Making the Cut (12 page)

Uh oh, maybe I was being a bitch, I thought about apologizing but was just too stubborn for that.

“I’m ready.” I said, trying to avoid his angry stare.

He picked up his jeans and pulled them on
commando
before slipping on the tee I was just wearing. It took all of my willpower not to jump him.

“Right lets go.” He all but pushed me toward the front door. I quickly took in what I could see of the rest of his house. We were walking towards the foyer, with a coat rack pilled full of jackets, and a couple of pairs of boots below it. As we approached the door I glanced to my left to see an open plan living room/ kitchen area jutting off the foyer. It was sparse with a couch that had seen better days sitting in the middle, an old afghan was thrown haphazardly over the back. A cluttered coffee table sat in front of it, littered with beer bottles and what looked like motorcycle parts. A huge TV took up a lot of space in the room, it looked top of the range. Boys and their toys I mentally shook my head. To the right of the living room was a big kitchen with a breakfast bar sitting in front and stools in front of that. I craned my head to get a better look, and hadn’t realized I had all but stopped walking, that was until I felt Cades heavy glare.

“Babe.” He clipped staring at me, a hint of amusement dancing in his eyes.

“What?” I asked slightly irritated with him for interrupting my noseying.

“You want to get to your store or you want to get the floor plan of my house?”

I screwed my face up at him. Attractive I know.

“My store thank you.” I muttered, and continued to walk towards the door, where he stood. Someone pounded on that door, loudly. I jumped, the obviously strong fist banging on the door brought back some nasty memories. Cade glanced at me, looking puzzled before he opened the door. The man on the other side of it did nothing to help my already fragile nerves. He was big, not as tall or as built as Cade but still imposing, built like a pit bull and looking about as nice, this guy was scary. Bald head, maybe in his early fifties, he had a black goatee covering his chin. A tattoo crawled up his neck, words I couldn’t make out.  He was wearing jeans with a black thermal and a cut over top. My eyes zeroed in on the ‘President’ patch on his cut. I looked back to his face and into his eyes, which were currently focused on me. One look at this guy I knew. I didn’t know with Jimmy, well not until it was too late because he hid it under his good looks, his charm and his intoxicating presence. But after being around the people Jimmy associated with and after my attack I knew. I knew bad when I saw it, it’s not something in a persons eyes, it’s a lack of something, humility compassion, I don’t know for sure, I don’t know how to describe it. But when you’ve looked evil straight in the face, you don’t forget what it looks like, and I knew I was looking at a version of what nearly got me dead over a year ago.

He was now glaring at me, pointedly looking me up and down, in a way that made me need a shower. I glared right back even though I was scared shitless on the inside. The ‘Prez’ gave me one last leer then dismissed me, focusing on Cade.

“We got a problem at the garage. Your skills are needed. Now.” He ordered, without a good morning, hello, nothing.

Cade’s frown, already deep and seeing the wordless exchange between me and his ‘President’ turned into a glower.

“I’ll drop Gwen off and be there in twenty.” His declared with an edge to his voice.

“No, you come now. Get one of the prospects to come up and take your bitch home.” The ‘President’ gave me a sneer, looking at Cade as if he expected him to jump to attention.

What an asshole! I know that bikers referred to women as ‘bitches’ I didn’t like it, but most of the time it was offhand, came natural. But I knew this guy meant it to degrade me, dismiss me. Especially by the glance he flicked my way, like I was some whore. I guessed though I couldn’t be sure, this might be a usual occurrence for Cade, as another thing I knew about bikers, they liked to fuck. Often, and with different girls, most of whom were disposable.

I felt the air get thick as Cades glare went thunderous.

“Steg. I got Gwen. Ain’t one of the prospects coming to get her. Told you I’ll be twenty fuckin minutes.” He ground out.

Steg, glared right back at Cade, then me, looking like he was ready to blow his top.

“And I said we need you. Now.” His face red, he obviously didn’t like being talked back to.

