Harley's Achilles (The Rock Series Book 3) (3 page)

“It’s not that cold,” Harley laughed.

“To you,” I pointed out.

“Come on.”

We spent the next hour in the pool. Harley was laughing, and the sound of it bounced off the walls. It was good to hear him laugh. I wanted to smack myself for having let my guard down. There was a reason I’d kept my distance from Harley. I knew about his tattoo, I’d seen it in California when the guys were there for
Singers
. I didn’t want to have to explain it, to see the look on his face when he found out exactly what kind of person I was.

We dried off and stepped back into the heated house. Harley went to take a shower as I checked my emails and messages. Harley came out of his room dressed, still drying his hair. I grabbed my rucksack and flung it over my shoulder.

“Okay, I’ll take you to the studio, then I’m going to head home and clean up. I’ll come back with the Tomahawk and meet you there.”

“You have a home?” Harley snickered.

“Yes, I do. I live with Buster and Hammer. Stan set us up in a house among all of you.”

“You don’t have to take me, you know. I can drive.”

“I figured you’d want to drive the bike back home.” I cocked a brow.

“You’d let me…drive it?” Harley gaped at me.

“Of course. Just don’t wreck it with me on the back.”

Harley grinned and ducked his head, and I swore my heart fluttered in my chest. What the fuck? I needed to man up, dammit.

I dropped Harley off and continued on to the house Stan had rented for me, Buster and Hammer. Both of their vehicles were in the driveway as I pulled in. Unlike me, they didn’t have one guy specifically assigned to them. I jumped out of my truck and strode up the walk, unlocking the door. Hammer was in the kitchen making something and Buster sat at the table reading the paper.

“Marc, Kirk.” I nodded as I walked in.

“How’s Harley?” Hammer asked.

I sat down at the kitchen table and Marc, otherwise known as Hammer, brought me coffee. I’d sparred with him. ‘Hammer’ fits him nicely.

“We had an emotional moment yesterday, but I’m convinced what he and his parents are going through is repressed grief.”

“That guy is going to explode,” Buster said quietly, shaking his head.

“I have to get him away from his parents. He needs to heal, and he can’t do that when he’s with them. He deserves to be happy, goddammit.”

Hammer sat down and eyed me closely. “Did we cross a line?”

“No. I haven’t acted on how I feel.” I leaned back in the chair and folded my arms across my chest, glaring at him.

“Maybe you should,” Buster suggested.

“What? You know I can’t do that!”

“I don’t know, Kirk has a point,” Hammer added. “Maybe if Harley knew that someone cared for him, it would make things easier somehow.”

“He has friends who care for him,” I pointed out.

“Look, how long do you think you can keep your feelings for him a secret? Kirk and I figured it out after a week.”

“He’s not ready.” I shook my head vehemently.

“He isn’t, or you aren’t?” Hammer cocked a brow.

“I’m going to get showered. I’m meeting Harley over at the studio. What are you guys up to today?”

“Making sure the other ones don’t get into trouble,” Hammer chuckled.

My phone shrilled and I looked down at the caller I.D. Mac Collins was calling.

“I think our plans just changed.”

Achilles

I chuckled softly into my headset as Mac paced before a group of recruits. They were all fitted with vests for this training exercise. I held the rifle that would set those vests off. Hammer and Buster were in the trees about a half-mile from me. I was in a ghillie suit covered in pine needles and cones.

“Spread out, boys, and don’t get dead,” Mac shouted.

I had the perfect vantage spot to watch the newest recruits. Maybe half of them would make it. The first shout floated across the forest and I cracked a grin. One of the recruits crested my hill and I shot him, his vest filling the air with beeping noises.

“Fuck!” he yelled.

One by one, they were all picked off by either me, Buster or Hammer. The last recruit was trying to belly-crawl back to the safe point, his eyes taking in his surroundings warily. When the other recruits walked out into the open, he stood up and began yelling.

“Hell, yeah! I made it!”

I jumped to my feet right behind him and put my blade to his throat.

“Now you’re dead,” I whispered in his ear.

“Holy fuck. Where the hell did you come from?” he asked.

“Guys, meet Achilles.” Mac gestured to me. “Our resident sniper.”

I removed my knife from the guy’s throat and strode across the forest in my suit. Most of the recruits were staring at me wide-eyed as I reached Mac’s side.

“I know you!” One of them pointed at me. “Your picture is on the wall at sniper school!”

“Yes, it is,” Mac acknowledged. “And none of you will ever replace it. Seems you’ve been out of the military for too long, boys. We’re going to have to pound it back into you. Hammer, Buster! Take the boys for a run, will ya?”

I chuckled as they all groaned and fell in line with Hammer and Buster. I removed my jacket, sipping from one of the water bottles Mac provided. Mac leaned against the bed of his truck, eyeing me.

