Lady Guardians: Persuade Me Read online

  No one—and she meant no one—said no to her momma when it came to food.

  Cole learned that lesson as the entire room let out a gasp when he’d refused the offering of food. Not her momma though, she just stood there with a smile on her face. That plate of food didn’t move one inch. Not. One. Damn. Inch. It was a stalemate, but Ebony knew who’d win this game of chess.

  “Ma’am,” Cole began, but Mrs. Thompson interrupted him.

  “Now, Cole, what have I told you about that?” Voice as cold as steel, she interrupted before falling silent. The plate was still outstretched.

  Leaning back to watch the show, Ebony propped her feet on the coffee table. Resting her folded hands on her flat stomach, she smiled at the deer in headlights look on Cole’s face. Reaching over to the bowl of fruit, Ebony popped a grape in her mouth. Motioning to Deuce, she snapped her fingers to get her friend’s attention. “You see what’s about to happen?” she snickered.

  Deuce laughed, tilting her beer back to take a drink. “He’s gonna learn today,” she joked, bringing them both to stomach clenching laughter.

  Cole smiled at her momma, but she knew it would never work.

  “Well, you told me that I could call you Mrs. Thompson or Momma. But ma’am, I already have a momma. It doesn’t feel right calling someone else momma just yet. Ma’am feels much better. And really, I ate before I came over. I think I’m full.”

  Shaking her head at him before he finished speaking, she whipped out a napkin from somewhere—maybe she had magic pockets or something. Placing it on his lap, she pushed the plate towards him. “If you think you’re full, then you’re still hungry. You’re a growing boy, so you need to eat everything on that plate.”

  “Yes, ma’am…I mean, Mrs. Thompson. I’m thirty-eight. I haven’t been a boy for a long time.”

  If it wouldn’t hurt so bad, she’d get up and pinch him. Her momma already told him what she wanted to be called. He needed to get on board and quit talking back.

  “You’re stubborn, but I like you.” Looking around the room, she glared at all the people filling the space. Bikers and cops alike were silent, mouths open in shock as Cole contradicted her. “What are y’all looking at? Shouldn’t you be eating? Deuce, where is your plate?”

  “I ate everything Momma Tee,” she said in a high-pitched voice. “For real. I did!”

  “Ha, ha! That’s what you get, Deuce. You in trouble,” Ebony sang in a teasing voice.

  “You sit over there and hush, Ebony. Ain’t nobody talking to you.”

  Well, now that everyone was laughing at her, it was her goal to get everyone else in trouble. “Momma, Deuce is the one who’s not eating. And Cole keeps calling you ma’am, even when you told him not to, and…oh, he doesn’t want to eat your food.”

  Cole growled at her, his eyes in the universal squint of ‘don’t get me in trouble.’ Then he took a big bite of food, before talking with a mouth full of food. “No, I didn’t. I’ve never said that, ma’am… I mean, Mrs. Thompson.”

  “And…And…Max said she was gonna order dinner from a restaurant down the street so you didn’t have to cook all the time.”

  Max ran out from the kitchen, “No, I didn’t Momma Tee. Stop lying, Ebony, with your crippled ass.”

  “Um, I’d love to have an extra plate for Jamison, Momma Tee. He’ll be here in about an hour, and I know he’ll be starving.” Geneva came down the stairs, a knowing smile on her face.

  Ain’t this some shit? Everyone was jumping on the Momma Tee bandwagon. That’s why she couldn’t bring her mother anywhere. She was like sugar to flies.

  “I’ll take a plate too, Momma Tee,” Ebony’s partner, Detective Marlon Harris called out.

  “I’ll come help because I want some of that coconut cake you made,” Blade said with a laugh, following into the kitchen. Blade, known as Jodie Bennett in her real life as a corporate law attorney, wore a size six pants but had a horrible, demanding sweet tooth.

  Ebony was looking around the room to see who else she could rat out. If she had to be cooped up in this damn house with all these people, she was going to have some fun.

