Chapter 39
THIRTY-NINE
Cade keeps his arms wrapped tight around me the whole ride back to Fredericton, and I can feel his grief through his touch.
I saw the sadness in his eyes as he stepped away from his family, and felt the effects of that departure as he climbed on the back of my bike.
But beneath that sadness, there’s also relief, and a quiet sort of release.
It’s almost like leaving gave him permission to breathe again, and he needs this escape more than he can admit.
I pull into the lot at the garage and line up with the row of bikes belonging to my brothers. As much as I want to take him straight to his house, the club has business to discuss today. And I don’t want to leave him alone.
I cut the engine, and Cade slips off the back. I watch him as he removes his helmet, and I hang both of them on the handlebars. But when he turns to head towards the clubhouse, I grab his arm and stop him.
“Karri trees are fire-tolerant.”
He furrows his brow, but waits for me to continue.
“They grow in wet regions of Western Australia, where the soil is shallow and nothing else really takes. But they have deep root systems that allow them to stand tall and survive rough conditions. Deeper than most trees would even try.”
Cade’s eyes flick between mine, and he blinks a couple times as his eyes glisten.
“They’ve adapted to survive, and regenerate after fires.
And flames even coax them into flowering,” I say, pulling him closer.
“They’re strong enough to stay, even when it burns for a while.
” I lift a hand to his face, lifting his chin so he looks into my eyes.
“But they’re not indestructible. They’ll die in a wildfire that burns too hot for too long. ”
He nods and releases a breath. “I know,” he says quietly.
I press my lips to his forehead and keep him close until I feel the next breath leave him. Then I release him.
“Come on,” I murmur.
We head for the clubhouse, and as soon as we step inside, I regret everything.
Fucking Maple.
She looks up from the table where she’s sitting with Kurt, and I practically growl.
“Out,” I snap, stepping to the side and pointing at the open door.
Cade quickly sidesteps my hand, and I catch Mac near the bar rolling his eyes and tipping his head back dramatically.
“Alder, stop,” Kurt says, narrowing his eyes at me in warning.
I walk over to the table, snatching the envelope sitting between them before Maple can grab it.
“How much of my blood you getting this time, huh?” I flip through the wad of cash inside, letting out a low whistle. “Must be nice to do absolutely nothing and get this kind of pay day.”
“Fuck off,” Maple hisses, grabbing it from my hands. “You know fucking nothing.”
“Oh?” I ask, slipping my hands into my jeans’ pockets. “Do tell.”
Kurt sighs and holds up a hand. “Enough. Both of you. I’m not in the fucking mood for this today.”
“Then don’t fucking bring her here,” I say, reaching into my cut and pulling out my cigarettes. And, fuck me, I don’t have a lighter, since I threw mine out in an attempt to quit this morning.
I hold up my hand and snap at Caz as I place a cigarette between my lips, and he stares at me for a moment before it finally clicks. He fishes his lighter out of his pocket, and side steps Wingnut’s lunge as he walks over to hand it to me.
“You’re such a dick,” Maple mutters, waving the smoke away as I blow it in her face.
I slap on a fake smile. “Only for you.”
She scowls, then her eyes flick past me, where Mac is guiding Cade towards the couches to watch the guys play pool.
“Surprised he’s still around,” she mutters. “Doubt that’ll last long.”
I pull in a long drag, keeping my eyes locked on Maple as smoke curls down my throat and into my lungs. But the anger burns hotter. I exhale slowly, right into her face again, and she coughs, trying to wave it away as she shoots daggers at me.
“You know she fucking hates the club, right?” I say, shifting my attention to Kurt. “She’d rather watch it bleed than see it survive. So why the hell are we handing her our hard-earned cash?”
Kurt shakes his head. “Alder. Let it go.”
I narrow my eyes at him. “What does she have on you?”
“For fuck’s sake.” He rubs his forehead. “This is why I didn’t have fucking kids. Yet somehow I end up with you two.”
Maple rolls her eyes, and I shoot Kurt a glare.
“Oh, great,” he mutters. “A rare moment of agreement.” He leans back in his chair. “Your mom and Cedar are stopping by later. I figured we’d do a club barbecue after the meet and get the families together. We’re overdue for an easy, nice afternoon.”
