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He nudged the bike forward, lifting his feet onto the foot pegs. She gripped the seat beneath her, unsure where to put her hands. She’d never ridden on the back of a motorbike before. Without warning, he floored the engine and Taya instinctively wrapped her arms around his waist to avoid being thrown off, her heart galloping over the roar of the bike.
Moments later, they were pulling up outside The Devils’ clubhouse. As soon as the engine was cut, Taya slipped off the back onto jelly legs, grateful for solid ground.
"Whatcha found, Ray?"
An older man with dyed black hair and a handlebar moustache stood at the door of the clubhouse. He wore a black t-shirt tucked into black jeans, his cut over the top. A big silver Devils belt buckle broke up the black. His eyes were bloodshot but still managed to send a warning chill down Taya's back. This was Zep, the club president, and person she needed to get onside for this assignment to succeed.
"She's looking for JD. Reckons she needs his help."
“That right?” Zep looked her over and offered a smile that didn't reach his eyes. "Why don't you come in out of the heat."
He stood aside to let Taya pass. The air conditioner was working overtime and managed to take the edge off the stifling heat. The windows were closed, covered with shutters Taya knew were designed to keep out bullets more than thieves. They also kept a little of the heat and most of the light out.
As her eyes adjusted, she noticed about seven men inside, all focused on her. None of them were Gallen. This was not a good start.
"What do you want with JD?"
Zep was directly behind her. In her search for Gallen, she hadn't heard him move close. Way to pay attention to your surroundings, McGovern.
She turned around to face the president. “I met JD a couple of weeks ago… and, um…”
Her words were tumbling over each other. She’d been expecting Gallen to be there, to take the lead. Now it was all on her.
The bikies watched her. No one spoke.
She cleared her throat and looked around, relieved to see no one seemed ready to leap at her. "I was hoping he could help me."
"You need someone taken out?" said Ray
Taya jumped at his sudden interjection. "What? No. I just..." She lowered her gaze to the tiled floor. "I need to get my stuff back."
"Back from where?" asked Zep.
"My boyfriend - ex-boyfriend," she corrected herself. "He kicked me out and kept everything. My phone, my clothes, my money."
Silence thundered around her. Her cover story felt insignificant in light of what The Devils were known for - drugs and murder. An involuntary shiver raced across her shoulders.
"What's your name, sweetheart?"
She looked up at Zep. "Chloe. Chloe Brown."
"I'm Zep, you've met Ray." He gestured at the bikie who gave her a ride. "I see your dilemma, Chloe. Your ex is being a prick and you want JD to sort him out for you."
“I guess.”
Zep stepped closer and stale body odour and cigarette smoke followed him.
"Problem is, JD's not here."
"Oh..." It seemed like he believed her but was going to kick her out anyway. She couldn’t let that happen. She gave Zep a tentative smile. "Would it be okay if I waited here for him?"
He shook his head. "It's not a good day to be hanging around."
"Um, but..." she stumbled over her words again, forcing tears to form behind her eyes. "I don't have anywhere else to go."
Zep and Ray exchanged a glance. Taya looked around, spying the bar Gallen had briefed her on. "I could help out while I waited. Pour drinks…” She waved at the bar.
He didn’t look convinced.
Her eyes fixed on the piles of empty beer bottles and other rubbish around the room. "I could clean up?"
"Place could use a tidy up," agreed a voice from behind.
Zep sighed as if he couldn’t be bothered to give her any more energy. "You can stay. But keep out of our way."
Taya released the breath she'd been holding. She was in.
