Tray (A Hell's Harlem Novel Book 2) Read online

  Speaking of cats, Penny, the club cat, jumped up onto my lap.

  “I think she’s jealous.” Greyson laughed.

  I ran a hand down her spine, her black coat shiny and soft like silk. “Don’t worry, Penny girl. You’re still my favorite pussy.” Next to Zillah, of course. As if she understood, Penny’s purr grew louder. She laid in my lap, letting out a soft sigh.

  I chuckled to myself. If only it were that easy to please a female. Not that Zillah had complained. Yet. But she would. They always did.

  “All right.” Greyson knuckle rapped the table. “Tray, you head to the shelter. Psycho, go with him but please try and use your real name. We need to be good boys and girls.”

  “Did something happen?” Catch asked, leaning forward.

  Grey blew out a slow breath. “The mayor has been on my ass to keep our noses out of trouble.”

  “Mayor.” I scoffed. “Our town is so fucking small, we’re lucky we have a police department.”

  “Exactly.” Greyson stood and started pacing back and forth which we had come to know he did whenever he was antsy. “But it’s the truth. Demitry will skin me alive if I don’t follow through with this but I know you won’t mind hanging out with the animals,” he told me.

  “Not at all. They’re easier to deal with than humans half the time anyway.” But I found that I really wanted to see Zillah. It had only been a few hours since I slipped back inside her tight heat and already I was craving more.

  “Tray?” Catch rose an eyebrow.

  I cleared my throat. “Sorry. What were you saying?”

  He frowned. “I was saying that I’ll come with you guys. I’ve been thinking of getting a dog anyway.”

  He was lying but I wouldn’t accuse him of it in front of the guys.

  “Yeah, that’s fine,” I grumbled, wishing I was back with Zillah. I was royally fucked.

  (Zillah)

  I hadn’t seen Tray in a week. We texted every day and talked on the phone a couple of times, but I wanted to see him. Be with him. I craved the scent of him on my skin. I needed more. The area between my legs throbbed for him. Shit.

  At that point, my phone rang, startling me.

  Pulling my phone from my pocket, I smiled when Tray’s handsome face appeared on the screen. “Hey,” I greeted.

  “Hey, Beauty. Miss me?”

  I laughed, slipping into the bathroom that customers used whenever they had their vehicles worked on. “Always.”

  “Good.”

  “How was your week?” I asked, sitting on the toilet seat.

  “It was all right. I got to play with the animals at the shelter, so that was fun.”

  “Really?” My heart warmed. “You like animals?”

  “I do. Cats especially.”

  “I love cows,” I blurted.

  “You do?”

  “Yeah.” My cheeks burned. “I love all farm animals actually but cows especially.”

  “Do you eat them?”

  “No.” I laughed. “I stopped eating beef a few years ago. My brother used to give me a hard time about it until my dad smacked him across the head and made him do a shitty job that a prospect should have done.”

  Tray chuckled. “Listen, I’m going to be stopping by the shop. It seems my SUV needs some more work.”

  “Right. Are you tinkering with your SUV just so you have an excuse to see me?” I leaned against the wall. God, I hoped that was the case.

  “Maybe. Can you keep your hands to yourself?”

  I left the bathroom. “I’ll try.” I stopped short when I found Tray standing just inside the entrance to the shop. I swallowed hard and hung up my phone.

  He lifted his head, his nostrils flaring. Almost like he was scenting the air.

  Every inch of me came alive at that. I chewed my bottom lip, forcing back the whimper that wanted to leave my mouth.

  He smirked and headed to my dad’s office.

  God, he looked good. Black leather jacket. Black jeans. His beard still full. His eyes still dark and watching. Knowing.

  It was funny how he looked even better now that I had felt him inside of me. My body heated. I spun on my heel, slamming right into Ripper.

  “Whoa there, girl. Where you off to?” He cupped my shoulders, steadying me.

  “Sorry.” I glanced over my shoulder, finding Tray standing in the office window, watching the exchange between Ripper and myself. He raised an eyebrow.

  I cleared my throat, stepping out of Ripper’s grasp.