I nod. “Good call.” Then I turn to Maple. “Sorry, that means you’ll need to clear out if we’re having a nice afternoon.”
And right on cue, Wingnut waddles under the table and nips her ankle.
She yelps and shuffles back, seething. “What the fuck is this duck even doing here?”
I throw my hands in the air. “You were going to kill him, Maple. What did you expect me to do?”
“Argh!” Maple shifts away from Wingnut as he goes after her again, and Kurt stands, shoving me away.
“Go,” he says in a tired voice. “Just leave it for now. I’m not fucking dealing with this.”
“Fine.” I tuck the cigarette between my lips again. “But seriously. Stop giving her money.”
“Go,” he says firmly, tilting his head towards the rest of the guys.
Then, as I start to head for them, a beautiful sound stops me in my tracks. And my eyes immediately land on Cade.
He’s sitting with Mac and Rex, watching Cory and Boot play pool. He’s smiling with the rest of them as Boot throws a hissy fit… and he’s laughing.
Jesus fucking Christ.
I stand still for a moment, cigarette burning as I let it hang between my lips, and just watch him.
Mac says something to him, and he laughs again. The sound is dampened under Boot shouting, Cory taunting, and Mac chuckling… and I’m ready to strangle them all to shut them the fuck up so I can hear him.
Just him.
He’s fucking beautiful. Everything about him.
I stub out my cigarette in the ashtray on the bar and make my way over to him, circling behind the couch.
Cade doesn’t see me at first as he watches Boot argue over a scratched shot.
But I lean down and brace my elbow along the backrest, slipping my hand over his chest until my fingers wrap gently around his throat and my lips skim his ear.
“Damn, baby,” I murmur, feeling him lean into my touch. “You’re getting me hard right here in the clubhouse.”
“Jesus,” Mac mutters, shifting down the couch like I just dropped a lit match in his lap.
Cade chuckles, and fuck, that sound shoots straight through me.
I groan. “There you go again…” I drag his head back just enough to meet my eyes. “Such a beautiful fucking boy.”
His pupils flare as his lips part slightly, and he looks up at me with bright eyes.
I can’t wait any fucking longer.
I release him with a motion for him to stand. He rises, and I move to the edge of the couch, curling my fingers at him in a silent order to follow.
He steps in close, and I grab his hip, pulling him flush against me as I lower my voice and brush his lips with mine.
“I need those pretty lips wrapped around my cock, baby. Then I’m going to make you come so hard you scream my name so loud, everyone in this clubhouse will hear it and know who you belong to.”
His lips slowly curve into a smile, and that’s all the permission I need.
“Come on.” I push him in front of me, letting him lead me towards the hallway to my room.
But suddenly, loud bangs rip through the air.
Gunfire tears through the wall from outside, shattering windows, splintering wood, and knocking pictures off walls and glasses off shelves. One shot after another rips through the air, so fast and chaotic I have no idea which direction it’s even coming from.
I grab Cade and bring him down to the floor, dragging him under me as more gunshots slam into the building.
What the fuck.
Shouts break out in the clubhouse as furniture topples and boots slam against the floor as my brothers take cover, and I hold on to Cade tight, pressing my body over him.
Then the shots stop, and motorcycle engines revving sound from outside.
I push back and flip Cade over, my hands flying over him as I check for anything wet and warm. “You hurt?”
His eyes are wide and unfocused as he blinks, then frantically shakes his head. “No,” he breathes out.
I glance over my shoulder to see the guys pushing to their feet with their guns drawn, quickly heading towards the door.
Then my eyes fly to the table, where Maple crouches underneath it, eyes wide and full of fear as she stares at me.
“Stay here,” I tell Cade as I rise to my feet and pull out my gun.
I head for the door, but before I can get there, a hand lands on my arm.
“No, don’t!”
I glance down at Maple as she holds onto me, her fingers digging into my skin like she’s trying to pull me backwards. Her eyes are wild and pleading, and she looks absolutely terrified.
“I have to,” I say, pulling free from her grip and running outside.
Everyone has their guns aimed down the road, but there’s no target to shoot. Just the lingering bite of exhaust in the air, and the low rumble of engines fading into the distance.
But we know who this was.
The Dominion Sons came here with a message.
And now, it’s war.
Fuck.