Diesel (Aces MC Series Book 1) (3 page)

Harlow

The week had run smoothly and I’d attracted new customers
which pleased Spike. Thursday had now arrived and I had butterflies in my
stomach again. What was I doing? Did I need any more drama in my life? I’d
finished my last client 10 minutes ago and taken myself into the bathroom to
brush my hair and top up my makeup.

As I was looking in the mirror, something caught my eye. “Hey
Spike, is everything okay?” I asked as he walked into the small bathroom. “I
don’t know yet? How serious is it getting with you and Diesel?” He asked
seriously crossing his arms as he leant on the door frame. “Well, we’re going
out this evening and he’s asked me to the party at the club on Saturday. Do you
have a problem with me seeing him?” I asked genuinely. I didn’t want to fall
out with Spike. He’d been kind and had given me this great opportunity. “Look
Harlow, Diesel is a nice guy, he’s not only my cousin but my closest friend.”
Spike retreated out of the bathroom moving into the kitchenette. I packed away
my stuff and put it into my locker before following him.

“I’m not sure how much you know about how clubs like ours
work but I just want you to be careful and not get into anything you don’t want
too.” I could see that he was embarrassed trying to have this conversation with
me, like a dad talking to his daughter about sex for the first time.

“I know more about club business than most. I’m not gonna go
into details but my mum was a club whore before she died of an overdose when I
was four.” I looked into his eyes so that he could see I was serious but again
I couldn’t read his expression. “I’d never put myself in any unnecessary danger
and that’s one of the reasons I moved recently.” I smiled at him, “I appreciate
you looking out for me though.” I closed the gap between us and hugged Spike,
holding him close.

Spike was a good looking guy, he had it all going on but he
didn’t give me the butterflies that Diesel did. It’s a shame as I think life
would be a lot less complicated if I were attracted to him. At this moment in
time, I needed a friend as I’d left mine behind when I parted with the Skulls
after the death of my dad. Who would’ve thought I’d find a friend in a big hot
biker.

I was pulled from my thoughts as an irate Diesel stalked
into the room. “Do I need to kick your arse all over the shop?” Diesel looked
menacing with his fists clenched. “Shut up you dick. We were just… bonding! Now
get out of my shop, I have a hot date tonight.” Spike walked into the bathroom,
closing the door behind him with a bang. “You ready?” Diesel asked holding out
his hand, which I willingly took moving into his embrace, feeling those bloody
butterflies coming back again!

It had turned chilly and I was pleased that I’d brought my
leather jacket to work. Diesel gave me a helmet with a mic so that we could
talk to each other during the journey. “Where are we going?” I asked as I put
the helmet on, securing it tightly under my chin. “For a drive, maybe grab some
food later if you’re hungry?” I got onto the bike and snaked my arms around
him, holding him close feeling our bodies fit perfectly. I let out a long loud sigh,
“You okay there babe?” Diesel asked with humour in his voice. “More than okay.
Don’t worry about me.” I moved my hands closer to his belt and snuggled further.
He took in a big intake of breath and I knew I was affecting him like he had
me.

We drove for around twenty minutes when he turned off the
main road and onto a dirt track lined with pine trees. We stopped near a small
clearing, Diesel turned off the engine and got off the bike, taking my hand to
help me. He continued to hold my hand as we walked down a shingle path that led
through the trees and the comfortable silence continued between us until we
reached the edge of the cliff. “Wow Diesel, this is beautiful. You can see the
whole town from up here.” I looked around at the marvellous view in front of
us.

“How do you know about this place?” I looked over at Diesel
and could see his facial expression change, like he had an internal struggle
with something. “It’s okay you don’t have to tell me but thank you for bringing
me here, it’s beautiful.” Diesel sat down on the floor with his back against a
tree stump. I joined him on the floor and nestled myself between his legs,
surprising myself by my boldness but I truly wanted to be close to him.

The stars were starting to come out and were visible for
miles around as the sky was so clear. “I used to bring my son here.” He said
staring into the distance. It was a good job I was sitting down already because
that statement alone would have knocked me over. We sat in silence but he must
have felt me stiffen because he curled his arms around me and continued his
story. “He was beautiful Ink. Blond hair, blue piercing eyes and such a kind
temperament.”

