Page 5 of Unruly Defender

– HENLEY –

I know I was the one stating nothing will happen between us, but when she mentioned the no sexual favors just now, I was surprised to feel regret flowing through my veins.

I’m sure it has everything to do with seeing her clad in lace and knowing how good her curvy ass and thighs look.

Not to mention I’ve gone without sex for a few years.

I need to get laid and fix the unwanted thoughts clouding my head.

It’s exactly like she said; worry blocks me from seeing solutions.

I keep staring at this woman. I know nothing about her and yet my mother told me a lot and not to mention I know her father all too well.

I’ve had to deal with him in the past every now and then, and so did my father.

He’s a sleazy asshole who thinks he gained a throne by marrying into money.

But she seems different, or so I gather.

And I do have respect for her if what she told my mother about her past is true, leaving everything behind without a single backward glance.

I release another deep breath and try to let my worries flow out along with it.

“Being betrayed by those who are supposed to have your back changes everything. There’s doubt at every turn and it makes you see people differently.

” Gracy nods but doesn’t say anything, so I continue, “It also doesn’t give me any reason to trust you, even if my Ma vouches for you. Your father, he’s—”

“He’s an asshole and I’m nothing like him,” she says fiercely.

“Look, you should be hesitant at trusting people because people are assholes who walk this Earth as if they own it. And in some form, they do, because it’s their life.

Most don’t have the whole ‘treat others the way you like to be treated’ life motto or have their own twisted sense of ‘give and receive,’ but that doesn’t mean you have to go through life doubting everyone. ”

I let her words tumble in my head and a plan starts to take shape. “I could use your help to see if a buddy of mine is loyal to me or if he’s teaming up with the one I suspect wants me gone.”

“How can I help?” she offers instantly, but rushes a stream of words out right after. “I don’t do the whole ‘dig up bones or bury a dead body,’ okay? I don’t know you well enough to be that kind of friend. You know, the kind that comes running with a shovel in hand at any time of day.”

My head tips back and laughter rips out. “You’re really something, Gracelynn,” I murmur.

She stares at me intently and says, “Why do you keep calling me Gracelynn? Everyone calls me Gracy.”

“I like your name.” I shrug. “Why use only half when the whole package is perfect the way it is.”

Even with only a hint of moonlight I can clearly see my words made her blush, and I like it. I like it a lot. Maybe more than I should.

“Cut it out,” she says shyly. “And tell me what you specifically need my help with to see if your buddy is loyal to you.”

I grab my burner from my jeans and hold it in my hands. “A call. I’m thinking of luring him to the bar and seeing if he comes alone or if he brings anyone else. Or—”

“Or sends someone to kill you,” she easily supplies when my words lack.

“Yeah,” I groan, already hating myself for pulling her into my mess, even if all I’m asking is a phone call.

She rips the burner from my hands. “Okay, how are we going to do this? What should I say? Or how could I lure him to the bar? Will a sexy voice and the promise to get some action do it?”

Again, she manages to rip laughter from my body and I shake my head. “Nah, he’s the vice president of Unruly Defenders MC. Free pussy is available at all times.” Her nose wrinkles and it makes me ask, “Why the disgust ruining your gorgeous face? Is it the biker part or the free pussy part?”

“Biker part. Sex is sex and what people do in their own time is their business not mine. But the bar at the end of the street is where bikers meet a lot of the time, it’s right next to the compound they hole up in.

One of those bikers tried to kick Finn when he was only trying to make a new friend. ”

I’m trying to keep a straight face when I ask, “By trying to hump the biker’s leg?”

“Well, yeah.” She shrugs and it makes me chuckle.

“I guess this isn’t a good time to mention I’m the president of Unruly Defenders MC, right?”

She gasps and groans right after, muttering, “Me and my big mouth.”

I decide to bring the discussion we were having back to where I need it to be, and tell her, “You could tell Yates you know all about the club’s betrayal and have information about his president.”

Her eyebrows scrunch up. “Yates? Is he the same one who brings by the books of your mother’s construction company? And seriously, you’re not wrapping it up or sugarcoating it a bit? Are you sure you want to approach it that way?”

“Yeah. Yates has been keeping things running since I went inside. And I need to see with my own eyes if he comes alone or not.”

