Just Ride: Part 1: Desert Devils MC Read online

  JUST RIDE: PART 1 (DESERT DEVILS MC)

  By

  Ursula Istrati

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  PUBLISHED BY:

  Ursula Istrati on Kindle Direct Publishing

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  Copyright 2014 by Ursula Istrati

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  This eBook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This eBook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Amazon.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

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  JUST RIDE: PART 1 (DESERT DEVILS MC)

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  The fluorescent lights flickered in the dusty changing room, as Mia applied the last touches of makeup before going out on stage. The dressing room was tiny and musty, with hardly enough room for her. During the week, it doubled as storage for the less than busy Parlour Lounge, in the Old Downtown area of Las Vegas.

  She stared at her reflection in the mirror, at the frizzy curls in her long brown hair, and her mouth set in a line of determination. She was pretty in an unusual way, with big eyes, and high cheekbones. Her dress was covered in sequins, catching the god awful fluorescent light and making the walls sparkle like they were hit by a disco ball. She had insisted on sequins when she took the job a week ago. Mia had spent her life dreaming of being a singer in Vegas, like the glamorous lounge singers of the past. And she was finally here. Only, sometimes reality doesn’t quite live up to the fantasy.

  Mia had moved out to Vegas a little over a week ago, to follow her dreams, and had stumbled on this job at the Parlour. She had felt like she hit jackpot when they told her they needed her to perform four nights this first week, but when she got on stage for her debut performance, she discovered that she would be singing for an empty house. There were a few old timers, here and there at a couple tables, but Mia knew they came to the Parlour out of habit, not because they wanted to hear her.

  She had grown up on Cape Cod, in New England, and had lived a pretty sheltered life until now. After spending a couple years studying at the University of Massachusetts, she told her over-protective parents that she was dropping out, and moving to Las Vegas. She’ll never forget the blow-up fight that resulted from that revelation. But it didn’t matter; what mattered to Mia was singing, and Las Vegas was one of the few places where you could still be a performer like that. She knew nothing about what life in Vegas would be like, but she was desperate to get out of her quiet town, and do something with her life.

  She sighed, as she primped for a final time, before heading through the door of the changing room. As she walked down the hallway on the ragged orange carpet, she could smell spilled alcohol, and old cigarette smells that could never be fully removed from the walls and rug. She peeked through the curtain to look at the crowd tonight, and was deflated when she saw that yet again, it was an empty house. Only two tables were occupied.

  Katy, one of the lounge’s waitresses was clearing up a table that had already left for the evening. When Katy saw Mia through the doorway, she gave a little wave of encouragement. Katy had definitely made the past week easier for Mia, and she smiled gratefully in Katy’s direction. She hadn’t known a single soul in Las Vegas before moving out here, had never even been to Vegas before, but Katy was quickly becoming a friend.

  Mia slipped through the curtains and walked up onto the little platform stage in the corner of the lounge. The piano player that accompanied her nodded from over at the bar and chugged back the rest of his whiskey. As he sat down at the piano, Mia flashed him her huge glowing smile, the smile that she saved for when she was up on stage. She knew that smile could dazzle everyone in an audience, if only there was an audience to begin with. Maybe someday, she thought to herself.

  As she began singing Moon River, her velvety rich voice flowed through the room, enchanting the very small audience in the bar, and distracting them from their conversations. Mia could hear herself through the speakers around her, and the reverberations coming off the walls, and it relaxed her until she was completely lost in the song.

  About half way through her third song, she glanced at the back of the room, and the door open, revealing a brief glimpse out to the lights on the streets, before the door closed shut again. Mia hoped it wasn’t a customer walking out, but it was hard to see anything in the dim light of the lounge.

