RAGE: President & First Lady Of The Death Dealers MC (5 page)

Another all-nighter. Shit, I’m getting too old for this. Who
would have thought I’d be saying that shit at thirty-two? E rolls up next to me
and gestures to his stomach, making me realize I’m starving, too. He points
toward Millie’s and rides ahead of me. Millie’s. Fuck. For the last month, I’ve
avoided that place like the plague. I told myself I’d leave her alone and I
have. The problem is she’s still a permanent fixture in my thoughts. She’s
built a fucking house and moved the fuck in.
I guess I can’t hide forever.
I signal to the guys and pull in next to E’s bike. He’s still sitting there
waiting for the rest of us.

“You sure you up to it, man?”

He knows I’ve been trying to stay away from her. Hell, he
even encouraged me; told me I was doing the right thing. I take a deep breath
and run my fingers through my hair. I’m about as ready as I’ll ever be. “A
man’s gotta eat.”

I push the door to the diner and the chimes announce our
arrival. She’s behind the counter making coffee, but her back is turned to us.
A few people glance nervously in our direction, a couple leaving hurriedly. It
surprises and amuses me in equal measure how scared some people are of us.
We’ve never given them a reason to be. This is home, so we keep our shit
outside its borders.

“Welcome to Millie’s. Just sit where you like and I’ll be
with you in a sec.”

Her voice. It’s like the sound of a brand new Dyna to my
ears. Not the most romantic analogy, I know, but I’m a biker. Deal with it. She
hasn’t even turned around yet and she’s having an effect on my bone-tired body.
My cock twitches.
Shit! Stop it, Gage.
Crow, Motor, and Razor slide into
a booth, while E and I take another. Our eyes meet when she finally turns
around. She gasps and touches her fingers to her neck. I expected a little
surprise, but I see something else in her eyes. I’ve seen it enough to
recognize it even at this distance. It’s fear.
Why would she be afraid of
me?
She quickly regains her composure and walks toward our table, head held
high. She passes the menus around and removes a pad and pencil from the pocket
of her apron, all while she avoids looking at me.

“Can I get you all something to drink while you decide?”

The guys at the other table order coffee and then she turns
to me and E.

“The usual, Dr. Emerson?”

“I’ve told you a million times, Raven. Jon is fine, or
Einstein; that’s what everyone calls me.”

A million times? Jon?
I narrow my eyes at E and he
shrugs. She smiles weakly and jots something down on her notepad.

“Coffee, cream, no sugar. And for you, sir?”

E snickers. Fucker.

“Sir? You talking to me?”

She takes a deep breath and finally looks at me. The vibrant
girl I met a few weeks ago is nowhere to be seen. She looks tired, worn out.
There’s no fire in her eyes. She looks pale and… defeated. That’s the only word
I can think of.
What the hell happened to her?

“Are you okay?”

She tilts her head to the side and furrows her brows.

“Of course. Why would you ask that?”

“You just don’t seem like yourself, is all.”

“How would you know? You don’t know me.”

Ouch. Harsh but true.

“What can I get you?” she asks, with a little impatience.

“Coffee, black.”

“I’ll be right back.”

I watch her walk away before turning to E.

“What was that all about,
Jon
?”

He chuckles and raises his arms in surrender.

“Hey, I get my coffee here every morning. As for the rest,
she’s been like that for a while now.”

I watch her intently as she comes back with the mugs and the
pot of coffee. She moves methodically, more out of practice and routine than
anything else. After taking our orders, she disappears, only surfacing when
some other customers come in. Millie serves our breakfast, so Raven doesn’t
come back to our tables until she brings the check. As usual, the guys left me
to pick up the tab, so I’m the only one here when she returns.

“Sit with me for a minute.”

“I can’t. I’m working.”

“I’ll take care of that. Hey, Millie!”

Millie smiles and makes her way over. She’s Aunt Nita’s age,
but you’d never hear her admit it. She says she dresses the age she feels,
which most of the time looks like twenty. Her hair and lipstick are always a
matching shade of red. She’s probably been with half the guys in the MC. Not
me. I’m not into cougars. Plus, she’s Nita’s best friend. Millie’s a good
woman, though, and a keen business woman.

“Can I borrow your waitress for five minutes?”

Raven’s eyes widen in annoyance and she turns to Millie, ready
to argue.

“Sure thing, honey. I can manage. Besides, Sheila will be
here any minute.”

She turns on her heels and walks away, leaving us alone.

“Please, just leave. I need to get back to work.”

“Raven, sit.”

