I waved Burner up to the front and kept the back of the truck covered. Whatever the fuck was going on, it made my skin tingle. Not much good ever happened when my skin tingled. Tick sensed something, no other reason for him to break his position.
After hours of riding, we finally came up to the Disciples. Tick stood with them at the rest stop, his hands fisted and his face red from yelling. The truck parked, and I rode over to where he stood. I scanned the small group but found no trace of our guys.
"What the fuck happened?" I hopped off my bike and stood at Tick's side.
"Fuck if I know." Sting waved hand in the air at Tick. "This fucker just barreled in here throwing accusations."
"Where's our guy?" I demanded, signing Tick's rage for the moment.
"I don't know. He saw those cruisers and freaked. Took off down the first exit we came across." Sting didn't look at me when he spat out that lie. Jasper wasn't a seasoned member, but never would he hightail it at just the sight of a cop. Fuck, cops harassed us almost daily.
"I've been calling his cell. Voicemail each time." Burner stepped up to us.
"Hey, assholes." The driver of the truck walked over to us. "I don't care what your internal shit is about. I'm gonna piss and we hit the road." He shoved his way through us. I watched him walk away, then turned back to Sting.
"Who changed the pick up location at the last minute?"
"I don't know. I wasn't doing the pick up." He lit a smoke.
"You sat there last night. The location was changed this morning. Marcus didn't know about it, which means you fucks did." I stepped up to him.
"Whatever. Take it up with Jayson when we get back." He looked off into the distance, trying to dismiss me.
The driver walked past us, not even looking our way, and headed to the truck. "I guess we're ready." I jerked a thumb in his direction. "We'll take the back, you take the front." I gave Tick a nod and we headed back to our bikes.
"Who made you in charge, asshole?" Sting bit out at me. I didn't turn around. I flicked him off and kept heading to my bike. I wasn't going to kick his ass yet. Not here. Not with Bernardo's guy watching. I'd wait. But an ass kicking was in his future.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
LUCY
Whatever kept those guys out on the road all day must have been really serious. When Sting and his guys walked through the door of the club that night, they all looked pissed and ready to fight. I wasn't in the mood, so I kept to the bar and helped Jessica sling beer and whiskey.
Jayson managed to leave me alone while the guys were gone. I'd gotten a solid five hours of sleep before Jessica woke me up. The longer they were gone, the more I worried for Mason. The two clubs hated each other. Even if the cartel made them play nice, how long would it last? What were they up to? I knew enough to know I didn't want the details, but I needed to know Mason got home in one piece.
Sting left the guys at the bar and headed to Jayson's room. If his scowl was any indication, I'd say they all had a pretty shitty day. "Just keep the liquor flowing. Most of these guys are gonna suffer whiskey dick pretty soon, just keep it coming, sweetheart." Jessica ran a hand over my back. I nodded. That would suit me fine.
"Lucy, bring a couple of beers back to Jayson and Sting," Lucas called out to me as he walked through the lounge.
I found them in the meeting room, Sting's face red and Jayson looking as cool as ever. "I did what you said, tried everything. I couldn't fucking shake them." Sting threw a chair back from the table and plopped down in it. "Fucking Day wouldn't give me an inch after he saw those fucking troopers on the road. What the fuck were they doing out there anyway? Today was just a trial." He grabbed the beer I handed him and chugged it, not stopping until the bottle was empty.
Jayson eyed me when I put another bottle on the table for Sting, then put one down next to him. "Hey, sweet thing." He reached his hand out and gave my ass a pinch.
"Knock it off, Jayson." I swatted his hand away.
"What? You don't like me anymore?"
"Anymore?" I laughed. His eyes narrowed, and the thin lips I could see under his thick mustache curled.
"You know, Lucy. I was gonna talk with you in private. But, we're family." He waved to his brother, who looked pretty confused at the change in topic.
"I'm gonna forgive your debt." He held up a hand before I could react. "I'm gonna make you my old lady. And my old lady don't need to pay her way."
I nearly dropped the tray I balanced in my palm. "What?" The air left my chest with that one word. "Why would I ever agree to that? You don't like me."
"Like you? What does that have to do with it? I don't even know you. It doesn't matter though, You see, as my old lady, you'll be whatever I want you to be. If I want you to be a little housewife, that's what you'll be. If I want you to keep being my slut, that's what you'll be. See?" He looked up at me from his chair, his eyes not showing an ounce of care or compassion.
"Jayson. I have plans," I started to say, ignoring the snort that came from Sting. "I'm going to go to school. Be a nurse. Do something with myself." I spoke, but it wasn't' for him. It was for me. Reminding myself why I was standing up to him at that moment. Trying to make him see reason.
"You can still go to school. I'll let you get your nurse's hat. Lucas had a good point. We could use someone around here with medical training. Save the boys from having to go to the ER every time they split their fucking noses open."
"How much more do I owe?" I avoided the topic at hand. I need time. An escape.
"Not sure. A lot."
"Why me?" I whispered the question. I wasn't' even sure I was asking him or the universe in general. When my mom got sick, I didn't pity myself. I didn't blame any super being for what happened. I took control of the situation and handled it. When I ran out of money from paying mom's bills and lost my job because the store closed down, I didn't mope about it. I picked up my shit and moved on. Now, though … now I wanted to fucking know why this was happening to me.
"Because you're here. And I won't lie, Lucy, you're hot." Jayson ran his fingers over my stomach, over the tight knit dress I wore. I felt nothing but repulsion at the touch. Not the electricity and fire I felt when Mason's fingers did the same thing.
"There are a lot of hot girls out there. One who would want to be with you, with the club," I pointed out. I tried to keep the tremble from my voice, but I could still hear it. Sting just looked on as though the entire conversation was entertaining. A sitcom instead of my death sentence.
"Yeah, all a bunch of whores and silly girls. You have spitfire." He wrapped his hand around my hip and gave me a little shake. "No. It's you. The only good thing to come out of that bitch Kerri bringing you here."
I looked at Sting at the mention of Kerri's name, hoping for some reaction. He looked almost bored. She was his girlfriend! He killed her, and he barely recognized her fucking name.
"I don't know … " I stepped back, letting his hand drop from my hip. How does one gently let down the president of the club?
"Well. Let me put it this way." His eyes darkened as he watched my retreat. "If you say no, your debt will never be paid off. You'll be the official club Mama. We haven't' had one of those in a while." He shot a grin to Sting, who laughed.
"Fuck, that girl was tough. Took a train every week, that one." He nodded as he reminisced.
"A train?" I shot a worried glance between them.
"Yeah. A train. Every member-"
"No. Stop. Never mind. I know what you mean." I took a deep breath.
"You think about it. I'll give you 'til tomorrow." Jayson waved his hand at me. "Now go. I have work to do. There won't be anyone at your door tonight. You're closed for business, Lucy. But deny me what I want, and that door will never close again. Got it?"
I nodded, suddenly mute, and headed for the door. I needed space. And time. And a way out of the nightmare that had become my life.
"And Lucy." His voice struck a nerve in me. "If you see Mason Day again, so much as look in his direction, I'll fucking kill him. Do you understand me? And his mother, too."