11. Pretty Little Lie

Eleven

Pretty Little Lie

Axle

I'm an asshole ... If I were a better person, I'd quit this now, but I'm not a better person. I've gotten a taste of her, and now I'm hooked. She's addictive, and I feel high every second I'm with her. Every moment with her feels exhilarating, like an intoxicating rush I can't escape. I'm not giving that up. I'm going to hang on to her as long as I can.

I thought she'd be boring, make me go to church, get angry every time I cussed, but she's a cool chick. She's like a breath of fresh air. I don't kiss women, but my mouth waters thinking about the taste of her. Those seductive eyes when I smacked her ass... oh shiiit . I just wanted to drag her ass up to her room, but she's not that type of girl. The thought of getting between those creamy thighs, devouring her... giving her what she's never experienced... I'm hard. I groan... My dick and balls are going to be aching every time I see her.

I gently run the cloth over my bike. The front door creaks open, and Viper's voice cuts through the air. "Axle, church!"

After draping the cloth over the bucket, I walk inside. The door swings open to reveal Viper waiting for me.

"What happened this morning?" he asks.

I grind my teeth. "Some drunk put his hands on Elena. She looked terrified, and I lost it..." I shake my head, trying to get the frightened look on her face out of my mind. I feel an immediate impulse to hit that guy again.

"I gathered"—he smirks—"by the blood that was pouring out of the guy's nose that he had pissed you off."

"He's lucky that's all he got. I should see if Twitch knows where he lives."

Viper puts his hand on my shoulder. "Let it go. They aren't allowed back in the clubhouse. I haven't seen you like that since the early days... Are you all right, brother?"

As in when I was out of control...

We walk toward church. "She's a sweet girl. The thought of someone putting their hands on her or scaring her... I wanted to rip the guy to shreds." The need to protect her has me clenching my fists.

"I get it. I've just never seen you act like that over a chick."

I've never felt the need to.

We put our phones in the bowl outside church before we walk inside and take our seats. Reaper sits at the head of the table.

Once the door is closed, Reaper, our president, begins. "Cash, how are our finances?"

"Fridges are stocked, bills paid. Everything's good on our end," Cash replies.

Reaper nods and looks around the table. "I want to make it clear, like I said this morning, no more parties." Reaper holds eye contact with me and Viper.

Viper frowns and turns to me. I shrug. I no longer give a shit. Not after this morning.

"One of our fighters approached me asking if he could be a prospect," Reaper declares.

"Who?" I ask.

"Theo," Reaper replies. "The young man they call Rage who's been winning all the fights."

"He's been killing it," says Viper.

"The kid looks young. How old is he?" asks Bomber. We won't take on anyone as a prospect under eighteen, but the guy is a ruthless fighter. I'll give him that.

"Nineteen," says Twitch.

I raise a brow at him. Of course he knows. He's the computer guy—he can find out anything. Thanks to him, I found Elena.

"Did you look into Rage?" Reaper asks.

Twitch nods. "Certainly did."

"Has anything turned up in his background?"

"No, he only recently got out of school. He was brought up by a single mom. He has a younger brother. No red flags."

"He's a fucking good fighter. He'll bring in some serious coin," says Viper.

"If you're in agreement with Rage being a prospect, raise your hand," says Reaper.

Everyone around the table does.

Reaper glances at Cash. "Can you organize a War Brothers MC cut with a prospect patch for him?"

Cash nods. "Will do, Pres."

Reaper looks at me. "We've got a run soon. Axle, can you organize the best route to get there?"

"Sure, I've already started." I need to ensure we can get the shipment of pot there in the quickest time while avoiding public attention and the police. That includes traveling at night and paying off police officers in some counties to ensure safe travels.

"Once we confirm a date and time, Bomber, can you please check with your uncle to ensure it won't pose any problems?"

Bomber nods, while I roll my eyes. Our town is pretty much owned by Bomber's uncle, who has a hand in everything. Bomber has to speak with him to move our shipment of pot through Crown Village and the surrounding towns. His uncle extorts us for a cut of our profits, as if he isn't rich enough. He owns a lot of businesses in town, and we must get the go-ahead so he can make sure the police won't give us any hassle.

It's not like we deal hard drugs to the people in town. We just grow pot and sell it to a couple of motorcycle clubs, and then they distribute it between their clubs. That and the illegal fights earn us money. We're tame compared to a lot of motorcycle clubs. Some of them do things that are a lot worse to earn money.

