Reinventing Mel: A Hellion MC Novel (24 page)

But finding a top gave me fits!  I wanted something girlie but that didn't expose too much since his brother and sister were going to be in attendance.  Finally at the back of my closet, I found one of my summer tops.  White and with princess seams, it had puffy little sleeves and a wide neck that showed my collarbones. 

A place I knew Mel's liked to use his lips on and I didn't mind in the least. 

When I tried it on with the jeans, I saw it just barely met the waistband of the pants where I'd threaded a rhinestone belt.  Glancing at the clock I saw I had little time to do another closet search and reached for a pair of strappy heels after turning up the hem of my jeans.

Jetting back to the bathroom, I pulled my hair up on either side and secured them with combs covered in more rhinestones and re-applied my makeup.  I grabbed my coat, my purse and played the code game again as I let myself out of my apartment.

As promised, Mel had sent me a text with his address and directions from Main street.  I pulled up the to curb in front of the 60's style ranch house with a small neat front yard and that had Mel's Cutlass parked in the driveway.  From my place on the street, it looked like every light in the house was on and no one had closed the shades to block view inside.  I could see Mel in the kitchen moving fast, his mouth going a mile a minute as Derek rushed around the front room.  A little golden-haired girl was moving fast as well in her effort to get the table set.

I grabbed my purse and my jacket along with the carrier bag of the two-layered chocolate cake I'd picked up.  I figured that even if the kids didn't like me, they'd still like a sweet treat after dinner.  Walking up the steps to the small front porch, I could hear what was going on inside and it sounded chaotic. 

Cheese and rice.

All that fuss just for me?

I rang the doorbell and heard complete silence on the other side of the door before Mel's voice shot out a "Best behavior, y'all," and the door was opened by the little girl.

"Hi, are you Lulu?" she asked, her eyes big and bright as they roamed over my hair, my clothes and my heels.

"Yes, I am.  Are you Julie?"  I so wanted to giggle at the little girl's obvious awe at how I looked.  Was
that
what Derek's warning had been about?

Mel soon stepped to the door, wiping his hands on a dishtowel before one came down to rest on his sister's shoulder.  "Invite her in, Jules."

"Oh, yeah," the girl murmured as if coming out of a dream.  "Won't you come in?"

I heard Derek chuckle as I stepped into the interior of the house.  He gave me a wave and mouthed, "told you," before he went towards the kitchen.

Mel's greeting was nice in that it included a hug before he took the cake and told Julie to take care of my jacket and purse.  As I handed them off to her, I saw her stroke the different buckles and zippers on my big bag.  If I wasn't mistaken, little Jules was all girl and just as appreciative of all things girlie as I was.

I was convinced we were going to be great friends.

"Dinner is just about ready.  I hope you're hungry," Mel advised coming back into the room and using his belt loops to pull up his jeans.  "It's just spaghetti with meat sauce but I think you'll like it."

"I'm sure I will," I murmured in reply.  Reminding myself it was impolite to stare, I tried looking around the room but my gaze kept going back to Mel in all his muscled casual lusciousness.  And even his speech seemed more casual especially with the drawl he allowed to peek through.  In fact all three of them definitely had Texas in their voices as they spoke. 

"Uhm, is there anything I can do to help?" I offered hearing the rattle of pots and pans coming from just beyond the archway that led to the dining room.

"No, Der's just putting the food in some bowls.  Julie, why don't you take care of the curtains.  We're pro'lly givin' the whole neighborhood a show," Mel instructed, his eyes never leaving mine.  "You look pretty, precious."

"Thanks," I mumbled.  I wanted to give him a compliment in return but the only words that came to mind were along the lines of 'and you are so smokin' hot I'm about to go up in flames', which I knew would be completely inappropriate with the kids around.  "I like your place."

"It's one of the Hellion properties," Mel advised.

"The Honeys fixed it up for us," Julie added before going into the dining room.  "Should we sit down now, Mel?"

"Yeah, pretty girl.  C'mon y'all," he said, putting a hand on my lower back and steering me into the dining room.

