Chapter 2
CHAPTER TWO
STORM
Once showered and dressed in my pink scrubs, I run down the stairs to find Drix stood waiting, his eyes pinning me as I move. He holds out a helmet. “Put this on. I’m taking you to work,” he orders.
I frown. “No, I’m driving my truck,” I counter.
“There’s been a pile-up on the freeway. You ain’t getting through that traffic in a truck. I will take you in, and Enzo will bring your truck in later,” he states.
I look at the time on my phone. I don’t have time to argue.
“Fine.” I take the helmet and follow him out.
He swings his leg over the bike, starting up the engine while I fasten the claps on my helmet.
Once done, I jump on the back behind him and wrap my arms around his waist. He doesn’t say anything.
This isn’t the first time I’ve ridden on the back of a bike, nor is it the first time I’ve been on the back of Drix’s.
We are a biker family; it would be weird if we had never ridden on the back of their bikes.
I had asked for my own bike, but my dad refused, saying something like, ‘it was stressful enough worrying about boys, let alone me falling off a bike and cracking my head open’.
I gave up asking after a couple of years. Mom still stresses over Enzo now.
The warm summer breeze is calming as the early morning sun rises. I relax into Drix, closing my eyes as the sun warms my skin. Drix places his hand over mine, giving me a gentle squeeze. I grin. He gets it.
Swerving through the traffic, we make it to the hospital with ten minutes to spare. He kills the engine, and I climb off, removing the helmet. Shaking my hair out, sighing happily, I look down at Drix, who is smiling up at me. “What?” I ask, handing the helmet back to him.
“A biker’s daughter, through and through. You think your folks would let you get a bike now?” he asks.
I roll my eyes. “No. I could be a hundred, and they still wouldn’t let me get one.”
He smirks. “Well, maybe I can convince them? I could teach you,” he suggests. “It would make fighting the daily traffic easier.”
I shake my head. “Nah. Why learn when I can just enjoy the ride as a passenger princess?” I wink.
Drix’s eyes spark, his lips curving into a roguish grin. “You know, I’ve been told by a number of satisfied women that I give the best rides.”
I sigh and give him a bored look. “Nice, really classy.” I try to say it with disgust, but I can’t keep back the bubble of laughter.
“Tori.” I turn at the sound of Zeke.
“Why the fuck is he calling you that?” Drix asks.
I ignore him and lean up on my toes to press my mouth to Zeke’s. He gives me a brief kiss before taking a step back, his gaze darting everywhere. “Easy, Tori. We need to make sure we conduct some professionalism.”
I wince. “Sorry.”
I feel Drix at my back. “Er, Hendrix, this is Zeke,” I introduce.
Zeke holds out his hand. “Nice to meet you.”
Drix looks down at Zeke’s hand, then back to his face. “Drix!” I hiss.
He frowns. “You often make her apologise for her wanting to show you affection?”
I sigh and cover my face with my hands. So it begins. “We are in a professional workplace, man. I meant nothing else by it,” Zeke explains.
Hendrix crosses his arms. “Drix!” I hiss. His blue eyes land on mine. “Stop being a dick,” I seethe through gritted teeth.
His jaw set tight, he gives me a slight nod before cupping the back of my head and placing a kiss on my temple. “Enzo will be by later with your truck. Have a great first day,” he says, his eyes never leaving Zeke. I exhale a slow breath before turning to face Zeke, a slight wince in my expression.
“Sorry about Drix, er, I mean Hendrix,” I apologise, looking up at him. Everyone calls him Hendrix, but I’ve always just called him Drix. Mom says it’s because I couldn’t say his name when I was little.
Zeke looks down at me. “He likes you.”
I look over my shoulder as he rides out of the parking lot. “Pfft, we are like family. We’re close. He’s overprotective, but they all are. It’s just how our family dynamic is.” I shrug.
“Hhhm.” He looks at his watch. “Come on, I will walk you up to the unit. I’ve got rounds to get to.” He wraps his arm around my shoulders and guides me inside the hospital.
The morning flew by. Nearly every bed was filled. I was restocking the gloves when Juliette came over and snatched the box off me. “Go take your break now,” she orders sternly.
“I’m okay. I don’t mind missing break today.” I smile.
She glares at me, knowing that Enzo was meeting me and Zeke.
It was after one, and there was a high chance they were both already in there alone.
