One Ride (The Hellions Ride) (11 page)

Tennessee

(He Went to Jared’s and Not for Jewelry)

We’ve long since crossed over into Tennessee.  I made sure to have Tripp stop at the visitor center so I could pick up my map.  It’s a tradition I’ve had since I was a little girl.  My dad always stops at the welcome center, and I get a map.  Later, I stare at it and figure out which roads we were on and trace it out.  I have maps from when I was six or seven still.  Some people take pictures, collect key chains, or other tourist novelties.  I collect maps. 

Seventy-two hours, that’s about how long I’ve been gone with Tripp.  Seventy-two hours that my body has been in overdrive, a constant hum of yearning in my core.  Heading to God knows where adds to the adrenaline coursing through me.  I’m hyper aware of everything around me because we don’t know the situation back home. 

Pulling into the next gas station, I climb off.

“You want anything from the store?  I gotta use the restroom.”  I say, pulling off my helmet and looking at Tripp. 

He’s in his usual jeans, t-shirt, boots, and cut.  He has his hair in a man bun knot thing that lies under the half shell of his helmet.  And his face is in his usual serious mode.

“Nah, I’ll get it myself when I pay for the gas.  Wait for me inside.”

He goes over to talk to Rex as Sass approaches me.

“You got it bad girl.”  She says laughing at me.

“Got what?”  I try for nonchalance as we make our way inside the gas station.

“You know what!  You also know your dad will have his balls.  Stop holding on to him so much, it’s not like you on a ride.  More than that it’s borrowing trouble.  You’re getting yourself all worked up for something neither of you can have.”

“This coming from the bitch that slept with Tank.  Pot calling the kettle, much?”  I’m unable to stop the sarcasm from continuing to spew out of my mouth.  “It’s all good for you to fuck a Haywood’s Landing Hellion where we live, but I can’t tap a chartered brother?”

“Damn, you need to get laid.  Bitchy much?”  She pulls her arm around my shoulder, half dragging me into the bathroom door.  “I’m talking from experience.  This isn’t something you or Tripp want to deal with.”

“I’m sorry, Sass.  You’re right.  It’s borrowing trouble to even imagine one night with Tripp.”

The more I think about it, the more my irritation grows.  Hell, I don’t even know his real name.  He’s shown no interest in me.  Why am I still hung up on hooking up with him?  He’s hot as hell, but there are plenty of hot guys who could get me off without the repercussions that will come with hooking up with Tripp.  How am I going to get through days and weeks of being so close to him but not having him?  I don’t want forever, my dad would never allow that, but I damn sure want one night.

Finishing up, Sass and I silently head back to the bikes.  The tension and frustration is building inside of me.  I’m putting on my helmet, when Tripp approaches looking pissed the fuck off.

“What part of wait for me inside did you not fucking understand?”  Tripp states, pulling my hands away and adjusting my chin strap his way.

“Huh?”

“I fucking told you to wait for me inside.  Damn it, Doll.  We’re not in Hellions territory anymore.  You need to be aware.  Out here anyone could come along and grab you.  Inside the store, where there are witnesses, stuff is less likely to happen.  Fuck.”

He thinks he’s pissed.  Whatever!  I’m stuck on this damn ride, and now I can’t go to the fucking bathroom in peace.

“I’m a big fucking girl, Tripp.  I can handle myself.”  I say, my hands now balled into fists on my hips.

“Handle yourself….handle yourself.  Bitch, fucking think straight for two goddamn seconds.  Your dad told Delatorre to his face he wouldn’t know when or where, but the shit storm was comin’.  You would be the ticket Delatorre would need to keep breathin’.  Every fucking Hellion is out there scoping shit to bring Delatorre to the ground to keep you fucking safe.  And you can’t listen to one simple command.”

“Y’all are making something outta nothing.  Delatorre is all talk.”

“All fucking talk, huh?  Damn, you are a dumb bitch.  Daddy sheltered you too fucking much.”

“Dumb bitch.  Fuck you, Tripp.  Delatorre was in my office, at my house, and he never did shit.  He won’t do shit.  Having my address doesn’t mean he was setting me up for something.”

“What about the fucking cameras, Doll?  The cameras he watched you cook your meals, change your clothes, shower, and shit with.   Oh, I see your eyes are opening now.  That’s right, that sick fucker had cameras in your house.  He watched you lay in that huge bed of yours with that satin red comforter.  He knows more than any of us thought, and you’ve been the target of it all.  So yeah, I’m telling you to wake the fuck up, and listen when I tell you something.”

