Chapter 9
I couldn’t believe Kane kissed me, and in front of everyone. Things had completely shifted between us, and I didn’t know how to feel about it.
I still wasn’t sure of who killed my brother, but I was almost certain it wasn’t Kane. It couldn’t have been him. Sooner or later, it would come to light.
Since the club was going on a ride, I had the day off. I stayed home, cleaned up my room, and did laundry. It seemed like I hadn’t done anything lately but worked at the clubhouse, so I didn’t know what else to do with myself.
I was in the middle of folding clothes when there was a knock on my bedroom door.
“Come in.”
My mother peeked her head through the door when she opened it. It was something she always did instead of just coming in like I said.
“You decent?”
“Yes. I wouldn’t have said to come in if I wasn’t.” I giggled.
She pushed the door fully open, then came inside. She looked around before she sat on the chair I had in the corner.
“It feels like I haven’t seen you in forever. How are things going with the club?”
I folded the shirt in my hand while I decided how much I wanted to share.
I hadn’t told anyone about the flash drive because I didn’t want to give half ass information and have my parents worrying more about me or accusing anyone of something they didn’t do.
I felt like there was more information somewhere, but I didn’t know where.
I hadn’t looked at the flash drive again because I was unsure of what I would find and what it could do to me and the friendships I’d developed with the girls, and even Kane.
Actually, everyone in the club that I had encountered had been cool and nice to me.
“Things are going well. I like it there. Nothing too crazy has happened. The guys don’t let things get out of hand. I even attended one of their meetings and gave input. They actually listened too.” I laughed.
“Well, that’s good. I still want you to be careful.”
“I will.”
My phone rang, and I couldn’t help the smile that formed when I saw Kane’s name on the screen. Butterflies filled my stomach as I answered.
“Hello.”
“Munch, what you got going on?” Kane’s husky baritone came through the speaker.
I looked up at my mom, but she grabbed some clothes to fold and pretended not to hear my conversation, but I knew she was tuned in.
“Not much, folding clothes and talking to my mom.”
“That’s what’s up. Your folks doing okay?”
“Yeah. As okay as they can be.”
This time, my mom looked up, but I mouthed that I’d tell her later.
“One day at a time.” He cleared his throat. “I wanted to see if you wanted to ride with us today. You can ride on my bike, and I have a helmet for you.”
My heart slammed against my chest. Not only did Kane want me to ride with them, but he wanted me on his bike. The thought of being that close to him freaked me out a little. I’d never even been on a bike, and I got excited but nervous.
“Um, yeah. What time?”
“Two hours. We can come that way and get you if that’s cool.”
“That’s fine. I’ll be ready.”
“Cool. See you then.”
He hung up the phone, and I put mine back on the bed.
My mom finished folding the clothes she had taken and put them away. Mentally, I was freaking out, but I didn’t show it. I didn’t need my mom thinking something was wrong.
“By the smile on your face when you answered the phone, I’m assuming it was a man.”
“It was. It was Kane. Everyone is going on a ride today, and he asked if I wanted to go. I told him yeah.” I held back the squeal I wanted to let out.
“What’s going on there?”
I bit the corner of my bottom lip. I wanted to tell her about the kiss but decided against it. I didn’t hide things from my mother, but I wasn’t sure what was happening between Kane and me, so I’d wait to share that information.
“Nothing, really. He’s nice, and he’s been looking out for me.”
“I see you blushing. You’re a grown woman, so I can’t tell you what to do.
Just be careful and know I’m here if you need me.
” She stood from the chair and walked over to me as I sat on the edge of my bed.
She placed her hands on the sides of my face and lifted my head.
“You’re my baby girl, and I want what’s best for you.
” She kissed my forehead and rubbed my cheek. “Have fun.”
“Thanks, Mommy.”
She released me, then left my room. I knew she was a little afraid because of what happened to Rameek, but I really did feel safe with Kane. Even Rico, Tech, and Slider’s crazy ass made me feel safe.
I made sure all the clothes were put away, then found something to wear, and got myself together so I could be ready when they came.
I heard the sound of the motorcycles before they could even make it to my house. Kane strolled up the walkway with his ever-present toothpick, as I opened the front door. The minute his eyes landed on me, he smiled.
“Let me find out you trying to be a Viper,” he said as he reached for my hand.
