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She wasn’t wrong. The brat was laughing because I’d overreacted and didn’t trust Storm during the Carla debacle. Tara loved that I got into a catfight with the godawful woman. I should’ve let Storm handle her long ago. Stupidly, I tried to give Carla a chance to change. Plus, several of Storm’s brothers liked her “services.” The thought turned my stomach, but I didn’t want to ruffle any feathers so early into becoming the prez’s ol’ lady. Damn, I was glad she was gone, though.
“Well, he’s out with Track doing some club stuff. I have to be home like a good little girl for supper.” I rolled my eyes, taking a bite of an onion ring.
Emilee nodded, dipping her fry in her chocolate shake. “Yeah, my dad reminded me about keeping my eyes open and to call him if I saw a Hunter.”
“Same. Storm even mentioned Boxer giving me some self-defense lessons.” I wanted to learn how to defend myself. Especially now I had a target on my back.
“Boxer is best. He taught me some moves. I doubt I could ever use them, though. I clam up, too afraid to hurt anyone.” Emilee grimaced. “I guess I’m a scaredy-cat.”
“Believe me, I get it,” I assured her. “Never thought I could beat the crap out of anyone… then Carla happened.”
Tara huffed beside me. “Well damn, you too. I’d hoped we could go to the Armory tonight. Ray’s band is playing.”
“The Armory? Girl, you’ve lost your mind. Storm would never allow me to go there without him and a dozen of his brothers.” I snorted. Had she already forgotten the last time we were there, and Hunters waltzed in like they owned the place? “If my man wants me home early. I come home early.”
Tara let out an exasperated sigh. “You two make me sick.”
“I think they’re adorable.” Emilee laughed. “I’ve known Storm since I was six. I’ve never seen him so happy and relaxed. Madeline is good for him.”
“Oh, I don’t doubt she’s good for him. It’s the whole, president of a biker club and old lady shit that bugs me.” She looked out the window at Hero—for like the millionth time in the past hour. “What’s his story anyway?”
I followed her gaze. Of all people babysitting Emilee and me, Hero was the guy Storm gave the job to. I was sure it was beneath him, though he didn’t complain. Hero’s priority as SAA of the club was to protect the prez. Yet, Storm made him come with me.
“I don’t know his story. Do you?” I directed my question to Emilee. Hero didn’t talk much. I never even saw him with a kitten.
“I don’t really know his story either. He joined a couple of years after Storm returned from the marines. He’s from Los Angeles. I think he was married.”
“Wasmarried?” Tara stared at Emilee. “What happened? She left him or something? Did he cheat on her with a club whore?” She snorted, sipping her drink.
“He wasn’t in an MC before. I think she died.” Emilee made a sad face. “But I don’t know the details. Tina and Sugar probably do, but I never asked.”
“Wow,” Tara and I said together.
Emilee stirred another fry in her shake. “Yeah, he mostly keeps to himself when he’s not guarding Storm or at the gun shop.”
“When did she die?” Tara’s demeanor softened. Her sable-brown eyes flitted to Hero. He openly flirted with her, but she kept shutting him down. I wasn’t sure why. Tara could be a mystery, even to me. We might be best friends, but I didn’t know everything about her. I sensed something awful had happened when she was young. I didn’t push her to tell me what, figuring she would when ready. After all this time, she still hadn’t told me.
Emilee collected our garbage. “One time, I’d overheard Tina saying Hero ran away from LA after his wife died with no plans of returning.”
“Damn, that’s rough.” Tara didn’t take her eyes off Hero.
This conversation depressed me. My heart went out to Hero. If he ran away, something horrible must’ve happened. I imagined it’d take a lot for a big, ferocious man like him to leave all he knew.
“Hey, maybe we could get our nails done.” I steered the topic away from Hero. Something in my gut told me he wouldn’t appreciate us talking about him and his wife.
“I’m free.” Tara shrugged. “Got nowhere to be and no one to go home to.”
Damn, I felt like the worst bestie ever.
“Me too. Nowhere to be.” Emilee’s warm honey-colored eyes locked on mine. “But will Storm let us?”
Excellent question.
The roar of motorcycles made my heart lurch. Emilee appeared to have the same reaction, turning to look out the window. Hero and AJ jumped off their bikes.
“What’s going on?” Tara asked.
“Motorcycles,” Emilee replied.
