Lucky (Inked Menace MC 1) (4 page)

There was grumbling at the table, but in the club, old ladies were protected. Mates even more so. Hands rose. The gavel fell.

“Now, on to the next piece of club business.” This time when Hammer looked at Lucky, he knew he wasn’t going to live up to his road name. “We need to discuss Lucky’s return to the pack.”

5
Chapter Five

Cecelia picked at her breakfast, scrambled eggs and a side of both corned beef hash and home fries as she waited for Agent Frank Dover to meet her. She’d gotten to her place last night and impulsively told him to come fetch her so she could start her next new life as quickly as possible. Her car sat out in front of the diner, where one of the other agents could grab it rather than risk the license plate number being run.

They were being careful.

The roar of motorcycles blew down the quiet road. Five riders, one lead, the others in spread formation, pulled to rest at a bar across the street. They set their kickstands down and rested on their bikes. Cecelia’s heart raced and adrenaline surged through her body, the fight or flight reflex kicking into full swing. She couldn’t tell from this distance what club the bikers belonged to. Her fingers inched toward her purse. She had a small, registered gun for personal protection.

The lead rider removed his helmet and turned to face the diner.

Time stopped as Cecelia stared at Lucky’s face.

He scanned the sidewalks and then his eyes rested on her car. He glanced up at the diner sign, and then said something to the other bikers. They turned and went into the bar as Lucky stared at the tinted diner windows. Her mouth went dry. Lucky limped toward her side of the road, his jeans stained with dark colors in a few places. He wore a full leather jacket that molded to his form and made him seem dangerous with a side of sexy.

The front door opened, blowing a cool breeze into the restaurant, and then his gaze locked on Cecelia. He marched to her, no hesitation.

“Is this seat taken?” he said and raised a brow, standing only a few inches from the table.

“Um, I, um…” Cecelia lowered her gaze and spun her mug of coffee. “No,” she finally said.

Lucky sat opposite her. “Cecelia, will you look at me, please?”

There were no bruises or cuts on his face that she could see, but she knew from the way he walked that he’d had some body damage, probably from last night. She shook her head, exasperation taking over her mouth.

“Who kicked your ass?”

He grinned and laughed, then coughed into his fist. Her waitress came over and smiled at Lucky, and a tiny knot formed in Cecelia’s stomach at the hunger she saw in her eyes.

“What can I get for you?”

She might as well have said, “Take all your clothes off and fuck me,” with the sensual tone she put into her words.

“I’ll have what my girlfriend’s havin’, darlin’, and a large coffee.”

The waitress glanced from Lucky to Cecilia and then shrugged. “Sure thing. Let me know if you change your mind.” Then she flitted away from the table, swaying her hips, her high-waisted shorts showing off more leg than was probably necessary for a mom and pop shop. Hooters, maybe, but not a small town diner.

“Ballsy,” Lucky said and resumed his focus on Cecelia.

“Yeah, you are. Where do you get off?”

“Well, you did shove your tongue down my throat. It seemed plausible.”

She deflated, knowing he was right. “Touché.”

“Plus, she deserved that lesson. You shouldn’t hit on someone when they’re sitting with the opposite sex. It’s just rude.”

“And tacky. You forgot that one.”

Lucky clucked his tongue and laughed. The warmth of his tone settled right over her skin and she relaxed, muscle by muscle, knowing he wasn’t there to harm her. She had to keep reminding herself of that.

“You waiting for someone?” he asked. He grabbed a cream and sugar from the dish when their waitress returned with his mug. She set it down in front of him, brushing her arm against his, then gave him a sly smile and left again.

“You could say that,” Cecilia hedged, taking a bite of eggs to give her mouth something to do other than tell her sordid life story. For some odd reason, she wanted to share all that she’d been through with this man, and that was more dangerous than the two biker gangs coming for her head.

“Leaving town?”

Her head snapped up and she met his intense stare. It was filled with knowledge, and in that second, Cecelia wanted to both throw up and hit him with her plate so she could run. Put distance between her and the man who’d revved her engines after all these years of wondering if she was truly broken.

“What’s it to you?”

