“No worries, songbird.”
After one more kiss, I reluctantly let Shelby go, waiting until she meets up with Trent before searching for the stairs.
“I hate you,” Jigsaw mutters.
“What happened to ‘no worries’?”
He jerks his shoulders up and down a few times. “I didn’t want to make Shelby feel bad.”
I hold in my laughter and slap him on the back. “I appreciate you being here. Don’t think I could do this on my own without punching someone.”
He growls a few choice words and impatiently motions for me to hurry up the stairs.
The next floor’s crawling with guys in dress pants, tucked-in shirts and sports coats that are probably concealing weapons in holsters.
“Stop.” One meathead holds his hands out in front of him.
“We’re Dawson’s guests.” I barely manage to hide my irritation.
“Sure. Yeah.” He wiggles his fingers at me. “Hands up.”
Jigsaw and I reluctantly put our hands in the air. Another guy joins our party to feel up Jiggy. This situation feels a little too similar to the night Shelby was kidnapped. I guess I should be happy Dawson’s hired halfway competent people, but I’d kinda rather punch these guys instead.
“Easy, fucker,” I growl when he explores my crotch for too long.
“Cut it out! What the fuck?” Dawson shouts, jogging toward us. The two molesters pause.
The guy who stopped us glances over his shoulder. “Everyone gets searched, Mr. Roads.”
Dawson holds his hands out. “Not these two, okay? They’re with Shelby. They’re here for the training. My guests. They’re cool.” Poor Dawson must be afraid I’m gonna hold him responsible for being molested.
The security guys glance at each other and shrug.
“Sorry,” Dawson says, motioning us forward.
“Thanks for the inappropriate touching.” Jigsaw salutes the guy who’d felt him up. “It was delightful.” He grins and I swear the bodyguard shivers. “I’ll repay the favor later.”
“They’re here to watch everything. Learn the ropes before we go back out on the road. My fault,” Dawson explains, walking us inside a smaller room. “I want everyone who comes backstage searched from now on. I thought I’d get to introduce you before—”
“It’s fine.” I wave my hand in front of me. “After what happened, I’d rather be safe.”
“I’m cool,” Jigsaw adds in an impossibly helpful tone. “Don’t sweat it. I’m totally fine with a dude I don’t know fondling my balls. Should I tip him or you, Dawson?”
I elbow Jigsaw and he grins at me. “Dawson knows I’m joking.”
“Didn’t even piss my pants,” Dawson agrees.
“Aw, I must be losing my touch.” Jigsaw slaps Dawson’s shoulder and nudges him forward.
The day can only improve, right?
SHELBY
The club hosts a big breakfast for us the morning we’re leaving to meet up with the rest of the tour.
We’re finally ready to roll out of Virginia.
The guys work out the formation they’re going to ride in out in the parking lot. Rooster and I will be in the truck following behind. I’m a little excited and a little nervous about adding the pack of bikers to my entourage. Rooster said the meeting with Dawson and his security team had gone well.
I’m waiting off to the side for Rooster to finish talking to the guys. My phone buzzes and I check the texts Trent sent me—a few goofy pictures of him on the van. He’s more than eager to hit the road too.
“Hey, Shelby.”
Ice’s smooth, deep voice pulls my attention away from my phone and I stuff it in my pocket. “Mornin’.”
“You gonna be all right out there?”
“I think so.” I wave my hand toward the guys. “Thank you for loaning Pants to us.” A more sobering thought hits me. From what I’ve gathered, Ice was there when the guys found me in Martin’s house. He’d helped Rooster locate me in that damn…box. A shiver races over my skin. “Thank you for helping Rooster…find me. I don’t know—”
“It’s okay, sweetheart. I’m just thankful we found you in time.” He strokes his fingers over his chin in a thoughtful way. “I already told Rooster but I want you to know, anytime you need to come back to Virginia, you always have a place to stay here.”
I have the feeling this isn’t an invitation extended to everyone who passes through. “Thank you. I really appreciate that. Thank you for giving me a safe place to…recover,” I finish awkwardly, not sure he wants to hear any of the emotional stuff bubbling up inside me.
“It was nice having you around.” A few more beats of silence pass between us. “Thanks for being a friend to Anya.” He lifts his chin toward the clubhouse. “Not all the ol’ ladies are always nice to her. Club girls either.”
Yeah, I guess it might be intimidating to hang out with a porn star. But Anya’s so sweet, I can’t imagine acting nasty toward her for no damn reason. “She’s a sweetheart. I’m gonna miss her.”
“Thank you. She’s important to me…to the club. You didn’t know that but you still showed her respect. That’s serious ’round here.”
“Well, my momma would tan my hide otherwise,” I say lightly. What kind of women do the brothers usually bring around? Nothing I did was that out of the ordinary.
“Prez, thank you for everything.” Rooster walks over with his hand outstretched. Ice pulls him in and pats his back a few times.
“Thank you, brother. I was just telling Shelby she’s welcome here anytime you guys are passing through.”
“Appreciate that. We’ll definitely be back at some point.”
“Good deal.” He points a finger at Rooster. “Don’t forget what I said about Mississippi. She’ll do fine with Priest. No worries.”
Rooster’s face slips into a neutral expression. “Thank you.”
“All right.” Ice slaps Rooster’s shoulder and gives me a quick handshake. “Shiny side up!” he shouts to everyone.
That seems to be the cue for the guys to fire up their bikes. The deafening rumble fills the parking lot. Heidi whoops and waves to us from her spot on the back of Murphy’s bike. Trinity also turns to wave. Murphy and Steer ended up at the front of the pack, followed by Wrath and Pants, Dex and Jigsaw, and finally Griff and Remy. The guys had teased Griff and Remy about making them ride behind the RV but ultimately decided that wouldn’t be safe and allowed them to ride in the last position of the pack. I assume the choice of formation has to do with their positions in the club but don’t ask for details.
“Ready?” Rooster asks.
“Heck, yeah.” I hurry over to my side but Rooster’s right behind me to open my door and give me a boost into the cab of the truck.
As I gaze out the window, taking in the peacefulness of the mountains behind the clubhouse, I feel like a newborn baby bird leaving my nest of safety. Older, wiser, and more jaded than when I started the tour. But the few days I spent here holed up at the clubhouse helped me regain some of my confidence.