Chapter 20: Halloween Carnival -2
Trevor was a whizz with computers and programming. When families checked in, the bracelets were programmed together. When a child was reported missing, the goal was to have them with their family or a Saint within 90 seconds. Same for locating a family member of a lost child. The five children that were reported missing that day, were all located within a minute.
Taz stayed with some of the teens from the club families when the other adults moved to the compound. By nine, the younger kids were gone and it was mainly teens and young adults. The college kids were arriving. Several of the Greek societies sponsored booths during the day. But by now, it was mainly just the carnival games and rides that were still open.
Some of the boys were playing a game showing off how hard they could punch. Ink was one of the adults with them. He put a five down on the counter.
“Come on, Taz, show these boys how it’s done.” Ink called.
The guy behind the counter chuckled. “Do you want me to lower the level?”
“Dude just insulted you, Taz!” Athos laughed as he flung an arm around Priscilla. Bear cocked an eyebrow at the boy and he stepped
away.
“Bear, leave the poor kid alone.” Taz suggested as she swung at the punching bag and had the highest score.
“Was that a threat?” Bear asked with a grin.
“No.” Riffraff said stepping up to the group. “A threat would be telling you to get in ring with her.”
“Come on, Bear.” Taz teased as she hit the bag harder with her left hand.
“Thanks, no.” he shook his head.
Taz took her last few hits and grinned at the kid working the game. His mouth hung open and his eyes were wide. The girls were debating what stuffed animal prize they wanted. After a hushed huddle, a giant pink bear was handed over to Bear.
Rolling his eyes at the girls he accepted the prize. Taz laughed as the large man hugged the stuffed animal before grabbing Camille by the hand and skipping away.
Riffraff shook his head at the other man’s antics and then led her away from the group. He got on his bike and then helped her on behind him. Pressing herself up against his back, she wrapped her arms around his waist. They inched out and once they were clear of pedestrians, he took off.
It didn’t take long to get to the all–night café. It had become their place over the last few months. Taz leaned into him in the booth: His arm went around her shoulders and pressed a kiss to her hair.
Their relationship was a very open secret. In the clubhouse, they kept their hands to themselves, sat and stood apart, didn’t speak directly to each other unless it was a group conversation and certainly didn’t look at each other. But it was known that behind closed doors, it was a completely different story.
Taz stayed in his room most nights. They came to the diner several nights a week, and every morning for breakfast. Once they were on his bike, there was no doubt. She was his woman. Everyone knew t. The few brothers that had considered a relationship with her, kept their distance.
Here, in their regular booth at the back of the diner, they didn’t hide the growing relationship. The gentle caresses. Soft words. Tender looks.
There were times that he still thought that he was too old for her. But the instant she leaned into him, all doubts left.
