Motorcycle clubs have always been a boys club. It makes sense: the violence, the hierarchy, the fact that they haven't exactly met the women's movement. Now, there's a new club in Northern Cali, looking to make a name for itself. It's already allied...
As Tiki, T.O., and Duke roared down the highway toward Charming, Tiki couldn't help but think that things had just taken a nosedive into hell. Gino Morelli. She shook her head as they took the Charming exit. Why couldn't she shake this asshole? Was it karma kicking her ass? If Tony or Alvie had answered their phones, she wouldn't be making this trip and they would already be headed out of Cali, but no, they had to be ignoring calls at the moment. Her lips twisted in a grin as she thought that they were probably ignoring her in particular. She was famous for being a pain in the ass, and she didn't see that changing any time soon.
As they pulled into the lot of Teller-Morrow, she saw Tig and Juice watching with interest. She parked her bike and got off, lighting a cigarette before meeting Tig in the middle of the lot. She nodded at him.
"Tony or Alvie around? They aren't answering their phones."
Tig nodded, hooking a thumb toward the clubhouse. "Yeah, church with Clay and Jax, but they should be done soon." He shook hands with T.O. and Duke as they joined them. "What's up that brings the GB here to Charming?"
Tiki gave him a small smile, making him frown at her. "Nothing major. Just need to go on a run with the boys and wanted to let my Pres know, that's all."
Tig nodded slowly before looking toward the garage. "Well, in case you feel the need to tell anyone else, Hap's in the garage."
Tiki shook her head, looking down at her scuffed boots in a rare show of nerves. "Nah, that's probably not the best idea. I'm pretty sure I burned that bridge."
Tig grinned at her as he shook his head. "Nah, doll, you didn't." He put his hands on her shoulders and turned her in the other direction. "Go on, talk to your man. If you don't tell him, he'll get even more pissed, and I don't wanna end up taking your dose of grief in your place."
She sighed and nodded, leaving TO and Duke talking to Tig as she slowly walked across the lot to the garage. She stopped when she stepped through the bay opening and grinned as she watched him sort through the huge toolbox on the counter. She cleared her throat to get his attention, making him look up in surprise before nodding.
"Little girl."
Tiki caught herself before she rolled her eyes. "Hey, sunshine."
She watched as he laid the wrench in his hand down before taking a step toward her. "What's up?" He looked out the bay door and frowned when he saw T.O. and Duke still in conversation with Tig across the lot. "You left to meet with Nero. How did you end up with them?"
Tiki looked where he was looking before turning back to him and giving a small grin. "Yeah, I took care of Nero, but the guys need me to go on a run with them to Seattle. I'll be gone for a few days."
He nodded but didn't look pleased with the info as he stopped in front of her and laid a hand on the side of her face. "You're still healing. You sure a road trip is the best idea right now, T?"
Tiki nodded, still not looking him in the eye. "Yeah, I'm good. They know about it. They'll keep an eye on me." She sighed before finally looking into his dark eyes. "Look... earlier, I probably said a lot of things that I shouldn't have, and I know I shouldn't have pulled a gun on you, but I was pissed." She blew out a breath. "Anyway, I'm sorry."
Happy gave her a small smirk as he nodded. "Yeah, me too."
Tiki nodded as she looked off into space for a moment. "So... look, I need you to know that I care about what you think, even if I don't say so. It's just... shit is gonna get heavy for a little while and if I don't see you... "
Happy frowned as he pulled her closer, his arm around her waist. "What's wrong, Teresa? What aren't you telling me?"
Tiki shook her head. "Nothing, I'm just tired I guess. I got a lot of balls in the air, just trying to juggle."
Happy looked at her for a moment before finally nodding. "You want me to come with you?" He looked over where Tony, Alvie, Clay, and Jax had finally joined the other three men. "I'm not sure I trust them."
Tiki snickered as she shook her head. "Who? The boys?" She grinned. "Nah, they won't push up on me, although back in the day, I used to think T.O. was the shit, man."
Happy growled as he pulled her even closer, one hand on her ass as the other pulled her hair enough to tilt her head back. She giggled like a schoolgirl as he brought his head down to nuzzle her neck with his nose. "Yeah, but who's the shit now, Teresa?"
She bit her lip before grinning. "You are, sunshine."
He lifted his head to grin at her. "Damn straight."
Her giggle was cut off as his lips met hers in a surprisingly sweet kiss, both sighing and melting into each other before Clay yelling for them to break it up met their ears. Happy sighed as he stepped back from her, letting his hands drop. They walked over to join the others, ignoring the grins and snickers. Clay shook hands with the men and nodded in greeting to Tiki.
"You three get into any trouble, don't hesitate to call."
He nodded to Jax and Tig and they all walked into the clubhouse. Tig turned as he was going in and motioned for Happy. The tall man grumbled under his breath before leaning in to give Tiki a quick kiss. "Behave yourself, T."
Tiki nodded once as he walked off to join his brothers inside. Tony turned to Tiki with a frown. "Ok, why are you really going on this run? I don't buy the story T.O. just gave Clay about needing an extra hand. He has plenty to choose from."
Tiki grinned as she lit a cigarette. "Never could get anything past you. Gino is out. T.O. thought I might appreciate a change of scenery for a few days."
Tony and Alvie both cursed under their breath before Tony nodded. "Yeah, probably a good idea. Ok, stay safe, and if you see anyone from Cacuzza's crew, you get the hell out of dodge and hightail it back here. We should have HQ up and functional by the time you get back."
Tiki nodded before hugging her two best friends and getting on her bike. As the three amigos pulled out of the lot, none of them noticed the black SUV pulling into traffic behind them.
