He unlocked the door and flipped the light switch flooding the room with light. “Understandable.” He motioned for her to step inside and locked the door behind him.
“Oh my God, this place is gorgeous.”
Hawk paused and took the room in through her eyes. A handwoven rug covered the floor in front of a black leather couch. The walls were covered with artwork, and statues of their people.
“Do you like Native American art?” he asked.
“I have an appreciation for all cultures, but I do think the Native Americans have so much beauty and grace. Your beliefs and practices are so salt of the earth.” She ducked her head. “I sound like an idiot, don’t I?”
“Not at all. Bikers we may be, but we do follow the old ways. Both my parents actually grew up on a reservation not far from here, but they left young to seek out a better life. The reservations have a lot of issues still.” Hawk shook his head. “We do a lot of fundraising for them and help whenever we can, building houses and fixing things up when it gets dire.”
“People have no clue how much good you guys do,” Ariel said.
“Yeah and I’m okay with keeping it that way. People see the things you care about as a way to get to you in this world.”
Ariel nodded. “Is there a place where I can clean up?”
“Yeah, let me give you a brief tour. It’s not a big place, but it has everything you need.” He led her past the living room into the kitchen.
“I don’t think there’s much in there. But we can grab breakfast out in the morning after we work up an appetite.”
She glanced away, and he chuckled. “Come on.” The
y walked down the small hallway and he showed her the three mid-sized bedrooms, and the laundry room at the very end of the hallway. “There’s a master bath off my parents’ room. But this one, between me and Rayen’s room is for everyone else. You should have everything you need in there and I’ll dig out some of my clothes for you to wear.”
“Oh you’ll love that.”
“What can I say? You look good in my shit.”
She laughed, and he winked. “Go get in the shower. After you’re done I’ll take my turn. ’Cause we both know if we take one together no cleaning will be done.” Her eyes darkened, and he growled. “Get your sexy ass in there before I change my mind.” She hurried off and he watched her, knowing he was in far deeper than he’d ever anticipated being.
Chapter Nine
Ariel walked into the clubhouse behind Hawk and made a beeline for Summer, who was tending bar.
“Hey girl, what’s going on?” Summer said with a smile.
“Living a life of exile and working,” Ariel said.
“I’m sorry. I know lying low has to be frustrating for a woman as independent as you. I mean you have your own place, a successful career. I can’t help envying you.”
“Why?” Ariel frowned. “You could have the same thing.”
Summer snorted. “No, my life’s here. It’s all I know, and even after my debt is paid I don’t have much of anything to go by. My family’s a train-wreck, hence me being here right now.” Summer shook her head. “Big dreams but no brains to back them up.”
“How much longer do you have?” Ariel asked, curious to know more about her new friend.
“However long Pres thinks is necessary. I don’t mind, really. Mayhem guys are better than a lot of the other bikers out there,” Summer said.
“You know this from experience?” Ariel whispered, horrified by the picture her friend’s words were painting.
“Let’s just say this ain’t my first rodeo and leave at that, okay?” Summer straightened up into a standing position.
“Okay. I’ll never push you, but I’m always here if you want to talk,” Ariel said placing a hand on her shoulder.
“Thanks. It’s nice to have friends. You and Fancy make me feel almost at home.” Summer smiled and then glanced up. “I’ll be right back. Duty calls.” She turned around, dug a few beers from the fridge and walked from behind the bar. Ariel watched Summer go, wondering what she hid behind her quick smiles and easy banter.
“Hey girl, how long you here for?”