Unbelievable: A Biker Motorcycle Club Romance (Iron Cobras MC - Book #3) Read online

  “Oh, yeah, I remember now.” He stuck his fork into the pile of eggs. “You didn’t have a job when Ryder got into trouble. He was supporting you. That must’ve been hard on you. You know, you could’ve come to us. It’s what the women who are with our club members do. Most often, you don’t have to come to seek help. We usually go to you to offer it. But Ryder sent you away before things got that far, didn’t he?”

  “Yes, he did. He didn’t want me to be in any danger.” Getting up, I went to the coffee pot and refilled my nearly empty cup. “So, I knew I had to find some way of making money. I’m not one to take charity, even if it is offered to me.”

  “Too proud,” he didn’t ask as much as stated. “Yeah, I can see that.”

  “Plus, I’m well educated and there’s just no need for anyone to have to take care of me. So, I set to work, using my literary arts degree to turn myself into a freelance editor.” There was a certain amount of pride I had about what I’d accomplished in less than two years. “So far I’ve been able to make more than enough money to pay all the bills for our home, plus I bought myself a new car.”

  “Color me impressed.” Picking up the bacon he looked at it. “And you can make bacon perfectly too. Ryder has it lucky.”

  “I have to agree.” My husband would be happy to come home to find that he could take it easy after his two-year stint in prison. “And with me being able to take care of our bills, he can do anything he’d like to, and not have to worry about things like that.”

  “He’ll work, Hailey,” Lucas informed me. “We all work, honey. Don’t take it personally when he gets out and gets right back to work. Men like us don’t like to take it easy and live off of our women.”

  “But, he won’t have to work if he doesn’t want to is what I’m saying.” I just wanted to make things easier for my husband. “I guess I want to make it up to him somehow. Not that I had anything to do with him getting sent to prison, but I hate that it happened to him.”

  “We all hate that it happened. It didn’t have to. He wasn’t moving anything for us and that was the real kicker in that whole mess.”

  Chewing on my lower lip, I had no idea what all my husband’s club was into. “Lucas, what do you mean by that?”

  “I mean that Ryder wasn’t doing anything illegal for the Iron Cobras. It’s a shame he got framed when he was on the up and up.” He smiled at me, revealing perfect teeth and a charming expression.

  I knew very little about the MC and wanted to know so much more. “Ryder hasn’t spoken to me much about what goes on within your club. I know he worked for it in some fashion, but I don’t know what he did.”

  “He worked in the shop, on our bikes.” Getting up, he took his empty plate to the sink and washed it before putting it in the dish drainer. “And he’ll get back to that. That’s what he gets paid for.”

  The fact that he’d said something about moving something for them bothered me. So, I got up and stood behind the man. When he turned around, there I was – in his face. “Is my husband into the type of club that is into illegal activities, Lucas?”

  “Okay, I’m gonna need you to sit down for this, Hailey. I’ve got a lot to say and I think most of it is going to be sort of a shock to you.” He put his hands on my shoulders, turning me around, then moving me into the living room where he eased me onto the sofa.

  Taking a seat in the armchair nearest to me, he took a deep breath as I tried to ready myself to hear some damaging information. But I thought he needed to know something about the kind of person I was before he said things to me that couldn’t be taken back. “Lucas, I’m not some kid who is clueless about the ways of the world. I’m almost twenty-nine and know in my heart that I love Ryder and I took the vows we made into my heart and soul.”

  “That’s good to hear.” He nodded as he ran his hand through his dark hair. “He’s gonna need you when he gets out. I saw him this morning and he’s worried about you. And this is why I am about to let you in on things he hasn’t yet. See, I think you need to know who you’ve married, Hailey. I think you deserve to know what you’ve married into.”

  I couldn’t have agreed more. “Finally.” Placing my hands on my lap, I felt as if the time had come for me to fully understand the world the man I loved came from and lived in. I was now a part of that world. Knowing what to expect just made sense to me. “I’m ready to hear it all, Lucas.”

