RAGE: President & First Lady Of The Death Dealers MC (23 page)

“Hey, big brother,” Ellen grins at me.

“Hey.”

I kiss her cheek and take a wiggling Mikey from her arms. He
taps my jaws with his palms and giggles excitedly.

“Unca, Unca, Unca!”

“Hey, buddy. You being a good boy for your momma?”

“Yes! Good boy!”

“Then that means I have a present for you.”

His laugh blocks out everything and in this moment, it’s
just me and him. There really is nothing like a child’s laughter. Too bad I’ll
never get to hear the sound from my own child. He claps his little hands
together as I pull the wrapper off and hand him a lollipop.

“Yay! Look, Momma!”

“I see, baby.” Ellen looks at me questioningly. “You wanted
to talk to me?”

“Yeah. I need your help.”

“Sure. What’s up?”

“I may have gotten in over my head here. I promised Raven a
birthday party.”

“
Oh
… I see,” she smirks.

“Waben!” Mikey shrieks.

“Wipe that grin off your face, sis.”

“What? I’m happy for you. Even Mikey likes her.”

“So he told me.”

“So, when’s this shindig?”

“The twentieth.”

“Great!” She rolls her eyes. “A week, Gage? You couldn’t
give me more notice?”

“Sorry.”

“Well… what does she like? Other than the color blue.”

“Books… music… drawing….”

“What kind of music?”

“I don’t know. Talk to her friend Chrissy. She said she’d
help. And you can do it at Scythe, so you don’t have to worry about the
location.”

“That’s something, at least,” she says pensively.

“I have an idea I think she’d like.”

“What?”

“She mentioned that she missed her prom. I figured that
could be the theme or whatever.”

She gasps and places her hand on her sternum, her mouth
hanging open.

“I had no idea you could be so sweet. That’s a great idea!
We can get her a dress and… Oh! You’ll wear a suit and—”

“Wait a minute. Who said anything about a suit?”

“You’ll wear a
tux,
and
you’ll dance with
her.”

“Ellen—”

“This was your idea. Man the fu—,” her gaze flicks to Mikey
nervously, then back to me, “Heck up, Gage Hunter.”

“I changed my mind. You come up with something.”

“No way. We’re doing this. I’m so happy!”

She claps and jumps up and down like an excited child.
Me
in a tux? And dancing? No fucking way.

“It’s so good to see you focusing on one girl for a change.”

“Oh? What girl is that?” Aunt Nita walks up with a raised
brow.

Ellen folds her lips, takes Mikey, and rushes off.
Great.

“What’s going on?”

I try to sound nonchalant. “She’s just helping me to plan a
birthday party.”

“For who?”

“Her name’s Raven.”

“Raven… Millie’s waitress? Mikey’s babysitter?”

“You know her?”

“Yeah. Talked to her a few times when I went to the diner.
Also know she’s just seventeen. What the fuck are you doing, Gage?”

“Nothing… yet. It’s her eighteenth birthday next week and I
can tell you that afterwards, you’ll be seeing a lot of her.”

“And you haven’t fucked her?”

“No.”

“Uh-huh,” she says skeptically. “I know her father passed.
What about her mother? She know about this?”

“She’s never met her mother. Lonnie’s the only family she
has.”

“Poor thing. No wonder Millie’s so drawn to her.”

“She’s a good girl, Nita. I really like her.”

“Okay, son. When do I get to meet her officially?”

“She might be coming to the show today. If not… soon. I
promise.”

“Yeah. I really need to get to know this chick better if
she’s got you keeping it in your pants.”

Oh, trust me, Nita. I won’t be keeping it in for much
longer.

***Raven***

“Ray…
please
. It’s a bike show. I know Ron’s gonna go
off and leave me at some point. I
need
you.”

We’re sitting on my porch, waiting for Ron to come and pick
her up. She’s been begging me for days to go to the stupid bike show. Once I
heard Lonnie and Deena making plans, I decided I wasn’t going. I only have a
couple days left in this house, and I don’t want to make them worse than they
already are. I haven’t said anything to Lonnie about Glenn, but I know she’s
seen him. She looked like she wanted to say something to me, but I gave her no
indication of what happened. It took everything in me not to slap the bitch.

“I said no, Chrissy.”

“
Why
?” she whines. “I know Gage wants you to go,
too.”

“Well, it’s not about what you and Gage want. It’s about
me.”

“Think of it as a way of making up for holding out on me.”

“What do you mean?”

