Incandescent (10 page)

After Addison, I lived it up, banging anything and everything, not the slight bit interested in settling down. The last eight years I’ve lived the bachelor life, loving it even, but one night with Kadence has me questioning it all. I need to keep repeating to myself that one night doesn’t equal a relationship, and relationship?
What the fuck.

Beau pulls up a stool beside Brooks. “Hey, man, we might have an issue,” he reports quietly. Looking over at my VP and best friend, I take in his concerned face.

“What’s up?” I question, hoping this weekend isn’t gonna cause me problems. Z's with his mom for the weekend and I was looking forward to a few stress-free nights. After our meeting with Kadence, things have been tense, and I’m starting to get concerned. Kadence is right. My boy is holding on to some serious anger, and no matter what, I can’t get him to open up to me.

“Sy ran into some problems last night closing up Ink Me.”

Sylas is the newest brother, who earned his cut, and an old friend. He’s the quiet fucker of the bunch and rounds out the main group of brothers who handle the business side of things. I’ve known Sy since I was a kid, but he pissed off when school finished. No one knew where he went and we still don’t. His pops was a brother alongside my dad, one of the originals. When he got sick three years back, Sylas came home to look after him and never left. After hanging around, seeing the way the club now ran, he wanted in. It didn’t take long for the boys to decide he would fit in.

“What happened?” I ask, wondering what sort of problems the new ink shop’s gonna bring me. I wasn’t too keen on the shop, adding another business means more work, especially one I knew nothing about, but we soon learnt Sy apprenticed in tattooing and piercing while he was away. He manages the store and works the needle most days.

“Says there’s been some of Kings’ men hanging around at the front of the store last few nights. Then last night, there were some of Gunners’ men.”

Our county has been home to two motorcycle clubs over the last thirty years. My old man ran this town the way he wanted back then, not afraid to get bloody, which caused most of the problems for the Knights Rebels Originals. Back when Pops started getting into the guns trade, he moved in on the Warriors of Mayhem territory, causing a conflict between the clubs. For years it ran deep, causing a lot of blood loss between them, only ending after we got our revenge for my mom.

The Mayhems were the bigger club, but the Knights still put up a fight, until my pops and the Mayhems’ Prez, came to an agreement; we held to our own town, dealing in whores and some small drug running gigs, while their club would deal the weapons and run the rest of the county. It wasn’t until years later when and I was voted in, that I could begin to fade out the drugs and women. We’ve managed to keep to our business, living legit, and they’ve kept to theirs. As long as drugs don’t hit Rushford streets, we keep our distance, and they keep theirs.

“Why the fuck are the Mayhems in town?” Brooks asks, knowing this could spell trouble.

“Rumor has it, their club’s been having some problems within their own members. A change within ranks has stirred up some bad shit, plus Gunner Jamieson, is setting up on their territory,” Beau speaks up, filling me in on the bullshit that comes with the territory.

“Set up a meeting with T,” I say, wondering how the old VP, now Prez, will respond. T never did like the truce between the two clubs, thinking it would be bad for business on both sides, but when we went clean, it opened them up to more business, so I guess it worked out for everyone.

For five years now we’ve kept the truce. While I wouldn’t put it past him to drag up some bullshit, my guess would be on Gunner Jamieson. The bastard has been inching closer and closer the last few months and gathering momentum. Transporting and distributing methamphetamine, cornering the market, we gave up. We’ve kept an eye on it, but it might be time to take the next step, secure what’s ours and make sure the Warriors of Mayhem are with us. As the saying goes, an enemy of an enemy makes you a friend. We might not be on the illegal side of things, but when you push, we will push back. My pops earned our club's position here, and respect comes with that.

Beau nods his head and takes off to take care of setting up a meeting. Turning around, I look out of the clubhouse and start to feel restless. I need to get my head straight. Pushing off the bar, I make my way to my office; getting my head stuck into some paperwork instead of the feisty woman might help.

***

S
ix hours later and I’m done with the day. If it weren’t drug gangs creeping into our territory, it was drama after fucking drama. Fuckups after fuckups. The new club we refurbished and opened last month, Liquid, has been taking all the brothers time. It’s not my fucking scene, but the money it’s pulled us has been worth the chaos.

