15. Ghost
Ghost
After an unbelievable night together, I woke up with Cricket lying next to me, her head on my shoulder and her leg draped across mine. As I looked down at her angelic face, I was hit with the realization that I’d slept through the entire night.
The nightmares hadn’t come.
Not a single one, and I knew why.
Cricket.
It was all her. Just having her close kept them at bay. I wasn’t exactly surprised. The woman had a way of bringing out the best in me. I lowered my mouth to her forehead, gently kissing her, but she didn’t budge. The night had taken its toll on her. Hell, it had taken its toll on me as well.
I was tempted to go back to sleep, but feeling her body so close to mine had my cock stirring to life. I was considering going for another round when I heard a knock at the front door. I had zero desire to get out of bed and considered ignoring them. But whoever it was just kept knocking.
I didn’t want them to wake Cricket, so I pulled myself out of bed and threw on a pair of boxers. I slipped on a T-shirt and drug myself into the kitchen. When I finally opened the door, I found Dagger standing on my front step with a goofy grin on his face. “Good morning, sunshine.”
“Morning.”
“Looks like you had a good night.”
“Yeah, you could say that.” Toby and Garrison were standing there next to him and were talking ninety-to-nothing, completely oblivious that I was even standing there. “What about you guys?”
“They’re both still breathing, so I’d say it went alright.” Dagger chuckled. “Your boy Toby’s got an arm on him. He just about wore me out on skee-ball.”
“Appreciate you taking him. I owe you one.”
“Nah, I was glad to do it.” He ran his hand over Garrison’s head. “The boys enjoyed it, and that’s all that matters.”
Toby came over to me with big puppy dog eyes. It was clear he had something on his mind, so I gave him a nudge. “You good?”
“I was just wondering if... Garrison could hang out here with us for a while. We’ll be quiet, and we’ll clean up our mess. I’ll even...”
“I’m good with it.” I glanced over at Dagger. “As long as it’s good with you.”
“Ah, hell. I don’t care.” Dagger turned to Garrison as he said, "Y’all behave, no tearing up the place, and don’t get into any trouble.”
“Yes, sir.”
With that, the boys darted for the door. Before they made it inside, I called out, “Keep it quiet. Your mom is still asleep.”
The door slammed behind them, and Dagger snickered. "You’re in for it, man. Those two are like bulls in a China cabinet.”
"I’ll manage," I said with a grin, running a hand through my hair. "I’ll bring him by the clubhouse in a couple of hours.”
"Sounds good," Dagger said with a wink before heading out. “Good luck.”
I closed the door and made my way back inside. I figured Cricket could use a little more time to rest, so I left her sleeping and headed to the kitchen to make breakfast for her and the boys. My pancakes had always been a favorite with the brothers, so I grabbed the flour and eggs and got to work. I made up the batter, and while the first couple were cooking, I threw some bacon on a sheet pan and slipped it in the oven.
Twenty minutes later, I had a hell of a spread, and the boys were practically foaming at the mouth as I made their plates. They’d just started to dive in when Cricket walked into the kitchen. Her hair was down and a bit disheveled, and she was wearing that T-shirt from a couple of nights ago. Damn. She was positively stunning.
She started towards me, and I gave her a smile and said, “There she is.”
“Hey, Mom.”
She stopped dead in her tracks, and her eyes widened as she turned and found Toby and Garrison sitting at the table. Trying to hide her shock, she smiled and said, “Good morning, guys.”
“Ghost made us pancakes,” Toby announced with a smile.
Cricket tugged at the hem of her t-shirt, trying her best to make it a few inches longer as she replied, “I see that.”
“And bacon, too.”
“Um-hmm... It smells amazing.” She started backing out of the kitchen as she told them, “I’ll be right back.”
Knowing full well where she was going, I chuckled, “Where you running off to?”
“I’m going to change.”
“Why? I thought that was your favorite T-shirt.”
“It is, but...” Her brows furrowed into a scowl. “Are you messin’ with me?”
“Possibly.”
“Oh, that’s gonna cost ya.”
“I can’t wait.”
By the time she made it back, I had a stack of pancakes ready and waiting for her, along with a big cup of coffee. She glanced over at me with an appreciative smile and said, “This looks really good.”
“Good.” I leaned over and kissed her on the forehead. “I hope you’re hungry.”
“I definitely am.” A mischievous smirk crossed her face as she leaned over and whispered, “But you still got payback coming.”
“Bring it on, baby. Bring it on.”