He shrugged and leaned back in his seat. “I don't want to play games, Cecelia. I know you’re in trouble. I came to see if you’d let us help. Let me help.”

“I can’t ask you to do that,” she said on a sad breath. Part of her wanted to take him up on his offer, and the other part wanted to squeeze his balls under the table for trying to protect her. Cecelia wasn’t used to men being nice to her unless they wanted something.

“You’re not asking. I’m offering.” He blew out a breath. “We’re offering.”

Cecelia matched his position, crossing her arms over her chest and meeting his eyes. They were so green, like fresh spring grass. “Who? Why?”

He didn’t blink, just stared at her like he could see down to her soul. Cecelia licked her lips and he latched onto the movement, something stirring in his eyes. Something primal and aware.

“Let’s just say this is our town and we don’t want blood on our hands, okay?”

“Doesn’t make sense to me.”

The front door opened again and two men wearing black suits walked in, standing out more than a lily in a field of daisies. “Excuse me,” she said and stood.

Lucky turned his face to the door and his expression grew colder. He swore under his breath.

Agent Dover and his partner caught sight of her and then saw Lucky sitting in the booth with her and both their hands went to their holsters. “It’s okay,” she said, holding up her hands. “Don’t freak.”

They walked in sync to the table, light on their toes, ready to rumble at a second’s notice. Lucky moved over and wrapped his hand around her wrist, tugging her down gently to sit beside him. The agents slid into the other side, and a staring grudge match ensued.

She still wasn’t sure who’d won when Agent Dover said, not taking his eyes off Lucky, “What’s going on, Cecelia?”

“This is Luke.” She gestured to the man next to her, who was radiating leashed violence. The black leathers didn’t help his appearance.

“We offered her protection,” Lucky said, interrupting whatever else she was going to say.

“No. Absolutely not,” Agent Dover replied without hesitation.

“It wasn’t a request,” Lucky said with more heat. He brought his hands up to the table and griped the edge, a small groan from the wood dialing up the menace. “You can’t protect her like we can.”

“We’ve done fine so far. We don’t need your kind meting out justice.”

“How are you going to fight two outlaw clubs?” Lucky sat back and waited.

She wanted to know that too, so she sat back with Lucky. He grinned a little when she looked up at him, but he didn’t take his eyes off the agents across from them.

“We’ll move her to a safe location, and wait out the storm.”

Lucky was already shaking his head. “Seriously? That’s all you’ve got? There’s a two million dollar bounty on her pretty head and you think just moving her to some new place is going to stop the threat? Wow.”

She hated to admit that he had a point.

“What should we do, go in guns blazing and take out the club leaders, start a huge war, and then wait to see what happens?”

Well, that didn’t sound very promising either.

“We have a better idea,” Lucky said.

“Care to share with the class, son?”

Agent Dover’s partner had been strangely quiet during this whole exchange, and Cecelia assumed he was deferring judgment to his superior. They did seem to drill that into law enforcement heads. The military was worse. There was a yellow glow to his eyes and Cecelia stared at the color until her brain told her it was just the sunlight reflecting off the table into his face.

Or something.

“We’re going to have a summit with the heads of the Delta Dogs and the Ice Rangers. She’s” – Lucky thumbed in her direction – “in our territory. We don’t allow the killing of women in our club. But besides that, we’re going to ask them nicely to back off.”

Agent Dover laughed. “And why, pray tell, would they do that?” He steepled his hands and pushed his sunglasses up onto his forehead.

Lucky shrugged. “Because she’s my old lady.”

Agent Dover looked aghast. His partner glanced between Lucky and Cecelia and he grinned.

“I like it. It’s devious and gets us around a bloodbath.”

Dover met Cecelia’s eyes and asked, “Do you know what he’s saying? What that means?”

Not really. But I’m about to find out, aren’t I?

“The devil you know is better than the one that creeps from the shadows?” she offered.

Lucky burst out laughing. She wasn’t sure why he thought that was so funny. She was just being honest.

“Yeah, baby,” he said and sidled up close to her, then wrapped an arm around her shoulders. “That’s exactly what it means.”

“Are you sure?” Agent Dover asked, concern marking his face and softening his features.

“Not really. But what’s the better alternative? I like it here. I don’t want to keep running.”

