Chapter 4 Torque
I’m fucking in love with this woman. She’s gorgeous, sweet, makes the perfect hot cocoa, and her cookies are better than any I’ve had since childhood. I don’t want to leave.
It’s just my luck that I get a text from Storm. When I check the message, I frown. It’s not typical to order us to church on a Saturday evening. Something must have happened with Hangman.
Shit. We don’t need another headache with the Crimson Heretics. I’m hoping this doesn’t mean we have to remind them this is our territory. Summit Hill belongs to the Vipers.
When I say goodbye to Noelle, I can’t resist kissing her.
She feels so fucking right in my arms. I can’t fight the urge to deepen the kiss, tasting hot cocoa as I explore her mouth.
By the time I release her, she looks dazed.
Her pretty green eyes have darkened, and they’re hooded as her flushed cheeks prove her arousal.
Fuck yeah.
This won’t be the last time I see her or taste that pretty mouth.
I head outside, noting that her sidewalk and driveway need to be shoveled. I’ll come back for that with some ice, so it isn’t slippery for her or Ainsley. It’ll have to wait until after church.
Now that I have Noelle’s number, I can give it to our tech expert, Blaze.
He’s a fucking genius when it comes to hacking or forging documents.
He can spot a fake faster than anyone I’ve ever met, but he’s detail-oriented.
The type of guy who’s so good at what he does that he’s left on his own most of the time.
Storm doesn’t worry about Blaze. He’s loyal as fuck.
Plus, Blaze, or Gage as his family knows him, is obsessed with his stepsister.
That’s a whole other set of concerns I stay out of since Storm is the president.
Of course, Blaze and his stepsister only became siblings a few years ago when his dad married her mom, so technically, it’s not really that taboo.
None of that matters since I only want him for one reason: to put a tracker on Noelle’s phone.
Yeah, I’m a dick and a stalker. It’s for her safety.
My connections to the club and being a member of the most notorious biker club in the Midwest mean I have enemies.
I need to be able to find her or know where she is at all times.
Will I tell her? Not fucking yet. Probably not until she’s already in love with me.
I climb in my truck and start it up, backing down the driveway and heading to the Grid Iron.
The club owns the bar and clubhouse. Same with the land it sits on.
Storm bought the properties around us over the years until we spread across 50 acres.
Our property has a lake spanning nearly 25 acres.
Forest borders three sides since we’re on the outskirts of town.
Our businesses, which are numerous, are primarily located in town. The auto shop, strip club, towing company, construction office, and tattoo parlor are all centrally located. The strip club, Show-N-Tail, is at the far east end, and it’s the only place we employ extra security.
As I park my truck, I see that most of my club brothers are already inside. Storm hates waiting, so I rush inside, closing the door behind me before I take a seat.
Bear smirks as he looks my way.
Smoke, the asshole, is grinning as he sees me. “Surprised we could pull you away.”
I flash my middle finger as he chuckles.
Storm lifts the gavel and slams it down. The time to fuck around is over. Church is a place where we make decisions, discuss business, and share our lives. It’s sacred.
Our club colors hang on the wall behind Storm. He’s been a hell of a leader, and we thrive because he’s ruthless, but also fair. Rules are enforced. Our president is the first to take the shirt off his back if a brother needs help, though. That means a lot to all of us.
“I heard from Hangman,” Storm announces. “He didn’t make it because he’s in the fucking hospital.”
I’m not the only one who’s surprised as I glance around the table. “What happened?”
“One of Murder’s followers shot him outside his ex-wife’s place. He stopped by to see his kid.”
Fuck.
Bear leans forward and places his elbows on the wooden table surface. “Does he know who did it?”
Storm shakes his head. “Wore baggy clothes and a ski mask. He didn’t stick around afterward, and Hangman lost consciousness. Woke up in a hospital bed, pissed, and noticed the time. He called me right away.”
Well, that’s something. It shows respect for Storm and our club.
“How’s he handling it?” Bear asks, his brows drawn together with concern. “This affects us.”
“It does,” Storm agrees. “He thinks a few of his guys are still loyal to Murder, and he’s got some cleaning to do.”
I snort. Cleaning. That word has a different meaning among bikers.
“What do you want from me?” Blaze asks as he bites off the end of a stick of red licorice. “I can do a little digging,” he offers.
“Do it. I want to know which members ran with Murder and stayed with the heretics after his death. Those are the guys to watch.”
“Done, Pres.”
“As for the rest of you,” Storm growls, “Stay sharp. Notice anything suspicious, and I want to know right away.” He ticks his chin at Bullseye. “Make sure the bouncers at the strip club step up security.”
Bullseye nods. “I’ll get right on it, Pres.”
“Smoke, I want you, Heathen, and Cash to swing by the Heretics clubhouse. See how they’re handling their president in the hospital.”
Smoke sits back and drops his hands. “Easy, Pres. We’ll go as soon as it’s dark.”
“Torque?”
“Yeah, Pres?”
“Visit a few of the local bars with Zoo. See what you can pick up. The bartender at the Smoky Row has loose lips if you slip him cash.”
“I’ll wait until later, Pres.” He knows it’s more likely I’ll hear something useful once everyone has had more to drink. Until then, I’ll swing by Noelle’s and put down salt.
Storm slams the gavel down as we leave the chapel, each of us with assignments before we check back in.
When I exit the Grid Iron, I almost shiver.
The snow has stopped, but it’s cold as fuck out.
The temperature is only nine degrees, and the wind is fucking brutal.