Shit. “Go now. Get it over with. Like ripping off a band-aid, and when you’ve done this, then you can face the real challenge of telling your parents,” she says with a wicked grin.
“Why do I get the feeling you are enjoying this?” I ask, arching my brow.
“Because I am.” She shrugs, unashamed. “Now go,” she orders.
I huff and follow her orders, pulling my cell out of my pocket.
S: On way. Busy morning.
E: Already here. Please tell me Doctor Zeke isn’t the drip with blonde hair?
Zeke did have dirty blonde hair, but he was anything but a drip. He just has a very caring nature. It’s why he’s a great doctor.
S: Be nice, you promised.
E: I will, but the douche canoe is going to have to man the fuck up for when you introduce him to dad.
S: Yeah. At least Mom will be nice.
I click send as I enter the elevator, tapping my feet in anticipation.
This morning had not gone well with Drix, and I knew Enzo would be worse.
He was my brother. Then there would be the hurdle of him meeting my parents and the rest of the club.
I could feel my palms beginning to sweat at the thought of it.
Closing my eyes, I take a deep breath, calming my nerves.
I roll my neck, closing my eyes. “It will be fine, it will be fine,” I murmur out loud.
I open my eyes to see a staff member staring at me. “Family is meeting my boyfriend,” I blurt out, feeling the need to clarify.
He gives me an understanding smile. “I’m sure it will be fine. It’s not like they’re the Mafia.” He snorts.
“Ha ha ha,” I awkwardly laugh. “No, no, no,” I rush out. “Just bikers.” I mumble the last part.
He looks at me. “The Black Hearts MC?” he asks, his eyes wide.
I wince and nod. “Yep.”
“Well, shit,” he murmurs. I blink in surprise as he shakes his head. “Hope your boyfriend has a massive set of balls,” he states. The door pings and he steps out on to his floor.
“He does, actually! He has a massive pair of balls!” I yell after him, making large cupping motions with my hands. People stare at me as they walk past the elevator, before the door slide close, leaving me alone.
“You’re a strong woman, and you are your mother’s daughter.
Don’t let them ruin this for you. Take control,” I say, giving myself the metal pep talk.
The doors open and I step out, keeping my head held high as I walk into the canteen with determination and purpose.
They will like him, they will accept him, and they will be happy for me.
My steps falter as I see not just Enzo, but Oliver, River, Drix, and Phoenix.
“Fuck,” I mutter to myself.
I walk over to the table and glare at them. “You all need to leave, right the fuck now,” I hiss through gritted teeth.
River takes a bite of his doughnut, a smirk playing across his sugar-coated lips.
“You really think our parents would forgive us if we didn’t vet him properly?
” he asks, licking his fingertips. “You’re moving in with the guy.
We wouldn’t be a good family if we didn’t at least make sure he knows to never cross the line.
” He grins, sugar still coating his lips.
“You know, River, I might take you a little more seriously if you didn’t have sugar coating your lips,” I bite back, folding my arms across my chest.
My gaze snaps to Drix. “You didn’t feel the need to divulge this information this morning when you dropped me off?” I seethe through gritted teeth.
He merely shrugs. “You didn’t ask. If he’s a decent guy, then he won’t have an issue.”
I tilt my head back to the ceiling and close my eyes, calling on every ounce of patience I have not to scream and slap these overbearing morons.
“Storm,” Ollie calls my name, his voice deep and calming.
I open my eyes and look at him. He’s the eldest of all of us; the wise one, the one that surely would talk sense into the rest of them.
He rubs his dark stubbled jaw, his grey eyes soft.
Although I’ve seen when they turn to ice cold.
“We look out for each other, and we protect our family. You want your parents to take the news well about you moving in with Weak.”
“His name is Zeke,” I correct.
He shrugs. “It’s what I said.” I roll my eyes.
“All I’m saying is if we have vetted him, conveyed the message, then it will put your dad’s mind at ease a little.
So let us meet him. We will be fair, pleasant even, but he needs to know to never fuck with our family,” he grounds out, his voice a low warning.
I pinch the bridge of my nose, giving in. “Fine, but if either of you step out of line…” I point at Phoenix.
His jaw drops. “What the hell? Why me?” he asks in disbelief.
“Because you have a way with words,” Hendrix points out.
Phoenix huffs. “Just because I pressed my blade to that guy’s junk for coming on to Ripley.”
“He was her gymnastics coach, and if he hadn’t caught her, she would have probably broken her ankle,” Enzo points out.