"Derek and Mel can sit on the ends.  Me and Lulu get to sit across from each other," Julie coached with a smile, sitting down in one of the chairs on the long side of the table.  I saw Derek slide into one at the end and Mel pulled out my chair and waited until I was seated until he sat down in the seat Julie had assigned.

The food was surprisingly good but the company was even better.  I could tell that the three siblings were close and that Derek and Julie had the same sense of humor as Mel.  They all seemed to love puns and play on words.  And no one was exempt from teasing.  Especially not the newcomer whose hips swayed to a different beat.

"So the hair color.  Did you lose a bet, Lulu?" Derek said with a snarky smile.

"Stop it, Der!  I think it's beautiful," Julie affirmed, with a head nod as she claimed my gaze.  "Mel said I could go pink when I'm eighteen."

Derek rolled his eyes before turning them back to me.  "So what color is that exactly?"

I knew how to dish it out as well as take it.  "Me?  I was just wondering about the 'do you're wearing.  What's that style called?  Carnival Cupie Doll?"

Both Mel and Julie laughed at my comeback and I could see Derek was gearing up for another zinger.  "Doesn't all that junk on your pockets hurt when you sit on it?"

"Is there a reason the crotch of your pants is almost to your knees?"

And so it went, Derek trying to get my goat about my personal style and me giving it right back.  All the while, Mel and I were playing footsie underneath the table.  But the laughter and talk slowed down as we finished eating.  The bits of quiet, only broken by a few exchanged words, wasn't uncomfortable though.  It was nice and made me wishful for things I didn't yet have in my life.

"Jules, you need to finish your homework and get ready for bed.  Der, thanks for your help in the kitchen.  Lu and I'll take it from here."

I saw both kids weren't happy to essentially be banned from the room but they didn't argue as I would've done at their ages.  Julie came around to my side of the table.

"Will you come tuck me in?" she asked, her fingers reaching for one of my sleeves.

"Absolutely, pretty girl."

"Just knock on my door and I'll come say good-bye," Derek advised before he too left the room. 

I dragged my eyes to Mel and saw they were soft and glowing as he looked at me.  I felt him snag my hand before he brought it to his mouth.  "You, my Lu, were a complete hit."

I felt a flash of heat at both his words and the feel of his lips on my skin but I tamped it down.  It wouldn't do for me to act on what my body was beginning to ask for.  And, I don't think I was the only one that wished we were in a different place because Mel gave a big sigh as he released my fingers and stood.  His hand went to the back of my chair and I got to my feet to start clearing the table.

The second time of sharing a kitchen tidy with Mel was almost as much fun as the first only there was a lot more stolen kisses and stealthy caresses.  When the last of the pots and pans were clean and dry, Mel took the towel from my hand and led me into the living room, turning out lights on the way.

As we cuddled on the couch, I wondered how much we could do with the kids on the other side of their closed bedroom doors.  But Mel kept it easy and simple with just deep kisses and tight hugs, though I knew he wanted more by the way his hands kept slipping to cup a breast or to grip the seat of my jeans.

"Damn, Lu," he groaned at one point.  "I want to drag you off to bed so fucking bad."

I wanted that too.  Just as badly.  "Maybe another time," I offered and was thrilled at his look of utter frustration.  "I should probably be going."

"Please stay.  Just a little while longer?" Mel argued but had to reach for his ringing cellphone before he could use further entreaties.

"Yeah. 
What
?  You're fucking kidding me. Okay.  Be there in ten," he was shouting when he disconnected and his voice had been so loud that both Derek and Julie were standing at the entrance to the hallway that led to the bedrooms.

"I've got to go back to the club.  There's been a…situation."  His eyes roved over the three of us that were staring at him.  "Can I ask you to stay, Lu?  I don't know when I'll be back but don't want to leave y'all alone."

"I can handle it, Mel," Derek advised firmly with a challenging chin lift.  "I'm not a little kid you know."

"I know Der but since this is Hellion business, I don't want Lu at her place by herself.  Asking her to stay means we need to look after her.  I need you to protect our girls, bro'."  Mel's voice was sharp in the quiet of the house as he moved to shove his feet in the boots by the front door and grab his jacket.  "Can I trust you to do that?"

