Page 124 of Diesel's Perseverance
Hearing a couple ofthuds, he glanced over his shoulder—Myla’s black leather pumps laid on the floor.
“It feelssogood to get out of those high heels. You don’t know how lucky you are that you don’t have to wear stilettos.” She giggled. “That came out weird, didn’t it?”
“Sort of. Go ahead and use the bathroom first.”
“Thanks.” She rushed past him.
Diesel poured a generous slug of Jack and stepped outside. The air was hot and dry even though the sun had set over an hour before. A barrage of images blurred through his mind: His years in Hayes, Freddy and him swimming in Rider River, his fist landing in one of many of his mom’s lovers, his dad stumbling home drunk and broke after a night of pool with the guys. He thought of Myla’s flowing handwriting on the scented stationery, her curvy body, the flash of anger in her green gaze, and how her head tipped back when she laughed.Fuck.He shut his eyes tight, forcing the pictures back into their dark corners in his mind.
Looking up at the carpet of stars, he held up his glass. “I killed that fucker for you.” He tipped the glass back, savoring the burn. “You took a piece of me when you died. Rest in peace, little brother.”
Sighing deeply, he went back inside and shut the door.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Pinewood Springs, CO
Everyone at theclubhouse fell into a sense of contentment since San Diego. The fact that there was a snitch among the Insurgents MC had weighed heavily on every member of the mother club and the other chapters. Once Crutch was eliminated, all was right again within the Insurgents’ world. Each of the brothers, who’d been in San Diego, had five minutes with Crutch and then the actual punishment was handed off to Panther. Banger felt that although he was the national president, each chapter should handle severe offenses in its own ways.
Two weeks after the members returned to Pinewood Springs, Panther informed them that the snitch was no more. The dark cloud lifted over the club, each member, and even the club girls, who could sense the moods of the brothers and adopted them as if by osmosis.
A large party was planned for that night, and a buzz of excitement was in the air. The club girls had been preparing for it for the last two days, waxing, shaving, and plucking everything in sight on their tight bodies. The clubhouse gleamed from all their hard work, and they were practically bursting at the seams as they waited for the big night.
Insurgents from all the chapters were coming to the big event. Support clubs from Colorado—Night Rebels MC and Black Pistons MC—as well as the Red Devils from Taos, New Mexico, would arrive within the hour. Some of the members, including Viking from the Angry Disciples, had already arrived early that morning.
When Diesel walked into the room after work, he was surprised to see Myla in jean shorts and a baggy T-shirt sitting at the desk in front of the computer.
“How come you’re not ready?” He pulled his work shirt over his head. “Everyone’s started to pile in.”
“I’m going to pass on the party. I’ve never been a big party-goer, and the ones your club has are over the top. I’ll just hang out here and read a book.”
“That’s crazy. I want you there by my side.”
“Why? I mean, the women are basically invisible unless one of the guys wants an itch scratched. I’d be thrumming my fingers on the bar listening to deafening music while you catch up with your buddies.” A small grimace crossed her face. “Not my scene, but I know you’ll have a good time.”
“I thought you told me this morning you wanted to go.”
“No, you told me about it, and I said I’d think about it. I’m just not up to it.” Her eyes darted around the room. “This is getting kind of old.”
Diesel sucked in a breath. “What is?”
“Living at the club in one room, not having a job, and… not having a life.” She bit her bottom lip as anxious eyes locked with his.
“What’re you saying?”
Myla pushed away from the desk and stood up. Folding her arms across her chest, she said, “Now isn’t the time to talk about this. You should be downstairs talking biker stuff with your friends.” A soft smile curved her lips.
“I want to know what you’re talking about. Don’t tell me that something’s getting old, then change the fuckin’ subject.”
Lips turned downward, she shook her head. “I didn’t mean to make you mad.”
Diesel sighed heavily and pushed a hand through his hair. “I’m not mad. Just tell me what’s going on in your head.”
“Okay.” Her gaze locked on his. “I feel like I’m living in limbo waiting for something that never comes.”
“What do you want to come?”
“A normal life. I’d like a job and to take a few art classes at the community college.”
