Page 46 of Gypsy's Lady
California
Gypsy
Gypsy leaned the bike to the right, instinctively maneuvering around the corner as he raked his gaze along the buildings on the street ahead of them.Tugboatwas riding to his right, and Bear rolled behind, their little trio of motorcycles carrying a tired but happy set of riders. Kelsey was folded tight against his backandhe gave himself a momentto enjoy how she’d cuddled up to him. Since breakfast two mornings ago, she’d seemed much more settled, comfortable in her skin and among the people they traveled with.Hope it sticks, then he lost the thought as a pair of men strolled into view about half a block ahead.
Lifting one fist, he pulled his group to a crawl as he visually verified the identity of the man standing to the side of awide driveway, arms crossed over his chest.Joel. Gypsy grinned and reminded himself of the man’s alter ego,Blue Line.
Kelsey jolted against him when Tugboat shouted, the inarticulate noise filled with joy. That likely meant the man standing next to Blue Line was his nephew, Carter.
They angled their bikes into the parking lot, Gypsy following the unspoken direction of Blue Line’s outstretchedarm as he pulled close to the metal building. Making a small loop near the structure, he put his feet down and made quick work of backing up the couple of feet it took to park. Kickstand down, he stepped off the bike and reached to grip Kelsey’s waist. She squeaked and smiled as he lifted her from the seat, placing her beside the rear wheel. “Stay here for a minute, honey.” When she nodded,heturned and strode to meet Blue Line.
Imposing as ever, Blue Line’s dark hair was no longer clipped military close, and his warm, brown eyes were tipped at the corners to match the smile on his face. They studied each other for a moment as Gypsy marked tiny differences in his friend. A scar on his chin was now hidden by a full beard, and there was a tired cast to his eyes that spoke of long daysand nights carving a life for himself from the fabric of the Malcontents as it had been. He’d always been an imposing figure, but Gypsy noted how his shoulders were back, head up, and if it were possible, those shoulders were evenbroader.
Blue Line moved first, reaching out wordlessly and Gypsy slapped their palms together as he wrapped fingers around the up-thrust thumb. As their grip tightened,he found himself pulled forwards, shoulders and chests bumping as an arm wrapped around his neck. He pounded on Blue Line’s back, careful to avoid the Malcontents patch riding there.
“Jesus,” Blue Line grunted, “you haven’t changed a fuckin’ bit. It’s like looking through a tunnel in time.”
Gypsy grinned, his back now taking a pounding from Blue Line’s fist. “I’ve changed a lot, asshole. You’rethe one who looks just the same.”
“God, it’s good to see you.” Blue Line’s arm clinched tight for a final squeeze, then released Gypsy as he stepped back. “So fuckin’ good.”
“Backatcha, brother.” The word escaped without thought, and it felt right. He knew this man better than anyone, and even now, remembered how it felt to trust Joel with his life. “I brought friends of yours with me.” Hemoved to the side and watched as Blue Line’s face softened, looking somehow younger as he spotted Bear.
Their clinch was tight and went on a long time, the two men muttering into the other’s leather-covered shoulder, words lost on the wind. It was still clear to anyone watching they had a shared loss binding them together a lifetime ago. Blue Line’s sister, Andrea. Bear’s first wife.
Off tothe side, Tugboat and Maggie were talking to the other man, Tug’s arm slung around the man’s neck to pull him close while he held his woman’s hand withdelicatecare. Gypsy turned to see Kelsey still standing next to the bike, her face carefully blank. From the stoop of her shoulders, he could tell the tension running through her body was getting worse by the moment, ramping up in intensity evenas he looked at her.Shit. It probably looked like he didn’t want her nearby with how he’d set her there and commanded her tostay,as if she were an errant pet. If she only knew how she owned him, instead of vice versa. Gypsy took a quick step in her direction and lifted his arm, curling his fingers over his palm in invitation. Her eyes widened as relief and fear warred for space on her expression.With the collapse of her chest, he saw the air whoosh out of her lungswitha sigh.God, I’m such an asshole.