She opens her mouth to protest and I narrow my eyes at her.

“Sit.”

She sighs and glances around nervously before sliding in
opposite me. She lowers her gaze, staring into her lap.

“What’s going on with you?”

“Nothing.”

“Don’t give me that. Are you sick, or in some kind of
trouble?”

“I’m fine.”

“Look at me.”

She slowly raises her head and gives me a dead stare.

“Why are you acting like we’re strangers?”

“We are.”

“We may not be friends, but we’re far from strangers, Raven.
What’s going on?”

“Nothing. For the last time, stay out of my business. Just
go play with your stupid bike and leave me the hell alone.”

She slides out of the booth and marches back to the counter.
Before she gets there, she stops, shakes her head, and then runs out the rear
exit. Fuck, I knew it. Millie stops me before I can follow her out.

“She tell you what’s going on?”

“No. You?”

“She won’t say a word no matter how many times I ask. Go on.
If anyone can fix what’s wrong, I know it’s you.”

God, I hope so.

***Raven***

Stupid grease monkey! Why couldn’t he just stay away? I haven’t
seen him in weeks and now, all of a sudden, he’s back and in my business. Ugh!
I swipe at my tears with the back of my hand and lean against the wall. I hope
this doesn’t get back to Lonnie. She’d surely kill me this time. She’s been on
me like a hawk even though I’ve been dating Christopher. He’s a great guy and
all, but I only agreed to go out with him thinking it would get Lonnie off my
back. I’ve accepted that’s not going to happen. I just need to get through the
next two months. I’ve already lined up an apartment and saved enough for the
deposit.

“Jesus Christ, Raven!”

Fuck
! I turn to him, shaking with anger, and ready to
give him a piece of my mind. He takes my hand, pulls me into his arms, and
instead, I fall apart. His arms tighten around me as I begin to sob
uncontrollably. This is the most dangerous place for me to be right now, and
yet I feel so safe. I slide my hands under his cut and around his waist,
pressing my face into his chest.

“Don’t worry, baby doll. You’re going to be okay. I’ll take
care of you.”

“No, you c-can’t.”

He cradles my face and stares into my eyes with steely
determination.

“I can and I will.”

“You don’t understand!”

“Then make me!”

I tear myself from his hold and turn my back to him, hugging
myself tightly. “I can’t. Just leave me alone, Gage. Please.”

He pulls me back against him and squeezes my arm lightly. I
flinch and draw in a ragged breath. Fuck.

“Raven?”

He takes my hand and when I try to pull away, his grip
tightens.
No. Please, no.
No matter how hard I try, I can’t get away. “Let
me go.”

“In a minute.”

He takes my sleeve and pushes it up to my shoulder. I close
my eyes as fresh tears begin streaming down my face.

“What the fuck? Who did this?”

I don’t have to look at him to know he’s angry. I hear it in
his voice. He’s fuming.

“Nobody.”

“Nobody? Your arm is fucking black and blue!” he shouts.
Taking a deep breath, he places a gentle finger under my chin and tips my face
toward his.

“Talk to me.”

I stare at the ground because the look in his eyes is too
much to bear. I’ve only seen that look in Daddy’s eyes. It’s that scared but
overprotective one he’d get when he thought I was hurt. I can’t look Gage in
the eyes and lie. I can’t tell him that Lonnie punched me in the arm for using
the milk she bought. She’s always been a bitch, but since that day she found
out about Gage giving me a ride home, she’s been downright violent. The
smallest things tick her off, and she takes it out on me. She left such a nasty
bruise on my neck, that makeup and scarves became my best friends for two
weeks.

“I walked into a door.”

He releases me and I push my sleeve back down.

“Bullshit. Who’s putting their hands on you?”

“You wanna help; I get it. I appreciate the concern, but
there’s nothing you can do. Just forget it. Forget
me
.”

I move past him and make my way back inside. After washing
my face and getting myself back in order, I return to work. Gage is nowhere to
be found, thank God. I can’t get away from Millie, though. She grabs my hand
and pulls me to her office in the back, closing the door.

“Well?”

She places her hands on her hips, tapping her foot
impatiently.

“Well, what?”

“Are you going to let Gage help you or not?”

“Help me with what?”

“With whatever it is that’s got you walking around here like
a zombie. Don’t be afraid to let someone in, honey. I’m here. And MC business
aside, Gage is very resourceful. We can help you.”

“What I need is more hours. You don’t even have to pay me.
I’ll just work for tips.”

She leans on her desk and crosses her arms, narrowing her
eyes.

