Chapter 5
Ringo
A fter dropping Kimmie off at work, I head back to the shop in search of Blade, the VP of the club to ask about Bella’s old car that he no longer lets her drive.
He’s not technically being a dick about the old car. He just hates it ever since she used it to leave him for several months a few years ago.
She had gone through something truly horrible and felt that the only way to get past it was to leave until she could find herself again.
However, it was the Prez’s in-laws that found her up in Tennessee.
They promptly returned her to Blade that made sure she realized who she belonged to. Did it tame her? Hell fucking no.
None of the women married into this club can ever be called tame. They are absolute hell cats that refuse to be controlled.
They tend to get into trouble a good bit of time but fucking hell, some of the shit they get up to is hilarious as hell.
We all still remember the incident with the fucking snakes. Torque will never live down the screams he let loose that night.
Pulling up to the shop I spot Blade and Goose wheeling out a new custom bike. It’s being shipped to a buyer somewhere on the East Coast.
We’ve been working on it for months to get the colors on the paint job exactly right. Personally I think the buyer has been way too picky about shit.
I wait for the guys to load the bike and make sure it’s secure in the enclosed trailer. Blade hands the driver all the papers needed and steps back as the truck begins to pull away.
“What can I do for you, Ringo?” Blade asks when he turns my way.
“Is the buyer finally okay with everything?” I nod towards the truck that’s pulling out into the road.
“Yeah.” He says.
“Fucking finally. I hate making nice bikes for rich fucks that probably won’t even ride the mother fucker.” Goose growls.
“Those rich fucks pay a higher price tag though just for us to put up with them.” Blade grins and we all laugh.
“Only good thing about it. I’m going to see what I can get done with this other bike that some chick brought in a few days ago.” Goose says, walking into the shop.
“Doesn’t sound happy.”
“Goose? Oh he’s definitely not. The chick that brought in the bike apparently went to school with Goose. He used to date her sister or some shit.” Blade says.
“Bad breakup then.”
“No telling and Goose hasn’t said.” He shrugs. “So what’s up?”
“I wanted to ask about Bella’s old car.”
“For Kimmie?” He asks and I shake my head. “Yeah, Bella and I were talking about that. It would be a good car for her. Still runs great, it just needs a tune up, oil changed, tires checked. That kind of thing. But Bella is pretty sure she’d refuse it as a gift.”
“Thought of that. I want to buy it and I’ll convince her it’s just a loan until her car is fixed.”
His brows raise at my idea.
“What?” I demand.
“Nothing. It might actually work. At least for now. Has she told you anything about herself?”
“No. Not talked much.” I answer as his phone beeps with a text.
He pulls it from his pocket and reads it before looking back up to me.
“Bella at least got a name out of her. Hugo. Says he’s Remmy’s dad.”
“There wasn’t anyone named Hugo in her file.”
“No, there wasn’t but maybe we need Snake to look more into her father. If this is what we all think it is, we might find more information looking at the piece of shit that helped create her.” Blade says and I agree.
“Be helpful if she’d open up more.” I comment in frustration.
“Remind you of anyone?” He laughs. “Besides, she doesn’t know any of us well enough yet to know if she can trust us. She only just got into town. Bella has taken an instant liking to her though. Plans to invite her to the family cookout next week so she can meet everyone else.”
“Who’s coming to the cookout?” We turn to see Sprocket and Gear walking towards us.
“Bella’s new employee, Kimmie.” Blade answers.
“Is she hot?” Gear asks with interest in his eyes and I grind my teeth together.
“Not for you!” I growl, shocking everyone, including myself.
“Me thinks someone has finally caught our silent brother's attention.” Sprocket grins my way and I restrain myself from punching him in the face.
“You two had best steer clear of Kimmie and not just because Ringo looks like he might kill you both. Bella might also slit both your throats while you sleep and the rest of the club women will more than likely help them.” Blade shakes his head.
“Fine.” Gear and Sprocket both roll their eyes like they are still teenagers before walking away again.
“Those two are so much trouble. I’ve no idea why the fuck we allowed them in the club. They both need to find a nice girl and settle down.” Blade says and I snort. “What?” He asks.
“They need only one. It’s what they like.” I answer.
“Well, fuck, now that you mention it, I think you are right.” He shrugs. “I can’t imagine only one woman being able to tame both of them at the same time.”
“It’ll happen. About the car...” I say quietly, already getting tired from all the talking that I’m not used to.
“Oh, yeah. The key is in the office if you want to get into a bay and start on it. We can hammer out the details of everything else later.”
“Thanks.”
“No problem. Are you picking her up from work later?” He asks, drawing my attention again. “I ask because Bella also said that Kimmie is asking about the cost of rent around here. She went ahead and paid her cash for what hours she worked yesterday. She’s not sure if Kimmie knows she can stay at your place again.”
“I’ll take care of it.” I answer and he nods as I walk away.
I’ll need to make sure I’m there tonight as soon as she gets off from work so I can make sure she and the kid are safe for the night.
Whoever this guy is that she’s running from must have scared her bad enough to last a lifetime. Why else would a woman still be running thirteen years later?
Kimmie
“Go ahead and sit down with Remmy. Have a bite to eat. Everything is already cleaned up anyway. I’ll be locking up soon.” Bella says with a smile.
“If you’re sure?” I look to the back of the cafe where my son is playing with his handheld video game.
“Yes, I’m sure. There’s nothing else to do. I’m just going into the office to do a little paperwork. You sit with him.”
