Angel could hear the snap of surgical gloves being put on. She tried to turn to look behind her, but Cole turned her face back to him.
“Just look at me, baby.” He turned to Crash and held out his hand. Crash passed him the whiskey bottle. Cole handed it to Angel. “Drink this.”
She shook her head.
“Do it,” he insisted, his eyebrows raised. She took the bottle and tilted it up for a drink, and then handed it back. Taz didn’t miss the exchange.
“You need to teach her to do what she’s told.”
“She’s learning,” Cole snapped back at him with a deadly look.
Taz smiled. “Bet there’s lots of stuff she needs to learn. Fuck, I’m getting hard just thinking about it.”
Cole passed the bottle back to Crash and whispered, “Get them the fuck out of here.”
“Come on, guys. Let’s go drink this whiskey while they get this done.” Crash led the way out the door.
Angel looked over. The three others followed Crash out. Taz remained, leaning against the counter, watching her with a smile. After a long moment, he straightened and followed the others. They all stood by the curb, drinking and laughing. Angel could see them through the plate glass window.
Cole nodded for Stumpy to get started.
Angel could hear the buzz of the tattoo machine as he turned it on. She put her head down.
***
Cole kissed the top of her head, wondering how she was ever going to forgive him after this. He’d fucked up, big time. He should have never taken her to that party. Should have known better, but hell, he’d had no idea Mack was going to invite the Devil Kings. What was he thinking, wanting to make any kind of alliance with these assholes?
Cole knew this was payback for the disrespect he’d shown them at the party. Knew, too, that they’d purposely followed them to Sonny’s. Big Ed wanted him to know just who he was messing with. This was all about dick size. Cole wasn’t afraid to fight, but Crash was right. They didn’t stand a chance against four of them. Mack would shit if he messed up this deal he was trying to work. Besides, didn’t Mack already give him shit about Angel? He wanted her gone.
***
Angel’s back was burning. She wondered how much more of this she could take and how long it would go on.
Cole bent and kissed the top of her head again. She noticed he still hadn’t let go of her wrists. She didn’t understand any of this. She’d trusted Cole, and now she didn’t know what to think. Why was he letting them force this on her? She looked out the plate glass window at the men lounging on their bikes and saw the answer. They were a mean bunch. And they had him outnumbered.
When Stumpy finally told them he was finished, Cole nodded to him and said, “Give us a minute.”
“Sure, Cole.” He pulled the surgical gloves off, tossed them in the wastebasket, and walked into the backroom.
“Look at me.”
Angel looked up.
“You okay?”
She didn’t say anything, just pulled on her arms, trying to break his hold.
Cole let go of her wrists and took her hands in his. He brought them to his lips and kissed them. “I’m sorry, baby. For all of this.” He reached a hand up and cradled the side of her face in his palm, his thumb stroking over her cheekbone.
Just then, Crash leaned his head in the door. “Hate to break up this tender moment, but the whiskey is gone, and we need to get the hell out of here before they start lookin’ for trouble.”
Cole helped Angel up. He took her by the hand and led her outside.
The Devil Kings were standing by the curb. Taz was slouching on his bike, his ass sideways in the seat, leaning back on one elbow, his legs out straight, crossed at the ankles.
“Well, girlie. Let’s see.” He took a drag off his cigarette and blew the smoke out, his eyes never leaving hers.
Angel looked up at Cole.
He put his arm around her shoulders and pulled her toward him so that her back was facing them, then he lifted the hem of her shirt up.
“Now see boys. She’s learnin’. Did you see how she looked at her man for permission and instruction?”
They all snickered.
Taz studied the tattoo.
Cole glared at him.
Angel felt humiliated and put on display.
“Stumpy does nice work,” Taz observed, smiling. He tilted his head sideways, his eyes sliding over her ass. “Real nice.”
Cole noticed and barely leashed anger flashed in his eyes. He let her shirt drop.
Angel winced when the fabric brushed against the new tattoo.
“So we done here?” Cole bit out.
Taz looked at him, and they stared each other down. Taz took another slow drag off his cigarette. He nodded finally. “Yeah. We’re done. We’re headed back over. You comin’?”
“No. We’re going back to the clubhouse.”
“Suit yourself. See ya ‘round.”
Cole nodded.
Cole, Crash, and Angel stood there while the Devil Kings mounted up and pulled out, the engines roaring as they gunned it down the street.
“Fuck, man!” Crash exhaled, looking at Cole.
Cole hooked his arm around Angel’s neck and pulled her close to kiss her forehead. “Let’s get out of here.”