Chapter 17
Chapter Seventeen
Midas
The hours pass, and I don’t move. Somehow, I know she hasn’t either.
Part of me wants to break down the fucking door, take her in my arms, and promise her forever.
The other part of me knows she’s far better off without me than she’ll ever be at my side.
Eventually, I have to leave. I can’t be here when she wakes up, knowing instinctively she’ll need to believe that last night was nothing but a bad dream.
I get to my feet, my back and legs protesting from sitting on the floor for so long.
With one last look at the door, I head out, jogging down the steps without looking back.
I don’t bother going back to the clubhouse.
I head straight to the gym, where I have a spare change of clothes, along with my workout clothes.
I get there just as it opens. I don’t see Capone, which is just as well. I’m not in the mood to answer his questions. Instead, I find Powers at the desk, one of our two newest prospects.
“Anyone else about?” I ask him after I get changed.
“Capone opened, but he got a call and took off. It’s just me here until eight, then Circus is coming in.”
“Alright, I’m heading to the weight room. If anyone asks, you didn’t see me.”
“You got it, Midas.”
Ah, good, there is hope for this guy yet.
The four prospects we have are leaps and bounds above the last bunch that tried to prospect and failed dismally.
But that’s what prospecting is for—to weed out the weak.
So far, Hoops and Dice are well on their way to getting patched, with Powers and Ambros not far behind.
I head to the weight room. There is only one other guy here, but he’s working out on the other side of the room with his headphones on.
I take a deep breath and try to focus on nothing but the weights.
It’s not easy, and my thoughts quickly slip back to Legs.
Goddammit. I didn’t realize how much I missed her until I laid my hands on her, and everything between us came rushing back like a fucked-up movie, only this one doesn’t have a happy ending.
With my anger taking a back seat, or at least aimed at the motherfucker living next door instead of at Legs, it’s easier to see the damage I’ve caused, the hurt that’s etched into every inch of her as her body bowed under the weight of my presence.
Everything I wanted to avoid came true. And now, when she could finally be free, I still can’t leave well enough alone, picking over the carcass of our relationship like a vulture.
I only planned to spend an hour at the gym, but it swiftly turns into two. By the time I’m done, my body’s fucked, but my mind is clearer than it has been for a while. I head to the changing rooms to shower and get dressed. When I head out, I pass Circus as he’s walking in.
“Midas. You done already?”
I nod, grabbing hold of the door to stop it from closing.
“Yeah, wanted to get a workout in before I have to do a stock-take at Au,” I bullshit.
I’ve got fuck-all to do at work other than sit around and wait for customers to come in because I’ve done everything I can in a bid to keep my raging thoughts at bay.
“Good luck with that. Much as I don’t want to bring shit up, I gotta ask. You planning on hiring someone to replace Legs?”
Expecting what he was going to say, I’m able to stop myself from flinching when I hear her name. “Not sure yet. Why?”
He nods to Powers. “Ambros has been filling in here. Honestly, given his notoriety, he’s drawing in a crowd, which is making us bank. Powers still needs a job, though.”
“You’re a bleeding heart, Circus.” I sigh before looking at Powers. “Alright, send him over to Au when Ambros returns, and I’ll figure something out.”
“Nice one. I’ll let him know.”
I pass him and figure I’m home free when he calls my name. With a sigh, I blank my face and turn to look at him.
“You wanna go for a ride later?”
I was expecting a comment about Legs, so he’s thrown me off. But a ride is just what I need. “Yeah, that sounds good. When?”
“Text me when you’re done at Au and I’ll meet you there.”
“Sounds like a plan. Alright, I’m out.” I head to my bike and climb on, shoving the helmet over my head. I ride to Au and park around the back, next to the shop truck we use for deliveries.
I climb off and make my way inside before coming back out and backing the truck up to the door.
I grab a large suitcase and shove it into the back of the truck along with some tarp and cleaning products before returning it to its parking spot.
Then I head back inside and set up, ready for the first customer of the day.
It doesn’t take long before an older man is in, pawning a watch.
He makes small talk, and I nod along, only half listening.
I try not to let them suck me in with their stories.
Everyone has one and I’d make a shit business owner if I made concessions for every sad story coming through the door, though there are always exceptions to every rule.