"Has anyone got anything else they want to bring to the table?" asks Reaper.

The room is quiet. Then Reaper slams down the gavel to show it's the end of church.

As I stand, I glance at Twitch. "I need you to do something for me."

"Axle," Reaper says, making me turn. "Can I talk to you?"

I smile. Judging by the intensity of his expression, I doubt it will be a good chat.

I turn back to Twitch. "I'll meet you at the computer room."

As I step over to Reaper, he asks, "What are you doing with that girl?"

I jerk my head back in surprise. "I don't know... I'm just getting to know her."

He raises a brow. "I heard about the bet between you and Viper. I'm telling you now, it will not end well for you or the girl."

Nothing I don't already know... but I'm not willing to give her up. "It's not just about the bet anymore." I like spending time with her.

He searches my eyes and gives me a slow nod. "A word of advice? Keep your emotions in check. She's attractive and is naturally going to draw attention. You can't lose control every time some man shows interest in her, and from what I saw, she wasn't just scared of the guy who touched her—she looked worried about how you reacted."

"Yeah, yeah, I will." I'll try. "But the man touched her."

"I know. The guy deserved it. I'm not saying not to protect her. Just keep yourself in check."

Reckless is my middle name. I give him a tight nod before I leave and go to the computer room to Twitch.

"Hey, man," I say.

Twitch spins around in his chair to turn his attention to me.

"Can you look into Elena's boss for me? Dig up some dirt. I don't like the guy, and I want to make sure it's safe for her to work there. There's something off about him... I just want to know what it is."

"Of course. Why, what are you thinking?"

Usually nothing bothers me, but I'm on edge after this morning. "Elena is too nice... too trusting. I don't want a repeat of this morning, so I want to check him out since he's working with her every day. I've just got a bad feeling about him."

I leave the room and start walking through the house. Perhaps I'm paranoid, but I've seen the way he gazes at her, and I know that look. He wants to bang her for sure. I growl in annoyance, then pause. Why do I care so much? I'm the one Elena should run far away from, but I tell myself I'm just looking out for her. Elena's out of my league, but she doesn't think so or she wouldn't be hanging out with me.

Viper catches up with me. "Did Reaper give you a lecture about Elena?"

"Reaper just said I've got to keep my emotions in check." He has a point, but saying and doing are two completely different things. "As long as no one touches Elena"—or looks at her—"I'm sweet."

"I thought she was going to be a bit of fun for you. I honestly didn't think you'd last after the first date. I know you wanted to win the bet, but I thought you'd be bored out of your brain. That's why I took the bet. But after this morning, watching you lose it like that..." He shakes his head. "You two aren't good for each other. I can see it now. If anything happens to her, you're going to lose it."

I glare at him, my body tense. "Why does everyone suddenly have opinions about the girl I'm with? I'm not giving her up." Hell to the no.

"Because she's not like the other women you've been with. I don't see her being able to handle being in the clubhouse, or us changing our behavior to suit her."

"She'll be fine, and it won't kill you to keep your dick in your pants when you're outside of your bedroom." And anyway, Elena's handled everything so far.

He sighs and looks past me. I turn to see Grace and Candy walking toward us. Now it's my turn to sigh. For fuck's sake... I wish everyone would just give me a break. Grace sways her hips as she walks to me with that same so-called seductive smile she always gives me.

"No!"

Both girls stop, their eyes wide.

"I'm not in the mood to deal with you right now." I look directly at Grace. "Turn your ass around and go shake it at one of my brothers."

Grace gasps. "Why? The nun clearly isn't giving you any."

I turn to give Viper a pointed glare. He gave Elena the name that Grace is using now. He winces.

Grace pouts, crossing her arms over her chest. "Tell me I'm lying? She's never going to be enough for you... Uptight bitch."

My jaw clenches as I stride toward her. She swallows hard, taking a few steps back. "If I hear you"—I turn my deadly stare to Candy—"any of you disrespect Elena"—I look back at Grace—"I'll show you exactly what fucking rude really is." My voice is deep, the threat clear. "Then I'll ban you and you can go back to wherever the fuck you came from."

Grace mutters, "Asshole," as she turns and leaves, and it makes me smile. Yes, yes, I am , but I'm not putting up with her shit. She's a guest living in my home.

I take my phone out and check the time. I'm counting down the hours to see Elena. I'm strung out. I like pretending she's mine even though it's a pretty little lie.

"Axle."

I turn to Twitch.

"Come see what I found." The intensity in his eyes unsettles me. "It's not good man."