"You know you can."  Derek's voice held an entirely different tone than the one he'd used before.

"You're welcome to sleep in my bed if you get tired and Jules will scrounge up something for you to wear, precious."  Mel made his way to where I stood.  "I'll be back as soon as I can."

I was surprised when he pulled me into his chest and kissed me long and deep in front of his family.  Releasing me, he hugged and then kissed the top of Julie's head before exchanging fist bumps with his brother. 

At the door, he turned back to look at all of us.  "Don't let no one in the house, Der.  No one.  If a Hellion or a Honey is gonna come by, I call and let you know, okay?"

The seriousness of his words and the firmness of his actions before leaving sent bolts of fear through me. 

What had happened to cause him to be called out so late?  And what did he mean when he'd said it was Hellion business?

Chapter Twenty Four

The forecourt was chaotic and Mel wasn't the only one left looking for someplace to park his ride.  As he wove in and out of both bikes and clusters of brothers he wondered exactly what had happened.  All Dare had said on the phone was that Mel was needed at the clubhouse because a brother had died. 

But it had to have been more to it than that with the different group's wild gestures and shouts for Hellion justice that echoed around the driveway.  For whatever reason, Mel had thought a member had tangled with either a car or a truck since so many drivers didn't pay attention to the motorcycles on the road.  A fact he'd seen time and time again on his own machine and while on the run to Wyoming.

This though was bigger.  Much, much bigger than death by motorcycle accident.

Even the inside of the clubhouse held pandemonium as men gathered in small groups and raised their voices as they spoke of retaliation, justice and issuing the promise of death.

Dare made his way to Mel's side and grabbed his arm, pulling him in behind the bar before speaking.  "Gritty was fuckin' killed late this afternoon."

Everything in Mel stilled.  Gritty?  The man he'd earlier told to drive safe as he'd taken Lulu to get her car?

"We're just fuckin' waitin' on the other bros to show and Trey's gonna break it down for all of us.  But, I gotta tell you, it's fucked up, man.  Severely fucked up," Dare said his face more serious than Mel had ever seen it.  "Since she lives close to the Ghosts, I've been trying to raise Lucille but she's not answering.  Need to get her away from there even if she just takes a room in the back of the clubhouse."

"She's at my place with the kids," Mel advised, his eyes moving throughout the room.  There had to have been fifty or sixty guys filling up the place.  And not a one of them was sitting.  "Has been since about 7.30."

Normally Dare would've been giving Mel grief about having their beautiful receptionist over for dinner but the night's activity didn't allow for levity.  "Good.  Glad she's safe."

Mel saw Trey stand on a table top and bang his gavel against one of the timbers close to the high ceiling.

"This meeting is fucking called to order," he boomed and Mel knew not one member missed the tension in the big man's voice.  "One of our recruits was shot and killed late this afternoon.  Our HC truck was found pointed south on Byron which tells me he was on his way back to the club after performing Hellion business."

There was complete and total silence in the room as Trey paused.  "Our brother was found lying in the middle of the street without his cut."

There were several gasps and a couple of men even let loose with a 'fuck' or a string of curses at the news.  Trey let the info sink in and allowed the club its reaction before he continued.  "At exactly 6.43pm, I received a call from Rodriguez who holds the gavel for the Ghosts claiming responsibility for our brother's death and advising that we can expect more,
much more
as retaliation for the Hellion attack on their club and their former business."

That intel sent the members over the edge and bedlam again reigned within the clubhouse.  Trey used the gavel to call the room to order.  "We
will
fucking retaliate with all our Hellion fury.  I want
all
asses on bikes in groups of three in order to find any and all fuckin' Ghosts in our town and take them down!"

"Are we to kill 'em where they stand?" Chucky called out.

