Wheels of Fire
I hook a finger in one of his belt loops and tug him forward. “That wasn’t alcohol. That was my stone-cold sexy fiancé who got me all hot and bothered.”
Instead of laughing, he brushes his knuckles over my cheek. “I hope when we’re in our nineties, I still inspire you that much.”
“I’m sure you will.” I kiss the back of his hand. “I doubt you’ll still be able to hold me up like that, but we’ll have fun trying.”
He finally chuckles, lifting whatever heaviness settled over him for a moment. “I’ll prove you wrong on that one.”
“I look forward to it.”
“Better get some rest,” he says. “Sounds like we have a big day tomorrow.”
Chapter Twenty-Two
Chaser
Maybe I should’ve nixed this watching Bishop’s daughter thing last night. Because watching Mallory get so excited about a few days of babysitting gives me a bunch of ideas I didn’t expect to have for another couple of years.
“It’s only a night or two,” I remind her when she starts talking about tearing apart my old bedroom. “I think she’ll be fine on the daybed in the guest room.”
“Okay.”
The kitchen’s stocked with enough food to feed ten kids, and Barbies, My Little Ponies, and all sorts of girl shit the likes of which this house has never seen have landed in the living room.
“What if she doesn’t like Barbie?” I tease.
“What little girl doesn’t like Barbie?”
Probably should’ve kept my mouth shut. Now she’s frowning at the dolls. “No time to go back to the store,” I warn her.
I have a few errands to run with my dad, so Mallory’s picking up Trinity at the clubhouse and I’ll meet up with them.
“Sorry,” she bites her lip, “I know this isn’t how you wanted to spend your time off.”
“It’s a couple days max. Like I said, a favor for Bishop is good for my club.”
“Are things really that bad between the two clubs?”
I hook my thumbs in my pockets and consider how to answer her question. Bikers I’ve known usually do one of two things with their ol’ ladies. Enough disclosure to keep them safe or no disclosure at all. Anything in between just causes trouble. “Our territories are close, so we butt heads from time to time. Slights that get blown out of proportion. Issues lots of clubs get twisted up about. Dad’s more concerned with some of their business activities.”
“Do I want to know?”
“They run a much rougher club.” I run my hand over my scruffy chin. “Don’t show respect to females. Ol’ ladies or not.”
Sadness clouds her eyes and her bottom lip pushes out. “And that’s the kind of club Trinity’s being raised around.”
I blow out a breath and run my hand over the back of my neck. “Not sure how much time her mother spends around their clubhouse.” No, she’s too busy whoring at our clubhouse. Something that’s definitely gonna bring hellfire down on us one of these days. “And you’ve met Bishop. No one’s gonna mess with his baby girl.”
That seems to satisfy her. At least for now.
“You’ve been around my club enough now to know you’re safe there, right?”
“Yes.”
“Good.” I lean in and kiss her cheek. “Clubhouse will still be in rough shape. Might want to meet Bishop outside. Just let Mouse or Tally know you’re there so they can wait with you.” I might not dislike Bishop as much as the rest of his club. Doesn’t mean I want him alone with my woman. “I’ll be there as soon as I can.”
Mallory
Chaser teased me all morning about preparing the house for our little visitor. But I can’t help it. I’m an only child. I don’t have little nieces and nephews to spoil. And I don’t want any of my own kids for at least another couple years.
The clubhouse is in a sorry state after last night’s celebration. Hungover, half-naked couples entwined on every available surface, including the pool table and top of the bar. Chaser wasn’t kidding about meeting Bishop outside. Looks like a couple members of the visiting club stayed over last night. I hope that’s a sign they’re getting along. None of what Chaser told me about the other club sounded good.
Thankfully, Tally’s in the kitchen with Alicia, so I don’t have to search the clubhouse for his room. Unsure of how much club stuff Alicia might know, I explain the situation without too many details.
“No problem,” Tally says. “Want to walk out now?”
“Sure.”
