Promise - Book 3 (Hope)

I reduce speed as I enter the outskirts of the city and traffic grows heavier. I take the first exit , stopping at the red light at the end of the off ramp. My attention drifts to the pulsing sound of music coming from a building to my right, Black Devil night club. I shrug to myself and turn right, pulling into the parking garage for the club, parking toward the back where there were plenty of open spots. I pull off my helmet and place it on the handlebars, my waist length black curls lay loosely down my back, stopping right above my leather pants. I unzip my jacket and pull my phone out of the inside pocket…9 missed calls…I roll my eyes and make my way to the entrance. The music pulses and vibrates the ground in the most inviting way. There is one bouncer at the entrance who pulls the door open and motions for me to enter. The inside of the club is not at all what I was expecting, it is dark with flashing neon lights and people everywhere. I spot the bar toward the back wall and make my way to it, weaving through masses of drunken people.

“What are you having tonight beautiful?” the bartender, Chaz according to his name tag, asks as I take a seat.

“Jack and Coke please.” I gets to work on my drink as I take in my surroundings.

“You new around here?” god how I hate small talk.

“No, just passing through.” I offer the best sweet smile I can manage. “How much do I owe you?”

“$4 even.” I slide a $100 across the counter and laugh at the look of shock that spreads across his face.

“This should cover my drinks for the night and your tip.” he smiles and mouths the words ‘thank you’ as the music roars around us. I hook the heel of my boot on the bar of the stool and lean back as I watch people jumping and doing what I assume they consider to be dancing. I am halfway through my first drink and entranced by the native ‘mating ritual’ taking place on the dance floor when I feel someone gently tap me on the arm. I tilt my head to the side and slowly shift my gaze only to end up inhaling the sip of jack and coke in my mouth. Sitting beside me is the tan, dark haired, brown eyed Latin god, Marco Gutierrez.

“I thought that was you.” I look around before setting my attention back to him.

“I would never have thought this to be your ‘scene’” I spit out before slamming the rest of my drink and signaling the bartender for a refill.

“I could say the same about you.” oh shit, that smile could melt the sun.

“Let me guess, you thought my scene would be tending to some man while I am barefoot and pregnant?” he chuckles and the sound is intoxicating.

“Not a chance. Listen, I am sorry about back at the warehouse.” I nod and pick up the drink that the bartender set on the bar behind me.

“Sure. So what are you doing here?” His brows raise as if what I said is the most curious thing he has ever heard.

“This is my club, Hope. What are YOU doing here? Don’t most bikers prefer to hit the bar on the edge of town? Not that I am complaining.” perhaps I am a little out of my element here.

“Usually, but I needed to blow off some steam and this is where I ended up.” it is this exact moment that I realize that I have willingly walked into the lions den.

“Steam? Everything ok?” I smile and nod.

“Yeah, overbearing parents. I guess I am a little out of place here aren’t I? Once I finish my drink I need to hit the road anyways.” His smile drops and he leans closer.

“No one here will hurt you, Hope. I know how crazy parents can get, so please…stay and have a few drinks. Blow off some steam.” against my better judgment I nod.

“So, are you here alone?” god Hope, way to sound like a desperate slut. He chuckles and shakes his head.

“Are you asking if I brought a date?” My cheeks flush and I take another quick drink before answering.

“A date, a friend, business associate…whatever.” I laugh at myself as I watch his smile widen.

“No, Hope. I am here alone. Would you like to go to the VIP lounge? It is a lot quieter than this.” he gestures to the chaos of the club. I know I should say no, but something about this man intrigues me, so I nod and allow him to lead the way. Once we break through the crowd he leads me up a set of stairs that stop at a black door with a bouncer standing in front. The mountain of a man quickly opens the door, closing it once Marco and I are inside. This room is amazing. The walls and ceiling are matte black, the carpet is black with cold marbling, 2 black tables sit near a tinted floor to ceiling mirror over looking the club scene downstairs, a full bar (complete with bartender) sit to the back and a long black leather couch sits off to the side of the tables.

“What were you drinking down there?” I walk over to the window and answer absentmindedly.