Shocked into silence, I don’t know how to respond.  Delatorre had cameras in my condo?  He watched me?  My skin is crawling, my stomach churning, my mind is racing.  I feel like I’m gonna be sick.

“Get on the fucking bike, we gotta go.”

I hadn’t even noticed Tripp is now on the bike, helmet on, and ready to go.  Rex is back from paying for our gas and ready to ride.  I climb on apprehensively.  Tripp is pissed, and shit is bigger than I thought.  The longer we ride, the more stressed I become.

Pulling in to our stop for the night, I let some of the tension relax out of my shoulders.  I didn’t mean to drop such a bomb on Doll back at the gas station, but she doesn’t realize how serious this is.  That fucker watched her for months, not just the time of the transport.  Roundman has been keeping me apprised of the information they uncover as they dig deeper into Felix Delatorre.

We’ve gone a little over three hundred fifty miles today.  Trying to be considerate of Doll’s comfort, seven hours on the back roads is enough for her ass for today.  As the trip progresses, I’ll add time and miles and she’ll have a better tolerance.  Stopping at an old friends business, I wave Doll off the bike as I pull off my helmet. 

She’s stretching beside me.  Some of her hair has come loose from her braid and is whisking around her face.  Damn, she’s beautiful.

“House of Ink Tattoo?”
  She’s looking at me with a sadness in her eyes that wasn’t there before.

“Welcome to McMinnville, Tennessee, Doll. 
House of Ink Tattoo
is owned by a buddy of mine.”

“Of all the places you could take us, we come here?  Why would we come here?  You’re not seriously going to get inked while we’re on this trip are you?”  Her irritation is obvious as she questions me.

“Because it’s safe, that’s the fuck why.”  My aggravation at her questioning me is something I don’t even try to hide.  I climb off the bike, stretching.

“I’m sorry.  I’m not trying to piss you off.  I figured we would be staying at hotels.”  She steps closer to me with only inches between us; I let out a long breath.

“Hotel?  Really?  You’ve been sheltered too damn long, Doll.  Hotels want names, IDs, credit cards; all of those mean paper trail.”

“We have fake IDs, credit cards, all of that.  Hell, you’re still wearing your cut.  We can’t be trying to hide too seriously.”  She says with a touch of venom in her voice at the mention of my cut.

“We’re staying in places that give us extra fucking eyes.  Places where I can get a little sleep so I can keep driving.  If Delatorre is following us, we don’t want it to be obvious why we took you away from the coast.  Watch yourself, Doll.  My cut is my god damn life, don’t you ever fucking go there.”

Not one to back down, she’s looking at me in sheer defiance.  Is she trying to get me going?  Does she realize she’s playing with fire?  Stepping up to me, her breasts are rubbing against my torso as I tower over her because of my height.  My dick twitches in my jeans at the feel of her hard little nipples pressing into me.

“How is this place safe to rest?  Anyone could come in claiming to want ink.”

“Jared won’t let that happen.” 

Pushing into me now, she’s wound up looking for a fight.  Damn, she’s fucking hot when she’s all revved up.  It’s makin’ my dick hard like nothing else ever has.

“Jared?  Who the fuck’s Jared?”

“He’s fucking good people, Doll.  I trust him with my life.  He’s not gonna let anyone get to us.”

She licks her lips and I’m done for.  The stress and want all tangle together in the form of irresistible desire.  Wrapping my hand to cup the back of her head, I run my fingers under her braid, my other hand resting on the small of her back.  Tilting her head to face me, I lean down and I kiss her.  She melts beneath me with one sweep of my tongue across her lips.  Anger, lust, frustration, desire, compassion, yearning, and so many more emotions run a marathon through my system.  Pulling her firmly to me, I devour her mouth as if it’s my last meal.  Leaving no millimeter undiscovered by my tongu
e, I continue my onslaught.  She moans beneath me as her hands reach up around my neck, snapping me back to reality.

Pulling abruptly away, “Now I know how to shut you the fuck up.  Get your shit.  Time to go inside,” I state as I turn and walk away.

Friends

What the hell just happened?!  How can he walk away after that?  He consumed me.  He didn’t only kiss my mouth, he touched my damn soul.  I’ve kissed a lot of men, but never has a kiss left me that weak in the knees.  There was more behind that moment than a means to shut me up.  I don’t give a shit what he says.

“Tripp, you son of a bitch, I’m not done talkin’ to you.” 

