| |
Dakota
Speed is warm as we fall asleep together. Toasty, almost. I easily drift off into a deep, deep sleep, and I don’t wake until well into the morning.
And Speed ... is gone.
There’s an ache between my legs and one that settles into my chest that I’m quick to stamp down. Thinking back onto the events of last night, I remind myself that sex is sex, and there’s no reason—none at all—that I should need to feel any sort of put out at Speed for having dipped out on me. Even as I look at the empty spot on my bed, dipped down with the covers rumpled where Speed lay, I know that I shouldn’t have expected him to occupy that space this morning.
It was sex. Damn good sex.
But that’s all it was.
Besides, Speed Stiles isn’t my problem. After what happened in March, I shouldn’t expect him to be the sticking around type.
Good cock doesn’t mean a man is a keeper.
... but damn, did he have a good cock.
Shaking my head, I push the thoughts from my mind and slide out of my bed. I need a shower; the memory of Speed is still sticky and wet between my legs, and I think that some nice hot water will do me good.
About a half hour later, I’m trekking out of my room. My stomach roils and rumbles for some food. That’s one of the things on my list that I know I need to tackle for today. The other thing on my list—another surprisingly pressing thing—is finding Lily.
In the shower I think about last night (keeping what Speed and I did out of my brain, mostly) and I realize that I need to apologize and make amends with her. I don’t know why she was so adamant about talking shit about Speed last night, but it’s not really my business. If she doesn’t like him, then she doesn’t like him. Part of me thinks that, like this whole incident with Speed, I can just force it out of my mind and forget it happened, but there’s a larger part of me that knows that I don’t want to do that. Lily’s not a bad person; there’s just a lot that’s going on right now.
In the main part of the clubhouse, there’s already a bunch of people around. They’re nursing hangovers and eating greasy, fattening breakfasts. The whole place downstairs smells like sausages and pancakes, and maybe a little bit of beer.
It’s something that’s become comforting in my years here at the clubhouse; I like the mingling scents and the sounds. As I rummage around, putting together a plate for myself from the buffet-style set out every breakfast has, a few people talk to me.
“Nice show last night, Dakota.”
“Encore tonight?”
I ignore the comments and get my food. That’s all I’m down here for, anyway, and I don’t feel like answering to any of the jeering. I suddenly feel very embarrassed that I allowed myself to get carried away—and thank my lucky stars that no one seems to be aware of what transpired after Speed took me off.
I finish my breakfast in peace (mostly). I’m finishing up when I see Lily coming out with Gear at her side. I don’t know when that became a thing, or if it’s a thing at all, but I selfishly hope that Gear starts paying more attention to Lily than me. He’s a good guy but—
I cut myself off at that thought. We’re not going there today.
Instead I finish the last bite of egg, get up, and cut off Lily and Gear from their path.
“Hey,” I say, non-threatening and calm.
Lily looks at me, her eyes narrowed before she scoffs at me.
“What do you want, Dakota?”
“I wanted to say sorry,” I tell her. “For last night. I shouldn’t have acted like that.”
I think that my apology takes her off guard; I don’t blame her reaction to it, if that’s the case. I wouldn’t be able to believe it, either. Not after what we did last night. I capitalize on her silence.
“It was dumb of me,” I continue. “I was drinking, and everything was so fresh. I wanted to defend Speed because he tried ... but I shouldn’t have hurt you in the process.” My eyes linger on a blooming black eye that she’s sporting, and a red scrape on her chin that’s not going anywhere anytime soon. Lily frowns, and looks up to Gear. He says nothing, only nods at her.
Lily rolls her eyes. “Whatever. It’s fine. It was over something dumb anyway. Can I go?”
I realize that whatever Lily and I had in regards to friendship isn’t there anymore. At least not in full. But I’ve apologized and said my piece; that’s the only thing that I can do at this point.
I nod. “Yeah. Sure. Sorry.”
