Chapter 19 Storm
Storm
Once her helmet is secure, Dixie climbs on my bike behind me.
Today is the first time she’s riding with me.
I never understood why some of the older guys like riding with their old ladies, but now I get it.
I love feeling her pressed up against me and having her arms wrapped around me.
She keeps slipping her fingers beneath my shirt and stroking my bare skin.
I’ve learned she’s a very touchy person and I’d normally hate that, but I crave Dixie’s hands on me all the time.
I like when she holds onto me a little tighter when we take a sharp turn or how she likes to snake her hands up and play with my chest hair while we’re riding.
Anything to keep her hands on me sounds great.
When we get close to the clubhouse, I grow anxious. I don’t want to say goodbye to her. I want to take her into the assembly with me and tug her down onto my lap. I want to let everyone know she’s mine and just deal with the ramifications. I hate having to sneak around. She deserves better.
As soon as we pull up in front of our apartments, Dixie hops off the back of my bike and works on releasing the snap of the helmet under her chin. When she can't get it off, she turns to me with a pout on her lips.
“You’re adorable. I hate that I can't kiss you right now,” I murmur as I carefully release the clip.
“It’s not worth it. You’ll get into too much trouble.”
“I know.” I sigh and take off my own helmet.
After storing them in my bike, I tug my hair out of the tie it was in and let it fall around my shoulders. I grab my beanie out of the saddle bag, but before I can put it on, Dixie steals it from me and pulls it over her head.
“How do I look?” She poses for me, puckering up her lips.
“Absolutely perfect,” I growl. “I'm trying so hard to remind myself why it would be a bad idea to march in there and tell Porter I want a property patch for you to wear.”
“You mean because he’ll murder you?” She grins up at me, careful to keep her distance.
“You better be sleeping in my bed tonight. I need some more time with you. Honestly, I just need some time to kiss you, especially after riding with you letting your hands explore.”
“Do you not like that?” She scrunches up her nose.
“I love it, baby.” Before I can stop myself, I sweep her in for a quick kiss. I release her and walk away before she even has time to respond, taking my beanie with me.
“That wasn’t very nice, Storm!” She calls to my retreating back and I chuckle.
“I’ll make it up to you later.” I wave before heading into the assembly.
As soon as the heavy doors shut behind me, all eyes turn in my direction. Porter settles into the chair at the head of the table and I take the one to his right.
“It’s nice of you to join us. Where have you been?” Porter glances at me, making a few of the guys snicker.
“I'm three minutes late,” I say after glancing at my watch. “Your daughter has an extensive list of what she wants accomplished at the café. I just got back.”
Porter examines me for a moment before he turns his attention back to the rest of the club.
“We have some heavy business to deal with tonight. The Sinners are pressing up against our territory. I’ve had a call out to their president and vice president. They assured me they aren’t going to step foot in our territory.”
“Are you really going to believe that?” Someone pipes up from the back.
“Not even a chance. I'm not an idiot, but I see no reason to start a war unless they give us one. I plan to keep an eye on them and the second they make a wrong move, that’s when we’ll strike.
Until then, we lay low and pretend everything is normal.
” Porter sits back in his chair and glances around the large room.
“What else is going on?” I ask, knowing he has more to say.
“There are rumors of another club coming to town and sniffing around. I don’t have many details and the ones I have are from civilians, but it’s enough to put me on edge.
I want everyone paying attention even more.
We live in a small town. If you see someone out of the ordinary, take notice of them.
Honestly, make sure they see you watching them.
I don’t want a turf war, especially with people who aren’t from around here.
We don’t need to bring that on the good people we’ve lived alongside of for decades.
This town doesn’t care that we’re a motorcycle club.
The cops turn a blind eye to us because we don’t start problems and we keep clubs that are worse from coming to town.
We need to continue doing that and stay in their good graces or we’re screwed. ”
“What about the guys we work with?” Someone asks.
“They like our arrangement and don’t want to change it. They have our backs if something goes down. We help them move enough product that they don’t want to risk losing us,” Porter says firmly. “They’ve never crossed us and I have no reason to believe they’ll start now.”
“Is there any other business?” I glance at the guys who normally will speak up for the entire club.
“What’s going on with Dixie?”
“Storm’s been dealing with all of that so I’ll let him address this.” Porter motions for me to take over.
“Dixie wanted out. She was planning on running as far away from this place as possible.”
“What the heck?” Dozens of men murmur under their breath.
“Calm down and let me explain. We all know she’s an amazing cook. She wanted more than cooking for all of you. She wanted her own restaurant and she was willing to leave her family behind to get that.”
“Did ya stop her?” One of the old timers growls.
“Of course I did. I talked to Porter and we’re helping her get a place set up. She’s thrilled with the thought of her dreams coming true. I don’t want any of you to give her a hard time. If you want her cooking, go to the café and she’ll happily accept you there.” I meet the gaze of the men.
“And you’re paying. Don’t try to skip out on your check or your neck is mine,” Porter growls.
“Is this safe with the new threats?” Jasper asks.
“I’ll make sure Little Fox is safe,” I respond before I can think better of it. I clench my jaw, trying to make it sound less like she’s mine. “I'm installing an entire security system in the café. I’ll make sure it’s just as safe as the saloon or the body shop.”
“Anything else?” Porter addresses the entire room.
When no one answers, he nods his head. “I’m closing the assembly.
I have some assignments I want to hand out.
I want some of you patrolling the town more than normal.
I want some to do a little more. See me before you head out of the clubhouse tonight so I can tell you what you’re doing and when. ”
As soon as Porter’s finished, chatter erupts around the room.
The guys are fired up about the possibility of another club trying to come into our territory.
It’s common courtesy to communicate with an established club before you ride through their area.
It’s an unspoken rule because no one is stupid enough to do it.
I talk to a few of the guys before I head out and towards my apartment. I just want to hold Dixie in my arms and go to bed. It’s been a long day.