Banger's Ride: Insurgents Motorcycle Club (Insurgents MC Romance Book 5) (19 page)

“I’ve told you I’m sorry, and I’m getting pissed now. It happened. I didn’t mean it. Let’s move on, okay? How in the hell am I supposed to know the rules around here? And what the fuck is ‘church,’ anyway? Where I come from, church usually involves a minister.”

Banger watched the color come back to her face as she raised her voice. A small smile curled the corners of his lips. She was a feisty one, he had to give her that. Reaching out, he looped his arms around her waist and brought her close to him. “Church is what we call a meeting.”

“Then why in the hell don’t you say ‘meeting’?” Her eyes flashed at him, and he viewed her small outburst of anger with amusement. He playfully pinched her ass as he silenced her with a kiss.

“Next time, just text me that you’re comin’. It’ll eliminate all kinds of problems.” He hugged her.

She shook her head. “
Next time
? You’ve got to be kidding.”

He laughed. “Be a good girl, and wait for me out by the bar. Get yourself a drink. We’ll be done with church in a bit.” He kissed her again, feeling her tension seep away as she sank into his hold.

After he made sure Belle was sitting on the barstool and had a glass of white wine, he returned to the meeting room. Angry scowls and low grumblings met his entrance.

“Who the fuck is she? Bitches know they aren’t supposed to disturb church,” Throttle said, his eyes narrowed.

Banger cleared his throat. “She’s a friend of mine. She’s a citizen. I’m the only biker she knows. We gotta give her a break ‘cause she had no idea.” He glanced around the room, sensing the group’s disapproval as to how he handled the situation. They wanted to spill blood—Belle’s—and he couldn’t do it. He’d trusted her explanation. If he wanted to keep seeing her—and he fucking did—he’d
have
to trust her on this one. “Anyone got a problem as to how I’m fuckin’ dealing with what happened?” His eyes had turned to frost as he stared each of the members in the eye. No one said a word. “Didn’t think so. Now, let’s get back to firming up the plans so we can finish up and get some beer.”
And I can have some prime pussy.

They focused their attention on the details of the arms deal that was going to net the club a cool four million.

*     *     *

The following afternoon,
Belle dropped Emily off at Holly’s. She’d explained the situation to her daughter, but Emily had accused her of being a bad mother, and she was giving her the silent treatment. Belle’s stomach had been knotted up since the previous day when Banger had yelled at her for walking into a room. The ludicrousness of it amazed her. He’d acted like she’d discovered some long-lost secret; it was ridiculous. She hadn’t heard anything. She
did
wonder what all the guns were doing on the table, but she had no idea what they were up to. At long last, Banger had finally believed her, and they’d had great make-up sex, but the veiled threats from the evil eyes the members had given her when they’d walked into the great room after their “church” made her body shake.

Driving to Holly’s house, Belle’s eyelids were hot and her chest ached. She hated sending Emily away, but she had no other choice. Her only hope was that Emily would see it her way one day.

When they arrived at Holly and Darren’s house, Emily jumped out of the car, lugging her suitcase behind her without so much as a glance back at her mother. Belle watched her daughter with dull, wet eyes. Two years past, she never would have imagined this scenario. After waving to Holly and yelling, “I love you, Emily,” to her daughter, she exhaled and with a heavy heart, she drove away.

Later that evening, she called Holly to see how Emily was doing. Holly said she was fine, and they were watching a chick flick together. Belle was happy, but a thread of jealousy wove around her as she wished that it were she and Emily watching the movie instead of Holly.

After her phone call, Belle texted her daughter.

Belle:
I love u.
♥♥♥

There was no reply. Tears stung at the backs of her eyes.

“Mom? Is Banger coming with us to the movies?” Ethan’s excited voice broke through her teary veil.

Wiping her eyes quickly, she nodded. “Yes. He’s picking us up in about fifteen minutes. Are you happy he’s coming?”

