Opal (Rugged Skulls MC Book 2) Read online

  Magnum looks at me from the opposite side of the table, his body tight, his shoulders bunched up. Finally, he breaks the deafening silence.

  “We tracked down Omen,” he reveals.

  I feel everyone’s eyes on me in the room. They are waiting for my reaction to the news. After he hurt Click and what he did to me, I want him to pay with his life. We have been tracking him for a while, so my whole body tenses and my jaw clenches at the news. I never move my gaze from Magnum, conveying my feelings to him, which I know he will understand.

  The whole room is thick with tension and silence until Slide pipes in, “Anyone going to say something? Anything?” I turn to look at him and he shrugs.

  In a flash, Rookie brings his hand up and slaps the back of Slide’s head, giving him the old Mama slap.

  “What the fuck?” Slide bitches and rubs the back of his head; the boys chuckle, except Magnum and me.

  “Fucking wanker,” Rookie swears. My gaze is still on Magnum as he explains.

  “We have Abe on him,” Magnum states, then Edge chimes in.

  “He won’t get away. Not now.” I nod in agreement.

  “We won’t let the motherfucker escape, brother. Nobody messes with us and gets away with it,” Rookie says.

  “Nobody smart, anyway.” Slide shakes his head before adding, “If they do, they pay.”

  “So, what happens now?” I ask. Magnum looks around the room, to the boys, and then back to me.

  “We thought we’d leave that choice to you,” Sarge explains. I nod and think as so many fucking scenarios run through my head.

  “Keep trailing him for now. Get a plan in place before we make a move. Get the fucker when he's least expecting it. We take him down and make him pay,” I say before standing.

  “Nobody fucks with the Rugged Skulls and their people.” Standing from my chair, I look at my brothers in arms, feeling the loyalty and support they will give me. They each give me a nod, and I look at Magnum. He sends me a chin lift, indicating I can leave.

  Walking out of that room, it takes everything I have not to get on my bike and head right for Omen, to take the fucker out. Instead, I get on my bike and ride. I need this. This alone time to clear my head of the anger that I hold for this cunt. His time will come, but I need a focused mind to take him down.

  In the end, I don’t know where I’m going. I just knew I needed to get on the road. The wind, the bike beneath me, helps to wipe away the rage I’m feeling. The vibrations help my muscles relax as the roads takes me to nowhere special, and I ride for hours until I come across a secluded wooded area with a few picnic benches scattered around.

  I’m in the middle of nowhere, surrounded by trees and a lake. I slow my bike to a stop, before climbing off and placing my helmet and gloves on the seat, before walking away, not far, and look across the land as the sun starts to set. The ride has done enough to get me to relax, but then it hits me once again.

  The rush of rage hits me, and next thing I know, I lose it. Punch after punch. Kick after kick. When I stop, my heart is racing, my breathing heavy, as I look down at the busted fence that I took my anger out on. I step back and look to the sun and roar, both in frustration and pain from my ankle. Jodie will kick my ass if she hears about this.

  I hear it echo over the land, letting the natural sounds ease the rage away for the time being. Being here and losing control is what I do. I very rarely let anyone see my temper take over. Being the cool, collected one of the club, I tend to lose my shit in private, not that I do it often. A sound of a twig snapping breaks my serenity.

  I don’t know how long I have been here, but I sit and watch the sky change color and let my thoughts fill my mind. What the hell am I going do when I see him? Am I going to keep my cool? Am I going to kill the fucker or make him hurt first?

  My jaw aches from being constantly clenched, my fists are feeling the pain too. I look at my baby before standing and walking back to my bike and climbing on before I start her up and ride off.

  I’m almost home when I hear a siren behind me. It’s a cop driving toward me. The car quickly passes me. The sound leaves my heart racing and a ringing in my ears.

  I blink and try to refocus, but memories of the crash force their way back into my mind. I can’t get rid of them. They drown me. The image of Omen running me off the road, the sound of metal crunching and hitting the asphalt. Images of myself coming off my bike, followed by red and blue lights and loud sirens.

