Page 20 of Ace

She did that thing again where she tied my shirt at her waist and made it look like a fashion statement instead of a sloppy oversized shirt.My cock stirred at the thought of what lay beneath it.

“When do we leave?”

I made a few quick mental calculations.The boys and I had a meeting with our FBI contact to make, but there should be enough time to run Emma to her place and back without being late.If things went south, I could always have Rattler and a couple of the prospects escort her back to the clubhouse while I made the meeting.

Tigger and Tiny had been with us for quite a while, and were close to being patched in.I’d trust them to keep her safe.“Give me five minutes to brief the guys, then we go.”

“On your bike?”

I liked the hint of excitement in Emma’s voice when she asked that.It told me she liked the idea of riding behind me, even with her messed up side.Unfortunately, it wasn’t going to work this time, not if she had a bunch of shit to bring back.Besides, my bike was still at my house, and her side might not take too much riding at the moment either.

“I think we’d better stick to the truck this time.Need room for your stuff.”

“Right.”She grimaced.“Sometimes it sucks to be a reasonable adult.”

I managed not to burst out laughing at the note of regret in her voice.“Yeah.Sometimes it does.”

* * *

We arrived at Emma’s place a little before noon.As soon as I pulled up in front, she put her hand on the door handle, prepared to jump out.I reached over and stopped her.“Let the guys check it out first.”

“Oh, right.”She let her hand drop back into her lap.

Tigger and Tiny parked their bikes behind the truck and approached the little studio from opposite sides then they paused.When nothing happened, Tiny motioned to Tigger, who promptly disappeared around the back.Minutes later the front door popped open, and Tigger poked his head out.

He motioned all clear, and I reached over and opened Emma’s door.“Not to rush you, but make it quick.”

“Aren’t you coming in with me?”

I shook my head.“Tigger is inside.I’ll keep watch out here to make sure no one disturbs you.”

“You know you sound paranoid, right?”

“Paranoid is what’s kept me alive all these years, girl,” I said.“Now go get your stuff before I change my mind.I’m being nice.I could just have Tigger dump things into a garbage bag for you to sort out back at the clubhouse.”

“You are not sending some kid to paw through my underwear!”

Tigger was hardly a kid.Not sure he ever had been, but it was fun to see the outrage on Emma’s face.“So go!”

She turned and stomped up to the front door.Tiny bobbed his head deferentially to her.Good.Word had got around the brothers that she was mine.Whether or not she liked it, it blanketed her with an extra layer of protection.

I had to hand it to her.Less than five minutes later, she came back out dragging a roller bag.Tigger followed close behind carrying a contractor sized garbage bag which he hefted into the back of the truck.He placed the roller bag in with a bit more care, then turned to jog back to the house.

I raised one eyebrow at Emma.

She shrugged.“Don’t have a lot of fancy luggage.Garbage bags are big, tough and waterproof.”

I let out a quick hoot of laugher.“I think I see some of the old ‘hood peeking out from wherever you stuffed it down.Glad to know it’s still there.”

“Not everything about the ‘hood sucked.”She smiled softly.“Remember the nights everyone in the neighborhood would sit on bleachers in the park because it was too hot to go home and be cooped up inside?”

I remembered them all too well.I remembered how I’d sometimes join the gang in the park.I’d wanted to make a move on her, but knew it was all kinds of a lousy fucking idea.“Yeah.It wasn’t all bad, was it?”

“No.”She climbed in awkwardly and buckled the seat belt.

“Here.”I pulled a new cell phone out of my pocket and tossed it to her.“I programmed my number in, and Joker and Rattler and the clubhouse.Shadow, the IT guy, set up the security on it, so it can’t be hacked.You’ll have to set the rest of it up yourself.”

She caught the phone, regarding it as if she expected it to bite.“This thing must have cost at least a grand.I can’t afford that.I expected one of the cheap models.Didn’t think I had to say that.You know I’m on a hell of a strict budget, and with having to miss a couple of weeks of work I’m going to have a tough time just making rent this month.”

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