Page 11 of Savage (Lotus MC: San Antonio #1)

W aking up the next morning, I find Savage still in my home. I both love and hate it. In all honesty, it’s messing with my head. I hate the thought of being alone, but at the same time, I want my alone time. I’m so used to being on my own that having someone else constantly hovering is starting to drive me insane. Especially with the way things have been between us.

He says one thing, but then his actions say another. The hot and cold with him is driving me insane. It’s like one minute he is the Hayes I once knew and loved, then the next he is a stranger. The tough and ruthless leader of the Lotus MC.

I don’t know how to merge them together.

“Morning, Bails,” he calls out to me from the kitchen.

“Morning,” I mumble.

“You used to love mornings. Not so bright and chipper anymore?” he asks.

“You used to hate them. Guess a lot of things have changed, huh?” I take a seat at one of the stools at my island.

He frowns, coming to take the seat at my side.

“What’s wrong? Are you worried about the break-in?” he asks.

“Of course I’m worried about it. You can’t live on my couch forever. First that strange man in front of my house, then someone breaks in? Yeah, it’s a tad bit concerning.”

“But not concerning enough to leave and come stay with me at the clubhouse?”

“You know I won’t be chased from my own home Hayes.”

His face hardens. “I will sleep on your couch forever if I have to then. As for the man stalking you, I will find him, then tie his fucking intestines in a fucking bow as if he is a fucking gift-wrapped present for you. Don’t worry about that.”

I throw my hands up. “Easy for you to say. He isn’t stalking you. Did Tiny ever get a video of the guy anyway?”

The grim set of his lips gives me an answer. The man is a fucking ghost.

“I don’t get it. Why me? I’ve never met that man before in my life. Now he is suddenly obsessed with me? Then there’s Laura. She keeps calling for an update on her brother, and I don’t have a single lead. I feel like a fucking failure.”

His hand comes to my back, rubbing. “Let it all out. You have obviously pent all of this up. Let it go.”

It’s as if he has released the pressure valve.

“I’m supposed to be her best friend, and I can’t even bear to talk to her right now. The more time that passes, the more upset she becomes. I didn’t know Phillip well because of what you did to him, but Laura loves him. I’m supposed to be her best friend,” I repeat, the tears finally coming.

“You are,” he grumbles.

“No, I’m not. If I were, I would be at her house every single day comforting her. I wouldn’t have a stalker because I’d be her stalker. Instead, I am stressing about my own shit and arguing with you. It’s like you came back into my life and we are kids again. Nothing and no one in the world matters, but you. It isn’t fair to her or to Phillip.”

He doesn’t say a word. For several minutes, the only sound in the kitchen is my heavy breathing mixed in with an occasional hiccup from crying. Once the tears have dried, I wipe my face and stand.

“None of it matters anyway. Stalkers have a habit of getting their target. I probably won’t ever find out what happened to Phillip.” I move toward the fridge, pulling out eggs and bacon.

As I start to cook, Hayes comes over, wrapping me in his arms from behind.

“It’s always been us against the world. I don’t see why it would be any different now. We will find Phillip, dead or alive, and bring peace to Laura. She will still be your best friend because she knows that when you aren’t with her, you are doing your best to find Phillip. I know I haven’t made much progress, but my men are on it. I haven’t forgotten, even though I couldn’t care less about that pissant. I care about you, though. Laura too. She doesn’t deserve to be left in limbo like this. We will get answers. You need to remember that you are only human. You can only do so much.”

When he kisses the back of my head, I feel the tears threaten again. I have no clue how, even after so many years, he knows how to calm me down. He knows what to say to make me feel better again.

He goes to take a seat back at the island while I continue to cook in silence. When I plate up our food, I find that he is watching me.

“I’m not fragile. I won’t break. It was just a few tears.”

“I would never in a million years think you are fragile. You are the strongest woman I know. You might be a princess sometimes, but when it comes down to it, there is no doubt in my mind that you will persevere.”

The vehemence in his tone has me shocked. I didn’t realize he viewed me that way. I know I was a brat when we were kids, always making him do what I wanted, but to know he thinks so highly of me is intoxicating. I want to know more.

Before I get a chance to ask, he speaks again.