“A cup of coffee does sound nice.”
“Go. It’ll take me about fifteen minutes then we’ll close up.” Bella smiles, pushing me towards the sitting area.
A few minutes later, I sit on the bench seat across from Remmy with a sigh as I finally relax my feet for the first time today.
My mind whirls with thoughts of where we should go for the night. Ringo didn’t offer his house again when he dropped us off here earlier today.
It’s possible he’d like to sleep in his own bed tonight instead of the clubhouse.
From what Bella described to me of the club, there are rooms almost like a small motel inside the confines of the building that I saw last night before Ringo took us to his cabin.
After knowing what it’s like to stay in such places for all these years, I wouldn’t blame him for wanting his house back.
When I asked Bella about places to stay around here, her answers were kind of vague and the only price points for places she told me about were way out of my budget. Even for one night.
I’m lost in my thoughts when the bell over the door dings loudly and I turn to see if a customer was trying to get in right at closing time but I am met with the handsome face of the man that has invaded my thoughts way too many times in a day.
My eyes track his movements as he scans the room, spotting us in the back and makes a beeline for our table.
With a smoothness you wouldn’t think was possible for such a big guy, he scoots in next to me on the seat making me have to move over or have him in my lap.
“How was your day?” He asks, turning his head in my direction.
Feeling like a deer caught in headlights, I just stare back in shock. His actions make it seem like this is a normal every day occurrence for the two of us.
“It was long.”
“Hm.” He says, turning to look at my son across from us.
Remmy actually looks up from his game and with a slight smile says, “Sup, dude?”
“What are you playing?” He asks Remmy.
“It’s a game where I can steal cars, run from the cops and get money.” Remmy answers honestly and I just shake my head.
I was never excited about him wanting to play such a game. I actually didn’t let him for a long time.
Then about a year ago, he and I had a long talk about what was right and wrong. What was illegal in real life and the consequences for those actions.
Once I was convinced he understood, I allowed him to get the game. He’s had his nose stuck in it ever since. I can’t really complain because I know he’s still just a kid and doesn’t have any friends other than the few he plays with when he’s able to get online.
Plus, let’s face it, there’s very little for a kid to do when constantly on the road.
The two of us have been all across the United States, never staying in any place for very long. I did try to once and we barely escaped again.
If it hadn’t been for my neighbor at the time who was always too nosy about what everyone else was doing, I’d probably be dead by now.
I have no illusions about what Hugo will do to me when he ever finds me or of what he might do to my son. I’ll never let that happen.
“I’m all finished. Everyone ready to go?” Bella asks, coming from the kitchen right as we all hear a bike pulling into the parking lot.
“Let’s get you two back home.” Ringo says, standing up from the seat and waiting for us.
I’m surprised and relieved by his words. I don’t have to worry about where we will lay our heads, at least for tonight.
We all follow Bella out of the door, saying goodnight when she hurries over to her husband's bike, getting on as she clasps her helmet.
I’m surprised yet again when Ringo follows me to the passenger side, opening the door for me to get in before closing it firmly.
Remmy gets in the back without a word and barely looks up from his game.
I usually limit the amount of time he’s on it but the last few days, I’ve let him play as much as he’s wanted.
We all ride in silence all the way to the cabin, all of us getting out and walking to the front door. Ringo unlocks it and holds it open for us to walk through.
Remmy heads straight down the hall, only stopping at the sound of my voice.
“Where are you going kiddo?” I ask, my heart beating fast at the thought of being completely alone with Ringo.
“Bed. I’m tired and I want to get up early tomorrow to explore outside some more.”
“Okay. Goodnight.” I say to his retreating back.
Looking over at Ringo, I give him a small smile, hoping to cover my nervousness.
“Thought I’d stay... to talk about your car.” He says, taking a seat on one end of the couch.
“Oh, yeah. How bad is it?” I ask, moving over and taking a seat on the other end.
“It’s...uh... going to take a while. The parts...they are on backorder.” He says and my heart sinks at the realization that I won’t be getting my car any time soon.
I sit all the way back with my hands over my eyes to hide the tears welling up in them.
What am I going to do? That car was always our one saving grace. Without it, I can’t move on but I also can’t afford another one.
“I have a car...you can use it.” Ringo’s voice draws my eyes back to him as I hide a small sniffle. “It’ll at least give you a way... to get around town, to work or wherever you need... to go close by.”
“That’s awfully generous. We’re already taking up room in your house. I tried to look for something cheap around town so you could get your room back.”
“Already told you...stay as long as you need.” He says quietly.
“From what you said last night, you like your silence sometimes too.” I mention and he shakes his head without comment.
“Maybe when you need to, you can still come here and I’ll sleep on the couch.” I offer quickly before my brain can overthink it.
His eyes bore into mine until I begin to wonder what he’s thinking but he looks away again, still not saying anything more.
“Car will be ready...first of next week. I’ll make sure that...you get to work. Until then.” He says after several long moments more of silence.
“Thank you.” I reach over, laying my hand on his forearm.
I immediately gasp as static electricity zaps us both from the contact.
An even stranger feeling travels through my whole body as his eyes once again stare back at me.
We sit like that, with my hand on his arm and staring at each other until I hear Remmy going into the bathroom in the hall.
Pulling my hand away, he stands up quickly, looking back down at me.
“See you tomorrow.” He announces, taking long strides to the door.
He’s gone before I can say good night, leaving me with that strange feeling now pooling in the middle of my stomach.