Broken & Burned (9 page)

The conversation died suddenly and the sounds of chairs scraping back suddenly, the sharp sound of some of them crashing to the floor disrupted everything. Dray jerked his mouth back from mine and I felt the loss keenly. We turned our heads in unison towards the door and Dray’s hold on me tightened. Two uniformed Sheriff’s deputies stood in the open doorway. The music cut out and the hushed silence that descended on the room was deafening.

“Sorry to interrupt the festivities,” one of the deputies said, “But we’re looking for a Dray.” I closed my eyes and felt my muscles go loose with defeat.

“Fucking Jerry.” I muttered under my breath.

“I’m Dray. Draven Trujillo.” Dray spoke up. I sighed, this was a hell of a way to find out his last name… all though I probably could have just asked like a thousand times over by now. I made to take a step back but his arms tightened imperceptibly around me. I stayed put, it wasn’t hard to do. I loved the feel of being pressed against Dray’s hard body.

“What’s going on here?” Dragon, Dray’s father, pushed his way through the crowd, he was shirtless and the MC’s logo was tattooed in full living color, size and detail in the center of his chest, right over where his actual beating heart was. I swallowed.

“You are?” The deputy asked, eyes flicking from Dragon to Dray and back again.

“Jose Trujillo, you can call me Dragon, I’m the president of the club. My boy Dray is Vice President.” He motioned over to where we stood.

“What can I do for you officers?” he asked.

“I’m sorry to say, sir, we’re here to arrest your son on a charge of assault and battery.” The deputy did look genuinely sorry but I think it was more the fact that he and his partner had drawn the short straw and had to be the ones to come out here.

Dragon looked over to Dray.

“You know the drill son. Don’t say nothin’ wait ‘til I get you a lawyer.” Dragon gave Dray a crooked grin and I looked Dray in the eyes from mere inches away.

“I am so sorry.” I murmured, “This is all my fault.” Dray grinned crookedly at me.

“Divine intervention.” He said with a smirk and let me go, I frowned, not comprehending. He put his lips against my ear.

“If I weren’t being arrested I’d be taking you someplace to fuck you with or without no damned test results.” He whispered harshly. I felt butterflies take flight in my stomach and my panties definitely grew moist. That was the hottest thing anyone had ever said to me, and it wasn’t
what
he said, but rather
how
he said it. I found myself nodding rapidly.

“Reaver!” he called.

“Yeah VP?” Reaver appeared next to us as if from thin air. Dray handed him his keys.

“Get my girl home for me yeah?” he handed him the keys and Reaver nodded grimly.

“Yeah boss.” He said.

I felt my eyes well with frustrated tears. I really cocked it up this time didn’t I? I should have dug my heels and left the rest of my crap. I shouldn’t have gone back there… shouldn’t have let Dray talk me into going back there. He walked over to the officers and turned around, presenting his wrists. They hand cuffed him. I sniffed and small arms went around my waist. Ashton was hugging me.

“Don’t cry. The club has a good lawyer.” She murmured.

I didn’t know how to explain how I felt like a walking disease in more ways than one now. First because of Jerry, now because of… well… Jerry. I think I was crying more because I was angry than anything. I turned my eyes to the ceiling as they led Dray outside.

“Call my lawyer for me pops, I’m saving my phone call for someone more important.” Dray called over his shoulder as they disappeared out the door with him.

“I feel you. Right behind you son!” Dragon called. He looked at me with his much older and much wiser burning gaze and I sniffed.

“I am so sorry.” I said mournfully, he laughed abruptly.

“I’m not. He gave that puta barata his just desserts for what he said to you. I’ve never been prouder of my boy.” He grinned but it was quickly replaced with a dark look.

“Had to be a Saturday,” he mused darkly, turning around and disappearing down the hall into the maze of rooms in back.

“At least it wasn’t Friday night,” Reaver commented.

“Why does Saturday matter?” I asked turning to Reaver.

“Can’t post bail until he’s arraigned and one is set. No arraignments on the weekend, he’s stuck in there until Monday.” Reaver shrugged inelegantly.

“Oh.” I said watching the police car turn down the driveway through the club house’s open door, tail lights disappearing over the rise.

“Come on. I’ll take you back to Dray’s.” I nodded a little numb at the prospect of Dray spending the entire weekend in jail over me.

