Amy (Aces MC Series Book 3.5) (11 page)

"Have you decided what you'd like to order yet?"
the waitress asked standing beside me with her notepad.
"Not yet but can you stick a double in there?" I asked pushing my now
empty glass towards her. She smiled and picked up the glass before making her
way to the bar. I let out a sigh and knew that it was going to be another long
evening alone.

Amy

"Thank you, I really appreciate your help." Louise
had been a godsend and had helped me out a few times when I'd been really busy.
I had two other casual members of staff but they worked here for the wrong
reasons. One spent more time flirting with anyone wearing a patch and the other
worked here as well as the club because she was supporting her partner's drug
addiction.
The fact that I could call Louise at short notice to assist in the cafe made
her a perfect solution, the twins were more than happy to amuse themselves and
I happily kept them fed and watered as their mother was doing me a huge favour.

"It's really not a problem, you're helping me out as
much as I am you." She smiled and turned to continue wiping the table as
she hummed a tune. Louise's resilience had surprised me, she'd been through so
much but yet she continued to go about her business without bitching and moaning
about what hand she'd been dealt. I glanced at her two beautiful children
sitting at the table quietly drawing more tattoo designs, I sniggered by what I
saw, Connor had not only made an impression on Louise but also the twins.

"While we're quiet, could I pop to the shop to get the
children some more crayons?" Louise asked walking towards me to place the
bottle of cleaning fluid on the counter.
I nodded my head, "Of course you can, they'll be okay sitting there."
I stated glancing towards the children sitting quietly at the table.
Louise unfastened her tabard, "Thank you, I won't be long." She
grabbed her purse from behind the counter and ruffled both Devon's and Tommy's
hair as she passed them walking towards the door.

"Would you like another drink kids?" I asked
knowing the answer to the question before they even spoke.
They turned in unison, "Yes please!" Devon shouted excitedly, beaming
brightly as she jigged up and down on the chair. Tommy had an equally big smile
and I was pleased that I was able to put that smile on their faces if only for
a short time.
I gave them a wink before turning to make two orange squashes, I would have
loved to have made them another milkshake but they'd already had one this
evening.

I turned to the sound of the chimes on the cafe door, "Hi
Connor, fancy seeing you here this evening!" I said smugly clearly mocking
Connor as he strolled through the cafe. He'd been coming here more regularly and
I knew it wasn't because of my cooking.
Connor simply nodded his head before narrowing his eyes expressing his unease
at my comment and I couldn't help but smile as I wiped down the table next to
the twins.

"Hi Spike sit next to me," I heard Tommy say
excitedly. I smiled at the fact that the children were fighting over Connor's
attention.
"Wow Tommy they're great."
I finished clearing the table and looked at the exchange between Connor and the
children and my heart instantly yearned that attention from a child. Tommy was
simply captivated by Connor's presence and was hanging on his every word.
"These are great too are you gonna add some colour?" Connor asked
Tommy.
"Mum's just popped to the shop on the corner to get some more
crayons." Devon said before leaning over to suck from the purple straw
that was in her orange squash.

I felt the cold breeze as Louise opened the door and hurried
into the cafe. Her dress probably hadn't kept her warm from the elements
outside but she was eager to get back to the children. I watched the silent
interaction between Connor and Louise and it was like a game of cat and mouse.
It was obvious that they both liked each other but I was all too aware that
Connor would have to build that trust first before any kind of relationship
could develop with Louise. I'd seen so many disastrous relationships from
working at the refuge because the women living there had such low self esteem
that some would just settle for the first man that paid them any attention, and
those men were often like the very people that they were trying to get away
from in the first place.

Louise left the table after taking Connor's dinner order and
I saw a brief interaction between Connor and the children but couldn't quite
make out what they were saying. Both children grinned at Connor's words and I
stepped closer to take Connor's drink to the table.
"I like your mum very much, and you and Tommy." I smiled at his
comment and placed a large glass of iced water on the table before turning to
the sound of a group of rowdy blokes that I didn't recognise enter the cafe as
they shared a joke.

"Shhh, it's alright little man." I quickly turned
to see Connor comforting Tommy. I hadn't thought about things such as loud people
upsetting Tommy and didn't know what to do to try and settle him.
Louise placed Connor's dinner on the table, "I'm just gonna help Amy with
these customers and then I'm going to take them home." She stated to
Connor to let him know just how long she would be. Louise grabbed her pencil
from the front pocket of her tabard and walked slowly towards the group as I
made my way behind the counter waiting for their order.