“Come on, Ray… everyone’s seen the hickey on your neck, but
don’t think I haven’t seen the one on your thigh... your
inner
thigh.
Did he go down you?”

“I can see why that would excite you but no, he didn’t.
Things… got a little heavy, but we stopped. We didn’t even get naked.”

“Bummer. Promise me you’ll tell me everything when it
finally happens.”

“Fine. I will.”

Ever since her birthday, I’ve been hearing all about her sex
life with Ron. I swear I know all about the size of his dick, his favorite
positions, and what he likes. All it does is remind me of what I’m
not
getting.

“What do you guys do anyways since you’re not having sex?”

“What any normal couple does. We talk, get to know each
other better.”

“He just doesn’t strike me as the type to be in bed with a
woman and not fuck her.”

“Well, it’s that dual personality thing I told you about.
He’s the type to cuddle in bed and talk, but will also break someone’s face for
me if that’s what I need.”

“Whose face needs breaking?” she asks, giving me the side
eye.

“No one.”

The rumble of motorcycles sounds in the distance, and I
welcome the interruption. I don’t want to lie to her, but I can’t tell her
about Glenn, either. As the bikes draw closer, I steel myself against giving
in. I know Gage will try to push me into going. I also know he’s the reason I
suddenly got the weekend off from work. As the bikes get closer, Chrissy gets
more excited.

“Do your parents even know where you’re going?” I ask her.

“No. They think I’m hanging out with you. Don’t make me a
liar…
please
?”

A couple bikes turn into the driveway while the others stop
out on the road. There must be about twenty or more. Gage, of course, is in
front. He’s wearing a helmet, shades, and a skull bandana that covers the rest
of his face, but I know it’s him. With his hoodie, he is now the very picture
of the Grim Reaper. The only thing he’s missing is the scythe. Then again, his version
is probably tucked into the back of his jeans. I can feel his eyes on me, but I
do my best not to look at him.

“Ray?” Chrissie pleads once more.

“No.”

She grabs my hand and pulls me to my feet. We’re down the
stairs before I’m able to dig my heels in and stop her.

“Okay, fine,” she finally relents.

She releases me and heads over to Ron’s bike. Lonnie is with
Venom, staring daggers at me.

“You’re not coming, baby girl?” Crow shouts over the roar of
the bikes. His old lady, Marlowe, nods and gives me an encouraging smile.

I shake my head, still avoiding Gage. Suddenly, the men—the
ones I know, anyway—all start begging me to come along. Lonnie looks confused,
no doubt wondering how they all know me and why they’re all so…
familiar
with me. I also notice the redhead with Razor. She looks at me appraisingly
from head to toe. I finally glance at Gage. He’s removed his shades but he’s
still just sitting there, watching me.
Shit.
I look around again at all
the faces imploring me to join them, and I crack.

“Fine. Let me just change my shoes.”

I return in my combat boots and find that only Gage, Dr. E,
Ron, Venom, and Razor are waiting. Lonnie is fuming. I look to Dr. E, silently
begging him to let me ride with him. His gaze flicks to Gage then back to me
before he nods. As I pass Gage, he grabs my wrist. Dr. E shrugs helplessly.
Chrissy smirks. Lonnie’s shocked, unable to close her mouth, and Redhead is
watching with growing interest.

“Where do you think you’re going?” he asks for my ears only.

“With Dr. E—”

“Get your ass behind me.”

He hands me his helmet and slides his shades back on, but
not before I see the anger in his eyes. I strap on the helmet and climb on
behind him, using his shoulders as leverage. He raises his hand, makes a
signal, and we all ride out. I can’t even enjoy the ride because I’m afraid
Lonnie’s going to shoot me in the back along the way.

We’re on the road for about an hour before he pulls in to a
gas station, where his crew is already waiting for him. As soon as my feet hit
the ground, he drags me to the side of the building where no one can see us. He
removes his shades, pulls the bandana down, and crashes his lips into mine.

“Ga—”

His tongue barges into my mouth. As much as my brain knows
this is not for pleasure, my body still reacts. My heart thuds in my chest.
Little tingles travel down my body and land between my legs. He unleashes his
anger on my mouth. Lips, tongues, and teeth clash, the sounds of our ragged
breathing filling the air. He pushes me against the wall and ravages my lips,
digging his fingers into my jean-clad hips. I slide my fingers through his
hair, grabbing a handful. It becomes hard to breathe. I try to break away, but
he growls and pulls me back in. I pound on his chest and he releases me but
cages me in with his arms while I desperately draw air into my lungs. He’s
breathing hard, jaw clenching in anger. My lips are pulsating and are, no
doubt, an angry red.