  “Let’s start with the fact that whatever I tell you has to stay between us. You are never to speak of a word of what I tell you to anyone – except your husband of course. What I’m trying to say is that the things I’m going to tell you aren’t to be discussed with other females who are with men in our club. You aren’t to discuss these things with anyone, other than Ryder.” He paused. “Well, and me. You can talk to me about things too. But no one else. And if you’re ever asked anything by any authority whatsoever, you are to maintain an air of confusion and simply respond that your husband is a motorcycle mechanic who works for Iron Choppers in Baltimore and nothing more than that.”

  This was deep and I knew it beyond a shadow of a doubt now. “Hold on.” I didn’t know how much I truly wanted to be imbedded in my brain. “Maybe I don’t need to know anything more than what you’ve said so far.”

  Nodding, he seemed to understand. “Okay, that’s fine too. As long as you know the golden rule that I’ve laid out for you about how to answer questions about your husband’s dealings with our club and what he does for a living. We can move on to why Ryder was framed. Did he tell you about the woman he saw before he met you? The crazy one who killed herself?”

  “He has told me about her, yes.” It was nice to know Ryder hadn’t left me out of everything.

  “She had a big brother who has started up an MC called the Angry Hogs. And he’s got it in for Ryder. Now, our MC will take care of these pests. You don’t have to worry about a thing.” His expression grew grim then he shook his head. “Well, you do have to worry about some things. Ryder told me that you’re a trusting person. So, I’d better tell you about this. Your husband was beaten up yesterday and given a message. The Angry Hogs plan on visiting you to make sure your husband knows that he isn’t to try to retaliate for the wrong done to him.”

  None of that sounded right to me. “This other MC thinks that Ryder should just accept the fact that they framed him, and he had to spend two years behind bars and that nothing will happen to them?” Standing up, I found that infuriating. Throwing my hands up into the air, I wasn’t going to just accept that. “No! Hell, no! They’ve got it coming to them for what they’ve done. Ryder told me all about that lunatic. It sounds like her brother is much the same way. And these punks think they can use me against him? I won’t let that happen.” I had to do something. I couldn’t sit there like some sitting duck, waiting for someone to come hurt me just to hurt my husband.

  “Glad to hear that.” Lucas stood too. “Cause I’m here to take you home with me until we end this little vendetta the leader of the hogs has with Ryder. While you’re staying with me, I’ll teach you some self-defense techniques too. And I’ll make sure that you get better acquainted with the people who will become your friends. We’re a rowdy bunch who cuss too much, talk too loud and drink way too much. But we’re a solid bunch of people who you can count on to have your back - no matter what.”

  “You want me to leave our home?” I looked around. “I’ve just gotten settled back in.”

  “Sorry. I promised Ryder I would keep you under my constant guard. And I think it best if we don’t stay where the Angry Hogs know you guys live.” He gestured to the hallway. “Now, if you’d pack your things, we can get going. I’m not worried about handling the fools if they try to come right now, but I don’t want you to get caught in the crossfire.”

  I didn’t want to get caught in the crossfire either. “Damn. Okay, I’ll pack. But I’m going to take a lot. I won’t leave anything for those thugs to steal from us.” It felt good not to be alone in this. I thought Lucas shou
ld know that. “Thank you for doing this. It’s extremely generous of you. I’ll do nice things for you to make up for you putting your life on hold to watch over me. You won’t go hungry with me around.”

  “I bet I won’t.” His hand on my shoulder sent warmth through me. I thought it must be because I was so thankful for his help. “And I don’t feel like I’m putting my life on hold either. You’ll just be a big part of it now is all.”

  He’s got to be one of the nicest men I’ve ever met.

  Chapter Three

  Lucas

  “The guestroom is that door at the end of the hallway.” I carried in the last piece of baggage Hailey had brought with her. Six large bags in all had filled the trunk of her Lincoln MKZ to the max.

