Banger's Ride: Insurgents Motorcycle Club (Insurgents MC Romance Book 5) (7 page)

“I’m sorry, Mr. Campbell. I’m not able to meet with you this afternoon because I have to work. I can’t skip my job. I’m available tomorrow morning, if that works okay with your schedule.”

“Does nine thirty tomorrow morning work for you, Mrs. Dermot?”

“Yes, that’ll be fine. I’ll see you then.”

“Thank you, Mrs. Dermot. Goodbye.”

Belle hung up the phone then rubbed her temples. That one phone call had dashed any glimmer of hope of them having a happy family. The last thing she wanted to deal with right then was all that. She decided she’d talk to Emily after she went to the meeting with the principal the following morning; she didn’t want to rock the boat and have Emily storm out, because then Ethan would be all alone that night. She didn’t have a backup plan for anyone to stay with Ethan, so she’d pretend like everything was okay between her and her daughter until after the school meeting.

As she finished her last touches of makeup before heading to work, she wished her life was easier and not such a roller coaster ride. Under her breath, she cursed Harold for spending all their money and leaving her and the kids with nothing. The way she felt right then, all she could think about was how life sucked big time. With a frustrated sigh, she grabbed her tote and car keys, locking the door as she headed to her job.

When Belle arrived at Ruthie’s, every booth, table, and stool was occupied. She was happy when she saw how busy the diner was, because then she wouldn’t have to think about her daughter and all the problems that came with it.

At around seven thirty that evening, she heard the low rumble of a motorcycle. Thinking it may be Scorpion again, her heart sank and her stomach twisted in knots. She knew she couldn’t deal with him right then. When the door opened, she couldn’t help but look through the pass-through window, the heaviness of her heart disappearing when she saw Banger’s imposing figure enter the diner. Her insides tingled when she saw his strong, broad shoulders as he slipped out of his leather jacket. His eyes went directly to hers, and she felt a strong pull to him—a connection. She’d never felt anything like it before. The intensity of it thrilled and frightened her at the same time.

Belle turned away and busied herself with stirring several pots on the big gas burners. About twenty minutes later, she went over to Banger’s table to say hello. When she approached, she saw his eyes slide up and down her body. Crimson streaked her cheeks, and a sweet sensation pulled between her legs.

“How are you? I haven’t seen you in a few days. I was hoping you’d stop by tonight,” Belle said softly.

“Were you?” Banger’s eyes lingered on her mouth. “I’m doing okay. What about you?”

Belle sighed and tucked the stray hairs behind her ears. “I could be better. Just having a rough time with my daughter right now.”

“Yeah, I know how it can be. Raising a teenage daughter on your own is a real challenge. I’ve raised Kylie single-handedly since my wife died, and I gotta say, we had some trying times.”

“I just don’t know what to do with Emily. I wish I could be at home and spend more time with her and Ethan, but I have to work. Most of the time, I have to pick up overtime to make ends meet. It’s just the way it is. I just wish she understood what I’m doing to keep our family together.”

Banger reached over and held her hand, squeezing it lightly. “When they’re young like that and going through whatever teenagers go through, they never understand. Give it some time. When she gets older, she’ll know what you did for her and her brother, and she’ll love you even more for it.”

“I hope so.” Belle gently stroked Banger’s cheek. “Thanks for listening. I needed to unload. I gotta get back. My break’s over.”

Banger nodded. “Best damn pot roast I’ve had in a long time.” He winked at her.

Smiling, she said, “Glad you like it. I love cooking for people who really enjoy what I make. It just seems like every time I see you, you make me feel better.”

With that, Belle went back to the kitchen, pulling out vegetables from the refrigerator and chopping them to prepare for the next morning.

After she was finished, she bent over to pull out a sack of potatoes from the cupboard when she heard a low whistle. She jerked up and spun around, her eyes falling on Banger, who was leaning against the doorway, his hungry gaze slowly riding up her body. “That’s what I like. A beautiful woman with curves I can hold onto.”

Belle blushed as she pulled her dress down then crossed her arms over her chest. She wasn’t used to male attention. Scorpion gave her attention in a creepy way, but with Banger, it was different. It didn’t make her feel uncomfortable. His attention made her stomach flutter and her core tingle.

“I don’t think you’re supposed to be back here,” she said.

“What I should and shouldn’t do has never stopped me.” His deep laugh skimmed over her, leaving goose bumps in its wake. “I just came by to say that I’m taking off. I gotta go back to the club. I want to see you again. When’s your day off? I’d love to take you out to dinner and spend some time with you.”

“I’m off on Friday, but already have plans with Holly.”

“What’s your next day off?”

She smiled. “Sunday, but I’ll be busy with my kids. It’s just really hard right now for me to make any plans outside of my family and my really good friend. I’m sorry, I wish I could offer more. The timing just isn’t right, I guess.”

Banger narrowed his eyes. “I gotta go. Later.” He turned around and walked away. When he left the diner, he didn’t give a backward glance.

Belle felt a terrible ache in the pit of her stomach.
Why did I just turn him down?
She wanted to be with him, but she was terrified of being hurt by another man again. She didn’t trust men anymore, but with Banger she felt comfortable, even though she barely knew him. She deserved some time to herself, especially since she’d been so stressed with her daughter. Thinking about Emily made her heart sink. How could she even think about going out with Banger when her home life was in such disarray?

Belle sighed and started peeling the potatoes.

*     *     *

Banger rode to
the clubhouse, the icy night air whipping around him. He was madder than hell, and he couldn’t wait to down a few shots to cool his fire. What the fuck was her problem? He knew she was attracted to him, but damn, Belle had some shit going on that she didn’t want to share with him. Why the hell he was bothering with her, he didn’t know. Maybe she was still in love with her dead husband, but the way she looked at him told him she was ready to love again. Something was holding her back, and he should just move on. He didn’t need that kind of shit in his life. Damn, Belle was complicated, and not at all like Grace. With Grace, they’d seen each other, were attracted to each other, and fucked like rabbits six hours after meeting. None of this complicated bullshit.

