Penance Read online

  “Shut up, man, I’m still me.”

  Heath snorts. “Getting all dressed up for a guy? He must be some special kind of ass.”

  Letting out a laugh, I walk to the front door and yank it open as Sensei pulls into the drive. “Don’t be a dick, Heath. I mean the color suits you and all, but most of the time dicks are shriveled and are pretty close to an asshole.”

  Bowie bursts out laughing shoving Heath in his side as I blow them both a kiss.

  Heath nods. “Just be safe, okay?”

  “Yes, I will. Don’t wait up,” I call out as I pull the door closed behind me and walk toward Sensei.

  He pulls off his helmet, his eyes roaming my body as he grins salaciously. I step up to him while he stays seated on his bike. I’m not sure if that’s because he doesn’t want to waste time, or because he’s scared that if he gets off his bike, he’ll take me inside, and we won’t make it to the club. That’s the type of look he’s sending me right now anyway.

  “Sass… you look—”

  “Stunning, gorgeous, panty dropping. I know, I know. Now shut up and kiss me.” I lean forward and grab the sides of his face yanking him to me. He chuckles as his lips press against mine, and that spark surges through us without hesitation. Sensei’s arm loops out pulling me to him. Our tongues entwine as we make out in my driveway.

  We slowly part as I look into his eyes, he smiles and hands me his helmet. “Put this on.”

  I smirk feeling like giving him a little hell right now. “And what are you going to wear?”

  He narrows his eyes like he’s trying to look sinister, but he has a hint of the faintest sly smirk. “I’m going to live… dangerously.”

  Oh snap, and he’s giving it right back.

  Letting out a small snort, I stand folding my arms over my chest. “And if we get pulled over by the cops?”

  He grins. “Who says they’ll catch us?”

  My stomach flips in excitement. “Why Sensei, I like this wild-child side of you. I didn’t think you had it in you.” I squint back at him and lower my voice making it deeper, sexier. “I’m kinda turned on right now.”

  He takes a deep breath, moving slightly in a way that makes me think he’s having a situation in his pants as he grabs the helmet and shoves it over my head obviously to stop me from talking. Then leans in doing up the straps. “You’re changing me, Sass… I can’t explain it, I can’t fucking understand it, but I’m… loosening up around you.”

  I slide in behind him wrapping my arms around his waist. The sensation of Sensei in front of me is a feeling I could quickly become addicted to. “Well, I like it. I’m glad I’m having a positive effect on you.”

  He nods, turning back to the front and revs the engine. I chew on my bottom lip as the vibration rumbles between my legs, and I giggle slightly loving the power I feel surrounding me. I’ve ridden on the back of bikes before. Hell, we have them in the shop all the time, but I’ve never been on the back, cuddling into a guy who I’m crushing on right now. This is a new feeling for me, and I have to say I’m really digging it.

  He reverses out of my drive onto the road, then pulls back on the throttle hard not hesitating for a moment. I squeeze him tight as we take off, and I smile as the wind licks at my hair while it flows through the breeze, the moonlight shining through the trees as we make our way down the suburban street toward Club Modesty, to where the girls and his brothers are waiting.

  SENSEI

  We pull up around the back of Club Modesty where a row of my brothers’ bikes are already lined up. Sass’s arms are squeezing around my torso hard as she giggles against my back, and I love how effortlessly she moved with me. Having her ride on my tail has brought a whole new connection between us. Feeling the arms of a good woman behind you—I now understand why men get a rush from it. I felt it, I’m still fucking feeling it as I turn off my engine.

  Sass slides off from behind me and yanks off my helmet, her red-toned hair swaying from side to side as she releases it from the helmet. I slide off my ride as she places my helmet on the seat and then lunges for me, wrapping her arms around my neck and planting her lips on mine. I chuckle against her lips as I kiss her back while she rocks her body against mine.

  Her kiss is brief as she pulls back and shakes her head. “I’m definitely going on plenty more rides with you, Sensei.”

  Nodding, a sense of excitement washes over me. “You can count on it… come on, let’s go inside.”