He stopped talking and held me tighter. “I was married to
his mother ‘Amber’.” This statement shocked me but I was relieved that he said
‘was’. “She was a club whore, it wasn’t planned but shit happens. I wanted her
to have an abortion but she refused,” I could feel his body tense. “It’s not
something I’m proud of. She had the baby and once the paternity test came
through positive, I decided to do the right thing and marry her.” He shuffled
getting comfortable on the floor.

“Stupid I know but I wanted right by my boy. To cut a long
story short she was ‘high’ driving the car with Shaun in the back. She ran a
red light and crashed into another vehicle.” Diesel started to shake his head
from side to side. “Shaun didn’t stand a chance, he died on impact. I suppose
that’s something to be grateful for.” Diesel paused whilst he gathered his
thoughts, “I used to bring him here when he couldn’t sleep at night. A beautiful
place for a beautiful boy.” I wiped the tears that had fallen silently from my
eyes whilst he told his story.

I sniffed, “What happened to Amber?” From being around an
MC, I knew that people had disappeared for less. I waited for a response but
didn’t push. “We let her live. Thought that the punishment of what she did
would be torture enough.” He scoffed, “She shows up every so often asking for
money for her next fix. Usually the guy’s deal with Amber so that I don’t have
to see her. It’s been four years now but I’ve found myself coming out here more
often, like I’m missing something.” He turned to me, “Does that sound strange?”
I shook my head, knowing exactly what he was talking about.

“My dad died recently.” Diesel started to stroke my arms as
he pulled me closer towards his chest. “I was so close to him and although it’s
more recent than your son’s death, I can’t see myself ever getting over it
fully.” I wiped another tear from my cheek. “What happened to your dad?” There
was a long pause whilst I decided how much I wanted to tell him. “He was at the
wrong place at the wrong time. He was shot in the head and died instantly.” Diesel
kissed the back of my head, his kind gesture meant more than words and I was
taken aback by the way my heart swelled in my chest. We sat there in silence looking
at the view over the city below and I could feel my eyes slowly getting heavier
as I took in the recent information and beauty around me.

“Ink, it’s time to wake up babe.” I woke with a fright
wondering where I was. It took me a while to figure this out, now that it had turned
pitch black. I could hear the low hum of the vehicles using the motorway in the
distance and noticed the twinkling of the bright stars for miles around us.
“Why didn’t you wake me?” I asked looking round at Diesel. My rear was numb from
sitting on the floor for so long. “You looked so peaceful, I didn’t have the
heart to wake you up.” He kissed my head gently, “It’s nearly 8.00pm and I’m
starving, do you wanna grab some food?” At that very moment my tummy started to
rumble. I looked down to where the noise had come from, then at Diesel and we
both started laughing.

“Come on, let’s get some food.” Diesel pulled me to my feet
and I found myself pressed up against his chest, feeling how perfect we fit
together. I looked up into his eyes, feeling the heat rising through my body
and the pressure building between my legs, so much so that I had to cross them
to relieve some of the unbearable tension. Diesel finally broke the mounting silence,
“Come on, let’s get going before I take you right here.” Those butterflies were
getting bigger!

We arrived at the Cross Key’s cafe just off the M11 Motorway.
The car park had several vehicles parked in various places and a few trucks
that were probably here for the night. Diesel helped me off the bike and stayed
close resting his hand on my lower back, a gesture that I was starting to
become accustom too.

We entered the cafe and were welcomed by a woman in her
mid-thirties. She showed us to our seats, placing menus on the table. “Your
waitress is Kayleigh, she’ll be with you in a minute.” The woman didn’t make
eye contact, which I thought was strange. She left us to collect glasses from
another table and started to wipe it clean. We both looked through the menus
waiting for the waitress. I looked around the cafe taking in the dreary decor
and noticed the chequered curtains that needed a good wash along with the
sticky floor but the smell of the food coming from the kitchen smelt delicious.