  Although he was several years older than Tray, he was still a man. From the little I knew about Tray, I imagined he wouldn’t want another man touching me. No matter who it was.

  “Listen, I was going to talk to your dad about seeing if you can work here in the front,” Ripper said, pulling a grease-stained towel off a nearby shelf. “You good with that?”

  “Um, yes,” I squealed, clapping my hands together.

  “Now don’t get too excited.” He chuckled. “I still have to ask him, but I need help. And these fuckers like to call in sick half the time or do a shitty job. Isn’t that right?” he called out to a couple of guys standing by a car that should have been done an hour ago.

  The guys grunted, talking amongst themselves.

  “See what I have to deal with?” Ripper grumbled.

  “You need to lay down the law. Watch me.” I winked, walking past him. “Listen,” I called out to the three guys standing by the hood of a car. “If you guys still want a job here, you should actually do what you’re paid to do. I’m not a rat and I won’t tell my father but do you actually think he doesn’t know that you’re just standing around doing nothing?” I pointed at the window to my father’s office. Although the blinds were now closed, it still didn’t mean he didn’t know what went on in his shop. “Just because you think he can’t see you, doesn’t mean it’s true.”

  “Tell your father to stop throwing these parties and I’ll actually be able to function,” one guy said. I didn’t know him, but I had seen him around. He was new. Most of these guys were. The bikers who had been with my father for years had other jobs to worry about. This was the job for a prospect. But it was also a job for me too because I loved working beneath the hood of a vehicle.

  “You really think my father throws those parties just so you can drink and fuck and be merry?” I asked the guy who had spoken up.

  “Well, I …” He scowled.

  “He also didn’t force you to drink. But I know how you new guys work. You want to show the vets up. Let them think you’re all cool and badass just because you can slam back a couple of shots.” I took a step closer to him. “But what impresses my father is work. If you work hard, he’ll notice. Trust me.” I didn’t want the guy to fail. Clearly, my dad saw something in him, so I thought I would help him out a bit.

  “You think?” the new guy asked, running a hand through his dark brown hair. “I never thought of that.” He turned to the guys standing around him. “Why didn’t you tell me this?”

  They shrugged, knowing smirks spreading on their faces.

  I rolled my eyes, grabbed the guy’s arm, and pulled him away from them so we were out of earshot. “Don’t worry about them. Clearly, they are in this for themselves and don’t give a shit who gets hurt in the process. You have to worry about you.”

  “Thank you.” He paused. “Zillah is it?”

  I smiled. “Yes.” I stuck my hand out. “Nice to meet you.”

  “Nice to meet you too.” He returned my handshake. “The name’s River. River Jones.”

  “I got your back, River.”

  (Tray)

  “What are you doing here, Tray? Did you miss my pretty face?” Shadow chuckled to himself, rubbing the black scruff on his jaw.

  “I need some work done on my SUV.” I sat in the dingy chair, the metal creaking beneath my weight.

  “Don’t you have someone else to do this shit? Why are you back in my area anyway?” Shadow leaned forward. “Is there something here that
you want?”

  Your daughter. “Nope. Just need my SUV fixed. Greyson has a family now and uses it from time to time. I need to make sure it’s safe for my nephew.”

  “You’ve been sniffing around a lot, Tray.” Shadow rose from his spot behind the desk and came around to the front. “What gives?”

  “This is my second time being here but if you don’t want to help me, I can take my money elsewhere.” I stood and went to leave when his next words stopped me.

  “No.”

  I grinned. “Didn’t think so. Listen, your shop is the best in this area.”

  “Why else are you here?”

  I paused a moment. Why was I there? The guy was huge. Probably twenty-five pounds on me at least. Even though he was my height, he could definitely kick my ass.

  “I’ve seen you looking at my daughter.” Shadow crossed his thick arms under his broad chest, jutting forth his chin.

  Biting back a scoff, I mirrored his pose and leaned against the wall. “No you haven’t.” He wouldn’t. Not until Zillah gave the okay that we could make whatever it was we shared public.