  “Geneva, don’t nobody care that you’re trying to be all nice to that fine ass man of yours so he can give you some of that good-good tonight,” Deuce yelled out.

  “You’re so damn dumb. I’m not talking to you,” Geneva laughed, throwing a pillow at Deuce’s head.

  “Don’t pay any attention to her, Geneva. Your man knows how to appreciate a good plate of food.” Turning her head to Cole, Ebony’s mother made a sound deep in her throat. “Unlike some people around here.”

  Cole just kept shoveling food in his mouth, not saying a word.

  Whatever, Ebony thought with a roll of her eyes. She knew what everyone was doing but didn’t care. She’d been stuck in this house for too long, unable to get back out there to search for the person who’d shot her, her mood was pissy, and she’d had enough of playing nice.

  Her Lieutenant wasn’t letting her back to work, even though she felt fine. Screw the doctors and the work clearances. They weren’t releasing her to full duty no matter how many times she told them she’d be fine. Hell, she’d even take restricted duty. Hell, those imbeciles didn’t know what they were talking about anyway. Glaring at her partner, Detective Harris, she was even more pissed. He’d been working cases without her, which annoyed her more than anything.

  Doing nothing and just laying around on the couch was not her idea of a good time. Her little sister was stationed overseas with the US Army, and while she was willing to come home, Ebony didn’t want her to. The wound healed, she was out of the hospital in a matter of days, and she had enough people treating her like an invalid to last a lifetime.

  On the other hand, if her sister were here, she’d help her get out of here. Felicia wouldn’t force her to stay inside and watch reruns of old tv shows. Glancing over at Cole, she toyed with the idea of asking him to help her escape. Since he lived right across the street, it wasn’t like he’d take her far away. Just far enough to clear her head.

  When he glanced up at her with those moss green eyes, she was tempted to climb out of her chair and go to him. As soon as she opened her lips to ask him to get her out of here, she changed her mind. He’d been at the house every day for the entire two weeks she’d been out of the hospital, but they were still finding their way around each other.

  Exhaling a heavy breath, she flopped back on the chair. She knew everyone meant well. They were worried about her. Concerned she would try to go back to work too soon. They still hadn’t found who’d shot her, or the reason why.

  Ebony knew something was rotten in Denmark, and no one could explain to her what it was. Everyone was worried the danger wasn’t over yet. If she were honest, so was she. She still wanted to know how they’d found her home. She wasn’t listed anywhere, and she was always careful, even after working a twenty-four-hour shift. Whoever had come after her wasn’t a two-bit criminal, of that she was positive.

  Lifting her head from the couch, she looked at the mix of people laughing, talking, and just being here for her. It was a convoluted group of people surrounding her, lending her their strength.

  On the surface, none of them should get along—at least not in the standard way. Then again, the Lady Guardians weren’t your average group of bikers. They were all professional, educated, career driven women who enjoyed riding their bikes in their spare time. It may not make sense to anyone else, but it worked for her.

  If she weren’t so damn ornery and pissed and antsy, she would crack a smile at the people surrounding her and caring for her.

  “You look like you want to make a break for it.” Cole’s low, smooth voice sounded in her ear.

  Turning her head, she was caught in his gaze. In those few seconds, she fell for him even harder. She hardly knew this man, but he’d been a constant presence from the moment he’d found her bleeding out on her front lawn. It didn’t matter that she didn’t know how he preferred his egg
s cooked when he had breakfast, or if he sang in the shower.

  Even if she didn’t know any of those things, the one thought running through her head was, I want him.

  “Will you take me away from all this?” she whispered. Her words held a meaning she hoped he’d understand.

  Sitting on the edge of the couch next to her, he leaned over. His face close to hers, he smiled. “I’ll take you anywhere you want, as long as your mom doesn’t find out. That woman is scary. She may look all Susie Homemaker, but I’ve seen her in action. Are you sure she wasn’t a General?”

  Laughing at his assessment of her mother, which was one-hundred percent true, she shook her head. “No. Not a General. She’d always tell me she worked for a living. She wasn’t military, but she worked with them for years at The Pentagon.”

