Chapter 3
Chapter Three
Speedy grabbed the platter of fried chicken that Regina wanted to bring to Sunday dinner.
The group kept getting bigger and bigger.
Speedy kept the smirk off his face because he wasn’t facing Regina’s wrath, but her tirade when Baron suggested separating tables so they would have more seating had been funny.
Regina wanted everyone at the one table but with the number of people, it wasn’t feasible. Not that it had mattered. Baron’s suggestion had been met with silence, and then Regina had let him know her not-so-happy thoughts.
“I know you’re smiling inside, Speedy,” Regina muttered.
“I’m just carrying the fried chicken and trying not to drool on it because of the delicious smell,” he said.
“Good answer, kiss ass,” Regina replied.
He chuckled. Her fire reminded him of his mom.
He carried the platter to the table, then headed over to where War and Bear were.
War was holding his daughter Mellie, cuddled up on his shoulder.
War would do what needed to be done to keep the MC safe, then show his softer side to his family.
It was one of the things that Speedy loved about the MC.
“Hey Speedy, need you to grab the tow truck and go pick up Violet and her car. In her words, it was smoking, made a clanking sound, then stopped. She’s by herself.
She said she was able to guide it to the shoulder.
I told her to wait in the open field just in case some dumbass wasn’t watching and hit the car.
Four miles north of here,” War directed.
“Got it,” Speedy said, already walking out the door. He grabbed the keys from the garage and had the tow truck on the road in minutes. Violet was on a road that wasn’t well traveled but he still worried someone wouldn’t be watching.
Besides, focusing on that kept his mind off of how he was going to deal with Violet next to him in the tow truck, where he’d be enclosed with her smile and her scent—a light hint of vanilla and something else that always had him thinking of licking and tasting every inch of her.
He sped up, needing to see she was okay. He crested the hill and spotted her car, along with another parked behind it. He checked traffic and made a U-turn so he’d be in front of her car. He hopped out and walked toward where Violet was standing in the field with her arms crossed over her chest.
Speedy didn’t recognize the man but he clocked how uncomfortable Violet was.
“You ready to get this loaded?” Speedy asked as he walked up.
“Hey man, I got it. I offered her a ride. You take the car, and I’ll give this little lady a ride,” the man said.
Violet’s eyes were begging him to save her, and he wasn’t going to disappoint her.
“Well, I appreciate it, but this little lady will be riding back with me. I don’t believe we’ve met. I’m Speedy,” he said.
“What kind of name is Speedy?” the man said, chuckling.
“It’s a road name. This area is Bluff Creek Brotherhood MC’s territory. Have you heard of us?” Speedy asked.
“No, but she’s coming with me,” the man said, reaching his hand toward Violet’s arm.
Speedy batted the man’s hand away and stepped in front of Violet.
“Let me make this clear. Get in your car and on the road. And leave this area. We don’t take kindly to men forcing their will on women, and at no time has she said she wanted to go with you,” Speedy said, holding back from hitting the guy.
Who the hell was this guy, and what did he want with Violet?
“Geez man. Chill. I was just going to give the woman a good time. I’m on my way to Dodge City and wanted to help her,” the man said, holding his hands up and backing away.
“Go get in the tow truck and lock the doors. I’ll be there in a minute,” Speedy told Violet. She nodded and ran across the field.
“Let me walk you to your car,” Speedy said, keeping track of exactly where the man’s hands were as they walked across the field. When they reached the door of the car, Speedy put his hand on the door, not letting the man open it.
“Give me your driver’s license,” Speedy said.
“Woah man, nothing happened,” he said.
“Yes, but I wonder what you would have done if I hadn’t shown up. Now, license,” Speedy growled.
The man handed his license to him. Speedy took a picture, then handed it back.
Speedy took a picture of the VIN, making sure it was legible.
He noted it was a late model four-door dark brown sedan.
If Speedy saw it on the road, he wouldn’t give it a second thought.
Which begged the question: why have a car that no one would remember?
“We’ll be checking into you, but here’s your one and only warning. Don’t come back through Bluff Creek Brotherhood MC territory. We don’t like your kind around here. I can’t guarantee your safety if you do,” Speedy said, opening the door and motioning the man in.
