Rusty Cage (Rawlins Heretics MC Book 1) Page 7

  “Or maybe I’ll hide away until he loses interest or I can locate a chastity belt.”

  “The payoff is worth wading through the shit,” Bay says and pats Yarrow’s bare feet.

  “Assuming it turns out well.”

  “Even if it doesn’t. What if you hadn’t killed Cris or made a deal with Madden and Joker? You could have played shit safe a million times, but you embraced the tougher choice. Now with a frigging guy and dating, you’ve lost your spine.”

  “Hey, my spine’s intact,” I mutter and roll my eyes. “It’s my heart I’m worried about.”

  “Hearts heal, Ginger. You should know that better than anyone.”

  Bay has a point about heartbreak. I’ve survived worse than whatever Oz can throw my way.

  “You’re right, and I’ll give dating another try.”

  “No,” Yarrow says, frowning up at me.

  Smiling down at her, I nod. “Yes.”

  I slide off the bed and shove my feet into the black and white Converse high-tops Pepper bought for my twenty-fifth birthday two years ago. “Let’s get to the townhouses and make sure the crews aren’t slacking off. Duffy needs a place to call home.”

  While Bay smiles at my burst of confidence, Yarrow continues to mope. They both follow me out of the room and downstairs to where Hildy offers breakfast in the decorative kitchen. I fill a small plate with eggs and grits before downing a strong cup of black coffee. Once I swallow the last bite, I thank Hildy and head to the location of my freak-out last night.

  The townhomes’ guest parking lot is filled with trucks and motorcycles as usual. Startled men stop drinking their coffees when the girls and I pull up, though the roar of our Harleys ought to have alerted them to our impending arrival.

  “Are we on schedule?” I ask the contractor of the crew working on Yarrow’s and my units.

  He checks off everything he’s done on his crew’s to-do list, and I nod approvingly. Despite my professional air, I’m mostly interested if Oz is here yet.

  Casually scanning the area, I can’t be certain which Harley belongs to him.

  Bay slides up behind me and whispers, “He’s with his crew in my place. They’re arguing over who paints best. I smell a fistfight brewing, so bonus on that.”

  Smiling at her help, I fight the urge to high-tail it back to the safety of the B&B.

  “Bacon heading our way,” Pepper says, nodding at three police cruisers driving up the street and straight for us.

  I look back at my girls and give them the “don’t make this bloody” warning look. Pepper nods, yet I know she’ll head to the second story of one of the townhomes just in case her rifle needs a target.

  Walking casually to the curb where the cruisers park, I notice six cops altogether, two per car, and way more than necessary for a friendly hello. The man taking the lead wears a ten-gallon hat, and I assume he’s a big John Wayne fanboi.

  “Nice hat,” I tell the sheriff who adjusts his heavy belt to emphasize how he’s packing heat which would be way more impressive if I wasn’t packing a sniper. “Can I help you?”

  “Sheriff Green. And you are?”

  “Ginger Jones.”

  “You own this property?”

  “My company does.”

  “And what company would that be?”

  “ENC Inc. We’re looking to invest a sizable chunk of change in Rawlins. If you need more details, feel free to call up the mayor and have him fill you in.”

  “I’ll do that. Now, who runs this ENC?”

  “I’m the president. Did you need something specific because...?” Studying the officers behind him, I decide I haven’t sufficiently annoyed anyone today. “Do you have any girl officers?”

  “Come again?” he asks, leaning forward as if he hadn’t quite heard me.

  “Does your department have women officers?”

  “We have women working at the station.”

  “As officers?”

  “Can’t say we do.”

  “If women were interested in becoming an officer, would you give them a fair shake?”

  “What are you getting at? Do you want to become an officer?” he asks, smirking at the thought.

  “No, but I might know someone interested in moving here and getting into law enforcement. Perhaps, your department needs a dash of estrogen. It’s 2017 after all.”

  “We don’t currently have any openings.”

  “Too bad,” I say, sizing up the officers. “But if you lost a few officers for some reason, you’d be cool with having girls on the team?”