  “Ah, well, that explains it.” Pulling back, he looked over his shoulder at the room full of people. “Listen, I know you want to get out of here, but I don’t think that’s a good idea. How about we sit outside? You’ll be close, but your family and friends won’t lose their shit.”

  “That’s a great idea. Help me up.” Fully intending to walk on her own, even if was a bit slower than usual, she planted her arms on the arms of the chair. Lifting from the seat, she gave a yell when Cole wrapped his arms around her. One behind her back, the other underneath her thighs. Pulling her body close to his, he turned and made his way toward the door.

  “What the fuck are you doing? Put me down.”

  “I’m taking you outside as we agreed. And don’t curse. It’s not ladylike.”

  “Man, fuck you,” she said sarcastically. “I can’t believe you’re doing this shit. I should punch you in the throat.” Ebony was mad as hell. How dare he manhandle her like this? It didn’t matter if she was still recovering from a gunshot wound and weak as a baby lamb. Half of her crew was here, and a few of her police colleagues. She was a hardcore chick who didn’t need a man all over her.

  Damn. This shit was embarrassing.

  “Where are you taking my daughter?” Her mom’s voice rang out, heating her face even more. If she could crawl away and not come back for a few days, she would.

  Cole turned, facing her mother with a look of calm. “Just outside to the back patio. I know how it feels to be cooped up inside when all you want to do is get up and move. I’m giving her a bit of a reprieve.”

  “Just don’t run off and lock her away in her your bedroom. I’ve seen the way you’ve been looking at her.” Eyeing him up and down, she seemed to be searching for an answer to an unasked question. Within a few seconds, she nodded her head and smiled. “You’ll do, Cole Reynolds. I want grandbabies.”

  “Momma,” Ebony called out. “Are you crazy?”

  Waving her hand to wash away the words, her mother continued. “Girl, hush. I don’t care that you carry a gun all day or that you’re a badass biker chick. That’s what they call you, right? Anyway, I don’t care about any of that. I like Cole. He’s strong enough to put up with your mess. And I’ve already had some people check him out. He’s good people. Well, let me take that back. He’s my kind of good, which is more than a little bad. But we’ll save that conversation for another day. Now, what was I saying? Oh, yeah,” turning back Cole, she folded her hands over her chest. “Now, listen. Ebony’s not getting any younger, and you’re looking kinda long in the tooth as well. I’m just telling you both to do this the right way, but to do it fast.”

  Ebony mumbled under her breath about crazy mothers, men who listened to crazy mothers, and getting on her Harley and driving away. Screw the pain. She could handle it. It was the embarrassment heating her face that was becoming too much.

  As her mother walked in one direction, they walked in another. The laughter and whispers from everyone watching followed them as he stepped into the backyard.

  “Do you need me to help you sit down?”

  Realizing she’d been in his arms this entire time; she quickly shook her head. Damn, this was a fine time for her to become some weak-willed woman. “I’m fine. Just place my feet down, and I’ll take care of the rest.”

  Glancing down at her, she saw a warning look in his eyes. “Don’t try to overdo it. I can help you.”

  “Yup, I know you can, but I got it.” Waiting until he placed her down, she then moved over to the patio furniture, slowly shifting her body into the low chair. Grunting with pain, she closed her eyes for a second. “Thank you for getting out of there. I love my mom, my friends, my club, and I know they’re just looking out for me.”

  “But it gets to you when people don’t let you heal the way you like? When they hover, treating you like you’re suddenly fourteen years old again.”

  “Yeah,” she said with a shake of her head. Sighing, she looked at him. “Sounds like you speak from experience.”

  “I am,” he looked up at the stars. “I have quite a few scars. Not all of them gained at one time. My mom would make it her mission to take care of me. She’d practically move into whichever home I had at the time. It was constantly cleaning, cooking, asking me if I needed anything. There were times all I wanted to do was sleep, forget, and heal. Moms are odd that way. They don’t let you do that.”

