Road to Forever Page 10

  “Okay. Call me if you need me.”

  “I will.”

  I headed into the great room, grabbed a beer from behind the bar, and then went to find Maverick. He was in the back where the grills were set up talking to Devon and a few of the other club kids. When he saw me coming, he held out his arm without pausing his conversation, and I slid into his embrace.

  “Hey, Lil,” Devon said.

  “Hey. Is Poppy here?” I asked, and Maverick gave me a squeeze.

  Devon frowned. “No.”

  “Is she coming?” I asked, but Maverick gave me the “double squeeze,” which meant I should probably drop the subject.

  “She’s supposed to be,” Devon said with a growl.

  “I’m sure she’s on her way, Dev. Hatch and Maisie aren’t here either, so I bet she’s coming with them.” I didn’t really know what else to say.

  “We’re gonna go get more beer,” Maverick said, taking my beer and setting both bottles on a table before leading me away from Devon’s scowl.

  “What was that all about?” I asked in a whisper.

  “Stow it for a sec,” he warned.

  “You stow it.”

  He grinned and pulled me into the alcove off the main room where a bank of computers was set up. The Club kids would use them for homework or games although right now, it was empty. Pushing me up against an empty wall, he kissed me, his hands sliding to my bottom and cupping it firmly. I wrapped my legs around his waist, confident he’d hold me up, and deepened the kiss as I slid my fingers into his hair.

  “Missed you,” he said after he broke the kiss.

  I giggled, lowering my feet to the floor. “I was in the kitchen for less than half an hour.”

  “Your point?” he challenged, and I grinned. I didn’t have a point. He adored me, and it was sweet.

  “Love you, Möosh.” I patted his chest. “Now, what’s up with Devon?”

  “Not entirely sure,” Maverick said. “The gist is that Poppy just dumped boyfriend number sixteen, and Dev’s pissed about it.”

  Maverick’s friend Donnie had been boyfriend number thirteen, but Maverick had been right about his player reputation. Poppy had quickly figured out Donnie wasn’t the monogamous kind, so she dumped him about two weeks in.

  “Wait, he’s pissed because she dumped another guy?”

  Maverick shook his head. “He’s pissed there ever was another guy.”

  “Ohmigod, he’s pushed her away forever. What does he expect from her?”

  “What every guy expects. Total devotion even when we’re being assholes.”

  “Ahh, yeah, that makes more sense,” I deadpanned. “Can I just say I’m really glad you’ve never been an asshole?”

  “I’ve been an asshole,” he said defensively.

  “It’s not a criticism.” I rolled my eyes. “And you’re not an asshole, Mav. You’re not perfect, but you’ve never been an asshole.”

  “Wait.” He raised an eyebrow. “I’m not perfect?”

  “You’re perfect to me,” I corrected.

  “Better.”

  “You’re ridiculous.” I chuckled. “Do you think she’ll ever figure out she’s still in love with Devon?”

  “Don’t know.” Maverick shrugged. “Don’t really care, either; just need Devon focused when we have shit to do.”

  “And this makes him unfocused?”

  “More than a lot.”

  I scowled. “Which could put you in danger.”

  “Don’t go there, Lil. It’s not that serious.”

  “But it could be.”

  “Baby, don’t make this a thing.”

  I hissed through my teeth. “Don’t tell me not to make this a thing! Ohmigod, Maverick. If he’s distracted, and you’re somewhere you need backup, you could be shot or worse.”

  “Baby, what exactly could I possibly be doing that would get me shot... or worse?” He leaned back slightly with an incredulous expression on his face. “And as a side note... what would be worse than being shot?”

  “Paralyzed by a fall, car crash, or some other freak accident... raped—”

  “Okay, got it,” he said with a chuckle.

  “This isn’t something to laugh about.”

  “Lil, I’m not going to be paralyzed or raped... or shot,” he added before I could give him other examples. Which I could. Several. “And if I did, it wouldn’t be because Devon’s distracted by his feelings for Poppy,” he continued.

  “It’d better not be.”

  “Okay, can we acknowledge you’re being a little crazy right now?”

  “No, we cannot,” I retorted.

  He laughed. “Okay, baby doll, let’s go back to making out then.”

