CARTER (Steel Daggers MC Book 6) Page 3

  “I’m confused...” I hedge not sure what she’s getting at.

  “You know, with-”

  Emersen smacks her in the shoulder with a kitchen towel. “Leave her alone Chels, that’s not anyone’s business but hers.”

  “What? Everyone is dying to know.” Chelsea says innocently.

  “Know what?” I ask.

  “What’s going on with you and Carter?” Holly, Rash and Jester’s old lady, asks gently.

  My face turns a deep shade of red, or at least I’m assuming it does since it’s hot and I’m mortified. A sinking feeling consumes me. Did Carter say something? Nothing happened between us, but what if he’s telling people something did? Just then all of the officers of the Steel Daggers MC, Prince, Rock, Jester and Rash, as well as Triton file out of their meeting room with my brother’s crew behind them. I wait to see Carter and my brother come out, but the door closes. Oh god, what is going on now? After about ten minutes Tyce walks out looking pissed, Pres looks stern like he always does, and Carter looks happier than I’ve ever seen him.

  “Ready to go beautiful?” Carter asks from across the room, drawing everyone’s eyes to us as he walks over to me. He leans down and kisses me softly on the cheek and my heart just about bursts out of my chest.

  I look to Tyce and see him scowling at me while leaning up against the wall. I’m waiting for him to tell me I can’t go, but he surprises me when he sighs and shakes his head. “Be safe Georgie.”

  Everyone’s eyes are on me waiting to see what I’ll do. I know this could tear apart the fragile business relationship Tyce and Ryker are trying to build. This could mean war between a group of bikers and a group of mercenaries. At this moment I couldn’t care less because for the first time in a long time, something I want is standing right in front of me and I’m not going to let anyone or anything get in the way of this chance. Sometimes you only get one, I’m going to make it count.

  Five

  CARTER

  Pres called church as I was changing for breakfast with Georgia. Talk about a cockblocker. I swear to all that is holy, if Canton ran to Pres about Georgia and me, I’ll beat the shit out of him. Since I’m an officer of the MC, there’s no way I can miss this unless I have a good reason. Pancakes and bacon with the sexy Georgia are good enough for me, but I doubt Pres will agree. Son of a bitch, why did I agree to be the Treasurer again? Honestly, the only reason they asked me was that no one else wanted the job and numbers have always come easy to me. When they offered me the position, I figured why the hell not. It’s not like I had anything keeping me from saying yes.

  I dress in the clothes I had taken out earlier, put on my black shit-kicker boots and my cut, then get to church as quickly as possible, praying this only lasts a few minutes. There’s only one meeting I want to be having and it isn’t with a bunch of bikers. When I walk into the room we hold church in, Canton and his guys are sitting on one side of the table with the rest of the Steel Daggers officers filling in the rest of the seats. The rest of the members of the MC are sitting around the room in the chairs lining the walls. I’m the last one here so I close the door so we can get the show on the road and take a seat at the table. Canton and Drake are staring holes into my skull. Before he can say anything to me, Pres bangs the gavel and the meeting begins.

  “I’ll make this quick. Canton and his men are here because it involves them. His crew cleaned up the scene last week when there was a run-in with Razor.”

  “You mean where Harper blew his head to pieces?” I ask, clarifying for the group and causing Triton to glare at me. “What? I’m just saying what everyone else was thinking. It takes some serious lady balls to put one between someone’s eyes. She’s a great addition to the Old Ladies if you ask me.”

  Pres nods in agreement. “Carter is right. Harper has proved herself as a valuable member of our MC family. We should never have questioned her loyalty or yours for that matter, Triton.”

  “We’re good Pres. Well, we will be once she gets past that night.” Triton says.

  I can tell Pres and Prince still feel like shit after what went down with Triton and Harper a few weeks ago.

  “If she needs anything please let us know. I’ve held Emersen back, but she’s dying to come over and visit with Harper and little Finley.”

