Page 22 of Raven
Turning back to the bike, I grabbed the bolt and began to position the mount inside the frame. Looking through the open frame, I saw Joel approach.
“I didn’t tell him, but whatever you’re keeping from him, just know that all our secrets come to light eventually.”
I looked up and gave him a confused look, asking, “What are you talking about?”
He shook his head and started to walk away. When he was ten feet from me, he glanced over his shoulder and said, “Whatever you’re hiding will come out. Save yourself the trouble and tell him.”
Without another word, he walked to his workstation, turned off the radio and his light, and exited the shop, leaving me alone in the large building. I knew Caleb was just in the office, but it was suddenly a little scary. I made quick work of the mount before standing and beginning my end of day routine.
I put away all my tools after wiping them down, I secured the rolling cart with the new parts for Nitro’s bike, and I removed my coveralls and balled them up so I could wash them tomorrow. I started wiping my hands when I heard Caleb closing the office door and his heavy boots walking across the silent shop.
Moving to the small sink near my workstation, I began to wash my hands, paying close attention to getting the grease and dirt from under my nails. When my hands were as clean as I could get them, I turned and saw Caleb leaning against his workstation, reading something on his phone.
I approached and he lifted his eyes to me, smiling as I got closer.
“You ready to go?” he asked.
“Let’s do it,” I responded, hoping to sound eager, instead of worried.
He closed and secured the shop while I stowed my dirty coveralls in my truck. Turning, I joined him, before I climbed onto the bike behind him as he cranked the motor. He pulled out of the gate and closed it behind us, securing it closed with a giant chain and padlock. The short drive to the bank was over quicklyand after dropping the money into the night drop box, he pulled away, turning toward the Sin Den, and maybe, my reckoning.
The closer we got, the more Joel’s words echoed in my head. I needed to tell Caleb, but only if he promised to let me handle things. My problems weren’t his, but something told me he would want to take care of them.
During my conversations with Willow and Cheyenne the other night, I learned how treasured the ol’ ladies of the Sinners Revenge were, and it was foreign to hear their praises. The Flying Dutchmen MC, Uncle Billy’s club, were scoundrels who loved to mess around with club girls, they weren’t shy about fighting, fucking, and all other manners of hell.
Cheyenne said it gets rowdy at the Sin Den, but they had rules about what occurred within the walls of the clubhouse. She didn’t get into many details, but I surmised that club girls didn’t cross lines with the Sinners, and she stated the only things served are alcohol and weed.
I was lost in thought when I felt Caleb slowing the bike down and pulling into the gravel lot of the Sin Den. There were about twenty bikes parked outside and as we pulled around the back, I saw another four parked. He maneuvered the bike before walking it back in line with the other beautiful machines. Killing the engine, the peaceful South Dakota night came into focus.
The only sounds this far out were the faint sounds of music and laughter coming from inside the building. Caleb placed his hand onto my knee and leaned back, turning his head to glance at me. I pecked him on the lips, and he sat up before swinging his leg over the seat and standing beside the bike,
“Are you ready to meet the rest of my brothers?” he inquired as he extended his hand to me.
Placing mine against his, I stood on the pegs and swung my leg over, getting my feet stable on the loose gravel. Looking over at the clubhouse, I answered honestly, “I’m nervous but ready.”
I went to walk, and he tugged my hand, pulling me back. Wrapping his arms around my waist, he drew me against his hard body and leaned over, kissing me until we were both fighting for breath. Briefly, I closed my eyes and when I reopened them, he was pulling back with a sexy smile on his face.
We stared into each other’s eyes, and the need was evident between us. The sound of a motorcycle approaching drew his attention and with reluctance, he released me and retook my hand.
As we began to walk to the back door, he spoke quietly to me. “There’s no reason to be nervous, darlin’. My brothers are all good men who will protect you the same as I would. You’re mine now, and you’ll never be alone again.”
That sounded nice in theory, but what would happen when he got tired of me?
I didn’t want to let those thoughts creep into my head, so I pushed a smile onto my face and followed him up the stairs. He opened the door, and I slipped under his arm, keeping his hand in mine. The smell of cigarettes, weed, and beer filled the loud hallway as he tugged my hand, guiding me deeper into the Sin Den.
A chorus of greetings filled the room as Caleb, and I walked inside. Cheyenne, Willow, and Paige stood from a large table near the side of the room, waving us over with smiles on their faces. He clapped hands or bumped fists with a few brothers as we wove our way through the roomful of bikers.
I was pulled into hugs by Cheyenne and Willow, and oddly, Paige extended her hand and introduced herself.
“We haven’t met yet, but I’m Paige, Animal’s ol’ lady.”
Smiling, I returned the gesture and greeting. Next, I met Jackie, Phantom’s ol’ lady, and Claire, Comet’s ol’ lady. Calebpulled a chair out for me, then he took the one beside me as a young-looking guy walked up and took everyone’s drink orders.
The smiles and laughter around the table were welcoming, and as I settled in with my soda, I realized something profound.
I was trying to hide a part of me from Caleb while he was opening his life to me. I owed him the same respect, and I vowed that tomorrow I would tell him about Rooster and my debt.
And I was going to let the chips fall where they may.