  I wrinkled my nose but stood on my tiptoes to reach his mouth anyway. He lifted me again, but before anything fun like heavy petting could happen, we were interrupted.

  “There you are,” Mom said, sounding a little peeved.

  I removed my lips from Maverick’s and turned my head to face her. “Um, ever heard of knocking?”

  “Um, open room, no door,” she retorted. “And maybe don’t do that kind of stuff where your dad can see, hmm?”

  “Killjoy.” I giggled and removed my legs from Maverick’s waist. “What’s up?”

  “Wanna meet an ex-biker and his ex-nun wife?”

  “Come again?” I said.

  She waved us forward. “Ryder and Sadie. His dad’s part of the Gresham Spiders.”

  “What the fuck?” Maverick snapped, positioning himself in front of me.

  “Don’t worry, honey,” Mom said. “Ryder’s got inside information. Hence the ‘ex-biker’ title. Sadie and Dani work together, and Dani adores her.”

  “Can this guy help get the Spiders off our back?” I asked.

  “This isn’t touching you, Lil,” Maverick growled. “I’ll meet this Ryder guy, and then you can talk to Sadie after that.”

  “Mav,” I admonished.

  “Don’t make this a thing,” he said and stalked away.

  “Don’t make this a thing,” I mimicked in a male voice.

  “I can hear you,” Maverick called. I met Mom’s eye, and we both laughed.

  “Let him do his thing,” Mom suggested.

  “He’s ridiculous.”

  “So’s your dad, baby girl. But again, choose your battles.”

  I sighed. “Fine.”

  “Come on, I’ll introduce you to Sadie. We won’t tell Maverick.”

  I followed Mom out into the great room where I saw Maverick standing with my dad, his dad, Knight, Booker, and a tall, built blond man I assumed was Ryder.

  Hatch and Poppy walked in and she smiled distractedly at me as I approached. I stopped walking so they could finish their conversation without me interrupting.

  “I hear you, Sid,” Poppy said.

  “Yeah?”

  “Yeah,” she said.

  “‘Cause I feel like you’re brushin’ me off.”

  “I would never,” she deadpanned.

  “Okay.” He chuckled and wrapped an arm around her shoulders. “Love you, sweet girl.”

  “Love you too, Dad.” She kissed his cheek and then closed the distance between us and hugged me. I saw Maisie rush into the room and Hatch kissed her deeply, then gave me a chin lift and led her out to the patio.

  “What was that all about?” I asked.

  “Sid’s just giving me boy advice.”

  “So fun,” I retorted.

  “Right?”

  “I’ve never heard you call him Dad before,” I admitted.

  She giggled. “I only do it when he’s doling out sage wisdom. Sometimes I need to drive home that I see him as far more than just my stand-in dad.”

  “Sweet.”

  “Shh, don’t tell anyone. It’ll ruin my tough exterior.”

  I chuckled. Mom interrupted us, hugging Poppy and pulling me to where Dani, Kim, and Cassidy stood with a drop-dead gorgeous brunette. Seriously, her hair was to die for, and she looked mo
re like Mila Kunis than a nun.

  “Sadie, this is my daughter, Lily,” Mom said. “She’s engaged to the tall jock glaring down your husband.”

  Sadie chuckled and shook my hand. “It’s nice to meet you, Lily. And don’t worry about Ryder, he’d do the same thing.”

  “Mom said you and Dani work together.”

  “We do,” she said. “Dani dragged me to the dark side.”

  Dani laughed. “You love it, admit it.”

  “Love pre-pubescent girls who ‘totally love’ every cute boy they meet? Sure, we’ll go with that.”

  “It doesn’t change after puberty,” I said. “Not that I’d know... I’ve been in love with Maverick since I was five.”

  Cassidy smiled. “Maverick saw her and claimed her early.”

  “Smart boy,” Sadie said.

  “Do you have kids?” I asked.

  “Not yet,” she said.

  Strong arms wrapped around my waist from behind, and I grinned up at Maverick then focused on Sadie again. “Sadie, this is Maverick.”

  They shook hands, and then Maverick resumed his position, my back snug to his front. Dad and his posse were carrying plates of burgers and dogs out to the patio to grill. “Don’t you need to help?” I asked Maverick.

