“Here,” I say, taking the bags off her and lifting them into the back.
“Thanks,” she replies, offering me a small smile before getting into the passenger seat. Arrow gets on his bike, waiting for us. I open the passenger door and study her.
“We have a problem,” I say, leaning on top of the car. “I’m going to trust that you can handle this.”
“What is it?” she asks, looking concerned.
I hand her the keys. “I need to ride my bike. You’ll be in the car alone, but I’ll be riding right beside you, and so will Arrow.”
“Okay,” she says, not fazed. “How far is the drive?”
“Four hours.”
She puffs out a breath but nods. “Okay. I trust you. Let’s do it.”
“Good girl,” I say, leaning down and pressing a quick kiss to her mouth. “We’ll talk more when we get there.”
“Okay,” she replies, sliding out of the seat. “Vinnie?”
“Yeah?”
“You’re going to stay with me, right? I mean, until your time is up.” Her eyes scan mine, as if searching for the truth. Did she really think I’d leave her? How could I?
“Yes,” I reply, pushing her hair back behind her ear. “I will.”
She nods and walks around to the driver’s seat. I wait until she’s settled before I straddle my bike, happy as fuck to be back on her. Arrow leads, then Shay, me right behind her. She didn’t ask where we were going, so I didn’t have to lie about the answer, but I have no idea how she’s going to react to being taken back to the clubhouse. I never know with her.
We don’t know each other at all, yet we’re connected in a way I don’t understand, a way I’ve never experienced before. The truth is, I don’t know why I want to be around her, I just know that I do, and that is enough for me.
Fifteen minutes into the drive, I realize that she’s a really shitty driver. I’m pretty sure everyone on the road does, with the way she speeds up and then slows down, and the way she stomps on the brakes. I decide to move back a little, just so I don’t end up crashing into her if she decides to stop suddenly. I enjoy the ride but also keep a close eye on Shay and the cars around us. It feels good to have Arrow here too, another set of eyes, and a trusted brother at our backs. We work well as a team, as we’ve been doing it for so long, the same with all the brothers.
We’re a deadly unit.
In my head, I run through the different scenarios that could take place at the clubhouse, and how I’d handle each one. I don’t want Shayla to feel unwelcome, but I imagine everyone is going to be surprised that I’m bringing the woman who was meant to be a job back home to where my family is.
I’m surprised too.
FIFTEEN
Shayla
I PARK the car next to Arrow’s bike and look around. Motorcycles parked next to one another, a big building that looks suspiciously like a biker compound. What are we doing here? Maybe Vinnie wants to get something, or see his friends before we leave again. I look to the left and see Vinnie park his bike on the other side of me. I open my car door, wondering if I am even meant to get out, and stand beside the car. Vinnie removes his helmet and gets off his sexy-looking bike, then pulls me into his chest.
“What are we doing here?” I ask him, glancing up. “Should I stay in the car?”
“No,” he says slowly, a strange look passing on his handsome face. “You’re coming in.”
“Okay,” I say, looking toward the entrance. “I kind of do need to pee.”
Vinnie grins as he takes my hand and leads me into his territory. He takes me through the compound while I quickly check out the place. We stop at what I assume is his bedroom, which he opens with a key. “Bathroom is through there,” he says, nodding toward the door. “You must be hungry too. I’ll see what we have in the kitchen, or I’ll get a prospect to pick something up for you.”
“Whatever is fine,” I say, walking into the bathroom. I take a peek at him before I close the door, seeing him opening his drawers, doing something. I really don’t want him to hear me pee, so I close the door and run the tap water while I handle my business. I wash my hands when I’m done, checking out my reflection in the mirror. I look tired. I’m going to sleep like a baby tonight, that’s for sure. When I return to Vinnie’s bedroom, he’s sitting on the massive bed, typing something on his phone. He glances up at me and grins. “At least here we can fuck without being interrupted by people trying to kill you, or Arrow checking up on me.” He pauses. “Probably have all the old ladies in our faces though. It’s most likely Faye and Anna who will be the biggest pains in the ass.”