Club Ties (19 page)

“You’re a difficult man to find. What’re you hiding from out there in the middle of nowhere?” Rocco asked, circling the bound and blindfolded truck driver.

“Not hiding from anything. Just don’t like people.”

“Obviously you broke that rule for a nice looking piece of ass. Don’t feel bad. Eva has a way of making a man forget what’s important.”

The man’s head moved ever so slightly as he followed Rocco’s movements by the sound of his voice. A sheen of sweat glistened on his upper lip despite the December chill.

“Where did you drop her off?”

“She followed me out to the truck, but when she heard that I was only going as far as the next exit, she went looking for another ride. She seemed eager to get away from Cleveland.”

“Is that a fact?” Rocco’s voice came out in a low hiss, and Chelios could see the muscle twitching along his jaw.

“How much did you give her?”

“I didn’t give the girl a dime.”

“The problem with that answer is I still don’t believe she didn’t get in the truck with you. You see, my Eva is a hot little number that could wrap her lips around your smoke stacks. Not too many men are going to pass up a woman like her when she’s desperate.”

“I wasn’t going where she wanted to go.”

“Did you take her home with you?”

“I told you, the girl went looking for another sucker when I wasn’t going her way. Check with Allied. He was headed for Seattle.”

“Why the fuck would she want to go to Seattle?” Rocco snapped, pushing on the man’s shoulder so that the chair tilted back on two legs.

“Maybe because it was as far away from your worthless woman-beating ass as she could get,” the trucker sneered.

Rocco shoved the chair over with a roar. A string of obscenities poured from his lips as he stomped and kicked the bound man until his breath came in frenzied gasps. Stepping back, he straightened his suit jacket, his dark eyes blazing with rage bordering on madness.

“What’s the fucking Allied driver’s name?” he ground out when he could force words past his straining jaw. Met by silence, he screamed, “Answer me!”

“You cracked his gourd open on the concrete. He’s not going to answer you for a while, if ever,” Chelios said, shaking his head in disgust.

Rocco snapped. The heel of his Italian leather dress shoe smashed into the unconscious man’s face until his battered features were unrecognizable. Slipping in the pool of blood haloing the man’s head, he stumbled away, a wailing growl escaping his lips. Tugging at his ebony hair, he leaned over a crate, struggling to control his breath and fury.

Chelios’ lips pressed in a thin line. Why in the fuck had he ever promised Vincent that he would look out for the worthless little bastard? He’d known from the time he’d started working for the old man that Rocco didn’t have what it took. Now, the spoiled little asshole was trying to take them all down with him over a piece of ass. No bitch was worth that.

“Clean this up. Check his truck and property for any sign of her, and find me that fucking Allied driver.”

Chelios opened his mouth to tell the dumbass the driver’s body language said he’d been lying about Eva getting in his truck, but closed it again. There was no getting through to him when he was like this.

Opening his switchblade, he cut the bindings and set to work methodically. He wasn’t going down for Rocco’s stupidity.

Chapter ~ 21

Dark mahogany stained wood, gleaming brass, and thick etched glass teamed with rich leather to create a warm and inviting decor. With every table and the small vestibule area packed, it looked as if all of Trinity Falls had turned out to welcome The Lantern back. Ginny paused behind the bar to look out over the lively crowd. She had missed this. The Lantern allowed her to step outside of the Lords of Mayhem shadow and mix with the people she’d grown up with. It was as close to socializing as she managed. Looking at the animated faces before her, Trinity Falls had missed their gathering place as well.

Sambo snapped her lightly with a bar towel.

“I think they missed us.”

“Who wouldn’t?” Ginny asked, giving him a smug smirk and a hip bump.

“Full tray!” Eva called, coming through the swinging kitchen doors.

Ginny smiled. Eva was a hell of a waitress, and with Kat relegated to hostess duties tonight and a couple of others not coming back to work after the fire, she was a blessing. Thankfully, Amber had decided she wanted more than the Handlebar and Hot Rods bookkeeping to keep her busy and filled one of the vacated spots. With Lee and Rain pitching in around their part-time jobs, it was even more of a family affair than before. It felt right.

“Another round for the Lords,” Lee chirped, setting the bottles on the bar.