Banger entered the great room at the clubhouse, the heat and smoke curling around him as he made his way to the bar. After he downed his third shot of Jack, a woman about thirty years old approached him. He recognized her from a few months back when she came to the clubhouse to party with the brothers. He’d been with her a few times, but he couldn’t remember her name, only that she liked it in the ass. She planted a big kiss on his cheek as she rubbed her tits against his arm.

“Hiya, sexy.” She licked his earlobe.

Banger nodded. Running his eyes over her, her short skirt and barely there top made his groin pull.
What the hell. I need a good fucking.
He hadn’t been with a woman since he’d laid eyes on Belle. He grabbed the woman by the hand and took her to his room upstairs. Once inside, she stripped down to her thong and unzipped his jeans. His semi-hard dick flopped out. She placed her hand on it, rubbing it while she pushed her tits into his face. Nothing. He wasn’t getting harder. He pushed her away. “Sorry, darling, this just isn’t going to be.”

“Just give me a chance, baby.” She kneaded his shoulders. “You’re so tense right now. I can relax you. I can give you a good time. Haven’t I always treated you good?”

Banger stood up, went to the door, and opened it, his eyes fixed on hers. “Yeah, real good to me, but it’s not gonna happen. It’s not you. I just got a dark-haired woman on my mind. This was all a mistake.”

The blonde walked out, blowing him a kiss before he closed the door. Banger walked over to the bed, lay down, and closed his eyes, Belle’s smiling face burning in his mind.

T
he following morning,
Belle went to her daughter’s school to see the principal. She sat in the brown leather chair in front of his desk and waited until he finished his phone call, wringing her hands over and over in her lap. When he finished, Mr. Campbell turned to her and smiled. “It’s nice to meet you, Mrs. Dermot.”

“It’s nice meeting you as well. So, what’s going on with my daughter?”

“Emily has had seven unexcused absences this month. I have no choice but to turn her over to the school board for habitual truancy.”

“What does that mean?” Belle’s head was spinning.

“It means that Emily will have to go before the Truancy Court. She could end up getting juvenile detention, home arrest, or have a suspended sentence.”

Belle hung her head down. Tears slipped out of her eyes and trickled down her cheeks, dropping onto her hands in her lap. “I don’t know what to say. I thought she was coming to school. I don’t know what more I can do. I’m a single mom and I have to work long hours. I’m doing the best I can to provide for my family, but I feel like I’m giving my daughter up in the process. Can’t you give her another chance? Please don’t turn this over to the courts. I’ll make sure she comes to school. I’ll do whatever it takes to get her back on track.”

“I feel for you, Mrs. Dermot. It’s tough raising children on your own, and even harder when money is tight. The problem is, this is the second warning. I sent a letter home last semester because Emily was missing too much school.”

“A letter? I don’t remember getting a letter.”

The principal opened a file on his desk and pulled out a letter, handing it to Belle. She took it from him and scanned it. Her eyes dropped down to her signature on the letter, and she knew immediately it had been forged. She felt like someone had punched her in the stomach. “That’s not my signature,” she whispered.

“I figured as much. I wish there was something more I could do, Mrs. Dermot, but I am bound by the law. I have no choice but to report your daughter as a habitual truant. I am sorry.” He looked at her, and Belle saw empathy in his eyes.

“What happens now?” she asked him.

“I think you should get your daughter a lawyer. I always recommend that to parents.”

Belle thanked him and left, then headed straight to Cara’s office. After she told Cara about the situation, she leaned back in the chair, saying a prayer that the young attorney could help her and her daughter.

“I can help you with the truancy case, but it isn’t as easy as Emily just getting detention. In some cases, depending a lot on the judge, a truant kid could be removed from the home.”

Sudden coldness hit her to the core as she asked in a shaky, disbelieving voice, “Removed from the home? They would take Emily away from me?”

Cara nodded. “I really wouldn’t have brought that up, but Judge Richter is the one presiding over the truancy cases now. He’s a tough SOB, and his tendency is to blame parents for everything their kids do. Of course, I’ll fight hard for Emily and for you, but she has to be prepared that she may go to detention. I’ll try hard to get home arrest for her, and I’ll fight even harder for her to stay in the home with you. But Judge Richter isn’t going to like the fact that she doesn’t have much supervision in the home due to the number of hours you work.”

“This is insane! I don’t want to work as many hours as I do, but I don’t have a goddamned choice. If I don’t work, I don’t make money. If I don’t make money, we don’t have a house or food. How can he sit there on the bench, acting so high and mighty with his big salary, and pass judgment on parents who work hard to give their children a home? I can’t believe this is happening.”

“I know. He doesn’t get it, but we’re stuck with him. I’ll do my best to fight for you, to explain your situation, and tell him that you have a handle on it now that you’re aware of the problem. I’m not saying he’s going to take Emily away, but I just wanted you to be prepared that it could happen.”

“If he takes Emily from me, where would she go?”

Cara said in a soft voice, “Foster care.”

Breathlessness overtook Belle, and she gripped the sides of her head as if to cover her ears. “
Foster care
?” She said the two words as though they were dirty, disgusting, and not relevant to her and her family.

“Unless Emily can stay with a family member or friend who can offer supervision. But again, I’m not saying this is going to happen. It’s just a possibility, especially in Judge Richter’s court.”

Spreading her fingers out in a fan against her breastbone, Belle said, “Okay. I just have to think about all this. It’s too much right now to absorb. How much is this going to cost me?”