A few bodies have stirred while I was in the kitchen. Tally takes in the scene with a smirk on his face.
“I feel like I should help clean up or something since it was our engagement party.”
“It’ll get taken care of,” he assures me.
Outside, we stand by my car waiting for Bishop to arrive. Chaser ends up there first.
“That was fast.”
He leans down to kiss my cheek. “Quick and easy.”
Stump joins us and gives me a brief, affectionate hug. “How’s it going, princess?”
“Not too bad.”
He settles his gaze on Alicia. “I remember you.” He smirks at Tally. “Senior prom. Stopped by here for some photos.”
Tally exhales a long breath. “Good memory, Prez.”
“Always remember a pretty face. What’re you doing back here? You datin’ my treasurer again?”
Poor Alicia. I don’t think she expected to be interrogated this morning. “I, uh…” Her gaze darts from Tally, to Chaser, to me, and back to Tally. “We’re hanging out while I’m home on break.”
“Didn’t meet anyone at college?” Stump grins. “Getting back together with your high school sweetie?”
A corner of Tally’s mouth lifts. “You done, old man?”
The slightly less respectful tone he uses seems to be a warning. Chaser crosses his arms over his chest and leans on my car. “Knock it off, Dad. Alicia doesn’t know you’re teasing her.”
“Nah, Prez enjoys fucking with us.” Tally’s gaze shifts to Chaser. “Sticking his nose in our personal lives.”
Chaser chokes on a laugh.
“Disrespectful little shit,” Stump grumbles. He pats me on the back and ambles into the clubhouse.
“Did I pass the test?” Alicia asks.
“You’re fine, hon,” Chaser says.
“Well, I have to go.” She leans up and kisses Tally’s cheek, but he grasps her hand and walks her to her car.
“Where’s that going?” Chaser asks after she leaves and Tally returns.
“Where’s what going?”
“She’s going back to school, right?”
“What is this?” Tally rolls his shoulders. “Ambush and interrogation from the Adams family today?”
I squeeze my eyes shut and try not to laugh.
“Just lookin’ out for my brother.”
“Haven’t stopped thinking about her since she left.
Why keep fucking around when I already know what I want?”
I reach over and rub Tally’s shoulder. “That’s sweet.”
“How do you know she’s not at school datin’ frat boys and livin’ it up?”
A muscle in Tally’s jaw twitches. “She got that out of her system freshman year. But thanks for asking.”
“She plannin’ to move back after college?” Chaser asks.
I can’t figure out if he really wants to know, if he’s messing with Tally for kicks, or he’s just passing time until Bishop arrives.
“Don’t know yet.” He cocks his head. “You done now?”
“Yeah, just fucking with you, brother. Glad it’s working out.”
Before Tally can respond, a black pickup bounces down the driveway.
“That’s Bishop.” Chaser lifts his chin and pushes away from my car.
“Have fun with that.” Tally waves at us and heads into the clubhouse.
“Why were you grilling him like that?”
He watches Bishop back in next to our car. “Just looking out for a brother,” he answers without looking at me.
Like last time, Trinity’s shy at first. Bishop pulls her out of the truck. She wraps her arms around his neck and presses her little face against his shoulder. He murmurs soft words to her that I can’t quite catch while he carries her over.
“Thanks again, Mallory.” He extends his hand to Chaser. “Appreciate it.”
“Trinny, you gonna say hi to Mallory?” Bishop asks.
She picks her head up at his gruff tone and twists to see me. A flicker of a smile passes her lips. “Hi, Mal-o-wee.”
My ovaries perform a little tap dance. “Hi, honey. I’ve got all sort of stuff for you to play with at our house.”
She casts a dubious glance at the clubhouse. “Not stayin’ here?”
“Nope,” Chaser says.
“O-tay.” She wriggles until her father sets her down.
Chaser crouches down to eye level with her and tilts his head toward her dad’s truck. “When you gonna be big enough to ride on the back of your dad’s bike, squirt?”
She giggles and peers up at her dad.