15. Chapter 2
Chapter 2
T hey still wouldnt give me any details, just that the threat was real, dad wants me home and nothing I said or did would change their minds, even if they had to put a bag over my head and tie me to the bike. That little nugget came from Hudson, who I chose to ignore.
I sat behind the desk, trying desperately to come up with some excuse to not go with them, to convince them Im perfectly capable of looking after myself. I had been doing it for the last five years but from the look in their eyes, they could and would follow through with their threats if I didnt come of my own free will. Hudson pointedly looked at his watch while my brother waited for me to work it through my head, I was sure he was coming up with reasons to refute my objections.
It didnt matter, King Curtis wouldnt stop until I went home. Home. The compound. That place wasnt a home, it was somewhere for drunken, egotistical, whore-chasing idiots who thought because they wore leather vests with patches sewn on them, they had every right to make decisions on my behalf. It was everything I didnt want to go back to.
What am I supposed to tell my boss? My friends?
Tell them your moms sick.
I scowled at Warren. Our mother abandoned us when we were three, leaving us to be raised in a motorcycle club. Guess she got bored of dads brand of bullshit and decided kids cramped her style or something, she didnt care she was leaving two innocent kids to grow up in that environment. As my eyes lowered down his cut, they widened at the patch across his chest.
Vice President? I screeched. Are you kidding me?
Yeah, that happened recently. Warren gave me a sad smile. Vice President meant hes in this for real. Not that he wasnt already but a part of me always thought he could get out if he wanted to, but being the VP? That was a whole different ball game.
What happened to Nut?
He died a few years ago.
My mouth dropped open. How?
Cancer.
I closed my eyes, sorrow passing through me. Grey Nuttall was dads best friend. He was like an uncle to all of us. He could be a dick, and he was one of the biggest whores in the MC but he was family. Part of me felt guilty for not knowing he passed away, but I made a conscious decision when I left to not let memories weigh me down.
Why did dad choose you?
Why wouldnt he? Hudson asked. War is his son.
There are more experienced guys in the club who could have stepped up, other officers.
Thanks for the vote of confidence, Wave, Warren gave me a dry look.
I dont mean it like that, I started but trailed off, I totally meant it like that. To have a VP so young wasnt unheard of but experience meant a lot. I glanced at Hudsons cut but his bore only the name of the New Jersey chapter. Hudson caught me looking but didnt say anything.
We need to go.
Not now, Im in the middle of a shift, Im the manager. This can wait until tomorrow.
We never said anything about staying overnight, Hudson pointed out.
Tough shit. If you want to upend my life and drag me back there, then its on my terms. I have a house, friends, a job. I wont drop everything because you show up demanding I leave.
We need to-
Its okay, Warren cut Hudson off again, holding a hand up to placate him.
I expected an explosion or some kind of reaction but Hudson just stared at my brother for a beat, then glared at me. That was new. Then again, Warren was his VP, he couldnt openly argue his decisions. I bet it was killing him and that made me smile.
Take tonight, settle things.
Exactly how long are you expecting me to be away?
It wont be too long, hopefully. I get it okay, I know this is not what you want. I dont want to turn your life upside down, but I wouldnt be here if it wasnt important. Im worried.
Running a hand over my face I looked away from them. His words were sincere. I knew my brother, he wouldnt do anything to hurt me if it wasnt important.
Well come get you in the morning.
Fine. They looked at each other then back at me, like they were expecting more of an argument. What would be the point in fighting?
They left a few minutes after that. Warren hugged me and I found myself holding on to him. As much as this bothered me and I really didnt want to go, I missed my brother. He was so much bigger than I remembered, I barely reached his chin. He kissed the top of my head and they left.
I sat in my chair, staring into space, long after they were gone.
Are you okay?
Huh?
Declan was leaning up on one elbow in bed, facing me, his expression concerned. Wed already had sex once in the shower after we got back to my place, now we were chilling in bed.
You disappeared on me, he leaned over, running his nose down the side of mine, then nuzzling into my throat, nipping me with open mouthed kisses.
I tilted my head up to give him better access, telling myself to forget about Warren and Hudson until tomorrow.
How would I tell Declan where Im going? He doesnt know about my family or my past. Only that I came here for college and never left. We didnt talk about family. Declan was vague about his, although one night when he was drunk, hed let slip his dad used to beat both him and his mom, and hed moved out when he was sixteen to live with friends. His mom hadnt cared enough to find out where he was. As awful as it made me feel, knowing Declan didnt like to talk about his family, made it easier not to talk about mine.