I gave her a wink, and for the rest of the morning, we carried on like usual. The days that followed were more of the same. I still did my shift at the Vault and handled my business at the club. While I was gone, Zeke and Goose kept their watch over her and Toby. Cricket and I made sure nothing in our routine looked out of the norm.
But beneath it all, there was this charge between us. It hung in the air whenever we were close. We tried, but it was difficult to hide. We figured it was best to keep things quiet for Toby’s sake. He was adjusting and doing well, and we didn’t want to do anything to jeopardize that. So, during the day, everything stayed normal.
But when no one was looking, we stole moments for ourselves. We’d steal a kiss here or there, and Cricket would slip into my room after Toby had gone to sleep. We’d talk or just be together, but by morning, she was gone. It was like we were living two lives—one for the world to see and one just for us. And that was enough—for now.
Cricket was curled up next to me, and I was toying with a strand of her hair when I announced, “I’ve got the run tomorrow.”
“Yeah, I know.” She sounded apprehensive when she asked, “How long will you be gone?”
“Just for the night, but Zeke will be here with you. And Dagger’s gonna stop by, too.”
“What about Goose?”
“He’ll be going with me.”
“Oh.”
Hearing the worry in her voice got me right in the gut. I wanted to pull her closer, squeeze her tight, and assure her that everything was going to be okay, but I resisted. She needed to sort through this herself, so I didn’t move. I just laid there and listened as she said, “It’s fine. I’ve got some things I need to get done around here, and I have that interview next week to get ready for.”
“Sounds good.”
She was silent for a moment, then whispered, “I wish you didn’t have to go.”
“Gonna miss me, huh?” I rolled on top of her and started trailing kisses along the curve of her neck. “Can’t say that I blame you. I’m a hell of a catch.”
“Sutton!”
“I know. I know.” I continued kissing her. “It’s hard to imagine being away from all this steel and sex appeal for a whole night, but you’re gonna have to muster the strength...”
“Steel and sex appeal?” she giggled.
And there it was.
The smile I desperately needed to see. “The struggle is real.”
“It most definitely is.”
I lowered my mouth to hers, kissing her briefly before lowering myself back down on the bed. “Thankfully for you, it’s just for the night.”
“Yes, thank goodness for that.” Her smile faded as she whispered, “You promise to be careful?”
I leaned over and kissed her on the temple. “Always.”
I lowered my head back on the pillow, and it wasn’t long before I drifted off to sleep. I woke up several hours later to find that I was in bed alone. The sheets were cold where Cricket had been. I wasn’t surprised—she always slipped back to her room well before sunrise, but that didn’t mean I didn’t miss having her there.
I needed to get moving, so I swung my legs out of bed and got dressed. I put on my boots and cut, then checked my gear, making sure I had everything I needed. I knew I couldn’t leave without telling her goodbye, so I headed down to Cricket’s room.
I eased the door open and found her curled up in the blankets. Her breathing was soft, and her hair was a mess around her face. For a second, I just stood there, watching her and putting her beautiful face to memory. She was really growing on me—more so than I thought possible.
I leaned down, and when I pressed my lips against her forehead, her eyes fluttered open. A groggy smile swept across her beautiful face as she muttered, “Hey.”
“Hey. I didn’t mean to wake you.”
“I’m glad you did.” She eased up on her elbow. “You heading out?”
“Yeah, but I’ll be back before you know it.”
“I’m gonna hold you to that.”
“I know you will.” I started for the door as I told her, “Try to behave, and don’t give Zeke any trouble.”
“I’ll do my best.”
I stopped and looked at her one last time, trying to soak her in, then walked out and shut the door behind me, hoping she’d go back to sleep. I went out to my bike, and once I’d shoved my stuff into my saddlebag, I was on my way. Twenty minutes later, I was pulling through the gates of the clubhouse. I pulled around back and found Goose waiting out by his truck.
As soon as I’d parked, he came over and said, “I was beginning to think you weren’t coming.”
“I’m an hour early, asshat.”
“Still later than usual. Must be a reason.” A smirk crossed his face. “Wonder if it has something to do with the pretty, little brunette that moved in.”
“Don’t got time for your bullshit.” I charged past him and toward the back door. “We need to find Memphis and get the truck loaded.”
“He’s in the kitchen with Prez.”
I gave him a nod and continued inside. When we got to the kitchen, Memphis and Prez were sitting at the table with Grim and Creed. They were having their morning coffee, but the room was oddly quiet. Tense even, and that was rare in the Fury kitchen. Usually, it was a place to kick back and prepare for the day.