  “Too many cooks,” he said.

  I faced him and met his eyes. “I’m good, honey.”

  “Good.”

  “No, I mean—”

  “I know what you mean, Lil.”

  “Maverick,” I whispered.

  He smiled down at me. “Don’t make this a thing, baby.”

  I rolled my eyes but chose my battle and faced the group again. I had to get used to the overprotectiveness and let the irritation go, or I’d fight with Maverick every day. Once the threat from the Spiders was eliminated, he and I would have a sit-down talk about boundaries.

  Maverick

  Three days later...

  I WALKED INTO the club and back to the conference room. Ryder and his ex-biker buddy, Reese, were meeting with the Dogs to figure out a game plan. I had been invited into the meeting due to the fact that the Spiders had singled Lily out. Normally, recruits weren’t included.

  I arrived to find all of the officers in attendance, along with Ryder, whom I’d already met, and a dark-haired man who I hadn’t seen before.

  “Hey, Mav,” Hawk said and nodded at Reese. “This is Reese.”

  I gave him a chin lift. “Hey.”

  Reese returned the chin lift, and I greeted the rest of the brothers. Crow banged the gavel, and everyone took their seats.

  “Right,” Crow said. “Ryder, Reese, give the rest of the brothers some background, and then we’ll get down to business.”

  “Reese and I have an unfortunate lineage,” Ryder started. “My pops is Char; his is Brick.”

  “Fuck,” Hawk said.

  Ryder nodded. “A few of us have formed our own loose group... Spiders’ kids who didn’t want to patch in. We recently fucked up the Spiders’ little trafficking scheme, so they’re gunnin’ for us, but we’ve been able to keep them at bay for the moment.”

  “How does Jenny fit into this?” I asked.

  Ryder glanced at Reese who nodded. “Jenny’s currently passing herself between Brick and Char. Both men were incarcerated, but recently released on a technicality. Jenny’s promised them things she can’t deliver, but my guess is they’re gonna see what she can give them before they get rid of her.”

  “Meanin’ they’ll kill her,” Reese said. “Slowly.”

  “Shit,” I hissed. “Outside of Lily, who or what else has she promised?”

  “Poppy,” Hatch growled.

  “What the fuck?” I snapped.

  “And Tillie,” Dad said.

  I felt my blood freeze. “She’s fuckin’ fourteen.”

  “There’s a market for that,” Reese said.

  “Goddammit!” I stood, my chair hitting the wall behind me.

  “They’re covered, bud,” Dad assured. “We’ve got recruits on ’em.”

  “Older recruits,” Hatch clarified. “And Flea, Buzz, and Train.”

  “Flea’s on Lily when I’m not,” I ground out. “I don’t want him distracted.”

  “Not the time, Mav,” Dad warned.

  “Lily’s protection is my priority, Ace.” I scowled, using Dad’s club name. “So I don’t give a fuck if this isn’t ‘the time.’”

  “She’s covered,” Hatch said. “Flea’s on Lily. The others are on the rest.”

  “Sit down,” Dad ordered.

  I took a beat and then sat down again.

  “You interrupt again, Mav, you’re out,” Crow warned.

  I nodded. I knew I was pushing my limits. I shouldn’t even be at the meeting—they’d made an exception—so I forced down my rage and did my best to stow my opinions.

  “Go ahead, Ryder,” Crow directed.

  “We technically ‘stole’ their stash when we liberated several young women from their forced confinement, so they’re lookin’ to recoup those losses,” Ryder explained. “I own the Brass Frog downtown, and I found out we had a mole. He was aiding the Spiders in their procurement of women from the bar. We stopped him.”

  “Where are the girls now?” Hawk asked.

  “Safe,” Reese said with a grunt.

  I watched him. I got the impression Reese had a personal stake in this outside of doing the right thing. Probably a woman but he could also just be intense. He didn’t say much, but I could still feel anger pouring off the man.

  “It’s taking a little longer than we expected to get them fully liberated,” Ryder said. “But for the moment, they’re hidden and safe.”

  “So what’s the plan to deal with these assholes once and for all?” Dad asked.

