NINE
Throttle
“Fuck me.” Viewing my Harley in such disarray makes me ill.
“Oh, come on, man,” Tank reassures me. "It's not that bad." His positivity can't hide the fact that she looks terrible.
In devastation, I hold my aching rib and stare. I saved for one. My dream motorcycle. She was it. When I walked into the shop, I saw her. It felt as if I were laying eyes on Tequila for the first time. I customized the details of the way I wanted it down to the matte black and stripe of orange to represent my dirt bike.
Fucking assholes.
“The one side is completely bashed in. Paint’s ruined. Handlebars are bent,” I tell him.
With a pause, Tank scratches his beard while deep in thought. “Yeah, okay, so it’s not in the greatest shape. But we’ll chip in to make sure it gets fixed. Don’t worry, brother.”
“Thanks, man.” The appreciation for my brothers is infinite.
I am skilled at fixing motorcycles on my own. Hell, I work here at the shop when I’m not at the races or handling club business.
When the Steel Valley Chains started, Chain opened this place. Those he employed poured their heart and soul into their job. I’ve seen bikes come in at their worst, most non repairable, but they almost always leave here as good as new. When it's mine, it's a worse experience.
“Hey Hush!” Tank cups his mouth, yelling to the back, where the painting station is, and Hush walks out, lifting his mask. “You able to give Throttle’s girl here a nice paint job after we fix her?”
He observes my ride that is in ruins. “It won't be factory perfect, but I can get it close.”
“See? We will handle everything. Don’t sweat it.”
Hush has painted here for years. We had no clue he had such a secret talent hidden. And if he says he can do it, then I trust him.
I nod. “I appreciate it.”
“Go relax and call your girl. Have her take care of those wounds of yours.” Tank’s idea would be his best yet if I hadn’t put Tequila through enough worry. And not to mention…
“She’s not my girl.”
While grabbing a rear fender, Tank bursts into laughter. “The fact you didn’t ask who says it all. Call her.”
Who was I fooling? Tequila will always be mine.
I was planning to text her, but as I pass Tank's gym, she’s in Angel's class, performing a seductive kick move while wearing tight leggings. Tequila’s sleek, fast, and precise. Good. I want her to defend herself. My teeth grind at the thought of her having to.
I give her space and instead meet with Chain to update him on the specific events that took place. Since I was being treated with IV fluids and wrapped in gauze, I haven't talked to him.
I'm at the President's door, ready to knock. The number one rule of his . “I don't want any of you perverts watching my woman while I have her bent over my desk. Nor do I have any desire of my dick being on display either ,” he told us.
Reclining in his chair, he folds his arms over his enormous chest after I receive the command to sit. “How you feelin’, kid?”
“Like someone dragged me across the highway.”
“Makes sense. Sorry you had to go through that. You get a good look at our guy, yeah?”
“I did, right before he shot up my fucking tire. Never seen him before, though.”
“And you and the prospect didn’t notice any bikes. What about MC cuts on the drivers?”
I shake my head. “No. It wasn’t a club involved this time. At least I didn’t see any signs of there being one.”
The reason for Pipe's men being there remains unanswered. Who or what alerted those goons last night? To avoid the never-ending danger, I wish Tequila would get as far away from us as possible.
“Never a dull moment.” Chain rakes a meaty hand over his jaw. “Because of the near-death experience you both had, I'm removing everyone from this dangerous shit. From now on, we'll rely on the heat to handle it.”
I jolt forward. “Boss, no offense, but we’re both aware the cops will take their good ole time on this. Fuck. You know some are even in on it. And we can’t afford any more wasted seconds. Nobody knows who or what is inside that warehouse.”
“I’m with you, son, and I don't want to see it happen. But I won't allow any harm to come to my guys again. I mean it, boy. Stay the hell away from that building.”
“Didn’t stop you from sending Angel into the Skulls, did it? That too was not a safe situation for her.”
His left eye twitches. “And I wish I had done that differently every damn day. Learned my lesson on what chances to take.” The sorrow written over his face makes me regret bringing it up. That mistake haunts our President daily. Assigning one of ours to work inside with the enemy.
“I’m sorry. I—”
“Go. Get out. Look after those wounds.”
I leave, but I'm not interested in relaxation. I want something to distract me.
Tequila
I’m sure I've destroyed every muscle in my body during Angel's class, but it’s incredible. The adrenaline. The sweat. The power. It's an unexpected high that I now realize is crucial. This is becoming a habit I crave.
A notification causes my phone to vibrate.
Unknown: Hey, gorgeous.
Unknown: It’s Caleb. Sorry it took so long to text. I finally mustered the courage to. I had a well-prepared speech ready to go. Clearly, I'm not making use of it from my foolish rambling.
I chuckle. I was convinced that he had forgotten about me.
Angel forcefully closes her locker, jolting me back to reality. “Venom’s got club business. Which means you should hang out with me, please. I need girl time.”
I hesitate as I stare at my phone, unsure if I should respond. Should be easy. Reply to the attractive man.
“Who’s that?” She gives me a gentle push, peering at what's on my screen.
“Caleb.”
“Hot guy from the bar, Caleb? Hell yes. Are you going to answer or leave him sitting on read?”
“I don’t know.” I shrug.
“You should.”