Lily walks on ahead, leaving me and Gear behind as she goes and gets her breakfast. Gear looks down at me.
“That was brave of you,” he tells me.
I cock a brow. “Brave how?”
“Admitting that part of that was your fault. Lily’s not going to; she’s like that. You have to be the bigger person because she won’t be. It’s not her fault, really. She’s not the brightest person.”
“Right.”
I go to leave, but Gear holds my arm and stops me.
“About last night, though. You and Speed—”
“It’s nothing,” I interrupt. “Nothing at all that anyone—especially you—needs to worry about.”
“What do you mean, especially you?”
“You know what I mean.”
I pull my arm from him and leave him there.
With that out of the way, I’m able to concentrate on other things—namely duties around the club. The other girls and I keep the place spotless, well-loved, and stocked to the brim with everything the club needs. It’s a surprisingly fulfilling duty; there’s a purpose in the work and it’s appreciated. We joke a little, in between getting things done and the flirting from the bikers. By the time it’s noon I’ve worked up an appetite, and we order pizza for the girls and the boys that are in.
When the bell rings, I have the money ready to go. The person that’s at the door isn’t the pizza man, however.
I open it up to Officer Murphy. He’s surprised to see me, I can tell. His eyes go wide upon looking down at me, and my expression is much the same as I look up at him.
What the hell is he doing here?
He tips his head down to me in greeting and speaks first.
“Hello again. I didn’t expect you here.”
“What are you doing here?” Instantly, my guard is raised. I don’t know why he’s here, but it can’t possibly be for good reasons, can it? Of course not.
“I was wanting to speak with a few of you today. After getting some information, I was pointed in this direction. Namely, speaking with a Dakota and a Speed Stiles.”
I pale a little. Who the hell gave him my name? I try to play it cool, though, as a yell comes from the back.
“Hey, is that the pizza? Hurry up and bring it in, we’re starving.”
“Just a minute! It’s not the pizza.”
I turn back to Officer Murphy.
“I’m Dakota,” I say slowly. “But I don’t have any information on what happened that night. I’m sorry—”
“What about Speed Stiles?”
“I don’t know. He probably doesn’t, either.”
“Is he around?”
“Is he under arrest?”
“You’re a very on-your-toes kinda gal, you know that, Dakota?” He smiles a little. “Listen, I just want to talk. Five minutes?”
I swallow. I don’t like this position that I’m in—and I’m saved, somewhat—when Chains comes on in.
“What seems to be the problem?” he asks. He puts his arm around me protectively, as if to shield me a little more from the pressing inquiries from Officer Murphy. I’m more than appreciative; I hope Chains knows that.
Officer Murphy eyes the two of us. Realization seems to dawn, and he smiles a little at Chains.
“I’m working on the investigation regarding the shooting that happened at Jameson’s,” he explained. “I was led here by some witness testimony and I was pointed in the direction of a few of your members, including a Dakota and a Speed Stiles.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes. I just want to talk. No one is getting arrested here, but I would like to get a better, fuller picture of what’s gone on and perhaps get some leads to catch whoever did this—perhaps find out why. Especially considering there was a death that occurred.”
Chains and I are both silent; I’m not sure if he’s going to agree to having me talk to Officer Murphy, but he surprises me by disentangling himself from me.
“Well, if she’s not under arrest, and all you’re going to do is talk, I don’t see why you can’t just have a nice chat. Speed unfortunately isn’t here right now; he’s out riding. But I’m sure whatever questions you have, Dakota can answer them. Right, Dakota?”
I look up at him with wide eyes. He gives me a reassuring smile, and I know that I’ve got this.
I step outside with Officer Murphy, and we sit on the porch bench.
“There’s no need to be nervous,” he tells me.
“I’m not nervous.”
“Just making sure. I’m not the bad guy, and I’m not going to be the bad guy. So, I think we both know that you were at the bar that night.” He waits for me to answer, and eventually I do.
