Angels from Hell: A Biker Erotic Romance (2 page)

“That’s right,” Shep responds before noticing me. “Hey, babe,” Shep says when our eyes meet. I see the first man staring openly at me for a moment. Then, he turns away with a shake of his head.

Charlie and I leave to return the truck. Next, we head to some pizza joint the members of his club like, so I can settle my tab. As Charlie drives, I bitch about Shep and what I suspect I overheard.

Charlie finds it considerably funnier than I do. “Well, what do you expect?” Charlie asks.

“What do you mean?” I demand. I have no idea what he is talking about.

“Oh, come on, Claire. Don’t play dumb,” Charlie scolds. “You know what you look like. Shep is pretty good with the ladies. Everyone knows it. Everyone assumes you two are eventually going to sleep together, if you’re not already.” Charlie grins at me, mischief in his eyes. “You
didn’t
sleep with him last night, did you?”

“You can bite my ass,” I snap, not enjoying Charlie’s teasing at all. “I’ll sleep in the garage first.”

We spend the next two hours shooting the bull around a half-dozen large pizzas, a couple orders of breadsticks, and several pitchers of beer. At first I am a quiet, intimidated by the group, but everyone works to draw me out. After I tell my story, the Kings, as they call themselves, fill me in on their club.

The
Kings of Chaos
was founded about thirty years ago by Robert King, owner of the Harley-Davidson dealership where Charlie, Shep, and two of the other men work. Though most members ride Harleys, they are open to any man or woman who ride any type of bike. I am surprised to find that the Mayor of Asheville is a member.

Membership dues are $1,500 per year. Of that amount, $1,000 is donated to the charity of your choice. The rest entitles you to wear the Kings of Chaos jacket. As a member of the Kings, if you happen to ride a Harley, you can receive discounts on parts and service at the dealership. The Kings spend most of their “working” time raising money for local charities. They often visit schools to encourage kids to stay in school and out of trouble.

My opinion of the Kings steadily rises as they talk. It is obvious that Charlie and Shep are well liked and respected in the group. Everyone agrees that Charlie is one of the best wrenches in the country. As one guy put it, “If Charlie can’t fix it, you might as well buy a new bike because nobody can fix it.”

I look at Charlie and grin. I begin to see Charlie in an entirely new light. It appears that my baby brother has done okay.

***

I have a week before I start my new position at the hospital. So, Monday I give the house a thorough scrubbing. It makes me feel better, since I live there. It gives me something to do and helps me earn my keep.

I look through the pantry and ‘fridge. I make a list of items we need from the market. I open a mayonnaise jar in the door, checking the contents. As I put the nearly empty jar back, I notice another jar way in the back. I pull it out and open it to see if it is a forgotten empty jar or a full one. Instead of mayo, I find cash. A lot of cash. I pull the wad of money out of the jar and count out nearly $15,000 in cash. Most of the bills are $100s. I run my finger along the inside of the jar and discover that what looks like mayonnaise is actually white paint. Clever. I put the cash back and return the jar to its former location. As I close the door, I get a sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach. Late night trips, large sums of cash. Something is going on.

***

I say nothing about the cash when the Charlie and Shep return from work, but it’s hard to pretend I’m not worried. As we eat dinner, I say very little. I just focus on my food.

“Claire, everything okay?” Charlie asks, clearly picking up on my mood.

“I’m fine. Just tired I guess,” I say. “It’s been a busy couple of weeks.”

Before Charlie can answer, Shep’s phone rings with a jaunty little ditty. He glances at the screen then quickly excuses himself, walking into the garage before answering.

“Claire, I’m sorry about Shep,” Charlie says. “He’s really a good guy when you get to know him. Give him a chance.”

“It’s not Shep that I’m worried about,” I say.

“Then what’s bothering you? You haven’t said ten words all night.”

“I…” I begin, but Shep sticks his head in from the garage.

“Charlie! I need to talk to you,” he says waving his phone. “It’s Ron.”

Charlie looks at Shep, then back to me, clearly torn. “Sorry,” he says to me. “I’ll be right back.”

Charlie jumps to his feet and hurries to the garage, closing the door behind him.

***

Later that night, I’m walking back into Charlie’s bedroom after my shower when I hear Charlie and Shep talking softly downstairs. I pause at the top of the steps to listen.

“She’s my sister, Shep.” Charlie says.

“I know. And I would do the same for my sister. But…”

“But what?”

“Charlie. You don’t need any distractions right now. You need to stay frosty or you’re going to get yourself killed. Did you forget what happened Saturday?”

“No,” Charlie says. “You’re right. I shouldn’t have gone Saturday, not after that long of a drive. But it was already setup. I had to go.”

“I know. But that’s what I’m talking about. Look, Claire seems like a nice woman, but just having her here…I warned you, didn’t I? Look at you, you’re sleeping on the couch for Christ’s sake!”

“Yeah,” Charlie agrees. “But there is nothing else I can do. It’s okay, Shep. We only need this one big score and we can quit. Just like we planned. She’s only going to be here three or four weeks. I can hold it together that long.”

“I hope your right,” Shep says.