“That crew is awful demanding. They better tip well,” Ginny said with a laugh.

“The distinguished gray haired gentleman at the head of the table already gave me a tip involving eating discolored snow,” Lee said giggling.

Ginny rolled her eyes. “Of course he did. I can’t take that old dog anywhere.”

“His son isn’t much better,” Eva said in exasperation. “Tell the big lug he can’t fondle the help when I have a loaded tray.”

“Round and waddling and my old man is still copping a feel while I’m trying to seat people.”

“With a wait staff this hot I’m going to have to hire security, or get a better quality of clientele,” Ginny said with a saucy wink and they all laughed.

Eva groaned as she climbed the stairs to the apartment, one agonizing step at a time. After two years in her ivory prison, she’d forgotten how tiring waitressing was. She was exhausted, but damn did the wad of bills tucked in her purse feel good. Tips had been good tonight. She wasn’t counting on that kind of generosity every night, but she had plenty to pick up a couple more Christmas presents for Mox and give him some cash to help out with the bills.

The puppies started yipping the moment the apartment door opened. Eva’s shoulders slumped and she shrugged back into her coat.

“You clean up the landmines, and I’ll take the monsters out,” Mox offered.

“Deal.”

She had the dirty and shredded puppy pads cleaned up and was giving the laundry room floor a quick mop when the pups came thundering back in. Mox took the garbage bag she’d tied off and headed back outside without a word. Putting the mop away, Eva squatted down to cuddle the babies for a moment. They were so damn adorable.

Hearing the door, she hastily deposited them in their kennel for the night.

“Behave, poopies,” she whispered, and shut the light off.

She was stepping out after a quick shower when Mox strolled into the bedroom. Dropping his pants, he kicked them in the direction of the laundry hamper. Eva secured her damp towel and picked them up. Stripping his belt and putting his wallet, change, and stuff on the dresser-top, she put them and the wadded socks in the hamper. Why was it men could get their clothes in the general vicinity of the basket, but couldn’t take the five seconds to complete the mission. Maybe if there were a backboard or goal posts over the hamper. She smiled.

Mox yanked back the blankets and pulled her into bed with him.

“What a night. The Lantern was rocking,” he mumbled around a yawn.

“The grand opening was a complete success and everything went smoothly. The food was great. I didn’t hear any customer complaints. Ginny has to be so proud. Tips were flowing too. I want to give you some money towards the bills tomorrow.”

“Keep it.”

“I planned on keeping a little. There are a couple of things I still wanted to pick up for Christmas, but you’ve been so generous. Becca was right. I should be pulling my weight around here.”

Mox made an obnoxious noise and yawned again. “No one gives a rat’s ass what Becca thinks. In fact, knowing her opinion makes me want to do the opposite. Go out and spend it. Try to rub her nose in it if you can.”

Eva giggled against his chest. “You’re crazy.”

“Help with groceries if it makes you feel better, but Rhys and I have the bills worked out between us, and you don’t cost any extra.” He dragged her up over the top of him and kissed her nose. “I promise if something changes, or I run short, I will let you know. Now, cuddle with your man. Those puppies have got more love today than I have.”

Eva froze. Ice flooded her veins. Swallowing the bitter gorge that threatened, she lowered her head to plant light kisses along his collarbone. He tilted her chin back to look down at him.

“What’s wrong, baby? You’re white as a sheet. All your freckles are standing out.”

Tears trickled down her cheeks and she shook her head as words failed her.

“Eva?” Mox asked, sitting up to cradle her in his lap. “Talk to me, baby.”

“I cou-could never love anything more than you,” she stuttered franticly.

“It was a joke, Eva.”

“I didn’t even want the puppies.”

“I saw your face light up when you picked up Vixen for the first time.”

“I’ve never loved anything the way I love you,” she said insistently, her eyes searching his, imploring him to believe.

Mox brushed tears off her cheeks with his thumbs and gave her a reassuring smile. “I know you love me. I don’t know why, but I know it’s true. Stop worrying so much. Tell me what’s going through your head. Is this a woman thing that I’ll never get or something that sick fuck did to make you afraid? You need to talk to me.”

Eva’s tears flowed harder. “I don’t deserve you,” she choked out.

“We all have our cross to bear I guess.”