“You sure you don’t want to transfer to wet work, Achilles? We could use a guy like you.”

“I’m done with death, Mac, but thanks.”

“Yeah, I get that. How’s everything else? Harley not wearing you out too much, is he?”

I choked on my water and Mac grinned.

“Harley is…well, he’s better.”

“If you’ve got some down time, I’d like you to work with a few of these guys. They have potential.”

“I can’t say when I’d have down time, but I’ll definitely look into it. Some of these guys are too cocky.”

“And Axel will beat it right out of them during combatives,” Mac snickered.

“So will Hammer.” I laughed.

~*~

I drove out to the studio after I’d showered and dressed. I took the side entrance, hoping to not cause a disturbance. Harley was sitting on a stool in the corner with a guitar, and I stepped behind the wall, just watching him. He strummed the strings lightly and then began singing. I knew the song, “More Than Words” by Extreme. His eyes were closed and I marveled at how gorgeous he looked sitting there. How could anyone treat him like he didn’t make a difference? Like he didn’t matter? I stepped back further when Gareth entered the room. He sat down on the adjacent stool and picked up his own guitar, joining Harley in the song.

I was rooted to the spot. They sounded fabulous together. The first time I’d heard Harley sing was at Halloween. He had a voice that was smooth as silk and a presence on stage that commanded attention. His hair hung in his eyes as he played, the lyrics flowing from him easily. I crept forward a bit as Ransom and Rebel joined them. It was easy to understand how they had come this far. Their love for one another, the friendship and respect they each had was evident. It wasn’t just one member of the band who shone. It was all of them.

They wrapped up the song and Ransom slapped Harley on the back playfully.

“One of these days, people are going to realize I’m not the lead singer,” he joked.

“I’m happy where I am, Ransom.” Harley took Ransom’s hand.

I cleared my throat and stepped into the room. Gareth grinned and waved.

“Hey, Achilles.”

“Gareth.” I nodded and leaned against the wall. “Guys.”

“Okay, let’s work on ‘Monkey Sex’,” Ransom announced.

I spluttered and Ransom chuckled. “Yes, it is a song,” he affirmed.

“Jinx?” I chuckled.

“Yup.” Gareth laughed. “It’s a good song, really.”

I watched as the guys got their equipment together. Jinx had already banged out his part of the track, I guessed. The guys worked around it, the lyrics made me snort.

You’re in my head, get in my bed

I’m in your head, get in my bed.

Want you screaming and writhing under me

We’d make perfect monkey sex, can’t you see?

Harley and Gareth stood together, both of them trying not to laugh as they sang. For two hours, I was treated to the guys working their magic. Once they agreed that they were done for the day, Harley set his guitar down and the guys all looked over the other tracks.

“Jinx should be back next week or so.” Ransom pointed to the paper. “We should start with ‘Fire it Up’ when he returns.”

“I agree.” Harley tilted his head. “We need to finish tracks thirteen and fourteen. The rest of them should go quickly once we’re all here.”

“I really want to take my time with this one. I’m not sure I’m ready to tour yet. Besides, I wouldn’t want us to go on tour right when London Boys is ending theirs. Jinx and Jayden need to spend some quality time together.” Ransom ran a hand through his hair.

“I would like to spend some time with my husband,” Gareth agreed.

“Where is Axel?” Ransom asked.

“Training new recruits.” Gareth beamed.

“Oh hell,” I muttered. They all turned to look at me and I pasted a fake smile on. “They’ll have so much fun.”

“Yeah, right,” Gareth chuckled. “I’ve sat in on one of his training sessions.”

“Damn! It’s five already?” Ransom exhaled loudly. “Where did the day go?”

“Dinner?” Harley asked.

“I could use some food.” Gareth nodded.

“All right, let’s head out.” Harley gingerly set his guitar down and eyed me with a grin. “Did ya bring it?”

“Yes. Don’t go crazy,” I answered.

“Bring what?” Rebel tilted his head.

“Come outside.” I motioned to them.

We stepped out of the studio and Rebel let out a gasp. My silver Tomahawk was resting off to the side of their vehicles. Rebel walked over to it, letting out an impressed whistle as he ran his hands across the shiny chrome.

“Damn, Achilles!” Rebel enthused. “This is fucking
hot
! How the fuck did you get it?”

“I know people,” I answered vaguely.

“You can’t even use these on public roads! How the fuck did you manage it?” Rebel kept on.

“I don’t give a shit?” I replied with a grin.

“Are you James Bond?” Ransom squatted in front of the Tomahawk.

“I wish,” I chuckled. I glanced over at Harley. “You know some back roads to wherever we’re going?”

“Yep.” Harley smiled knowingly.

“Well, let’s head out to the diner,” Ransom laughed.

“Sounds good,” Harley replied gleefully.