He pulled me into him and kissed me, his tongue rolling gently against mine. Wed been dating for a year now, the first committed relationship I had been in, and I was about to lie to him, leave with no idea when Id be back. He stroked my cheek with the back of his hand.
Whats wrong?
Nothing, I whispered. Im just tired.
Come on, I know you better than that. Whats going on?
I heaved out a sigh, closing my eyes, hating myself and my family for this. Why couldnt I just tell him the truth? Werent we serious enough for him to know where I came from? Or was I so ashamed I couldnt bear the thought of him knowing? When people thought of Motorcycle Clubs they thought of criminals, drug dealers, murderers, thieves and violence.
They were right too. A lot of those things did happen. I wasnt supposed to know about it because I was a female. MCs were boys clubs, always would be. I used to think it was unfair when I was a kid, knowing my brother and friends were going to join and I couldnt. Hell, dad wouldnt even let me get my own bike. He said women belonged on the back of a bike and no daughter of his would ride alone.
That was when the disillusion with the club started to set in. When I realized that even though my brother and our friends grew up with me, played with me, and went through school and all kinds of other shit with me, eventually they would leave me behind. It started happening, them hanging out more in the bar and common room at the MC, a place my dad didnt want me entering. Id seen the looks in their eyes when they had let that door close on me. But it hadnt stopped them.
When I left, I was heartbroken, confused and so alone. My brother and Hudson were prospecting for the club, Connor already patched in, when we were supposed to be leaving to go to college. Warren swore he would leave with me, even if he had to come back to the MC once he was done because that was where he belonged. Id foolishly thought if we got away for four years, Id convince him never to go back.
Taking a fortifying breath, I cupped Declans face and looked into his eyes. The lie felt brittle on my tongue, but I couldnt tell him the truth of where I was going. I was damn sure I wouldnt be there long. Id find out what my dad was into then Id leave and tell them to forget my damn name.
Myaunt is sick, I said, not able to bring myself to say the word mom . I didnt remember her, as far as people back home were concerned Id never had a mom. It was too hard to try and perpetuate a lie about someone I didnt know. But I had a lot of aunts, the Old Ladies at the club treated us like their own. I didnt feel too bad using that generalization.
Oh shit, Wave, why didnt you say something? How sick is she?
Car accident, the lie came too easily. She doesnt have any other family. I need to go stay with her for a while, till she can get back on her feet.
Stay with her? Declan sat up, leaning his back against the headboard, and he tugged me up with him, this wasnt a conversation we could have all tangled up naked together. Where?
Back home, in New Jersey.
He huffed out a little laugh. You dont sound like youre from New Jersey.
Dont tar us all with Jersey Shore , I nudged his side. I grew up in the suburbs. It wasnt a complete lie. We were out in farmland. Because a huge MC like the Devils Chaos couldnt exactly have a massive compound and presence in the middle of the city.
Is she gonna be okay? he asked, pulling me into him, his hand stroking up and down my shoulder in a tender way.
IIm not sure. I dont want to go, there is so much going on here. You I looked up at him.
Hey, he kissed the tip of my nose. If you have family you care about, nothing else matters, right? Declan got a faraway look in his eye probably thinking about the fact he had no family of his own. God I didnt want to go. Its not going to be forever. And youll call me all the time, right? he grinned.
Of course, I kissed his jaw.
When do you need to go?
Tomorrow, first thing. I need to call Lee about work. Hes gonna be pissed.
Hell understand, he said. And hey, we can totally have whats app sex till you get back, he waggled his eyebrows and gave me a dirty grin.
Oh really, Im sure my sick aunt, or the brothers of the MC, would love to hear that.
Im not asking you to do it with her in the room. Id need to meet her first.
I whacked him on the shoulder with the back of my hand and he jumped up onto his knees, grabbed my hips, then dragged me down the bed, pressing his body on top of mine, making me squeal.
We better make the most of tonight then, huh?
Damn right. I pushed Declan over until he was on his back then slung one leg over his hips. He stared up at me, his pupils dilated, eyes filled with lust. I reached for a condom from the nightstand and then gave him what he wanted, not giving two shits how tired I would be tomorrow.