  “You can let her loose, Harper and Finley would love that,” Triton says. Those weeks he spent with Razor really did a number on him. He’s not the same guy I met when I first joined up, hell none of the guys are since meeting their women.

  “Since then, I’ve had Triton doing what he does best, digging into any lead he can chase on Marcus O’Neil. Triton, why don’t you tell everyone what you discovered this morning.”

  Triton dips his head and stands up. Grabbing a remote from his pocket, he aims it at the monitor that’s hanging from the middle of the ceiling. When it loads, an older man, probably in his late fifties or early sixties is on the screen. He’s wearing an expensive suit and shaking hands with someone not pictured.

  “This is Marcus O’Neil. When I met him a couple of months back I had no idea who he was until he told me, but his name sounded familiar. I couldn’t figure out where I had heard it before though. I’ve been running his name through a program I wrote and have been sifting through the data. Last night I was going through it and recognized his picture. Turns out, O’Neil is the Governor of Idaho.”

  “The Governor? Of mother fucking Idaho?” I ask interrupting Triton. “I’ll be damned. I never saw that one coming.”

  “Does he ever shut the hell up?” I hear Canton mumble under his breath, from across the table.

  I stand, knocking the chair I was sitting onto the ground.“You have a fucking problem?”

  “You’re my fucking problem.” Canton sneers.

  “Carter sit down. You two can handle this after we’re finished here. Triton please finish.” Pres demands.

  It turns out O’Neil will be back in Pennsylvania in a couple of weeks for a political event being hosted by our Governor. Pres thinks this is when we should take care of him. Until then we will plan our attack and ensure we’re ready when the time comes.

  “Whatever you need Pres. You know I got your back.” I say and my brothers agree.

  Canton nods his head too. “We’ve got your back.”

  Pres dips his chin then bangs his gavel. “Church is adjourned. Everyone get the fuck out.”

  I stand to leave when Pres looks at me and points down at my chair. “Not you. Canton if you wouldn’t mind.” He asks motioning towards the seat he just stood from.

  For the next ten minutes, I sit through a “meeting” where Canton tells Pres I’m the last person he’d pick for his sister. Pres knows me. He knows what I’ve been through in my past and everything I’ve done for the club since I joined. He has my back, that I have no doubt. He listened while Canton spewed his shit then told him he understood but that he wouldn’t have men in his MC who weren’t worthy. He wanted to make sure there wouldn’t be an issue going forward with their business arrangement, and Canton assured him there wouldn’t be. He looked at me and told me if he had an issue he’d take it up with me personally. The meeting was done after that and I walked out smiling knowing Georgia would be waiting for me.

  I don’t give a flying fuck if he wants me with his sister or not. The truth of the matter is that it doesn’t concern him. As of a few weeks ago, because yes I checked, she’s an adult and can date whoever the hell she wants to. Well, that last part is a lie, because now that I’ve had her in my bed and watched her fly apart calling my name, there’s no way in hell I’m letting anyone else get a chance to have her. She’s mine plain and simple. I should let her go. I should let her grow up, live her life, go to college, and find a guy her own age. Fuck that. I’m tired of doing what I think everyone else wants me to do.

  As soon as we walk out of the meeting, I spot Georgia in the kitchen surrounded by the old ladies. She looks adorable, standing there with a blush covering her face. I’m su
re I could guess what they’re talking about. “Ready to go beautiful?” I ask, needing to get her alone, where no one can interfere. She looks at her brother and he tells her to be careful, although the look he’s giving her makes me want to punch him in the dick for being an ass.

  Georgia looks back at me and gives me a determined smile. “I’m ready.”