“Hello handsome, what can I get ya?” I assumed that this
girl was our waitress, Kayleigh. She was in her mid-twenties, stick thin with the
biggest bust I had ever seen, which were obviously surgically enhanced! How her
skinny frame could still stand with all that baggage was beyond me. Diesel
placed his order without giving her any attention, much to her annoyance. This
made me chuckle and the laughter that came out of my mouth, earned me a dirty
look from Miss Big Tits. I also placed my order of a chicken burger and chips but
was instantly regretting laughing as I’d probably end up with extra spit in my
food!

“Thank you.” I whispered to Diesel once the waitress had
disappeared, reaching across the table to touch his hand gently. He looked at
me with confusion on his face. “Thank you for not looking at her breasts whilst
you’re with me.” I said softly so that the other diners couldn’t hear. Diesel
started chuckling but the chuckles turned into full blown laughter, now people
were
looking at us. I looked around, lowering my voice, “Stop it, people are
staring.” Diesel’s smile grew, “Like I give a fuck. You’re one funny lady Ink.”
I removed my hand from his, “Should I take that as a compliment?” Diesel stood,
“You most certainly should. I gotta pee, I’ll be back in a minute.”  He walked
towards the restrooms at the back of the cafe.

The sound of laughter made me turn towards the door. “Shit!”
There were three members of the Skulls MC walking through the door. I tried to
turn and move into the booth quickly but Patch saw me and was walking my way.

“Well if it aint little Princess. How you doing?” Patch was
one of the creepiest fuckers I’d ever met. He made my skin crawl and I tried to
stay away from him where possible as I’d heard some horror stories about his
antics. He moved closer and started to sit down next to me, when he was yanked
out of the chair and thrown on his arse.

“Go near her again and you’ll be eating through a straw. Do
I make myself clear?” Diesel said almost growling at Patch, who was slowly
getting to his feet looking furious. Patch went for his knife. Diesel calmly
folded his arms, “I wouldn’t do that if I were you.” Diesel stepped closer to
Patch. “Do you want to be the cause of a war between the Skulls and the Aces
just because your pride got hurt?” I could see Patch contemplating this
information.

“I think Hawke would be more concerned that you’ve taken his
old lady.” Patch turned towards me, “Haven’t you told Diesel about being promised
to Hawke?” A huge grin spread across his face.

“I wasn’t promised to anyone. My dad fucking hated you and
Hawke.” I spat as I stood squaring up to him, resting my hands on my hips. Patch
moved closer, “Watch your fucking mouth Princess.” The next thing I knew Patch
flew through the air, knocking over the table in the middle of the cafe. Diesel
had slapped Patch with the back of his hand with such force that he fell like a
sack of spuds. “I warned you but you had to push your fucking luck.” Diesel
turned to the two Skulls starting to make their way over. “I wouldn’t even
think about it. My club house is closer to here than yours and I could have
twenty men here in less than five minutes. Go back to your drinks.” 

Patch started moving around on the floor. “Come on Ink,
let’s get out of here. I’ve suddenly lost my appetite.” Diesel threw some money
down on the table, for the food we were no longer having. It also looked like
he’d covered the cost of the broken table. He grabbed my hand and led me out of
the cafe.

I followed Diesel through the door and walked into a hulk of
a man wearing a Skulls cut. “Hello stranger.” Flex said as he picked me up in a
bear hug, swinging me around. “God, I’ve missed you?” I said giving him a kiss
on the cheek before he gently put me down, holding me at arm’s length assessing
me. Diesel grabbed my hand pulling me back and casually wrapped his arm around
my shoulder in a possessive stance.

“Diesel, this is Flex. He practically raised me, he’s like
family.” I explained quickly not wanting any further trouble. Diesel stayed
quiet, looking Flex up and down. “I didn’t realise you were hanging with the
Aces now,” Flex said with venom in his voice staring directly at Diesel. “I
don’t think your dad would have been pleased about that Princess.”

Diesel poked Flex in the chest, “Don’t you ever fucking use
her dad against her again to prove a point, you arsehole.” Flex knocked
Diesel’s finger away from his chest, “I’m concerned about her.” He looked
directly at me, “If you need anything Princess, promise that you’ll get in
touch.” Diesel started to drag me away, “She won’t need anything. She’s under
the protection of the Aces now.”