"Absolutely not!  I don't want our men to take a fall when Hellions know how to fucking deal with a far weaker club to the point of running their asses out of town.  You will, however, beat the holy living shit out of each and every one, take their fuckin' cut and leave them zip-tied on the side of the road.  This is a Hellion beat-down, real and true.  Make 'em bleed but stop yourselves from getting them dead.  The less John Law is involved the better."

"A little pounding on their rides wouldn't go amiss either," Bishop added from his place next to Trey.  "Damage their equipment enough to ensure lots of expensive fuckin' fixes will be needed."

"How will we know we fuckin' got 'em all?" came another roared question.

"Near as we can figure from our last dance with the fuckers, they're about thirty to forty strong.  We'll use the colors you bring in to keep count."  Trey's serious eyes kept roaming the room.  "Last two things before you're released to expend your fury.  One," and the big man held up a finger.  "Mr. Severn, Gritty's dad which some of you know as Yope, said the funeral would be in three days.  Everyone from HMC that is in town, brother or Honey, is expected to attend.  As some of you know, Gritty came from a long line of Hellions so the memorial service will be true to our history, patch and colors."

Mel saw a lot of heads nod at Trey's words.

"Number two, we have a situation in Idaho that I'm having to send three brothers out to resolve.  Unfortunately, these brothers will not be part of our roundup nor will they be attending Gritty's send off.  These brothers are Bishop, Donny and Hardwood.  I know these three are saddened at the thought of not standing shoulder to shoulder with their brothers as we fucking say goodbye to Grit, but they'll pay their respects the moment their asses are back in town."

Little side conversations broke out and Trey let it go for a few moments.  "Any questions?"  When no one spoke, Trey ended the meeting with a roar of "
Hellion Justice
" which almost boomed in the echoes of each man in the room.  The group began to file out behind Brand who held a clipboard which Mel thought were the list of teams.

Dare leaned his forearms on the bar, his eyes on the men leaving.  "Know you've got fuckin' questions, junior.  Spill 'em so I can get with my boys and go kick Ghost ass."

And Mel did.  So many his head was spinning.  "What's the shit with the removal of the cut?"

"Worst fuckin' thing you can do to a man in a club.  Just taking another man's cut is a fuckin' declaration of war just as much as killing a rival member.  By doing fuckin' both, Rodriguez knew what he'd be fuckin' starting, the crazy cunt."

"Why only beat downs instead of full-blown retaliation, you know, an eye for an eye and all that?"

"That's the kind of shit that can see a brother serving a fuckin' dime or more at the state pen.  You weren't here during the fuckin' meeting where Trey shut that shit down.  The Ghosts aren't as all powerful as they think they are.  They may be fuckin' armed to the teeth, but Hellions are above the likes of those ass-clowns.  By not invoking the eye-for-an-eye shit yet still running them the hell out of town, Trey is calling them pussy for takin' out Grit, dig?  Our boys will prove who the stronger club is without even having to fire a fuckin' shot."  Dare stood and looked at Mel.  "Got shit to do, Hardwood.  Anything else?"

"Yeah.  Why am I being sent out of town when all this is going down?  I've already fucking proven I can administer Hellion justice," Mel asked tightly.

"Trey and Bishop are gonna give you the 4-1-1 on that, dude.  You
did
fuckin' do yourself proud in Sheridan and have the fuckin' pin to prove it.  But remember what I told you?  About recruits and their questions?  In this instance, it's time for you to shut it," Dare warned before slapping Mel on the back.  "Just do your best on your run and I'll fuckin' fill you in when you get back."

As Dare moved away, Donny came to stand next to Mel giving the recruit only a chin lift in greeting.  Trey and Bishop seemed to speaking with Pagan and Chucky before peeling off to come to where Mel and Donny stood.

"Here's what's doing in Idaho.  Same thing about not paying the fucking bill but Collins is into HC for a hundred and eighty large.  He's been making fucking payments but Quad, one of our managers there, has word that the bastard is planning on pulling a pussy and running.  You'll be collecting as much fucking cash as available but we'll also seize his assets since HC filed a pre-lien to protect our fucking rights," Trey explained, his eyes going from man to man.