  She detaches from me, and I grab her hand as we head for the back door. The security guard on the exit gives me a nod then he opens the door for us to walk through. Since the Andretti attack on Neala, Torque added an extra security layer out the back of the club.

  We walk in, the music assaulting my ears instantly. I’ve never really been one for the club scene, but this is the club’s club so we come here more than I care for. And for tonight, it’s the safest place for our women.

  Sass’s eyes open wide as she takes in the glittering spectacle around her. We step up and enter the VIP room—the opulent area always tends to have that affect the first time people see it. Neala did a great job designing this place.

  I lead Sass through to where Torque, Foxy, her best friend Ari, Freckles, Ruby, and Neala are standing—our brothers linger around in the background already drinking.

  Foxy’s eyes light up as she notices Sass, and she opens her arms wide pulling her in for a tight embrace. Sass hugs her back as if they’re long-lost friends.

  I grab Sass’s arm gaining her attention as she looks at me and smiles. “We’ll need to go upstairs for club business. Stay here with Foxy and the others. There are brothers out here watching you to keep you safe. Don’t move from the VIP area… understand?”

  She snorts out a laugh, but nods. “Sure thing… I like it when you get all controlling.” She shuffles her body. “I get all tingly,” she murmurs with a wink as Foxy pulls her off to meet Ari.

  I know they will get along fine. As my girl is pulled away from me, I step in beside Torque while the girls all intermingle and talk amongst themselves.

  “How’s tonight going to pan out, brother?” I ask over the music.

  He shrugs. “Don’t really know. Enzo and his guys should be here any minute to discuss shit. I figured with the noise in here, it’s as good a place as any to discuss our… issues. Enzo prefers somewhere away from the clubhouse, which is fair enough. No one can overhear, and I will station prospects at the door. Plus, there’s a ton of security, and the prospects are down here to watch while we discuss our options. And, we can keep an eye on the ladies at the same time.”

  Nodding, I glance over to our ladies who are all making their way to the VIP bar. I purse my lips and sigh. “You think it’s going to get messy for them?”

  Torque chuckles. “Probably. I told them to behave themselves, but get a bunch of women together, and you can never fuckin’ tell what the hell’s going to happen!” He slaps me on the back.

  Trax nods to us signaling that something’s happening, and we all look up to see the Andrettis walking in. It’s almost as if the crowd of dancing clubbers part like the Red Sea to let them through, wearing their telltale black pinstriped suits and gold chains.

  Enzo steps up to Torque, and he throws his hand out for Enzo to shake. Enzo shakes his hand a little overzealously.

  “Torque, my boy, it’s so good to see you, eh?” he calls out, and Torque nods and subtly detaches from Enzo’s grip.

  “Enzo, welcome to our club. We can talk a little easier upstairs. Come…” Torque requests, and he nods with a casual shrug as Torque gestures for Chains to lead the way.

  Chains walks off through the back of the VIP area and climbs the stairs as Enzo and his goons follow with the rest of us behind them. The room’s going to be crowded up there, but better to talk in a semi-soundproofed room than a thumping club.

  We arrive at the top of the stairs and turn to head into Torque’s office. Torque spins around to the security guard at the top of the st
airs. “Make sure all the guards keep their eyes on the ladies in VIP at all times. Any signs of anything… you fuckin’ come get me. No hesitation. Understand?”

  The guard nods and heads off leaving us alone with the Andrettis as Torque walks in and closes the door. The thumping noise almost fades to nothing. Enzo and his men walk to the floor-to-ceiling windows and look down below. “Nice room you got here, Presidente. Let me guess… soundproofed, bulletproof. Is it one-way glass, too?” Enzo asks.

  “Yes, all of the above.”

  “Clever, it’s exactly what I would do. I might need to open my own club. Actually, maybe we should open one together? We seem to work well. What do you say?”

  Torque let out a stifled laugh. “Baby steps, Enzo. We called you here for a reason, I think you know that.”

  “Of course. I’m guessing it has something to do with the Ishikawa? What have they done now?”

