Page 22 of Ripper
“Bingo.”
“Let’s get out of here before Granny’s friends show up.”
“Yeah.”
“What?” asked Archer.
“No time to explain. We’ll tell you about it later.”
***
Claymore and I waited outside while Wrench and Archer took the goods to the client. I was practically on the edge of my bike seat waiting to hear gunshots tearing through the air, but there was none. It felt strange to have things go this smoothly, especially after all of the shit we’ve been dealing with these past few days. Once the deal was up, Wrench told us all to go home, but before I could get my bike started up again, he pulled me aside.
“Tank wants to see you on Thursday. You and Claymore are gonna be training some new prospects to prepare for whatever these Freeway Fucks have in store for us. Get your rest tomorrow, because something tells me you’re gonna need it,” he said.
“Yeah, man, no problem.”
I watched as they all drove away, leaving me there, but before I could head back, I realized I had my entire night open. I pulled out my cell phone to call Ronnie, but that’s when I decided that I wanted to see her again if I was gonna ask her out.
I slipped my phone back into my pocket as I made my way to Axle’s. The ride there was filled with blips of the last shitshow I had to deal with flitting across my mind. I promised myself I’d never think about her again, and I was gonna damn well hold myself to it. It was the middle of the day now, and I knew there was only one place Ronnie could be.
The sun was starting to set when I arrived at Axle’s, and I was afraid I was gonna miss her. I pulled up outside to see Axle unloading things from his truck, but before I could turn around and head the other way, he spotted me.
“Ripper? What are you doing here? Please tell me that you didn’t already bang up all that hard work we did on your bike,” he said.
“No, no, uh, the bike’s fine. I’m—”
“Here to see Ronnie? I told her to stay away from you and the rest of the damn club, but it don’t look like she’s gonna be listening to me anytime soon. She’s a grown woman. I can’t force her to do anything, but please, Ripper, keep her out of harm’s way, okay? I don’t want her getting wrapped up in any of this business with the Freeway Kings,” he said.
I was expecting a much harsher scolding, but I remembered quite clearly that he was now the only father figure Ronnie had left in her life. He was probably afraid to push her too hard because the thought of losing her forever was too much to bear.
“Ripper. What are you doing here? I was just closing up,” said Ronnie.
She looked absolutely beautiful with her hair pulled back and the oil on her jeans. I grinned at her watching her glance behind her once to see if Axle was standing there. He made his way inside just a few moments ago, and once she realized we were alone, the tenseness in her jaw started to soften.
“You didn’t happen to mention our little outing into the middle of the desert to Uncle Axle, did you?”
“No, but he did tell me he doesn’t like you around us bikers. He then proceeded to ask me to look out for you, which I was gonna do anyway,” I teased.
“Why?”
“Why what?”
“Why have the back of the girl you barely know? I’m curious,” she said, folding her arms across her chest.
“If there’s one thing I learned from all my years trying to protect the club, it’s that everyone always needs someone looking out for them. You may be able to handle yourself, Ronnie, but that don’t mean you won’t need help sometimes. Especially out in these parts and especially if you keep talking to me,” I said, with a chuckle.
“Is that right?”
“Oh, yes it is. Now that you’re finished up here, how about we go for a ride, huh?”
“Ah, I brought the truck today. Sometimes I have to bring some equipment, tools and things so it won’t all fit on a bike. Maybe if I could drop by the house I can pick it up,” she said, running the palm of her hand over her head, probably thinking about what to do.
“Now, as much as I would love a rematch, Ronnie, you aren’t gonna be needing your bike tonight.”
“Oh, is that so?”
“Tonight, you’re gonna make one hell of a back warmer. I hear it’s gonna get pretty cold out.”
