“And you’ve watched out for Ace, all the time you’ve been here,” I butt in before anyone else can stop me. “I didn’t realise how much you helped him, fed him, kept him amused when I couldn’t be there. You’re not just a club girl, Trixie. You’re part of this club.”
Words puts up his hand. “And not just as a babysitter. We all can see how you kick the other girls' butts into line.”
“And your cookies are to die for,” Paint states, then looks around, noting our bemused expressions. “Well, they are.” He shrugs, unrepentant.
Trixie gives another twisted smile. “I love Ace. I know it’s not my place, but I do. He’s such an amazing kid. And, I love Trip, too. He’s coming on so fast. It’s an honour to be part of his journey. And as for Jade? She’s just beginning her life. It’s a privilege to be there for it.” She leans forward, her gaze pointedly falling on me. “I can’t bear that your sweet boy is in danger. Ace is so intelligent, but even growing up in an MC, he’s been sheltered from the worst life can offer. He’ll be beside himself being away from his dad and the club. If I can do something to help, I’d never forgive myself if I didn’t do it. So my mind’s set. Let me go to their club and help get him back. He knows me…”
“That’s the problem, Trixie,” Bullseye speaks after having remained quiet. “He knows you. Toni does too. Either of them could expose you. And, being blunt, if they do, you’ll have accomplished nothing. You wouldn’t be allowed to leave their clubhouse to get information to us. You’d be dead.”
But Trixie’s got an answer for that. She gives a sly grin. “Those communication devices you used when the MDMC attacked? If Pippa can get me one of those, I won’t put it in my ear, they might see it. But I’ll put my hair up and hide it in a scrunchy. You’ll be able to hear everything that’s said around me.”
That’s a good fucking plan. Though placed as per her suggestion, we wouldn’t be able to talk back. She wouldn’t be able to hear us. She’d be all on her own. The idea has merit, though, and seeing Trixie through new eyes, I know she’s intelligent enough to ferret out and report back all we need to know. There’s a downside, though. “Doesn’t negate that you could be killed.” I’m forced to point it out.
She shrugs. “At least it would be on my own terms. My choice. And,” now she beams a genuine smile, “I’ll have had the most amazing five years of my life.”
And isn’t that the saddest thing I’ve ever heard?
It seems I’m not the only one to think it. Bullseye leans forward, his eyes piercing hers. “You do this. You return? We’ll owe you a big fuckin’ debt.”
Suddenly, the room feels like it’s closing in on me, as the realisation hits me of just how fucking amazing this woman is. I keep my eyes fixed on her as if seeing her for the first time, not as a release for my cock, but as a woman. And one who’s prepared to put her life on the line for my kid.
When the Kings helped her, they, and we, unknowingly bought her loyalty. She’s brave as fuck. Many men would hesitate to do what she’s offering.
What a fucking contrast to the women I thought I could love, but who had betrayed me in the worst way possible.
Yeah, I’m starting to look at Trixie very differently.
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
TRIXIE
I’m so damn scared my knees are knocking together. My speech at church was mostly bravado. Not the bit about owing my life to the Kings, but the part that I’m ready to give my life to save Ace’s. It’s not that I wouldn’t do that in a heartbeat, but I doubt I’d be stoic. Being beaten up and raped fucking hurts. Of course, I’m nervous.
I’m in one of the club’s SUVs, being driven to the warehouse where the tracker I planted has pinpointed Ace’s location. Tempest is driving, Freak beside him, and I’m squashed in the middle of the back seat between Woody and Paint.
With every mile we travel, my heart rate rises, and my leg involuntarily bounces. I try to calm myself, but it’s not easy. I’m going to walk into the lion’s den with little hope of getting out. I just hope, while I’m there, that I can get the information Freak and his brothers need.
I try to prepare myself. I can’t expect to gain entry without some of the MDMC wanting to try their new pussy out. Pulling myself back into the mindset that kept me relatively sane for the ten years of my marriage, I hope that the deviances and crueltyPiero showed are the worst I can expect tonight. I survived them once. I can do so again.
“It’s not too late to back out,” Paint offers quietly.
But not quietly enough. I can see Freak, riding shotgun, tense.
“I’m going to do this. I just…” I swallow hard as the realisation hits of what I’ve offered to do. They’re not going to say, hey, new girl, come, let’s show you around and let you get yourself settled before trying you out. They’re more likely to pull a train. Something I’ve done before, but hell, I enjoyed it. A few drinks and I was into it as much as the brothers, especially knowing that with the Kings I could always tap out. It takes a moment for me to be able to finish my sentence. “I know I might need to play my part before trying to locate Ace.”
Freak slams his hand against the glove box, but he says nothing.
I try to lighten the situation. Touching my ponytail that’s tightly wrapped in a scrunchy, hiding the communication device, I chuckle. “I just feel sorry for you guys having to listen to the MDMC getting their rocks off.”
This time, Freak’s fist against the vehicle’s interior is accompanied by a loud, “Fuck.”
“Brother,” Tempest starts in a calming tone.
“No, this isn’t fuckin’ alright. Whatever you’ve said, Trix, about having cheated death before you came here, I can’t fuckin’ ask you to do this.” Freak turns around to look at me.
As sincerely as I can, I answer him. “I’m not doing this for you, Freak. And you didn’t ask me, I volunteered because it’s the right thing to do. Ace is a total innocent. He doesn’t deserve any of this. And me going into that club is the best chance of getting you the information so you can launch your attack.” He goes to speak, but I forestay him. “I don’t have a suicide wish. I’m going to do everything I can to make sure both Ace and I come out ofthis alive. No, I’m not looking forward to whatever they’re going to do with me. But I survived what I did for ten years. A few hours is going to mean nothing.”
He catches my eyes in the glow from the streetlight we’re just happening to pass, and holds them. Even when total darkness descends again, I can still feel them burning into me. “To me, this isn’t nothing, Trixie.”
