Reverence: MC Romance (The Davis Chapter Book 3) (11 page)

“The real question is: do you think Harris will go for it?”

I shrugged. “All I can do is hope. If I can convince him what kind of man my father is, he might be on board. If not, are you still up to take a little trip?”

Romero squeezed me. I was laying on his chest, listening to his heart. It sped up at my question. For a second, I thought Romero had changed his mind. The beating of his heart made me feel like circumstances have gotten the better of us.

“My bike, the clothes on my back, and you. Those are the only fuckin’ things I need. I've started from zero before, but with you I'll be starting way better.”

We had the park to ourselves, but Romero whispered. The words felt so intimate and so powerful. No wonder his heart sped up semi colon mine did the same thing listening to him talk. It was almost more powerful than him telling me that he loved me.

My reply was stuck in my throat. When Romero heard me sob, he hugged me harder. “Babe, everything is going to be just fine. If your plan works, the Rising Sons are going to throw you one hell of a party. If it doesn't, it’s me and you throwing a dart at the map.”

I nodded, still unable to speak. In my mind, I cursed the sun for rising. My time with Romero was drawing to a close, and my time with my father was quickly approaching. I had spent four hours on the road thinking of what to say, and I was still coming up blank. Despite the phenomenal sex that Romero and I had just experienced, nerves were starting to get the better of me.

After a long kiss, Romero and I parted ways. He headed back to the bar where some of the Rising Sons were on guard duty. I headed for the suburbs where my father and I were going to meet like business associates instead of family.

This time it was the streets of Davis that reminded me of Bakersfield. So many unsuspecting houses surrounded the one that my father lived in. So many unsuspecting people who were friends with a man who’d trade his daughter for power. I drove slowly, but realized that my hands were white knuckled tight on the steering wheel. My heart raced, surging adrenaline through my veins.

Calm down, Julie. You have to be as calm as him.
I tried to give myself a little pep talk, knowing that my father was a shrewd, tactful man. He had been in the business of intimidation more years than I'd been alive . It wasn't going to be easy.

Driving past the Capriani home, I circled back and parked a few houses away. I wouldn't be recognized in the car, but my eyes darted everywhere, suspecting every movement and sound. I wouldn't put it past my father to have the D.B.s close.

Stepping out of the car, I did everything I could keep myself calm; controlled my breathing, thought through the plan, and fantasized about Romero.
 

The one contingency that Romero and I hadn’t talked about was what happens if my father wouldn’t let me go to the meeting with Harris. If he decided to hold me for ransom in return for Romero’s head, I wouldn’t know what to do.

With that new, disturbing thought in my head, I locked Faith’s BMW and headed down the sidewalk to my father’s house. My father’s motorcycle was the only vehicle in the driveway as if he was letting me know that we would have the place to ourselves. The whole situation felt wrong, but what choice did I have?

The door was unlocked, and I didn't know if that was a good sign or a bad. It was like every familiar part of the house have been washed away. Every memory had been painted a neutral color, as if they were getting ready to sell.

From the doorway, I could see into the kitchen. He was there waiting for me. My father had his back to me, showing off his cut from the Devil’s Branch. There was nothing subtle about it. He was telling me exactly who his real family was.

Without turning, he spoke, “Well, come on in, don't be a stranger.”

His voice was an ice cold hand against my skin. A shiver ran down my back, and I had to force myself not to turn and leave. If I left, my father would go after Romero and the Rising Sons with everything he had. He would break them because I cared about them. There was no way in hell I was going to let that happen.

Without a word, I headed for the kitchen. All the time I had spent trying to come up with the right words had been fruitless.

I sat down, but the man sitting across the table wasn't my father. He looks like a completely different person with steely eyes that might as well have dollar signs in them. he gave me the smile a coroner might give to a loved one.

“You know, your mother suspected you were seeing somebody. I figured three years hanging around some of the dirtiest, rudest dudes would’ve had you clamoring for some Ivy League bow tie wearing homo.

 
“Figures, though. It's the only life you've ever known, so I guess I should have seen it coming. But to stoop so low as to fuck the enemy? My god, Julie. That's unforgivable. Ty would’ve moved heaven and earth for you. He died for you, but instead, you shacked up with some lowlife Son.”

The pounding in my chest was almost louder than his voice. My blood boiled, and I couldn't stand to hear him say another word.

“Shut the fuck up. I mean, really. The fuck do you think you are? And don't say my father, because you lost the right to use that word the moment you decided to trade me. You know why Ty died? Because he was too hot-headed to listen. Because his infatuation with me pushed him over the edge. Because you sent him looking for me.” I stared right into his cold eyes. “You're really going to sit there and lay the blame on me? I don't think so. No way”

My mouth had turned into a flame thrower, spitting fire straight at my old man. he didn't react as much as I would’ve liked, but his eyebrows raised a few times during my outburst.

