One Ride (The Hellions Ride) (16 page)

Know Your Place

Tripp slept in another room the last two nights, which is fine by me.  I never had any expectations of him.  Having expectations of people only leads to let downs.  We had a good fuck, moving on.  Carmine has stayed clear of me too, which is in her best interest.

Talking to my dad this morning, my stomach tightens.  I miss home.  Hell, I even miss chasing down people over storage shit now. 

Lecture after lecture from him about going to another motorcycle club have me on edge.  He doesn’t want me to fly off at the mouth to the other club.  The shit I may get by with in his club is one thing, but these other bikers don’t know me, and none of them owe me a damn thing. 

Toto, we’re not in Kansas anymore
, I think to myself.   I fucking get it.  I’m not in the safety of the Hellions’ compound.  No popping off at the mouth to the bikers.  I’m not an ol’ lady.  I may be Roundman’s daughter, but I’m on my way to Shifter’s territory.  They don’t know me, and they don’t give a fuck who I am.  They’ve earned their cuts and my respect, period. 

‘Know your place, Doll.’
  My dad’s voice reverberates through my head.  We have an agreement with the Shifters, but at the end of the day, agreements can be broken in a moment’s notice.  For whatever reason, my dad likes these guys and trusts them, so I will know my place, be seen, not heard, and nowhere near business.

Thinking about the many rallies and trips I’ve taken with my dad, I know I’ve opened my mouth one too many times before.  Bikers are brash, blunt, and rough around the edges.  I know these things, but approaching me like a club whore never ends well.  Sass and I have never been degraded in our own club, but it happens when we’re out.  It usually ends with us cussing someone out, a Hellion either stepping in to pull us off, or to kick the ass of whoever offended us. 

Keeping my mouth shut is never easy, but the club needs less drama right now.  Pull it together, Doll.  I’m twenty-five years old, I hate when they act like I’m seven-damn-teen.  I’ve been sheltered, that’s fuckin’ apparent in this trip, but I know how to act.

Tripp is at the bike ready to go when I get outside.  Without a word, I put on my helmet, and climb on.  Keeping as much space between us, we silently ride.  Another state line crossed with no map.  What the fuck ever, I don’t really feel the need to memorialize this trip anymore anyway.

Traveling normally doesn’t bother me.  Outside of the club I’ve got no roots.  That’s why I was given the name Tripp.  I’m always ready for the next ride, the next trip out of town and my next moment to escape the ordinary day to day.  When no one has been truly solid in your life, there’s nothing holding you down.  Outside of my club, no one cares if I’m in Carolina or California. 

Rex and I make sure his mom, Jolene, doesn’t have to work as hard anymore.  She checks in on us, but the connection never has been strong.  We’ve always been too much for her to handle.  She smiles, cooks us a meal every so often, and calls every few days to check in.  She doesn’t like taking our money, but she does use it to keep flowers on our grandparent’s grave and keep up their old house.  I’m pretty sure she helps my mom.  She’s never admitted to knowing my mom’s whereabouts to us or my grandparents, but she always acts funny when you mention her sister.   

This trip with Doll is weighing on me.  Once we get back to Carolina, I’ll be forgotten.  She can settle down and find a man to make her happy.  For her sake, and that of her future little hellions, I hope it’s not someone in this life.

Tank’s in a coma, hooked up to who knows how many devices to keep him going.  Machines are breathing life into my brother.  Two shots to the head, four to his abdomen, we’re lucky he’s even semi stable now.  The last update this morning is no news is good news.  They don’t know what he will be like when he’s healed enough to be pulled out of the drug induced coma, or if he will pull out.  We lost two brothers already and two more are in critical condition, not expected to pull through.  A few others banged up, but not in life threatening situations.  Delatorre’s crew suffered more loss, but that’s not something I’ll lose any sleep over.

Arriving in town, we pull into the cabin we’re staying in for the evening.  My boys a
re not far behind and will get some food for when we get back from the compound.  Dropping off our bags, I let the girls stretch, change and rest for an hour before we head out again.