Harley ran his hand down the side of my bike and I actually shivered. I knew my bike was impressive. Only a handful had been made and they weren’t even considered motorcycles because of the four wheels. Harley straddled the bike and I climbed on back. I wrapped my arms around his middle and Harley stiffened. I leaned in a bit and spoke in his ear.

“What’s wrong?”

“Nothing,” he answered quickly. “You might want to hold on tighter.”

“Don’t kill me,” I joked.

Harley fired up the Tomahawk and I handed him a helmet, putting on my own. I gripped him tightly as he lurched out of the driveway and took a side street behind the buildings. I always had a sense of being free on my bike, as if the whole world didn’t exist and I was in my own make believe world. Flying free with Harley was a different feeling altogether. His body moved fluidly with the Tomahawk, as if it were actually meant for him. He came to a stop behind the diner and I climbed off, setting my helmet in the saddlebag. Harley got off and took his helmet off. A huge grin was plastered on his face as he handed me the helmet.

“What a fucking ride!”

“Glad you liked it.”

“Tell me I can do that again sometime?”

If it kept that smile on his face, I’d let him ride it every damn day. I nodded and Harley clapped his hands together. I laughed and followed him inside the diner. The guys had grabbed a table, and I sat off to the side, trying to stay inconspicuous. I watched him as he sat and joked with the guys. This was the Harley I wanted to see, not the one who looked like his life was over every time he visited his parents. I balled my fists under the table as I thought about Harley’s life.

“Achilles?”

“Yes?” I answered automatically. I glanced over to see Harley eyeing me with a worried look.

“You look…mad. Is everything okay?”

“I’m fine, I promise,” I assured him.

I was battling my attraction to the guy every day and I was fine?

Ha.

I ate, but I didn’t taste it. I was too preoccupied with watching Harley as he laughed with the guys. There were times I could see that happiness right under the surface, but when Harley went home, the sadness was back. I wanted to heal him, to tell him he was so much more than he knew. I was still trying to reach the surface, kicking and screaming to break it; what good was I to Harley if I wasn’t whole either? Part of me was still lying in that desert, listening to my fellow soldiers dying in the night. I’d seen a shrink, but they could only do so much.

Harley stole one of the French fries off my plate and dunked it in ketchup. He turned to me with a grin and I cracked a smile. He was so childlike at times, I forget he’s older than me.

“You didn’t want that, right?” Harley waggled the fry in front of me.

“No. I’m done. Have at it.”

Harley searched my features closely and then leaned in, lowering his voice. “Are you sure you’re okay?”

“You don’t have to worry about me, Harley. I’m here for you, not the other way around.”

“Tough shit. I’m not blind, and I can see that something is wrong.”

I glanced around the crowded table and shook my head. I wasn’t going to vomit my woes onto these guys.

“You’re coming to my house after this,” he ordered.

“I kind of have to, remember?”

“You’re not just going to drop me off is what I mean.”

“How do you know something is wrong with me? Maybe I’m just quiet.” I glared at him, hoping he’d back off.

“I’ve spent months with you, Achilles. Were you quiet? Yes. Are you still? No. I think I know you just enough to see when something is bothering you. I’d like to think we’re friends.”

Friends? Oh God, I wanted so much more from Harley than friendship, but that wasn’t my call, and I was going to be the good bodyguard and leave my charge alone. At least, sexually. I couldn’t deny the fact that I’d wanted him from the second I’d laid eyes on him; Harley wasn’t just good looking, he was kind-hearted and funny. He had “California surfer” written all over him, from his light brown hair with highlights, to his caramel-brown eyes — not to mention his copper-tanned skin and rocking body.

“Achilles?”

“Yes?”

“Where did you go? I’m worried about you now. You look like you’re trying to take a shit.”

I laughed at that and the whole table stopped talking and looked right at me. I shrugged, grunted a little, and they went back to their conversations.

“I’m just in my own little world right now,” I tried to explain.

Harley leaned in and placed his hand on my arm. I looked down at where his hand was, then back to his eyes. Our eyes met and I swore I saw something in Harley’s. Not sure what, but it was there. Maybe I was seeing what I wanted to see, a mutual attraction, even though Harley was as straight as they came — or I thought he was. The kiss in the bathroom in L.A. wasn’t that of a straight man.

“Why don’t we head out?” he asked softly.

“Did you eat enough?” I asked.

“I ate all your fries.” Harley gave me a sheepish grin.

I looked down at my plate. Sure enough, Harley had eaten all my fries.

“Okay. Let’s go.”

After saying bye to the guys, Harley straddled my bike once more, but he let me drive. I looked over my shoulder at him as he snapped his helmet on.

“Don’t feel like taking her for a spin?” I asked.

“Maybe some other time. I’m not feeling so hot all of a sudden.”

“What did you drink?” I turned partially on the bike and touched his cheek. He felt a little warm.

“Just soda.”

“Maybe you’re coming down with something?”