Chapter 14 #2
“Once you’re in with the club, that’s it,” Ransom shrugs. “Sure, some people are suspicious of everyone, but you haven’t given anyone reason to assume you’re out to hurt the club.”
“I’m not,” I say, aghast at the thought. “I really don’t like to hurt people unless they give me a reason to.”
“My fried knot is very appreciative of that,” Storm grumbles.
“You deserved it,” I say simply.
“I’m going to be working on your nest while you’re gone,” Wilder says, changing the subject.
Ransom rolls his eyes while Wilder simply shrugs unapologetically.
“Everything will be arriving soon. I called the plumber to come over today to get an estimate on the bathroom, and I have all of your inspiration photos that you gave me last night to work from. It’ll take a few weeks to do, so Ransom and I are going to plan out another project. ”
“And what is that?” I ask, finishing my smoothie. I need to pee and finish getting ready to leave, but I hope they tell me something.
“A back porch that’s expanded,” Ransom grunts.
“Right now, the back steps are kind of ugly. We want to tear those out, create a balcony for the second story, so that we’ll have a porch there.
Then, on the first level, we can create a cozy area that we can heat and hang out in.
I’m thinking a hot tub might be nice so that we can enjoy the snowy nights.
I’m the muscle on this, Wilder drew it all out. ”
“No wonder you didn’t want to tell me,” I breathe. “That sounds incredible.”
“Don’t even think about the money it’ll take for this,” Storm warns.
“If we couldn’t afford it, we wouldn’t do it.
However, we knew when we bought this place that we’d want to renovate it so it’ll perfectly suit our needs.
Next spring, we’ll plant a garden to create some privacy and keep the area cool in the warmer months.
Every inch of this home should be usable. ”
“Are you sure you’ve never been a homeowner before?” I ask in awe. “I think this is amazing. I also was not going to ask about the money. I know you have that part on lock down.”
“I’m aware of how much the remodeling will cost, which is why I’m going to make a little more with some day trading,” Storm says. “I’ve got this covered, Marie. Enjoy your ride and date with Lore.”
“Is this a date?” I ask, eyes widening.
“Since none of us date, we’re taking it one step at a time,” he says.
“You’re all impossible,” Ransom mutters. “How did I end up in a pack that’s so clueless while pulling off these huge romantic gestures.”
“Renovations are romantic?” Wilder asks, pretending to be dense. His gray eyes are wide as he bats his eyelashes, his smile one that I’ve very sorely missed.
His humor and sparkle are coming back the longer Lore is around. If anyone is the backbone and heart of this pack, it’s Lore.
“Ugh, you’re impossible,” Ransom says, taking my glass to wash it.
“Well, I’m glad you’re staying busy. Please fuck it out instead of killing each other,” I say innocently, sliding out of my chair.
The glass slips from Ransom’s hand and breaks in the sink, while Storm snickers.
“You’re trouble, Marie,” he says.
Grinning, I head back upstairs and tie my hair up in a low bun so the wind won’t wreck it. By the time I come back downstairs, Lore has a bag slung over his shoulder and he’s waiting for me.
“Are we staying overnight?” I ask, seeing my new boots by the door. They’re simple, black boots that don’t have any bulky leather. I like that they’re non-slip, and will still protect my feet.
Finding socks next to the shoes, I pull them on while Lore explains that we’ll be staying a couple of nights at least to ensure I have a good handle on riding. Then, we’ll head back to Minneapolis.
Nodding along, I wiggle my toes in my boots, noting that they’ll need to be broken in. I’m not planning on walking much, so I hope it won’t be an issue.
“Your bun makes me want to take it out so I can feel how soft your hair is before I fist it,” Lore murmurs, his lips curling up as he pushes my chin up to gaze at him.
God, this man is sexy. They all are, but it’s easier to pretend they’re normal alphas when I’m talking to them about home renovations and the plans we’re making.
But when I’m staring into Lore’s blue eyes with his neck gaiter pulled up over his mouth.
Fuck me, it’s like a masked man is touching me, one my body knows well and isn’t at all scared of.
“You make me want to chase you, Princess,” he growls. “One day, I will. Let’s get on the road before I decide to never leave. Guys! Come say goodbye if you need to. I’m kidnapping her.”
“There was a time when I’d be concerned you really would,” I say under my breath as my alphas come out to say goodbye.
“I’ll throw you over my shoulder if you’re a really good girl,” Lore suggests, his eyes darkening at the thought.
“Down boy,” I mutter, walking into Ransom’s arms for a hug. He was the first one out here, despite the broken glass.
“They fuck around too much,” he says, burying his face in my neck.
“It’s the bubble butt,” Wilder says. “It’s really hard not to stare at it. Did you squat to get it to look like that?”
“Marie. Please don’t leave me with them.”
Uh-oh. Ransom is pulling out the big guns and calling me by my given name.
“You’ll be fine,” I say, hiding my smile as I run my fingers over his short, dark hair. “Be sure to snuggle with them while I’m gone.”
