“Not dating who?”Motown stalks in with a coffee cup from my favorite coffee shop, Java Hut.He looks at me and says, “We straightened that out last night.”
Ruth looks from Motown to me, then back to Motown, then says, “Finally pulled the finger out of your ass, huh?About time.Maybe Bronson will get the hint and stay away from Tessa.”
“Tessa’s covered, Ruth.I’ve got eyes on her shop,” he tells her.
“What are you talking about?”I ask, getting their attention.
Ruth turns to Motown.“You did tell her about Bronson, right?”
Motown ignores Ruth and hands me my latte, then kisses me sweetly.“We’ll talk tonight, babe.And yeah, I got eyes on your shop because you mean something to me, and I want to make sure you stay safe.”
“I told Bronson the first time he asked me out that I wasn’t interested in a relationship with him.He said he was fine with it, and we could be friends.I was going to repeat the same message when he showed up with roses, but you came in before I could.”I glance over at Ruth.“He said he understood.”
“He’s not the kind of man who takes no for an answer, girly,” Ruth answers.“He’s a predator.He hears what he wants to hear and ignores what doesn’t suit him.He’ll be back,” she warns.
Motown lets out a heavy sigh.“Probably.If he shows up, call me immediately.Hand me your phone, Tessa.”I take it out of my purse and give it to him.He taps his information into my cell phone.“With any luck, Bronson’s moved on, but either way, I’ll keep you safe, baby,” he says.He puts the phone back in my hand, then caresses my cheek.“Don’t stress, okay?”
I wasn’t stressed, but after this chat, I’m beginning to think I need to keep my guard up.Still, I answer, “I’m fine.”Motown sees right through to my soul.He bends his head and brushes his lips over my cheek.
“You’re not, but you will be,” he says with steely determination.“I’ve got a couple of prospects outside.I made myself clear with Bronson yesterday, but if he’s stupid enough to show up again, I’ll make sure he understands not to come near my woman.”
Very caveman-ish, but also very sexy!I can’t help but smile.
“I can stick around,” Ruth says.I almost forgot she was here.
“You look beat.Go home and get some rest.I’ll bring Tessa by the bar tonight to see you and to meet some of the guys,” Motown replies.
She pokes Motown in the chest.“I’m leaving you in charge.Don’t screw it up.”Without waiting for a response, she sashays out the door.
Motown chuckles.“You made an impression on Ruth.She’s a tough nut to crack.”
I do a little shrug and say, “She doesn’t hate me,” with a giggle.Motown bursts out laughing, and it’s so contagious that I do the same.
He stays long enough to make plans to pick me up at my place tonight so we can go see Ruth and meet some of his buddies from the shop.They’re also part of his MC.He had to explain what an MC is.The Redemption Riders is a new club and very exclusive, from what he tells me.Hawk, their president, is selective about who comes into the club, because this is more than a club; it’s a brotherhood.
It seems I have a lot to learn about the MC lingo.
Chapter6
Set Up
Motown
Igive Declan a nod as I ride past him on my bike.He’s positioned himself close to the shop, with his truck under a shady tree, his gaze fixed on the entrance to the Cozy Corner Gift Shop.Declan’s been a prospect for over a year, coming up on two.He’s done everything the club has asked of him and gone above and beyond many times over.Declan knows a final vote is necessary to make him a full member of the Redemption Riders.All the members must vote a resounding “yes” for a prospect to be patched into the club.Lee is the other prospect.He and Declan are extremely close.It looks like when Hawk calls for the vote, he’s going to want the brothers to vote on both prospects at the same time.That day is fast approaching.
Hawk is under a car when I come into the mechanic shop.Hawk has so much to do that he rarely gets a chance to get his hands dirty, which is sad because he’s one of the best mechanics I know.He’s like me and loves to hear the purr of an engine coming to life.
I knock on the hood of the car.“Hey, brother, need a hand?”
He rolls out.“Nah, I’m almost done.I didn’t see you last night at the compound.All good?”
I smile.“Better than good.I took Tessa for a ride last night.Got back late and got the best night’s sleep I’ve had in weeks.”
“You two solid?”
“We’ve still got to talk shit out, but we’re on the right track.”
“That’s good, brother.You deserve a good woman by your side,” he says, coming to his feet and wiping his hands on a clean rag.“I hear you got Declan on babysitting duty,” he says with a chuckle.