Ethan bobbed his head up and down. “You bet. I like him. He gave me one of his really cool baseball cards when he was over the last time. He told me when the weather got nicer, we’d throw the baseball.” Her son’s eyes shone with anticipation.

She smiled warmly. “I’m glad you’re getting along with him.” Belle pulled her son to her and hugged him. “You know I love you very much, don’t you?” She kissed his cheek.

He stiffened and pulled away. “I know, Mom.”

She held his gaze. “I love you and your sister more than anything.” She paused then lowered her voice. “For complicated reasons, your sister had to move to Aunt Holly’s for a short time. She’ll be back for the summer. I didn’t want her to go.” Her voice hitched.

Ethan shifted from one foot to the next as he shoved his hands in his jeans’ pockets. “I know, Mom. Emily’s coming back, but it is quieter without her. There isn’t any yelling. I’m gonna wait for Banger in the family room.” He scampered away.

Belle sat staring at the kitchen wall until Banger came over, bringing excitement and joy with his presence.

At the movies, with Banger’s arm around her, her son’s eyes bright as he laughed at all the silly parts in the film, and a bucket of popcorn among them, Belle let the sadness and guilt recess to the corners of her mind, enjoying the happiness which spread through her. Ethan was having a wonderful time, and he and Banger had a connection which thrilled her to no end. Life could be good if she focused on the simple things: a night at the movies.

Ethan laughed and rehashed all his favorite scenes from the movie. As Banger spoke with Ethan, he caught her eye and winked—a single shiver rode down her spine. Ethan and Banger played a video game before he went up to bed. When Belle came downstairs, Banger pulled her toward him and wrapped her close, and in his arms, she felt like she was in a cocoon—safe and protected from everything.

He kissed her forehead. “I know today was rough on you. Deciding to send your daughter to your friend’s house to protect her is the bravest thing a mother can do. You made the right choice.”

“Then why is my heart breaking?”

“Sometimes, making the right decision hurts. Your daughter’s lucky to have you as her mother.”

Belle looked up at him then put her arm around his neck, pulling him down to her. She crushed her mouth over his. “You’re a special man,” she breathed against his lips. “Can you stay the night?”

With a twinkle in his eye, he nodded then kissed her deep. Breaking away from him, she stood then took his hand, leading him upstairs to her room. Banger stripped down to his boxers and climbed in bed, his eyes never leaving her face. Before she slipped in beside him, she took out her phone and texted Emily.

Belle:
Nite, honey. I love u.

She knew Emily wouldn’t respond, that she would need more time. Belle would keep texting and calling her no matter how many times her daughter ignored her. She set down her phone and scooted close to Banger, curling her arm around him. She looked up at him and he bent his head low, his warm breath ghosting across her face before he kissed her. Soft and slow, as his hands slid down to her hips. Heat engulfed her as desire replaced tension, and she let herself be lost in Banger’s scent, his taste, and his touch….

“B
elle, someone wants
to see you out front!” Ruthie yelled as she grabbed the plates under the hot lights. “Take ten.”

Belle wiped her hands on a dish towel, smoothed down her hair, and wandered out to the eating area. She looked around expecting to see Banger, but she didn’t see anyone she knew. Glancing at Ruthie, she followed the woman’s tilting head and spotted a young, dark-haired woman sitting at a small booth. Belle didn’t recognize her. “
She
wants to see me?” Ruthie nodded then shrugged as she set the plates in front of the patrons seated at the counter.

Belle’s stomach twisted. She hoped it wasn’t someone from social services doing an assessment for the truancy court. Every time her phone rang with a number she didn’t recognize, or someone she didn’t know approached her, she always thought it was bad news about her daughter. Inhaling deeply, she walked over to the young woman. A sweet jasmine scent wafted around Belle, startling her. The young brunette wore the same perfume as she. Maybe that was a good sign. She stood by the table, the sense of dread not as pervasive as it’d been as she walked to the table.

“I’m Belle. You asked to see me?”

