Smokey (Hell's Bastards MC 2)

“Oh.”

Raven slammed her car trunk down. “You’re not from around here, are you?”

“No.”

“Are you looking for a friend?”

“I … think so.” This seemed like really dangerous territory. “I know you’re club and Smokey has said himself that I’m not part of the club. I get it.”

Raven started to laugh. “And you’re still giving it to him?”

Her cheeks began to heat. “I don’t know how to answer that.” Any way seemed bad.

Raven snorted as she laughed. “Honey, I need to teach you how to talk to these guys. Smokey’s going to walk all over you if you keep being the quaint woman.”

“I’m not looking for trouble.”

Raven shook her head. “It’s no trouble. Do you want people taking the piss out of you?”

“No.” She spoke slowly, not exactly sure how to answer anything with this woman.

“Girl, you need me as a friend. It’s quite pitiful to see this.”

She laughed. “Okay, fine. I’m Ava Sinclaire.”

“Raven.” There was no last name. “How about you come with me and I’ll give you a proper introduction to Abriana and Ugly Beast. My girl will like you. I think she finds my attitude a little too brass. She’s a mafia chick, so she’s still adjusting after all this time to the MC life.”

“I’m not part of the MC life.”

“Not yet, but you’ve kept Smokey’s attention for a week. Now that’s a world record in his book.”

“Oh.” One week. They’d been having sex one day. He’d licked her pussy the other day. It wasn’t even a whole week. This wasn’t good. Was Smokey the kind of guy who moved on when he got bored? What made him bored?

“Do you do that often?” Raven asked.

“What?”

“Look like you’re having a million thoughts at one time.”

“Kind of, yeah. I’ll follow you, okay?”

“Fine by me.”

Raven climbed into the driver’s side and Ava got into her own car. After turning over the ignition, she stared straight ahead as she pulled out, following behind Raven. The other woman seemed nice. A little talkative, which she liked. She also loved Raven’s attitude.

Ava didn’t pay attention to her surroundings, just focused on the car in front. She pulled in behind Raven and was thankful she hadn’t purchased any items for the fridge or freezer. She grabbed her bag, slinging it over her shoulder as she rushed to help Raven unload the car.

The door to the house opened, and seconds later, they were joined by a very large, heavily inked, scarred man who took Ava’s breath away. He wasn’t ugly in the slightest, but the scars told a story.

Her mother had always taught her to not stare. To see past people’s imperfections and to want to get to know the person within. She offered Ugly Beast a smile.

“Who the fuck are you?” he asked.

“We’ve talked about this, Ugly,” Abriana said, coming out of the house with a baby on her hip.

“I don’t know who she is.”

“I’m Ava,” she said, holding her hand out.

“Who the fuck is she, Raven? Another stray?”

“Don’t start. I don’t pick up strays. You’re just pissed that I know someone you don’t.” Raven growled at him. An actual growl. “This is Smokey’s piece.”

Ugly Beast turned his gaze on her, and she tensed up. He looked her up and down.

“Ugly, don’t,” Abriana said. “They’re all very protective of their president.”

“I can see that.” She offered Ugly Beast another smile, but he didn’t return one.

After a few seconds, he clearly decided she wasn’t worth his time as he grabbed the bags of groceries from Raven’s car, turned on his heel, and left.

“Don’t mind him. He’s an asshole.”

“I can hear that.”

“It’s nice of you to stop by, Ava. You want a drink?” Abriana asked.

Ava was captivated by the young girl in her arms.

“She’s so cute, isn’t she? She’s my daughter. Little Bella. Say hi.” The baby didn’t say anything, but Ava was smitten.

“She’s adorable.”

“Do you not have kids?”

“No, I don’t.” She’d wanted them, but again another control Derek had over her. “I don’t want to intrude. I don’t think your husband likes me very much.”

“Don’t take it personally. Ugly asshole doesn’t like anyone,” Raven said.

Abriana chuckled. “Don’t mind him. He has a hard time trusting people.”

“I have a hard time because most people can’t be trusted,” Ugly Beast said, coming up behind Abriana.

“And you’ve already decided I’m not trustworthy?”

“I don’t know you.”

“I don’t know you either, but I’m not judging you. I’d rather not impose. It was nice to see you, Raven.”

“Don’t be a dick, Ugly. She helped me decipher your handwriting. When are you going to grow up and start acting like an actual adult?” Raven asked.

“Fuck off. Don’t you have someone else to go and bug?”

“Nope. It’s my night with my best buddy.” Raven slung her arm across Abriana’s shoulders, reaching over to little Bella and tickling her feet.

Once again, Ava knew she didn’t belong. “Have a wonderful night,” she said. She was the person who hadn’t been around. She didn’t blame them for not wanting her to be part of their group.