When Tig turned into the yard, the very last thing he had expected was the woman he had been trying to put from his mind. When Bobby called over, he thought he had not heard him correctly. Did he say Morena?
He removed his sunglasses and looked over, squinting to make sure his eyes were not deceiving him. With her arm in a sling, the wind blowing her hair all over the place, she looked tiny, pale and vulnerable. But then he noticed her arm around Juice Ortiz. And his arm around her. Jealously, thick and almost fucking tangible flooded his gut. He had the urge to knock the younger man on his ass and break the hand that had touched her just for good measure.
He stalked over, his eyes burning into Juice. He knew he'd gotten the message when he saw him step back and say "I'll be back in a minute to take you home."
She cradled her arm and looked up at him. He didn't know what he expected, but it hadn't been fire.
"Hi." He shifted around a little uncomfortably when she didn't say anything. "You need a price?"
"A price? You're seriously asking me if I need a price?"
He purposefully remained obtuse, just raising a brow at her.
"I'm fine, by the way. Recovered and well on the mend."
"I see that. I'm glad."
Her eyes narrowed. He could tell she wasn't sure if he was mocking her.
"Where's Juice?"
His blood started heating. He frowned. "Why?"
She attempted to step pass him and looked in the direction of the office.
"Oh no you don't, darlin'." He made a move to touch her. "What's going on between you and the damned kid?"
She sidestepped. "Don't touch me." She ignored the question completely. His blood sizzled.
His frown intensified until the lines etched in his forehead seemed permanent. His eyes bore holes into hers.
"I'll ask Bobby to call me with the costs. Goodbye Tig." Then his blood boiled.
"What the fuck is wrong with you?" He raked his hands through his hair. It seemed impossible and yet he managed to tussle it even more. He didn't actually know what he wanted from her.
She turned slowly and said the last thing he had ever expected. "Fuck you. I quit."
She walked confidently across the lot, right into Gemma. Jesus Christ. Couldn't he catch a break?
He didn't hear what they said but a minute later Juice appeared. The width of his smile grated in Tig's nerves. The jealously threatened to choke him. Violent. He felt violent.
Go to her. Say you're sorry.
The temptation was almost more than he could bear. But this was best. She deserved the attentions of a man far better than he. But that man would not be Juice. Christ, he would make sure of that, he thought grimly.
He called her name. "Morena." He couldn't stop himself.
She didn't even look at him as she hurried across the lot and jumped into the truck. A minute later, they were out of view.
Tig turned around, spotted a wrench and pounded it into the boxing bag suspended from the ceiling. This was what he'd wanted. I wanted her gone. He repeated it with every swing of the wrench. And now she hates me. He pounded even harder.
"You about done destroying company property?"
He saw Gemma and dropped the offensive wrench, wiping the sweat from his brow.
"Sorry." He made a move past her. He needed a drink.
"Tara says the girl was asking for you," she called after him.
"She's a woman, Gemma." He kept walking.
"Good, she'll have to be one to keep up with you. You hear what I said? She asked for you!" He stopped and turned. "But you're a man and a god damn fool so of course you didn't go."
"Jesus, Gemma. I haven't seen Morena since the accident. She didn't ask for me."
"Yes she did. And Tara tried to tell you but christ knows you've got that stubborn, self righteous streak. Girl just wanted to thank you for saving her life. You go and fuck that up. No wonder she gave you the cold shoulder."
He sighed. Tara had been trying to tell him Morena was asking for him. While she was warning you to stay away from her. Fuck. He didn't need these complications.
"What's the problem Tigger? You not interested in happy? It's the Donna shit isn't it?"
"Shit?" he exploded. "That's what you call it? It's a lot more complicated than just shit!"
She stepped right into his face, cupped it roughly and said. "Pack it away, baby. No good can come from dwelling on it. What happened with Donna was unfortunate. It caused a divide in this club that still aint healed. You have to pack it away. For the sake of the club. And your own."
He shook his head in disgust and pried her fingers from his face.
"Fuck you, Gemma."
"You made a mistake, Tig. Let it go before it destroys you."
He stalked into the club and moved around the prospect at the bar, pouring himself a double. And then another. She had asked for him and he had never fucking showed. No wonder she was pissed.
This was why he fucked porn bitches. No complications. But they don't make you smile. He downed another shot.
Juice walked into the club and he pushed away from the bar, pushing him back out the door.
"Dude, what the fuck?"
He didn't think. He just reacted. He punched him square in the jaw, as hard as he could. Juice reeled but stood his ground. Tig attacked. He swung, but this time the younger man was prepared. The blow glanced off his shoulder and Juice caught him in the midsection. Before long, both bloodied and bruised, Tig shouted: "She's off fucking limits."
Juice didn't even ask who. "You think I don't know that? Jesus. I gave her a ride home. That's all. If you want her that much, why the fuck are you fighting me?"
Because she deserves better than someone like me.
"Where does she stay?" he asked suddenly.
"What? You're serious?"
His stare was cold and almost deadly, his eyes had gone the palest blue. Juice passed him the page Gemma had given him earlier, her address scribbled on the front.
Juice shook his head, winced but then he smiled a little. Gemma had warned him this might happen. Rubbing his jaw, he watched Tig ride out of the lot.
Damned if Tiggy didn't have the look of a man in love.