By the time lunchtime rolls around, I’m starving.
I close up shop, now that nobody is here to cover me, and leave a sign on the door before heading to the diner.
I offer a nod to the waitress behind the counter when she smiles at me. “Be with you in a second, Midas. Sit wherever you want.”
I spot Kruger and Crane and move toward their booth. “Hey, what are you guys doing here?”
When I speak, both look up from their burgers. Crane slides over so I can sit down beside him.
“We’re heading down to get some more supplies for the clinic. Havoc’s looking for a doctor willing to help out for the serious shit—for a price, of course. But Lil agreed to take over the basics,” Kruger answers.
“I’m guessing she isn’t thrilled about it.”
He shrugs. “We need her. Even if it’s just temporary, she’s the best we’ve got right now. Havoc is trying to convince her to go back to school on the club’s dime, but she’s adamant she isn’t interested.”
“We can’t force her to change her life just because it’s convenient for us. I think Lil’s done enough for our club already without us demanding more of her.”
“And that’s why Havoc is trying to persuade her instead of ordering her.
Not that I think it will come to that,” Crane replies before he looks at me.
“I doubt he’ll have any luck. I was watching her the last time he broached the subject, and she shut down as soon as nursing was mentioned.
There is no passion or excitement there anymore, only loathing and—”
He stops, but Kruger is frowning at him. “And what?”
Crane swallows. “Fear. Hannibal mentioned it before, back before everything went down with Snake. We all put her quitting down to what happened with Snake and Bear, but for some reason, I think it’s something else. Something more.”
“Anyone try talking to her about it?”
“G, I think, but she tells him to mind his own damn business in that polite-as-shit way of hers that makes you feel like you’re getting scolded by a teacher.” Probe shakes his head.
I grin, knowing exactly what he’s talking about.
“What are you doing here anyway? Shouldn’t you be at Au?”
“I’m on my own, so I shut the place for lunch before my stomach tries to eat itself.”
Kruger snorts as the waitress, whose name I can’t remember, steps up beside the table.
“What can I get you, sugar?”
“I’ll take a burger with everything except onions.”
“You got it. You want fries with that?”
“Yeah, and onion rings too. And bring me a large Dr. Pepper.”
“No problem. I’ll return with your drink. The food won’t be long. Do you guys need anything else?” she asks Kruger and Crane.
“Nah, I’m good,” Crane replies.
“Same.” Kruger nods, keeping his head ducked out of habit. Most people here are pretty cool, but some tend to have a very visual reaction to Kruger’s scars. I barely notice them anymore. Unfortunately, that’s not something the man himself will ever say.
The guys are done by the time my food arrives, so I wave them off and dig in.
Once finished, I toss a tip on the table and head back out.
A couple of people are waiting outside Au, so I don’t waste time.
I open the doors, let them in, and spend the next few hours rushing.
By closing time, I’m dead on my feet and in serious need of sleep, but that’s not in the cards right now.
I text Circus to let him know I’m done, then close shit down.
I head to my office and dig around in the bottom drawer until I find the license plates I’m looking for.
I bring up the security cameras and deactivate the ones in the back lot and those facing the main road before shutting down the computer for the night.
I take the plates with me and lock up. I change out the truck’s plates and put the original plates in the glove box before walking back to my bike.
I ride around to the front of the building and wait for Circus.
He arrives ten minutes later but doesn’t stop.
Instead, he waves for me to follow, so that’s what I do.
We ride for a couple of hours before we stop for food.
For once, we just have a normal fucking conversation without anyone bringing up Legs.
Maybe they’re starting to realize that I can’t get over a woman if they won’t let me forget her.
Shame it’s come a day too late. I’ve come to a realization of my own, one I’m having trouble getting my head around.
Seeing Legs last night made me accept that there is no living without her.
Hell, I’ve been trying, that’s all I’ve been doing, but she’s in my fucking bones.
I smell her on my skin and wake up with the taste of her on my tongue, and I don’t know if it’s a memory or if I’m stalking her in my dreams, too.
“Midas?” I jolt at the sound of Circus’s voice. I’ve drifted off again.
“Sorry, man, I slept like shit last night. I can hear my bed calling me.”