Chapter 36
Chapter Thirty-Six
Parker
“How’re Maribel and the gang?” A fresh cup of tea appears on the table in front of me as I sit with my feet up on the old sofa.
The bar room is mostly quiet, as it usually is on a Monday morning, and with Sledge’s question, I realize I probably should have actually gone to Maribel’s for a few hours’ sleep.
That really would’ve helped my alibi, but I plan on telling Grinder and Spencer the truth anyways, so fuck the alibi.
It was just my excuse to leave last night.
Although, for Sledge to know I “slept” at Maribel’s…shit really doesn’t stay secret around here.
I clear my throat as I sit forward and pick up the mug of tea, bringing it to my lips to inhale the hot liquid and blow. Then I glance up at my big brother through my lashes and grimace.
“Well…”
“I’ve known you for just over a month and I can already tell when you’ve done something stupid. Not so great at the secret-keeping, are ya?” Sledge shakes his head and grins. “What did you do?”
“First, I love that you know me well enough to notice things. And second…” I pause and sip the far-too-hot tea, burning the tip of my tongue, but it’s so worth it every time. “I may have accidentally-on-purpose killed someone.” I flutter my lashes oh-so-sweetly and risk burning my tongue again.
“May have?” He’s giving me judgey eyes, but he’s also amused. Good…
I fucking wish we had grown up together in moments like this. Sharing my murder story and all that. I sigh.
“Definitely did.”
“Any evidence?” His amused grin is a little bigger and I’m totally here for it.
“Nope. But I did rope in one of your prospects. Kincaid. She helped with the clean up. So if she counts as evidence, then yes.” She caught me on the way out last night, and killer knows killer so she saw right through me and tagged along for the ride—in Spencer’s car.
“You gonna tell me who and why?” He’s shaking his head and resisting the urge to laugh, and it’s obvious he’s trying very hard to not roll his eyes.
“Some twatwaffle called Byron or Byson or Brian or something with a B.” I know his name, but he fucked with my dolphin so it’s not worth passing my lips.
“He works—worked—at Spenny’s station and caught wind of the whole rig going missing thing.
He approached Spenny at work last night, asked him about it, and was super fishy.
So…” I shrug, like the outcome is obvious.
“He had to die so Spenny or the club don’t get arrested. ”
“Wouldn’t a threat have worked just as well?” Sledge is mimicking me with the tongue burning now, although at this point, the tea is cool enough to drink without the pain.
“Nope. If I threatened him, that would’ve confirmed any suspicions he had and then there’s this wild card out there that we can’t control with anything other than threats.
Only solution was for him to die. His parents died years ago, no siblings, no significant other, barely any friends to speak of.
Obsessed with work. Fucking easy target, if you ask me.
So as far as anyone knows, he was offered some amazing work opportunity in Australia.
Bing bang bosh. Sorted.” I do a faux-mic drop and an explosion sound before sipping more hot liquid gold.
Closing his eyes, Sledge’s grin doesn’t disappear, but he does sigh a little before pinning his gaze on me.
“When you get voted in as an official prospect, this going rogue shit has to stop.”
“I mean, I wasn’t technically rogue. Kincaid came with me for the jolly.” I place my now-empty mug on the table between us and feign innocence.
“And that, dear sister, is your only saving grace.” He pins me with that judgey stare again.
“Is it, though?” My grin widens because playing with fire is fun.
He responds with a muffled laugh and another shake of his head. It’ll fall off if he keeps doing that.
“You’re up early, brother.” Shade’s huge form appears behind Sledge and he pats his shoulder.
“Nah, more like haven’t gone to bed yet. That girl, Kristina, and her sister…what was her fuckin’ name…oh, I don’t care…other Kristina, kept me up all night.” Sledge falls back against the chair and rubs at his cock. “Six holes in one night.”
“I don’t wanna see you rubbing your cock. Ew.” I scrunch up my face and dramatically cover my eyes.
“If I have to watch you dry fuck Grinder while I’m trying to play pool, you can cope with a little cock rubbing.” Narrowing his eyes at me, Sledge all but pokes his tongue out. So I do it, instead.
