Ghost (Relentless Rogues MC #1)
Chapter One
Ghost
“You sure you can't stay just another day? I feel like I just got you back.” Piper, my baby girl and the reason I fight so hard for this hellish existence, pleads, holding strong, keeping those tears at bay. Just like I taught her… maybe a little too effectively.
“You’ve found your place here, baby girl, and I’m so damn proud of you for fighting to keep it. It’s time for me to find mine,” I tell her, grabbing her by the back of the head and pulling her into my arms.
I close my eyes, thinking of all the time we had together and the years that were stolen from us. I don't let my mind go down that path, though; I force through with the good. All those camping trips, fishing, hunting, and Pipers love for training. Her first steps, her first bullseye, her first takedown. All those memories of the past just come rushing back as I hold my not-so-little girl in my grasp just a little bit tighter. She’s always been tough, but looking over her shoulder now, I see a man willing to take that burden from her, eager too, even. That tells me all I need to know. Piper is safe and loved here.
“Where will you go?” Piper asks, clearing her throat and discreetly wiping her eyes as she pulls away from me. Never was a crier, that one, even as a baby. Some things, I guess, never really change.
“Oh, you know, this and that, maybe get the old crew back together. See where that takes me. I'll always just be a call away, baby, but you've got you a good protector now. I think it's time for me to step back and let him take over.”
Swift holds his hand out to me. “Thank you for trusting me enough with your daughter. I know that's not easy, especially with someone who doesn't deserve it.”
“Don't you start that pity party bullshit again with me, Hayden. I put myself in front of that bullet for you. You tried to shield me. There was nothing you could do about it,” Piper argues, making me chuckle even if I’m still fucking livid about the whole situation.
My daughter throwing herself in front of a bullet for a man, any man, nearly had me wanting to yell and rage at both of them. Still, seeing as we were the ones who brought that particular bit of trouble to his doorstep, I couldn’t be too angry. That thought has my mind turning back to my bitch of an ex-wife. I have no idea why I thought I could force her to be the one, but that's water under the bridge. Instead, my mind focuses back on Piper's happiness.
“You should listen to her, Swift. I know how stubborn, hardheaded, and selfless my daughter can be. She gave you her heart; she’d damn near give you everything else, including her life, if you let her. If she put herself between you and death, there wasn't anything you could have done to change her mind.” I shake his hand with a hard grip, pulling him closer this time, making sure only he hears my next words. “Now you know the lengths she will go to protect you and anyone else she loves. Don't let her get that close again. You always have to be ahead of her, and that's going to be tough, seeing as I taught her to be three steps ahead. You got to be six ahead and have her six. Got me?” When I look him in the eyes, I see the determination before he gives me a nod.
“Got it.”
“Good. This is the most important mission of your life. Don't fuck it up. You have my number. Need me for anything, I'm there. Don't be too stupid to fucking ask, either. Those who can't accept an extra set of protection at their back are cowards, and usually the first ones dead,” I tell him as I pull back and release his hand before turning to my bike.
I throw my leg over my seat and prepare for this long ride. With Piper settled and Swift clearly having things in hand, there isn’t much reason for me to stay now. As I go to kick-start my bike, a cloud of bright blond curls sneaking off toward the garage catches my attention, and I can’t hold back my smirk. The troublemaker is at it again, and I think I have just enough time to thwart some plans before I take off. I always have time for that firecracker.