He scrambled into the seat, starting the car and peeling out immediately. Speedy took a picture of the tag, then waited until he was over the hill before heading to hook up Violet’s car.
He unlocked the door and settled into the truck.
“You okay?” he asked.
Those deep brown eyes of Violet’s turned toward him, her vanilla scent wrapping around him.
“Yes, thanks to you,” she said softly.
“Glad I could help. Do you carry pepper spray or have a stun gun?” he asked.
Even in small towns, people needed to protect themselves. Speedy was a firm believer in people defending themselves.
Violet’s heart was still racing from the encounter with the man.
Once Speedy had sent her to the truck, she’d started calming down, but she’d kept an eye on the men to make sure Speedy didn’t need help.
Not that she knew what she’d do to help.
Speedy’s question of whether she carried pepper spray or a stun gun had her realizing maybe she needed to.
“I don’t but I think I should,” she said.
Speedy nodded, his dark hair moving. Some nights, she imagined him lying beside her and being able to run her fingers through his hair, but he’d given zero indication he was interested in her.
“The bail bonds keep some on hand. I’m surprised Beth didn’t drop it off in a welcome basket,” he said.
Violet grinned. “When I moved in, it was while she was in Texas with Flick on assignment. I’m sure she would have but she was a tad distracted.”
Violet liked the sound of Speedy’s laughter.
“I imagine they were both distracted. July was definitely a whirlwind of events,” he said.
Violet could listen to the sound of Speedy’s voice forever. It was deep and soothing.
“It was. I’m sorry about your parents. I’m sure the holidays are hard,” Violet said. She’d never had a supportive parent, but from all accounts, Speedy’s parents had been wonderful.
“Thank you, and thanks for the muffins and card you dropped off. They were really good,” he said.
“You’re welcome. I know food doesn’t make the pain go away, but it’s a little sweet to know that someone is thinking of you.”
She hoped she hadn’t made him sad talking about his parents, but she also didn’t want to ignore it.
“How’s your job at the daycare going?” he asked.
She smiled. “Oh, I love it. The kids are so fun, and since it’s been Thanksgiving break, some of the older kids have dropped in at different times.”
Speedy laughed. “I bet that’s been interesting.”
Violet shook her head. “It definitely brings its own unique set of opportunities. The younger kids get a little irritated with the older ones being there to boss them around. I love them all and it’s fun to see siblings interacting. I’m an only child and didn’t have that growing up.”
Violet was being diplomatic because she did love the kids but also didn’t want to say anything that might end up getting the kids in trouble.
Phoebe and Blake had been there the Wednesday before Thanksgiving.
Violet had worried what exactly the girls would do, but they’d been perfect.
But she had heard whispering about some type of attack they were planning.
Stella had been there and listened in. She’d told Violet she had nothing to worry about.
“I’m the oldest of three siblings. My younger brother is serving overseas in the Army, and my younger sister is an accountant in Texas. I told her a couple weeks ago that I had decided to stay in Kansas. She loves her life in Texas and isn’t interested in moving here,” Speedy said.
“So you’re staying in Kansas?” Violet asked. She’d been concerned he’d leave. Even though she figured she didn’t stand a chance with him, as long as he was here, she could still dream about it.
“Yes. It’s become home to me. I’ll always love Cider Creek for giving me a place, but Bluff Creek is where I want to stay.”
Speedy parked the tow truck.
“I’ll get started on this tomorrow and figure out what’s wrong. Let’s get in for lunch. I don’t want to miss Regina’s fried chicken,” he said.
Violet nodded and got out of the truck. She didn’t want to miss the fried chicken either. She’d tried making it for herself, but it never tasted like Regina’s.
Speedy held the door for her and she walked in. There was a place by Beth and one by War. Well, she guessed this was the end of her time with Speedy. Darn it.
“Thank you,” she said.
“You’re welcome. Make sure you ask Beth for the pepper spray and a stun gun,” he said.
She would because she didn’t ever want to feel that helpless feeling she’d had until Speedy arrived today.