"Hey beautiful, I haven't seen you here before."
One of the rowdy customers said to Louise as she tried to take their orders. I
glanced between Louise and Connor and could see that his interest had been
piqued as he glared at the group.
The next thing I knew all hell broke loose as Connor quickly leapt from his
chair and ran over to the group to yank Louise away to safety. Connor punched
the guy directly on the chin knocking him off his chair which turned the table
on its side with a bang.

I made my way around the counter and over to the twins who
were now laced with fear by what they were seeing.
I watched in horror as the whole scene played out in front of me as if in slow
motion, as Connor repeatedly punched the guy in the face as he held him by the
scruff of his neck. When Connor had finished he grabbed the stirring man from
the floor and pulled him to his feet. "If you ever come in here again,
I'll fucking kill you. Do you understand?" he spat before pushing the guy
in the direction of the door.

I stood frozen not knowing what to do. I'd seen the guys
fight on many occasions but it was the way that the children had reacted that
had me in a quandary. Devon had stood on her chair and screamed through the
whole altercation but now her tears poured down her cheeks as she wept
uncontrollably. I glanced at Tommy, he was petrified, fear clearly visible as
his joggers were wet through.
As quick as a flash Connor's demeanour changed from aggressive to concerned as
he surged forward to try and calm the situation and take Louise into his
embrace. Connor reached out to touch her but she recoiled with a look of anger
on her face as Connor instinctively went to comfort Devon.
"Leave her alone," Louise spat in a harsh tone. "She's my chid
and I'll comfort her, just leave us all alone."
Louise pushed past Connor and grabbed Devon taking her from the chair into her
embrace. Devon wrapped her legs around Louise's waist and held on tight as
Louise span around. She quickly grabbed Tommy's hand and headed for the back
room stomping through the cafe.
"Noooooo! Spike, I want Spike!" Devon shouted as she stretched out
her hand for Connor to take. He held it briefly but had to let go as Louise
moved quickly trying to get the children away from the very man that was trying
to protect them.
I saw the pain on his face as Louise disappeared in the back room and he picked
up the nearest chair and launched it to the other side of the cafe before
stomping towards the exit and slamming the door behind him.

I let out a loud sigh at how the evening had turned to shit.
Connor was only trying to protect her honour but in doing so he'd taken it too
far and had damaged the trust that he'd built with Louise already.

I walked to the back door that led to the storage area and
knocked lightly. "Louise is it okay to come in babe?" I didn't push the
situation and stayed quiet waiting for her to respond.
I could hear a faint whimpering coming from behind the door and was about to
push it when the door slowly opened.
Louise peered her head through the gap and looked around the cafe behind me,
"Has he gone?" she asked quietly.
I nodded my head, "Yes Louise, he's gone. He probably needs some time to reflect
and calm down. If I know Connor like I think I do, he'll be beating himself up
regarding how he reacted just then but he was only trying to protect you babe."
She opened the door wider and walked out of the storage area mournfully. Devon
was still wrapped tightly around Louise although she was scowling, and I
noticed Tommy hanging on to the fabric of his mothers dress tightly as she
gingerly made her way into the eating area.

"Honestly babe, you've got nothing to worry about.
Connor would never lay a finger on a woman." I said reassuringly as Louise
leaned forward to put Devon down.
Louise placed her hand on her forehead and rubbed it with a grimace, "I
know that." She said in a quiet voice, "It's just that I'm finding it
difficult to adjust."
I pulled out a seat and gestured for her to sit, as I joined her and the
children at the table. "I know babe and it's gonna take time, and I don't
just mean with Connor. Unfortunately I see it all the time at the refuge, but
the worst thing would be if you never learned to trust again." I gave her
a wry smile and leaned over to place my hand on hers. "It'll come good in
the end babe, I promise." I stood and pushed the chair under the table as
I saw a car pull up outside the cafe. I nodded towards the door, "Buster's
come to give you and the children a lift to the refuge."
Louise's eyes widened, "I can't leave you with all this mess." She
waved her arm in the direction of the carnage that Connor had left behind.

