Vicious Cycle

I knew the other guys were just as surprised as I was by his request. Reluctantly, I let my ass fall back in the seat. After the rest of the guys filed out of the room, I glanced expectantly at Case. “What’s eating at you now, Prez?”

“I’m worried about this teacher.”

My brows shot up in surprise. “With all the shit going on with the Knights, you’re thinking about her?” When Case nodded, I asked, “You worried for her or for the club’s safety?”

The flame from Case’s lighter illuminated his face as he lit his pipe. After taking a few puffs, he replied, “She’s an outsider.”

“Yes, I’m aware of her status,” I replied, digging in my pocket for my own smokes.

“Just having her here in the clubhouse or at your house is trouble waiting to happen.”

I hastily lit a cigarette. As I inhaled sharply, I let the sweet nicotine sting fill my senses. “She’s more trouble if we keep her out.”

“I know. That’s the only reason why I’m letting her in here. But my issue with her isn’t just the fact that she could bring CPS sniffing around in here.”

“What is it, then?”

He slid a manila folder over to me. “I had someone look into her background.”

“Is it that serious?” I asked, flipping the folder open.

“If you consider the fact her uncle is a retired state trooper.”

I grimaced as I glanced over the papers regarding Alexandra’s life. Of all the teachers I could have had snooping around, I had to have one who was tied to the law. And this uncle wasn’t just someone she saw on the holidays. He had become her guardian when she was seventeen and her parents died in a car accident.

“He’s a lifer here in town, and so is his wife. It won’t take long for him to put two and two together about who Alexandra is working for,” Case said.

“Did he ever put any heat on us when he was active?”

“No, he didn’t. He even collected toys from his fellow officers for our charity runs.”

I flipped the folder shut. “Then I don’t think he’s going to be an issue.”

“I hope not.” Case took a thoughtful drag on his pipe. “She’s a very beautiful woman.”

I snorted. “Better not let Kim hear you say that. She’ll have your balls on a platter.”

Case grinned at the mention of his possessive wife. While there was amusement in his eyes, he still pinned me with a hard look. “Beautiful women like Alexandra are trouble for a man like you, Deacon.”

“What the fuck is that supposed to mean?” I demanded, stubbing my cigarette out in the ashtray.

“It means a woman like her can get under your skin. She’s smart, independent, and good-hearted. She loves your kid, and your kid loves her.”

“Jesus, Case, you sound like an old woman.”

“I’m trying to give you something to think about.”

“Trust me when I say that regardless of how ‘beautiful’ Miss Evans is, I’ll have no trouble keeping my dick in my pants around her.”

Case shook his head. “It’s not your dick I’m concerned about. It’s your head and your heart.”

Shaking my head, I said, “Jesus, man. When did you grow a fucking vagina and start talking out of your ass with head-and-heart bullshit? This is me we’re talking about, Case. Not Rev.”

“I am serious.”

“I don’t know what I should worry about more: Sigel or the fact that my club president thinks I’m going to let some white-bread piece of ass turn me soft.”

“All I’m saying is just be careful. And for fuck’s sake, don’t say or do anything to piss her off. We need her on our side.”

“Fine. Anything else?”

“She doesn’t go anywhere in the compound without someone watching her. She doesn’t need to be hunting for the john and accidentally stumble onto something she shouldn’t. Got it?”

“I’ll put the prospects on her.”

I rose from my chair and patted Case’s back on my way out of the room. I didn’t know any other way to put the man at ease. I mean, he had nothing to worry about with Miss Alexandra Evans. The woman was beautiful, yeah—for sure—but that little sweet-ass chick and I were never going to tumble in any sheets. I’d stay away for the same reasons I’d warned Bishop away. I was far less concerned about her getting a rise out of my dick than I was about her making waves for the club.

As I made my way across the parking lot to my car, I couldn’t fight off the butterflies I felt in my stomach. I had never been apprehensive about doing a homebound job before. It didn’t take much to realize what it was about this job, or who it was, that made me anxious. While I might’ve been looking forward to working with Willow, I was most definitely not looking forward to seeing her father again. Sure, we had found some sort of middle ground a few days before, but David, or Deacon, didn’t impress me as the kind of man who stayed on an even keel. Our first meeting had been both physically and emotionally volatile. I could only imagine that it wouldn’t be long before we were coming to verbal blows again … maybe even physical ones—at least on his end.

Once I got to my car, I turned the radio to an upbeat song and tried desperately to ignore the voices of doubt in my head. Instead, I tried to focus on some of the visualization techniques my late mother had taught me. My father had jokingly called my mother “Mary Sunshine” for her ability to see the positive in even the hardest of situations. Instead of Deacon occupying my thoughts, I focused on Willow. She needed me, so I had to be strong for her.

When I pulled up outside the pawnshop, a nervous shudder ricocheted through my body at the sight of Deacon waiting on me. After quickly turning off the car, I grabbed my bag. With my eyes firmly on Deacon, I fumbled with the door handle for a few seconds before I was able to throw it open.

When I unceremoniously tripped on the uneven pavement, which sent me flying forward before I could right myself, the corners of Deacon’s lips turned up with a teasing lilt. “Glad I can amuse you,” I blurted before I could stop myself. I cringed as his dark eyes widened with surprise at my response.

“I’m glad to see you made it.”

Jerking my chin up, I countered¸ “I’m not late. I told you I wouldn’t be able to get here until three.”

“No, Miss Evans, you’re not late.” He flashed me a wide smile. “I’m just glad to see you.”