CHAPTER NINE
Changes
Rio—
We reach Cloudcroft, and Zig turns into the lot of a chain motel just off the highway. A restaurant sits next door. They’re the only places in sight, perched on a hilltop.
We park, and I climb from the bike and stretch, feeling the long ride in every screaming muscle.
There’s a large, elevated deck out front, situated to take advantage of the view. Ghost appears at the rail, a drink in one hand and a cigar in the other. We climb the stairs to a seating area around a firepit. It’s one of those sleek designs with gas flames over glass rocks.
My eyes hit Ghost. He’s about 6’2” and muscular, with dirty blond hair cut short, a close-cut beard, and piercing green eyes. He was always a handsome kid, and it looks like he’s grown into his looks. I’m sure he’s got a line of women a mile long.
He extends his hand as I approach, and I take it. I still can’t believe he’s our new president.
“Rio. Good to see you,” he says, his voice much deeper than the last time I heard him.
“Ghost. I’m surprised you made the trip.”
“Figured you were owed some answers.” He lifts his chin to the seating area. “Sit. Let’s talk.”
I take a seat, and he pours me a glass of scotch from a bottle sitting on the table.
“Here’s to you, Rio, and to freedom,” he says, lifting his glass, and I drink with him.
He passes me a cigar, and I dip my head to light it, then stare at him through the smoke. “Last time I saw your old man was when we were pulling out of the parking lot, headed out west to come here. You were what? Seventeen? Eighteen?”
“Yeah, just a snot nose kid.”
I study the glowing tip of my cigar. “I guess a lot of things have changed since then.”
“Sure have.”
“Sounds like you've been doing good. I wish I could have seen your old man one more time.”
“Yeah, Storm thought very highly of you. Always talked about the sacrifice you made for the club.”
“I can’t believe he’s gone.” I ask the sixty-four-thousand-dollar question that’s been eating at me since I heard the news. “How did he die?”
“Storm was killed by the Shadow Hawks.”
At the mention of one of our rival MCs, I frown, leaning forward. “No shit?”
He nods. “We didn’t find out they were responsible until four years after my father’s death.”
“How did they do it?”
“They slit his throat in his own goddamn house.”
“You’re fucking kidding? Those fucking bastards.”
Pain crosses his face, and he changes the subject before I can even ask if he’s gotten retaliation.
“I think you’ll like the land we acquired for you.” He tosses me an envelope. It’s thick, and when I flip it open, it’s stuffed full of cash.
I arch a brow and look at Ghost.
“There was some leftover money from that heist.” Ghost takes a hit of his smoke. “Dad set it aside. He wanted you to have it. He appreciated the sacrifice you made. He wanted you to know that. Hell, I want you to know that.”
I look at the envelope, feeling the weight of it, the thickness of it. I won’t thumb through it and count it in front of Ghost. It would be disrespectful. Instead, I cock my head. “You didn’t have to keep his promise. You could have taken this money, but you didn’t. I respect that. You’ll be a good president.”
“Start your own chapter with my blessing.” He nods toward Zig. “They found a good piece of land with a lot of potential. Set things up however you want, but you’ll have to make your own source of income. And you’ll need to send ten percent to the mother chapter from any income you set up.”
“Understood.”
“How about we go over to the restaurant and get you a nice steak dinner?” Ghost offers with a grin.
“Sounds fucking fantastic.”
After the best meal I’ve eaten since I was sent up, I go to the room they rented for me, take a long, hot shower, and look through the duffel bag Zig carried up from the truck with some of my old clothes and boots.
I touch one of the shirts, smiling. Hell, just to have my own goddamn things is overwhelming. I change into a thermal shirt and a pair of sweats, then stretch out on the bed.
To be on a real mattress, after having slept on a two-inch pad for years, is amazing. I stack my hands and stare at the ceiling, thinking of all my plans. There’s so much I need to do, and I can put them all in motion.
I can’t wait to see the property I’ve got to work with. Tomorrow can’t come soon enough.
Glancing at the bedside table, I pick up the photo of Shelby and stare at it. For years, I’ve longed to know why she stopped all contact with me. There had to be a reason.
Memories of her visits kept me going—that and the determination to track her down when I finally got out of there.
“Soon, sweetheart. Soon I’ll see you again. I swear it.”
A knock at the door has me setting the photo aside and standing. I cross to the door and peer through the peephole, expecting to see Zig or one of the other guys from the club.
What greets my gaze is a pretty young woman. I swing the door open with a frown. “Yeah?”
“I’m Sally.” She smiles and holds up a bottle of booze. “Your friends at the bar thought you might want some company.”
I glance down the empty hallway, then step back, letting her inside, and swing the door closed.
She’s got long blonde hair and curves in all the right places, and I haven’t had a woman in forever. My dick gets hard just watching her ass strut across the room.
I’m not interested in the booze. I take the bottle from her, setting it aside.
“You’re cute,” she says before I take her face in my hands and kiss her quiet.
I’m not interested in making chit-chat. If the guys sent her, she must know the score.
Her eager response tells me everything I need to know. I feel her hands at my waist, slipping under my shirt, and I step back to jerk it over my head, baring my chest. I don’t waste anytime reaching for the hem of her own soft t-shirt and yanking it up and off her. A pretty lace pushup bra greets my eyes, but with a flick of my fingers, I unhook it and toss it aside.
Perky tits pop free, and my hands immediately go to them, squeezing their pillowy softness in my palms and brushing the hard nipples with my thumbs.
Taking her to the bed, I tug her short skirt off her hips, and the lace thong as well, along with the high heels.
Red painted toes are exposed, but my gaze is all for her pussy.
I drop my sweats and climb on top of her, settling between her welcoming thighs. With a touch of my fingers, I find her wet and sink two digits inside.
Her eyes flare with desire.
“Wet and ready for me, aren’t you?” I say huskily.
“There’s a condom in my skirt pocket,” she whispers.
I snag it, then roll it on and sink into her waiting pussy.
I groan at the sensation, my eyes sliding closed. I’ve no desire to look at this girl’s face. The only face I imagine as I fuck her is the same one that I’ve imagined every time I lay in my bunk and took my dick in my hand.
There’s only one girl I desire.
Shelby.
After we’re through, I drop to my back, stack my hands under my head, and stare at the ceiling, more relaxed than I’ve felt in a long, long time.
Sally moves to cuddle against me, but I’m done with her. “You need to go, sweetheart. Thanks for a good time. Take the bottle with you.”
Without a word, she gets dressed and walks out.
I’m sure the boys paid her well, so I’m not concerned.
She meant nothing to me. There’s only one woman on this planet that means something to me. And soon, I swear to God, she will be mine.