  “Lost them how?”

  “They quit or were fired. Or, I don’t know, if something tragic happened to them. Just that they hypothetically weren’t around anymore. How about then?”

  Disapproving of my question, Green twists his lips. “Do you have the correct permits for the work you’re having done here?”

  “I have the mayor on speed dial, so, yeah, Sheriff Green, I have the correct permits. He’s very open to the great ideas we have for Rawlins. In fact, I bet he’d be psyched about having women on the force.”

  “My men aren’t going anywhere.”

  “Of course not,” I say and then stretch my arms in the air. “It’s a dangerous job, though, isn’t it?”

  “I’m going to check into your permits.”

  “And I’ll let my friend know how all the officer positions are currently filled.”

  The sheriff can’t tell if I’m stupid, threatening him, or stupidly threatening him. Arms still in the air, I lean to my right and then to the left. Nothing relaxes me more than making an asshole worry about his safety.

  After Green and his officers drive off, I stroll over to Bay and Clove.

  “Problem?” Clove asks.

  “Maybe.”

  “Thoughts on handling it?”

  “Let’s see what the law’s next move is before we make any rash decisions. The cops around here answer to the mayor who has dollar signs in his beady eyes. So, in a way, we own the sheriff, and he just hasn’t gotten the memo.”

  In the second-floor window, a disappointed Pepper shakes her head when the cops leave. We’ve behaved for too long, and it’s difficult to give up our old ways. No doubt we’ll need to do something devious soon or face cracking from going straight cold turkey.

  ➸ Oz ★

  Blackjack informs me the Everything Nice Crew has arrived. When I ask if their foxy leader is with them, he nods. As much as I want to run outside and force Ginger to pay attention to me, I play shit cool.

  My guys know I’m jonesing for the blonde, and apparently, my unquenchable horniness is a sign of weakness. They can’t understand why I don’t fuck another blonde from behind and pretend she’s Ginger. That’s how the assholes think, and I probably thought the same way until she walked through the doors of the Rusty Cage.

  My patience evaporates once Sheriff Green arrives with his rat-faced followers in tow. I assume they had a warrant for someone and decided to grab the poor bastard at work. My guys are safe since there’s a guy at the station who gives us a heads-up whenever Green gets a hard-on for the club.

  Green doesn’t look to have a warrant in his hand when he talks to Ginger. Based on their stances, he’s trying to intimidate her, and she’s trying to mess with him. When he looks back at his guys as if for help, I get the sense Ginger’s winning their pissing match. Even with her back to me, I feel her smiling. The chick has the biggest set of balls I’ve ever seen, and she does love to show them off.

  I feel Glitch standing behind me. He’s cracking his knuckles in the way he does when ready to punch someone.

  “Be cool,” I mutter, not needing the sheriff to focus his rat eyes on the club.

  Whatever Ginger says to Green, he decides the conversation isn’t going his way, so he backs away and likely makes one last threat. I know the drill because he occasionally pulls the same shit with me.

  I leave Glitch to crack his knuckles, so I can join Ginger at the sidewalk. Glancing
toward the townhomes, I catch sight of what I suspect is a rifle pointing at the leaving cops. I don’t know why I find a sniper taking out Green so hilarious, but I’m laughing by the time I reach Ginger.

  “What’s so funny?” she asks, growing tense at the sight of me.

  “Problem with Hat and his boys?”

  “No, he just wanted to see if we were single and ready to mingle.”

  “What did you tell him?”

  “I played it coy. Never know when we might need the boys in blue.”

  Smiling at her bullshit lie, I step closer. “My kids appreciated the leftovers from last night’s dinner.”

  Her arrogant expression falters the smallest bit before Ginger takes a deep breath to regain her tough exterior.

  “Sorry about leaving suddenly. Shit came up.”

  “Yeah, I figure you overbooked your night and had to get somewhere else real quick.”

  “You figured correctly.”

  “I usually do.”

  “I had fun until I had to leave,” she says, aiming for casual and sounding uncertain instead.