  When her song ended, the lights came on briefly for her break, and she sipped at a glass of water on the table next to her. She looked around for Katy, and saw her by the far corner of the bar, talking to a tall man in a leather vest, holding a motorcycle helmet in his hand. Katy looked like she was trying her absolute hardest to flirt with the guy, and Mia couldn’t really blame her. He was startlingly handsome, with dark brown hair, light blue eyes, and a strong chiseled jaw. But despite Katy’s best efforts, this man was clearly not interested in her.

  As Mia watched, she saw Katy turn and look at her with a little pout on her face, before turning back to the man. Were they talking about her? Mia found herself wanting to join them, but her break was just about over and she had to get back on stage. This man was just so intriguing to her, and she felt the familiar craving that her loneliness always brought on. Before she could make up her mind about whether or not to walk over, the gorgeous man turned and left through the front door of the lounge.

  Behind her, the piano player started up, politely implying that it was time to continue the show. Mia returned to the stage, and finished out her performance for the evening, albeit a bit more distractedly than at first. She was just counting down the minutes in her head until she could find Katy after their shifts, and find out who the gorgeous guy was.

  At the end of her last song, she got a couple cheerful claps from the people enjoying their drinks, and she smiled gratefully at her audience. When the lights came back on and lit up the room, Mia looked around for Katy. She was behind the bar, pouring a couple drinks for the last round of the night, but she waved Mia over.

  Grabbing her glass of water, Mia walked back to the bar, and set the glass down on the counter.

  “Great job tonight,” Katy said. “You looked more comfortable up there.”

  “Thanks, I’m getting used to it, I think. Although it would be nice to have a bit more of an audience sometime.”

  “Ya, I know. Things might pick up a little over the weekend though. Did they put you on the schedule?” Katy asked.

  “I’m singing on Saturday night, but nothing the rest of the weekend,” Mia said.

  “Saturday should be good, at least,” Katy said with an encouraging smile.

  “So I wanted to ask you something else, actually.”

  “Shoot.”

  “Who was that guy you were talking to earlier?” Mia asked.

  “Oh, you noticed that, huh?”

  “How could anyone not notice him? He was so hot! Are you dating him?”

  “I wish,” Katy said, with a snicker. “No, he’s a friend, I guess you could say. He’s VP of the Desert Devils MC.”

  “He’s what?”

  “Vice President of a big motorcycle club in Vegas called the Desert Devils.”

  “So like a group of friends that go for rides in the desert and stuff?” Mia asked. She had never heard of a motorcycle club before.

  “Oh honey,” Katy said laughing. “You’re pretty sheltered, huh?”

  “I suppose you could say that,” Mia replied with a blush rising on her cheeks.

  “They’re kind of a really big deal around here.
They’re the motorcycle gang that pretty much runs the shadier side of Vegas. And the guy that was in here, Vin, he’s second in command. All the gals want to be his old lady, but he’s not interested in settling.”

  “Does he come by the Parlour often to see you?” Mia asked, hopeful to run into him sometime.

  “You don’t get what I’m saying do you? That guy is really not your type, sweetie. You’re the darling, innocent girl next door from New England out on her own for the very first time. Vin is just… well he just lives in a very different world than you do, doll.”

  “Ya, ok, that’s fine. You’re probably right,” Mia said, looking dejected.

  “Listen, if you’re really that interested, he was inviting me to a party the club’s having tonight at their club house. He said I could bring a couple more girls if I knew of anyone fun. I guess you can tag along if you want.”

  “Really? I’d love to!”

  “But listen, try to keep your mouth shut as much as you can. I don’t want them to know I brought someone who doesn’t understand the rules.”

  “Ok, I’ll be on my best behavior.”

  “That’s what I’m worried about. Try being on your worst behavior,” Katy laughed, “then you might fit in at least a bit better. Now hurry up and change, and we’ll head over to the club house.”

  A few minutes later, Mia came rushing back out to the lounge, stuffing her sequin dress in her oversized purse. Katy looked her up and down, like a military inspection. She noted the simple black tank top, the extra short jean shorts, and ponytail.