“Yeah well since you need me you’re going to have to wait.” Cade clipped with barely contained anger. “I’ll be there in twenty.”

I bit back a smile, as Cade seized my hand, pushed past red faced Steg and directed me towards his truck. I wondered why we weren’t taking the bike, then I glanced down at my dress, reasoning that it wouldn’t travel well in daylight. I wondered if Cade had thought of that, if so, that was pretty darn considerate.

“Get in.” He ordered, opening the door for me.

He slammed my door shut once I was in, rounding the truck hopping in, starting it and roaring down the driveway. We drove in silence for a bit, a very loaded silence. I could feel Cades anger taking up all the room in the cab. I fidgeted with my hands, trying to think of something to say. I knew mentioning, whatever just happened was not the best idea, but I struggled to think of another topic of conversation. I doubt he wanted to discuss Karl Lagerfeld’s latest collection.

“What the fuck was that Gwen?” Cade yelled, breaking the silence.

“What was what?” I asked back, with false confusion.

“You know what. Whatever the fuck passed between you and Steg just before. You don’t even know him and you looked at him like he just ran over your puppy. Granted he is not a good man, but fuck that was the first time you laid eyes on the fucker.” His eyes turned back to the road, waiting for an answer.

“I have no idea what you’re talking about.” I said defiantly.

“For fucks sake Gwen, stop fucking lying!” He bellowed, hands tightening on the steering wheel.

I sighed, letting me ignorant act fall. “I know what bad looks like Cade. And I know what he is, and it’s bad that lies behind his eyes.” I whispered, my eyes on the road.

I felt Cades gaze on me. “How do you know what bad looks like Gwen?” He asked, his voice low and gentle.

I ignored him and looked out my window, wishing I hadn’t said anything, but I couldn’t help it, Cade was already consuming me, its like I didn’t have control when I was with him. He seemed to be able to make me say anything, do anything. I needed to get that control back.

“Gwen.” He said my name firmly, demanding attention. I turned my head to stare at him. “I just do.” I didn’t elaborate.

“That ain’t an answer baby.” His eyes were locked on mine. I wondered how long he could drive like that.

I held his eyes. “It’s all you’re getting baby.” I mimicked his tone, sarcastically.

His eyes went back to the road. “For now.” He muttered under his breath.

We finally got to my house, the rest of the ride had been silent. As he pulled into my driveway I got all my stuff together, ready to jump out of the truck, dash to my door and lock any and all men out for the rest of eternity. But bad ass alpha bikers have the sixth sense, he grabbed my arm, firmly but not enough to hurt.

“Not so fast baby.” He moved his hands to frame my face, pulling me forward and kissed me so intensely I momentarily lost all coherent thought. He drew back, not too far, hands still on either side of my head.

“Got shit to do babe, don’t know how long its going to take, but I when I’m done we gonna talk. About how you know bout kinds of bad, why you go as white as a fuckin ghost when men wearing cuts get within five feet of you.” His icy grey gaze, looked determined. Shit.

Rage started to boil up within me, how in the fuck does he think after sleeping with me once he has the right to order me to tell him anything? I opened my mouth to tell him to go and fuck himself but paused. I had been fighting him, cursing at him since this whole thing began, and look where it got me, screwed in more ways than one. And only one way I liked. Did I not read enough romances to know that the badass alpha males liked the sassy women who threw attitude? They liked the challenge. I decided to play this a little differently. I leaned into Cade, who was still holding my head and touched my lips lightly to his.

“I’ve got to go honey,” I watched as he gazed at me in surprise. “Do whatever you got to do, I’ll see you later.” I finished sweetly.

I hopped out of the truck, walking towards my door without looking back. Only when I got inside did I hear him leave.

After taking a lightening quick shower and getting ready faster than I thought I could, I made it to town just before lunch. I stopped by the local deli to grab me, Amy and Rosie some sandwiches. One of the many things I loved about America was their sandwiches, Americans did not fuck around with their sandwiches.

