laughed.
A lot of people thought Chrome was my only source of income, but I’d learned long ago you couldn’t put your eggs all in one basket.
Besides owning the bar, I also learned how to fuck around with stocks and bonds.
I was sitting on a nice bit of money. I wasn’t the flashy type, so you would think from the outside I was just living well from my bar.
“It’s doing good enough to give you what you need, if you need it. Let me help with this. In a way, I’m paying so you can help me.”
I could tell she was trying to hold back her smile, but she was feeling what I’d said. I didn’t need her to tell me, to know she was coming. Solana crossed her arms against her chest and titled her head to the side.
“Jessa and Aubree have to be able to come. I’m sure you won’t be tied to my hip the entire time.”
I lifted my right brow. “Who said that?”
“I did. Now, who are you calling to allow my girls to ride on the back of their bikes?”
Solana walked back over to where the register was and leaned down to grab her phone. I couldn’t help it but to reach out and grab her ass again. The way this dress fell against her curves had me ready to take her to the back. She swatted my hand with a giggle.
Then I stood up and went to call Jessa and Aubree. I was quickly realizing in that moment I would do anything for her. Shit, she didn’t even have to ask. It would be my sole mission to anticipate her needs before she ever said a word.
“I’m going to make a few calls, since I have to get your girls’ rides now.” I cracked.
“Thank you.” She called out as I walked out with my phone in hand.
I called Juelz back.
“Jessa and Aubree coming along too.”
Juelz laughed. “I know. I’m at Aubree shop now. I’ll fill Rico in about Jessa.”
We finished up our call and prepared to ride with our new additions.
A FEW HOURS LATER…
Solana claimed she needed a bathroom break before we left and to change her outfit. I felt what she’d had on before was just fine. She looked good in anything to me. I should have known it was going to take over fifteen minutes when Jessa and Aubree showed up with bags in hand, too.
Moments later, Rico pulled up beside Juelz, then removed his helmet. He kicked down his stand and walked over to dap me up.
“What’s this I hear about the mission becoming a kickback?” He asked with a smile.
I glared over at Juelz, who couldn’t hold back his laughter, then pointed in his direction.
“You can’t listen to this man. Nah, I’m not gone front — my girl needed to come. I’m trying to take her for a ride and shit. She got two homegirls, which is the reason Juelz told you to bring an extra helmet. Her girl Jessa is riding with you.”
Rico tilted his head to the side and clasped his hands in front of him.
“What she look like?” he asked.
Before I could reply, their laughter announced them. Jessa walked in first, now in a pair of shorts, a shirt, and a jacket. Aubree followed right behind her, wearing ripped pants draped in pearls. That was all I caught before my baby stepped out behind her.
My jaw tightened at the sight of her leather boots climbing up her leg and stopping mid-thigh. This wasn’t sweet Solana. My baby said she was stepping out of the shadows tonight.
My eyes traveled up her frame to admire the cobalt blue cropped jacket, a black fitted top that molded to her like it had been designed with her in mind.
The black denim shorts were high on her waist, distressed at the edges, showing off her thighs while the boots climbed like they were claiming territory.
Her hair was different tonight as well. She’d added a few more curls here and there, which accented her cheekbones in a way that felt grown and sexy. Intentional.
Either Rico or Juelz let out a low whistle.
Another muttered, “Damn.”
I couldn’t find a single word. I just straightened, then angled my head to call her over. Solana stopped in front of me and slid the glasses down just enough for me to see her eyes.
“Are the glasses too much?” she whispered.
“Nah. I’m gone need you to stay close,” I said, my voice even.
I reached out and wrapped an arm around her waist, pulling her into my chest, then leaned forward to kiss her a few times before letting her come up for air.
“You look beautiful.”
Solana smiled and pulled her shades from her face, placing them into the purse she had secured across her body. I took the helmet made just for her and handed it to her.