“I’m sorry about last night. I lost control. I don’t want you to run from me anymore. When you came back into my life, I thought I needed to push you away for your own good, but I can’t do it anymore. Bails, I’ve needed you in my life. I need you now. I always felt restless. Incomplete. Now I know it’s because you weren’t with me.” Reaching over, he grabs my hand. “I understand if you want to keep this platonic, but I’m no fool. I’m saying what I should have said back then. I love you, Bails. I always have and always will.”

I pull my hand from his. My heart is beating erratically in my chest at his words. It’s like I’m still sleeping. It’s a dream I have had so many times but never thought would come true.

Yet, right now, it doesn’t feel right. I am such a mess that I can’t even begin to wade through the bullshit surrounding this.

“Thank you for telling me. I want to jump into your arms and forget everything else, but right now, I can’t. I have responsibilities. I need answers. I hope you understand.”

He nods once. “Of course. Take all the time you need. After all, I have already waited years for you. I would wait decades more.”

Standing, he kisses the side of my head.

“I have to handle some shit. Fang or Loyal will be on you at all times. Fang’s outside now. Don’t try to lose him. He’s there for your safety.”

I look up at him. “Okay.”

He cups my cheek before booping my nose. “You’re so fucking adorable I can’t stand it.”

Then he’s gone, and I’m left with the aftermath of the bomb that exploded in my head and in my heart.

As we pull up to the strip club, I realize that we will have some work to do if we take it over. The outside looks dingy. While we aren’t looking to hook some bigwigs, we also don’t want to be looked at for drug use either. That won’t keep us out of the police spotlight.

“I know it doesn’t look like much, but trust me,” Loyal says, heading toward the door.

I follow him, Tiny by my side.

“If anyone tries to touch me, cut their hand off,” I mumble to Tiny, making him chuckle.

I’m serious though. I don’t need any diseases.

Surprisingly, the inside is not as bad as the outside. It seems cleaner at least. Still, I don’t want to take any chances.

“Savage, this is Hank. He owns the Pony Show.” Loyal introduces us.

Hank sticks out his hand, but Tiny takes it instead.

“Savage doesn’t like germs. It’s great to meet you,” Tiny tells him.

I shoot him a thankful look. Seems he might have gotten the hint that I wasn’t joking.

“Well, Loyal says you are interested in buying the place?” Hank says.

“That we are. I’d like to see the books,” I tell the man as I look around.

He nods. “Would you like any entertainment while we do business?” Hank asks.

I cringe at the thought as I look at the women dancing around. Not only are they not the woman I want, but they all seem strung out. That’s the first thing changing when we take over. Mandatory drug tests. This is supposed to be a legitimate business, which means no drugs or illegal activity.

“Maybe after,” I tell the man to appease him.

He only shrugs, leading us to a booth. I don’t want to sit in it, but I do. I’m going to have to burn these jeans. I wish I didn’t have to wear my cut. I don’t want it to touch anything in this place.

I wonder how long it would take for another one to be made…

“Here we are. Do you want a drink?” The man looks a little nervous as he hands the book over.

“I’m good.” I don’t look at him, flipping the pages in the book.

Why are the pages sticking together? Please let him have spilled a drink on them and it not be for other reasons.

Cringing, I pull them apart, and then I see why he is nervous. The place is in the red. He’s losing money hand over fist. I’m talking he’s losing almost triple of what he’s bringing in. I didn’t even know that was possible. If anyone else was looking to turn a quick profit, this place would be a huge red flag. Thankfully, we aren’t looking for that. We want stable businesses that can help keep a clean image while we launder our money through our less legit businesses.

“These books don’t look so hot,” I start.

“We fell on some tough times, but it’s going back up.” He smiles, his teeth missing.

It’s obvious he’s been hitting the meth too. Which means he either owes money to a dealer or is needing a fix.

“It’s not worth five hundred thousand like you claim, but it isn’t worth nothing. We have one hundred fifty thousand. Take it or leave it.”

The man frowns. “No, it’s worth more. It has to be.”

That’s what I needed. He owes money.

“How much do you need?” I ask.

“What do you mean?” he stammers.

“Don’t play with me, Hank. How much do you need?” I snap.

He cowers at my tone. “I owe two twenty-five.”

“We will give you two fifty, but you turn it over as soon as the money is in hand. Sign whatever they say you need to and you disappear. Deal?”

His eyes light up like I knew they would.

“Deal.”

“Great. Loyal, deal with this. I have a call to make. I’ll be outside.”

