Dark Temptation (Dark Saints MC Book 2)(40)

Over the last year, while working this case, I also worked on being a part of Benz’s life. Neither came easy or overnight. But nothing easy ever makes you proud. So, I put in the work on both fronts.

I didn’t go from Benz’s arms to old lady overnight. I still wasn’t a regular at The Dark Saints MC clubhouse. There were times though, when I could show up, and feel comfortable, if not at home.

Those times usually had to do with Mama Bear making a gigantic dinner.

“No one’s stupid enough to bring their dirty shit to Mama Bear’s dinners.” Benz had told me. And so, I went, reluctantly at first, and Bear and I kept our distance.

The other Saints kept Benz on his toes.

A hug from Zig that lifted me off my feet produced a “watch it” from Benz, my gigantic body guard.

Kade, he’d taken one on the chin for me, and I would never forget it.

When Benz was busy with Zig Kade was there at my side with a beer.

“Here you go, Jenny, in the Yellow Dress.”

“What?”

“That’s what he called you right after he met you. Jenny in the Yellow Dress.”

I thought back to the first time I’d been in the same room with them, and that yellow dress. It was a Dark Saint trap really. It did work.

I didn’t wear dresses, ever, the one time I did I caught Benz’s eye. I was still grateful as hell for that. Even though it had causes a lot of turmoil before it was all over.

Benz learned a lot about the real me since that day. And learned more about him and his club.

We also devoted our time to Port Az, for my part I was trying to keep it clean, Benz and his brothers focused on keeping it the right kind of dirty.

“I see your jaw is healing. I never got a chance to say thank you for that. And I’m sorry.” I did owe Kade and said as much.

Kade brushed it off and we clinked beer bottle necks to show we were good.

Kade’s dark features were really gorgeous, he was what the phrase “smoldering” had to mean. All The Saints, together, at the clubhouse were an overwhelming feast for the eyes I could see why women fell at their feet. But my Saint, Benz, he was the only one who made me weak in the knees.

The Saints knew we were together, Benz and I, that was important to Benz.

“It’s another layer of protection for you, my brothers. If something goes down, you can bunker here with them. Remember that.”

I didn’t envision a time where hiding in the MC would be an option for me, but it made Benz feel better.

When I was in the clubhouse Benz was never very far and my beer with Kade was a short interlude.

“Mama Bear is almost ready to feed us.” He draped an arm around my back and rested it on my hip. I wondered if there would ever be a time when even the smallest touch from him didn’t set my insides on fire.

“I’m going to see if she needs anything.”

“She has this shit handled,” Benz said.

“Grandma always told me to help the hostess.” And so I did.

Mama Bear understood that I wanted to be useful.

“How about you put out all the silverware we have in that drawer honey.” I opened the drawer she’d indicated and went about doing what I could.

She did have it handled, she was also generous enough to try to help me to feel my way with this crew, and in this strange role I’d found myself in.

“I do remember how you’re feeling. All this, it’s sort of another planet. You’re right to have your career at the PD. That will help you.” I didn’t know exactly what she meant. I also didn’t know why her approval meant so much. But it did.

Watching Mama Bear with Bear was interesting. In my mind, I had this thought that a biker’s old lady was subservient or played second class citizen. Sure, there were women that would do anything for The Dark Saints, women who were clearly groupies, but then there was Mama Bear and Axle’s Maya. They were different, and they navigated these waters in ways I respected. I watched and learned.

Eventually, at one of Mama’s potlucks, I found myself next to Bear.

“You know, you didn’t have to snitch on your own family with that safety deposit box.” He’d said to me. It had made a splash, the revelation that that legendary Texas Ranger Randolph Davidson was on the take, but like all news, it faded fast.

“I did. Part of what I’d grown up on was a fairy tale.”

“Nothing wrong with a little fairy tale now and then. In fact, I’ve got a line on a Big Bad Wolf, I think you might like to hear about.” Bear and I sat at the bar, both of us staring straight ahead.

“I’m listening.”

“Ricardo Pilar.”

“Yeah?”

“Ever hear of him?”

“No.”

“Well, he’s the bigger fish.”

I thought back. The deal I’d busted in on was for New Jack Swing. I realized now how very green, very eager, and very stupid, I was. Both my boss and Benz said the MC was trying to get a bigger fish on the hook with that setup. I’d ruined it. I’d let the bigger fish swim away.

“How do you know?”

Bear slid an envelope to me.

“Put it in your bag, take it to the office. If there’s something else you should know, I’ll tell you. Oh, and goes without saying, you didn’t get this from The Saints.”