“Even if we mitigate this threat right now, you know Peter is just going to make another play for you. It’s never going to end.”

“What the fuck, man,” Lucky said, anger lacing his words with steel. “What kind of shit thing is that to say to her?”

“The truth. What? You’d rather I lie to her? Tell her that yes, as soon as this little charade is over, she’ll feel safe and secure? She won’t. You know as long as that bastard is in there and she’s out here, free, he’ll stop at nothing to get revenge.”

“He’s right, Luke,” Cecelia said softly. “I’ll never be safe as long as Peter is alive.”

Agent Dover’s face showed victory.

“But,” she continued, “I’d rather have what little safety and peace I can find right now than live on the run in fear. I’m going to stay with Lucky, and the club.” Cecelia set her shoulders and sat straight up. “Thank you for coming down here. I’m sorry I wasted your time.”

Agent Dover slid a disposable phone across the table to her and pushed his partner with his arm. They both stood up. “Use that if you need us. We’ll help if we can.” He firmed his lips, an angry line creasing his forehead. “Stay alive, Cecelia. I mean it.”

“I will, Frank. Thank you.”

He turned to Lucky. “Watch it, and watch her back. These guys mean business.”

Lucky nodded. “So do we.”

“I’ll sanction this operation,” the younger agent said. “Just try to keep it clean, and the body count down, understand? The ice is thin.”

Lucky nodded and when the agent reached out their hands to shake, Lucky stood awkwardly next to her and shook her friends’ hands. Then the agents left the diner, and left her car on the street.

She turned to Lucky. “Now what?”

His face showed strain, but he managed a smile. “Now we move your stuff to my place, and I introduce you to the club as my old lady.”

She swallowed hard. “Okay.”

I’ll be all right. What’s the worst that could happen?

They returned to the table, and she shoved another bite of breakfast into her mouth just as their waitress brought out Lucky’s food. She chewed quickly.

“Here you go, sugar,” the waitress said and reached over Cecelia to set Lucky’s steaming food in front of him.

Cecelia grabbed the girl’s wrist as she pulled back. “Excuse me,” she said to the girl. “Your behavior is unacceptable, and I don’t appreciate you gawking at my boyfriend and asking him out in front of me. Show some class.” She let the girl’s arm go, and the waitress sputtered. She opened her mouth but no sound came out. Then she turned and walked away without another word.

Luke placed an arm over Cecilia’s shoulder and kissed her cheek. “I like a woman with teeth,” he said and nuzzled her ear for a second. Cecelia was proud she didn’t flinch when he touched her. That would have been awkward.

“When I got away from my ex-husband, I swore to myself that I’d never be a doormat again. I’d never take anyone’s shit or let them talk down to me or make me feel small.”

He nodded. “Good. This just might work, then. You’re going to need that calm patience where we’re going.” He picked up some food and started eating.

6
Chapter Six

“Ever ridden on a bike before?” he asked as he and Cecelia stood next to his gleaming motorcycle. He straddled the seat and lifted, kicking the stand up. His brothers all waited, engines running. They followed Brick; Lucky was second in line. They hadn’t talked much on the ride to the center of town. The guys had gone into the bar for a round while he’d headed over to the diner to discuss things with Cecelia.

In answer, she donned the helmet he handed her and lifted her left leg, hopping onto the seat like she’d done it every day. She wrapped her arms around his waist, pressed her chest against his back, and rested her head on him. “Been a while, but it’s not something you forget.”

“Good. The less I have to teach you, the better. We’ll talk more about who you rode bitch for, later.”

Her laughter rumbled behind him. “Oh, will we, now?”

“Here,” he said, passing a pair of earplugs back to her. “Put these on to help with the wind.”

“Thanks,” she mumbled. He felt her wiggle behind him and then she said, “Ready.”

She tightened against him, like she was made to be watching his back and be his old lady. He shook his head. Now was not the time for relationship thoughts. He had to bring her to the club, introduce her to his brothers, and outfit her with a vest. Normally, the brothers’ old ladies decided whether or not they wore their clubs patch, but he’d decided for her. The more in your face they were about her status, the better. They didn’t want the Dogs or Rangers to think anything funny was up. Although it could go either way.