Goose didn’t seem to notice the unease in the room as he sauntered over to the counter and poured himself a cup of coffee. “Good morning, girls. How’s it shaking?”
“Morning.” Prez glanced over his shoulder at me. “You boys ready for the run?”
“Yes, sir.” I poured myself some coffee. “We’re about to get loaded up.”
“Good deal.”
Goose walked over and sat down next to Memphis. “Any news with Antonia?”
“Well, she’s stopped crying herself to sleep, so I’d say she’s doing better.” You could hear the worry in his voice as Memphis said, “But she still hasn’t been able to reach her father, and that’s fucking with her head.”
“We haven’t had any luck either,” Prez replied. “But that’s not necessarily a bad thing.”
“I doubt it’s all that good either. We know what he did, and we all know he’s gonna pay for that shit—one way or another.”
“Yeah, but Carmine’s a smart guy. He got himself into this mess. I got a feeling he can get himself out.”
“I guess time will tell.”
“Speaking of time.” I walked over to the table and said, “We best get going.”
“Yeah, you’re probably right.”
When Memphis stood, Prez looked up at him and said, “I want you boys to get the full rundown of things while you’re there. Check out the grounds and see their production line. I want to know if this is really worth our time.”
“You sure about this?” Memphis grumbled. “We’re doing good with what we got going.”
“Yeah, but it’s only a matter of time before marijuana is legalized everywhere, and then, where will we be?” Prez’s tone turned firm. “Just go and check it out. If it’s as good as they say it is, we’ll move forward. If not, we’ll pass. Simple as that.”
Memphis nodded, then followed me and Goose out to the garage. We gathered our weapons and extra ammo and stowed them in the back. I checked the storage compartment beneath my backseats, making sure it was clear. I gave everything one last scan, then announced, “Looks like we’re all set.”
“Then, let’s get moving. I’m ready to get this thing done.”
We piled up in my SUV and started our trek to the Manor. It was a drive I’d taken many times before, but this morning felt different. This morning, I was leaving someone behind— someone that I’d grown to care about, and it made leaving much harder. It was a feeling that caught me by surprise. I’d watched Memphis and Grim fall for their ol’ ladies, and I saw the way they moved mountains to love and protect them. Back then, I didn’t get it. I thought they were crazy to get tied down to just one woman, but now, I was finally starting to get it.
I was thinking about the past few days with her when Memphis cleared his throat and asked, “You think there’s any chance Carmine’s gonna weasel out of this mess?”
Memphis wasn’t one to talk about things, especially things that were worrying him—not unless he had a couple of drinks in him. He usually sorted shit out on his own. We typically joked about shit like this, but I didn’t want to make light of his concerns. He needed an honest answer, so I gave him one, “I wouldn’t put it past him. There’s no telling the kind of connections he’s made with his line of work. He could’ve struck some kind of deal with these guys, and all is well.”
“Or they slit his throat and hung him from a tree.”
“That’s certainly a possibility.”
“He made a real mess of things.”
“Yeah, he did, but there’s still a chance. There’s always a chance.”
Memphis didn’t say anything more, but then again, there wasn’t anything else to say. We had no idea how things were going to go, and there was no sense in making guesses. We turned our focus back to the road. We’d hoped to be at the Manor by noon, but that plan got shot to hell when my back tire blew out.
The spare wasn’t exactly in good shape, so we had to get into town to get it fixed, and that put us a few hours behind. And needless to say, none of us were all that happy about it. Thankfully, we made it to Manor just before dark, and Kiersten and Braylon, her right hand, were there waiting for us. As soon as we got out of the truck, Braylon came over to me and extended his hand as he said, “Welcome back.”
“Thanks, man.” I shook his hand as I said, “We’re looking forward to checking out this new line of yours.”
“Good. We’re looking forward to you seeing it. I think you’ll be impressed.”
“Well then, let’s get to it.”
Braylon nodded, and then he and Kiersten led us around back to one of the older buildings. The outside looked plain enough—just brick and metal siding—but the inside was anything but plain. It was one big, sterile, climate-controlled room that was sectioned off with thick, clear panels.
Each was lined with tall metal racks, and the shelves were filled with trays of mushrooms in various stages of growth. The air was cool, and there was a faint, earthy smell. And there was specialized lighting overhead that reminded me of the lighting she used to grow the marijuana plants. Just like the other, this wasn’t some half-assed operation.
