5. Arrow
CHAPTER 5
ARROW
Leaving Kat this morning was the hardest thing I have ever had to do. I'm grateful to the club and its members for giving me a family and a place to be, and I would do anything for them. However, walking away from them would have been easier than walking away from Kat this morning, as every mile between us is ripping my heart out all over again.
Sometime after she fell asleep in my arms, after I thoroughly convinced her that she was mine, the realization hit me hard that I’m in love with her. I’m head over boots in love with her, like my brothers have fallen for their girls.
With everything going on with Savage Bones, I also knew that I couldn’t bring her back to Mustang Mountain because it’s just not safe for her.
We’re on the road, and the guys ahead of me pull off at an exit. I’m guessing they are either hungry, need gas, need to use the restroom, or a combination of all three, so I follow them. Since we’ve been riding for a few hours now, I could use a good stretch.
With the bikes parked, I don't even acknowledge the guys. Instead, I pull out my phone and see if Kat responded to the text I sent.
While she was still sleeping, I had to get out of bed and leave her, so I texted her. I wanted to remind her that she was mine, but also to tell her to have a good day and be safe getting back to Denver. At least I know she will be safe in Denver, as much as I hate the distance.
Kat: I wasn't a fan of waking up without you and I really wish you had woken me up to say goodbye. But I hope you have a safe trip home.
The text message seems almost impersonal. It’s all I can do not to growl.
Me: This isn't goodbye. That's why I did not wake you up. I will be seeing you soon. Let me know when you get home, so I know you made it safely.
I wait, but don't get a response. The guys are beginning to demand my attention and are not happy that I'm giving it to my phone and not them.
“Can you believe this shit?” Crank says to me, catching my attention.
“Can I believe what?”
“I'm pretty sure Motor Mouth here got laid more than the rest of us. And his pickup lines weren't even that good. I know because I had to listen to them,” Crank complains.
“Well, at least I wasn't trying to convince women to sleep with me saying that they could have a ride on the millimeter defeater,” Motor Mouth says, and we all burst out laughing.
“What? It made the women laugh,” Crank says.
“Yeah, laugh at you. No wonder you didn't get laid,” I say, joining in.
“He may not have gotten laid in the traditional way, but he got fucked all right,” Thunder says, laughing.
“Shut up, right now,” Crank says, glaring at Thunder.
“We are going to fill everyone in on this story. Crank got us some support from a club on the East Coast whose numbers triple ours,” Thunder says with an evil smile.
“And how did he do that?” I ask.
“He got drunk and made a deal with one of their members called Pappy,” Thunder says, and I can tell there's a story behind the grin.
“What kind of deal?” I ask as Crank glares at Thunder. At my question, both Thunder and his girl Ashley bust out laughing.
“Oh, he became the guy's little bitch. They got drunk, and he woke up with a brand-new tattoo,” Lightning says.
“And what would this tattoo be?” I ask.
“It says property of Pappy inches above his dick,” Thunder says, and then I burst out laughing.
“That explains why you're walking a little weird and a little slow on your bike today,” I wheeze out.
“Fuck all of you,” he says, storming off into the gas station.
“Sorry, I don't want to upset Pappy and all. You know I don't mess with other men's property,” I call back after him. Instead of replying, he flips his middle finger at me.
“Maybe it won't be a problem. Or maybe he'll stay single forever, and one-night stands are just something we have to get creative with,” Lightning says, still chuckling, as we turn and follow him into the building.
A few minutes later, as we're all getting back on our bikes, my phone falls out of my pocket. A text from Kat lights up my screen. It's a picture of her in the backseat of a car under a blanket and reading a book.
Kat: Bridget is driving and listening to some meditation music. Penny is sleeping because she was out all night, and I'm enjoying reading time on the way home.
I save that photo and make it the background on my phone. It is now one of my favorites. Though my absolute favorite photo is the one that we snapped of the two of us together at the concert, which is now my lock screen on my phone.
“Hopefully, all this extra help will allow us to take down Savage Bones sooner rather than later,” I tell the guys as they join me back by our bikes.
“Have a new motivation to get them taken care of, I see?” Thunder says.
“Yeah, and she's on her way to Denver instead of home with me, all because of Savage Bones. So let's go and put a bullet in each of their heads and end this so I can go get my girl,” I growl, making Thunder shake his head.
We've been back in Mustang Mountain for a few days now, and I haven't left the clubhouse. I've been digging into the details, trying to figure out anything and everything I can about Savage Bones.
“When was the last time you slept?” Atlas asks as he steps into my office, which is next to his, but much smaller.
“I can't sleep. I nap here and there,” I say, saving what I've been working on for Atlas.
“You know I don't order you guys around very much, but I am giving you a direct order. You are to leave this office, and go up until you've gotten eight hours of sleep. Take some sleep medicine, do some meditation, whatever shit you got to do, but you have to get some sleep. You are no good to us walking around like a zombie.”
“Fine. Give me a few minutes. I've got to call my hacker friend, as he's going to trace some of these withdrawals that have gone to Savage Bones and see if we can track down where the money went and where they used it. Then I will go and sleep,” I tell him as I pick up my phone.
Even though he nods, he doesn't move from the doorway. Instead, he stands there and listens to my entire call. The moment I hang up my phone, he points to the stairs.
“Go. I'll have someone check on you before dinner,” he says.
I don't even argue because my body hurts. Even my eyes ache. I'm pretty sure that I'm going to be able to fall asleep without any help. I’m so tired.
After collapsing on my bed, I pull out my phone and look over my messages to Kat. First thing I do is text her, wishing her a good morning, which seems to start off our conversations for the day. We talk about anything and everything, and we’re really getting to know each other. As much as I hate being away from her, I'm really enjoying this time of learning about her and what makes her tick.
After replying to her last message, as I wait for her reply, I drift off to sleep. The next thing I know, Ginger is waking me up.
“Hey, Atlas sent me to wake you up. You've been asleep for almost ten hours now. There's food downstairs and you have a visitor,” she says.
“Visitor? Are you sure it's for me?” I’m confused because I don't usually have anyone visiting me.
“Oh yeah, we all double checked,” she says, with a big smile on her face.
“All right, give me a few minutes, and I'll be down,” I say, stretching and trying to wake up.
Since I had my Kitty Kat in my arms back in Sturgis, I haven't slept that well.
I guess Atlas was right, and I did need sleep.
After using the restroom to make sure I look halfway decent, I splash some cold water on my face and change my shirt before I head downstairs. I have no idea who's come to visit. Maybe someone from in town. For all I know, it could be Ruby.
When I walk towards the kitchen and see who's sitting at the dining room table, my knees almost buckle.
“Kitty Kat, what are you doing here?” I say, completely shocked.