There’s No Place Like Home

The ride has been uneventful.  Tripp and I only exchange casual pleasantries.  We pull over not far from the Shifter’s compound.  I make no move to get off.  Tripp removes his cut.  Looking over my shoulder, Rex is taking his off and tucking it into a saddlebag as well.  Seeing the confusion on my face, Tripp gives a half smile and squeezes my thigh.

“It’s okay, Doll.  It’s a sign of respect.  We’re in their territory, my colors don’t belong here.”

His touch, his voice, send tingles through me.  As pissed as I may be, I’m not immune to Tripp. 

Pulling up to the gate, I look up into the security camera.  We all have them, nothing to be shy about.  Get in, handle business, and get out.  Normally, we wouldn’t be allowed to come along as females, but given the nature of this ride, I’m sure my dad has made them aware, Tripp can’t leave me behind.   After a few minutes waiting, a huge man comes to the gate.  He’s tall, taller than Tripp who is already over six feet.  He’s got dirty blonde hair with some crazy design shaved into it on the sides.  He is by far the wildest looking biker I’ve ever seen.  He approaches.  He’s got ink down his right arm that’s in a detailed design that I don’t want to take my eyes off as he’s moving around.

As he’s opening the gate, he looks over all of us.  Walking up to Tripp, “Hellions,” is all he greets glancing over at me and Sass with questions dancing in his eyes.

“Kraze, this is Delilah.  And that’s Savannah, over with Rex.”  Tripp answers as he’s pointing to us.

The gate is opened, and we pull in.  Parking the bikes, we get off.  Nervous energy consumes me.  I’ve been to rallies, events, but never to another compound.  Walking in, it reminds me of our clubhouse.  The building is different, but the feeling is the same.  Against a bar, I can see a couple making out, the little I can see of the woman, she’s an exotic beauty.  Boys are off to the side talking, drinking beers.  Everything is just as it would be on any random day at our clubhouse.

“Dyson, Tripp’s here.”  The guy referred to as Kraze calls out.

A hand comes off the beauty’s ass, to lift up one finger.  Well, that’s Dyson then.  Still looking around me, I see a man with a stone cold look to him.  He’s got that serious demeanor that Tripp carries around.  After a moment, he seems to sense we’re no threat and walks off down a hallway off the back of the room. 

The room feels charged with a different kind of energy.  It’s like they are following our emotions and sensing things because although watching us, everyone seems to settle quickly with our presence.  It’s like they know something we don’t or they are that confident in the hold they have over the Hellions.  My dad doesn’t give other clubs that kind of power, so I’m thinking they sense this visit doesn’t affect them negatively, that it’s business.

A woman walks in with short hair that is brown on top and pink on the bottom.  Her confidence rolls off her in waves.  Her clothes are skin tight, hugging every luscious curve of her body.  She’s a pin up model walking.  She walks over to Kraze, who immediately grabs her waist pulling her to him for a kiss.  This is common at our club too, but right now it nags at me.  Clawing at my insides, to stand here and know that I’ll never have that.  It’s obvious in the features and actions of these men, those women aren’t club whores.  No, those are ol’ ladies.  Club whores are man handled and wouldn’t just be kissed, by now they’d be on their knees sucking someone’s dick. 

The first couple take a breather, breaking apart. Taking in Dyson, it’s obvious he and Kraze are twins only his ink adorns his left side versus the right of his brother.  Dyson nods to Tripp as his sign that he should make his way over.  I don’t move at first, unsure of where I’m supposed to be to stay out of the way.  Tripp takes two steps, when I don’t follow suit, he grabs my hand, lacing our fingers together.  The act comforts me and pisses me off as he pulls me close to him.

Never releasing my hand, he gives a quick greeting to Dyson.  Rex and Sass are right beside us.  The serious man comes back to the room, showing no signs of any emotion whatsoever.

Looking to me, Dyson introduces, “This is my ol’ lady, Siofra.  Stay out here with her and Nikki, they’ll keep you company.”  He’s pointing over at the pink haired woman as she smiles over to me.

“Dyson, this is Delilah and Savannah.”   Tripp makes quick introductions, pulling me closer.  Kraze walks over, as does the serious faced man, who is introduced as Thorny.  The atmosphere and members of the Shifters Pack all remind me of home and my Haywood’s Hellions. 