Kiersten had gone all-in on this project of hers. There wasn’t a single thing she hadn’t thought of, and she sounded quite pleased with herself as she announced, “This is it... The next big thing.”
“Damn.” Memphis glanced around, nodding appreciatively. “You’ve been busy.”
“You have no idea.”
Kiersten went on to explain how she and her team had been testing and refining everything from the moisture content to soil nutrients, and like Viper had mentioned, she’d been able to create a new strain that was more potent and had fewer side effects. She talked about their process for cultivation and processing, and I had to admit, it was impressive. "You put a lot into this.”
"We did, but I really think it’s worth it.” A smirk crossed her face as she asked, “Are you ready to give it a try?”
“Absolutely.”
“Great. Meet me out at the fire pit, and I’ll bring out some samples.”
Twenty minutes later, the guys and I were sitting out by the fire, and we’d each taken a small sample. She gave us the rundown and told us to expect the euphoria to kick in within a few minutes, and she wasn’t exaggerating. It was good shit, and it hit quick. I hadn’t had shrooms since I was in high school, and even then, I didn’t do it much. I just didn’t trust the stuff, but this was the real deal.
I felt at ease, buzzed even, but I wasn’t completely out of it. It was nice. I could sit and breathe without feeling the weight of the world on my shoulders. It was a good feeling—a really good feeling. I looked down at the fire and watched as the flames flickered back and forth, while the guys were all leaning back in their chairs like they didn’t have a care in the world.
“You think Tracy ever thinks about me or Grady?” I leaned my head back and looked up at the stars as I continued, “Or you think she’s so happy in her new life that we don’t even cross her mind?”
Neither of them answered. They were too busy staring at the fire to even hear what I’d said. But that didn’t stop me from continuing, “I used to dream about them all the time. Not as much Tracy as Grady, but I don’t mind the dreams about him. They help me remember. His eyes and rosy cheeks. His little fingers and his arms when he’d reach out for me. I don’t ever want to forget that.”
Again, no response.
Maybe they were blitzed out of their head or maybe they knew it was something I needed to get off my chest. Either way, they just sat there and listened as I told them, “I’ve been through some shit. Been overseas. Lost brothers. Lost my kid. Lost my wife. And that shit stays with ya. Becomes part of you. Not sure it’ll ever let loose, not fully. And that makes me wonder if Whit will ever get over what that piece of shit has done to her and the kid.”
Kiersten and Bray came out with a couple of drinks and placed them on the table. “How you guys doing?”
“ Easy, like Sunday morning ,” Goose mumbled.
It wasn’t a real answer, but it pretty much summed it up. She giggled as she asked, “So, you like it?”
“Not bad.”
“Good deal. We’ll leave you to it.” She turned and started back into the office. “I’ll be back in an hour to check on ya.”
Once they were gone, Memphis looked over to me and asked, “You okay over there?”
“Yeah, I’m good.”
It wasn’t exactly true.
My buzz was fading fast, and I started thinking more and more about Cricket and her piece of shit ex. Just thinking about all the fucked-up things that bastard had done made my blood boil. The scars on her body, the fear in her eyes when she talked about him—were a constant reminder of the hell he put her through. And what got to me most was the fact that he hadn’t paid for any of it. That fucking prick was walking around like he was untouchable. He knew he was protected by his father’s name and that damn badge he hid behind.
He needed to pay for what he’d done.
And with his daddy’s pull and that fucking badge in his pocket, there was only one way that was going to happen. I stood and started walking toward the parking lot. I hadn’t gotten far before Goose shouted, “Yo, Ghost! Where you running off to?”
“I’m out.”
“Something wrong?”
I continued walking as I shouted, “Need to clear my head.”
It wasn’t exactly a lie. I did need to clear my head, but that wasn’t the reason I was leaving. There was something I had to do. It was something I’d needed to do since I first laid eyes on Cricket. He was out there living his best life without an ounce of care or consequence, and it was time for him to pay the piper.
I grabbed my keys from my pocket and got in my SUV. I took a breath, making sure that I’d come down from my high, and once I was certain I was good, I turned the key and started driving towards the city.
I’d seen Shep’s report. I’d read over it a hundred times. I knew exactly where the asshole lived—a nice house in a quiet, family neighborhood. Didn’t quite fit with the monster he really was. I parked a few houses down and cut the engine. I took off my cut and laid it in the passenger seat, then got out and started toward the house.
It was dark. The only light was coming from the security pole, and it was all the way in the backyard, making it difficult to see as I made my way up to the driveway. His car was in the garage, so I knew he was inside. I needed to draw him out, so I picked up a handful of rocks from the ground. I tossed one up at what I hoped was his bedroom window and heard the soft plink of it hitting the glass.