Tiny follows me out the door, leaning against his bike. “What call are you making?” he teases.

“Keep joking, I’ll put you in charge of the place,” I warn him.

He shrugs. “I mean, I would do it if you wanted me to, but I’d rather help out with one of the other businesses we take over.”

“You serious?” I ask.

He nods. “Yeah. I am.”

“Are you leaning toward something specific, or do you want to wait and see what else we acquire?”

“I’d rather wait if that’s okay.”

“All good. I’ll put Fang on this place or even Loyal since it was his idea. As long as I don’t have to come down here every day. I can’t stand the idea.”

“What you got against strippers?” he asks.

“Not a damn thing. I just never understood men’s obsession with strippers. I don’t want all the goods shown to me. Getting a hard-on in a room full of men? Yeah, not my thing either, so lap dances are off the table. I don’t know. Not my scene.”

“Maybe because you’ve always had a certain bombshell on your mind?” he muses.

“Shut the fuck up,” I clap back as Loyal walks out.

“Lawyer will have papers in a few hours. This place will be ours by the close of business tomorrow.”

“Good. Let’s vote on it. I don’t see the men saying no, though.”

“Uh, before we do that, I have one more place I want you to check out,” Loyal says.

“Oh yeah? Where’s that?” Tiny speaks up.

“A tire place off of Hildebrand by the zoo. We wouldn’t be buying it outright. More like silent partners, but I think it’s a good investment.”

I look at Tiny, who shrugs.

“Lead the way, VP.”

We all climb on our bikes, taking off down the street. The ride isn’t a long one. Only ten minutes or so. When we arrive at the place, I wonder what Loyal sees in it.

“You know, we own a mechanic shop. Wouldn’t this be competition?” I point out.

“They only do tires. Well, that and windshield wipers. Nothing else. No oil changes or major repairs. It’s perfect. They do the tires, and if they have any issues or someone tries to bring in a car for something bigger, they refer them to our garage. Gets our business back up and running, and we would split the profits with the dude running the place.”

I have to admit. It sounds pretty good.

“He knows we are MC?” I ask.

“Yes. He wants the protection we would provide.” Loyal gives me a knowing look.

Now it all makes sense.

“Let’s talk to him,” I tell him.

I follow Loyal into the place. It’s clean and seems busy. Way better than the strip club. It’s looking good so far.

“Welcome to Tires To Go. My name is Rick. How can I help you today?”

The man is clean-cut with a smile. He doesn’t look like any mechanics I’m used to.

“We are here to see Antonio. Tell him it’s Loyal.”

Rick turns and knocks on the office door, then he sticks his head in. A tall, well-groomed, fit-looking man comes out looking like he means business.

“Antonio, this is my boss, Savage, and this is Tiny.”

“Gentlemen, thank you for stopping by. We can meet in my office.” He shakes all of our hands before gesturing us into his office.

Stepping inside, the space is on the smaller side, but he has enough room for all of us.

“How can we help you, Antonio?” I ask, taking the seat closest to him while Tiny leans against the door and Loyal takes the seat next to me.

“I’ve been having some issues with the Noche Oscura. They want this land, but my father built this company with his own two hands. We have made it into the profitable business it is today. I refuse to give it up because they want the land to do whatever it is they want on it. My father and I always talked about expanding. I figured if you invested, your name being tied to us would protect us from the Noche Oscura, and it would give me the capital to open a second location. I would like to negotiate splitting the profits with you, but I’m highly motivated,” he tells us.

“Why us? We are an MC club too. We have dealings with the Noche Oscura even,” I point out.

He nods. “I’m well aware. Loyal mentioned you might not be willing because of it. You guys have never bothered me. I don’t care what you do. It’s none of my business. I figured if you were willing to be a silent partner, it would be my best bet. Get the protection of your name, and in exchange you benefit from my business.”

I look over at Loyal. He shrugs before turning toward Antonio.

“Let’s see the books.”

He hands over paper copies of the last year of business. I have to admit. They are doing damn good.

“We have to vote on it, but if we do it, we want twenty percent of the profits, and you promise to call us if you have any issues.”

The man looks surprised. “Yeah, I think that would be a fair deal. Sure.”

“Great. We will be in touch soon. In the meantime, if you have issues, call us.”

“Will do.”

As we head out, I feel more puzzle pieces sliding into place.

Everything is going to work out.