"We will also be offering the same message to Collins that was given Hart only we expect his recupe to take a hell of a lot longer and to be under medical supervision," Bishop added.  "Need you boys to get your fucking shit sorted 'cause our asses leave the compound tomorrow at noon.  Thinkin' it'll only take three days but pack for fuckin' five just in case we get to play hide and seek with the dickhead."

"Questions?  No?  Good.  We're bringing Derek in to stay at the compound while you're gone, Hardwood.  And you know the Honeys will take care of Lil' Taste," Trey said.  "I'll expect fucking updates and a recap when you getcha asses back home.  Until then ride true and stay safe."

Mel started to follow Donny out but Bishop held him back with a large hand on his arm.  "Couple of other doings, Hardwood.  There are saddlebags are in the storeroom so take 'em before you leave.  Second, you need to make other arrangements for Jules during the funeral.  Know you haven't ever been to one but they can get wild, bro.  Since Trey wants fuckin' everybody there, that means the Honeys would have no choice but to take your sister.  These things aren't for innocent eyes, dig?"

Mel wanted to ask Bishop to define what he meant by wild but remembered Dare's warning about questions.  "Would asking Lulu to watch her be okay?  Isn't Lu supposed to be at the funeral as well since she's an honorary Honey?"

He watched as the long-haired man thought it through before saying, "actually, that works out fuckin' perfect.  Lulu and Grit were starting to become friends so I know she'd want to be there but she don't belong at that scene anymore than your sis does.  Where were you planning on fuckin' keepin' them? Your place or Lu's?"

"I'm torn on that.  I don't think the Ghosts know where I live but Lulu has that kick-ass security system."

"Try to keep them at your place.  I'll have a brother check in on them daily and we'll be in touch with 'em on the road, so it should all be good," Bishop said and flashed a grin for the first time. 

"One last thing, where do I go to get a pair of leather pants or chaps?" Mel asked dreading the run only because of how he'd had to stay in filthy clothes on the last one.

"Got an extra set of chaps I'll bring tomorrow and then we'll see if Lucille can order you a pair online.  Them bugs are a bitch on a run, right?"  Bishop laughed.  "Just be sure to keep your mouth closed when you ride 'cause those fuckers don't care where they fuckin' land.  Now getcha ass home and tell your family what's doing about the ride.  I'll see ya tomorrow."

Mel checked the time on his cell before he swung a leg over his bike.  Almost 2.30 in the morning.  He hoped Lulu had taken his suggestion and gone to bed. 

In
his
bed.

A sight he wanted to add to his memories of her and use when he was on his run to Idaho.

*.*.*.*.*

I tucked a sleepy Julie into bed about 10.30 which she confided was a full hour and a half past her bedtime.  The delay caused by the full tour of her room where I'd been given a detailed and very thorough description of each and every poster, memento and gee-gaw that decorated her special space.

I was right.  Julie was a girlie-girl.  A fact that hadn't escaped the Honey's attention since, according to Julie, they just kept adding to all her delightful decorations.

Derek had stayed in the front room keeping the TV on low which I thought was his way of 'keeping an eye on things'.  But by the time I came out of Julie's room, Derek was sprawled across the cushions dead asleep.  Using an afghan that was folded over the back of the couch, I covered him but kept the light and the TV on.  It wouldn't do to treat him like a little kid and wake him up or to take away whatever would keep the 'boogeyman' at bay even if it was only a light and the TV.

I went back into the hall and turned left into Mel's room.  It was nice but very plain.  The bed had been made and there were no piles of clothes holding up the corners.  I didn't want to snoop but I did need something to sleep in, so I carefully opened the drawers on the chest in order to find a t-shirt.  Second drawer down held them and I was surprised to see they were sorted by color. 

Another snoop in the bathroom provided me with an unopened toothbrush and I was able to do my evening routine but without moisturizer or body lotion.  As I slid into bed, I realized how tired I was.  It had been an exciting couple of days and as I pulled Mel's second pillow to me to cuddle, I reviewed all that had happened.  Promising myself I would call my sister the next day to give her an update, I found I couldn't keep my eyes open and let sleep pull me into its void.