  I swerve when an animal sprints across the road, narrowly missing the side barrier. I pull over to the side. My heart is racing, trying to break free, and I’m sweating.

  My head can't focus, my breathing is fast, and I feel dizzy. My head is spinning. I take my helmet off and it drop it at my feet. I rub my hands over my face and take deep breaths. After I’ve gathered myself, I reach down and grab my helmet before taking off toward home again.

  Fuck knows how long I’ve been out when I arrive at the compound. I park my bike and walk inside. There are lots of eyes on me when I make it into the main room. I either need a drink or a shower and sleep. Or all the above. Running a hand through my short hair, I sit down at the bar and Risky slides a beer to me. I gulp it down quickly. I sigh, feeling movement beside me. When I turn my head slightly, I see Rookie.

  “You okay, mate?” he asks.

  “Peachy,” I state. My earlier anger is gone, it evaporated as soon as I arrived back here. Now I’m Opal, the Vice President of the Rugged Skulls MC.

  “Look, we're gonna get him. You were gone awhile, but Abe updated us. Nothing new. He’s still tracking him.” He takes a mouthful of his own drink.

  “I know. He’s gonna wish he never crossed us, brother.” Rookie nods, and I add, “I need a shower. What time is it?” Rookie looks down at his phone.

  “A little after ten,” he grunts. I give him a chin lift and stalk away to my room. I shower and crash for the night, the day’s emotions getting the better of me.

  I sleep hard, dreaming of a dark-haired pixie with amber eyes and red lips.

  Ten

  Jodie

  I touch up my hair then make sure my makeup looks on point. I may have spent a few years in the Army, but I’m still a woman who likes wearing makeup and doing her hair. It took me a while to get used to the pixie cut when Tucker was a baby, but I love it now.

  My makeup is a little dark around the eyes, and I’m wearing my usual dark red lipstick. I slide on my black skinny jeans and a navy V-neck cami top with some pretty embroidery across the chest. I finish the look off with my navy and gold wedges that I love, and some pretty moon necklaces that Tucker and my parents bought for me.

  Opal is picking me up for our date tonight. He told me that we’re going to a local seafood place that he loves. I love seafood, so that’s a bonus. I chuckle when I remember our text conversation yesterday.

  Opal: Date tomorrow. Me, you wrapped around me on the bike, seafood. Done.

  Me: You could have asked, you know.

  Opal: I could ;)

  Me: So, are you going to, or are you just going to boss me around?

  Opal: Boss. You know you want to be wrapped around me, babe.

  Me: If you say so. So, if you were to ask me on a date and I agreed, where would we go?

  Opal: My bed.

  Me: That’s it? ‘Your bed’? Wow, you really know how to romance a girl, Stefan Bryant.

  Opal: I know. Joking. I would take you to a pretty good seafood restaurant I love. You like seafood, right?

  Me: I do. Sounds like a plan, but I have a condition.

  Opal: Depends!

  Me: Can we take a car? I am not comfortable with you getting on a bike yet.

  Opal: Ummmmm.

  Me: Seriously, Opal? Freaking men.

  Me: Opal??

  Opal: Fine, DD. I will bring the car, but I will have you wrapped around me some other way.

  Me: Thank you :)

  Opal: I will be there at seven. Be ready and wet for me, baby.

&n
bsp; Me: Come again? Wet and ready?

  Opal: Fuck, typo. I meant ready and wet.

  Opal: Jesus fuck. Ready and waiting.

  Me: That’s better. See you at seven.

  Opal: Wicked. Oh, and, baby, you will be wet and coming again.

  Still chuckling at his texts, I jump as a knock comes from the front door.

  “Tuck, your grandparents are here,” I call out to him. He’s staying with my parents tonight, so I don’t have to worry about being out late or possibly bringing Opal home with me.

  “I got it, Mom,” he says, racing to the front door. “It’s for you, Mom.” Tucker shouts back, and I frown. Oh shit, is Opal early?

  I secure the bracelet on my wrist while I walk out of my room and toward the door, where I see Opal and Tucker talking just inside the doorway.

  My breath catches when I see him. He’s wearing dark blue jeans with a denim shirt, the sleeves rolled up under his club cut.