  Shaking her head, Ebony knew precisely what that felt like. “I haven’t had a moment of peace since it happened.” Wincing, she adjusted her body on the chair. “Yet, with all the talking everyone’s doing, no one’s telling what’s happening with my case. I know they’re trying to find out who came after me, but it’s taking too damn long.”

  She could hear the frustration in her tone. This waiting game wasn’t doing her any good. If she could escape this damn house, she’d find the perp herself. Her connections would tell her what was happening, who was being tagged for going after her. Her main contact, nickname “Stoppa,” was the one everybody talked to on the streets. If only she could contact him, she could get this shit settled.

  “You know, I don’t know you all that well,” Cole stated before taking a sip of his drink.

  “Yeah. So?”

  “I plan to change that.”

  Smirking, she shook her head at him. “Is that right?”

  “Oh yeah. I’m just giving you fair warning.”

  “I need to be warned about you?” Intentionally misunderstanding his words, she slid him a sly grin. It felt good out here with him. Sitting and watching the night sky. Not worried about anything other than being a woman sitting with a man. She liked this.

  “You do. When I go after something or someone, I always get what I want. You’re still healing, and I’m okay with that, but when you’re back to your normal, healthy self, all bets are off.”

  “A little sure of yourself, aren’t you?” Even though she challenged him, she liked the way he said what he meant. No pussyfooting around, stuttering, or wishy-washy words. Hell, the man had survived her mom for the past two weeks, and still came back each day for more. If that didn’t show Ebony that he was committed to knowing her better—and that he was a little bit crazy—she didn’t know what did.

  “When it comes to you? Yes, I’m very sure. You have me all twisted inside, but I like the way it feels. You need time, which is what I’m going to give you. You’ve seen me as a neighbor mostly, and as a caring friend these last two weeks. I aim for you to see me as more. Much more.”

  Mouth dry, she just stared at him with wide eyes. “I see you as more than a neighbor. You saved my life. Without you, I may not be here today.” That she found him sexy as fuck, was just a plus.

  “Is that the only reason you’ve welcomed me into your home? Into your life?”

  Before answering, she looked out at the yard. Swallowing hard, she shook her head. “No. I want to get to know you as well. But…my job…it doesn’t lend itself to anything more than a couple of nights of fun. Most men can’t handle what I do for work, or in my spare time.”

  “Don’t worry about that. I’m different, sweetheart, which you should already know by now. I can handle anything you throw at
me. After these last two weeks, I’m ready for just about anything. I need time to persuade you to take a chance on us.”

  4

  Cole

  As he stood on his front porch looking across the street, he wanted to go back over there and Ebony. He’d decided to come home and see about his own house rather than hang out like a lovesick puppy staring at Ebony.

  His fucked-up brain was telling him things he didn’t want to hear. Things like, she needed a break from him. Or, being around her for too long was going to get him caught up. So, he’d left soon after he and Ebony finished talking in the backyard.

  Cole couldn't believe Ebony had taken control of his heart this way. No one else had made him want to stick around the way she did. The way she was clawing her way inside his soul told him she meant something more to him than expected. It didn’t surprise him, though. The way she held herself, the way her face changed when she smiled.

  This woman was no pushover. She could hold her own in any situation. But she was still all woman. The day he’d found her lying on the ground would stick with him forever. Never had he felt so helpless, even when crawling around in the dirt over in that big ass desert.

  If he could have driven her to the hospital himself that day, he would have. But he knew it was best that they wait for the paramedics, so he did. Even now, more than a few weeks later, he was still torn up inside by what he’d seen.

  He took another sip of his beer as he listened to the sounds coming from across the street. Smiling, he pictured the eclectic mix of people hanging out at Ebony’s house. Man, they were loud as fuck. He laughed under his breath. Here he was, this big tough motherfucker with more bodies on his belt than most, but he sure as hell wasn’t going to tell Ebony and her friends to bring the noise down.

  Nope. No way in hell was he going to walk into that trap voluntarily. After spending over two weeks with Ebony, her mom, and those leather-wearing, motorcycle driving ladies she hung around with, he knew better. He may be a fool, but he wasn’t an idiot.