We both turned to the sound of the door opening as Ramsey
and Buster walked through, "It's fine, Ramsey's gonna help me out." I
saw the confusion on his face at my statement but he quickly looked around the
floor at the mess and I saw Ramsey's eyes soften as he understood what I was
getting at.
"Well if your sure?" Louise asked as she stood. Devon let out a loud
yawn and placed her hand over her mouth to try and stifle it.
"Yes I'm sure, you get these two home and into bed." I walked over to
Louise and wrapped my arms around her shoulders to pull her in for a big hug. She'd
been through a lot and the situation this evening hadn't helped one bit. I
pulled away slightly to look at her puffy face from where she'd been crying,
"I'll call you tomorrow."
Louise smiled and stepped back before herding the children, "Thank you
Amy."
I smiled as I watched Louise and the twins leave the cafe, Buster opened the
door for them and then briskly walked to the car to open the door and get the
children in.

"Trouble? Do you want me to call Duke or Diesel?"
Ramsey asked referring to the mess on the floor.
I shook my head, "Nah, that's Connor's mess." Ramsey raised his
brows, "Yeah exactly, we should just tidy and keep this to
ourselves."
Ramsey nodded his head understanding what I was saying, I didn't want to start
telling tales. Connor was in a bad mood as it was and didn't need reprimanding
by Mitch or Andy.

James

"Good morning," I said walking into the clubhouse.
I'd been here a few times now and was starting to feel comfortable around the
place although I'm sure Duke still had a problem with me. I couldn't work out
why yet but had a feeling it was down to the fact that I was seeing Amy
although things were a little fractious between us at the moment.

"Morning James, pleased you could join us." Diesel
stood and walked over to me with his hand held out ready to receive mine. I
shook it and was surprised when he brought me in for a hug, and slapped me on
the back in a manly gesture of affection. "Buster get the man a
drink," he shouted towards the prospect behind the bar.
I shook my hand, "No I'm fine, it's a little early for me."
Diesel smirked, "I meant tea or coffee. It's too fucking early even for me
to have alcohol." I smiled feeling a little stupid that I'd just assumed
he meant the stronger stuff.
"Well in that case I'll have a strong coffee please Buster." The
young boy nodded and went about his business as Diesel directed me towards the
group.

I could hear a commotion coming from the corridor at the
back of the clubhouse and glanced at the group to see an array of different
expressions.
"I'm assuming that Amy has just found Yasmin then," Bear said amused.
Justice sniggered, "I love it when she goes off on one, she certainly has
the Stokes fiery temper."
They were obviously speaking about Ames but I couldn't put the conversation
into context.

“You’re hurting me Amy.” A young woman's voice screamed from
the corridor. The group instantly stopped what they were doing to look at the
doorway as Amy dragged a dark haired woman into the bar and threw her to the
ground.
“This is the reason that Mitchell’s late for Church.” Amy glanced around the group
until her eyes met mine and her expression quickly changed as her eye widened.
I saw her swallow hard before she continued her rant trying hard to make it
look like my presence hadn't effected her. “Even with a broken nose she manages
to suck cock. How the fucking hell she managed to breathe is beyond me.” Amy
turned on her heels and slammed the door as the group burst into laughter.

I turned my attention to the young woman on the floor and
went to help her when I felt a hand firmly on my shoulder preventing me from
going to her aid.
"She's not your problem." I turned to see Bear staring at me almost
daring me to question him. I shrugged and simply stood back fighting my inner
feelings to help her as Rex stepped forward taking off his cut and then his
jumper to give it to the woman.
"Get this on then get your arse home." He said coldly and I wondered
who Rex was to this woman. Surely he couldn't be romantically linked to her as
she'd just been caught sucking another man's cock.
I watched as the young woman picked up his jumper from the floor and stood
directly in front of him in all her glory. There were a few sniggers behind me
and as I glanced around the group I could also see the anguish and some club
members turned away which intrigued me.
I turned back to the standoff to see the woman slowly put the jumper on with a
smug expression almost goading Rex. He lunged forward and grabbed her hair at
the back of her neck and pulled her in close, "If you didn't have a
fucking broken nose already, I'd fucking give you one. Now get your arse out of
here before I fucking lose it." He spat through gritted teeth.
Her eyes widened which showed her only emotion before she simply stepped back
out of his grasp and found the courage to wink at the group before turning on
her heels and seductively walked from the clubhouse.

The group went quiet probably wondering what Rex was going
to do next. Diesel stepped forward and rested his hand on Rex's shoulder,
"Chill, don't let her wind you up man that's what she wants."
Rex shrugged Diesel's hand from his shoulder, "Yeah, she's just like her
fucking mother." He left the group in the direction of the exit.
"Tell Duke I've gone home," he shouted over his shoulder.
Diesel let out a low whistle, "Women!" The group laughed at the
single word.

