“Nothing,” she hastily responds.
He clicks his tongue. “It doesn’t look like nothing.”
She clears her throat, her eyes darting around. “I better get back to cleaning.” Then she leaves.
Cash’s eyes search mine. “I don’t know what she said to you, but for what it’s worth, I’ve never seen Axle as happy as he is with you.”
I smile up at him. “Thank you.”
“Is that grease?” He laughs when I reluctantly nod. “I can’t take you seriously with the grease on your face. Come into the kitchen. I’m sure we have something that’ll help you get it off.”
Once Cash has helped me remove the grease, I have a long shower and get into Axle’s bed with one of my favorite books. My mind wanders back to Grace, but I put it down to jealousy. I berate myself for even thinking about it because it only puts me in a bad mood. I refuse to lower myself to her level.
I glance at my phone and sigh deeply. My parents haven’t reached out to me, and the weight of their silence hangs over me. Yet when I’m with Axle, a comforting presence fills the void, making me feel less alone.
I focus on my romance novel, and soon I’m immersed in the story and thoroughly enjoying my time relaxing while I wait for Axle.
Fourteen
I’ve Corrupted Her
Axle
“How areyou doing with the bikes?”
I look up to see Viper. I stand, reach for a cloth, and wipe my hands. “Good for tomorrow’s run. No major repairs and nothing out of the ordinary.”
He peers around the shed. “You and Elena are getting close. Has she said she loves you yet?”
My body vibrates with tension, but I plaster on a smile. “Not yet...” I answer, but for once, I don’t want to talk about it.
His unwavering stare drills holes in me. “You like her,” he says. A knowing smirk plays at the corner of his lips.
I frown. I don’t know how I feel, so I’m not saying shit.
He mashes his lips together. “Okay, I’ll drop it! Tomorrow, what will you say to her about where we’re going?”
I shrug. “Just that the club has business to take care of.”
“And when she asks what that is?” he probes.
“She’s curious about the MC, but I’m not giving her information that she most likely won’t handle, and that’s fine.” Our pot operation isn’t a big deal, but it’s not worth the drama with Elena, and I don’t think she wants to know anyway.
“Are you dropping her off at home before we ride out?”
“No!” My answer is fast and sharp. My fists clench at the thought of her roommates’ boyfriends and her boss. “Fuck, man, what’s with all the questions?”
He gives me a funny look. “So you’re going to leave Elena here... at the clubhouse... with the sweet butts and Twitch.”
My head falls back. Not a great idea either. Twitch will be fine, but he’s not one to get involved in girl drama if Elena needs help, and I don’t trust the sweet butts to not tell her about the bet. “When’s the prospect start?” I ask.
“Reaper said he’s ready to start whenever. Cash said his War Brothers cut came in yesterday. We can organize a church meeting to discuss it.”
I nod. “Let’s get it done now. Rage can start before we leave, and his first job can be to watch over Elena.”
Viper lets out a small chuckle. “You mean stalk her every move.”
“Sounds about right.” I need Rage to watch her here at the clubhouse and at her job and at her home. “If something had to happen and I wasn’t there, at least Rage would be there, and he can fight.”