I waited, then threw another one.
Seconds later, I saw the curtain twitch.
“Come on, asshole,” I muttered under my breath, tossing another rock.
Finally, the window slid open, and there he was—Cricket’s ex. He leaned out and looked around. “Who’s out there?”
I didn’t answer.
I simply stepped back into the shadows and waited for him to take the bait. His footsteps thudded through the house, and a second later, the front door swung open. He stepped out onto the porch wearing a pair of plaid sleep pants and a wifebeater with no shoes or socks, and he had his gun at his side. “Hello? Who’s out here?”
When I didn’t answer, he came further down the steps and eventually onto the grass. Once again, he looked around and snarked, “Look here, you piece of shit. I’m not fucking around. Come out, or I’m coming for you, and when I do...”
Before he could finish his thought, I stepped out of the darkness and charged towards him. “What the fuck?”
I didn’t speak.
I just ducked down and plowed into him, slamming him into the side of the house. It took some effort. He was lanky but all fucking muscle. He lifted his elbow and slammed it into my shoulder, forcing me to release my grip around his waist. I barely had a chance to think before he was on me, driving his fist into my ribs, back, and head.
He was good. He’d been in situations like this before, but there was no way in hell I was gonna let the guy get the best of me. I needed to get the upper hand, so I reared back my fist and slammed it into his balls. His knees buckled and he hunched downward with a groan.
I used the opportunity to ram the back of my head into his nose, breaking it instantly. He was momentarily dazed, so I reared my fist back and then punched him in the face again, nearly knocking him out. His head flew back as blood spewed from his mouth.
Before he had a chance to recover, I slammed my fist into his gut. He toppled forward as he wrapped his arms around his stomach, but it did little to protect him from my continuous blows to his abdomen and face.
He swung at me, wild and desperate, but I ducked and punched him even harder. His back hit the wall with a thud, and it dazed him.
I could see the fear start to flicker in his eyes.
Good.
I wanted him afraid.
He tried to push back, throwing a punch that grazed my jaw, but it wasn’t enough. I slammed my fist into his gut, knocking the wind out of him. I hit the asshole again and again, and in a matter of seconds, he was a puddled mess on the ground.
I didn’t want to kill the guy, so I stepped back and stared down at him as he drew up into the fetal position. He was bloody and bruised, and his almighty ego had taken a hit. I leaned down and grabbed a fist full of his hair, forcing him to look at me as I snarled, “You gotta be a real piece of shit to put your hands on a woman.”
He didn’t answer.
He just groaned in agony, but he got the message.
I’d done what I’d come to do, so I turned and disappeared back into the shadows. I did my best to remain in the dark as I made my way down the block and back to my truck. I looked around, making sure no one was watching as I got in the SUV and started the engine. I eased out of the parking spot and sped out of the neighborhood.
An hour later, I was pulling back into the Manor.
I parked, and I hadn’t gotten out of the truck before Memphis came storming towards me. “Where the hell have you been?”
“I went into town.”
“For what?” When I stood, his eyes dropped to the blood on my shirt, and he immediately groaned, “Ah, hell. What did you do?”
“Just leave it, Memphis.”
“I can’t leave it. Look at you.” Memphis followed me into my room and gave me one of his looks. “What the hell happened?”
I gave him a look, and he let out a frustrated sigh. “Please tell me you didn’t do what I think you did.”
“I took care of something that needed to be taken care of.” I pulled my bloody shirt over my head and tossed it into my bag. “That’s all you need to know.”
“Ah, damn. You went to that fucking cop! I should’ve known.” His face grew red as he fussed, “You do realize that you put the club in jeopardy with this bullshit. It’s only a matter of time before...”
“I didn’t,” I cut him off. “I was careful.”
“He’s a fucking cop, Ghost.”
“I parked down the street... I took off my cut. There’s no way he’ll be able to piece it together. I’m telling you. You’ve got nothing to worry about.”
“For your sake, I hope you’re right.”
Without another word, Memphis turned and stormed out of the room, slamming the door behind him. I spent the remainder of the night going over everything detail of what had gone down, and I started to have my doubts about things. Maybe Memphis was right. Maybe I had fucked up. Maybe I had acted rashly and hadn’t thought about the consequences of my actions.
But what was done was done.
There was no going back.
Pandora’s box had been opened, and now, I had to wait and see what followed.