The woman assessed her with cold, flat eyes then wrinkled her nose. “
You’re
Belle Dermot?” She curled her lip. “Figures.”

Belle’s face tightened. “Who are you?”

The woman placed a slender hand under her chin. “I’m the woman your husband was fucking.” A forced smile exposed perfect white teeth.

Belle grabbed the edge of the table to steady herself. The woman’s statement hit her right in the gut, and she was lightheaded. Had she heard correctly? “My husband has been dead for more than a year. I don’t know you, and I have nothing to say to you.” Her voice dripped ice.

“I’m not here to tell you all the details, I just want my share of the money. Harold made me a lot of promises he didn’t keep. He promised me a large amount of money. I’m here to get my share.” Her brown eyes bored into Belle.

Belle couldn’t believe the audacity of this woman dressed in expensive designer clothes, carrying a Chanel purse that probably could feed Belle and her kids for three months. It seemed like she’d already received more than enough of her share from Harold—there was no way a secretary salary bought her outfit. As her pulse sped up, heat crept up her neck, reddening her skin in its wake. “You have a lot of nerve. You come here after all this time
demanding
money from me, you stupid tramp?”

“I would’ve come sooner, but I left town for a while right after Harold died. I’ve only now returned. The point is, Harold was planning to leave you so we could be married.”

“I don’t believe you! Harold told me he broke it off with you.”

“You
would
believe that. Anyway, like I said, I’m not here to give you all the sexy details. I just want what he promised me.”

Belle laughed dryly. “You can have everything I received.” She shook her head when she noticed the woman’s eyes shining with greed. “I have the list of creditors who were discharged in my bankruptcy. Will that do? Get the fuck out of here.”

Belle turned to leave when the woman grabbed her wrist. Belle jerked her hand out of the lady’s grip. “Don’t you ever fucking touch me,” she hissed. The young girl pulled away.

“Where did all the money Harold embezzled from the company go? Do you think I believe this ‘poor widow’ shit you’re dishing? No fucking way. I’m going to get what’s owed me, one way or another. No one screws me over.”

“Seems like Harold screwed us both over. Get out and leave me the fuck alone. If you don’t, I can make sure you will.” She narrowed her eyes.

“This woman giving you a problem?” Ruthie said as she came up behind Belle.

“No, she was just leaving.”

The pretty girl jutted her chin out, defiance etched on her face. “I’ll leave when I want.” She tossed her head, her long hair falling over her shoulders. “You can’t tell me to leave. You don’t own the place.”

“But I do. Come on, missy, haul your designer-clad ass outta here. I don’t need business from people like you.” Ruthie stood with her legs spread out and her hands on her hips. “Go on, get outta here before I throw you out, and I’m not known to be gentle.”

Harold’s former mistress glared at the two women then stood up, shoving past them. Without a backward glance, she slid into a cherry-red Mustang convertible and took off.

“You okay? Why don’t you have a seat and drink something. You look mighty upset.” Ruthie handed Belle a glass of water.

Shaking her head, she drank slowly, the cool liquid soothing the burn in her throat. “I’m okay, really. That bitch was the woman my husband had an affair with. I always wondered how she looked. Damn, she’s only about seven years older than Emily. Why are men such pigs?”

“‘Cause they got that goddamned dick that’s always looking for a new hole to stick. I been through three husbands and they were all good for nothing. I can’t believe the fucking nerve of that woman. She came just to hurt you. Your man’s been gone for a while, so she came to throw her young ass in your face. I should’ve thrown the bitch out on her butt.”

Belle smiled, a warm glow replacing the angry fire that had burned in her only a few minutes earlier. She had only known Ruthie for less than a year, yet the kind, rough-around-the-edges woman had her back. “She wanted money. That’s a bigger joke than Harold fucking a woman less than half his age.”

“Money? Why the fuck would you give it to her if you had it?”

She shrugged. “People are all kinds of fucked up. I hope I don’t see her again. I have enough shit to deal with.”