I gathered my sweater and Ashton reached out. I hugged her back this time and felt better. Trigger engulfed me in a hug next and I hugged back a little surprised.

“Known Dray a long time and never seen him do that.” He said looking me over.

“Do what?” I asked.

“Kiss someone like he kissed you.” Ashton said and she looked a little excited.

“Welcome to the family.” Trigger said and shot me a half assed little salute. I laughed incredulously. I turned to Reaver.

“Yep, he licked you. You’re his.” He said and looked pouty. I laughed.

“Is that how that works around here?” I asked. He nodded solemnly.

“That’s how it works.” He said and walked with me out into the parking lot. The music came back to life as we swung the door shut behind us. I negotiated the gravel drive carefully in the heels and heaved a sigh as he unlocked my door.

“It’ll be fine. Not Dray’s first time being arrested and he hasn’t served more than a little bit of jail time yet.” He smiled beatifically at me and I rolled my eyes.

“That is
so
comforting.” I said and got in. Reaver leaned down and all trace of humor had been whisked off his face.

“This club turned a new leaf a long time ago. We aren’t like that anymore, but no one, not a single one of us has a problem with Dray going to jail for punching that ass clown in the mouth for calling you a bitch. That shit simply does not fly with this crowd.” I nodded slowly and noted the stiletto knives tattooed along his inner forearms.

“Okay.” I said carefully and the mask simply snapped back into place. Reaver was all smiles again and quipped,

“Glad you understand!” he shut the door to Dray’s Trans Am firmly and jogged around the front. He got in and fired it up. I didn’t know what to say to him so I stayed silent for the entire trip home. He pulled the Trans Am into the driveway and killed the engine when we got to the house. He handed me the keys.

“Don’t know which one gets us in the house.” He said and smoothed his hair down out of what looked like habit. I selected the correct one and he smiled.

“Excellent!” he got out and I did too, heels clacking against the cement as I went up the steps. I pulled my phone out of my sweater pocket and gripped it tightly. Reaver opened the front door and I went in, he followed and went for the fridge.

“If I gotta sit bitch with Trigger for a ride back to the club I’m gonna drink Dray’s beer.” He declared. I shrugged. “You do whatever it is you do. It’s your home now for all intents and purposes.” He said rooting around looking through bottles. I went into Dray’s room and slipped off the heels. I changed into my pajamas and went into the bathroom to wash my face. I patted it dry and got my phone off the bed and went over, firing up my laptop. Reaver flopped down on the couch and turned on the TV, he flipped through channels and finally landed on MTV and Ridiculousness. I chewed my lip as I waited for it to finish starting up then sat staring at my desktop. I didn’t know what to do. My leg bounced under the dining room table and I gusted out a sigh. I was too keyed up and too damned tipsy to do homework. I shut the laptop down.

I knew what I needed to do, I needed to blow off steam. I went into the bedroom and changed into tights and a leotard. I tied on a light chiffon short skirt in gray and pulled on my hard shoes. Reaver was cracking up in the living room over whatever was on television. This wasn’t going to be good for the shoes, but whatever.

I snatched my phone off the table and went carefully across the kitchen floor. I clattered down the steps and put on some music from my phone. It wasn’t real loud but it was enough. I set my phone on the railing and went over to the patch of driveway in front of the garage. I hadn’t needed to do this since I was a kid. Whenever my da’ and me got into a fight I would go out to our drive and dance until I fell down.

I listened to the measures and stood ready and let everything I was feeling flow from the crown of my head down and out through my feet. Fast, fast, fast and faster I tapped, until my muscles burned with weariness. I almost missed it when the music cut and a ringtone took over. I dashed for the phone and answered the unfamiliar number.

“Dray?” I asked, secretly hoping that I was the more important person he was saving his phone call for.

“Hey Em, how you doing?” he asked and I could hear the smile in his voice. Reaver and Trigger were sitting on the top step watching me. I blinked. When had he gotten here? I turned my back on them for some semblance of privacy.

“Look at you all badass.” I said smiling, “You’re the one
in jail
and you’re asking how
I’m
doing?” I said a bit breathlessly.

“Why are you out of breath?” he asked alarmed.

“Dancing in the driveway. Got my hard shoes on. Pounding out some frustration.” I said. A towel flopped over my shoulder and I startled. It was cool bordering on cold out here and I was sweating pretty hard. I turned and Trigger smiled down at me. I smiled and patted my face and chest.