  I step forward taking a breath. “They’re after more guns. After the shipment they stole from us last time, they said they require… more. They gave us two weeks grace to think over our decision. So we’re bringing you in, just like last time, to see if we can work together on a damn solution.”

  Enzo grins and nods. “Excellent. I love foiling a plan. Can you give us some time to think it over? I realize you’ve not got much time left, so time is of the essence. We will be quick with an answer. We need to put our heads together and come up with a plan. They’re always a step ahead. We need to think outside of the box on this one. Can you do that, Torque? Can you trust me?”

  Those last four words are full of years of distrust between us.

  Can we honestly trust Enzo?

  Probably fucking not, but right now we have no other option.

  Torque looks at me, and I raise my brow in a look of ‘it’s up to you.’ Torque glances back to Enzo and nods moving out his hand for Enzo to shake.

  Enzo shakes Torque’s hand then slaps Torque on his shoulder. “Pleasure doing business with you, Torque. Don’t know why we haven’t worked together sooner. We could be a powerhouse in this city,” Enzo chimes reaching in and kissing each side of Torque’s face, making Torque push Enzo hard on his chest and causing Enzo to laugh. “You’re so worried about saving face, Torque. Be humble, let a man celebrate our newfound friendship the Italian way.”

  Torque glares at Enzo and shakes his head. “You kiss me again, I’ll punch your cock right up into your fuckin’ mouth.”

  Enzo chuckles and nods his head as he waves his hand through the air dismissively. “Ahhh… you bikers are so damn tense. Fine, we do things your way.”

  “Enzo….” Enzo turns back to look at Torque. “Thank you.”

  Enzo nods. “Prego.”

  Chains opens the door, and one by one everyone files out of the room leaving Torque, Trax, and me alone. Trax and I both look to Torque, and I exhale. “Do you think we’ll have enough time?”

  “The more important question here is do you think we can trust that little scum sucking—”

  “Trax, e-fuckin-nuff! I thought you were on the Enzo train. What? Now you’re off again? I can’t fuckin’ keep up with you!” Torque interrupts Trax’s tirade of abuse. Torque lets out a heavy sigh running his fingers through his hair. “Look, I don’t know if we have enough damn time or not. Last time we dealt with Ishikawa, we only just got through it with Enzo’s help. Sure, we didn’t come out with our guns, but that’s only because they weren’t there… if they were, it may’ve turned out to be a different story. We need Enzo as much as that pains me to admit. We gotta wait for him to come up with something… an idea, or at least part of one.”

  Enzo’s saved our asses before, sure. I’m not saying he’s a good guy, far from it, but at least he’s attempting to work with this Defiance slash Andretti alliance. We all need to push toward a peaceful Chicago. Trax has to see that.

  “I don’t know, brother. My head’s all over the fucking place. He helped us, yes, and for a moment, a brief moment, I was grateful. And what the fuck will we have to do when Andretti calls in the return favor? I can’t forget everything he’s done in the past, and I certainly don’t have to like that he’s helping us again now, or trust that he will come through,” Trax blurts out.

  “No, you don’t. But it’s what’s fuckin’ happening. So pull your head in. The quicker you get on this train, the happier we’ll all be.”

  Trax grunts out an unintelligible reply and spins on his heels walking out of the room leaving me with Torque.

  Wracking my jaw from side to side, I watch Trax leave. “Do you think Trax will fall in line?”

  Torque shrugs. “Honestly. I have no fuckin’ idea. But let’s not worry about that tonight, and for now, let’s get out there and watch our girls.”

  I smirk. “Good idea.”

  Torque smacks the side of my shoulder and lifts a brow. “Let’s hope they keep themselves in check, so we don’t have to step the fuck in.”

  I chuckle. “With Freckles and Neala leading the party… I don’t think anything is off the table, Torque.”

  Torque nods and snorts. “Fuck! Don’t I know it!”

  We turn and head out of the room toward the stairs and make our way to the VIP area. The music grates on my nerves as I glance around the area to see the girls all dancing on the small dancefloor reserved just for them. They look like they’re having a great time, and watching Sass holding her bottle of beer as she sways her hips to the music seductively is making my cock twitch in my pants.