  The muscle in Shadow’s jaw ticked. “She’s a good girl, Tray. Whatever you do, don’t hurt her. Because if I find out you broke her heart, I’ll kill you.”

  “I wouldn’t expect any less.” I respected a man who looked out for his daughter. “She’s good at her job I hear.”

  “She is.” Shadow let out a hard sigh, rubbing the back of his neck. “Too good if you ask me.”

  Suddenly, the door slammed open. “Daddy, Ripper needs to talk to you, but I promise I didn’t put him up to it.” Zillah’s dark eyes snapped to mine, her cheeks reddening. “Oh, crap. Sorry.” She backed out of the office. “I forgot you were here,” she muttered. “I can wait.”

  Shadow pushed off the edge of his desk. “Duty calls,” he said, leaving the office.

  I followed, curious as to what this Ripper wanted.

  “So, Ripper,” Shadow’s deep voice boomed through the shop, “what do you want?”

  An older man who looked to be about in his mid-forties glanced between Zillah and her father. “You couldn’t have waited until he was done in his meeting?”

  Zillah shrugged, jumping up onto the hood of a car. “I’m impatient.”

  I bit back a chuckle. Yeah. She definitely was.

  Zillah met my stare then and gave me a wink.

  Fuck me, she was cute. My dick jumped.

  She was also beautiful. She wore a white summer dress and … I wiped my mouth, forcing the smile back. Boots. She was wearing black Shit-Kickers with the girly ensemble. Yeah, she was definitely cute.

  (Zillah)

  “I need help,” Ripper said, leaning against the car beside me. “And these fuckers can’t do half the shit Zillah can without being trained. I don’t have time to train them.”

  “What are you asking me?” My father’s voice came out rough.

  My heart jumped. Please, cave. Please, cave. I needed out of the back. I needed more and if anyone could convince him, it was Ripper.

  “I’m asking if Zillah can help me.” Ripper held up his hand. “Before you rip my ass apart for even asking, hear me out. You taught Zillah well. Keeping her alone in the back, although the security is top-notch, isn’t safe. Wouldn’t you rather her be out here in the open so you can watch her?”

  My gaze flicked back and forth between Ripper and my father. Ripper’s words made sense, but I wasn’t sure my dad would be too impressed by them.

  “Let me get this straight.” My dad started pacing and rubbing his chin. “Because my daughter is good at what she does, you want her to take the place of your men.”

  “No.” Ripper crossed his arms under his chest. “Listen, old man. You know she’s good. My guys can learn from her. She learned from the best.”

  I learned from my father. Of course he was the best.

  My dad stopped pacing and stood in front of me. “Is this what you want?”

  My mouth fell open. “Y-y-you’re asking me what I want?”

  He gave me a soft smile. One that was only ever meant for me. One that even my brother couldn’t get.

  “I know you’re trying to protect me.” Tray could help but I wasn’t going to mention that. Yet. My skin hummed. God, I almost forgot he was standing only a few feet away. “But I need to be out here. I’m going stir-crazy in there. I can help Ripper. Help the guys. I won’t get in the way. I promise.”

  My dad glanced at Ripper. “If anything happens to her, it’s on you.”

  Ripper gave him a salute. “She’ll be safe.”

  “Are you sure this is what you want to do?” my dad asked me.

  “Yes. I promise I’ll be a good girl,” I reassured him.

  Tray took that moment to scoff.

  My head whipped around. Seriously, fucker? We’re doing this now?

  He raised an eyebrow, challenging me. I would. But not in front of my father.

  My cheeks burned. “Listen, Daddy.” I hooked my arm in his, leading him across the shop, out of earshot from everyone else. “I promise you won’t regret this, and if something happens, I’ll go back to my hole.”

  He sighed. “I didn’t put you in the back because I’m ashamed of you. I hope you know that.” He cupped my face, placing a soft peck on my forehead.

  My heart warmed. He wasn’t a man who showed affection. I welcomed this moment with open arms.

  “You remind me way too damn much of your mother.” His gaze moved back and forth over my face. “Too much.”

  “I’m sorry.” I knew things didn’t end well between them.

