Chapter 15 Nine
Nine
Ghost
After I pay the bill, I help Scarlett out of her seat.
I’m so glad she decided she was ready to go out with me tonight.
Despite everything she’s been through and continues to go through, that smile hasn’t left her face.
She’s never looked more beautiful than she does right now, knowing she’s safe with me and can let her guard down.
From the moment I took her from her hell, she has slowly started to heal.
I would gladly lay down my life for hers, and I can’t wait for the day I can rid her father from the face of this earth.
The things I’m going to do to that man would frighten her if she knew, so I keep that dark side of me locked down.
We walk out of the restaurant into the cool night air, heading towards my bike. “What has you smiling so big?”
As I place her on the back of the bike, she looks at me with her innocent eyes and her beautiful smile that I love so much.
I realize my smile is a little feral thinking about all the torture I’m going to inflict on Ian.
“Nothing, babydoll. Just happy you're here with me. Now let’s get you home so I can cuddle your ass.” Sending her a wink, I watch as her face goes red.
Chuckling under my breath, I help her with her helmet, checking the parking lot before I get on.
I notice a dark- colored SUV idling down the road from the restaurant, which puts me on high alert.
I stay rooted to my spot until it does a U-turn and hightails it out of there.
It takes everything in me to stay rooted to my spot because I know for a fact that it was Ian watching us.
Whoever this fucker is working with has given him the means for a new car because I know it was Scarlett that was paying all the bills.
I pull out my phone and shoot Crow a text.
Ghost: Came out of the restaurant with Scarlett and saw a dark-colored SUV idling down the road. I need you to look at the cameras in the area to see if you can catch a plate.
Crow: On it.
I watch for a few more seconds to make sure they aren’t coming back and get on, needing to get Scarlett out of here and safely back into my home.
Honestly, I wish Ian would have just showed his face so I could put a bullet into his head and end him right on the spot so Scarlett can finally be free.
I pull out of the parking lot and head for home.
I speed through town, wanting her out of here fast. We make it back to the compound in record time as a prospect opens the gates and lets me in.
I pull into my driveway and kill the engine.
Scarlett unwraps herself from around me as I dismount, and she pulls the helmet off her head. Fuck, she's so beautiful it takes my breath away. I grab her hand in mine and kiss the back of it, helping her off the bike. “So, what movie did you want to watch? What’s your favorite genre to watch?”
She pushes her hair behind her ears and smiles at me. “I’m more into horror and action movies, really.”
I quickly look over at her in surprise. “Huh, I never pegged you for horror. But that's one of my favorites as well.”
She laughs while shaking her head. “Yeah, I tried to get the girls to watch one with me, but they got too scared and made me shut it off. We ended up watching some comedy with all the lights on.”
I let out a booming laugh as we walk up to the door and I input my code to open the door. “Yeah, that sounds like them. Little Terror and Sav have always been scared of horror. They think if they watch them, something is going to crawl from under their bed at night.”
“Oh, ya they definitely told me if they die from being dragged by the devil, they will be haunting me.”
I opened the door as we walk in. “Maybe next week we will take a day trip on the bike. How does that sound?”
She gives a little squeal, making me laugh. "Omg can we? I love being on the back of your bike."
I pull her to me, loving the fact that she loves being on the back of my bike.
Right now, she can feel every hard ridge of my body.
I can't seem to help myself where she's concerned.
All I want to do is pick her up and have my way with her.
My cock hasn't gone down at all since she came down the stairs this morning.
Hell, it hasn't gone down since the moment I met her.
It's taking everything in me not to kiss the shit out of her like I want to.
So, I place a kiss on her forehead, letting my lips linger.
Hearing her sharp intake of breath has me grinning, knowing she's just as affected.
“Come on, let's get you settled so we can watch a movie.” We walk further inside as I shut and lock the door, setting the alarm.
We take off our shoes, and she heads into the living room and picks up her sketchbook, turning around to face me.
You can see the fear in her eyes, feeling vulnerable showing me her art.
The last few weeks, I've always seen her hunched over her book, but I’ve kept my distance, not wanting to crowd her.
I knew when she was ready, she would show me.
“So, besides the girls, I’ve never shown anyone my work before. I hope you like them.” She hands me her book, wringing her hands together.
I give her a reassuring smile. As soon as I flip the first page, I suck in a sharp breath, seeing a detailed picture of myself.
I swear, if I didn't know better, I'd say I was looking in a mirror.
That's how detailed it is. This is fucking amazing.
Each page I flip amazes me even more. She has the entire MC drawn.
Hell, even people I assume she has seen at the general store.
Each one tells a story, each one showing the different emotions people have in great detail.
To the little boy's happiness at getting an ice cream cone, to a couple's intimate embrace when they see each other.
To grandma Silvia stocking shelves at the store with Owen at her back, smiling affectionately at her.