“Reaver and Trig there?” he asked.

“Yeah. You want to talk to them?” I asked.

“No I want to talk to you. I just wanted to make sure they’re treating you all right.” he said.

“Yeah no, they’re being great.” I heard a chuckle behind me and my shoes made loud metallic clacks as I took some paces forward.

“So I’ll probably get out Monday. Maybe Tuesday, can I trust you to take care of Sadie?” he asked me, “I want you to be able to get to work and school and pick up your results if you get me.” He said.

“I get you.” I said softly.

“Never been kissed like that.” He grunted.

“Me either.” I said softly.

“I’m nobody’s rebound.” He said and I bit my lip nervously.

“I don’t do rebounds,” I said, “I’m a good Irish Catholic girl.” He snorted and laughed into the phone.

“What!? I am!” I said and I was smiling broadly.

“Okay Em. Look I gotta go, hang tight, stay safe and I’ll see you when I see you.” He said.

“Is it wrong that I’m picturing you in one of those awful orange jumpsuits and I think it’s kind of hot?” I asked. He laughed.

“It’s not a good look for anybody, I don’t care what you say.” He said.

“Dray?” I said after a moment of silence.

“Yeah Em?”

“Be careful?” I said and couldn’t keep the anxiety from tinging my voice if I wanted to.

“Always.” He promised.

“K, bye for now.” I whispered.

“Bye Babe.” The line went dead and I ended the call, the music picking up right where it left of, drifting out of the small speakers of the phone in my hand. I sucked in a strong, slow, steady breath.

“He’ll be okay.” Trigger said quietly, I turned around and tapped the screen to shut off the music.

“When did you get here?” I asked.

“About twenty minutes ago. You were tearing it up.” He said it like he was impressed and sucked on the end of an e-cigarette, the end glowing blue in the darkness.

“Trying to work off some aggression.” I stated simply. Reaver snorted. He was turning a knife over and over in his long slender fingers and I felt a shiver go down my spine.

“Cold?” Trigger asked, eyeing me.

“No.” I said simply and I pointed at Reaver, “He’s scary.” I opted for the truth. It had never served me wrong before. Reaver looked at me as if I had done something interesting. “I had an ‘uncle’ like you growing up.” I put the uncle in air quotes. “He killed for the IRA, except he couldn’t turn the cold and creepy off. He just was what he was and made no apologies for it. You,” I shook my head and looked at him plainly. “You can hide it. He was scary but you two, you two are terrifying because you can blend in so well.” I wiped more sweat off the back of my neck. Reaver’s smile was gone, and he looked at me with a predator’s assessing gaze. Trigger was looking at me like I was an interesting specimen.

“Guessing by the nickname you’re some kind gun fanatic.” My voice slid into the brogue of my people. He nodded slowly.

“United States Marine Corps sniper.” He said. I nodded, I didn’t want to press either of them any further.

“You don’t have a problem with it.” Reaver stated. I shook my head.

“I grew up at the knee of men like you.” I said, “Good men who fought for what they believed in. I just thought you should know that I know. I’m not judging, I’m not scared, at most I am unnerved a little, but that’s healthy. I just thought you’d like to know you don’t have to hide from me. I won’t pretend to understand it but it’s the way I grew up, and I’ve seen a thing or two in my time.” Trigger and Reaver exchanged looks again, Reaver smiled, then Trigger did too.

“No hiding from you is there?” Reaver asked. I shrugged.

“Shit, Dray has his hands full.” Trigger laughed. Of the two of them he was the more human.

“Are you sure that isn’t the other way ‘round?” I asked.

“Pretty sure.” Trigger grinned.

“Dray gets uncomfortable around perceptive people.” Reaver said.

“I’ll keep that in mind.” I murmured.

“Don’t, he needs a shove or two here and there.” Trigger said.

I nodded and stretched. I was starting to stiffen up already. I made for the house and Reaver got up and out of my way.

“Hot shower and bed for me.” I said and they both waved.

“Night.” Trigger said.

“G’night.” Reaver echoed.

“It was nice meeting you both.” I said and it was. They reminded me so much of my eclectic family growing up.

“It was nice meeting you too Irish.” Reaver said and smiled. I smiled back. I think we were on the same page. He knew that I knew what he was and that I was cool. As a result, he wouldn’t stab me or slit my throat in my sleep. It was a pretty even trade as far as I was concerned.