“If you’re sure it won’t be too weird…”
He grins and his dimples are back. “Not at all. Come on. I brought the car. We can load a few boxes to bring with us and get the rest tomorrow.”
It’s crazy, but I feel better already. Lighter, even.
He points to a box marked clothes. “Want to bring this one?”
“Yeah. And I’ll grab my bag, too. I think I can get by without the rest, at least until tomorrow.”
“Good deal. I’ll get both.” He tosses me the keys. “When we get downstairs, will you start the car so we’re not melting?”
“Sure.”
I watch as he lifts the box and bag. He’s not as bulky as Saint, but his muscles ripple, nonetheless.
“Ready?”
I close the door behind us, leading the way downstairs and outside. He’s not wrong – it’s humid and hot, a typical summer day in Georgia. I’m glad I wore shorts again. As much as I hate them, I’m going to have to get used to it. I can already tell we’re in for a hot summer.
While Bash puts my stuff in the trunk, I get in the car, starting it. The engine hums and I let out a little sigh. Such a pretty sound.
“Want to drive?”
I look up and find Bash grinning at me.
“Are you serious?”
“Dead serious.”
I grip the steering wheel and nod. Bash goes around to the passenger side and gets in.
“You know how to drive a stick, right?”
I snort. “Please.”
“Okay. Okay. Just making sure.”
I take off, shifting with ease. The clutch is a little sensitive, but I figure it out and manage not to embarrass myself. Bash leans forward, flipping on the radio.
“Shit. I didn’t realize it was so late. Saint’s going to kill me if I’m not there by eight.”
I press on the gas and speed up. I don’t get to drive very much, so I really enjoy getting to cruise around in his badass car. I only wish we had more time.
“Why eight?” At his confused look, I clarify, “Things don’t usually pick up at the club until ten or so.”
“The guys and I are going on a run. We have to stay on schedule or Jesus will lose his shit. And, we’re short a guy, since Psycho was transferred to the Mississippi club.”
I’m glad to know I won’t have to see Psycho around the club, especially since I’ll be staying there.
“Do women ever get to go?”
He shifts. “Not on this kind of run. We do rallies and rides during the summer where anyone can come. Saint’s even been talking about doing a charity run at some point to support local low-income families.”
“That’s a great idea. Hopefully it happens this summer so I can be there.”
“I hope so, too.”
He gives me that grin that still makes my heart race even though I’ve told myself he’s off limits. Sure wish my body would respect my brain on this one.
We arrive to the clubhouse. The parking lot is packed and men wait at their bikes. They’re dressed in all black. When I glance at Bash I realize he is, too.
He says, “Just pull up in front of the club. I’ll make sure someone parks the car later.”
“Don’t trust me?”
“It’s not that. I just want to make sure you’re inside, safe and sound, before I go. There’s a lot of guys I don’t know much about here tonight. Plus, I’ve got to carry in your stuff.”
I do as he says and park in front of the club. We get out and get grabs my things from the trunk. I’m surprised when he takes me down a different hallway than the one where Jas’s room is.
I voice my thought and he replies, “Saint and the club officers have rooms in a different part of the club.”
“But I’m not in his inner circle.”
Even though it sounds appealing as hell.
“It’s the only room we’ve got. You’ll like it. Plus, it’s quiet on this side of the building.”
He goes to the second to last room at the end of the hallway and punches in a code on the keypad.
“You can change the code to something only you know tomorrow. Just let Razor know and he’ll fix it. For now, the code is 6969.”
I snort. “Very original.”
He grins and opens the door, letting me enter first. This room is massive. A king size bed is the centerpiece, sitting on a pedestal platform bedframe that reminds me of something I saw on TV once. I’m halfway expecting it to rotate or vibrate if I drop a quarter somewhere. The wall behind the bed is painted bright red and matches the bedding. Beaded curtains surrounding the bed are tied back with red ribbons.
There’s a large window that has a nice view of the front yard of the clubhouse, which is currently filled with motorcycles. I imagine it’s quite a sight at night, when the lights from the city can be seen.
Bash points. “The bathroom is through that door and so is the closet. I’ve got to go. Just make sure to lock your door from the inside tonight and you should be good to go.”
He puts my stuff on the little table and gives me a wave as he leaves. When he’s gone, I go to the bathroom to look around.
“Holy freaking god.”
The bathroom is bigger than my dorm room. Hell, the walk-in shower might be bigger than the dorm room. It will easily hold eight people, with four showerheads mounted on the wall. The tile is white and blue, reminding me of photos I’ve seen of Greece. In fact, the entire bathroom has a very Grecian vibe to it. There are even two white pillars surrounding a door, that I assume is the closet. I peek inside and laugh. Or, the commode.
The closet door ends up being on the opposite wall. It’s decent sized and I can walk into it. Who am I kidding? The closet is amazing. Built-in cedar shelves line both sides of the wall. There’s a display area for shoes or handbags, not that I have either. But, a girl can dream, right? The floor in here is a fuzzy white carpet that looks so soft. When I lie down, I let out a sigh. It’s what I imagine a cloud would feel like.
My phone dings and I pull it from my pocket.
Douchebag: Anything to report?
I glare at the phone as three dots appear.
Douchebag: I received a report that you were seen carrying boxes from your dorm with one of the members of the Devil’s Regents.
Me: If you know this, then why are you asking?
Douchebag: Is there anything else I need to know?
Douchebag: We’re getting reports that there’s a lot of activity at the clubhouse tonight.
I’m not sure what to do. He’s obviously not lying when he says someone else at the club is working with the feds.
Douchebag: Olivia?
Me: They’re letting me stay at the clubhouse until school starts again.
Douchebag: Interesting. We’ll talk more about this later, but, for now, I think you should be safe there.
Douchebag: Anything else?
Me: Someone mentioned they were going on a run.
Douchebag: Who mentioned it? Was it Saint?
Me: I don’t remember.
Douchebag: Did they say when?
Me: I don’t remember.
Douchebag: You have to do better, Olivia. But, this information helps.
I don’t hear back from him and I let out a little sigh of relief. I didn’t tell on Bash and I didn’t say when the run was, but, I was also able to give Agent Hill information. A win-win, if you ask me. Now, I can sleep knowing I didn’t do anything wrong. Not today, at least.