  “Jodie,” he greets when he sees me. I smile at him and come to a stop behind Tucker.

  “Opal. I know you met him briefly before, but, Opal, this is my son, Tucker. Tucker, this is Opal. Say hi,” I introduce them.

  “Hey man.” Opal sticks his hand out for Tucker to shake, which he does because my baby boy has manners.

  “Nice to meet you, Opal. Is that your real name?” Tuck asks, and Opal shakes his head, dropping down to Tucker’s level. My heart swells as I watch him treating my son like this.

  “It isn’t, no. It’s my club name. My real name is Stefan. You can call me either, that’s up to you,” Opal explains. Tucker nods and looks up at me, then back to Opal.

  “Do you like my mom?”

  “I do,” comes Opal’s reply.

  “Good. Don’t hurt her, because I don’t want to have to hurt you. My dad hurt her, so she needs some happy times that are more than me and her.”

  I choke up and cough to clear my throat at my son’s warning and the protectiveness from him. I lick my lips and lean down to kiss the top of his head.

  “Not going to happen, but if I do, then you get to set my rules for punishment, got it?” Tucker thinks on it for a second before he nods and offers his hand to shake on it.

  My parents pull into my drive and beep, so Tucker kisses me goodbye and runs off to the car and climbs in. I can see my parents assessing Opal, but they stay in the car because it is way too early to do the introductions. I wave them off, and even Opal raises his hand to wave. With them gone, Opal turns his hot gaze to me, and I quiver under his stare.

  This man is walking sex, and I feel like he knows it but not in a vain way. The small ring in his nose sparkles from the light in my porch, and I once again quiver inside. Biting my lip, I take in his rugged, handsome face, just like his gaze is scanning me. I can tell he likes what he sees because he licks his lips.

  “Damn, baby, you are fucking beautiful. We need to go before I take you back inside and ravish you.”

  His words have my pussy clenching and my nipples hardening behind the material of my cami. Taking the hand he offers, he leads me out to the most beautiful car I have ever seen.

  “Is that a 1969 Ford Mustang MACH-1 Cobra Jet 428?” I gush, touching the hood before bending to look through the open window in awe.

  All the interior is black and chrome and sexy as hell. I hear a groan behind me and look over my shoulder to see that Opal has his gaze firmly planted on my butt. I’m thankful these jeans make my ass look amazing.

  “What?” I ask innocently.

  “You know about muscle cars?” he asks, and I nod.

  “Yeah, my dad and brother, Archie, loved working on them. I joined in from time to time.”

  “Perfect,” he mutters, closing the distance between us, cupping my face, and kissing me.

  My gasp at the action is used to his advantage as he slips his tongue into my mouth, exploring every inch. He tastes minty from brushing his teeth or chewing gum before coming here.

  My hands find his waist and I hold on for dear life, because I have never been kissed like this before. I’m twisted around so that my back is against the car, and as Opal grinds against me. I can feel his hard-on press against my core.

  A car honks as they pass, and we break the kiss. I rest my head on his chest and feel that he’s breathing just as heavily as I am. It’s good to know that he’s being affected like this as much as I am.

  “Come on, or we will never get to eat, and I want to feed you. You ready?” he asks as he opens the door for me. He closes it and jogs around and climbs in the driver’s side.

  “Yep. I have been looking forward to tonight.” I answer.

  “Me too,”

  Giving me a smile, he starts the car and drives off. We make small talk on the drive to the seafood restaurant. It’s nice, comfortable. There are no awkward moments between us, and I like that.

  When we get there, Opal opens my door for me and takes my hand before leading me inside and greeting the hostess, who seats us near a window that overlooks the ocean. The sea air lingers inside, making me feel like I’m sitting outside, due to a wall of windows that are open.

  “Can I get you both a drink?” a young waitress asks.

  “I’ll have a beer. Babe?”

  “I’ll take a mojito, please,” I say.

  “Of course. I will get those for you while you look over the menu,” the waitress tells us, and walks away.

  Opal is looking at me with a sexy smile on his face, and I cock an eyebrow at him. He chuckles.