“Jack and Coke.” I slowly walk toward the bar and stop when I am standing beside Marco.

“You definitely drink like a biker.” we both laugh as the bartender hands us out drinks.

“So…you own a dance club, but spend your time in a room above said club where you cannot hear the music? He chuckles and gestures for me to have a seat on the couch. I plop down, crossing my left leg over my right and wait for him to answer.

“I used to like the whole club scene, but it just got old.” I lean back into the couch and direct my gaze to the black ceiling.

“Damn, how old are you?” he laughs as he takes a seat on the other end of the couch.

“I didn’t say I got old, I said the club scene got old.” I roll my eyes.

“That does not answer my question.” I turn my gaze back to him with a smirk on my face.

“I am 22. And you, Hope, how old are you?” I consider lying to him since I am under age, but decide to go with a straightforward answer…only after downing half my drink.

“19.” He raises his brows then leans his head back.

“Wow.” I wait for him to say something else, but after a short pause I grow impatient.

“Wow? Are we talking ‘Wow, this under age biker bitch is drinking in my club’ or ‘wow, I can’t believe they let a 19 year old join an MC’?” he chuckles again as his lips pull into a smile.

“How about ‘Wow, I can’t believe Slade brought a beautiful 19 year old biker bitch to a drug deal’.” We both laugh.

“Well aren’t you the charmer.” he flashes a devilish grin.

“When I want to be, but at the moment I am just being honest. Can I ask you something?” I tilt my head as my curiosity gets the better of me.

“Shoot.” he smirks at me before his face takes on a more serious expression.

“How did you end up with Slade’s group?” I take a moment as I debate on if I should disclose anything and if so, how much to share.

“They took in me and my mom when I was still a child.” short and sweet.

“So you have been with them for most of your life? That is crazy.” I smile at his surprised tone.

“Yep. How about you? You are 22, a drug dealer, leader of a large gang and…club owner? How did that happen?” he shifts in his seat until he is facing me.

“Well, I was born into this life. I am not the leader of the Diablo’s, my father is. This isn’t the life I would have wanted for myself, but it is the life I was given.” I nod in understanding.

“I get that.” his curiosity is clearly peeked.

“You mean you don’t want to be a biker?” I laugh as I think about how eager I am to take off on poseidon any chance I get.

“I love to ride, but all the other shit…that just isn’t me.” I meet his eyes and see a mixture of emotions…curiosity, amusement and a few others I can’t quite make out.

“I bet it feels like sheer freedom when you ride.” I don’t even attempt to mask my surprise.

“Have you never been on a bike before?” He smiles and shakes his head.

“My family prefers bullet proof transportation.” We both chuckle at his comment.

“Want to go for a ride with me?” he chokes on some his liquor.

“What, like right now?” I shrug and flash a wicked grin.

“Why not? Do you trust me?” he looks at me for a moment then sets his glass on the table nearest the couch.

“What the hell, let’s go.” I throw back the rest of my drink and stand up, leading him out of the club and into the garage where I parked Poseidon. I pull the helmet off the handlebars and hand it to him.

“This should fit you.” He slides the helmet on and fastens it.

“What about you? Are you good to drive?” I roll my eyes and turn to him.

“I will be fine and don’t worry, I am not even buzzed.” luckily that is not even a lie. Snake helped up my tolerance with all the alcohol he always sneaks me. I climb onto my baby and motion for him to get on, quickly pulling my hair into a messy bun to keep it from whipping him in the face. He climbs on behind me and places his hands loosely on my side causing me to laugh. “You are going to want to hold on tighter than that, unless you want a one on one with the asphalt.” I grab his hands and pull them around my waist, locking his hands together. I fire up Poseidon and feel his body tense behind me. I take it slow as I pull out of the parking garage and onto the street, stopping at the red light where my options are to go straight and end up further in the crowded city streets, or turn left and hit the freeway. As soon as the light turns green I accelerate and turn left. Once I have merged onto the freeway I open her up and let go. It takes a few minutes for his body to relax, but he never removes his arms from around me.