Page 17 of Kiwi

I stand. "Yeah. Let me grab my bag." Turning, I make my way inside, drop my cup in the kitchen sink, and then grab my purse sitting on the table. I take a few deep breaths to calm my nerves before heading back outside. When I step back out on the porch, I can tell Tai and Promise were speaking, but both fall silent as soon as they see me. I decide not to ask any questions. Ignoring the weird tension, I stroll down the steps and wait for Tai to follow. When he does, I wordlessly hand him my bag to stow away. I chance a look at Promise, who now has a warm smile on her face. "You guys, be careful." I return her smile, and Tai nods.

After tucking my purse away, Tai grabs the spare helmet and proceeds to place it on my head. He's standing so close I can't help closing my eyes and breathing in his scent. He smells of laundry detergent, whatever cologne he wears, and motor oil.

"You good, babe?" he rasps in a low tone only I can hear once the helmet is secure. I open my eyes to find his green ones staring back at me.

My words get caught in my throat, so all I can do is nod.

Turning, Tai straddles his bike then holds his hand out for me to climb on behind him. Once I am on, I do my best to keep some space between us, only if it's an inch. Being on the back of his bike is torture. A friendly hug here and there is one thing, but being pressed against his body while on the back of his bike, is another. I don't miss the side glance he gives me or the way his jaw flexes with irritation just before he starts the bike. Thank god for the roar of the engine, or he'd hear how hard my heart is currently beating. How in the hell am I supposed to survive this long ride to North Louisiana?

We've been ridingfor what seems like hours, but in reality, it's only been forty minutes. Tai white-knuckles the handlebars to his bike, and I can feel how tightly wound his body is. I don't know what the hell his deal is but between my acting weird and his moody behavior, we are in for a long trip. Or so I thought until Tai flips his blinker and pulls into a gas station, parking beside a gas pump. As soon as he cut the engine, I climbed off and mumble, "I have to pee." I go to retrieve my purse from the saddlebag when suddenly Tai's hands are around my waist, and I'm spinning around to face him. I gasp when his knee pushes between my legs as he forces my back against his bike. I have no choice but to brace my hands on his chest as he cages me in. "What are you doing?" my question comes out breathless.

"I want you to stop what you're doin'."

I swallow. "I don't know what you're talking about."

"Don't play dumb. It's not a good look on you, Piper."

My lip curls up at his comment, and I push him away. "Look, I don't know what the hell your problem is. If you didn't want to make this trip, then you shouldn't have told my dad. The last thing I need today is you being an asshole." I walk away without waiting for his reply.

When I walk back out of the gas station, Tai is sitting on his bike, smoking a cigarette. I don't say anything as I swipe the helmet from the seat. Tai takes the helmet from me, grabs my hand, and brings me to stand beside him. "I'm sorry for being a dick. You have enough going on today, and me actin' like an arse doesn't help. Today we will focus on you and your mum. Later you and I are going to talk about this thing between us."

My breath catches in my throat. "Us? We don't have anything to talk about, Tai. I just want to get through today. After that, I'll make sure you're not tasked with being my keeper anymore." Tai chuckles, and the throaty rumble of his laugh sends a tingle straight to my core.

"There you go again, lying to yourself. That's okay, babe. You're going to see just how much of an 'us' there is."

The rest of the ride is done in a haze. I keep replaying what Tai said inside my head. I'm so confused. I've gotten signals crossed in the past when it comes to him and me. No way do I want to make that mistake again. It will only lead to heartache.

I'm so far lost inside my head that before I know it, we are pulling up to a large ten-foot iron gate. Tai brings his bike to a stop, and a young guy wearing a Prospect cut approaches us. The man is tall, slim, and has shaggy red hair. He gives Tai a once over then cuts his eyes to me. Suddenly my nerves pick up. I press myself further against Tai's back and clutch the front of his chest. Tai doesn't take his attention off the prospect, but he does give my thigh a reassuring squeeze.

Once the man sizes us up, he presses a code into the gate's keypad, and it opens. Tai rolls on through, and we park in front of the Hell's Punishers clubhouse. I look over my shoulder and see the prospect jogging up behind us.

With my nerves hitting me at full force, I climb off the bike onto shaky legs. Creep, the man who attacked me at the rally, was a member who belonged to this club. And even though Creep is long gone, just coming here makes me uneasy. No way my dad would have let me come here if he felt I wouldn't be safe. Luckily, Tai senses my mood and is at my side within seconds, wrapping his arm around my waist, pulling me close for support.

With our arrival, we draw several club members' attention as they pour out of the clubhouse. The first to greet us is the President and Madison's old man, Crow. As Crow starts striding in our direction, the prospect who was at the gate steps up to Tai. "I'm going to need your piece."

Tai pushes me behind him and stands to his full height, which is at least four inches taller than the redhead. "And I'm going to need you to fuck off."

"Prospect," Crow grinds out as he grabs the guy by the back of the neck, making him wince. "I suggest you get back to your post before I let my new friend put a bullet in your ass for disrespecting him and scarin' my old lady's daughter." The prospect pales as Crow shoves him. The guy stumbles, barely catching himself. He doesn't spare Tai or me another glance as he tucks tail and scampers back toward the gate.

"Sorry about that. I'll deal with him later." Crow offers his hand to Tai.

"No worries, mate." Tai takes the President of the Hell's Punishers' hand.

Crow looks over Tai's shoulder at me. "Good to see ya again, Piper. Madison has been lookin' forward to your visit."

I give Crow a little wave but don't say anything.

"Why don't we go inside."

With a nod, Tai takes my hand in his, and we follow Crow into the clubhouse. Upon entering, I take in my surroundings. Their clubhouse is a bit different than The Kings'. There is a bar on the far-left side of the room, and to the right, there are two pool tables where a couple of club members are playing. There is also an area with a large flat screen tv surrounded by a leather sofa and two leather chairs. Occupying those chairs are a couple more guys with barely dressed women sitting on their laps. The one thing that stands out the most in a cool vintage-looking jukebox. When I bring my attention back to Crow, I see him no longer looking at me, but a woman standing just inside the opening of a hallway. My mother.

She looks a little unsure, but with Crow giving her a look of encouragement, she slowly makes her way toward us. Crow places his arm around Madison, and I notice the gentle way he handles her. It's so different from the way he interacts with his men. It reminds me of how my dad is with Promise and how Uncle Abel is toward Luna. There is no doubt of the love he has for her. I don't know how long the two of us stand here, staring at each other, but finally, Madison works up the nerve to speak. "I'm so happy you came, Piper. You'll never know how much this means to me."

I give her a small smile. "Thank you for agreeing to see me."

"Baby," Crow leans down and kisses Madison's temple. "Why don't you and Piper talk in my office. I'm sure you two would like some privacy."

Madison beams up at Crow then looks at me. "Would that be okay with you, Piper?"