Now with the new ink shop, I’m beginning to wonder if we’re stretching ourselves thin. Running my hands over my face, I decide to call it a night. Closing up my office, I go downstairs to the club bar ready to knock back a few and maybe get my dick wet. I’ve decided I’m gonna try to fuck Kadence out of mind. I’ve been fighting it for too long. Unless I tie her down to get her to admit she wants me, there’s no way I’m gonna get through to her. Sliding up to the old oak bar, I call out for a beer and search out the talent for the night.

“Hey, Nix,” Christina, one of the club whores, says coming up to the bar five minutes later. I don't normally like to touch the free-for-alls. Some can get a little crazy and no one needs crazy constantly following you around. After Addison, I’m not interested in crazy. After Kadence, I’m fucked up, so who knows what I want.

“Hey, Chrissie,” I say, giving her one of my come-and-ride-my-cock smiles. Fuck it, tonight I need easy, and she’s the one standing in front of me. She looks up, searching for my approval. Leaning in, I hook my hand around her neck and pull her sticky pink lips to mine. My dick stirs, but not enough for me to stay interested.
Well, that’s a fucking first.

Shit, the teacher has ruined me.

Deepening the kiss, I’m silently pleased to hear my cell sound in my back pocket. Pulling back, I turn, dismissing Christina to answer the call.

“Yo,” I say, signaling Hunter for another drink.

“Prez” Sy’s voice rings down the phone.

“What’s up?”

“You might wanna get down to Ink Me. That piece of tail who’s got you in that mood just walked in.” He hangs up before I answer.

Shaking my head at his jab, I put my phone in my back pocket. The boys have been giving me shit all week about my bad mood. Those fuckers have got no idea. After taking a sip of my new beer, I walk out to my bike, ready to come face to face with a teacher who's been on my mind for the last few weeks. I know this is a sign I need to prove that the woman is meant to be in my life. I’m hoping the lesson I taught her last week has gotten through, and she’s willing to give us a go. ‘Cause there is no fuckin’ way I’m taking no for an answer this time.

Kadence

“I
can’t believe I’m about to do this,” I breathe out. A swarm of butterflies fill my stomach at the anticipation of it.

“Have you picked yet?” Holly comes up beside me, leaning over and looking into the glass cabinet.

“Yeah, I’m going to go with a plain gold one,” I say, pointing to the eighteen-karat-gold belly ring I’m about to have pierced through my skin.

“Great,” the scary-looking guy who's standing in front of me mutters in a not too impressed voice. His dark hair is shaved short, and what I can see of his body is covered in tattoos. He looks familiar, but I can’t remember where I’ve met him before.

“Geez, what a ball of fucking sunshine,” Holly snaps, leaning into my ear.

“Shhh,” I tell her, hoping scary-tattoo guy didn’t hear. Too late, the scowl he has been rocking deepens, if that’s even possible. She’s right. I have to wonder who stole his candy? Holly just shrugs and I roll my eyes at the crazy bitch. She started giving him lip the moment we walked through the doors.

Don’t ask me how I ended up here. We began the day at the mall. Holly found me the hottest outfit, then ten more that I didn’t need, and let's not forget the couple of pairs of shoes. Shopping with that woman is an art, and one I still can’t perfect.

We spent the rest of the afternoon getting pampered. Holly and I fought over my hair. She thought it would be a great idea for something short and funky. I flat out refused, only allowing a few low lights and a slight trim. I decided I love my dark locks, and no one will ever convince me on the big chop. I was ready to collapse by the end of the day, but I couldn’t let Holly down. When we finished dinner at our favorite Thai restaurant, we went straight to check out the club Holly has been going on about for weeks. After waiting in line for over forty minutes, we were finally granted access behind the red rope that separated us. Liquid re-opened its doors over a month ago. Whoever took over the old club refurbished and upped the cover charge. We had to push our way through the busy crowd to the long, lit-up bar. With the music blaring with all the latest tracks, I could barely hear myself think. The balcony upstairs had booths that were cut off for VIP. Downstairs, there were lounges sectioned off for a private party. The scene was totally Holly. I much prefer a bar atmosphere, but being the good friend I am, I sucked it up.