His attempt at humor drew a snorting giggle from her, and she mutely shook her head as she cried. Taking a deep breath, he pulled her close and rubbed her back while she cried it out.

“He snapped the puppy’s neck because I loved it more than him,” she whispered against his neck.

Mox’s arms tightened around her and he closed his eyes, jaw taut with anger. “I’m not him,” he said quietly. “But, I’d like to show the rich bastard how it feels to be the smaller, weaker one.” 

“I know that. My heart knows that. I just panic. No matter what you say, there are things that were my fault. That little Yorkie didn’t deserve to die. If I’d made Rocco happy…”

“Some people are sadistic. Rocco obviously has a few screws loose. He likes to hurt things that are smaller than he is to make him feel like a man. That is not your fault,” Mox said, visibly reining in his temper and searching for the right words. Silence hung between them. His hand rubbed the length of her spine in a slow circle.

“You’re going to make an amazing dad someday,” she whispered.

He jerked his head back to look down at her, shock stamping every inch of his chiseled face.

“You’re not—”

“No! Oh my God. No. I’m sorry,” Eva said, shaking her head violently.

Mox’s ears colored. “Jeez. It’s not like it would’ve been that bad,” he mumbled.

“I didn’t mean it like that,” she protested. “I meant it when I said you’re going to make a great dad. I just don’t know that we’re ready yet. We haven’t been together that long. I don’t want your family thinking I’m trying to trap you.”

“Damn, broads are confusing. Do you want me or not?”

Eva shoved his shoulder at his teasing. “You know I do. You’re the hottest, most patient man ever.”

“Appreciate that second part. Zeke would’ve strangled you by now. He hates tears.”

Eva laughed with him, wiping at her cheeks. “Why do you put up with me?”

“Because your dimples are hot.”

“You could have any woman you want.”

“You’re the first one I’ve ever really wanted.”

“I don’t get the women around here.”

“Obviously neither do I,” Mox said with a big grin.

Eva laughed at his self-deprecating humor and squeezed him in a hug. She held him for a while, fingers trailing over his broad back and the dragon tattoo she could picture behind closed lids. Finally she whispered, “I’m sorry.”

“You need to learn to trust me.”

“It’s hard.”

It was Mox’s turn to fall silent. A light shudder rippled through his powerful body like he fought some inner demon.

“Maybe it’s not the same thing, but for a long time I had trouble believing that Zeke and Ginny wouldn’t grow tired of me like Miles and Flo had. No matter how many times Ginny reassured me that I had a home with them forever, I still doubted. Hell, the few times I fought with Rhys I was terrified he was going to tell his parents that we weren’t friends anymore and they would throw me out,” he said, shaking his head when she opened her mouth to comfort him. “The point is, I had to learn to trust that they loved me. I love you. I’m not always going to understand what you’re feeling or know what triggers your fears, but if you will just talk to me, I promise to listen, and we’ll work it out.”

“I don’t know what to say to that other than promise me you won’t ask me to be nice to Flo. I hate her.”

“I promise,” Mox said with a snort of amusement. “Just one more thing you and Gin have in common. Other than that, how about you promise you’ll try talking to me.”

“I promise to try harder.”

“Okay, enough babble, woman. Your man needs some sleep.”

Eva giggled as he rolled her off his lap, bouncing her on the other side of the bed. When he settled in, she snuggled up to his side, head on his shoulder. She watched his chest rise and fall in the dim moonlight, their conversation rolling over in her mind. She peeked up at his face. Sleep softened the hard angles. His lashes fanned against his cheeks made her smile. She couldn’t help imagining what he had looked like as a little boy. Never had she imagined what a child of Rocco’s would look like, but with Mox, she dared to dream about a future.

The sound of motorcycles on the street below drew her attention just as her eyes were drifting closed. Somehow the deep-throated roar was comforting. As intimidating as the Lords of Mayhem were, she felt protected among them. That was something she had never felt around Rocco’s thugs. Fear and greed didn’t breed the kind of loyalty the club brothers shared, or even the close knit bond of their families. It had taken Mox a while to trust in it, but he had been blessed, taken in by the Brawers and the Lords. Eva wanted to feel that kind of belonging. She glanced back up at the sleeping man who held her. Did she dare dream?