A moment later, she was tucked against his side, held in place by his arm curving down and around her back. He took a moment to appreciate the strength of her grip, and heat of her body as his palm settled on one narrow hip to hold her close. “Ready to meet ’em?” Her hair brushed hisarm with her nod and a zing of electricity arrowed straight to his crotch, dick giving a twitch as blood flooded there. Riding all day with hernearbymade it increasingly difficult to put a cap on his desirefor her.Down, boy. “The younger of the two is Tugboat’s nephew, Carter LeRoy. I think his road name is Moby, but you know where to check on his vest, yeah?” She nodded again, leaning closersoher cheek pressedagainsthis chest. Gypsy dropped a quick kissonthe crown of her head, burying his nose in her hair, scenting the flowery shampoo she’d used this morning. “And this guy”—he said as he led her towards Blue Line—“is an old friend of mine, Blue Line.” Kelsey stumbled, her fingers twisting in the waistband of his jeans. He tried to flash Blue Line a warning with his eyes, hopingthe man understood what his glare meant.Be careful, dammit.
“Hey, Kelsey. I’ve heard a lot of good things about you.” Blue Line gave a low wave, curling his hand back to his hip so it wasn’t apparent to everyone he’d aborted an intent to touch her.
Kelsey didn’t respond except with a dip of her chin as she pressed even closer to Gypsy.
“So, we’re here,” Gypsy stated with a grin.
“So you are.”Blue Line’s mouth stretchedintoa small smile. His brows furrowed for a moment, then smoothed out. “We got a houseful.The women havebeen planning this cookout since I told ’em you were coming. We’ve got some common friends in residence too. You know Mela, right?”
Gypsy tipped his head to the side. “Carmela, Watcher’s girl?”
Blue Line snorted. “Estavez’s girl as well. Yeah, she and Hurleyrolled in yesterday.”
“You mentioned food?” Tugboat joined their circle, Maggie trailing behind, her fingers linked with his. Bear and Moby followed them over, heads close together. Gypsy was reminded they’d served together in the military and recognized the brotherhood they still shared.Too bad the man joined the Malcontents, he thought. With an uncle and good friend in the Rebels, he wouldhave fit right in. “I could eat a horse.”
“Equine-free zone.” Blue Line grinned as Tugboat scoffed. “But yeah, we got grub inside.Meand Seabass thought we’d wait for you out here.” Gypsy glanced at LeRoy’s vest and noted the name stitched in place said Moby, not Seabass. “Yeah,” Blue Line must have seen hisconfusion,because he shook his head. “Man lived in a tin can for years, and you’d thinkhe’d have seen it all. Not true.” Blue Line shook his head ruefully. “Some of the shit he’s seen after he patched in left him gaping like aguppy.Mantook offense at that one, so I decided Seabass would be a better fit. Fucker won’t change his plate, though.” Tugboat laughed, and Gypsy smiled. “Moby’s decent, though. Glad y’all didn’t scoop him up.” Right under his name was another patch withthe initials V.P.Blue Line wasn’t joking. “Came to me when I needed a brother like him, settled right in.”
He turned towards the buildingandGypsy let him walk away, sticking his hand out to Moby. “Hey.” He tipped his head towards Kelsey, still pressed tight against him. “This is my lady, Kelsey.” Her hand around his waist tensed, fingers digging in when he claimed her, and he liked how everytime it happened, she reacted the same way. “Your uncle is a good friend. Too bad you like the sand and sea.”
Moby’s face was serious, an intent expression on his features as he shook Gypsy’s hand and gave Kelsey a brief nod. “I’ve known Blue Line for a while now. Was a good fit for me to come here when I got off the boat.” He shrugged. “Now that I’m officially out, this is home. Not a big fanof winters.”
“We get our fair share of the white stuff, that’s for certain.” Gypsy paced beside him, placing Kelsey on the side opposite to where Moby was. “And you’re right, the cold months can put a crimp on riding. Still, living in Shakey,” he shook his head with a grin, “that would keep me up at night.”
“Sh-shakey?” Kelsey murmured her question, cheek pressed to his ribs. Moby stumbled,his eyes cutting to the side, studying Kelsey’s face.
“Yeah, darlin’. California is known for its earthquakes. Rumor years ago was it would shake off the rest of the continent one day, become an island.”
“Oh, God.”
Gypsy glanced down, seeing Kelsey’s face pale. “That’s all just talk, honey. Buildings are constructed to meet code and in something like this,” he gestured towards the buildingin front of them, “aresinglestory, so there’s really nothing to worry about.”
