Woods (Aces MC Series Book 5) (13 page)

We lay like this for a while deep in our own thoughts but I
felt a tightness of my skin. I moved my arm to look at me hand, "Babe we
need to get out of here I'm looking like a prune!"
Chloe sniggered, "Yeah not a good look babe." She sat forward and
used the sides of the tub to raise herself and step from the bath. She had a
beautiful body, she was slim but also had curves making her more attractive.
"What you looking at?" she asked without even turning around.
"Just admiring your arse."
She glanced over her shoulder rolling her eyes, "Well it's getting covered
up now in your robe." Chloe gave me a cheeky wink before taking my robe
from the hook on the back of the door and wrapped it around her. It swamped her
small frame but she looked cute as if she was playing dress up. I stood in the
bath allowing the water to drip from my body, Chloe turned to stare at me and
licked her lips unconsciously as she marvelled at my body.
"What you looking at? I asked mimicking her words.
"A fine figure of a man, come on you take me to bed."

Woods

"I really don't want to go Mark," she sounded like
a petulant child which wasn't Lauren's usual style but she'd been protesting
all evening about not attending Stoney's party.
"I haven't seen you properly for ages and I would like you to be there as
a little support this evening. Now I don't usually ask you for much Lauren so
the least you can do is come with me tonight." By the time I'd finished I
was shouting at her which is something I'd never done before but I wanted her
there as I knew it could possibly be my last as a patched member. I hadn't been
told that I couldn't attend Stoney's party so I was going to the clubhouse
until I was told otherwise. The repercussions to my actions regarding Chloe had
been playing on my mind for some time now, I knew it was the right decision to
make I didn't have any doubts about that, I just hoped that the punishment
wasn't so rough and I was able to keep my colours and my life.
It was unfair that I was taking my temper out on Lauren but I just wanted her
there, Duke's plan to keep me away from Chloe had also resulted in me being
kept away from Lauren and I was now determined to put everything right starting
with this evening.

"I'm sorry, I'm just feeling a little under the weather
but it's fine I'll come." I now felt guilty knowing that I'd forced her to
change her mind. Her statement ran true though, she did look a little pale
although Ink and Ash had been over earlier to give her a little girlie time by
doing her hair and make up. They'd gotten the bug for it now and must've seen
Lauren as a pet project. She didn't wear a lot of make up and to be honest she
didn't need to but I just thought it would be a nice treat for her and I think
they secretly enjoyed it. Their motherly instincts were kicking in and it was
hilarious to see them fuss over Lauren as if she was a small child.

"I know I want you there for selfish reasons but I
think it will be good for you also. You can't keep on locking yourself in your
bedroom and studying Lauren, you're gonna make yourself ill at this rate."
Lauren rolled her eyes, "That's fine listen to me don't listen to me, it
makes no difference but when you crash and burn I will be the first to tell you
I told you so." I smiled smugly as I knew this would ignite the fire
inside her as she was given a challenge.
"I'll just find my shoes," I smiled as she strolled to the under stairs
cupboard to collect them. I was also pleased with her attire this evening. The
last couple of times we'd been at the clubhouse she chose to wear figure
hugging outfits and attracted unwanted attention, this time her white jeans
were complimented with a baggier top that didn't outline anything which made me
feel more comfortable.

"Are you going to moan if I take the Harley?"
Lauren frowned, "Helmet hair?"
"Like I care about that," she scoffed taking her helmet off the
cabinet by the front door.
She'd been riding pillion for years and had her own helmet but things had just
been so chaotic lately that we hadn't spent any quality time together let alone
taken the Harley out but I was going to change that. If I weren't thrown out of
the club today or worse, I'd be talking to Duke about easing the amount of
nights that I'd been staying away from home in order to enjoy some free time
with Lauren. She needed me, she would never admit to needing anything as that
was just the way she was but she enjoyed other peoples company and I needed to
make her a priority.

The journey didn't take long in itself, we had our mics
turned on but Lauren wasn't in a talkative mood. I slowly pulled up and parked
in the far corner of the yard, if everything went according to plan then I'd be
having a drink tonight and have to get a taxi home anyway. The thought made my
heart accelerate because I also had the nagging feeling that it may kick off but
was reassured that they wouldn't do anything major with so many young kids
around as it was a family party.
"I'm going to sit with Chloe," I glanced over my shoulder and smiled
as my eyes met hers. She was looking stunning as usual but had a concerned look
on her face. I mimicked drinking using my hand and she held up a glass of wine
that was nearly empty. With a quick nod of my head, I walked to the clubhouse
to get the three of us a drink.