They had to play this right. And without claws or teeth.

He eased on the throttle and pushed off toward their next move, his brothers behind him, and, for the moment, peace fell over his mind despite not being able to breathe well after the beating he’d taken last night.

Lucky felt Cecelia relax behind him, even though she was clutching his waist like a dying woman. Someone had obviously taught her to ride, and why that bothered him so much he wasn’t sure. But he didn’t want to look too deep, either. The little spark he had for the bird sitting bitch meant something. He just wasn’t sure what it was yet. He clamped down on his wolf’s thoughts about mates, forever, and fate. He didn’t believe in that shit.

The ride was over too fast, and he and the guys pulled in to the warehouse, the gates closing behind them. Hammer wasn’t taking chances anymore, not after what had happened with Amber and Remmy. Not with two clubs out gunning for blood money.

He stopped the bike and swung the stand down. Cecelia eased from the back and shook her legs out.

“Been a while?” He glanced down, resisting the urge to let his mind wander to what she might taste like, and raised a brow.

“Eight years, I think.” She shrugged and eyeballed their surroundings. “Oddly enough, I feel safe here,” she muttered.

He tried to see it through her eyes. The line of motorcycles, the male bodies decked out in leather, tall buildings, and a gated fence with barbed wire. All that, and she had no idea what other tricks his MC had up their collective sleeves.

“We try. Inked Menace at your service. Keeping crazy at bay since 1945,” he said with a bow.

The smile she shot him twisted something in his heart. He wanted to see more of those pearly white teeth, and fewer lines marring her face. There was tension around her eyes, and a hardness to her lips, but her body appeared relaxed. So he’d count it as a win.

“What now?”

He wrapped an arm around her shoulder, playing the part of loving boyfriend, and pressed a kiss to her cheek. “Now we enter the hornets’ nest and pretend the sting doesn’t hurt.”

She sighed. “This isn’t going to be fun, is it?”

“Ever been inside a motorcycle club before?”

Her hesitation had him glancing at her out of the corner of his eye and raising a brow. She was chock full of secrets.

“Yeah. Quite an experience. Are most clubs the same, as far as women, sex, alcohol, and drugs are concerned?”

“Pretty much.”

“Are women going to be all over you?”

He shook his head. “Nah, it’s not like that with me. I haven’t been to the meets in a long time. Most of the pussy–” he started, then she suddenly swung around and faced him with her hands on her tiny hips. Her lips parted.

“Sorry,” he amended with a laugh and held his hands up, palms facing her. “Women. Most of the women here don’t know me anymore since I’ve been away, but I have a patch, so yeah, they might flirt or try to get in my pants.”

She gave him a lopsided grin. “So, is that how you got your name?”

He sobered. “No. I got my name because I cheated death, and they said I was lucky to be alive.”

“Oh.”

Her brow furrowed in thought, and he waited for the next round of questions, but she surprised him.

“What should I call your brothers?”

His face must have registered shock because she continued, “You’ll have to teach me some stuff, at least about your club, but I do know a thing or two about a thing or two.”

“Cryptic. It’s okay, though. I don’t expect you to share all your secrets with me. Not yet, anyway. If you’re gonna be my old lady, I’ll let them decide what they want you to call them.”

“Does everyone know who I am?”

Lucky shook his head. “No, just the officers. So we’re going to really need to sell that you’re my girlfriend to the rest of the club. When the other heads get to town for the sit down, I don’t want anyone from our club questioning the legitimacy of our relationship. If we can sell my club, we can sell any club.”

“Is this insane?” she asked, and walked forward to wrap her arms around his waist. She pressed her head flat against his chest.

He grinned down at her when she pulled away. “The best things in life are, I think.”

He watched, fascinated, as her body seemed to shift gears, a mask falling over her vulnerability.

She nodded. “Okay,” she said, and let out a long, slow breath. “I can do this.” Her face broke out into a huge smile and she lifted onto her toes and kissed his lips.

If he could pull this off without developing further feelings for the little bird, he might be okay too. His wolf growled inside his head, a low hum he fought to ignore.

They walked hand in hand to the door and went inside.