He stops on the spot, but doesn’t turn around.  Rex and Sass are standing still by their bike watching everything as it continues to unfold.  He’s making no attempt to acknowledge me.  Frustration running high, I march up behind him.  I poke him in the shoulder in an attempt to get him to turn around.  When that fails, I jab my finger into the top of his shoulder.  Still nothing.  Walking around to face him, I’m met with a mixture of laughter and lust in his eyes.  He’s enjoying this, the fucker.

“You just fucking kissed me.  I don’t even know your real damn name and you kissed me!  You’ve insulted me, belittled me, taken me from my home to God knows where, and I don’t even know your fucking name!”  I say jabbing my finger in his chest. 

Our eyes are now locked, battling each other in the stare downs of stare downs.  My eyes are full of fury and his full of fun, maybe.  Is this turning him on?

“If you’re running your mouth so I kiss you again, it ain’t gonna happen Doll.  You’re wound up.  You need to release the tension.  How ‘bout we see if Jared can give you some ink?”

“You have lost your ever lovin’ fuckin’ mind if you think I’m going to let some friend of yours permanently mark my body.  Again, I don’t even know your name. Yet, I’m supposed to trust some guy you know to tattoo me?  Really?  I may end up with Tripp tattooed on my ass.”

He laughs at me.  Not the little
‘ha ha you’re so funny’
kind of laugh.  No, Tripp folds over holding his stomach because he’s laughing so hard at me.

“What the fuck is so damn funny?”

Tripp stands up.  The smile now gone from his face, replaced with his ever present serious glare, he looks directly at me. 

“Get your ass inside.  Shut the fuck up for two seconds so you can meet Jared.”

He walks off, heading for the front door.  Sass is now beside me, as I stand here with a stupid look on my face.

“Come on, Doll.  Let’s make the best of it.  I’m game for new ink.  You should get that tat you’ve been wanting with another damn bird.  We’re stuck here until the guys have rested.  Jared may be hot or have hot friends.  You’re way too bitchy, loosen up some.”

“Sass, Delatorre had cameras in our house.  How can I relax?”

“Fuck!  He had what?  Come on, let’s get inside and figure this shit out.”  She says, taking me by the hand to the front door.

Walking inside we are surrounded by the designs on the red painted walls.  Each intricate piece of work brings something new to life for someone.  Hearing the buzzing of the tattoo gun in the back room, I’m immediately itching for a new tattoo.  I have a sparrow on my right hip in memory of my mother and a robin on my wrist to represent the bond Sass and I share.  Maybe Sass is right, and it’s time to get that tattoo I’ve been wanting on my left hip.  Yes, I have a thing for bird tattoos and it drives Sass crazy.

Tripp is leaning against the counter talking to a beautiful lady.  She’s probably in her fifties, but time has treated her well.  There’s vibrancy in her eyes as she’s chatting with Tripp, her face telling the story of a strong woman.  We approach the counter.

“Doll, Sass, this is Momma C. And Momma C, you remember Rex.  This is Doll and Sass.”

Introductions out of the way, I’m overwhelmed with a sense of comfort.  Momma C gives me a feeling of home.  Being around her reminds me of being with the ol’ ladies of the club.  The level of nurturing and compassion that is held in the depths of Momma C’s eyes wash over me.  I’m smiling and I’m comfortable here even with all the chaos surrounding my life.  Tripp was right, I’m safe here.  Even without meeting Jared, it’s obvious Momma C will protect those around her.

A man with spikey hair, gaged ears, and full sleeved tattoos emerges from the back room.  He’s followed by a man that walks over to Momma C pulling out his wallet, making it obvious he is a client.  Immediately, the spikey hair man greets Tripp and Rex with that man half hug, back slap shit.  When he’s done, he stares at me momentarily.  He extends his hand.  When I place my hand in his, he holds it.

“Name’s Delilah, but everyone calls me Doll.  You must be Jared.”  I say looking into his eyes.  They tell the story of a strong man. 

“Beautiful name for a beautiful woman.  Tripp’s a lucky mother fucker.”

I laugh at his comment.  “Tripp’s not my man.” 

He pulls me into a hug and whispers in my ear, “With the death glare he’s giving me, I think he may disagree, Doll.”  He kisses my cheek before releasing me. 

He greets Sass quickly and escorts us to the back office area.  The client is done paying, raises his hand in a slight salute wave in goodbye as he exits the building. 