  “We’re gonna need bodies,” Ryder said. “I’ve got my team, but there are only ten of us. Not enough to take down a club of over a hundred.”

  “We can get bodies,” Crow said. “We’ll call in other chapters.”

  I stayed silent through the rest of the meeting, but my mind was spinning with concern for Lily. I didn’t know how much longer we could go on with this hanging over our heads. Maybe we should just move to Canada. But, then again, the Spiders had a presence in Canada, so it probably was just as unsafe.

  By the time I got home, I only had an hour before I had to pick Lily up from work. I chose to drink a pot of coffee rather than trying to sleep. I was afraid I’d sleep through the alarm.

  * * *

  Lily

  On one of my days off, I decided to join one of Cassidy’s dance classes, since it had been a couple of weeks since I’d done any kind of “work.” Maverick was at the clinic, so Flea followed me to Cass’s downtown studio, and I headed inside.

  “No way!”

  I turned to find Poppy rushing toward me, and I grinned. “Well, hey there, stranger. What are you doing here?”

  “Grace is on her way... but I also thought I’d take a class a couple of times a month to stay limber for riding.” Poppy hugged me and then linked her arm with mine and led me into the dance room.

  “Perfect,” I said. “Is Grace still heading to San Francisco?”

  Grace had been accepted into the San Francisco Ballet Company as a principal dancer after she finished school. She hadn’t accepted right away, but Poppy had told her she’d be crazy not to.

  “She still hasn’t decided,” Poppy complained.

  “How long will they wait for her?”

  “They gave her a month to decide. She has three days left.”

  I let out a quiet whistle. “That’s certainly cutting it close.”

  “Right?” Poppy sighed. “She doesn’t want to leave me.”

  “Really?”

  “No, dammit, but that should be the reason.”

  I laughed. “This is true. I take it you don’t want to live in California?”

  She scoffed. “Like Sid or Devon would ever let that happen.”

  I squeezed her arm. “I bet
if it was something you really wanted to do, Hatch wouldn’t stand in your way.”

  Poppy blushed. “I could never move away and certainly not to California. I like the rain too much.”

  “Mmm-hmm, the rain,” I deadpanned. “The rain named Devon.”

  “Whatever,” she retorted. “That man will never pull his head out of his butt; ergo, we will never work.”

  “He might surprise you one day.”

  “I doubt it.”

  I dropped my bag on the floor just as Cassidy wrapped her arms around me from behind and squeezed. “Hey, honey.”

  I turned and hugged her back. “Hey, Cass.”

  “I’m so glad you decided to show up to one of these,” she said.

  I grinned. “I would love to say the same thing, but I don’t know how mean you’re going to be to me yet.”

  “Good instinct.” She hugged Poppy. “You’re going to join too, right?”

  Poppy shrugged. “Sure. But I’m not sure how rusty I am.”

  “Don’t worry. You’ll pick it up,” Cassidy said. “We’ll start in fifteen.”

  We sat on the floor, and I pulled out my toe shoes.

  “In other news...” Poppy grabbed her phone. “I think I found the perfect bridesmaid dress.”

  Poppy and Tillie were my bridesmaids, and I’d told them as long as they chose royal blue, I didn’t care about the style. She held her phone in front of me, and I clapped my hands in excitement. She’d chosen an A-Line, one-shoulder, knee-length dress in charmeuse lace, and it had a satin ribbon around the waist. It was exactly Poppy.

  “It’s perfect, Poppy.” I slid my shoes on. Once I’d laced them tight, I flexed to make sure I could still move.

  “Really?”

  I nodded. “Yes, I love it. Get it.”

  “I did.”

  “Awesome!” I exclaimed. “I can’t wait to see it in person.”

  “I’m so excited for you guys.”

  I sighed. “Me too. I’m still a little nervous about a big shindig, but I’m getting more excited as we get closer.”

  “You should,” Poppy concurred. “It’s going to be so much fun, and you’ll be surrounded by all your favorite people.”

  “This is very true.” I reached over and squeezed her hand. “Thanks, Poppy.”

  “Anytime.”

  “I’m late, I’m late, I’m late,” Grace sang as she jogged over to us and flopped onto the floor.