Saving Dallas (16 page)

“Why didn’t your father ride?” I asked, intrigued with his story.

“My Pops wasn’t much of a father to my dad.  He was constantly in and out of jail.  When he did get out, he couldn’t get a respectable job because of his record.  The bike world welcomed him with open arms.  Once he knew all the connections,
he and another guy started their own club.” 

“Connections?” I asked.  I knew what that meant, but I wanted him to tell me. 

“Another time, babe.  I want to show you something,” he said, dropping the subject completely. 

He took my hand and led me outside to his shop. 
The inside looked like a honky-tonk.  There were pool tables and a juke box, a bar that ran the length of the building and pictures of motorcycles were hung everywhere.  Behind the bar, I could see bottles of whiskey and tap beer available.  I half expected someone to show up and take our order
.
  In the back of the shop, there were two large double doors that were locked with a padlock.  Luke presented a key, unlocked the doors and pushed them open.  A huge table was centered in the room.  Around the table were large brown leather chairs that looked like something an executive would sit in.  What was most amazing to me though, were the large, framed shadow boxes that covered the walls housing leather vests with different patches on them.  I felt like I had stepped into a museum
.

“The boxes are fire and bullet proof, so even in the worst circumstances, they are protected.  These two here belong to the founders of the club.  My
Grandfather Pops and his lifelong friend Gill.”  Luke said, leading me to the head of the table and pointing to the two boxes on the wall behind it.  “They did time together in Parchman, a five year stretch in the seventies.  When they got out they went their separate ways. My grandfather joined in with an MC out of Louisiana and Gill moved to Texas.  After about two years, they reunited and decided to start their own club.  That’s how the Devil’s Renegades MC began.”

I was amazed at the history in the room
.
  Founders and members were listed on the wall and a shrine made of each and every one of them.  Each box held their vest and a personal keepsake.  I noticed Pop’s keepsake was a coloring page that had been scribbled on and the name James printed on the bottom in a child’s handwriting. 

“My father drew that for him when he was very young.  He kept it with him for years.  He said it was the only memory he had of my father
ever loving him,” Luke said, melancholy ringing loud in his voice.  Poor Luke, it must have been terrible growing up in the middle of a family feud.  I couldn’t imagine having to choose between my parents and grandparents.  Even though I was lacking in the family department, at least when they were alive they all got along.  I smiled at him and grabbed his hand reassuringly.  “It was a long time ago babe-water under the bridge,” he said, kissing my hand.  He showed me the other vest, housed in the shadow boxes around the room.  I soon learned they were called “cuts.”  They all belonged to former members, all of whom had passed on.  “We have meetings here weekly, and hold a formal church once a month.  All members are expected to be present at church.  It’s the time that we discuss business, upcoming events, and any problems they may affect the club.” 

“Where do you sit?” I asked. 

“At the head of the table,” he said to me as if that was something I should have known.  I laughed
.  Of course he did.
 

“So, where do I fit in with all of this?” 

“You don’t.”  He said matter-of-fact. 
Oh
.  “You are with me.  If things work out, I would love for you to become my ol’ lady.”  Luke was back in biker mode. 

“Ol
’ lady?  What the hell is that?” I asked. 
It sounded horrible
.

“It’s not disrespectful babe.  It’s actually the complete opposite.  Being an
ol’ lady has its perks, especially if you’re the president’s ol’ lady,” he said smirking at me. 

“I don’t like the term “
ol’ lady.” It sounds silly,” I said, frowning. 
I liked babe a lot better
. 

“Ol
’ lady is used as an endearment.  It might sound silly to you in the outside world, but in my world, it’s the most respectful position a woman can have.” 

“Well, what will I have to do?” I asked. 

He laughed, “Let’s get you through one day at a time.  If you see this is something you want and can handle, then I’ll tell you more and we can take the next step.  The girls can really help with these things.  I know you don’t like them that much, but at one time they were right where you are.  Red knows a lot about this lifestyle.  She is kinda the go-to girl in the club, and can help you with any questions you have.  Tomorrow night we go out for steak night at a local bar and grill.  I would really like you to come.  You will get a chance to meet everyone and see if this is something you really want.” 

This was a lot to take in.  I wanted to find out what this life was really about.  I had become so attached
to Luke.  I knew I couldn’t be happy without him in my life, so I was willing to take a chance.  Plus, my curiosity had gotten the better of me. 

“I would love to go
,” I said, walking up to him, putting my arms around his waist and burying my face in his chest.  He kissed the top of my head and engulfed me in his arms.  I could stay here all day, but I knew if I wanted to be off in time to go out tomorrow night, I would have to work today.  “I have enjoyed this weekend so much.  And thank-you for sharing all of this with me,” I said, squeezing him a little harder. 

“My pleasure
, babe.  I really want us to work.  Just promise me you will keep an open mind.” 

“I promise.”  I meant it too.  I would not let my jealousy come between us again.

“I have some things to do this evening.  Would you like to stay and have dinner with me tonight?  You can do anything you want.  I won’t be gone too long,” he asked, looking down at me.  I looked up at his handsome face.  I tried to find a flaw about his appearance, but everything was perfect
.  Lucky bastard. 

“Do you have a computer?” I asked.  I could work from here. 
That would give me another night with Mr. Wonderful, and perhaps I could do something to piss him off and earn myself a delightful, punishment session. 
The thought excited me
.

“I do.  Come on
. I’ll show you where it is.”  He took my hand and led me out, locking the doors behind us. 

