Chapter 3 Penny
three
Penny
Being tucked in the back of a van isn't exactly what I had imagined going down today, but having Leliah curled to my chest is making things a little more comfortable.
Hugging her closer, her laughter is still ringing in my head.
It feels like a lifetime since the last time I'd heard her giggle like that.
Had to be months now, when times were still good.
Before our relationship started falling apart to the point where Johnny could easily leave us both behind to save himself from his own mistakes.
Might as well accept it was well before that, between the two of us. Our romance died when Leliah started growing up.
Sighing softly into her hair, it's the low rumble of motorcycles keeping up with us that helps bring me out of my head.
It's almost funny. The very same rumble would've had me frantically looking behind me, filled with a dreadful fear I wouldn't have known what to do with. Now, a tiny part of me feels safe. That if any of those Outlaw Sinners appeared, I wouldn't be by myself anymore. I've got someone in my corner.
Ace, was it? He looks around my age, maybe a little older, but not by much. Do they have a lot of members in their clubs around our age? Even the other guy, Smoke, looked young, too. Closing my eyes, I still remember Ace's smile behind my lids.
It didn't look sinister, but more genuine than anything.
Makes me want to lower my guard and slip up somewhere.
Those kinds of smiles are the most dangerous.
Especially when he's not asking for anything in return.
Nothing is truly free in life, but I haven't figured out what he's getting out of this just yet.
I don't know how long we sit soaked in darkness before the van slows to a stop. The rumbles outside grow quiet before the door slides open.
Carefully getting up and watching my step, I don't miss the way Ace lifts his hand, offering to help me out. My gaze flickers down to his offer, and I notice the tattoos on his fingers. All four suits decorate each finger, with a faded J on his thumb. He curls them, beckoning me to give in.
Despite knowing I shouldn't, I do. I let him take my hand so I can step out.
His palm is warm. Calloused in a way that says he works with his hands, but the grip is careful. Gentle. Like he's aware I might bolt away if he squeezes too hard.
"Welcome to paradise, sweetheart." He squeezes my fingers only once, and I feel that squeeze somewhere below my ribs before I can stop it. I blame the hunger. I blame the exhaustion. I blame anything except the way his thumb brushes across my knuckles before he lets go.
"Where are we?" Looking around, I note this street isn't as lit up as the previous one.
He turns toward a large brick building and presents it as if it’s not the crumbling mess it appears to be. "This is the warehouse."
Instead of releasing my hand completely, he catches it again. Looser this time, like an invitation rather than a hold. He uses it to guide me toward the building. I should pull away. I don't. I tell myself it's because Leliah is curled up in my arm and I need the stability.
I don't miss how many bikes are parked in a row. This must be Steelwood's headquarters. Looking over my shoulder, Smoke following close behind doesn't help me feel much better.
Entering inside, I hold Leliah closer to my chest. Expecting some kind of run-down joint to match the outside, what I walk into is the complete opposite.
Soft music plays overhead as we step into a large, spacious room.
In one corner, a large plasma television plays a movie with a few people wrapped around a large couch.
In another, two guys play a game of pool while another slaps his hand against an older arcade machine, almost knocking off the drink he has perched on top.
Ace walks past all the bikers, ignoring the few glances we get sent in our direction.
I don't know how he does it, but I feel more and more heat as each set of eyes flickers between my daughter and me.
His thumb is still stroking the back of my hand.
I'm acutely aware of it, but it’s becoming increasingly comforting.
Smoke only follows us for so long before he's turning a corner, heading somewhere else.
"You hungry? Bet you haven't eaten in a while, huh?" Ace aims that curve at me. My chest stirs, and I pick up on how quickly my pulse races every time he purposely keeps looking my way.
Just the thought of food is enough to make my stomach growl on cue. He's got me down easily. I didn't even have time to think about eating. Couldn't use my card, just in case they were tracking me that way, so I opted to starve.
He chuckles when I nod, and I hate the way I notice that his eyes drop to my mouth for half a second. Just a flicker, like he can’t help himself.
I look away first, forcing myself to believe that I’m overthinking this man, but my hand doesn't leave his as he continues his guiding path.
We end up in another section of the warehouse, and this big room is easily the kitchen. It's not just a stove and fridge, but there's a mini bar too, one that's fully stocked.
I stiffen up when I notice another guy in the room.
He's leaning over the island in front of everything, chowing down on a corndog.
The strangest part about him is the sunglasses he's wearing inside at this late hour.
They're dark enough that I can't tell where his eyes are, but I can still feel them as he crunches down on another bite.
"Cute kid," he offers up before lifting a blond brow, nearly white. "Didn't know we had any of those around."
Ace releases my hand, and I almost reach out for him before catching myself. He moves past the guy, digging around in the top part of the fridge. "We are now. Meet Penny and Leliah. They'll be hanging out for a little bit."
The guy's mouth quirks up, and he motions for me to come over. Reluctantly, I do. He then offers his hand up. His skin is pale, almost as pale as his blond hair. "Casper. Welcome to the club."
Taking him in, I don't miss the patch on his jacket. Vice President. This guy's pretty important, and upsetting him feels like I'd be hurting my chances of getting help, so I shake his hand. He's cold to the touch, and I can't help but shiver.
Casper grins, easily seeing my discomfort. Pulling back, he finishes his last bite before dusting off the crumbs. "Guess that's my cue to leave, then. I'll get out of your hair."
Once he's up, I'm setting Leliah on one of the stools and settling next to her. Watching the VP pass Ace and murmur something under his breath, I watch the younger male laugh before shoving him away, encouraging him to leave.
As the smell of food heating hits my nose, I'm left fighting between watching the door and looking to see what Ace is cooking up. Instead of wondering if he's doing anything to it, I'm more curious about how much longer I'll have to wait before I'll have something hot sitting in front of me.