“Money? What kind of trouble are you in?”

“I’m not in trouble. I’m just saving up for my own place.
The extra hours would really help.”

“I see. Let me sleep on it, and we’ll talk about it
tomorrow.”

“Thanks, Millie. I really appreciate it.”

“You’re welcome, sweetie.”

She reaches into her pocket and hands me a hundred dollar
bill. Fuck that. I asked for more hours, not charity.

“It’s not what you think, girlie. It’s the tip Gage left
you.”

“But… that’s a hundred dollars!”

“Guess he
really
liked the service.”

She smiles and places it in my palm, closing my fingers
around it. She taps my cheek softly and leaves me staring down at my fist. The
service was not that good. In fact, it was horrible. I served him coffee,
insulted him, cried all over his shirt, and chased him off. I tuck it into my
pocket with the intention of giving it back to him. I’ll just give it to Dr.
Emerson when he comes in for his coffee in the morning. That way, I don’t have
to see Gage.

By the end of my shift, I’m in a better mood. If Millie
comes through for me, I’ll reach my goal even sooner. As I’m wiping down my
last table, Christopher walks in. He gives me one of his gorgeous smiles and it
lifts my spirits even more. Whatever my reasons were for dating him, I don’t
regret it. He slides an arm around my waist and kisses my cheek.

“Hey, beautiful.”

“Hi.”

“You ready?”

“In a sec.”

I remove my apron and toss it in the laundry basket, say my
goodbyes, and we head out.

“How was work?”

“Good. I talked to Millie about giving me more hours. She
didn’t say no, so I’m hopeful. You?”

“Great. I think I’m starting to get through to the kids.”

I listen to him talk about the kids he’s tutoring as part of
a summer program, and admire the passion in his voice. He’s going to be a great
teacher someday. He and his sister both took a year off from school—him to
teach, and her to party. They are the poster children for twins with opposite
personalities.

“I bought you those strawberry and cheese pastries you
love.”

He dangles the bag in front of my face and I snatch it from
his fingers. I waste no time opening the container and taking a bite of one. I
close my eyes and moan as I chew. These things are heavenly.

“What the—?” Chris exclaims.

I turn to Chris and see him being pulled into the alley we
were passing.

“Chris!”

I drop the pastries and run back to the alley, only to see
him against the wall, a few feet off the ground. The worst part? The hands
fisted in his shirt belong to the last person I want to see—Gage.

“Gage! What the hell? Put him down!”

He doesn’t even acknowledge me.

“Did it make you feel like a man? Huh?” Gage growls.

“What are you talking about?”

Gage pulls him forward and slams his back against the wall
again.

“Gage, stop it!” I shout.

“Putting your hands on a defenseless girl. Is that what gets
you off?”

Holy shit. He thinks it was Chris.
I meet Chris’
shocked and confused stare.

“I swear, I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Chris
says in a panic.

“I’m talking about the bruise on her arm, asshole!”

Chris turns his head toward me and the hurt in his eyes gets
me moving. I punch Gage on the arm and push at him until he finally releases
Chris. He turns to me and I have to avert my gaze. The rage in his expression
is just too much for me.

“Are you okay?” I ask Chris.

“Fine. What’s he talking about, Raven? What bruise?”

“Let’s just go.”

“Not until I know what he’s talking about. And why he knows
and I don’t.”

“He saw my arm today in the diner. He’s got this crazy
notion that someone’s hurting me, but just like I told him, I walked into a
door.”

“Show me.”

I watch the muscles in his jaw work as he clenches his
teeth. All the time, I’m still aware of Gage observing us.

“Cut the bullshit innocent act. Just tell me it was him and
let me kick his ass,” he seethes.

Chris steps forward and gets into Gage’s face.

“This is none of your business. If she’s hurt, it’s my
problem to deal with. She’s
my
girlfriend.”

“Is that so?”

“Yeah, it is.”

“Well, you’ve been doing a bang-up job so far.”

I grab Chris’ arm and try pulling him out of the alley. He
shrugs from my grasp and turns his anger on me.

“Show. Me.”

I sigh and pull up the sleeve of my blouse. He reaches out
to touch the bruise but I cover it back up.

“Raven, what—?”

“Let’s go. Please.”

“Okay. But we need to talk about this.”

We start to walk away but I turn back and approach Gage. He
looks down at me and I see that his anger has turned to concern again.

“I promise, Chris isn’t hurting me. No one is. Just stop.” I
fish the hundred dollars out of my pocket and hand it to him. “You left this at
the diner. I don’t want to see it or you again.”