“Wipe down whatever you touched,” Big Al ordered.
“Ain’t amateurs, wore gloves,” Rooster snorted, and I chuckled at his expression.
Rooster turned to me with a wink. The door opened, and a teenage boy entered. Yeah, I remembered this little prick. He’d watch me in the bathroom, peering at me in the shower, and I shuddered. Within seconds, he was overpowered and tied like his parents.
“Celt’s here,” Bear announced, and he and Rooster carried the three Brookes out of the house.
Big Al turned to me. “Whatever happens tonight, you stay clean. Tati, I’m taking you home. Go get your shit,” Big Al said.
I held up two rucksacks.
“Got all of my crap. They’d already packed it. Um, I found it in the basement along with another load of bags,” I replied.
Big Al’s eyes narrowed.
“Fuck, I hope this cop uncle is thorough,” Big Al muttered. I didn’t understand what he meant, but Big Al helped me onto his bike and took me to his apartment.
“Tati, no matter what happens, you’ll be safe. Use my bed tonight. Honey, I won’t be home until the early hours, maybe later. Do not open the door to anybody. Not until I introduce you to those who are reliable, safe, and trustworthy, Tatiana.”
“Chance, Rooster and Bear are all okay?” I asked.
“Yeah, but they won’t come back tonight. If anyone comes, they shouldn’t be there. So do not open the fuckin’ door,” Big Al warned.
“Okay,” I agreed.
“There’s food and drink in the fridge. Make yourself at home. Please don’t run from me, Tati; remember our agreement. I’ll get your money from those fuckers as well.”
I nodded, relieved to be safe, especially after seeing that other girl. She could easily have been me.
Big Al spun on his heel. I didn’t ask what he would do. Somehow I just knew.
???
Curiously, I pottered around the tiny apartment, cooking two meals and putting Big Al’s on the stove wrapped up for him to see when he came in. Happily, I dug through all his shit and discovered five hidden guns, six knives and two garottes. This guy was ready for any attempt at a home invasion. I found out that we liked the same music and, looking at his videos, the same films. There were pictures of Big Al with men, grinning and laughing at cookouts at the clubhouse. Then an old photo of Big Al and four guys standing by a flag. The flag in the image appeared brand new, and the five men were young. Hell, Big Al looked no older than me now.
I checked his closets, looking for signs of narcotics, and found nothing. I knew the dangers of drugs and wouldn’t stay with a user. Finally, after ensuring I was safe, I grabbed one of Big Al’s tees and showered before yanking his tee on and crawling into his bed. I left my bags packed in case I had to run. Big Al’s residence may be shabby, but the bed was heaven. I smelt Big Al’s distinct scent on his pillow and hugged it.
Big Al
Big Al let himself into his apartment and noticed several things out of place. A smile crossed his lips as he realised Tati had been checking him out. Pride flared in his chest.
Big Al peeked into his bedroom, and his heart jumped into his throat as his dick stood to attention. Tati was curled up in the middle of his bed, with his quilt on her stomach but her legs free. Her blonde hair spilled across the pillow like rays of sunshine. One arm was thrown out to the side, but her other arm grasped one of his pillows close, and Tati had her head turned into it.
Fuck, the girl was temptation and innocence wrapped into one. Tatiana was beauty and peace, the forbidden yet addictive. Big Al wanted her despite his bullshit talk about their age difference. There was an inner light in Tati that drew Big Al like a moth to a flame. It would take every single bit of self-control to let Tati grow into the woman she should be and not sully her innocence. Twenty-five years between them. Fuck, he could be her father. Big Al needed to keep that shit in his head because Tati deserved the best. And that wasn’t a fuckin’ biker heading into battle for his club.
Maybe when the crap with Hellfire was ended, he could claim her. Big Al reckoned it would take a year or two to yank Hellfire back from Zeus. He nodded. Yeah, wait until Tati was twenty-one for that shit. Nobody could challenge Tati wasn’t a woman at that age. Big Al sent a longing stare at Tati before closing the door.
If only he’d known it would take years before they reclaimed his beloved club.
Six months later, winter 1997.
Tati
I stared at Rooster as he grinned and threw me a beer. Big Al reached out, caught the bottle in one hand, and shook his head. I glared back furiously. Today was my birthday; surely I could have a drink.
Chance smirked, and my glower darkened. Some of the surrounding brothers were underage, and they were drinking!
I turned a dagger-laden stare on Big Al, who returned my gaze impassively. My glare deepened further, and Big Al remained there, legs wide apart, meaty thighs on show and matched my expression. Celt chuckled, and I reached out and whacked him in the stomach. As he was sitting next to me, I couldn’t miss. Surrounding me to celebrate my birthday were Chance and Bear, another guy called Sunny, Tiny, Chatter, Rooster, and Diesel. Shotgun and Saint stood by the grill, arguing over how to cook the steaks, while Banshee laughed at them. Three other brothers, Animal, Whiskey and Chaser, were watching and making jokes as they downed a beer.