My guard is lowering by the minute, and I don’t have the strength to build it back up.
"That guy was an interesting-looking character," I start up, trying to avoid the silence. "Does he already know why I'm here, or is he that chatty with every person he gets near?"
Amused, he chuckles and follows my gaze toward the door before popping out what smells like cheese from the microwave.
"Casper's really cool, actually." He looks toward the door before glancing back in front of him. "Friendliest member you'll meet, probably. He’s sincere. I've only seen him lose his cool a handful of times, so I don't think you have to worry about him."
Drifting over to us, he sets down a tray of what looks like alfredo before going back to the freezer.
"Sadly, I can't cook to save my life, so I hope you don't mind. Most of us don't bother with throwing anything together, anyway." He glances at Leliah. "Chicken nuggets cool for the little lady, or...?"
Leliah gasps, her legs suddenly kicking back and forth. He must hear the thumps, because his smile is softening as he keeps moving. Soon, he's setting some down in front of her, watching amazed as she shoves one into her mouth.
From looking at her to me, his eyes linger on me much longer. "She's not much of a talker, huh?"
My skin warms as I shake my head between bites. "We've been working on it, but she's slowly getting there." Reaching toward her, I stroke her hair. "You're winning points with her already, though. Those are her favorites. Chicken nuggets and french fries."
He hums in satisfaction at that before tapping the surface lightly near my near-empty food tray, thankfully not teasing me for how quickly I scarfed down what I had. "What's it going to take to win some points with you, then?"
Caught off guard by his question, I'm stirring in my seat from the cock of his brow.
Is he being serious? He couldn't possibly be flirting with me right now.
Yet, from the way he's purposely leaning toward me and using a tone that definitely gets him whatever he wants, I can't help myself wanting to fall for it.
He realizes he's trying to make a move on a runaway mother with a lot of baggage, right? And I'm only falling for it because I haven't had attention put my way in a long time.
Seeing the amusement dancing around his eyes at my sputter, he pulls back and rocks on his heels. "Actually, never mind. It'll be more fun figuring it out on my own."
Is this going to be some kind of game to him?
Maybe he likes a challenge and wants some form of entertainment.
Yeah, that has to be it. There's no way a guy like him, a young guy with a charming smile, could be showing any interest in a woman with bags under her eyes and sores on her feet from running away from all of her problems.
What I need is a topic change. Something that doesn't make me want to hide my face, and the blush that's trying to form.
"So, um, what's going to happen to us? Are we just going to spend time here until those guys forget about us, or..."
Ace purses his lips as if he's considering his options.
"Well, as great as this place is, it's not a great place to crash.
I'm going to let you hang out at my place in the meantime.
" Rolling his shoulder like what he's offering isn't much, his eyes drift to the side.
"Speaking of which, we need to know what you want us to do. "
Leliah chooses that exact moment to yawn—wide, dramatic, her little fists stretching over her head.
Ace's attention shifts to her immediately, and something in his expression softens. "She's crashing."
"Yeah," I breathe, grateful for the interruption. "She usually goes down pretty early."
He nods once, then reaches over and gently picks a crumb off the corner of Leliah's mouth with his thumb. She doesn't even flinch. Just blinks up at him like he's always been there.
My chest does something complicated because she’s always so shy with strangers. I ignore it, pretending this isn’t some kind of sign.
Unsure of what he means by what I want, I don't miss the way his smile lessens when he returns his gaze to me.
"Well, we're either going to make those guys really upset, or we're going to give them what they want." Starting slowly, he jerks when I suddenly stiffen. "Oh, no. Not you. I'm not giving you to anyone."
My stomach tightens at the certainty behind his words, and I have to pretend what I'm feeling isn't tingling.
"I'm talking about the guy who got you in this situation in the first place. If he's still in the state, our hacker can find him using her resources. So, do you want us to find and give him to that club, or do you want us to send a message that you're under our protection?"
Could they find Johnny? If they did, could I live knowing that this decision could ruin his life, or worse, get him killed?
Even if he did get himself into this, and then left us to deal with the aftermath.
.. he's still Leliah's father. Would she hate me in ten or twenty years if she found out about the reason behind his demise?
If he's still alive, he could risk both of our safety again...
There's suddenly a warmth at my side, and I don't realize Ace is next to me until I feel his fingers gently pushing my hair behind my ear, revealing my flushed cheeks.
"I don't need an answer tonight, so sleep on it. Just know, either way, you're safe. I'd bet my life on it."
Feeling like I should believe he's just speaking the words to reassure me, there's something downright sincere about his words.
My breathing shifts, growing quicker beneath his touch.
His hand doesn't move. His fingers linger at the curve of my ear, and I swear I can feel every single one of those tattooed suits pressing against my skin.
"Stop that," he murmurs.
"Stop what?" My voice comes out breathier than I want it to.
"Overthinking." His thumb drags down along the edge of my jaw before he drops his hand entirely, before I can lean into his warmth. "I can hear it from here."
He’s right, but I can’t help myself. If I stop thinking about my complicated problems, then my thoughts are going to drift in the direction of this man. Even now, it’s happening.
"Do you usually make such dangerous bets?"
The corners of his eyes crinkle before he leans back against the island. "The riskier, the better, I'd say. Though I can happily say that the only thing I lose is money."
A life isn't exactly something you can lose more than once, but his confidence helps seep deep enough to reach me.
It makes me think that just maybe, I'll be okay. Physically, anyway. From the way my heart flutters at the rumble of his voice, I'm starting to wonder the fate of that part of me.
I've been hurt once before because of my heart, and if I'm not careful, I'll end up even deeper than I am now.