Chapter Four Min

CHAPTER FOUR: MIN

I'm uncertain why I feel protective of Humphrey. He was stupid. However, I felt sorry for the little girl. She deserves better. I can't help think that he could be better for her if only he straightens out his life. I guess seeing him display her photo even while on the run says his thoughts are on her. That she's important to him, not someone he wants to forget or ignore.

"Before we get to Chicago, I have to warn you about what to expect," Babe says, drawing my attention back to him.

"What do you mean?"

"The Chicago Chapter isn't like the San Diego Chapter. The President, Chrome, is not like Dante. He's old school, more like Dale than Dante."

"Dale, as in Dante's father?"

"Yes."

"Okay, so what are trying to say? Is the Chicago club involved in human trafficking like Dale was?"

"You know about that?" Babe asks, his eyes widening.

"I was at Dante's wedding, remember? I also spent time with Maia. She told me what happened to her."

"Chrome and his club aren't involved in human trafficking. They never were. Dante and Chaos checked."

"So, what do you have to warn me about?"

"Like I said, they're old school. Old school regarding women and their place."

When I raise an eyebrow at him, he rushes on. "You know how the Old Ladies hang out in the clubhouse? None of the Old Ladies in Chicago do. The only women who hang around the clubhouse are Kutte Bunnies. Their Kutte Bunnies aren't like ours either."

"Just spit it out, Babe. Are you saying they have sex out in the open?"

"Yeah."

"Just the single guys or the married ones, too?"

"None of the guys are married, but yeah, some have Old Ladies. They have sex with the Kutte Bunnies, too. Like I said, they're old school."

"I'm going to stay in a hotel," I tell him.

"You can't. They already offered a room for us."

"One room?"

"Yeah, well, I think it's better if we stay in the same room. I can't protect you if you're in a different room."

"Protect me from what?"

"The Chicago clubhouse is a popular hangout for several clubs. If the guys get drunk, they may decide you're fair game."

"Then they'll lose members."

"Yeah, that's the thing. Chrome and his men won't take kindly to you beating up their guys. No disrespecting the members or other members of other clubs."

"But they can disrespect me?" I'm trying to maintain my temper, but I'm close to unloading on Babe even though this isn't his doing. "Then it's better for everyone if I stay in a hotel. I'm not putting up with that shit, Babe. If any of those guys touches me without my consent, I'll take them down."

"Yeah, that's what I was afraid you'd say. Look, can we compromise here?"

I narrow my eyes without responding. I'm waiting to see what he comes up with first.

"How about you and I share a room? I'll take the couch or the floor and you can have the bed. If anyone makes a move on you, I'll be there to put a stop to it."

"And if you're not around?" Babe opens his mouth before closing it. "You expect me to stay in the room when you're not around, don't you?"

He shrugs. "It would help if you'd do that. Look, maybe once everyone knows you're with me, this will no longer be a problem."

I glance away from him and stare out the window while I take ten slow breaths. When those don't calm me down, I take another ten before turning back to him.

"Do you hear what you're asking me to do?" I say in the quietest voice I can manage. "You're asking me to suppress my needs, my feelings, and my self-respect in order to placate the egos of a bunch of men? I won't do it. You asking me to do this makes me think I don't know you as well as I thought I did. Once the plane lands, I'll give you a choice. Either I stay in a hotel or I get on the next plane back to San Diego and you'll never see me again."

I don't wait for his response. After putting in my headphones, I turn away from Babe and stare out the window again. When I first met Babe, I saw him as a player. I was right, according to Ghost. Babe never stayed with one woman for longer than a weekend. It's why I didn't hop into bed with him. Why we never got past the flirting stage. We had time to get to know each other. Working together as bounty hunters came from several long discussions about our skill sets and the changes in both our lives. Babe's club didn't need him as an Enforcer as often as they used to because they were transitioning out of the money- lending business. They still lent money, but now they were less mercenary.

While I loved teaching martial arts, I often felt trapped. Before the dojo burned down, my dad and I were the only teachers. He needed me there to share the load. After the cop we're chasing burned down our business, Ghost came up with a proposal to have the Demon Dawgs build and run a fitness center with my dad teaching self-defense courses. Since he didn't have to shoulder the rent money, he didn't need me as much. I still teach, but I get to choose the courses and set a schedule. My preference is to teach women, young and old, how to defend themselves.

Bounty hunting gave me a chance to do something different. Something a little more exciting. But, I don't need to work with Babe or for the Demon Dawgs if they think I'm less because I'm a woman.

To give Babe credit, he didn't push me to change my mind. He didn't argue his case further or defend his brothers. He didn't insist on going along with his original suggestion, either. I realize that his lack of communication likely means he's written me off. If that's the case, then so be it.

As the plane makes its descent, Babe places his hand on mine and squeezes it. "You're right. I didn't think, well, that's it really. I didn't think. The last thing I want is for you to be uncomfortable. If you want to stay at a hotel, we'll stay at a hotel. However, we need to go to the clubhouse first to see if they've learned anything while we were in the air."

I consider his request and nod. "I'll go with you to the clubhouse, but I won't put up with anyone touching me. They can make comments, but no touching. I'll take down anyone who tries."

To my surprise, Babe chuckles. "I hear ya, loud and clear."

When the plane lands, he and I are the last ones off. With his bulk, he could probably have pushed his way through the crowd, but I'm glad he didn't. I'm not quite ready to meet his brothers from another club.

Since we only have our duffle bags and no checked luggage, we head straight outside, where we're met by a line of nine motorcycles and eight bikers. Babe walks ups to the man with the word President on his kutte. They do the bro-hug and I think Babe calls him Chrome. After Babe greets the rest of the men, he turns toward me and gestures for me to join them.

I step forward reluctantly. Regardless of my proclamation that I'd take out anyone who touches me, I can admit to myself that the thought of being alone with these unknown bikers is scaring me a little. I feel safe with Babe's club back in San Diego, but the way Babe described this club has me questioning my abilities. I can take down one man, but what if it's more than one?

"This is my partner, Min. She's hands off unless you want to be on the receiving end of a beat down. First by her and then by me. Capisce?"

"Damn, Babe, when did you stop sharing?" the man next to Chrome jokes. His kutte has VP above the name Scorch.

"Shut it," Chrome says with a side-eye toward his VP. When Chrome puts out his hand, I shake it and give him a small smile. His calloused hand feels rough against my skin, but that's not unexpected. I know from Babe that Chrome and his club own several auto and motorcycle repair shops. It's the primary way they earn their money. They're the best in Chicago and not only repair cars and motorcycles, but they offer customized paint and upgrades. Babe said they have advanced bookings for up for two years.

Chrome releases my hand and pats me on the back, almost as if I was one of the guys. This makes me chuckle. Even though he works primarily indoors, Chrome has the weathered features of someone who spends several hours a day in the sun. He's pulled his black hair into a ponytail, with a bandana wrapped around his forehead.

"Let's get going," Chrome says, tossing Babe a set of keys. "That bike on the end is yours while you're here. Had the prospect bring it." Chrome waves toward an SUV that's idling nearby.

I follow Babe to the bike and wait while he stows my duffle bag in the saddle along with his.

"We may need a car," I remind Babe.

"I know. I'll take care of it. In the meantime, just enjoy the ride."