“Believe it or not, though, I don't want to fight. I didn't come back here for that.” The emotion was already threatening to weaken my voice.

My father spoke with a cold calmness, “You came back here to whore yourself out.”

I nodded. “If I get what I want, I'll give you what you want.”

My father leaned back in his chair, balancing on the back two legs. He looked beyond smug. His smile was almost tight enough to make the wrinkles vanish. “This I can’t wait to hear. What is it that a nineteen-year-old girl wants? A Jeep and a shopping spree?”

He laid all his cards on the table. My father showed me exactly what he thought of me. To him, I was nothing but a senseless teenager. I shook my head. “I want you to drop your beef with the Sons. I’ve never seen you intimidated, and it’s not a good look on you. Just drop it. I know you want to bury them because of me, but I won’t let it happen.”

“That Intro to Economics class must’ve gone to your head. I don’t think you understand the first thing about business.”

“Daddy, please don’t explain to me what a monopoly is. You aren’t afraid of business; you are afraid of competition. Until they came into town, you were the only game in town. You ran your drugs until they took what’s-his-name out. Now you are all standing around with your dicks in your hands trying to figure out what to do.” My pulse pounded. I felt more powerful than ever. Nothing I said was planned, but it all felt right. No one was strong enough to stand up to my father. Not his club, not his wife, not his son. His teenage daughter had to be the one to kick him down a peg. He didn’t speak. He didn’t react.

I softened my voice, “Set up a meeting between me and Harris. Soon, please. Believe it or not, I have a life. I’ll get you your weapons if nothing in my life changes for the worse. I mean
nothing
.”

With a happy expression that couldn’t have been more rehearsed, he nodded. “I can set you two up tonight. Call me afterwards and let me know the good news.” I knew Captain Capriani wasn’t going to just give up. He always had an ace in the hole, but I was his daughter, after all. I had a few tricks up my sleeve, too.

“Tonight sounds perfect. You tell me the time and place. Just me and him. I don’t want anyone else there to spook this guy.”

He agreed, the wooden smile not fading a bit.

I didn’t call Romero until I was a few blocks from my old house. Walking out, I got the overwhelming feeling that I’d never be back there. It didn’t hammer me with sadness like I’d thought it might. Instead, the thought didn’t feel much like anything. I was far more excited to start something new with Romero.

“I’m meeting Harris tonight. I’ll text you the time and location. I told Captain that I wanted no one else there, but we both know someone will be there.” I heard a confidence in my voice that I didn’t know was possible. It hadn’t been possible before Romero.

“Sounds good. How’s the old man?”

I laughed and turned the wheel. “He’s an asshole. Just be careful. He was calm, but he was more pissed than I’ve ever seen him. He had that eerie calmness, like the eye of a hurricane.”

“I think we’ll be all right. If he doesn’t show up, we’ve got an issue, right?” Romero and I were on the same page. The trap had been laid and baited.

The light turned green, and I continued on. “Correct. I can convince Harris, but only if my father shows up. He said he wouldn’t, so I’m sure he will. See you in a little bit.”

There was nothing more either of us needed to say. Romero and I were surprisingly good at sticking to business, which I really loved. I couldn’t help but smile as I hung up the phone. It was nice to know that he and I could keep our hands to ourselves when there was important work to do.

I passed through Davis, wondering if I’d be able to go back to my classes any time soon. It was early in the semester, but I didn’t want to get too far behind. Besides, saying I was helping one biker gang overthrow another wasn’t exactly an excuse that would fly.

I parked Faith’s BMW behind Romero’s bike. His house filled me with warmth as I thought of all the great memories. It was the opposite of the home I had just come from. Despite my lack of sleep, energy flooded back to me as I got out of the car. Energy waited for me inside, too.

“But I’ve been so bad. I’m sleeping with the enemy, you know.”

Slap.

I squeaked. “I’ve been so bad. I...I’m not a virgin anymore.”

Slap.

I was glad Romero couldn't see the wide smile on my face. It wouldn't have fit with the little game. Red hot pleasure radiated from my ass. Romero had contacted the exact same spot three times. I loved how controlled and practiced he was. Romero was the perfect lover. His experience didn’t bother me. In fact, I was grateful that he knew exactly what he was doing.

“It was taken from me...”
Slap.
“I gave it away.” My heart thudded in my chest, sending blood to the throbbing spot between my legs. I stared down at the carpet, my eyes tearing up in the best way. I couldn’t get enough of his power.

Romero brought his hand down again as I laid across his lap. My jeans were below me, and my panties were just below my ass. He had swept me up so quickly that my jeans were the only thing that managed to come off before I was bent over his knees.

“You’ve been so bad, Julie. So bad…” He traced a finger over my skin, fire and pain erupting from where he had spanked me. A shiver ran down my spine. Romero’s voice had this deep sensuality about it. It made my heart pound. I loved the feeling of Romero being in total control of me. Especially lately, I had to control so much, and it was wonderful to give that away and give myself to him.