  “I know. You were swooning hard for me. It was flattering.”

  Lips twisted with irritation, she mutters, “I’m sure it was.”

  “You should swoon for me again.”

  “Sure, but this time maybe you can be the one who shares the personal shit while I nod sympathetically.”

  “On one condition.”

  “What’s that?”

  “You ride bitch on our date, so I won’t worry about you running off so unexpectedly.”

  “Why wouldn’t I still run off?” she asks, giving me a naughty grin.

  “True, you could steal my Harley.”

  “Could and would.”

  “Think you could handle so much power between your legs?”

  Ginger steps closer and stares deeply into my eyes. “Yes, Oz, I think I can handle your dick.”

  “Whatever do you mean?” I ask and let out a raucous laugh.

  Ginger smiles at my amusement, and I spot the tension ease from her shoulders. Reaching out, I run my fingers along the braid hanging down her chest.

  “I like touching you,” I say, having never cared enough to filter myself.

  “I’m glad, and I really like you, Oz. Like my heart beats faster when I see you, so don’t take what I’m about to say personally, okay?”

  “What?” I ask, cocking an eyebrow.

  “Get back to work.”

  Laughing, I gently tug at her braid. “Yes, ma’am.”

  “It’s important that my crew moves in as soon as possible. Duffy is getting antsy at the B&B, and the place is filled with breakable shit.”

  Thinking of the kid I’ve only gotten a glimpse of, I know she’s got some issues. Duffy is around my kids’ ages, and no way would Alani and Makoa like to live in a fancy, knickknack-filled house.

  “Once you get settled in the new place, you oughta throw a party with barbecue and games, so I can bring my kids over to meet Duffy.”

  “She doesn’t like parties.”

  “Fine, just invite me and my kids and then feed us.”

  Ginger laughs, and another layer of tension fades from her body. This woman riles me up in the best way, but I worry she’ll never let me close enough for my taste. I can fuck her in every way imaginable, and Ginger will still find ways to remain a stranger.

  “Don’t be sad, Oz,” she says and pats my cheek. “Use the unhappiness in here,” she continues while touching my chest, “to fuel your work in there,” she finishes and points to the townhome.

  “How come you have another crew working on your townhome?”

  “The luck of the draw,” she lies and spins around to join Clove in the parking lot.

  Watching Ginger walk away, I mentally will her to look at me and smile. Not even a big sloppy smile, just something small to hold me over until our next date when I plan to kiss her into becoming my sex slave.

  Just one tiny fucking smile...

  Ginger reaches the parking lot before giving into my mental powers. She turns to look at me over her shoulder, frowns at me still watching her, and then reveals a hint of a smile. Yeah, that’ll do it.

  Chapter Seven

  hau‘oli

  ➸ Oz ★

  I pull up to Hildy’s B&B and find the wide, wraparound porch filled with women. Turning off my Harley, I notice Duffy in the front lawn. She wears her pink headphones over her short blonde hair and investigates a flowering dogwood. Near the little girl is the one Everything Nice fox I haven’t met. The infamous Yarrow follows Duffy around until she spots me.

  Ginger isn’t on the porch, and I hesitate to approach the house if I must pass by Duffy and Yarrow. The kid is easily triggered, and the eighteen-year-old is trigger-happy.

  So I remain on my Harley and wait for Ginger to appear. Minutes pass until I finally text her. Though she promises she’s almost ready; I swear she’s standing behind the front door laughing at me for having to wait on her.

  Bay eventually leaves the porch and walks to me. I sometimes get confused between her and Pepper since they both have short dark hair, B cup-sized tits, and no hips. Up close, it’s easier to tell them apart. Pepper’s blue eyes always glare at me while Bay’s brown ones seem mostly bored. Plus, this chick has been gifted with enough freckles for three people.

  “She’s dealing with Little Memphis business.”

  “Does she need help?”

  “If she did, would we be sitting out here, enjoying the pretty day?”

  “Yes, yes, you would.”

  Bay grins. “You’re free to join us for a beer on the porch. Pepper is so buzzed that she might confuse you for a very butch chick and be nice to you.”