***

Tuesday night, as I sit in propped in Charlie’s bed, reading, I hear the garage door go up again. I close my eyes, sick with dread. I hear the motorcycles start and settle into their heavy idle. When the bikes pull away, I can feel a single tear leak out of my eye as the garage door grumbles closed.

I’m still holding the book, trying unsuccessfully to read, when Charlie and Shep return less than an hour later. They seem jubilant as they bang and rattle around in the kitchen.

“You up for this?” Shep asks.

“You bet your ass. It’s what we’ve been waiting on,” Charlie says excitedly.

“Yes, mate, it is,” Shep says. “Tomorrow I will let the group know. Listen, I know we have talked about this before, but you need to kick Claire out of your bed. You need to be rested and ready to kick ass. We don’t want a repeat of Saturday. If that happens this time, you’re going to get your ass handed to you.”

“Make her sleep on the couch?” Charlie asks. “Or are you offering your room?” he adds after a pause, laughing.

Shep chuckles. “I know who got the looks in your family and the brains, too. I don’t think she will give me a second look. Or, are you suggesting I sleep on the couch?”

Charlie laughs with Shep. “That’s because she has good tastes. It’s fine, Shep. The couch is comfortable enough. Besides, if she’s down here, she is
really
going to
be in the way.”

“I know, Charlie. Despite the fact you
never
listen to me, I like you. I don’t want you to get hurt. Or killed.”

I hear Charlie chuckle. “I listen to you. Sometimes. Don’t worry man, I got this.”

“I hope your right, Charlie. I hope your right.”

***

The next two days are perfectly normal. No late night trips, no mysterious conversations, and no secret phone calls. I even begin to warm up to Shep, a little. He can be very charming when he wants to be. He seems to be going out of his way to try and win me over. I still don’t trust him though. I wonder what he and my idiot brother have gotten mixed up in.

Friday evening, over dinner, Charlie invites me once again to join him for a ride.

“We’re going to cruise the Cherohala tomorrow. Why don’t you come along?” Charlie asks.

“Do come along, Claire,” Shep says. “I promise not to let anyone think we’re sleeping together,” he says with a grin.

“Is that what you have been telling everyone?” I ask, my voice flat.

“I have
never
said we are sleeping together,” Shep says, his grin growing wider. “I just haven’t, uh, denied it, exactly.”

“What does that mean?”

“It means-” Shep begins.

“It means,” Charlie says talking over him with a grin, “that he refuses to talk about it. But, people think you two are sleeping together anyway.”

“Thanks a lot you two. Now people think I’m nothing but a harlot,” I snap, annoyed that even my own brother won’t stand up for me.

Charlie chuckles. “Now don’t get mad,” he says. “If Shep were to deny it, everyone would be
sure
you two are sleeping together. You know how it is. The more you deny something, the more people think it must be true. It’s better to just not talk about it at all and that is what Shep is doing.”

There is a certain logic in what Charlie says, but I still don’t like it. On the other hand, if I go with Charlie and Shep tomorrow and just ignore Shep, maybe people will…. “Okay. I accept,” I say.

“Great!” Shep says with a big smile. “Gives me a chance to show you I’m not such a bad bloke.”

***

Saturday morning Charlie gets me geared up for the ride. I start out in shorts, a light top, and sneakers, but Charlie sends me back for jeans. I have nothing to replace the sneakers and top, so those remain. I do slip on a jean jacket. “Can you hear me?” his voice sounds in my ears.

“I can,” I reply into the microphone dangling in front of my lips.

“I think we’re ready then,” he says, cranking the bike over. Its thudding heartbeat is muffled by the helmet Charlie has provided. I hear Shep’s bike rumble to life and we roll out of the garage. I have ridden behind Charlie one other time, years ago, and he scared the shit out of me. Now, I find he is a confident, careful rider. We work our way through traffic. We are on our way to meet the rest of the Kings who are going on this cruise.

We pull into a restaurant that has about fifteen bikes parked in front. Shep and Charlie wheel their bikes around and back them beside the others. “Big group this morning,” Charlie says, as he pulls his helmet off.

“Yeah,” Shep agrees. “First decent day for riding this year.”

Inside, Charlie introduces me to about twenty people. Most are wearing
King of Chaos
jackets. A few of the woman are wearing attire similar to mine, although I think I am the only person there wearing sneakers instead of some type of boot. We enjoy a leisurely breakfast, talking and laughing. Everyone goes out of their way to make me feel welcome. I am once again struck by how…normal...everyone seems. Not at all how I imagined a biker gang or club would be.

With breakfast over, we hit the road. We ride sedately along some of the most beautiful roads I have ever seen. The wind in my face, the smell of open country, the relaxing thrum of the bike, all conspire to make me forget my troubles. “Charlie,” I say into the mic.

“Yeah?”

“Tell me what’s going on.”

“What do you mean?” Charlie asks, clearly puzzled at what I’m talking about.

“I found the money. I’ve heard you and Shep talking.”

“What? Are you snooping now?” Charlie asks, his voice hard.

“No. I was just seeing if we needed more mayonnaise before I went to the store. Then, I overheard you and Shep talking after my shower the other day.”