“I mean, won’t they think it’s odd if you turn up with me? If girlfriends don’t usually tag along.”
“Girlfriend?” I ask, “Are you saying you’re my girlfriend again?”
I know it’s a loaded question; I’m asking if she can forgive me, asking if she can trust me again. This last night with her has been amazing, and I’m acting like we’re back together, but nothing is certain.
“Is that what you want?” she asks.
“Elizabeth,” I hold her face in my hands and look into her eyes. “It’s the only thing I want.”
The smile she gives me is the best thing I’ve ever seen, and I know that I need to spend the rest of my life trying to make her smile like that, I never want to cause her pain or hurt like I have this past week.
“Then yes,” she says.
“And just to be sure, are you saying yes to going with me to see Diablos Rojos, or yes to being my girlfriend again?”
She chuckles. “To both I guess.”
Chapter 30
Elizabeth
TheweeksinceAngeland I have been back together has been pretty perfect; we’ve moved all of my stuff into his room at the clubhouse, giving Slim his house back. Having the week off from the diner has meant we’ve had every evening and night together, and no longer needing to sneak around means we’ve become pretty insufferable for everyone else, they’re all happy for us though.
I had a good catch up with Donovan on the phone and told him the good news about the club, about them agreeing to change the rule, how they all love him and consider him family; and that if anyone ever gives him any grief, they’ll have seven angry bikers to deal with, which made him laugh. His semester ends in a couple of weeks, and I can’t wait to have him home with us.
It’s the weekend so we’re on our way to visit Diablos Rojos. I still can’t believe Angel asked me to come with him. Obviously I’d rather be with him than not, but I’m nervous about going to their club. We don’t know how they’ll react to the idea, or how they’ll react to hearing about Frank. I’vetalked to Angel about it, and he’s assured me he’ll keep me safe no matter what, and I have to trust that.
Honestly, I think the main thing he’s been looking forward to is the ride. He loves having me on the back of his bike, but this ride is different. Since the club went legit, it’s only been the seven of them; but on this ride, we’ve got twelve ex-LAMC members joining us en route. He told me that nothing compares to the feeling of nearly twenty bikes all riding together.
He taps my leg to get my attention and signals up ahead to the shoulder. Six guys sit ready on their bikes; the engines roar as they start them up before falling in behind us. Even with just these six, the sound is nearly deafening, so I can only imagine what it’s going to be like when all twelve are here. I nestle into Angel, wrapping my arms even tighter around him and he squeezes my thigh. Yeah… he’s definitely enjoying the ride.
I’ve only seen the Lobos Aulladores clubhouse, so I’m not sure what I expected when we pull up to Diablos Rojos MC, but it’s not this. Their clubhouse is a bar in the middle of the city, it’s not quite a high rise, but it’s tall with quite a few floors. Bikes line the road outside, out in the open for anyone to see—I guess if they’re still involved in illegal shit everyone local knows not to mess with them. And judging by the number of bikes, their club is way bigger than LAMC.
The bar is buzzing with energy, people packed in like sardines; all the men wearing denim or leather cuts, and the women wearing very little, even less than the girls at our clubhouse. I definitely feel overdressed in my skinny jeans, tanktop, and leather jacket—a gift from Angel for the ride. The chatter dies down as we walk in, everyone turning to check us out; some nod in greeting or raise their beers.
“Welcome,” the man I recognize as their President says, making his way through the crowd towards us.
“Pedro,” El Jefe says as they shake hands. “Thank you for having us.”
“Of course. Come in, come in, make yourselves at home,” Pedro beckons, signaling to the bartender to bring a round of beers for everyone.
I’m about to sit at the booth with the others when Angel grabs me, pulling me into him and kissing me deeply. A few cheers erupt around the clubhouse.
“What was that for?” I murmur, as he nuzzles into my neck after the kiss.
“Just making sure everyone knows you’re mine, now they’ll leave you alone.”
“Oh…”
As much as it shouldn’t, his possessiveness does turn me on… I just won’t admit that to my FemLit club at college…
“I need to go and deal with business,” he says, leaning close so I can hear him over the noise. “You stay near Slim, okay?”
I nod. At first he was jealous that Slim and I grew close when I stayed with him, but now he seems to like it that I have someone else to watch over me, and it definitely helps that I said I see him more as an older brother than anything else.
I slide into the booth next to Slim, we’re on one side while Tank and Pretty Boy sit on the other. Some of the girls immediately bring us more beers and ask to join us; Tank and Pretty Boy are already very familiar with them, so I’m guessing these are some of their threesome buddies.
“I know you missed out last time,” I say to Slim, “so don’t feel like you have to babysit me. As long as I’m somewhere Angel can see me, he’ll be okay with it.”