Halfway through the night I could have sworn I saw my ex-fiancé Zane hanging back in the corner near the bar, but I brushed it off as a coincidence. I wasn’t prepared to let my mind wander off to what I would say or how I would react if I came face to face with the asshole again.

As the night wore on, and the alcohol wore off, the more I began to think what if it was him? I contemplated why he would be back. He left town in a hurry after the fire. Zane never came to bed that night, leaving me alone in the house. The police found him sleeping off his hangover at his brother’s house. He wasn’t at all concerned about the fire destroying our home or even me in surgery. He told the police that we had a fight and that we were over.

I was destroyed.

By the time I was paid a visit by one of the members of the Warriors of Mayhem MC, letting me know that Zane owed them some serious money, he had cleaned out my bank account and left town. For a long time, I thought he would come back or eventually feel safe enough to get a message to me, but three years later, I’ve still not heard anything.

After a few or more cocktails, some dancing and continually brushing off guys who wouldn’t take the hint, I was restless to go home for the night. Convincing Holly was another story. She had met up with some guy she hadn’t seen for months and begged me to hang around with her for a little while longer. I finally persuaded her to leave, letting her know I was walking home with or without her. She agreed to come, not at all okay with me walking on my own. She exchanged numbers with the guy and left on a high. I, however, was sober and ready for bed.

Walking the several blocks to our home, we passed the front of Ink Me, one of the few tattoo and piercing shops in town. Holly got an ingenious idea to get a tattoo, and after looking in and seeing the hot tattoo artist, she decided it was the perfect time. Fortunately, the cranky tattoo artist denied her request, telling her she was too drunk to get the ink, so now she is sporting a new belly ring. How I ended up choosing a ring and agreeing to have it pushed through my skin, I’m still not sure.

Before the fire, back in my college days, I used to have my belly pierced, but with the surgeries and prolonged recovery, it closed over. I never thought at twenty-nine I would be re-piercing it but the idea that I can take back my body after letting it control who I’ve become has me wanting to reclaim that confidence.

My night with Nix reminded me about living in the moment. After the fire, hell, even before the fire with asshole Zane, I found myself lost, shying away from taking risks and letting go. Sure, I’m still quick to snap back and I can hold my own in a confrontation. I'm strong and resilient, but letting go, letting people in to see that hurt, has been the hardest.

Nix gave me permission to relax, made me feel alive again. Even if sleeping with him was a bad idea, I’m glad that I could open up to someone. It was pretty deep for one night with a guy, sure, but one night with Nix was more than just amazing sex. I was fooling myself thinking it wouldn’t mean anything. Seeing his response to my scar, I knew I was in trouble and now, after our moment on the desk, him calling me out on my indifference, I have no idea where my head is at.

I opened up to him more than anyone in the last three years. He didn’t judge me but made me feel adequate in my own scarred skin. No one has managed to push past my insecurities but him. No one else has looked at me, seen past the repulsive skin and instead of showing me pity, made me feel beautiful. I've tried to discount our one night together, but no matter how hard I fight it, he's inspired this awareness in me, something that I lost long ago and I can’t let that go.

The scary tattoo guy clears his throat, obviously pissed off he now has to deal with another girly request.

“I’ll take that one, thanks.” I smile up at him while pointing to the chosen ring. He gives me a form without a sound, and I move to the chair to fill it out. Holly hangs back and tries to engage with the man who isn’t big on small talk. He is a real ball of laughs, that's for sure, but something in his expression, the way his eyes follow Holly, taking her in and silently looking pissed off about it, makes me wonder if my crazy friend might be hitting a nerve.

Standing back up, I hand my form back over as the bell above the door signals another customer. Cranky tattoo guy nods his head and I casually look back at the person behind me.

“Where the fuck are the rest of your clothes?” Nix barks out behind me. My head gets lost in the question, my body grounded in his presence. I hear Holly giggle to the side but I don’t have a second to react before he inquires again, “Kadence, where the fuck are the rest of your clothes?” The greens of his eyes shine dangerously, letting me know he’s pissed.