It’s gonna suck balls to shovel a driveway right now, but I’m committed to impressing and taking care of Noelle.
She’s worth it.
ONCE I PARK MY TRUCK by the curb in front of Noelle’s house, I slip on my gloves, zip up my jacket, and pull a stocking hat over my head.
I don’t own a scarf, but I’ve got a bandana.
I tie it around my neck and tuck it into the collar of my leather jacket.
I’ve worn three layers, and it’s the best I can do.
As soon as I step outside, the wind hits, and I curse.
“Fuck,” I mumble, reaching into the back of my truck, under the tarp to pick up my shovel. When I step away, I see a guy standing in the yard next door. It’s getting dark, so it’s hard to see his features. I know he’s not another biker. He’s not wearing a cut, and he doesn’t move in my direction.
“Who the hell are you?” he shouts, stomping toward the fence. “This is private property. Both yards.”
He sounds older and gruff, like he’s pissed I’m breathing and shoveling snow for someone else. I ignore him because I’ve got shit to do. Whoever he is, he can fuck off right now. I’m not here for the neighbor.
I’m working up a sweat as I clear the driveway when I see the guy head my way. He’s got a bulging gut, snow boots, and his hat is askew. He looks irritated. I can see his red face as he approaches.
“Christ,” I mutter as I dump snow from the shovel into the grass.
“Hey!”
I keep working, starting on the path that leads up to Noelle’s front door. “Yeah?” I answer and try to keep calm because I don’t want to beat some guy’s ass tonight.
“Why are you in Noelle’s yard?”
He’s awfully fucking demanding for a dude that’s huffing and puffing in the cold because he’s overweight and should be inside where it’s warm.
“Helping out a friend,” I say and keep shoveling, clearing the way toward her door, where I intend to knock and visit once I’m done. She needs to know it’s taken care of, and maybe I’ll get rewarded with another cup of hot cocoa. I won’t turn it down.
“We have regulations for this sort of thing. She can’t hire anyone outside of our approved contact list.”
I toss the shovel and turn to the guy, who takes a step back. “Listen up. I’m here for free. She’s a single woman in need of help. You can kindly go fuck off and let me finish.”
He sputters, unable to form a reply before stomping off toward his house again.
Thank fuck for that.
I pick up the shovel and work on the last few feet of snow blocking the path. I’ll add salt before I knock on Noelle’s door and let her know her neighbor is a jackass.
He gains courage from his front porch. “The board will hear about this!” It’s barely spoken before he rushes inside.
I shake my head and take my shovel back to my truck. It only takes a few minutes to lay down salt and toss the empty container in her trash bin. I’m stepping up to her porch when her door cracks open.
Noelle’s eyes widen. “Torque.” She glances at the yard and driveway. “Oh, wow. Thank you.”
“My pleasure.”
She steps back and pushes the door wide. “Get in here. It’s freezing.”
“I appreciate it.” I close the door behind me and stomp the snow from my boots on her welcome mat. I don’t want to track wet shoes through her hardwood floors. The place is clean and looks like a photo straight out of a decorating magazine. It’s almost too pretty to live in.
“Don’t worry about your boots. I can mop up any mess you make.”
That’s kind. “No. I can take them off. My toes are wet anyhow.” My feet need to dry before I put my boots back on.
“Alright. Let me make you a cup of hot cocoa, and then I’ll set your boots over the vent. The hot air will dry them up quickly.”
She’s right. I walk into the living room and take a seat by her fireplace. I’m fucking cold and step close, lifting my hands to the heat generated by the flames. It’s real, not a fake one, so the warmth permeates the room and adds a touch of ambience with the flickering firelight.
She’s not yet turned her lights on. There are only the twinkling white bulbs strung up around the perimeter of her house, her tree with colorful lights, and the fireplace.
It’s cozy and reminds me of my childhood before my mother got breast cancer and left me, my brothers, and my father alone.
Christmases were never the same after her passing.
“You’re deep in thought,” Noelle observes as she joins me, handing me a big mug of cocoa. The ceramic heat warms my chilled fingers, and I lift the edge to my lips, taking a hearty drink. It almost burns going down, but the heat is welcome. “This is just what I need.”
She sits on her sofa, curling her feet beneath her before she sips from her mug. “I can’t thank you enough for clearing the snow and putting down salt. You’re handy to have around, Torque.”
“You have no idea, babe.” I grin when I see her cheeks grow pink. “I can’t stay long. I’ve got an errand for Storm.”
“The president, right? I saw his leather vest.”
“It’s called a cut. And yeah, he’s the guy in charge of all of us. A shit job if you ask me,” I joke.
“What’s it like? Being a biker?”
I’ve been expecting her to ask. “Busy. The best brotherhood you’ll find. The men in my club are closer than family. I trust them with my life.”
Noelle tilts her head to the side, giving me a long, intense stare before replying. “And the outlaw part?”
“Someday, baby, when you’re ready, we’ll get into that conversation.” I’m not avoiding it. I just don’t think she really wants to know. Not yet. I’m right when she doesn’t press for more.
I finish my cocoa and stretch my legs out, finally relaxing now that I’m warm. “C’mere, beautiful.”
She sets down her mug and scoots closer, a bit shy.
I slide my arm around her shoulders and draw her close. After dropping a kiss on her forehead, I lay my head back. “Not gonna lie, I’m tired. Would you mind if I shut my eyes for half an hour?”
“Not at all. Want me to set an alarm?”
How adorable. “Yeah, babe. Stay close.”
“I will.”