“I don’t know about that, but I figured I’d at least look the part.” I wore jeans with a hoodie and a blue puffy vest. My braids hung down my back.
I looked at the number of bikes that filled our little street. I spotted the guys, as well as Isis and Carmen, and waved at them.
“Why is everyone looking like that?”
Kane and I walked down the walkway to his bike.
“Because we usually don’t stop to pick people up, especially a non-member.”
I took the helmet from his hand that he held out toward me. “So, I should feel special.”
“Very. Not only did we pick you up, but you are also the only chick that could say they rode on the back of my bike. Let’s get this helmet on you so we can ride out.” He helped me put the helmet on, then picked me up and placed me on the back of his bike.
I stared at Kane through the helmet’s little window as he climbed onto the bike. My body buzzed when Kane turned the bike on and it vibrated underneath me.
“Make sure you hold on tight, Munch.” He grabbed my arms and wrapped them around his waist. I felt something hard tucked under his shirt.
It felt like a gun, but I couldn’t ask questions, because I didn’t want to be the one to hold everything up.
“You ready?” Kane asked over his shoulder.
“Yes!”
I felt Kane chuckle because I was louder than I needed to be.
Rico was in the front of the line, and when he made a hand signal and took off, Kane and I, as well as Tech, took off behind him. I turned around and noticed everyone forming two lines behind us.
Isis and Carmen rode behind us, and behind them was Tay and Lamont. A bunch of other people I’d seen in the clubhouse followed behind. For some reason, Slider was at the end of the line, and I wondered why. I would ask Kane about that whenever I got a chance.
A sea of blue and chrome filled the streets as we rode to wherever we were going. I never asked Kane where the final destination was. It didn’t matter, because I would have gone regardless. Not only did I feel like I fit in, but it also gave me another chance to be around Kane.
I found myself fond of Kane and enjoyed his company. Traffic stopped and people waved as we rode by. It was fascinating how much people respected them. The club was totally different from what I thought they were.
Once we left the residential area and made it to the highway, everyone picked up speed.
It was chilly out but not too cold. The wind felt exhilarating on my skin.
I tightened my grip on Kane, and he reached back and gave my leg a quick squeeze.
At one point when the wind got to be too much, I laid my head on Kane’s back.
His vest smelled just like him, and it calmed the nervousness in my belly.
I wasn’t sure how fast we went, but it was fast. I had to close my eyes because I had gotten a little scared.
I had never ridden anything that fast before. I didn’t even get on roller coasters.
Over an hour or more had passed before we stopped at the top of a mountain overlooking the Valley. Everyone parked their bikes and got off. Kane turned his bike off, then helped me off.
I had to steady myself when my feet touched the ground. I took off my helmet and was in awe of the view. I had never been up there before.
“How you feeling?” Kane asked as he took the helmet from me and put it on his bike.
“A lot.” I giggled. “That was the most exhilarating and scariest thing I ever done.”
“Yeah, it’s for sure a different experience. I love being on the road; it’s freeing.” He reached for my hand, and I placed mine in his. “Let’s go look around.”
He led me away from the rest of the group. I noticed there were more people than I thought. They must have joined the line once we left my street.
We walked over toward the edge where there was a bench. Kane sat down, then I sat down next to him.
For a few moments, we sat in silence, both taking in the scenery.
“Do y’all come here often?” I asked, breaking the silence.
“Yeah. Sometimes I ride out here by myself. It’s peaceful as hell when it’s not full of bikers.” He chuckled. “We go to other places, though. When it’s warmer, we may ride to the beach and hang out on the boardwalk.
“That’s cool. I noticed you had something on your back when I hugged you. What was that?”
“My gun,” he said matter-of-factly.
I kicked a rock that was near my foot and watched it fall off the side of the mountain. I should have been scared being so close to the edge, but I wasn’t. It was peaceful like Kane mentioned.
“I didn’t know you carry a gun.”
“Yeah. We had an issue with a rival gang before, and I like to be prepared. We’ve had fights with them, but you know everybody don’t fight fairly.”
“Have you ever had to use it?”
Kane looked at me and smirked. I knew I was asking personal questions, but I was intrigued by him. He turned back and looked out in the distance. I watched his tongue move the toothpick around, and for a moment, I was stuck. It shouldn’t have been sexy, but it was.
“I have.”
He left it like that, so I did too.