  “Tempting for sure, but what about those two?”

  Bay glances back at Duffy who now circles a giant oak tree. Yarrow continues to follow the younger girl, but her gaze remains on me.

  “Duffy is very chill today. The cooler weather helps.”

  “And Yarrow?”

  “She won’t shoot you.”

  “Good to hear.”

  Bay’s smile widens. “You’re scared of her, aren’t you? Precious. If I were you, and I am so very thankful that I’m not, but if I was, I’d be more afraid of the hot blonde you’re taking out on a date. She’s a devious twat.”

  I chuckle at her wording. “Yeah, but she’s foxy, so the risk is worth it.”

  Enjoying my response, Bay laughs and steps back. “Hildy said your mommy wanted on the planning committee but was denied just like Hildy.”

  “That’s right. Well, I didn’t know about Hildy wanting to have a spot, but the stuff about my mom is true.”

  “Is your mom cool or is she a bitchy version of you?”

  “Both.”

  “Strong women are sexy,” Bay says, sounding like one of my boys.

  “That they are.”

  “Maybe your mom will get that spot after all.”

  Smiling, I would fucking love for my mom to get a coveted spot on the planning board. If only, so she’ll have something to keep her busy now that the kids are older and don’t need her babying them anymore.

  “That would be something I’d appreciate.”

  “Reward Ginger then.”

  “Even though she is a devious twat, right?” I ask while wearing a smirk.

  “Especially because of that.”

  Ginger appears at the door, spots me, and scans the yard for Yarrow and Duffy. Once she gets the lay of the land, she nearly floats past her friends before taking the spot next to my Harley that Bay vacates.

  “You’re early,” she lies.

  “Nope.”

  “I had business to take care of. I’d apologize, but you’d smell my bullshit.”

  “What kind of business?” I ask before she can climb on behind me.

  Ginger studies my face before giving me the most beautiful smile I’ve ever seen on a woman. “Fuck off,” she says lovingly and then climbs onto the Har
ley. “Where are we going?”

  “Somewhere you can’t escape.”

  Laughing at my menacing tone, she tightly wraps her arms around me and nuzzles her cheek against the back of my vest. The thought of her lips caressing my club’s patch makes my dick so hard that I nearly yank it free from my jeans and deal with the problem.

  Fortunately, I get myself under control. Having Duffy nearby is enough to freeze the arousal right out of my balls. Little girls and sex do not mix. One day, my angel will have boys sniffing around her, and the thought always makes me want to puke.

  With my dick in neutral, I drive the Harley away from the B&B and head for a place I’ve had in mind for a date since I was a kid. Until Ginger, I never liked a woman enough to take her to the Silver Swan Castle just outside of Rawlins.

  Ginger holds on tight as I take many winding roads through rural areas. With autumn nearly here, the weather’s cooled considerably, and the leaves already threaten to change color.

  Nothing could make me leave Rawlins. I love the town’s best and shittiest qualities. Mostly, I love knowing my kids will grow up looking at the same trees, enjoying the same dirt roads, and suffering from the same beautiful boredom I did growing up. Who knows? One day, Makoa might even take a beautiful girl on a ride to the Silver Swan Castle.

  ➸ Ginger ☆

  Back in Little Memphis, I rode bitch on Madden’s Harley a few times, and I always hated the experience. Madden has many good qualities, and he’s an alpha compared to many, many men. Compared to me, though, he’s a fucking Chihuahua, and I refused to be his “bitch.” If the alpha rides up front, Madden should be my bitch and ride like one. Was that really so difficult?

  Of course, it was. Madden didn’t want to be pushed around, and he’d lose his sexiness if he allowed me to make him the bitch. So we broke up, and I figured I’d never ride behind someone again.

  Now I’m somewhere in Arkansas with a man I barely know, riding on the back of his Harley while trusting he won’t do me wrong. Not that I didn’t come armed. Of course, I feel his pistol strapped under his vest, so it’ll be an even match if shit goes wrong.