Duke(15)

Chapter Seven





Later in the evening, Gen realized she should’ve checked with Bethany to see what bars her friend had lined up.

The limo’s first stop took them to a cool spot downtown with a live band. Next, they went to a nightclub in a huge warehouse, with way too many people, and it was much too loud, but Gen was tipsy enough to enjoy it. She learned Cam was allowed to come on girls’ night out since he was gay, but there was a long discussion about whether he and Cassie had sex or not, and whether he could still call himself gay. The group didn’t resolve anything, but it was a fun debate and Cam didn’t seem bothered by it in the least. Gen worried at first, and tried to stop the conversation because she would’ve been mortified in his position. However, he hugged her and told her to chill, assuring her no one meant any harm and he was fine.

The final edict from the girls was that Cassie couldn’t let loose properly while dancing with one of her men, which meant the rest of the group needed to keep him occupied. Dancing with him was a blast — he was a hot guy and a better-than-awesome dancer, and they could dirty dance with him without worrying he might expect it to lead somewhere.

Cam ended up dancing suggestively with Bethany and Gen quite a bit at the second place, and by the time they left, Gen was three-sheets-to-the-wind but not quite shit-faced yet.

Kent, their driver, told them he was going to make a quick stop to pick up “reinforcements” before going to the last place. Gen didn’t know what he meant, but was having too much fun to think about it.

When they stopped, Kent got out, walked to another vehicle, stuck his head in the window a few minutes and came back alone.

“Tell me you didn’t just have to do a face-to-face check-in with my husband,” Viv demanded, and she was clearly pissed.

Kent smiled at their reflection in the mirror. “I try not to lie to pretty women, so I can’t tell you that.”

Viv threw her arms up and mock growled, and the group commiserated and then laughed, because they were all clearly safe, just having a night out on the town.

Gen noted the vehicle followed them, but didn’t mention it to Viv. It wasn’t until Gen saw the glowing neon sign that she understood why Tyler was with them for the last stop.

Gen whispered to Bethany, “Why are we here?”

Bethany knew her friend had handled Rolling Thunder’s land deal, and she knew Gen had recognized one of the men from high school. She didn’t know anything else.

“It’s one of the most happenin’ places right now,” Bethany answered. “Plus, you made a ton of money off these guys. Figured it was the perfect spot to end our night and land you completely and totally shit-faced.”

As the women streamed out of the limo, Gen could see through the bike shop parking lot, across the street, and into the compound. They’d situated the driveway so they could keep an eye on their other properties, apparently. Gen could also see a huge bonfire behind the parking lot, towards the still-wooded area, and a lot of people with drinks in their hands. Looked like the RTMC was having a party.

The inside of their bar wasn’t what Gen expected. She figured it’d be honky-tonk redneck, but the place had class. Rich, wooden paneling lined the walls, with gleaming motorcycle parts mounted to them as well as hanging from the ceiling. The bar along the side wall looked expensive, complete with a brass foot-bar and ornate carved pieces on the corners. The tables and chairs weren’t cheap and wobbly. No live band, but a nice sized dance floor and danceable music. Bethany had been right — it looked like the place to be.

Gen followed the group to the bar, got a drink, and the girls hit the dance floor.





Chapter Eight





Duke pulled his cellphone from his pocket with a silent groan. The guys wouldn’t be bothering him during the party unless there was another problem, and they’d had thirteen days without trouble. He was waiting until they made it fourteen days before he made his play for Gen.



Your little spitfire just got out of a limo with a bunch of other women. This isn’t their first stop. They’re wobbling and way too happy.



He read the text and his lips curled into a grin. She’d come to him.

He opened the picture, saw Gen with a bunch of women he didn’t recognize, and a few he did. He’d done his research on Tyler Hastings, so he recognized Hastings’ wife. He also recognized Sam Levi. Duke couldn’t be sure from the picture, but the limo driver looked like one of Aaron’s men, which made sense. A man like Tyler Hastings wouldn’t let his wife go out without someone to watch her back when she drank.

Two more pictures came through, showing the back and front of Gen’s very clingy dress. The damned thing went nearly to her knees. It had a high neck so there was no cleavage showing, but a circle of caramel flesh showed in the center of her back. The only skin he could see was from the knees down, plus her arms, face, and the spot on her back, and yet somehow, in her attempts at trying not to look sexy, she’d managed to look more interesting than her friends in skimpy outfits.