  As she picked up two of the bags we’d brought into the living room as we’d unloaded her car, she looked over her shoulder at me. “You don’t have to help me cart all this stuff to the bedroom, Lucas. You’ve done enough for me already. I’ll get all my things while you just relax.”

  “Nonsense.” I wasn’t going to let her do all that lugging around by herself. “With us both doing it, the process will go that much faster. I don’t mind either.” I followed behind her as she headed for the hallway.

  “That’s very nice of you. Thank you.” When she got to the closed door, she had to put one bag down to open in.

  I’d been hoping she would like the room she’d be in for possibly four months. “So, is this gonna work for you?”

  Picking the bag back up, she walked into the room, going straight to the large picture window with the scene of my backyard filling it. “Wow, your yard is amazing.”

  I took great pride in the way I’d taken care of my backyard sanctuary. “Thank you. I spend most of my free time there.” Going to stand beside her as she placed the bags on the floor, I pointed out the new outdoor kitchen area I’d begun working on. “Over there is going to be my outdoor cooking space and adjoining dining area. I’ve got most of what I’ll need to do the whole project in the garage. That’s why I didn’t open it for you to park in. It’s full of things.”

  “That’s okay. The carport is more than fine.” Turning around, she looked at the rest of the room. I’d inherited my grandparents’ cherrywood bed a few years back and had had it refinished to make it shine like it originally had. A black bedspread accented the darker marks in the wood. “This bed is something else.” She walked over to it, running her hand down one of the tall posts attached to the headboard. “Is it an antique?”

  “It is. This was my grandparents’ bed that they got when they were first married. My grandmother’s family gave it to them as a wedding present. It’s held up well over the years. I got it a few years ago after my grandmother passed away. She and Grandad had been married fifty-five years when he passed on. She died six months later. I guess she just couldn’t see living without him.”

  “That’s sweet in a tragic way.” She ran her hand over the soft fabric of the bedspread. “This will do more than just work for me, Lucas. I know I can find comfort in this beautiful room. Thank you again.”

  “No more thanks, Hailey.” I headed back to the living room to get more of her things.

  Coming along behind me, she commented, “It sounds like your grandparents had become very close by the end. If I couldn’t see myself going on after losing my husband, I don’t think I would’ve done as well as I have with Ryder being sent to prison.”

  “It takes time to get that close.” I managed to gather all but two of her bags. “In time, you and Ryder will get there. There’s no rush.”

  Nodding, she got the remaining bags then followed me back to the bedroom. “Which one of these doors leads to your room, Lucas?”

  “Mine is the first door on the left.” I looked at the door to the bathroom closest to her room. “And behind that door, you will find a bathroom that will be all yours. I’ve got one attached to my bedroom that I use. Feel free to girl it all up too. Put your toiletries in there, hang your unmentionables if you need to. I won’t be going in there anyway.”

  “Great.” When she put her things down in the bedroom, she went to grab a pink bag and took it to the bathroom I’d just shown her. “I’ll unpack and get settled.”

  Leaving her to that, I thought I’d rustle us up something for lunch. “I’ll call for takeout. What’re you hungry for?”

  “Oh, I don’t know. Um, it’s Sunday. What’s open?” She came out of the bathroom and we nearly ran into each other. “Sorry. Excuse me.”

  “Excuse me,” I said as I backed away from her. The smell of her shampoo wafted past my nose. “Honeysuckle.”

  “Huh?” She looked at me with a funny expression. “Oh, my shampoo. You smelled that, did you?”

  Nodding, I started making my way to the living room. I hadn’t meant to say that out loud. “Yeah. I’ve always liked that scent. How about Chinese?”

  “That’s good with me.” She got quiet as she began putting her things away.