  When I get to her side I place my hand on the back of her neck and pull her in close to place a kiss on her temple. She shivers and sighs quietly, then looks up at me. Yeah, I caught that sweetheart, I know you’re in as deep as I am. “Let’s go,” I say only for her to hear. As we make our way out of the bunker under Spanky’s I keep my hand on the back of her neck, rubbing reassuring circles into her skin with the pad of my thumb. The bright sun blinds me when the doors open, but I’m quick to close the door. No one besides club members and their old ladies knows about this place and we intend to keep it that way. With all the security Rock and Triton rigged up around here no one will be able to get in without us finding out.

  “Are you hungry?”

  She nods. “Starving actually. Since you mentioned bacon my stomach has been rumbling.”

  “That’s my girl. I don’t know what I would have done if you didn’t like bacon. It’s like it’s own food group.”

  Georgia laughs and rolls her eyes at me.

  I grab the helmet I bought for her last night before coming home out of my saddlebag. It’s black and shiny with baby pink details. I notice the tag is still on it, so I quickly pull it off then turn to her. “Safety first Georgia. I promise that with me you will always be safe.”

  As I go to put the helmet on her head I realize it isn’t going to fit. “Here, hold this first.” I push the helmet into her hands then reach up to pull her hair tie out of her hair. Her long curly hair falls down her back. “There, it should fit now.” I grab the full-face helmet and put it on her head.

  I turn back and grab my helmet, the one I just bought with hers for this purpose. I push the button to enable the intercom between helmets and hear her breathing heavily. The last thing I want is for Georgia to be scared about riding with me. I turn and place my hands on her shoulders and her eyes lock on mine. “Easy love, everything is going to be okay. Trust me to take care of you Georgia.”

  She takes a deep breath and nods. “I trust you, Carter.”

  “That’s my girl.” I can only see her eyes, but I can tell my words are affecting her. I figure if I say it enough it will start sinking in that she’s mine.

  I straddle my bike and reach my hand out to Georgia who takes it and slides on the back of my bike like a pro. “Have you ever rode a bike before?” I ask suddenly pissed that I don’t get to be her first.

  “No. I’ve just been watching everyone since I’ve gotten here. The men always help their women onto the back of their bikes. It’s sweet.”

  “Baby those men aren’t sweet. They are the last thing you’d call sweet, but they do love their women. Now scoot your ass up and wrap your hands around my stomach.” She listens and does what I say immediately. Holding her hand against my chest, I get into position but don’t turn on my bike. “Good, now hang on tight and move with me. If I lean, you lean. I sit back, you sit back. I’ll lead, you follow.”

  She giggles and I clear my throat. “Sorry, yes I can do that.”

  I pat her leg then turn on my bike and take off. She squeals as I take off quickly. Taking the back roads, I weave us around the slow drivers until there’s an open stretch of road and speed up.

  After we’ve been driving for a while in silence, Georgia clears her throat. “Where are we going?”

  “It’s about fifteen minutes out of town. It’s this hole in the wall diner that looks like it’s seen better days, but once you step inside it’s like coming home. It’s always warm and smells like butter and syrup.”

  “Sounds like a great place.”

  “It’s the best,” I tell her.

  Once we arrive I help Georgia off the bike first and wait until she’s gained her legs back before releasing her. When I get off my bike I pull off my helmet and go to help Georgia with hers, but she’s already got it off and hands it to me. Once I put them in the saddlebag I turn back to her and I can’t help but laugh at the way her hair looks after the ride, her curls are fluffed up and the hair on top of her head is flattened from the helmet. I push some of her hair out of her eyes and behind her ear then smile. “Oh baby, please don’t take this the wrong way, but your hair is all over the place.”

  She sticks her tongue out at me then runs her fingers through her hair trying to get it to behave. “It’s this damn curly hair. Usually, I straighten it, but I didn’t have time this morning because someone only gave me twenty minutes to get ready.” She says glaring at me with a grin at the corner of her mouth.

  “You’re beautiful Georgia and I love your curly hair. I was just messing with you baby.”

  Georgia pulls a hair tie from around her wrist and quickly puts her hair into a ponytail at the top of her head. She couldn’t be more beautiful than she is right now with her windblown hair pulled up. “There, that’s better. Why do you look so weird?”