Arms full, I braced myself as I entered my store, expecting a full inquisition the moment I got my foot inside. But luckily both girls were busy with customers.

“Hi everyone.” I chirped, smiling at the customers, recognizing them from last night.

I strolled towards the counter, intending to dump our lunch on it, when a perfectly groomed, hair out to
there
woman stepped in front of me. She was blonde, had a full face of outlandish but somehow tasteful makeup and was wearing head to toe pink. Don’t ask me how, but she made it work. She looked to be in her early thirties, she was curvy and gorgeous.

“Girl heard you were in a tug of war with the two hottest men in this town, two on opposites sides of the law.” She raised a perfectly shaped eyebrow at me before continuing, “Not that I am judging, I would so go there, either way. I would have paid to see the face of between those two boys. Although heard Cades pretty much staked his claim on your, considering you were on the back of his bike last night and you rolling in here at this time.” Her southern twang was so slick it was a miracle I could understand her.

I blinked, unsure of who this woman was, how she knew all of this and how to respond to everything she just said. She didn’t sound bitchy, just overly nosey, but friendly.

“Um…” Was all I managed before she got started again.

She put her well manicured hand over her more than ample chest. “Now where are my manners? I’m Laura Maye, I own the bar down the street, and after looking in your store probably your best customer.” She gestured with the shopping bags I hadn’t noticed before, which were a dusty pink with white ribbon handles and stamped with the word ‘Phoenix’ on them. My bags were the shit.

“Got to run anyway doll, I’m late for a facial, I’ll be back real soon though. Want to hear all about last night.” She blew me a kiss, strutting out the door, yelling over her shoulder. “Bye Amy girl, nice to meet you, see yah Rosie!”

The girls both waved back. I stood frozen for a second, in one of those, did that just happen moments. This town was weird. But in a good way. I continued to the counter, dropping the bags of food, turning to see both Amy and Rosie looking at me with smirks on their faces. I resisted the urge to flip them the bird seeing as they were both with customers.

“Lunch.” I announced. I turned on my heel and stomped into my office before I could get any teasing questions, I ignored the muted laughter behind me.

Another thing I loved about my store was the back office, it’s small, but awesome. I had it painted a dusty pink, my white desk, sat in the middle of the room with a couple of Vogues stacked on one side a tray of candles sitting at the front and my laptop, behind was a light yellow, upholstered swivel chair. Behind that was a solid white cabinet with two soft yellow lamps each end, and vase of bright pink orchids sat in the middle. To the left of my desk was a pale yellow printed couch and on the back wall was a huge framed photo of my hometown back in New Zealand. It was taken when Ian had dragged me along with him to go hunting one winter when he was home. I did this under huge protest. The sight of blood made me squeamish, seeing the animal carcasses that dad and Ian brought home on a semi regular basis was enough for me. I had said as much to Ian, but he laid the guilt trip on me.

“Sis, I’m not home for long, who knows when I’ll be home next.”

I grumbled about it, but I went. I still to this day don’t know why he wanted to spend his short leave hunting animals when his job was to hunt humans.

Despite my complaints, I actually enjoyed it, not the killing animals part, but the hiking in the hills, amongst the beautiful scenery with my brother who I missed dearly. I took the picture when we got to the top of the mountain. With the view of the whole valley we lived in, and then some. Our hometown in the winter was magical. Snow capped the hills, temperatures going well below freezing, caused the bare trees to turn white with frost. It had been early morning and the sun had just risen, a soft pink dancing on the horizon, street lights of the town still twinkling. It was amazing, our small town nestled among the rough hills, the whole valley dressed in winter white. I loved that picture.

I sat behind my desk and cranked up my laptop, sipping the coffee that was slowly contributing to normal brain function, after half of it had been screwed out of me last night..  I heard my phone ringing from the depths of my handbag, I managed to answer just before it went to voicemail.