  “I’m sorry, it’s all I have with me today, other than the dress,” Mia said, embarrassed and feeling underdressed. “Should I go home to change?”

  “Nah, that’ll work. This isn’t some fancy shindig. Wear your hair down though; the guys would probably like that.”

  Mia quickly pulled out the elastic holding her mass of dark brown curls up. They fell down into a beautiful pile, framing her face perfectly, and accentuating her pale cream colored neck.

  “Good, let’s go,” Katy said. “You got a car out here?”

  “No, not yet,” Mia said.

  “That’s alright; I’ve got my Firebird out back in the parking lot.”

  “Firebird?”

  “It’s an old Pontiac, from the early 80’s. It was my dad’s car a long time ago. His project. He gave it to me when I graduated high school as a present. That’s about all he ever gave me, but I still love the car.”

  Mia followed Katy out of the lounge door onto the street. It was a hot, dry night, and at 11pm the streets were pretty busy. The lights down at the far end of the strip seemed to light up the whole desert, and Mia smiled a little wider as she soaked up the atmosphere.

  “You really love it here that much?” Katy asked, noting Mia’s smile.

  “I just feel free here, finally.”

  “Aww hun, that’s only cause you just got off work,” Katy said with a laugh.

  Mia chuckled, as Katy unlocked the door of her black firebird. The engine roared to life, and Katy peeled out of the parking lot and raced down the strip out of downtown.

  As they pulled into the dusty lot, the gravel crunched under the tires. They stopped the car in front of a small building, with a few neon beer signs hanging in the windows. There were rows of big Harleys parked against one side, and a handful of other cars in the lot; mostly muscle cars, Mia noticed.

  “It just looks like a dive bar,” Mia said, with a question in her voice.

  “This is the club house; don’t call it a dive bar to anyone in there. It’s not open to the public, only friends of the club. And remember, have a good time tonight, follow my lead, but be careful with these guys.”

  “Are you dating one of them?”

  “I have fun with them; I’ve been a broad at the club for a couple years. Sometimes I tend bar for them, sometimes I dance a little. The guy’s are all great, but no one's asked me to be their old lady yet,” Katy replied.

  “What’s that mean?”

  “If you’re someone’s old lady, you’re like their wife, or their steady girlfriend.”

  “Gotcha,” Mia said. “So are you supposed to be working tonight?”

  “Nah, just here for some fun and a little company. Come on!”

  Katy knocked loudly on the front door of the club, and waited for a response, smiling encouragingly at Mia. The door swung open suddenly, and they were greeted by a large burly man, with a white and silver beard, a bandana on his head, and the leather jacket with patches that Mia recognized as similar to the one Vin was wearing earlier.

  “Hey Sonny!” Katy said, giving him a hug as she walked in. “Vin told me earlier tonight to bring friends, so I brought the new girl from the Parlour, Mia. He thought she was cute.”

  “Hey, you didn’t tell me that!” Mia said, grabbing Katy’s arm, as Katy laughed.

  “I know, I know. I should’ve told you, but I wanted to have that little chat with you first. No harm done. Just remember what I told you about coming from different worlds. Come on.”

  Katy took Mia’s hand and led her further into the club. She stopped to hug a couple of the other girls, and make introductions, and then dragged Mia to the bar. Mia was grateful for the beer she poured, as she was feeling completely out of her element looking around at all of the bikers and hot girls in skimpy clothes.

  “That’s the President, Tank,” Katy said, nodding her head towards the giant of a man sitting in a sturdy leather chair, as he enjoyed a lap dance. He was massive, muscular, and about 55, which was only evident from the grey hair.

  “He looks scary,” Mia whispered quietly.

  Katy choked on her laugh, as she drank her beer.

  “Shh, keep those comments to yourself! They might look scary, but they sure know what they’re doing in bed,” Katy giggled, with a wink.

  Mia looked around, observing the other members of the club. She had a hard time picturing what some of them would be like in bed. They definitely looked like fighters, not lovers.