“You don’t sit your ass on anyone’s bike but mine. You got
that?”

“That’s what this is about? I just thought—”

“There’s nothing to think about. Your ass, my bike. Period.”

Jeez… talk about possessive.
He reaches into his
pocket and hands me a wad of cash.

“Get yourself some snacks or something.”

I get that the conversation is over, so I walk ahead of him.
I pull my bottom lip between my teeth, hoping everyone will think it’s swollen
because I’ve been chewing on it. Gage veers off to the pumps and I head into
the store. And right into Lonnie.

“What the fuck is going on?” she demands.

“With what?”

“You know what I’m talking about, you little bitch. I told
you to stay away from him.”

“Why don’t you go ask him?”

“Because I’m asking you.”

“I’m not in the mood for your shit, okay?”

Razor walks up and glances between the two of us.
“Everything okay, girls?”

“Fine. Just a sisterly talk,” I tell him.

“Good. You need anything, you let me know, baby girl.”

In his eyes, I see the meaning behind his words. It’s clear
whose side he’d be on if anything went down. Strange, considering this is the
first time we’ve spoken. “Sure thing.”

After he leaves, Lonnie turns to me again. “How come you’re
so cozy with everybody?”

“I’m lovable. I can’t help it.”

I walk away, not looking back. Chrissy shows up at my side
while I’m deciding between Cheetos and Oreos. Oh, why choose? I’ll just get both.

She jerks her chin toward Lonnie. “What was that about?”

“She thinks she has some kind of property rights on Gage and
the club. She’s going to be royally pissed when she finds out what’s going on.”

“Shit. You better get that apartment with the quickness.”

“Trust me. First thing on the morning of the twenty-first,
I’m signing that lease. I’m taking all my stuff with me, too. Furniture or not,
I’m moving into that bitch right away.”

“I hear you. How’d you get past a credit check, though?”

“My dad’s lawyer took care of it.”

“Oh. Cool.”

Razor’s redhead approaches us with a smile and an
outstretched hand. “Hi. I’m Cassidy.”

“Raven. And this is Chrissy.”

“Nice to meet you. I thought I’d introduce myself because
you two seem like the only friendly women here.”

“Tell me about it. Are you Razor’s old lady?”

“Old lady? I don’t think so. We just started seeing each
other.”

“Oh… okay.”

“So… you’re with Gage?”

Fuck.
Chrissy watches me, waiting to hear what I’ll
say. Cassidy raises her brows. There’s something about her I can’t quite put my
finger on, something not right.

“Yeah.”

She looks a little surprised, but she recovers and turns to
Chrissy expectantly.

“Ron. He’s still a prospect.”

“Cool.”

“Let’s go. I think they’re ready.” Chrissy grabs my hand and
pulls me away. “
No confío en ella
,” she whispers.

I don’t trust this chick, either. I pay for our snacks but
on our way back to the guys, Chrissy freezes and tightens her grip on my hand.
She looks petrified.

“What?” I follow her gaze and see a couple getting out of a
car at one of the pumps. “You know them?”

“That’s Joel.”

“Your ex? Is that the trick he cheated on you with?”

“That’s her.”

“Are you kidding me? She looks like a thumb.” She cracks a
smile and turns a grateful look my way. I swear I don’t understand men. They’ll
have diamonds and go out looking for rhinestones. “Please, tell me she at least
has a good personality.”

“She’s a total bitch.”

Joel spots us and throws his arm around the girl. As they
approach, a smirk forms on his lips.
Bastard.
I won’t get to my phone
fast enough to play the song, so I start singing T.I’s “No Mediocre.” Chrissy
bursts out laughing then raps Iggy Azalea’s verse. Bastard loses the smirk and
Bitch sneers. Whatever. We’re jamming. Ron walks up and snakes his hand around
Chrissy’s waist. Perfect timing. Joel drops his head and passes by without a
word. Once they’re out of sight, Chrissy throws her arms around me.

“Thanks, Ray. I needed that.”

“Trust me. It was my pleasure.”

“What was that about?” Gage asks as he approaches.

I slip my hand into his, lacing our fingers. Suddenly, I
don’t care about anything.

“Cheating ex. You even think about it, I’ll Lorena Bobbitt
your ass.”

He smiles then throws me over his shoulder. I let out a yelp
as he smacks me on the ass.

“So possessive. I like it.”

Possessive… but dead serious.