  As I looked through my phone to find the menu for the restaurant I had in mind, I tried not to think about how pretty Hailey was. Long, blonde hair, tied into a ponytail that hung down her back had a way of picking up even the slightest hints of light in a room. Her hazel eyes morphed between the palest shades of blue to the deepest of them. But they also could turn grey and even look a bit green at times too. They were remarkable and I found it fascinating to watch them when she spoke. It was like they changed with her emotions.

  Tapping in the order, I used the online app to get lunch coming our way before going to my home bar to get a bottle of white wine out of the chiller. Opening it, I sat it out to breathe so it would be ready when our food came.

  I went to the kitchen to get out some plates and utensils then set the table in the smaller dining area. A tall, square table for four was in that room. I’d found a chandelier to go over it when I was on a club run through antique country the year before.

  As I made everything look inviting, I found myself smiling. It had been some time since I’d had company over. Not that Hailey could be considered that since she’d be staying for an extended amount of time. I needed to make sure she felt at home. Sharing my home hadn’t been a thing I’d ever done before. It felt kind of nice.

  “Lucas?” she called out. “Where’d you get off to?”

  “In here.” I went to the door to find her coming out of the kitchen. “I suppose I should give you the grand tour.” I started with the room I was currently in. “This is what I call the small dining room.”

  Looking at the dark wood of the table and the bright light of the chandelier above it, she marveled at it. “This is gorgeous, Lucas. And you’ve set the table too. How nice.”

  “Well, I like to make the most of meals.” Leading her out of that room, I took her back through the kitchen to the other dining area. “And this is the large dining room.” The table in that one seated twelve. “I inherited this table from my grandparents too. And the china hutch at the end of the room too.”

  Looking up, she saw only the recessed lighting that had originally been installed in the house. “No chandelier in here?”

  “I haven’t found one to my liking yet. My home is always a work in progress. If I see something that I think will work, I get it.” I led her to the den that was down a small hallway off the dining room. “And this is the den.”

  As I pushed open the door, I watched her face as she took it all in. “Wow. Just – wow.” She went inside, her mouth gaping. “A real rock fireplace, a hot tub, pool table, foosball table, ping pong table, and a poker table for eight?”

  “I call it my man-cave. But it’s just a den when you look at it on the blueprints.” Walking over to the fridge, I opened the double doors to reveal my built-in keg. “I call this a kegerator. I’ve always got fresh beer on tap right here. You feel free to help yourself whenever you want. I know I called it my man-cave, but you can use all this stuff whenever you want as well. Don’t think that you’ve got to get my permiss
ion to come in here.” I wanted her to know that this could be her home for the next bit. So, I went to stand by her, putting my hand on her shoulder. “Seriously, make this place your home, Hailey.”

  Shaking her head, I noticed her eyes had gone grey. “Lucas, you’re too nice. This is a wonderful place you’ve made yourself here. I’ll treat your home with respect, I promise you that.”

  “I’m sure you will. But think of it as your home too. I’m sure you’ve felt a bit out of place for the last couple of years. It must feel like your life is on hold somewhat, at least.” There had to be issues she’d been dealing with while her husband was away. I wanted her to know she could talk to me about anything.

  The sound of the doorbell told me our lunch had arrived. She looked a startled as it had surprised her. “Did you order lunch already?”

  “Yes, I’m sure that’s who’s here. Go to the small dining room and I’ll bring it in there.” Leading the way, I went to the front door as she went to where I’d told her to.

  Moments later, we sat together, filling our plates with food and sipping on white wine. “Is that how you always eat? Or is this just because you have me over?”

  “Sometimes I do this for myself, but this is for you, Hailey. Plus, I do enjoy making meals special, especially when I have someone to share them with.”

  “Well, this is very nice, thank you.” She gave using the chopsticks a shot and failed as the chunk of broccoli kept falling back onto her plate. “I tried.” Putting down the sticks, she picked up the fork. “I can’t figure those things out.”

  Not wanting to show off that I could handle the sticks, I opted to use the fork as well. “So, how have things been for you so far with your husband being away?”