“Have you finished talking about your dick in front of your little sister?” Shade raises a brow and looks down on Sledge.
“Fuck off, you’re making it sound gross.”
“It kinda is.” I muffle a laugh.
“Oh you can fuck off too. I’m going to the garage.” Standing up with all the attitude of a teenage boy, Sledge flips us both the bird and walks away.
Shade and I laugh, and he sits himself down in the chair Sledge just left empty.
“So, you wanna come into the shop today? I can show you around, get you started on some basics before we open up next month.” With the demise of some of the fucks that, well, fucked with him, Shade has been more talkative. I like that. He seems like a good dude.
“Definitely. I should probably officially quit the salon, though. I’ve had about a million missed calls that I’ve been avoiding, plus messages I haven’t listened to. If you gimme the address I’ll meet you there when I’m done?” I check the time on my phone—eight in the morning.
Maybe I could have a coffee in that nice place and leave Teagan a note if she isn’t there…
“Sure. I’ll text it to Grinder. I’m sure he’ll want to bring you.” He winks and stands, leaving me to my own devices. Dangerous. But in this instance…actually not.
Mentally, I make a to-do list, then decide that’s a really bad fucking idea so I open the notes app on my phone.
Quit job
Have coffee
Tell Grinder and Spencer about the B thing
Learn to ride a motorcycle - See Mac
Learn to tattoo
I think that’s everything. Ugh. Some of those things require significantly more time and brain power than others. The learning shit, yeah, that’s gonna have to wait and be a gradual thing. I can do that. I just need to text Mac…
Me: Hey Mac, Grinder said you’re the gal I need to teach me to ride. So this is me officially asking for your help. Thank yooooou! xx
Me: This is Parker BTW xx
I should totally add ‘text Mac’ to my to-do list so I can check it off and feel a little accomplished.
Okay, talking to Grinder and Spencer isn’t the worst because I know Grinder will understand, he’ll even appreciate the teeth I saved for his collection.
Spencer, however, may be a little pissed.
But I’m sure he’ll come around and realize I only did it to protect him.
It could be a long conversation though and derail my whole day because I’m probably definitely going to have some making up to do.
Have coffee and quit job can kinda go together. Spenny won’t mind if I borrow his car again…
Standing in front of the coffee shop, beautiful flowers and all, I have a little moment to myself, remembering the first time I stood here. And now it feels like I’ve been in this town, with these people, forever. It’s been just over a month, but I’ve never felt so safe and loved in all my life.
Smiling to myself, I push open the door and there she is, flame-licked hair and all. Nero’s eyes widen with surprise when she sees me, and she holds up a finger briefly as she finishes serving the woman at the counter.
I wait patiently, then it’s my turn and Nero runs around the counter and envelopes me in a tight hug.
“Ohmygoddess, where the fuck did you go, girl? Teagan lost her shit the day you didn’t come back, then you disappeared altogether and now you’re just strolling in as though nothing happened!
” Nero stands back and assesses me, then she squints like she’s trying to see my insides.
“Why do you have bruises? Did that club do this to you?”
I sigh. “No. The club are amazing. The bruises are my own doing, nothing nefarious, but I do owe Teagan a huge apology.”
“Hmm.” She bites her inner cheek, then nods as if she’s okay with my answer. “Women have to look out for each other, so I’ll be here with zero judgement if you ever need it.” She says that, but I already feel a little judgement with the fact that she went straight to the club being trouble.
I mean, I suppose they are, but even I know their reputation. No women or children. They wouldn’t lay a finger on me. Okay, Grinder would. Many, many fingers, in fact.
“Can I get a caramel latte as liquid courage please before I nip next door?”
“Sure.” She winks and heads back around the counter to make the coffee, and the queue behind me is beginning to grow.
Not so sure she’s a fan of the club so I won’t give her my exciting dolphin news.
After paying and saying goodbye, I head next door, my stomach sinking a little when I’m able to walk straight inside.
“Hi, Teagan.” I wave awkwardly when she turns to see who has arrived.
“Holy shit, you’re alive.” Her eyes widen, much like Nero’s did, but she doesn’t come to hug me.