  “So what do you think of the clubhouse?” Katy asked.

  “It’s nice,” Mia said, as she inspected the room. On the walls were the club colors, and some motorcycle themed artwork. There were some old black and white photos, of what Mia imagined were some of the original club members. It looked like most dive bars, a little rundown, but well loved. There were a couple of dartboards hanging up, and a pool table in back surrounded by members placing wagers on the two players.

  Looking more closely, Mia realized that one of the bikers playing pool was Vin. She couldn’t help but gaze longingly as he bent over the table, admiring the shape of his ass in his jeans. She blushed profusely, however, when she realized Katy had noticed.

  “You’re still set on him, huh?” Katy asked, following the direction of her gaze and taking another swig of her beer.

  “I know I shouldn’t be; you’re right, I don’t really fit in here,” Mia said with a sigh. “But there’s just something about him.”

  “I get it, hun, there’s always an appeal in the bad boy, right? I just don’t think you understand what this life is really like,” Katy said, patting her hand. “It’s not some romantic fantasy, it’s a tough life. So let’s just enjoy the party.”

  As if he could sense they were talking about him, Vin turned and caught Mia staring. His devilish smile froze her completely in place. Mia couldn’t tear her eyes away from him, and blatantly stared as he handed his pool cue to one of the other guys and began approaching.

  “Katy, when are you going to introduce me to your friend here?” Vin asked, as he reached the bar. Katy hurriedly poured him a fresh beer and handed it to him.

  “Vin, this is Mia. She’s the new lounge singer at the Parlour. Mia, this is Vin.”

  “Hi!” Mia said, extending her hand confidently for a handshake. She desperately wanted to appear confident and sure of herself, despite the butterflies doing flips in her stomach. One look at his gorgeous blue eyes made her want to melt
into putty on the floor.

  “Hi Mia,” he said, taking her hand gently, and running his fingers lightly over the back of her hand, not letting go.

  “I really like your clubhouse,” Mia said awkwardly, as her nerves got the best of her.

  Katy practically smacked her forehead as she watched.

  “Alright then, you two have fun. I’m going to go find some fun of my own,” Katy said, as she went off in search of someone more interested in her.

  “So, Mia,” Vin said, “how long have you been in Vegas?”

  “Just a little over a week. Why, can you tell I’m not from here?”

  “Yes, darling, it’s pretty obvious you’re not from around here,” Vin said with a laugh. “So where are you from?”

  “I’m from Cape Cod, Massachusetts.”

  “And you came out here to be a singer? Why not go to Hollywood or New York, or something?”

  “I’ve always loved the idea of Las Vegas, and the great singers that performed here a long time ago. I guess it’s just a silly, romantic idea I had,” she said, suddenly embarrassed by her dreams.

  “I like that,” he said, smiling as he watched her blush.

  Vin was gently running his fingertips up Mia’s arm, the caress so light that it took her a moment to notice. She blushed in response, unsure of what to say or do.

  Their beginning flirtation was cut short, however, when the President, Tank, hung up his cell phone and came over to grab Vin. Tank whispered quickly in Vin’s ear, and walked into a back room.

  “Sorry, sweetie, important business. I’ll come find you in a bit,” Vin said, as he turned and walked back to the room Tank disappeared into.

  Mia took another gulp from her beer, and peered into the glass, watching as the foam bubbles slid down the sides. Now what, she wondered to herself, as she glanced around the room. The place felt so much more lifeless once Vin had left the room. It was like he had this intense magnetic energy that followed him around. She could definitely understand why all the girls were after him.

  She noticed that only a few of the club members had gone to the back room. There were several guys still playing pool, or chatting up the other girls. One older, scruffy looking sort, who didn’t have a club jacket on, was paying Mia a bit too much attention, she realized after several drawn out minutes. He was leering at her uncomfortably, and Mia looked around for Katy, hoping to find safety with a friend.