  “What do you mean?” I ask.

  “You’ve got a look on your face.”

  “Where did you get that hair tie? I have yours on my wrist,” I say showing her the hair tie I stole from her.

  She laughs and pats my chest. “Oh Carter, the things you’ll learn by hanging out with me. Girls always have an extra hair tie.”

  Six

  GEORGIA

  I’m on a date. A real date. A date with a man. Oh my god, what am I doing? I’ve never been out on a date before. I’m completely clueless. He’s a man Georgia and you’re barely a woman. What could you do for a man like him that he couldn’t find in someone else that is more experienced?

  I shake off my negative thoughts and try and be in the moment and be as brave as I hopefully sound. My hand tingles where Carter is holding it. Little does he know that he’s getting to be my first date, my first kiss, first hand-hold. He’s getting them all. He walks us towards the restaurant with a sign that reads Diner above the door. There’s nothing special about the place, nothing that stands out, but I don’t care. I’m not here for the food. I’m here because Carter asked me to go with him.

  Like a schoolgirl, I flirted shamelessly trying to catch his attention, but now that I’ve got it I don’t know what to do with myself or with him for that matter. I never thought he’d be interested, let alone ask me out on a date. My heart is beating rapidly in my chest and my hand feels clammy in his. I have a sudden urge to run away as fast as I can, but I don’t because then I’d look like an even bigger spaz.

  When we walk in, I’m surprised to find the place is packed, with only a couple of tables empty. It’s warm and smells delicious, just like Carter said it would. There are people talking and laughing while they sip their coffee and eat their breakfast.

  “Two today Carter?” A woman with black hair streaked with grey and a kind face asks, looking and sounding surprised to see me with him.

  “Yes, ma’am. Could we have a booth, Ms. Tammy?”

  “You got it sugar.” She says grabbing two paper menus and silverware rolls.

  Following behind Tammy, Carter leads us to the booth. People say hi and wave to Carter as we pass. Once we get to the table he waits for me to sit down before he scoots in the booth on the opposite side of me.

  “What would you like to drink honey?” Tammy asks after setting down our menus and silverware, looking at me.

  “Oh, can I just have some orange juice, please? With some ice?”

  “Absolutely. Carter?”

  “Coffee. You know how I like it.”

  “You got it. I’ll be back with your drinks.”

  I watch Tammy walk away, stopping to check on a table. Carter nudges my foot with his, so I turn to face him and he’s got a mischievous grin spread across his face.

  “I take it you come here a lot.”


  Carter nods. “Almost every day.”

  “Every day? No wonder they know you here.” I laugh.

  “Just wait. You’ll try their pancakes and then be begging me to bring you with for breakfast every morning.”

  Arching my brow, I fold my arms on the table and level him with my most serious expression. “I don’t beg.”

  “Maybe not before, but I promise I’ll have you begging for something real soon Georgia.” He says in a way that has my stomach clenching and my core throbbing.

  From anyone else, I’d roll my eyes and walk away, but from him, it doesn’t sound like a line. From him, it sounds like a promise.

  I’m saved from figuring out a response when Tammy reappears with our drinks. Bless you, sweet angelic Tammy.

  “Did you have a chance to look at the menu yet? Or do you still need a few minutes?” Tammy asks and takes out a notepad and pen.

  “We’re getting the pancakes and bacon.”

  “So the usual?” Tammy asks Carter.

  “You got it.”

  “Both of you?” She asks, looking at me. When I nod she puts her notepad and pen back into her apron. “You’re always easy Brixton.”

  “Only for you Ms. Tammy.” He winks and she smacks him on the shoulder. “You better watch this one.” She says laughing and walks away to put in our order.

  “Brixton?”

  “Yep, that’s what my momma named me.”

  “So what is Carter then? All of the other guys have a road name, I just figured you didn’t since yours sounded like a first name.”