Back inside, Luke presented me with his laptop and headed off to get ready.  I opened my email, finding over fifty that I needed to respond to. 
My company was huge.  I had offices all over Mississippi, and even though each office had its own management team, any major decisions had to come through me.  My employees often emailed me personally, asking for favors, whether it was advances for their paychecks or a discount on a property.  I usually had Lindsey sort through them and give them a generic response, but last week I had to answer them myself and I found that some conditions were serious.  Since then, I have decided to respond to each one of them personally.  Perhaps I needed to hold church with my employees.  The thought reminded me of Luke, and even though he was in the next room, I missed him. 
Well, he was my boyfriend.

I walked in his room and found that he was not in there.  I could hear him in the bathroom, so I decided to stay until he came out.  When the bathroom door opened, I was glad I did.  Sprawled out on the bed, I had the best view in the house of Luke’s incredible body.  He didn’t notice me at first.  I heard him humming a song to himself and wondered what it was. 
He had his back to me and I watched while he shimmied into some underwear.  I couldn’t help it.  I walked up behind him and put my arms around his waist.  I registered his surprise, but he immediately relaxed when he glanced over his shoulder and saw it was me.

“You snuck up on me babe.”

“Sneaky, sneaky,” I giggled, quoting one of my favorite movies.  He turned around and picked me up.  I put my legs around his waist and my arms around his neck, giggling once again. 

“What’s so funny gorgeous?”
he asked, mirroring my smile.

“Nothing, I just get excited when I watch my boyfriend dress.”

“Well, if it will make you smile like that, then I’ll let you watch more often.”  He kissed me sweetly and butterflies formed in my stomach.  “I love seeing my girl happy.  Would you like to sit and watch the rest of the show?” 
His girl
.  I
loved how he said that.  I nodded enthusiastically and he sat me on the bed. 
What in the hell was wrong with me? 
I was giddy and felt like a love-struck teenager
. 

Luke glanced at the clock on the wall, and to my disappointment dressed a little too fast for my liking.  He looked hot in a pair of khaki pa
nts and a white button down dress shirt.  He slipped his belt on, grabbed his wallet and keys and leaned down giving me a kiss.  He smelled so delicious I wanted to lick him all over.  I wandered where he was going, but I figured if he wanted to tell me he would.  He had not asked me to go and I couldn’t help my disappointment.  Not that I would have went anyway, but it still would have been nice to be invited.  I pouted like a petulant child, and when he saw my frown, he knelt down in front of me and stuck his lip out.

“Why so blue panda bear?”
he asked, mocking the catch phrase for an old commercial and making me laugh. 

“Do you have to leave?” I asked, still frowning.

“Unfortunately baby, I do.  Riding a Harley and making love to you don’t pay the bills, although I wish it did.”  I smiled in relief.  He was going to work.  I admired his dedication, which was much like my own.

“Well, hurry back or I may be forced to do something that will result in you reprimanding me
,” I said grinning. 

“Oh, baby.  How I wish you would.”  He kissed me hard, leaving me breathless and stood to leave.  “Call me if you need anything.  I
’ll be back as soon as I can.”  And with that, he was gone. 

Chapter 12

The next few hours flew by as I busied myself with work.  I responded to every email in my inbox and went back to review some previous ones I had over looked.  My office in Tupelo contacted me about some rental properties they were having some issues with.  Apparently the tenants had been somewhat destructive and had not held up to their end of the deal.  They had received a notice of eviction, and were now giving threatening calls to the office manager. 

I didn’t have many homestead rental
properties; I usually just dealt with commercial unless I purchased a company who already had them.  This was one of those cases.  We had had issues with these same properties before.  When people moved out, I did not rent the houses to anyone else.  I fixed them up and sold them.

I only had two tenants left.  One was an elderly lady whose children wanted her in a rental house, because of some issues with her life insurance.  They claimed she couldn’t have any property in her name and it was easier for her just to rent.  It sounded shady to me, but they always paid on time and the woman was very kind. 

The other property, housed a median income family.  I had attempted to contact them on several occasions to see if they would be interested in a rent to own deal, but I never received a response.  My branch manager was at his wits end, so I emailed him letting him know that I would be there Tuesday to handle the matter myself.  I would go talk to the family and see if there was a way we could work something out that didn’t include them trashing the place, or me throwing them out on their ass. 

My phone rang and I scrambled to the other room find it.  It was Luke, and my pulse immediately quickened when I s
aw his name. “Hey baby!” I answered. 

“Baby? And what
‘fraid tell have I done do receive that endearment?” Luke asked laughing.  I never used pet names, so I was just as shocked to hear me say it as he was
.

“Do you prefer Luke?”

“You can call me whatever you want, as long as you don’t call me late for supper and speaking of which, what would you like?”  After last night, I really didn’t want anything heavy.

“How about something
light?” I asked, hoping he didn’t have a big ribeye steak in mind.

“Something
light, hmm.  How about a grilled chicken salad?”

“Sounds delicious.”  Just saying it made me realize how hungry I was.  It was already two o’clock. 
Where had the time gone?
  “Ok, I’m gonna swing by the store.  I’ll be there in about an hour.  Anything else you want me to pick up?” he asked, I could tell he was in a really good mood. 

“No, just hurry.  I miss you.”  It was out of my mouth before I could stop it. 

“I miss you too babe.  I promise to hurry,” he said, sounding very pleased with my confession. 

“Ok, bye.”

“Bye babe.”  I hung up the phone and fell back onto the bed.  I felt as if I were living in a dream.
  How did I get so lucky?