“Yeah. Yeah, I was.”
“Did someone tell you not to speak about it? Were you coerced into silence?”
“No. I didn’t want any trouble to come to anyone. We didn’t cause the shooting; it didn’t seem fair to drag people into things that they had nothing to do with.”
“I see.”
I frown. “You don’t believe me?”
“It’s not that I don’t believe you, it’s just not an explanation that I expected. What about that night? Give me a rundown about what happened.”
I do so, telling him casually about that night—Speed convincing me to go out with him; our little drinking game. I leave out the part about the bet and the kiss, however; I feel that that’s far too personal for this Officer Murphy to know about.
“He came back to check on me while I was in the bathroom,” I tell him. “While he was in the back with me, we heard gunshots. He told me to stay in the bathroom, and I did. He went to the front and started sending people to the bathroom as well, so they wouldn’t get hurt. When he thought that it was a good time, he took me, and we left.”
“Why just you?” Officer Murphy asked. “Why would he need or want to take just you? Especially not knowing if there were going to be more people coming? What was the motivation?”
I shrug. “I guess he wanted to try to avoid this whole thing; he didn’t want to force me to have to get involved in his stuff. I’m just a club girl, and I was seen there with him. If we hung around, everyone would assume that things happened because the Sinners were there, and naturally it’d bring a whole bunch of shit down. Most people at Jameson’s know us, and most of them are friendly with us because it’s neutral ground. But we wouldn’t have been able to deny we were there if we were there in the first place.”
“You realize that’s lying to police, right? It could be seen as obstruction of justice.”
“Are you going to arrest me for it then? Arrest Speed?”
Officer Murphy stares at me for a moment and shakes his head. “I have no intention of arresting anyone here. I don’t believe that any of you had anything to do with this—at least not intentionally.”
What does that mean? I don’t get a chance to answer before he goes on.
“However, that doesn’t change the fact that there’s a lot going on ... and there’s a lot of work still to do. If you’re willing—I would like your help in this—”
I stand up then, shaking my head.
“I’ve answered your questions,” I tell him. “I helped enough.”
“Dakota—”
“I’m done.”
I turn to head back inside, and still before I can do so, Officer Murphy stops me.
“Dakota. I’m just trying to help here,” he tells me. “I’m not trying to be a bad guy; I’m trying to make sure that things are gonna be safe around here for everyone. You have to understand, I’m not trying to bully, or frighten. I’m trying to help—”
“I don’t need your help, and no one here needs your help, either,” I say. I’m a little harsher than necessary, but it’s not my problem that this guy has decided that he is going to try and worm his way into club business. “I’ve told you everything that you need to know. Now leave me alone!”
This time, before Officer Murphy can say anything more, I go inside, snapping the door closed behind me.
***
“SO HE’S NOT INTERESTED in implicating the club in all this.”
“According to him.”
“He’d be more of an asshole if he was going to do that ...”
I’m sitting in Chains’ office, after my conversation with Officer Murphy. He’s apparently still poking around, asking questions of the other members. Chains wanted to know what he asked me, what I answered, and how we might need to proceed from here.
Chains seems to have faith that the heat isn’t going to blow back on us. The heat not blowing back on us is all fine and dandy, but that doesn’t mean that something else isn’t going to blow back on us. Chains seems to sense my apprehension about all of this.
“Hey,” he says. “It’ll be all right. Remember what I told you when I picked you up and brought you here?”
“If it’s up to me, no more harm or hurt is going to come to you,” I recite. “I know.”
Chains smiles. “There we go. Take the good officer’s questions as his attempt at being a halfway decent man. None of the boys are going to give away anything big; it’s not like we instigated this. Things will be okay.”
I take his assurances in stride, and with a last smile, I get up and leave—almost.
I run into Speed on my way out.
The topic I’ve been avoiding all day stands before me, all tall and looking down at me like he’s got something to say. I’m not sure if I want to listen to whatever it is that he has to say, however.