“Maybe he’s suspicious too, ever think of that? Then he would bring a buddy too. Or maybe he’s already in the bar with some friends because those bikers are there a lot. It doesn’t make sense to question his loyalty that way,” she says and I hate to admit it, but she’s right.

“Any chance you have a better plan?”

“Not really,” she grumbles. “But I’ve always been one who has to see it to believe it. You know, the whole ‘see it with my own eyes’ thing instead of hearing what others tell you. Then you can act on your own experience and follow what your gut tells you to do.”

“So, what? Head over and observe, talk to him and see what happens? No one besides my mother and you know I’m out. Well, and my cellmate, but he isn’t connected to my previous life.”

She keeps staring at my face and asks, “Have you always had this short hair and scruffy jaw?”

The corner of my mouth twitches again. “No. In fact, my hair was down to my shoulders and I had a full beard. I shaved it all off once I was inside.”

“So, they wouldn’t exactly recognize you at first sight if you would be wearing...let’s say a weird touristy shirt, shorts, and flip flops?”

“Fuck, no,” I tell her. “I’d never wear something like that.”

“My point.” Gracy smirks and adds, “Wanna get something to drink in a biker bar and see if your buddy is there? Then I could make that call and you can see how he reacts. If he warns his buddies it’s clear he’s in on things, right?

Facial expressions should give you enough to know if he’s talking bullshit or if he’s honest.”

“I like the way you’re thinking,” I compliment, and suddenly feel good about the way this evening is going. Time to set things in motion, with a little help from my newfound friend.

We agree to leave in about two hours because that’s the time when most bikers would usually head over for a beer.

Or at least that’s what both of us agreed upon.

She dashed off to gather some clothes for me and I kid you not, she came back with a Hawaiian button up shirt with flowers and palm trees, khaki shorts, and flip flops.

Stuff previous guests have left behind and have been dry cleaned in case people return or call our lost and found to get their stuff back. Well, in this case I’m thankful for lost and found supplying me with the disguise I need to observe.

Gracy strolls out and she’s wearing a red summer dress. Her hair is down in soft waves and almost reaches her damn fine ass. She’s not wearing high heels but instead there are sandals with laces wrapped around her calves.

I lean in and tell her, “You look stunning. No one is going to pay attention to me at all with you right next to me. But tell me, garters or no garters this time? And are they as flaming red as the dress?”

She shoves my chest and shakes her head. “I’m wearing sandals, Henley, so no, no garters.”

“That doesn’t make sense. But, damn. So, just a red lace thong then?” I question boldly, making her eyes bulge.

The corner of my mouth twitches and it seems she draws it out of me a lot.

And I let her know, “We agreed to be friends, and with me knowing you’re wearing that sexy shit to make yourself feel better...again, me being your friend and all...I can see if you’re right and compliment the shit out of you to make you feel even better.”

She rolls her eyes. “You made a passionate plea for yourself...but, that’s a no, friend . I have a mirror and can give myself compliments, thank you very much.”

“Yeah, but that’s different,” I quip, letting my arm sneak around her waist as we stroll down the street.

She doesn’t say anything about my arm and why should she? We agreed to pretend we’re a couple to stake out the bar.

“Well, if I’m ever in need of a man’s opinion, I know who to call,” she mutters and adds, “Not that I have your number, but you know what I mean.”

“Give me your phone.” I hold out my hand and she digs her phone out of her purse and I smile when I see the picture.

“See? You get it.” A soft giggle slips over her lips before she adds, “You should see how some people react when they see a dachshund humping a pig. Stuffed or not, people judge at seeing even a glimpse without knowing all the details.”

“So very true,” I murmur while punching in my number and sending a text to make sure I have her number too.

I hand her back her phone and get ready to be aware of every single detail around me. This bar might be owned by me but I’ve hardly had any work from it. It’s purely an investment for me and the main reason I hired a manager years ago when I bought it, and he runs it flawlessly.

I place my hand on Gracy’s lower back and guide her inside. It’s crowded and I instantly recognize the three bikers sitting at a table in a corner. Yates is one of them and he’s sitting next to Maxton and the one I despise is sitting across from him.

Rush. That fucker is wearing the president patch as if he’s entitled to. He’s not. It doesn’t belong on his chest and I want nothing more than to stalk over and rip it off and let him choke on it.