  “Don’t be. There was a time I loved her but at that time, I also loved my club.”

  “You don’t love your club anymore?”

  He winked. “I do but a man has needs, Zillah. I’m also getting old.”

  “I promise I won’t let you down. These guys wouldn’t hurt me.”

  “It’s not them I’m worried about.” My dad looked Tray’s way.

  I swallowed hard. He couldn’t have known about us. Could he?

  “Either way.” He wrapped his arm around my shoulders and kissed the side of my head. “It doesn’t matter. You’re a big girl. I get that. But you’ll always be my little girl. I hope you get that too, Zillah. Because I will do anything to keep you safe. Both you and your brother.”

  “I know, Daddy.” I kissed his weathered cheek. “Thank you. I won’t let you down.”

  ONCE I HEADED to the back of the shop, a breath of relief washed over me. I was surprised my father gave in so easily. Maybe it was the fact that I had been badgering him for years. I couldn’t be sure but I wasn’t going to question it.

  Suddenly, the door behind me opened.

  I spun on my heel, letting out a squeak, and found Tray standing only a few feet away from me. “You can’t be in here.”

  “What’s going to happen, Beauty?” he asked, closing the door behind him. “Your dad going to come give me a spanking for being a naughty boy?”

  A shiver trembled through me. I had no idea how the dirtiest of words could be so damn hot. “No. He’ll kick your ass and feed you to the wolves.”

  “Fitting.” Tray took a step toward me. “Will that wolf be you?”

  “I think I’ve already had a taste of you.” I backed up until I hit the edge of a table.

  Tray grinned, swiping his tongue along his bottom lip. “We may have fucked but you didn’t taste me yet.”

  “Well, it’s not like I didn’t try,” I reminded him.

  Something passed behind his eyes, the muscle in his strong jaw suddenly flexing with tension. The air in the room seemed to disappear as the seconds ticked by.

  “Careful, Zillah.” Tray closed the distance between us. Pinching my chin, he tilted my head back and placed a soft peck on my lips that I felt down to my toes. It was so gentle, so sweet, nothing like the man touching me. Although I knew he had a gentleness to him, I was sure he didn’t let many see that side.

 
“Why are you in here?” I asked, breathless.

  The corner of his mouth twitched. “To say hi. That was something else watching you and Ripper take on your father. I’m surprised he gave in so quickly.”

  “Yeah.” I stepped away from Tray and moved to the couch. “Me too.” Sitting down, I curled my feet under me and patted the empty spot beside me.

  “So, what do you do in here?” he asked, sitting beside me and grabbing my hand. He kissed my knuckles, his dark eyes twinkling in the lighting of the room.

  My breath caught. “Uh … I buff bikes. It’s a mindless job, and I wanted something more. I love being under the hood of a vehicle.”

  “A female mechanic. That’s fucking hot,” Tray said, his voice lowering.

  I laughed, leaning into his side. “You know, if my dad walks in and sees this …”

  “Sees what, Beauty?” Tray cupped my cheek, turning my head to look up at him. “Sees this?” He brushed his mouth along mine. “Or this?” He took that moment to slip his tongue between my lips, igniting a groan from us both.

  “Or this?” I pushed him back and straddled his lap.

  “Hmm …” Tray ran his hands down my spine before cupping my ass. “You’re playing a dangerous game.”

  I kissed him softly on the mouth. “You told me that already.” Trailing kisses down the length of his jaw, I inched my hands into his leather jacket. “I have a surprise for you,” I murmured in his ear.

  “What’s that?” he asked, his voice rough and guttural.

  Kissing his cheek, I pushed off his lap and went to my purse. Pulling out a small package, I smiled when a warm body came up behind me.

  “Is that what I think it is?” Tray spun me around, pushing me back against the table.

  “Yeah, old man.” I reached up and cupped his nape, forcing his mouth down hard on mine. “I’m on the pill.”

  (Tray)

  Every inch of me came alive at those four words leaving Zillah’s lips. Deepening the kiss, I pushed her until she hit the edge of the table and ran a hand down the back of her thigh. Curling her leg around my waist, I ground into her.