"What can I get you Woods?" Cade asked as he took
the lid off a bottle of Kronenbourg for Recon.
"A Carlsberg, a glass of wine and a diet coke please," I leaned on
the bar awaiting the drinks as Cade busied himself to get my order.
I turned as someone patted my back, "My office now!" Duke didn't wait
for a response he stalked towards the back of the clubhouse.
Recon lifted his beer, "Nice knowing you mate!"
"Fuck off prick!" He sniggered as I pushed from the counter and
reluctantly took a slow walk across the bar and up the corridor that led to
Duke's office.
I took a deep breath and walked to the open door to be greeted by Diesel, Duke
and Hound as they waited for me to arrive.
"Take a seat!"
"I'd prefer to stand Duke."
"That wasn't a request," he raised his brows waiting for me to respond.
I let out a sigh and sat on the chair positioned in the middle of the room
making sure to take in my surrounding. This was uncharted territory for me. I
was usually the other side giving out the orders when I wore my colours not the
other way around.
I swallowed hard, "Look let me start by trying to explain."
"You don't need to say shit, Hounds brought us up to speed." Duke's
tone was unreadable at this stage and I did my best to look at his body
language hoping that he'd give something away.
"But I feel that I need to tell you that I haven't gone about this
lightly."
"Okay, you've started so you may as well finish." Duke folded his
arms across his chest and leaned back in his chair waiting for me to explain
further.
"I just can't stay away from her. I've tried, god help me I've tried but
there's some kind of pull between us. Now I thought it was lust but it's deeper
than that."
Duke unfolded his arms and leaned forward to place his elbows on the desk and
rest his chin on his clasped fingers. "Are you telling me that you love
her?"
"Yes and I understand the repercussions of telling you this. If you want
my colours because I've fallen in love with the wrong girl, I won't be happy
but I'm prepared to hand them over because I don't think that I could perform
my duties properly for the club or even concentrate if she wasn't in my
life."
"Do you know how that makes you sound?" Duke spat.
I shrugged, "What you think I sound like a pussy? That may be the case but
what I'm trying to tell you is that I haven't made this decision lightly."
I looked at all three of them, "I love this club and I'd die for every
single one of you but I feel I've been given an opportunity to pursue something
special and I'd like to do just that. I'm not about regrets, I'm about taking
chances and learning from them but I know my own mind and heart and Chloe is
the one for me."
I noticed the three of them exchange glances, which worried me. Their
expressions weren't giving anything away and I was starting to think the worst.

"Did you stop seeing Chloe when I asked you to?"
I nodded, "Yes, it was one of the most difficult things I've ever had to
do but I did. We've only just started seeing each other again recently at the
welcome home party for Paige."
Diesel sniggered and I sent him a glare.
Duke nodded his head pleased with the response given and stood to pace the
room. "Well at least you didn't totally defy me." He perched on his
desk directly in front of me.
"The one thing that I respect about you Woods is the fact that you came to
tell me regardless of the consequences. That proves to me that you love my
little girl." Hound stood to lean on the desk beside Duke. "Now Duke,
Diesel and I have discussed your little predicament and I'm happy for you to
continue seeing her, in fact I couldn't think of a more deserving individual."
His words choked me, I hung my head and let out a loud sigh knowing that everything
was going to be okay. The room was silent as I composed myself taking deep
breaths to control my breathing and try not to come across too emotional. I eventually
lifted my head, "But?"
"No buts Woods, you know the consequences if you fuck her
about." I smiled and Hound frowned at my response, "I threaten to
kill you and you smile boy!"
"Well I ain't going to fuck her about so it's ok!"
"What took you so long to tell us anyway?" Diesel asked.
I narrowed my eyes, "What do you mean?"
Diesel sniggered, "Well we've all known since Maggie's and Hounds
anniversary that there was something going on."
My eyes widened under the scrutiny from the guy's, I hadn't realised
they were aware of our attraction for each other.
"Yeah and don't think we don't all know about the shed," Duke joined
in laughing at my expense. "We were just waiting to see what you'd do about
it and whether you thought it was worth fighting for."
"Fucking wankers." I stood from the chair and it fell back hard onto
the floor.
The guys roared with laughter, "Now fuck off and enjoy the party."
Duke managed to say among giggles as I stomped from the room.

