Chapter 17
MARTINA
I wake up alone in bed, throw on Diesel’s t-shirt and start down the hallway to look for him when I hear him and Smoke talking. I can hear my mother’s words of warning when I was a child—Don’t eavesdrop; you might hear something you don’t want to know.
I should turn back toward the bedroom. I should make a noise so they know I’m there. All the things I should do but don’t.
Instead, I stay plastered against the wall and listen as Diesel assures Smoke that his first alliance is to the club and that I’m nothing more than hot pussy, a one-nighter, and a way to get his dick wet. Lovely.
What did I expect? He hadn’t made any commitments to me, and although the sex was out of control and the best ever for me, it was probably just another night for him.
Bikers are notorious for having many women, many times and moving on.
What would make me think I’m different? I’d watched him take Chantel into the private rooms and then return to his biker buddies not long after without her.
Proving my point—sex is just a way to scratch an itch for him.
If I hadn’t had the panic attack, I probably wouldn’t have even ended up in his bedroom last night.
Fate and coincidence put me here—nothing more—and I have to stop fooling myself when it comes to men, any man, even Diesel.
He hadn’t talked about a future with me. He only promised to keep me safe, and that could fall under the rules of the Royal Bastards looking out for the Royal Harlots and nothing more.
Their conversation winds down, and I scurry back to bed, burrowing under the comforter and feigning sleep when Diesel enters the bedroom.
The shower turns on, and a few minutes later, it turns off.
More movement in the bedroom, then silence.
I peek through slitted eyes. I’m alone again in the bedroom.
I lie still and listen to make sure, but there is no noise in the apartment at all.
I quickly shower, throw on Marisol’s dress and leave the apartment twenty minutes later. I need to get to the gym, change out of this dress, and figure out my next move. Much safer than concentrating on the hollow feeling inside my chest.
Depending on Diesel for help is a fleeting fantasy. One that would only happen if Smoke and the Royal Bastards sanction it, and it doesn’t mess with whatever deal they’ve made with Benito. Too many ifs to make it a solid plan, but that is fine. I’m used to depending on myself—it’s safer that way.
I make it down the back stairs, my ridiculous high heels clacking and echoing in the stairwell. I ease open the metal door leading to the back hall of the club and look both ways. Luckily, there is no one in sight, so I make a beeline for the back door.
“Martina?” Smoke’s deep rasp freezes me in place. “I need to have a word.”
I slowly turn to Smoke, all badass and glaring, behind me. He either heard me, or he was purposely waiting to confront me. He motions to the office on his right, and I shoot a glance to the back door. Make a run for it in the stilettos, kick the stupid shoes off and run? I wouldn’t stand a chance.
I follow him into a small room with a sofa, desk and two chairs, one behind the desk where he sits, and one in front of the desk, which he points to for me.
I know from the few times I’ve been in his company that he doesn’t waste words. Most times, he observes, hardly saying anything, and somehow that’s even more frightening. I’ve also never seen him so much as crack a smile, no less laugh, or show any human emotions.
When he does come to the gym, he spends most of his time in the office with Blood or prowling around the floor mumbling to himself with the same scowl he’s wearing now.
He gives dark and moody a bad name, complete opposite of Marisol’s bright personality.
They are definitely a grumpy/sunshine match.
Whether in the gym or The Tropics, I’ve made it my business to steer way clear of him—until now.
“You’ve been working at the gym almost two weeks now, right?”
Okay, Captain Obvious, so far so good. Nothing threatening there, but I stay silent, sensing more—much more.
“Maxie says you’ve got some nice moves.” He taps his finger on the desktop. “Pay attention to what she tells you ‘cause she knows what the fuck she’s talking about when it comes to fighting.”
“I will.” It seems to be the answer he wants, but I still can’t relax.
“She also told Blood that she’s taken you on as a Royal Harlot.” He plays with the pack of cigarettes on his desk. “That must mean she sees something in you, ‘cause they just don’t let anyone in.”
I force a smile, but I know he’s far from done with whatever he’s leading up to.
“I trust her judgment, but I also have to look out for the Royal Bastards.”
