The Biker's Fate Chapter 496

She was petite, probably five-feet-two, with a purple and brunette bob, and heavy eyeliner that she'd obviously spent hours perfecting. She wore piercings in both sides of her nose and septum, and she had multiple piercings in her ears. She looked like a girl trying to be tough, but it was easy to see she was scared of her own shadow, so it was no surprise she'd be more than terrified of a giant biker.

"Train, stop. It's okay," I admonished, stepping out from behind him. "I'm sorry. He gets really protective."

"Hi," she squeaked. "I'm coming to your concert tomorrow."

"You are?"

"I'm coming with my sister, Marigold. She's one of our servers here." She bobbed her head up and down. "We took on extra shifts so we could afford to buy tickets."

"Wow, I'm honored," I said. "What's your name?"

"Cora."

"Okay, Cora. How about I make you deal?"

"Oh my god, anything."

"If we get through lunch without anyone else knowing I'm here, I'll get you backstage passes for you and three friends."

"What?" she rasped. "Really?"

"Scouts' honor." I nodded.

Cora glanced around the room, grabbed two menus, then nodded. "Follow me."

She led us into a private booth in the back corner of the restaurant and I sat with my back to the room while Train sat across from me, back to the outside wall, facing every door so he could see anyone coming or going.

"This is perfect," I said. "Thank you."

"I'll get Marigold. She'll keep your secret, too," Cora promised, handing us our menus.

"Okay, honey, thanks."

"You trust them?" Train asked.

I settled my chin in my palm and smiled at him. "I've come to know the difference between a true Morganite and a wannabe. And that girl's the genuine crystal."

Train smirked. "I fuckin' hope so."

"Hey there. I'm Marigold. I'm your server. I'm also gonna try and keep the assholes from your table." I glanced over at the tall young woman standing next to me, blocking my view from the restaurant, and smiled. This one was obviously the protective older sister. The polar opposite of Cora, she had long blonde hair pulled into a high ponytail, not one piercing or tattoo visible, and she appeared to be your average, every day good girl. But you could tell by the way she looked you dead in the eye that she had a steely resolve and didn't take shit off anyone. "We also don't need backstage passes, Ms. Morgan. As much as we appreciate your generosity, I explained to my sister that you're entitled to a quiet meal without being bothered, and you certainly shouldn't have to pay for that." She smiled. "Have you had a chance to look over the menu?"

"Yes, we have," I said.

"What can I get you?"

We rattled off our order and handed her our menus, and Marigold left us alone. I raised an eyebrow at Train. "Well, that was interesting."

"How so?"

"That woman just turned down backstage passes," I said distractedly, checking to see if Brandy had texted me.

"So… not a real crystal then?"

I chuckled. "Oh, no, now I'm thinking she's even more of one. And has integrity to boot. Do you know how rare it is to meet people who don't want to suck the life out of you?"

"No, baby, I don't, but I hate that you do."

I smiled, glancing at my phone screen again. Still nothing from Brandy. "I've got good people around me now, honey. And, honestly, my sisters protected me even when I didn't want to be, so I rarely got taken advantage of. I've been very lucky, to say the least."

"It's why you give so much back."

"I try to, yes."

Before Train could say anything else, Cora rushed up to our table. "Ms. Morgan? Um, I'm really sorry about the backstage passes."

"You didn't do anything wrong, Cora. I offered."

"No, I know, but, still. I'm sorry."

"Cora, you've got folks at the door, sissy," Marigold said, carrying a tray of drinks, and Cora scurried away. Marigold smiled, setting our drinks in front of us. "Your food should be ready soon. Can I get you anything else?"

"We're good," I said. "Thanks."

She walked away and I glanced at my screen again.

"I'm gonna fuckin' confiscate that phone if you keep lookin' at it," Train warned.

"What if there's an emergency?"

"Then Chip'll call me." Train reached for my phone, setting his finger on top of it. "What do you wanna do, Wart?"

I wrinkled my nose, flipping it over so the screen was facing the table and Train nodded, leaning back in his seat. "Wise choice, beautiful."

"All of this is on my shoulders, Nash."

"So you've said."

"Well, then if it all goes tits up, I'm the one who has to answer to the label."

"Baby, we're more than halfway through the tour and it's going better than even you thought it would, so at some point, don't you think you have the right to relax a bit?"

"If I relax right now, the world blows up, Train," I breathed out. "I'll relax on August thirtieth."

August twenty-ninth was our last show in Savannah and Harmony, Jaxon, and the kids were meeting me at Lyric and Doom's on the thirtieth for a much-needed family get-together. We were all staying at Lyric and Doom's historic home for a week, and I couldn't wait.

His expression went blank, and I cocked my head. "What?"

"Nothing, baby."

"You're coming with me, right?"

"You haven't exactly invited me," he reminded me.

"Consider this me asking."

He tapped his fingers on the table. "I'm not sure that would be a good idea."

"Why not?"

"Because Doom's a brother and you and I aren't public." He raised an eyebrow. "I was under strict instructions not to fuck you but didn't waste any time breakin' that rule. Pretty sure your sisters aren't gonna want me anywhere near you… or them."

"I'm a grown woman who can choose who I bring into my bed."

"I don't think anyone's debating that fact, Melody. But let's wait and see how the rest of the tour goes and revisit the topic, yeah?"

"You want to walk away after all this," I hissed quietly.

"Didn't say that."

"Yeah, you kinda did," I argued.

"Jesus, no I didn't."