  “Has anyone ever told you that you look like Anne Hathaway?” he asks, keeping his gaze firmly on me. I laugh and lick my lips before I answer. I love that his eyes track my tongue and he mirrors me.

  “They have, plenty of times. The pixie cut makes it more prominent, so I am told.” I shrug. Our drinks are delivered, and we order our food, before we are left alone again.

  “I can see it. She is one hot chick, but you, babe… you blow her out of the water.” I chuckle and he continues. “One thing you will learn about me, babe, is that I don’t beat around the bush. I say it as it is. My gut tells me when things are good or bad, and with you all I feel is good.” He winks at me and I laugh at him.

  “I bet you do.” I wink back, and he gives me a breathtaking smile that I get lost in.

  “Tell me about you and the Army?” I ask.

  “Not much to tell. I was honored to serve my country, along with my brothers. That’s how I met some of the guys in the club. I did a few tours, but at the end it was time for me to come home and stay home. Each day over there got longer, harder. My injuries were taking longer to heal, so I knew in my heart it was time to come home. I would rather be stateside than be hurt and put my team in danger.” I nod, knowing exactly what he means.

  “I hear you, handsome. It was that way with me. I know that I never saw what you saw every day, because I was in the medic tents, but the injuries I saw were awful and filled with nightmares. But when I got pregnant with Tuck, I still wanted to work with soldiers, so that’s why I went into physical therapy.”

  “You enjoy it?”

  “Yeah. I love getting them back on their feet and stronger, to fight another day or live another day,” I reply.

  I take a bite and love the way his eyes light up. It makes him look even more relaxed and handsome. I lick my lips and groan before I can stop it, and he notices. One side of his lips lifts in a sexy smirk, and all I want to do is kiss him again. God, I feel like a horny teenage girl that has the high school QB giving her attention.

  “I’m going to need you to eat your food, baby, so we can go and I can taste every inch of you back at your place,” he says, his voice deeper than just a second ago.

  Food?

  His eyes locked on mine and he nods down to the table. Being locked in a lustful stare with Stefan Bryant makes my brain turn to mush.

  “Eat, babe.” I do as he says.

  While eating our food, we talk about everything. Both of our times in the Army, our family
. Opal tells me that his father was one of the OG members of the Rugged Skulls MC but passed away a few years ago from cancer. He talks about his mother, Vera, and sister, Suzie, and about how he and the rest of the brothers met.

  I tell him about my parents, my brother, and Tucker’s father, but I don’t go into much detail on Roy. He asks a lot of questions about my time in the Army and changing my career, and he seems interested in Tucker’s life, asking about his school and sports.

  We finish our food and Opal pays, refusing to let me pay half.

  “How about a walk before I take you home?” I nod and he takes my hand and we walk toward the beach.

  The waves crash against the sand and rocks, making the most blissful sound. The warm breeze washes over us and it feels amazing. The relaxed feeling of being here with Opal is what I needed. Since things went south with Roy, I have been on the go, trying to make things better for Tucker and myself.

  We stop at a walkway and look over the water. Resting my hands on the railing, Opal steps up behind me, wrapping his arms around my waist, keeping me in place, just where he wants me.

  “You feel good in my arms, like I knew you would,” he whispers next to my ear. I lean into him.

  Nothing is said for a few minutes and it’s nice just being here, until he breaks the silence.

  “I always go after what I want, Jodie. And I want you. Have done since I saw you step behind Tucker on that first day. I know you come as a package deal, and I’m okay with that.”

  I say nothing, letting his words sink in. His hands move under my cami and his calloused palms and fingers come into contact with the skin on my stomach. My muscles tense, but then a relaxed feeling takes over and I lean back into him even more, if that is possible.

  With my history and him being part of an MC, I’m scared, and I know I need to tell him, so I do, though not the full extent of why I am worried. I turn in his arms, then rest my hands on his biceps, unable to stop my fingers from giving the hard muscle a gentle squeeze.

  “You like, babe?”

  “Reflex, you know.” I smile and shrug. Sliding one hand over, I trace the Vice President patch on his chest.