Each line, each detail is truly a work of art and someone who has raw, pure talent.
I close the book and look at her. “Scarlett, these are amazing. You should really think about selling these.”
She looks at me in surprise. “You really like them?”
“Hell ya I do, babydoll. I wouldn’t blow smoke up your ass. You truly are an artist and should really think about setting up an art gallery or something. I know the guys would love that picture of them at the clubhouse.”
I watch as she swallows the lump in her throat, my words affecting her. I just want her to achieve every dream she has, and I’m just the man to make sure it happens. "Thank you, Camden; that means a lot to me."
“No need to thank me. I'm just being honest, but give it some thought. If you want to set something up, I will help you.” I mean that whatever she wants to do, I will help her. Because talent like this really needs to be shared. It's time for Scarlett to show the world what she's made of.
“I’ll think about it. It’s something I’ve always wanted to do. I just never thought it could happen. I’m just going to head upstairs and change quickly. I’ll be right back.” I watch as she heads upstairs. As soon as she’s out of sight, I head to the kitchen to grab a few beers.
Walking into the living room, I turn the TV on and go to my movies and pick the horror section.
I chuckle under my breath. Never in a million years did I think Scarlett was into horror movies.
I have a feeling there's so much more to Scarlett than she lets on, and I can’t wait to find out.
My phone buzzes in my back pocket. Pulling it out, I see it’s a text from Blade, which makes me go on high alert.
He knew I was on a date with Scarlett tonight, so if he’s texting me, something is going down.
Blade: We might have a location on Ian. We will keep you updated on what we find. From what Crow found out, he’s still with the same fuckers who were at her house the first time.
Ghost: Fuck. Okay, let me know. I want this fucker found. The faster we do this, the faster Scarlett gets her life back.
Blade: Will do, brother.
I run my hands through my hair in frustration, wishing I was out there right now finding the fucker myself.
I can’t wait until the day I can wrap my hands around his neck and watch the life drain from his eyes, watching how scared he’s going to be knowing it’s the end for him for what he did to Scarlett.
I place my hands on the back of my head and pace around the living room.
“Is something wrong?”
I turn around, seeing Scarlett standing behind me, looking nervous. “Nah babydoll. That was just Blade; they might have a location on your dad.” I didn't want to tell her, but she has a right to know what's been going on in finding him.
“Oh.” I watch her face go through so many emotions.
I walk the few steps towards her and pull her into my arms. “Are you okay?”
She holds on to me tightly as she nods her head.
“Yeah. I mean, I knew this was going to happen eventually. He needs to be stopped because I can’t keep living in fear that he’s going to do something else to me.
I always held out the hope that I would get my old dad back but that’s not going to happen is it?
” God her voice sounds so defeated right now I know this is going to set her back after she’s made so much progress.
Fuck Ian all to hell for making her feel even an ounce of sadness. “I’m sorry, Scarlett.”
She pulls out of my arms and looks up at me with a small smile on her face. “It’s okay. Does that mean you have to go?”
I grab her hand and pull her towards the couch, hearing her giggle, making me smile.
“Nope, you have me all to yourself tonight. And I get to be a sappy fucker who gets to hold you while we watch movies. Besides, I wouldn't just leave you hanging during our first date.” We get situated on the couch with her pressed to my side and my arm around her, right where she’s meant to be.
She pokes my side and looks up at me, smiling. “Aww, is the big bad biker really a softie?”
I shake my head at her teasing, seeing the brief sadness no longer in her eyes.
She can tease me all she likes as long as she keeps that smile on her face.
“Only to you, babydoll, only to you. Here, I already keyed up the movies. You just have to pick one.” She lets out a little squeal, taking the remote and scrolling through all the horror movies, making me laugh.
I’ve never seen someone so excited to watch a horror movie.
She turns to me and smiles. “Have you seen Deliver Us From Evil? It’s more dark and sinister than horror, but it's one of my favorites.”
“Nope, not yet. Oh, when you go back to the General Store tomorrow, I will have a prospect on you for the day, as I will be leaving by lunch. Then I will be back to pick you up, okay? I just need you to promise me that you won’t go anywhere without him, okay?
And if there is any trouble, you call me right away.
” I told her she didn’t have to work, but I know she likes her independence as much as it kills me letting her go with her father out there still.
She jumps around on the couch, making me laugh. As soon as she was all healed up, she’s been wanting to go back. “I’m so excited to get back to work. I miss working with Grandma Silvia. And I promise I won’t go anywhere without someone and to call you if there is trouble.”
She jumps off the couch and turns off the light, running back, making me laugh.
I hand her a beer as she hits play. She pulls the throw blanket around her as I watch the pure joy on her face, knowing for now she’s happy and safe.
Because I will be damned if I let Ian lay another hand on her again.
I smile a sinister smile, wishing the mother fucker would show his face already so I can end him.