Trial By Fire - Bouncing Back, Book 1

Seven

Andromeda giggled as she watched Kennedy pull out another outfit. She knew that the other girl wasn’t trying to impress anyone, but it was still fun to watch the tomboy of the crew fumble. Shaking her head, she got off the bed and walked over to the closet.

Kennedy scowled. “It’s my first date, and I have no clue what to wear. If Sky was here, she’d be trying to put my ass in a dress.”

Frowning, Andromeda sifted through the clothes in the closet. “May I ask why you’re not comfortable in a dress?”

“Um, my sister and I had a bad run-in with a guy that she worked for. Even at ten, I knew what he was doing was wrong. Using me to make my sister do what he wanted ended badly for him, but the months during the healing process were hell. Thank God Declan loves her to pieces. My trust in men is sketchy, so I became the team tomboy. Then again, Sky can kick ass and still look hot doing it,” Kennedy told her.

“Well, what about make-up?”

Kennedy grimaced. “Heck no. The fundamental idea behind it was to make people look and smell nice, but they also used white body paint to protect their faces from the sun. Some say it was invented in Egypt, and some say the idea came from Ancient China during the Zhou Dynasty. Either way, it makes me feel seen when I don’t want to be. I don’t need make-up to look good, and I know what a bath is.”

Laughing, Andromeda shook her head. “Yup. You’re doing exactly what he said you would: you’re deflecting. Phoenix told me to watch out for it, and not to let myself be misled.”

“Boo is going to get my size sixes shoved up his ass,” Kennedy grunted as she flopped down on the bed. Pulling out her phone, she looked over her messages. She smiled as a text from Memphis came through.

Dragon: Miss u, babe.

Red: Save me! This girl wants me to dress to impress.

Dragon: Don’t need to impress what u got.

Rolling onto her stomach, she got to her feet. He even texted in short-hand, but she understood.

Red: What would you like to see me wear?

Dragon: Nothing.

She bit her lip to keep from laughing. He’d made an art of making her laugh with his crudeness. She enjoyed their banter.

Red: BE SERIOUS!

Dragon: I am. LOL. Wear what u want. Heard the MC will be at the club. Thought I’d give u a heads up.

Red: Mem, you are a genius!

Her eyes wide, she grinned as she dropped the phone on the bed and bolted over to the closet. Reaching for the box she kept in the very back, she pulled it out. Inside was her father’s MC jacket. The President’s patch was still there, sewn into the leather by her mother just over the place her father’s heart would have been.

Sniffling, she grabbed a pair of jeans and a tank top. Getting dressed, she smirked at her reflection as Andromeda began braiding her long red hair. Memphis was right, she had no one to impress but herself. Everyone else could go straight to hell in a handmade basket.

“How do I look?” She asked, turning with her arms spread wide.

The blonde grinned at her, “Honestly, I don’t know why anyone would want to change you. You’re such a badass, and you rock that jacket, too.”

“It was my father’s before he was killed. My sister saved it for me, but this was the first time I ever put it on.” Kennedy replied.

Watching as Andromeda pulled on her jacket, they walked out of the bedroom and into the hall.

Her nephew gasped - his eyes filled with excitement. “Aunt Kenni, you look so cool!”

Kneeling, she hugged the eight-year-old gently. “Thanks, Hans. You be good for Mommy while Auntie is gone, okay?”

“When is Daddy coming home?” The boy asked sullenly.

Kennedy glanced up at her sister, knowing the real reason behind Temperance’s tears. Looking back at Hans, she said, “That depends on how long his work keeps him, Kiddo. Don’t worry, David and Trace are with him.”

Standing, she hugged her sister. “I’m heading out with Romie, Nix, and Memphis. We’ll be at Club Zero, and I should be home no later than eleven. If you need me for anything, call, or message, okay?”

Temperance laughed, “I’m sure I’ll be fine, Sis. Go out and have some fun.”

Breathing to calm her nerves, Kennedy led Andromeda out of the flat. Taking the private elevator down to the main floor, she sighed.

As soon as the doors slid open, she watched as Andromeda ran toward her boyfriend. Nix caught the blonde girl, spinning her around as he took in how she was dressed. Glancing over at Kennedy, he glared playfully. “Seriously? I thought you’d at least wear a touch of lipstick or something.”