“I am. And I’m sorry I flaked out on you.
A thing happened, then another thing, and all the things.
Then it got to a point where it had been so long and I felt like a dick for letting you down and so I pushed it aside in my hectic brain and pretended it didn’t exist. So I’m sorry.
” I’m being as honest as I can without implicating the club in any way.
My kidnapping wasn’t reported to the sheriff's office, so spreading that shit around will only cause issues. Plus, we still have that fucker to find, and I feel like the club hasn’t heard the last of the cult in general.
The way they’re surrounding this town is s’pish as fuck.
“It’s cool. But would appreciate a heads up next time. We were worried about you.” She gives a small smile and I can tell she means it. I hurt her feelings and was totally in the wrong for ghosting her, but she’s being real fucking cool about it and I think I like her more now.
A huge weight feels like it’s lifting from my shoulders now that I’ve accomplished this task on my list, and I’m already giddy about marking it off.
Teagan and I chat for a few more minutes before I make my excuses and leave, checking my phone to see a couple of messages. One from Mac and one from Grinder.
Mac: Sure thing. I already have you scheduled in for this weekend. I’ll text you the time and we can chat in the bar later.
I make a note, excited about learning to ride, before checking the next message.
Grinder: Ping me your location and a pic of your tits
Of course, I do both, taking the boob pic as discreetly as possible while I stand in the street.
Fifteen minutes later, the sexiest sight I ever did see rides toward me. The demon head helmet, the purple and black leathers, and the SOK cut over that bulk of a man I can call mine…all the yesses. His thighs could crush walnuts and I’m glad I’m not Spencer’s nuts.
He pulls up in front of me, unclipping the spare helmet from the back and doing the come hither thing with his finger.
Stepping closer to him, I rest my legs either side of his, my pussy resting against him, and I let him slide the helmet over my head, clipping me in.
Every touch sends sparks through me and oh yes, we’re fucking on this bike.
I climb on behind him and immediately wrap my arms around his waist, aiming my hands for the zipper of his crotch.
“Needy.” Grinder chuckles. It sounds so much more intense through the speaker.
“Yes, I am.”
I finally get him free, thanking the gods that he’s wearing his two-piece leathers instead of the all in one, and he twists the throttle a few times before we speed off. I scream with delight and begin working my hand up and down his shaft, rubbing my thumb over the tip for good measure.
“Fuck, Stabby. You’re not wearing protective gear and I don’t wanna crash, but that feels so fucking good.” His deep, husky voice breathes through the speaker and I grin. I love lust-induced Grinder so much.
I note my jeans, long-sleeved T-shirt, and relatively thin jacket, well aware that riding clothes these are not, but whatever. I don’t for a million years imagine Grinder would allow himself to crash with me on the back. I trust him with my life.
“You better go faster or the cars will see your massive cock in my hand and call the cops on you for indecent exposure.” I goad him, loving every second of the ride. Every twist, every turn…every stroke of his thick cock.
“As you wish.” He chuckles again, the sound vibrating the skin of my ears.
Up and down, up and down, a little rub here…fuck, his cock is so velvety smooth I could play with it all day.
His breathing gets heavier and he slows down the motorcycle just as his grunt and loud groan surrounds me, the wet spurts of his cum landing on my hand.
“Fuck, that was hot.” He laughs and squeezes my thigh. “And just in time because here we are.”
We pull up along the main street, shops lining the road, in front of one with no sign above it. The glass windows are all covered in black so nobody can see inside, and I have no doubt this is the place.
My new job. My new career, even.
But I have something else on my to-do list before stepping inside. I can’t, in good conscience, be around Grinder and not tell him. I wanted to do it together with Spenny, but that’ll have to wait.
I climb off the motorcycle, waiting patiently for Grinder to remove my helmet for me, and he playfully tweaks my nipples at the same time.
“Ready, Stabby?”
“Mmmhmm.” I nod and bite my lip, delaying the entrance to the shop briefly. “I have a gift for you.” Digging into my pocket, I pull out the little bag of teeth I collected and hold them in front of Grinder. “Sooo…I did a thing.”