Page 3 of Her Nosey Biker
That's my cue. I don't waste any more time; instead, I just turn and run, cart and squeak and all. I hear him call out after me, and maybe a dog whine? Still, I don't waste a second by turning around. Instead, I decide I’m done for the day. I only had one room left, and I can pick it back up tomorrow. There is no way I’m risking running into that room or anyone coming out of it ever again.
Placing the cart and supplies back into the supply closet, I peek my head around the door, looking both ways.
No sign of him, good.
Quickly, I bustle out of the closet and straight to my room, closing the door behind me and breathing a sigh of relief. The relief, however, is short-lived when I realize I didn't stop by the vending machine to pick up a snack. I look around at the meager belongings I have and realize it's going to be a long night. I have only a couple of dollars in my pocket, and I don't know what I'm more worried about: running into that man again, room seven, or my boss.
In the end, I decide the best course of action is to just suck it up for the night, so without further delay, I head to the bathroom, take a quick shower, and then hop into bed. For as eager as I was to get back to the room and finish up my crocheting, now I can’t seem to crochet a single stitch without my thoughts drifting back to that cocky, deep, taunting voice.
Maybe it’s time to move on from this place. Staying any longer might be dangerous for my sanity and my self-imposed seclusion.
CHAPTER THREE
LOOT
“Oh ho ho brother, can’t say I’ve ever seen that before,” I hear taunted behind me. I’m still smiling as I watch the little mouse scurry away.
“Huh?” I ask, finally taking my eyes from the end of the hall once she’s disappeared, and turn back to my brothers—Savior and Thief. I pat my leg and feel Finick immediately at my side.
“Pfft, I would pay to see that shit again,” Savior laughs.
“What the fuck are you two gabbing on about?” I ask, turning and walking back out of the motel to my bike. I usually hate coming to this fucking motel. We may permanently own a room here, but I swear this place is crawling with even more fucked up people than me and my brothers can handle. Today, though, I found a ray of light, one that doesn’t belong in a fucked-up place like this one.
“That little Philly couldn't get away from you fast enough. Usually it’s you scurrying in the opposite direction,” Thief snickers.
“There’s no joy in the hunt if they just fall at your feet.” I shrug, throwing my leg over my bike and patting my leg. Finick jumps up, and I strap her into her harness, as always, and tug her goggles and helmet securely into place.
“How the fuck you ride with her I’ll never know, but what’s more impressive is seeing the pure damn joy on her face,” Savior says, shaking his head and climbing onto his ride.
“You heading back to The Black Crown?” Thief asks, mentioning the headquarters for the Savage Knights motorcycle club. It's our own little sanctuary set out on the outskirts of Jackson Ridge.
Any other night, I’d be ready to head over for a couple of the house-made Black Crown Bourbons reserved strictly for members of the club. It's the best-tasting drink around, and usually, the thought would have my mouth watering. Still, after taking care of the shitstain upstairs and handling business, I really want to take a hot shower and fall face-first into bed. After seeing those little made-up stairs for the first time in a long time, my hands feel dirty.
I look down at my hands as the feeling of my stomach sinking sets in. My hands shake, and my heart races. I close my eyes and take a deep breath, then feel a cold wet lick up the side of my face and a nuzzle to my cheek. It's Finick. Taking a bit of time to get my shit together, I look at Thief.
“Nah, gonna take a rain check. Let Prez know what we got off the fuckface. I let Eddie know someone would be by in a day or two to cut 'em loose.” I let the boys know, and they give me a chin lift before revving up and speeding off.
I watch them until they are out of sight before I turn and look back once more at The Devil's Rest. I don't even realize I’m looking for a glimpse of her until I feel a wet tongue once again on my cheek.
“Alright, alright, we can head home.” I laugh, shaking my head and turning my bike toward my house.
I take the long way home, passing by green fields and sparkling ponds. Living far out in the middle of nowhere has its advantages, and one of the best is the scenic drive home. It mighttake me longer to get to the grocery store, but I’ll take the peace and quiet any day. Seeing the hidden marker for my driveway, I slow down, readying for the turn.
It was pure luck that I actually found this place. On my drive into town, I saw an overgrown dirt path that led between a wall of trees. I was only looking for a place to let Finick run and take care of business. What I found was a hidden oasis. Tucked behind the tree was an open field full of wildflowers. The further back I went, the more magical it got. At the back, tucked into the trees, was a cabin, albeit a bit run-down, but still beautiful. Just past that was a private pond all on its own. I fell in love that day and wished I were staying in town long enough to see what this place could really be with a bit of elbow grease.
The minute I decided to stay in town, I called and got the county records. I discovered that the couple who owned the property didn't live in the same state, let alone the same town. It was a property they inherited from a distant uncle, who had no one else to leave it to when he passed away. They had tried to put the property up for sale, but didn't get any viable offers. My guess is no one made it far enough back into the property to see the real beauty. Still, it was complete luck for me. I got this place for a steal with the money I saved from the service and some other investments. Slowly, I’ve been fixing it up, and I’ve got it nearly complete. Still need to cut down the vines that run up the stone. My guess is that I’ll have to replace some of the original stone, but I don't mind. Keeps my hands busy when I’m not riding or with my brothers.
I may have added a few modifications here and there as well. I unclip Finick and let her down; she takes off immediately.
“Don't going and jumping into that water. You just had a bath!” I yell as she chases a rabbit toward the pond. I chuckle again when she gives me a yip, telling me she heard me.
I get all the gear and Finick's equipment packed back up in my saddlebags before turning and heading toward the barn I had built. Perhaps eventually it will be stocked with animals, but currently it houses some ATVs and other basic equipment that I’ve acquired over the years. However, what truly makes this place special is that just past the last stall lies a small office. Inside sit a bookshelf, one small desk, and an even smaller chair. On the bookshelf is a picture frame with the club logo. Walking over, I tip the frame out, and the click causes the secret door to swing open.
Sighing at the sight of my happy place, I step through to my personal armory/safe room. This right here is every man's dream. Taking out my weapon from my lower back and placing it in its rightful spot on the wall, I do the same with the one strapped to my ankle. I look around and make sure everything's in its place before making my way back out of the door, locking it back into place. I walk out of the office and then out toward the house. The sun is setting across the field, shining an orange hue that makes this place feel like something straight out of a fucking Home and Garden magazine or some shit.
Laughing at myself, I shake my head; all this sappy shit coming out isn't me. Not really what I’m all about. I’m a broken, damaged, lost cause. Guys like me don’t get a perfect little happily ever after. Never get the chance at the perfect girl, the perfect life, and the white picket fence. The only girl who wants to be stuck with me is the only one I need to be worried about.
“Finick! Supper!” I call, wanting to make sure she listened and didn't get in the water. Within seconds, I hear her tags jingling with her run, and just as she rounds the tree, I see sparkling flakes of water flying behind her.
