Page 15

CHAPTER

FOURTEEN

CONAN

I received a voicemail from Demi the other night, and after listening to it for the sixth time since receiving it, I barked out in a round of laughter loud enough that it drew the other guys’ attention.

So here we are, once again, huddled in one room as I have my phone on speaker, replaying it so they can hear it.

She’s giggling so damn much in the message that she’s wheezing as she retells what happened during their trip into town.

“Oh, man. I would’ve loved to have been there and seen that for myself. I’m going to stock up on those ribbed and flavored condoms then gift wrap them for Reg and Roscoe,” I state, my stomach tight and cramping from all of the laughing.

“We should put them inside some of those party poppers and release them through the main room of the clubhouse like confetti,” Midas suggests.

“That’d be funny as shit,” Marcum says as he pulls out his phone and begins to search for a website where he can order the party favors.

“One more day of this bullshit and we can get the fuck outta here,” Rev mentions, all of us ready to be done with this damn seminar.

Don’t get me wrong, we’ve somewhat had a good time and have shared a few laughs with the wall climb, zip lining, and other physical activity stuff they’ve had us do, but we all miss home.

And the fact that I had to listen to my voicemail from Demi several times per day since receiving it just so I could hear her voice whenever I wanted to, says a lot about how homesick I am.

“Today’s all of the wrap up bullshit,” Marcum explains. “One of us needs to talk to our four new friends and convince them to follow us out.”

“They’re stuck up Conan’s ass, I think he should volunteer to do that,” Rev remarks.

“They do seem to have this hero worship thing going on with him,” Midas adds.

“I’ve told y’all, I’m a loveable fucker. One day, everyone’s going to believe me,” I insist.

“Don’t go getting a God-like complex, brother,” Marcum warns. “We have a hard enough time keeping you grounded as it is.”

“I resent that,” I state, sliding a serious mask on my face then continuing, “my feet are firmly planted on the earth.”

Every single one of them either chuckle or roll their eyes. I can feel the love and support coming off them. The shitheads.

“Laugh it up, jackasses,” I snarl. “One day, you’ll regret making fun of me. Watch, it’ll happen.”

“When I’m cold and buried,” Marcum jokes. “But until that day comes, I’m going to remind you that you’re only human and nobody thinks your shit doesn’t stink.”

“It smells like motherfucking roses!” I holler as he heads into the bathroom.

When this mundane day is done and over with, I walk to our spot where Liam and Niles are and before I light up, I ask them, “We’re having a shindig at our compound.

Wanna come back for the night and toss back a few brews and meet the rest of our team?

We have women staying with us who love to entertain. ”

“Oh, yeah? We were going to get a couple of hours behind us on the road, but an extra night in town won’t put us too far behind schedule,” Niles states.

Liam hitches his head to the side, interest blazing in his eyes, and asks, “Compound?”

“Yeah, man. We’re bikers,” I confirm. “We live the party life and have nobody to answer to for our lifestyle.”

“You’re what?” Liam asks, his jaw dropping.

“Got something against us, Liam?” I inquire, not holding back the growl in my voice. “Do bikers offend you?”

“No,” he says, adamantly shaking his head in denial. “Just surprised that you would come here and sit through this.”

“We own and run a business, man. Even hardcore bikers have to tow the line, if you know what I mean.”

“Yep,” he answers, bobbing his head but his eyes are still somewhat leery. “Y’all have club chicks?”

“We do, those would be the women I mentioned earlier,” I convey, turning my head so he doesn’t see me rolling my eyes.

When I turn back and look at them, I can see the desire to come with us forming.

I just need to reel them in a little more.

“As I mentioned, they love to entertain, show off, and they really enjoy strange.” I make my point by wiggling my eyebrows.

Out of my peripheral vision, I see the rest of the guys coming up and use their appearance to my advantage. “Guys, I invited our friends back to party with us. They’re somewhat doubtful now that they know we’re motorcycle enthusiasts.”

“No we’re not,” Niles sputters. “Really, we’re not!”

“Are y’all too chicken to come hang out with us?” Marcum taunts. “I would’ve thought our newfound friendship would show you we aren’t bad guys. The only difference between you and us is that we prefer to be on two wheels instead of four and wear leather across our backs.”

“I’ve always been intrigued by shows I’ve watched. I’d love to see how the other half lives,” Liam interjects.

I’m not sure if I should be offended by what he just stated or not. I do, however, have to hide my balled up fists because I’d love nothing more than to feed him a knuckle sandwich right about now.

Judgmental pricks.

“Then come back with us and let us show you how men like us relax and unwind,” Rev offers.

In attempts to entice them further, I say, “Free booze, loose women, what more could you ask for to get past this bullshit we’ve been subjected to?”

“If you can convince David, I’m in,” Niles comments.

“Call him down here, we’ll help you convince him,” Marcum suggests.

“He’s a little tighter wound than we are,” Liam informs us.

“We sorta figured that out,” Midas adds. “But if he’s in an environment where he can let loose and forget about everything, then I think we’ll see another side of him.” The two friends share a look and the skin around their eyes crinkle.

I guess they think Midas is full of shit and find it funny.

It wasn’t as hard as I thought it’d be to convince David and Joey to tag along with us. Once free beer and women were brought up, he jumped onboard.

When we were loaded down, we began the drive and on the way, called Hemi so he could warn the girls to stay at the house. It wasn't long afterward that I received a text from my woman.

Demi: I’ll give them time to settle in and relax, but then I’m going to show my face. You’ve been warned.

I knew this was coming and warned Marcum to expect it. So when I read her message out loud, he exhales a puff of air before commenting, “Tell her not to come until we send her an alert that it’s all clear.”

Honestly, most men in mine and Marcum’s position would have their feathers ruffled at their woman insisting on putting herself in the viper's den, but I know Demi could whip their asses with one hand tied behind her back, plus, I think it would be funny to see their reaction to her joining the foray.

Me: I was prepared for you to want this so Marcum and I have executed a plan. When their guard is down, we’ll text you and you can come in. But please, wait until then, there’s a reason I’m asking you to do this.

Demi: I can do that. As long as I get to face my attackers and issue a little payback of my own, I’ll be a happy woman.

Me: How happy?

Demi: Happy enough to rock your world.

Me: Fuck, yeah! I’ll make sure you’re a very happy woman.

Demi: Then I’ll make sure you’re a very happy man.

“Pull the lead out, Marcum,” I order.

“What the hell for?” he asks, peering over at me.

“Because Demi has made certain promises that I plan on cashing in on as soon as motherfucking possible,” I answer, my dick already standing at attention from her promise. I pat him and internally tell him to settle, we have business to attend to before he gets to come out and play.

“Can’t drive too fast, Grandpa Munster behind us drives like a damn old lady,” Marcum grumbles. “He hasn’t gone a mile above the speed limit.”

“Fuck. If adding an address to his GPS system wasn’t trackable, I would’ve given him our address.”

“It’s still traceable, but the car will be disassembled and crushed so in the long run it won’t matter. Plus, Auto is prepared to wipe it clean before we take it to the yard,” Midas informs us.

“The car won’t be the only thing getting crushed tonight,” Rev says, punching his fist into the palm of his other hand.

“That’s what I’m talking about!” I holler, reaching around the console and into the backseat for a celebratory high five. Rev shakes his head but doesn’t leave me hanging for too long.

As we pull up to the gates of the clubhouse and type in the passcode, giddiness flows through me.

These types of parties are the ones I like to throw!

The music can be heard pounding from inside as we park. I glance over and see my bike, sitting there looking pristine and enticing.

Tomorrow, I vow, I’m taking Demi for a long drive.