“Mom’s locking up.  Here’s the key to the apartment upstairs.  I’ll be here the whole time. No one will get to you without getting through me.”  Jared informs us as he’s handing Tripp a key.

We go upstairs to the tiny apartment and settle in.  Tripp’s in the shower.  I update Sass on what I now know on Delatorre.  Sass and I are restless, so we head back down to the tattoo shop.  Finding Jared at a desk drawing, I smile at his focus.  He seems like he’s good people, and maybe I shouldn’t have doubted Tripp.  I need to learn to trust him.

“You need somethin’ Doll, Sass?”  Jared asks looking up from his design to both of us.

“I’d like a new tattoo.”

“Sure thing, whatcha thinkin’ of getting?”

“I want an eagle on my left hip, stretching out in flight.  Not overly big, but in its talon, I want it holding a very girly heart, not a lifelike heart, a feminine heart and a shield.”

He pauses, as a strange look comes across his face.  “Doll, why do you want this specific tattoo?”

“An eagle represents the freedom of the motorcycle club world I live in.  It’s talon holding my heart and a shield for protection.  All my life I’ve been guarded and loved by all of the Hellions, not just my dad.”

“You’re sure you want an eagle and not the Hellions insignia?”

Irritation consumes me.  Why is he questioning me?  This is his job.  I’ll pay for the damn tat.  Cocking my hand on my hip, I glare at Jared.  “It’s not my place to wear the insignia.  Look, if you don’t want to do the tat that’s fine just say so, enough with the bullshit.”  Looking over at Sass for some sort of comfort as my frustration builds, she shrugs her shoulders like this is no big deal.

Hearing a noise behind me, I turn to see Tripp in the doorway.  His hair down and wet.  With his arms over his head gripping the doorframe, and his jeans slung low on his hips, I can clearly see the toned ‘v’ of his lower abdomen peeking out from his shirt.  The tattoos on his arms on display, as usual.  Holy hell, he’s hot. 

“What bullshit?”  Tripp asks looking back and forth between Jared and me.

“Nothin’.  I wanted ink, but Jared’s asking eighteen hundred questions like I’m trying to get married or some shit.” 

“Hold the fuck up, princess.  Tripp may be interested to know the exact tattoo you’re talkin’ about marking your body with.”  Jared pipes up.  Sass backs away from me, leaving me inching closer to Tripp.

“I wanted an eagle with an outstretched talon holding a heart and shield.  It’s whatever now, you guys seem to know better.  I’ll get my fucking ink elsewhere.  I’m going to bed.”  As I start to move to the doorway, Tripp moves his arms off the frame.  Great, he’s going to block my exit.  Then, I watch as he removes his shirt.  The ink adorning his body is all on display.  I see the tats of his forearms go all the way up his shoulders and he has a dragon that peeks on both sides, maybe it wraps across his back.  What has my attention though, is the large eagle over his left shoulder blade is coming down with an extended talon holding a lifelike heart and a shield.

He says nothing, as his muscles twitch involuntarily.   Before I can stop myself, I’m standing mere inches from him, reaching out I slowly trace the details of the design.  I start at the white of the eagles head, and delicately outline the bird.  As I reach his talon, Tripp stiffens underneath me.  He grabs my hand holding it to his heart, the very place the heart of the tattoo lands.  He drops his head, our faces cheek to cheek.  His hair has fallen down off his shoulder, tickling my face as his breathing sends chills down my spine.

“My name is Talon Ward Crews.  Talon is for an eagle’s talon as its tool and its weapon.  Ward, meaning guard and protector.  The eagle guards and protects my heart.”  He whispers to me.

Her hand drops at my words.  I don’t know why she would want the same tattoo as me.  I know she’s never seen my ink.  Backing away, I put my shirt back on.  Doll remains silent.  Not knowing what to say, I take her by the hand and lead her up the stairs.  It’s been a long ride and a lot of new information thrown at her.  She heads to the bathroom to shower and change.

The upstairs apartment is more like a loft.  One open room with a kitchenette, a platform bed against one wall, in the open space is a couch, loveseat, and a small ass television.  Since Jared only stays here when the hours are too long at the shop, he doesn’t need much.  He has a house not far from here for him and his daughter.  Jared and I go way back, I know we’re safe to rest here.

Doll emerges. Her hair is damp from the shower.  She’s in an old rock concert t-shirt that is so faded you can’t tell the band’s name anymore, and some short ass shorts.  My cock springs to life as she’s watching me.  The silent standoff between us is charged with desire.