Page 49 of Diesel

I would go along with this because I was nosy as hell. Plus Diesel was a walking wet dream. I’d follow the stud anywhere.

After saying goodbye to Edith, I climbed into the truck. Diesel started it and pulled away.

His hand curled around mine on the console, thick fingers swallowing mine. He didn’t say anything, and for some reason, I didn’t push for answers.

We arrived at the garage ten minutes later, motorcycles lined up like soldiers along the fence.

No one was outside, and all three bay doors were shut. I wasn’t an idiot. The leather cuts, motorcycles, and deadly aura that surrounded this group said they weren’t casual motorcycle enthusiasts.

They were a legit club or whatever you called it. In the back of my mind, I knew this. I’d just chosen to ignore it.

The air felt thicker as Diesel drove into the lot and parked. Or maybe I was letting my nerves get the better of me. Today had been my first time meeting some of the pack Diesel belonged to, and now I was probably about to meet the rest of them.

Don’t say something to embarrass yourself. Just be cool.

We exited the truck at the same time. I took everything in, from the shape of the building to the woods behind it, convinced I wasn’t imagining the change in air.

Diesel led me to a side door, and I stupidly walked inside instead of leaving like any sane person would after seeing their reactions to those other bikers.

We were in a long hallway with an insane amount of doors on either side. I was waiting for Scooby and the gang to run in and out of them as a ghost or mummy chased them.

“You guys live here?” It was either that or it took this much storage for parts.

“Stronger as one,” Diesel said as if that made any sense.

“What do you need to be strong against, sentient cars?” I stopped walking, refusing to budge until I knew what was going on. My eyes narrowed. “I have a right to know what I’m stepping into, Diesel. A right to decide whether to stay or leave.”

“You said yes,” Diesel reminded me in a soft tone. “I wanted to wait, to let you see my world first.”

“You’re blaming me?” My voice pitched higher.

“No.” He shook his head. “If I really wanted to wait, I wouldn’t have claimed you. This is on me, Ollie.”

“What’s on you?”

A whistle split the air, loud enough to make eardrums bleed.

“I promise we’ll talk after the meeting.” Diesel reached past me, opening one of the doors. “Chill in my room until we’re done.”

“You did not bring me here just to stuff me in a room.” I poked his solid chest with my finger. “I could’ve stared at four walls in my own bedroom.” My voice dropped to a whisper. “Just because we’re mates doesn’t mean you can boss me around.”

Past Diesel’s shoulder, I spotted Preacher standing at the end of the hallway. The guy didn’t have to say anything. His expression was intimidating as hell.

“Diesel, square it away,” Preacher said, voice eerily calm.

“I really do want to spend more time with you, Ollie,” Diesel said. “Just gotta handle this first.”

“Do you at least have a television or laptop?” I asked, giving in so Preacher would aim that executioner’s stare at someone else. He’d been so much nicer at Edith’s. I wanted that version of him back.

“Remote’s on the nightstand, snacks stashed in the top drawer.”

I didn’t like this secretive stuff. Something was going on, and all I wanted was to feel safe in Diesel’s arms. This was uncharted territory and I was being sent to my room. Well, technically Diesel’s room, but that wasn’t the point. “I’m eating your entire stash since you failed to tell me what’s going on.”

Diesel chuckled. “Have at it, scrapper. You can even leave crumbs in my bed.”

“You’re not as charming as you think you are.” I spun and headed into the room, stunned at how nice it was. The furniture wasn’t scratched and battered like on those shows or in movies. No clutter. No pile of dirty clothes. No biker posters on the wall telling the viewer to “Ride My Hog.”

I had and was still sore in places.