“Let’s take this to the office.”   Dyson says.  The guys all start to move away.

Tripp pulls me to him, leaning down he brushes his lips against mine before sucking on my bottom lip.  Frustrated, I fist his shirt at his chest.  Normally, his cut would be there to grab, this feels so foreign.  Pulling my mouth away from him, he brings his head down on my shoulder.

Gritting my teeth, I whisper, “What the fuck are you doing?”

His hand now rubbing my ass, he whispers, his breathing is heavy on my ear.  “Tame it, Doll.  Right now, I’m going in an office where I can’t watch you.  The other assholes here need to know you’re taken.  Behave yourself until I get back.”  The last sentence ends with a pat on my ass.

“Rex isn’t kissing Sass.  You gonna pee on my leg to mark territory that isn’t fucking yours, Tripp?”

Grabbing my head with both hands, he leans in forehead to forehead.  “Tame it, Doll.  I’ll be back.  Don’t fuck around with anyone out here.” 

I push him off me and turn to Sass as he and the others walk out of the room and off to wherever.  Siofra and Nikki are smiling at me when I turn to face them. 

“You can call me Fry and Nikki is Sparkles.”  Siofra informs us, still grinning at me.

“Fighting it hard.”  Nikki says with an all knowing smile. 

“Nothing to fight.  There’s nothing there.”  Shrugging my shoulders, I try for nonchalance.

“Tell yourself that all you want.  When a biker sees a woman he wants, he stops at nothin’ to get her.  And that biker wants you.  With that small display of affection, he made sure none of our boys got any ideas while he’s tucked away.  Whether you want to believe it or not, that one is claiming you.”  Siofra says with a slight laugh.

“He fucked some bitch just the other night in a hallway.  He’s far from claiming anything other than a new piece of ass.”  I retort, the hurt building back inside me. 

“He could fuck some bitch right here in front of you, that doesn’t mean he doesn’t want you.  It’s the world we live in.  Until they know they have you, really have you, any willing whore is free game.  Deep inside, you have to know this Delilah.  Don’t kid yourself, there is something there whether you own up to it or not.”  Nikki says walking to the kitchen to get a bottled water for each of us.

Tripp claiming me, oh if she only knew what he really felt, or didn’t feel as it may be.  We spend the next hour chatting.  It feels like we’ve known each other for years, not just an hour.  ‘Fry’ has been through a lot and came out on top of it all.  There is a strength to both of these women that make them just as tough as the men of their pack.

Seeing these girls happy as ol’ ladies solidifies that, yes, one day I do want this and I could have this.  Would my dad be okay with me being with a Hellion?  If Tripp really did want me, how would my dad handle that?  Deny it all I want, part of me really does want something with Tripp, but I’ll never admit it.

Walking back out to the common area, my chest tightens when I see Doll.  She’s smiling and looking completely at ease here.  This is what she knows, so of course, this is where she would feel most settled. 

A Shifter walks over to her and the other girls.  He says something that causes her to playfully smack his arm.  Jealousy, like I’ve never known before, courses through me.  Picking up the pace in my stride, I wrap my hands around her waist from behind.  Pulling her to me, her back to my chest, I nuzzle into her neck.  Waiting for her to stiffen or reject me, I still.  When she does neither, I rub my hand gently in circles over her belly. 

“Told you.”  Siofra says to her and all four women fall into a fit of laughter.

Dyson leans over Siofra kissing her, before taking her by the hand to pull her away.  She stops quick enough to hug Sass.  Doll pulls out of my arms to say goodbye to her new friends.  I feel empty.  Doll brings out things in me I’ve never felt before. 

The meeting with Dyson is cut and dry.  They have the details for the job and the payment.  Another task on this trip is handled.  Delatorre down, the tie in with the Mitchell bitch becoming clearer, the Shifter Pack paid, and Doll still safe.

After the typical goodbyes, we climb back on the bikes and leave the compound.  As soon as we cross the gate, I reach in my saddlebag and get my cut back on.