“No guy should have hands on an eighteen-year-old like that,” Phoenix counters.
“They were on her waist. Not her ass,” I point out. “And you’re lucky he didn’t press charges.”
Phoenix grins, leaning back in his chair, hooking his hands behind his head, a cocky grin on his face. “I had his dick at knife point. Ain’t no way he would have pressed charges.”
“Tori,” Zeke calls my name with caution. I whirl around and smile.
He comes to stand at my side. I press my hand into his, but he moves his away from mine. My smile falters slightly.
“We are at work,” he mutters quietly. Right. I need to stop doing that. I look at Enzo and Drix, who exchange a look while Olly, River, and Phoenix stare daggers at Zeke.
“Guys,” I warn in a low voice before clearing my throat. “Zeke, this is my brother, Enzo,” I say, pointing to Enzo. I am thankful that Enzo stands, his tall, built frame shadowing Zeke as he holds out his hand to shake.
Zeke places his hand in Enzo’s, a wince creasing at his eyes. “Nice to finally meet you.” Zeke grins.
Enzo smiles back. “So, you want to live with my sister?” Enzo asks, getting straight to it.
“Jesus Christ,” I sigh, covering my face with the palm of my hand.
Zeke removes his hand from Enzo’s with a little more force than what is usually required. “Yes, we will be. The timing is right, and I understand your concerns as her brother, but I assure you, she is in the best hands with me,” Zeke explains.
My heart swells at him not wavering to Enzo’s threatening presence. “We will need more than your word,” Olly adds, not bothering to stand, his grey eyes pinning Zeke to the spot.
Zeke shifts, staring back at Olly. “And you are?” he asks sharply.
I tense. Not the right response, not the right response, I scream internally.
Olly’s lips curve slightly at the edges. “Family. We are all family. So, I suggest you choose carefully how you speak to any of us,” Olly warns.
Zeke doesn’t even flinch. I want to hug him, or high-five him. That is the way to be around my family. Show them no weakness, because the slightest whiff of fear, and they will pounce for the jugular.
“So, you plan on hitting her?” Phoenix asks bluntly.
“Phoenix!” I hiss.
“It’s okay,” Zeke assures me. “No. I would never,” he affirms.
“That’s good, man, because her dad would tear you limb from fucking limb,” River adds, a sadistic grin on his face.
“You have sugar on your lips,” Zeke points out.
“I’m well aware,” River states.
Zeke sighs. “I get it. You are a protective family, and you want to make sure I’m not going to hurt her. I’m not. I am a doctor. Do you know what I would lose if I abused her?” he states.
I smile at first, then frown. I mean, should he not want to hurt me because he loves me? Not because it would risk him losing his job, but I get what he means.
They exchange a look, and all stand, crowding around us, like an animal circling their prey.
Enzo leans in, placing a kiss on my cheek.
“Trucks in the parking lot, see you at dinner tonight,” he states softly before turning his attention to Zeke.
The way he glares at him, the pure murderous look on his face reminds me so much of our dad.
“Dinner tonight at seven,” Enzo invites, although it sounds more like a threat.
“Flowers for Mom, bottle of whisky for Dad,” he adds.
“Thank you, I will be there.” Zeke nods enthusiastically.
Enzo smirks. “Don’t thank me. If I had my way, I’d cut your dick off and make you choke on it, but I will save that for our dad.” He winks before leaving. The others follow, except Drix, who glares at Zeke like he’s a vermin.
“Drix,” I plead.
His vibrant blue gaze cuts to mine, softening slightly. “Catch you later,” he says with a wink before following the others.
Exhaling a breath I hadn’t realised I was holding, I turn to look up at Zeke, noting the way his jaw is set tight, and his gaze is still narrowed on Drix. I lightly touch his arm to get his attention. His eyes soften as they land on mine.
“I know that seemed intense, but I think it actually went better than I thought it would,” I sigh, a small smile dances across my lips.
“The sooner you’re moved in with me, the better,” he states.
He presses his lips to my temple. “I have to get back to work. Come find me after your shift, and I will follow you to your parents,” he adds before leaving.
I stand there for a moment, watching his retreating back.
I nibble on my bottom lip, anxious for this evening.
That interaction clearly upset him, and he isn’t ready for what my parents will be like, or the rest of the club.
There is only one way to get through tonight. Alcohol, and plenty of it.