Pulling up to the steel doors of the clubhouse, a man I’d never seen is manning the controls. Looking in my rearview, Buzz gives the man a head nod and the doors slowly open. Everything looks exactly the same as it did three months ago. Cars and bikes line both sides of the long driveway. Tables and chairs grace the courtyard. Men and women mingle throughout. As I park my baby, I glance over at the shop and part of me itches to go there, a feeling I haven’t had in weeks. But I need to find Harlow first.
I look in my rearview mirror and cringe at my eyes. I rub them trying to give some resemblance that I’m alright. I blow out a deep breath, not getting very far with that and grab my lip gloss and apply it quickly to my lips giving a smack. Ready as I’ll ever be.
“Open the trunk and we’ll take it all in. Princess has you set up in a room downstairs.” Buzz says and calls over another man I’d never seen before wearing a Prospect rag.
“Well hello there.” The guy eye-fucks me up and down. His long shaggy hair hangs down low, reminding me of the hair trim we gave Rocky all those months ago. This guy’s hair looks like it could use a good wash along with the wayward beard that hangs haphazardly down his face. It needs a really good trim too. His chocolate brown eyes sparkle as his smile widens.
“Hi.”
“Who are you and where have you been all my life?”
Fucking seriously? But before words escape my mouth Buzz cuts in, “Skeezer, enough. Off limits.” His bark is controlled yet demanding.
“Fuck. Whose is she?” He groans as if it pains him deeply.
Cutting in, “She… is standing right here and is nobody’s. Sorry buddy, I don’t fuck brothers. I’m a waste of time.” Turning to Buzz, “Thank you.” I move away quickly and head directly for the clubhouse.
My stomach clenches. This is it. I straighten my back and hold my head up high. I can do this.
I need to find Harlow. It seems like forever since she hugged me in Cruz’s room and told me goodbye. That night was unbelievably crazy and I learned some things about myself that I didn’t know existed. When Princess suggested we lock Rocky in a room and shave him, I thought she was fucking nuts. I mean shit; did she want to be ostracized from the club?
But after Harlow told me how Rocky used to make her screw him, regularly, to get the tools and information to take care of the bitches the club needed taken out, my opinion of the situation changed dramatically. Fuck him. We had to find out for sure if this ass was the officer from prison. If we were wrong, we’d suffer the consequences. Thinking back, shivers flow up my body.
As we had Rocky tied and gagged in the chair, Harlow shaved his hair off revealing it was truly the officer from prison. It was like Harlow turned into someone else and I did too. Almost like we were on autopilot, giving this man every bit of pain we could come up with. The gruesome scene was a necessary evil. Broomsticks, tasers, dildos and other random objects lay scattered on the floor next to a very out of it man who was bleeding and covered with hair cut from his head. It helped Harlow get over what happened to her, and I’d do it all over again. Just for her.
I need Harlow to wrap her arms around me right now. Even if she doesn’t know why, I need her comfort more than anything.
Opening up the door to the clubhouse, a small bit of fear rushes through me at the thought of seeing G.T. again after all this time. Can I handle seeing him with his women? How will he react to Mia? I need to get my shit together. I can do this. He is safe and not my responsibility.
“Holy Shit! Look who the cat dragged in!” Dagger’s voice bellows as he walks up, quickly sweeping me in his arms, my arms wrapping around his neck. His tight hug continues and I am grateful he is keeping his hands away from my ass. Dagger loves the ladies and makes no qualms about it. His long blond hair is braided neatly, falling down his back with his signature red, white and blue bandana covering the top of his head. His arms are incredibly strong as he picks me up as if I weigh nothing. The smell of smokes and booze radiates off of him.
“Hey Dagger. Good to see ya.” I squeeze back as he sets me down on the floor looking me up and down.
“Damn girl.” He says licking his lips and raising his eyebrows.
“Stop it, Dagger.” I flirt in the sweetest voice I can muster and give him a soft smile. Two can play at this game.
“Get over here!” Becs calls from the end of the walkway.
Leaving Dagger, I fall into Becs’ warm arms hugging him as tight as I can, trying to hold back the tears that want to fall from my eyes. Whenever I’m around Becs, I feel very close to Bam. They were best friends and I was always drawn to Becs because of that. They had so many similar characteristics, even the way they both held their coffee cup with their pinky wrapping around the bottom of the cup. Little things that I’m sure no one else noticed, but I did. I love seeing those things, but it hurt at the same time.
“Hey Becs.” I whisper in his ear as he pulls me back looking at me.
“College girl, huh? I’m so proud of you.” I close my eyes and smile, he didn’t know but I felt as if my dad said those words to me right along with him.
“Yeah. It’s going okay. Tough at times.” But really not because of school.
“Anybody bothering you up there?” Becs eyes turn menacing in a flash and I want to immediately wipe the look away.
“Nope. No one. Just classes are a little tough. But I’ll get it.”
No sooner did I finish the last word when I heard, “Where the hell is she!” being screamed by Harlow. Looking around Becs, sure enough Harlow is barreling down the hall heading right towards me. When her eyes lock on mine, she takes off in a dead sprint pushing through the people standing in her way.
Stepping around Becs, I smile wide and steady my stance as she full out collides with me, almost knocking me down to the ground. Her grip is unbelievably tight on me as she whispers, “I’m so glad you’re home. I need you.”
I need you too. “I’m here babe. We’ll get through this.” She clutches me like she’s afraid that if she let go, I’d disappear. I relish in the feeling, biting back the tears that want to escape. “Hey, it’s okay. I’ll help you with whatever you need done.”
“Thank you.” Her voice is so quiet which is not like Harlow. She’s always in your face demanding. Not this time.
“No place would I rather be. None. Love you.” The anger I had for her earlier dissipates from my body.
“Love you.”
We stay in this exact position for a long time, with our arms wrapped tight around each other and our heads buried in each other’s shoulders, just enjoying each other’s closeness. God I missed this woman and this is exactly what I need. I feel small bits of weight leaving my shoulders just by this small, simple embrace.
“We’ll get through this.” I slowly pull away from Harlow whose tight smile is forced on her face. Grabbing my hand, she leads me to the bar where Breaker is pouring drinks.
“Glad you’re home. What do ya want?” His gruff voice reverberates.
“Sprite, please.” My genuine smile flashes at him.
“Well… well… well. What do we have here? A club momma disguised as a biker brat.” I jerk abruptly to the piercing voice behind me, my body tenses and heat flushes through my body. The woman standing before me is about five foot two on a good day, has beautiful brown hair and a very pretty face. But her stance and attitude scream bitch. And it’s one I’ve never seen before.
Before words leave my mouth, Harlow takes over pushing me behind her quickly. I grasp on to the bar trying not to fall on my ass.