"Diesel is it okay for me to start sorting out my
father's office?" I asked feeling like I'd already outstayed my welcome.
"Yeah sure James, sorry mate I was gonna take you there but that little
scene got me sidetracked." He stated sniggering to himself.
I smiled briefly before I walked towards the corridor that led to my father's
office. I wanted to check the stock of medicines and equipment, and get a feel
for the general set up of the place. My father had expressed his desire to
retire and I knew that the club would snap my hand off but I wanted it to be
right for me also.

As I neared the infirmary I heard two voices coming from one
of the bedrooms, and felt awkward knowing that I'd have to pass it in order to
get to my destination.
“Yes, you’re right. Stop it Ames, I mean it!” I recognised Duke's voice and
wondered what the hell Amy was actually doing to make him laugh so hard.
“Let it take its natural course, if it doesn’t work out at least you’ve given
it a go with no regrets.”
I naturally slowed my pace and although I knew it was wrong I was hoping to
hear more of the conversation.
“Why can’t I just fancy you Ames? It would make life a whole lot easier.” Duke said
with a little more longing in his voice than I wanted or expected to hear.
“No it wouldn’t because I wouldn’t put up with any of your shit!”
They stopped talking and I quickly realised that I'd stopped at the open door
to see Duke with no clothes on, laying on top of Amy. They both turned in my
direction and I felt under pressure to justify why I was here. “Sorry I didn’t
mean to interrupt.” I felt embarrassed by being caught but hurt from what I saw.
I backed away from the door and turned quickly to walk towards the infirmary, feeling
confused regarding how close Duke and Amy actually were.
“Shit!” I heard Amy say as I walked further down the corridor.
“Are you gonna run after him?” Mitchell asked but I was too far away to hear
her response.

I opened the door with the key my father had given me and
quickly stepped into the room so that I could close the door firmly behind me. I
leaned my back against the wooden door and breathed heavily as I went over the
conversation I'd heard. They weren't seeing each other but I didn't like the
fact that they were so comfortable in each other's presence that Duke could be
naked around her. I shook my head trying to clear my thoughts, I really didn't
want to be thinking about this right now as I had plenty to be getting on with.

I walked around the desk to sit in the black leather chair
and looked around the room, it was sparse and would need an injection of cash
to bring it up to scratch but I probably had some equipment that I could use
from my own practice.
I opened the drawers one by one making a note of what my father had kept in
stock as this would make the process a little easier if I chose to work for the
club.

I hadn't been in here long when the door opened abruptly, I
glanced up towards the door to see Duke leaning on the wooden frame.
"To what do I owe this pleasure?" I asked trying to act like I wasn't
bothered with his unexpected visit.
"I'm still trying to work you out James." Duke pushed from the
doorframe and walked into the room to stand in front of the desk as he folded
his arms across his chest.
"Nothing to work out, what you see is what you get!" I stated opening
my arms wide indicating I was an open book.
"She likes you, she hasn't said as much but I know Ames better than she
knows herself." He stepped closer, "I don't want her getting
hurt."
I couldn't understand where he was going with this. "Or do I Duke," I
said maintaining eye contact.
"Well good, that means we're singing from the same hymn sheet where she's
concerned."
"Is there something going on that I should know about?" I wasn't
scared of Duke, although he was a big bloke and had a few inches in height on
me. I'd have a go at anyone if they got in my business but I needed to ask him
this, one because he wouldn't be expecting it and two because I needed to know
for sure.
He raised his brows as if surprised by my question. "The only thing that
you need to know that's going on, is that I'm looking out for her wellbeing.
Now if Ames is happy then I'm also happy but you don't fuck her about, that's
your one and only warning." He stared at me for a little longer but I
continued to maintain eye contact, letting him know that I wasn't scared to
front him up if I needed to. Once he seemed satisfied that I got the message,
he spun on his heels and walked from the office.

I let out a low whistle and sat back in the chair,
contemplating what he'd just said. Things hadn't really developed in the way
I'd wanted them to with Amy, I had cancelled two dates and although she'd
forgiven me we hadn't spent any real quality time together. My hunch was
correct though regarding her and Duke, they weren't together but he was
obviously very protective over her and that was something that I needed to deal
with. I needed to make sure that I didn't let her down again, otherwise I'd
have Duke on my back which was something I didn't really fancy happening.