“I told her she didn’t have to dress to impress. You look great, babe. Are those the MC colours?” Memphis interjected, saving her from creating an excuse.

Nodding, Kennedy smiled, “Yeah. It was my Dad’s jacket.”

“Looks good on you,” he said as he walked beside her. “Are you really going to take over the club?”

“I don’t really have a choice. If I back out now, I’ll make the Rubin name look bad, and I don’t want to let all my Dad’s hard work go to waste. I’m kind of hoping to introduce you to some of the MC members, but if you don’t want to, I’ll understand.”

Raising a brow, Memphis shook his head. “Kennedy, I don’t get why you've been so damn nervous with me since we got together. It ain’t like I’m going to be askin’ you for s**t you don’t want to give. I've got a whole team and Diablo to face if I do you wrong, so Imma keep my nose cleaner than clean. Like the Mafia is an extension of Nix, the Chapter is an extension of you. You need me to meet them? Consider it done.”

“Memphis, just be patient with me. Relationships are basically a trial by fire when society’s full of hate. Nix, we’re taking the Hummer, too. Donna’s orders,” she called as they got to the parking garage.

He groaned, “I wanted to take the Jag!”

“Okay, Toddler. Your mother wants us in the bulletproofed vehicle, and that’s that. If you want to argue with the Hunter Queen, be my guest. I’ll wait at the funeral home,” she snapped.

Rolling his eyes at her, he pulled her in for a hug and kissed the top of her head. “If you weren’t my Aunt and best friend, I’d kick your ass.”

“If you were on my level, you might win,” she shot back as the guards brought the required vehicle out for them.

As soon as they got to the club, she slid down and glared at the two people in the front seat. They knew she hated being in crowded places, but she and Memphis were Shields. Where Nix and Romie went, they followed. No exceptions.

Memphis smiled over at her, his eyes dancing with delight as he took in how she was pouting. “It’s not the end of the world.”

“It might be for whoever pisses me off tonight.” She snapped. “You treat me like I’m fragile, and I’ll break you.”

He nodded, “I got you, Kenni.”

Getting out of the Hummer, she felt her anxiety rise again until someone she recognized came over to them. She watched as Nix looked at the three men before stepping to the side.

Buster grinned, “Nice to finally meet the Veiðimenn Prince in the flesh.”

Phoenix raised a brow, accepting the handshake. “Hi.”

“He’s a bit nervous, boys, so lay off,” Kennedy stated.

“Why don’t you two go inside? Go on in and make sure the others know to behave for the Scorpion Queen,” Ryland said calmly as he looked his niece over. Once the other two men were gone, he let his smile fall away.

Blinking at the older man, Memphis held out his hand as Kennedy nodded. “Memphis Slade.”

“I know who you are, boy. I don’t need to tell you to keep her safe, right?” Ryland answered with a scowl.

Glancing between his girlfriend and the bearded biker staring him down, Memphis barked a laugh. “Look, in all honesty, I don’t feel like getting on the bad side of a girl that excels in long-forgotten torture techniques. Besides, my father would beat me senseless for even thinking about anything that would threaten his position. Don’t even assume that I’m abusive, because I’d be the one in a full-body cast curtesy of her skills.”

Nodding, Ryland grinned again. “Nicely done. Any p***y can claim they care about my brother’s girl, but it takes a real man to stand up to her family. That’s a good man you hooked, Kennedy.”

“Yeah, I guess so. I don’t have much experience, so we’re learning as we go,” she replied, letting the man hug her. “Memphis, this is my father’s brother, Ryland Rubin. Uncle Ryland, this is my boyfriend, Memphis Slade.”

Getting to the bar, she noticed that a good number of the patrons were members of her MC. As she ordered their drinks, she felt someone tap her on the shoulder. Turning, she scowled at the guy, “What do you want?”

“It’s nice to see you in our colours, Queen. We’re really happy you’re taking the helm when you turn eighteen,” he said with a sly smirk. He brushed his hand against her arm, “We should start going out. How’s Friday?”

“How tall are you?” She asked, watching as Memphis rose to his feet.

The guy grinned, “Five-nine. Why? Got a height requirement?”

“No,” she shrugged. “I just wanted to know how big your coffin needs to be.”