I jerk my head in a nod, and my stomach churns.
“I went up to see Diesel this morning, and he seems confused.”
“Confused?” Damn the squeak in my voice.
“Maybe not confused, but slightly torn as to where his loyalties lie.”
Not from what I heard—or overheard.
“He was pretty worried about you last night. More concerned than an employee-employer relationship.”
My heart pounds hard, then palpitates in my throat.
“And that concerns me.” Smoke knocks a cigarette out of the pack, takes his time lighting it up, then draws deep and blows the smoke to the ceiling.
Yeah, this man knows how to intimidate without saying a word.
“The thing is, my Enforcer is tough as shit. He not only trains the fighters and keeps them in line, but he’s the man you wanna have at your back. He’s all gas, no brakes. You get me?”
Smoke’s dark, almost black eyes bore into me, and I have no trouble seeing the outlaw. I grip the arm of the chair and hold on ‘cause I have absolutely no idea where he’s headed, but I’m sure it’s gonna be a bumpy ride.
“But when it comes to women, he can be a little too trusting. Loaning chicks money, coming to their rescue when they get themselves in a shit situation. Stuff like that.”
I patiently wait for the other shoe to drop—or in this case, engineer boot.
“And I just don’t wanna see that happen to him again.”
I shift my feet. “I don’t know why you’re telling me this.”
“‘Cause there’s something about you that don’t add up. You appear outta nowhere on Diesel’s birthday, then end up on stage stripping.”
“Ricky hired a lot of new girls that night.” I have no idea how much Diesel told him about me, but maybe I can play this off.
“Which is total bullshit. I checked, and Ricky didn’t hire you. Diesel mistook you for a new girl, and you didn’t correct him.”
Shit, shit, shit.
“You’re right.” Always agree with the enemy. It throws them off. “I was coming to apply for a job at The Tropics, and when Diesel thought I was hired already, I played along. I really needed a job.”
“Okay, I’ll bite.” Smoke spreads his arms wide. “Then how come you ended up at the gym and not here at The Tropics?”
“After I got up on stage, I realized it wasn’t for me.” Truth: Although exhilarating at the time, the thought of revisiting that night sent a chill down my spine.
“Really? ‘Cause you were damn good. Looked like you knew what you were doin’”
“Well, looks can be deceiving.”
“Exactly my point.” Smoke grins, but it doesn’t meet his eyes. “You’re good; I’ll give you that”—he leans in—“but Diesel’s got a lot going on right now, and he doesn’t need any distractions or anyone fucking with his head.”
“I have no intention of hurting him in any way.”
Heat surrounds my neck, and I want to tell this man to go to hell, but that would be stupid on so many levels. Especially since I’m sure Diesel would take his side.
“I’m real happy to hear that because, you fuck my brother over, you’re gonna have to answer to me. And believe me, I’m not easily fooled.” He shoots me an evil smile. “And you don’t want me for an enemy.”
And there it was—I had no doubt this man could make my life a living hell.
“And since you’re also a part of the Harlots, you better not fuck them over either, ‘cause no one fucks with my club, my brothers, or my family.”
“Message received.”
“One other thing. The Bastards put their club first, so don’t go trying to manipulate Diesel into doing some shit just ‘cause you’re good in bed.”
I jump out of the chair. “Excuse me?”
“You heard me. You wouldn’t be the first woman to use her pussy to get over on a man.”
“You have no idea what you’re talking about.”
“I know you warmed his bed last night.”
I open my mouth, and he puts up his hand.
“And you’re right, it’s none of my fuckin’ business who Diesel screws unless it blows back on the club.
Whatever troubles you got with the cartel are not gonna become the Royal Bastards’ troubles or Diesel’s.
” Smoke throws me one more deadly glare.
“Just remember, I know everything that goes on at the gym, the garage and The Tropics. Understood?”
He pushes away from the desk and nods toward the door. “And don’t go crying to him either, ‘cause I don’t think you’d like his answer.”
“Don’t worry, I don’t need to go crying to anyone, least of all Diesel. So your boy is perfectly safe.
I spin around and slam my way out of his office.