I entered the corridor hearing the cackling behind me and walked
into the bar in need of a stiff drink. I couldn't believe that the fucking cock
suckers had been winding me up for their own sick gratification. Fucking games
I hated playing fucking games.
"Get me a large Jack Buster, in fact leave the bottle coz I'm gonna get
wasted." Buster smiled and reached for the bottle and a clean glass and
placed it in front of me. "You've still got your beer here."
"Fuck that I need something stronger."
"Are you celebrating or commiserating?" I glanced to my right to see
Spike join me. He held out his glass for me to fill.
"Don't give me all that you must've known." The corners of his mouth
turned just enough for me to know that I was right. "You're a fucking
wanker as well, why didn't you say anything?" I wiped my brow and ran my
hands over my head, I was having a hot flush after beating myself up over what
the outcome may be.
"It wasn't my place and they wanted to teach you a lesson," he
sniggered.
"A fucking lesson, I nearly put myself into an early grave trying to play
it down to Chloe." I shook my head as I still couldn't believe that they
were okay with the situation.

"Dad can I have a drink please." I looked down to
see Devon pulling on Spike's cut. It was so sweet to see that the twins had
taken to him. Some people were born to be parents and Spike was one of those
people.
He bent down and lifted Devon so she could sit on the bar, "What do you
want poppet?"
"What you drinking Woods?" Devon asked looking at my glass.
I smiled and picked up my glass and swirled the contents, "Something that
little girls can't have I'm afraid."
Devon rolled her eyes, "Well I'll have a diet coke like Lauren had at the
pizza restaurant."
Devon's words caught my attention but it was the guilty expression on Spike's
face that I didn't like. "Oh, did Lauren go to the pizza restaurant with
you then?" I asked casually.
"Lauren and Ramsey sat with us." She kicked her legs back and forth
innocently as if she didn't have a care in the world as my blood started to
boil.
Spike could see that I was annoyed, he grabbed Devon around the waist and
placed her onto the floor, "Go and see your mum and I'll bring your drink
out in a minute."
She furrowed her brows confused by the change in mood and turned quietly to
walk from the clubhouse.

"Before you have a fucking hissy fit it's not like
that."
"Like what exactly Spike? Hmmm because from where I'm standing, the little
cunt has already had one warning and he's still sniffing around her."
"Have you listened to yourself?"
"Don't fucking question me Spike, it's not happening."
"And nothing is happening, you just need to chill. You weren't around and
she was lonely, he was just looking out for her."
"The only thing I need to do is find the little cunt." I pushed from
the bar and went in search for Ramsey, he couldn't be far.

I stomped through the clubhouse looking in every direction
hoping to find him in a private location as there were kids around today but I
knew one thing for sure, he wouldn't be walking out of here today.
I reached the door that led out into the yard and scanned the area,
"Bingo!" I saw the little scrotes talking to Lyric and headed
straight for him. His eyes met mine mid conversation and he stepped back
panicked as I surged forward.
Grabbing him by the scruff of his neck, I yanked him backwards and threw him
onto a bench. The glasses and bottles scattered onto the ground smashing in
every direction. This caught the attention of numerous people and the group
stopped what they were doing to watch the altercation.
Ramsey raised his arms to try to defend himself, "Woods I haven't done
anything man." He shouted still confused as to why I had hold of him.
I grabbed his throat harder, pulled my fist back and swung for him. It made
contact and the sound echoed before I pulled it back and punched him again.
"I told you to stay the fuck away!" I screamed in his face. He
groaned as my fist made contact with his cheek, I pulled my fist back for a
third and fourth time before I felt someone on me.
I turned to see Recon as I scrambled in his arms trying to get free but he had
me in a bear hug and pulled me off with ease. Ramsey rolled to his side and
coughed up blood, his face was a mess but that wasn't the last of it that was
for sure.
"You brought this on yourself, I told you to stay away you fucking arsehole."
I shouted struggling to release myself from Recons hold, Ramsey needed to learn
some respect and it was up to me to teach him.

A considerable crowd had now gathered and my eyes met
Lauren's as she joined the group. My heart sunk at her disapproval but she needed
to know that I was acting with the best intentions. She was my little sister, I
didn't want anything bad to ever happen to her. She pushed through the crowd
making her way to Ramsey's side, I fought again trying to get free but Recon
had a firm hold.
"Easy tiger, calm down and I'll happily let you go but this is a family
party and you've caused enough fracas for one evening."
I looked up to see Ink grab Laurens arm and pull her back so she couldn't
comfort Ramsey. I couldn't hear what they were saying but Ink was talking quite
animatedly and glanced over in my direction. Lauren tried to free herself
getting distressed with the situation. I noticed her facial expression change
dramatically and she held her side before doubling over in pain. Ink bent over
and wrapped her arm around her and Laurens shrieks of pain echoed around the
yard.