Page 15 of The Sentinels

"At least let me see that you get home okay by riding with you in the Uber. I promise I'll stay in the car until you're safely inside your house, and then I’ll leave."

"You're so sweet!" I gushed.

"My mama thinks so," Doyle responded. "Let me call for an Uber. You head back to our table."

I didn't question him, making my way back to the table that the girls and I had originally grabbed early on. I sank down onto the cushion and started to reach for my drink when I decided that I'd definitely had enough. I did take a big swig of water to help clean my mouth out of the after taste left behind from throwing up. Then I opened my small clutch and reached for a mint.

JJ’s was winding down. More people were leaving then arriving now. I wondered what time Ace had left. I knew that he'd hung around after his brothers had gone. I couldn't understand why, since all he'd done was plant his butt at the bar and drink all night. I hadn't seen him dancing again, but I had noticed a few women had sided up to him to keep him company. I tried to ignore him for the most part, but a man like Ace was hard to disregard. He was a big man, and sexy hot, even with his scars.

"Ready?" I smiled up at Doyle. "We got lucky, there were a couple Ubers waiting outside all ready."

Since he was holding his hand down for me I let him help me up from the booth. "I am going to sleep like a baby when I get home," I said, grabbing my clutch. I was already looking forward to crawling between the covers and sinking down into my bed.

After giving the Uber driver my address I drifted off during the ride home. I vaguely recall Doyle helping me into the backseat and closing the door. The next thing I was aware of was being gently jostled away, and removing my head from his shoulder.

"We've arrived at your castle, Sleeping Beauty."

I laughed softly, thankful that it was dark and half the lights were out in the parking lot and surrounding buildings of my apartment complex. I'd lived in better places. Daytona Terrace was an older, established complex, and it looked it. The apartments weren't bad, though, and had recently been updated. Word was that they were going to begin updating the outside soon. "I'm sorry for falling asleep on you."

"It was my pleasure," Doyle replied, following me as I exited the Uber. I turned toward him where he stood between the open door and the vehicle. "I'd like to see you again."

He'd given me his number when I'd refused to give him mine. "I think I'd like that," I mumbled. "I'll call you in a couple of days, okay?" I was slightly surprised that I meant it. I liked Doyle.

His look was skeptical. "I've heard that before."

"Really? You're kidding! I can't believe any woman wouldn't call you if she said she would." He shrugged. "Look--" I stepped closer to him, "I mean what I say, Doyle. You're a nice man. I'd like to get to know you better."

I could see the glimmer of his eyes as he stared down at me. The next thing I knew he was pulling me close and lowering his head. I stiffened without meaning to, and his hesitation revealed that he'd felt my resistance. I felt bad for having doubts about letting him kiss me goodnight. It was just a goodnight kiss. I realized that he was waiting for a sign to continue or to back away. I released a shaky breath, and just when I was about to offer him my lips, he was the one who jerked back and stared at something off to the side of us.

"Looks like we have an audience," he said. "I think I saw him at JJ’s earlier."

I glanced in the direction that Doyle was looking and caught my breath. Ace had managed to park beneath one of the only lights that was still working in the parking lot, almost as if he wanted to be seen. He was sitting on his bike, leaning back, feet braced against the ground, his eyes narrowed on us while he lit a cigarette. I watched the flare of the match light up his face as he brought the flame close. My heart began to race. What was he doing here?

"You know him? Doyle asked.

"Yes. I'm sorry." Why was I apologizing? "He's ah, ah, a friend. One of the Sentinels." I couldn't take my eyes off Ace. His silhouette was mesmerizing in a breathless and mysterious kind of way that dragged up all sorts of sexy images to mind.

"I've heard of them. The local biker club, right? Protectors of the innocent." His smile said that he was half-joking.

I laughed at his description. "Something like that." The Sentinels did a whole lot more than protect the citizens of Daytona Beach.

"Why do you think he's here, watching us?"

"I'm not sure, but I intend to find out as soon as you leave." A slow anger began to boil inside of me. How dare Ace show up as if he had a right to be here? I'd told Doyle that we were friends, but Ace and I were so far removed from that. I wasn’t sure what we were exactly, but it was nothing so simple as friends.

"I don't know if I want to leave you alone with him."

"Doyle, I've known Ace for years. I work at the bar his president owns, and this is the first time he's ever come here. I'm thinking that he has a message for me from Tanner." I didn't believe that for a second, but I suddenly wanted Doyle to leave so I could stomp over and confront Ace.

I heard Doyle’s heavy sigh. "Okay then. I'll say goodnight." Before I could guess at his intentions, he pulled me against him and kissed me. It was fast. It was gentle. It was chaste. And it was over before I could acknowledge it. When we came apart I couldn't help but notice Doyle glance over at Ace, as if to make sure that he'd been watching.

Did he hope to get a reaction out of Ace? That was silly. Anyone who knew anything about the Sentinels knew that they were a dangerous breed. You didn't taunt the members of an MC with anything. It was stupid, and didn't usually end well. The Sentinels weren't one percenters, but they ran their club under some of the same bylaws and principles, and Ace was a force to be reckoned with if you got on his bad side. I'd seen him in action.

Movement drew my attention to Ace, and I watched as he flicked his cigarette away and brought his leg over his seat. Shit! I didn't know what his intentions were, but his movements appeared somewhat angry. "Goodnight, Doyle. I'll call," I rushed out, practically pushing him into the Uber. Thank God he hadn't noticed the hulking biker making his way toward us.

I breathed out a sigh of relief as the car pulled away from the curb, and then I spun around and let Ace have it. "What the hell, Ace?!" I slammed my palms against his muscular chest so hard that he took a step back, hissing through his teeth. "Why are you here?"

"Making sure you made it home okay!" he snarled. "You're drunk!"