I place my phone inside my bag. “Maybe later. I want to see how Throttle is doing. Rain check on girl’s time?”
She wears a disappointed smile. “Sure thing.”
I intend to respond to him. Just not now. Besides, I don't feel like looking too eager and desperate.
I exit the gym, pulling up my hoodie and readjusting my fallen ponytail.
Tank leaves the shop, and I quickly survey the surroundings, hoping to spot my injured best friend.
“Hey. Have you seen Throttle?”
“Yeah, your dumbass boy loaded up his dirt bike. Went to the track.”
“Of course he did.” How does he expect to heal? He forgets he isn't invincible. So stubborn.
“I realize now I should have stopped him, but he would have told me to shove it.”
I wave goodbye to Tank and make my way to the single motocross circuit that Throttle frequents for practice. My stomach drops when I see him doing laps. What if he falls? What if his injuries are worse than he’s making them not to be?
With my hands tucked inside my hoodie pockets, I walk toward him, my boots sinking into the mud.
It’s only the two of us. The air carries the scent of fallen leaves and a refreshing cool breeze.
Despite my concerns, I still smile.
As he does a front wheelie on his bike, I let out a curse.
Showoff.
He behaves exactly like a kid. Full of energy. Nothing will bring him to a fall. That's why my feelings toward him are the way they are. The reason my heart beats uncontrollably around him. I hope to be by his side constantly. It's intriguing how someone can possess such lethal abilities and yet be gentle and kind. The combination makes my body hum.
Once he sees me, he rides over and removes his helmet. My God. It looks like a scene straight from a movie. His hair effortlessly falls in the right places, showcasing his sharp features. His jawline so perfectly defined. The intensity in those brown eyes.
He greets me using the name I cherish. "Hey, my little rose."
I fold my arms across my chest. “The doctor said you need to rest. Take it easy. You’re doing a shit job of listening to him.”
He smirks. “Yeah, well, resting isn’t my thing.” He holds his helmet out for me to grab.
“What’s that for?”
“I want to teach you how to ride.”
I let out a laugh. “You've mistaken me for the other Tequila who excels at such things. I have no coordination skills whatsoever.” It’s true. Took me forever to ride my bicycle without training wheels as a kid. While my dad was patient with me, I can recall him saying, “ Hazel , it's alright if you never learn.” I finally mastered it. Next, I collided with a ditch, resulting in a deep gash on my knee that required stitches. Yeah, I haven't ridden a bicycle since then. Was also picked last in gym class. Very sad. I couldn't blame the other kids because I was terrible at volleyball, kickball, and softball. Anything requiring athleticism.
“Nothing good can come from this.” My attempt at convincing him was failing, as he jiggles the helmet at me.
“We’ll take it nice and slow. You have my word.” His sultry stare was setting my body on fire. “Do you trust me?” He holds out his hand and I pause, but only for a second, before I accept it and he pulls me to him as I straddle the front of his KTM.
“This isn’t the soft magic carpet I had envisioned, Aladdin .”
“Who’s Aladdin ?”
“Please tell me you’re joking.”
His dimple flashes on one side. “I am. Even with my fucked-up childhood, I got to watch Disney movies.”
Throttle's upbringing wasn't the best. He never talks about it, but he was eager to get out.
He tugs at my waist, causing my back to collide with his firm chest. My ass pressing between his thighs.
Focus.
He stretches his tattooed arms around me, trapping me in his embrace. “There's a kick starter on the right side. That’s how you turn it on.”
I fix my eyes on it, and he aids me in starting it. Honestly, I had no idea what I was doing.
“Here…” He taps the metal. “This is the clutch.” Moving his hand over mine, he guides me to where it is. “You pull in, then push down on the shifter. Over here.” He pats my left leg, sending bolts of tingles up my thighs. To ignore it, I follow his instructions. “Then slowly give it a little gas and release the clutch. Got it?” His warm breath envelops me, causing a complete loss of brain function. In one quick motion, I accidentally disengage a tad too fast, and we go soaring.
“Slow! Slow!”
I react with fear, closing my eyes, as if it's a sensible decision. Throttle saves us by stopping his bike and laughing. I can’t believe he’s laughing.
“I’m glad you find this amusing. When I said I was uncoordinated, I was not kidding.”
I glance back, captivated by his charming smile, which reaches from ear to ear.
“You’re right. From now on, I'll listen to you. We should start at a slower pace next time.” His arms wrap tighter around me. “But wasn’t that fun?” he whispers.
Fun? I could imagine many other things that are fun. Shopping. Coffee. Reading. Sitting here with Throttle’s body pressed to mine. Those are my ideas of a good time.
I stay locked in his hold, spinning to face him. “You’re a jerk. You know that?” Staring into his eyes, I go weak. If he didn't keep me steady, I would probably collapse off his bike.
“You smell nice.” His nose brushes my cheek.
I gulp as his warm breath lightly caresses my skin.
This might sound insane, but it’s possible Throttle was flirting with me. He has complimented my pleasant fragrance before, but never with a such intense gaze. Embracing me with such gentleness.
As his jaw muscles move, he watches my mouth. “Come on. Let’s get out of here.” He lets me go and I’m suddenly not so warm anymore.
His arms are castles, and their absence leaves me empty.