  I make my way over to the corner with the boys. We hang back letting the girls do their thing. They wanted a girls’ night, so we’re trying to let them have one as best they can. Even though they know we’re all watching them like damn hawks.

  We know we have another week’s grace from the Yakuza, doesn’t mean we’re not on our guard, though. It’s not in the Yakuza’s nature to step out of their timeline promises and come after us out of a set agreement, but one can never be too careful. So I’ll be watching Sass like she’s my motherfucking lifeline tonight.

  Enzo and his men are all still here, there’s no need for them to leave. They’re guests of the club, and they may as well enjoy the atmosphere along with us.

  Enzo and his second-in-charge, Franky, come to stand with Torque and me, and we strike up a casual conversation the best we can with the music that’s blaring around us.

  The night’s moving at a fast pace, the drinks are flowing, the girls are having a great time, and everyone seems to be loosening up. It’s actually turning out to be an almost enjoyable night at the club for me.

  My eyes keep drifting over to Sass, her toned but curvy body moving and rocking to the music, her hips swinging as her arms flow with the rhythm. She appears carefree and happy. I like seeing her like this, I just wish I were there with her, though I wouldn’t be dancing. That shit’s not me. I just want to be closer to her. She looks like a fire-haired goddess in the neon glow of the club lights, and even with all the other girls surrounding her, she’s the one who stands out. To me anyway.

  My heart beats in my chest in time with the music watching her as I sip on my beer, my cock straining to be inside her again.

  Torque steps up to me, bumping into my side making me turn to look at him. “You got it bad, brother.”

  I take another sip of my beer, seemingly unaffected. “I’m not sure what you mean?”

  He grins. “I see how you’re watching her… like a predator about to pounce his prey. I know because it’s how I look at Foxy. Sass has got her claws in you already.”

  I take another sip of my beer as Franky, steps up to us and tips his head up. “Any of you brothers claimed that redhead? Not the old one, that young one with the tight ass?” he asks.

  Torque and I both tense up. Torque because his mother, Freckles, was just insulted and me because that young one with the tight ass he’s referring to is obviously Sass.

  Technically the answer is no.

  I haven’t put a claim on her.

 
Torque looks at me wondering how I want to play this.

  I could do it now. I could lay my claim right here, but I haven’t talked to her. So I subtly shake my head to Torque.

  He licks his bottom lip and grimaces like he’s annoyed with me then looks at Franky. “No, she isn’t claimed yet, but she is with the club.”

  “But just because she isn’t claimed, doesn’t mean she isn’t mine,” I blurt out making Torque chuckle.

  Franky grunts and shrugs. “No claim means fair game in my eyes,” he calls out and walks off toward the dance floor and Sass.

  I ball my fists, but then I think this is Sass we’re discussing. So my next thought is that this should be entertaining even though the man in me wants to go after him, punch him in his motherfucking face for going after her, but I know there’s more at stake here than my pride. The Andretti alliance is in play, and if I go after Franky, and pound on his face, then our alliance could be broken. And right now, we need Enzo. So as much as I don’t want to watch this happen, I need to let this play out however the hell it’s going to. All I know is that Franky knows she’s a part of the club. He knows she’s with me. So he knows if he wants to keep the alliance with our club, he won’t go doing anything too stupid.

  Torque rests his hand on my shoulder. “Don’t worry, brother. A woman like Sass… she won’t bother with man like Franky. You have nothing to worry about.”

  “I scoff out a laugh. “Oh I know, this should be fun.”

  He strolls up to her smiling, making the moves, but she’s stand-offish as Foxy looks over to us hesitantly like she’s concerned.

  Torque tenses, but we both stand back watching. Waiting for a signal. My stomach swirls in apprehension, I have no idea what I’m waiting for, what I’m watching for. Any excuse to go over there and pound on his motherfucking face. I don’t want to make a fool out of Franky, I can’t afford to, but I need Sass to know I have her back too.

  Franky brings his hand up swiping some hair back from her face, she backs away slightly shaking her head, and my hands ball into fists.