“Marie,” he groans.
“What?” I ask, smirking as I pull away to give Wilder a hug. “You like to snuggle.”
“I do, but they have hands that roam.”
Wilder’s body shakes as he laughs inaudibly, holding me tightly.
“You’re such a shit starter, baby,” he says.
“Oh, I’m paying attention,” Lore growls, making me whimper as I shiver. “I’m also counting, Princess.”
“Promise?” I sass, kissing Wilder before standing at last in front of Storm.
“You’re in so much trouble,” he says, handing me my stun gun.
“You forget this thing everywhere, Kitty. Please be careful while you’re gone.
We’ll hold down the fort, yeah? Also, put me down for a date when you’re back for some holster shopping.
We can gag and hog tie Lore in the shop while I fuck you in the bathroom after. ”
“That’s strangely specific,” I giggle. Storm watches as I put away my weapon, and then he scoops me into his arms and dips me to kiss the fuck out of me.
“Dirty,” Ransom says, shaking his head as Storm returns me to my feet, breathless and chest heaving. “She looks damn good with her cheeks all pink like that, though.”
“And that’s our cue to leave,” Lore says, grabbing me by the hand and pulling me close as he opens the front door.
“See you later, baby,” Storm says.
My pack follows me down the steps and watches as Lore stashes the bag and helps me onto the bike. He gets comfortable in front of me as I pull on my helmet and he fixes his before he turns over the engine. He tries hard not to be loud, but people still peak out of their windows as he drives away.
We’re always going to be different from other people, and I think I’m okay with that. It means I get to be loved in a way few ever will.
Holding my arms tightly around Lore’s waist, I smile as he squeezes my thigh as he maneuvers through the early morning traffic. Once we’re about an hour out of Minneapolis, Lore pulls off at a gas station. It’s not until that moment that I realize I forgot to use the restroom before we left.
“Figured you’d want to stretch your legs and use the restroom,” he says, helping me stand.
My knees buckle and his arm wraps around my waist to keep me from falling. We’ve been riding for two hours total. Ugh, I’m still not great with longer bike rides.
“Let the blood circulate,” he murmurs, pressing his head against my chest since he’s still seated. “It takes a while to get used to hitting the pavement for the long haul, Princess. Be nice to yourself. Lift your feet and stomp them. That’ll help.”
I can feel my legs tingling as I do as he says and wince at the pain of pins and needles.
“I think I need to walk it off,” I murmur, watching as he pulls off his helmet and stands.
“Let’s do that,” he says, getting off the motorcycle. The chrome gleams in the sunlight, though it’s a cooler day.
It’s not uncomfortable though, even when the wind whips around me at higher speeds. His hand remains on my back as he walks me to the restroom, and he pokes his head inside to make sure it’s safe before allowing me to walk inside.
Despite the bathroom technically separating us, it doesn’t make me feel ill as I use the stall. Thank goodness for small mercies. People wouldn’t be very happy to have him in here while they all do their business.
This time, there’s no one inside the restroom but myself, and I wash my hands quickly once I’m done and dry them. Even though the bond sickness isn’t being triggered, I still feel a little bit of anxiety at not being near him.
I’m not sure what I’m going to do when I decide to go back to work if just this amount of distance is upsetting me. On the other hand, I just got him back. I’m allowed to take things slow as I figure things out.
I shouldn’t be touching patients right now.
Walking out of the bathroom, I grin as Lore drops his heavy arm across my shoulders.
“I’m going to fill up the tank before we keep going,” he says. “I also figured out something?”
“Do tell,” I say, walking beside him as I enjoy his scent and presence.
I’ll never take it for granted, not ever.
“Hastings’ father is Ryder Adams,” he says.
I trip at his words, and he twists quickly to catch me. Unfortunately, it costs him as he pulls his stitches, and I see his wince as he holds me against his chest.
“I buried the lead again, huh, Princess?” he asks, lips twitching as I gaze up at him.
“Big time,” I breathe. “Are you okay?”
“I moved too quickly. I didn’t hurt anything too badly,” he says.
Choosing to believe him, even though I’ll force him to show me his stitches later, I nod.
“Do you think she recognized you?” I ask. “Hastings acted really oddly the entire time we were at the store. None of you were acting in a way to make her think I wasn’t safe with you, so I don’t understand her intense reaction.”
“I bet she recognized the patches,” Lore says. “I removed my President patch when I started to stalk Lyker and his men, but my club patch remains on my cut.”
The gas station cleared out in the time I went to the restroom, and it feels a little eerie. I glance around to see if something is out of place, yet nothing is. Cars pass by the gas station, and it seems it’s just one of those things that happens when people all get done at the same time.
“Are you going to tell Ryder about his daughter?” I ask. “Sometimes, people are running for a reason, Lore.”
All I can remember is how my brother’s world and mine kept colliding, no matter the lengths I went to hide from him. No matter who the person is, they deserve their privacy.
“Not yet,” Lore says, feeling the full force of my feelings.
“It’s not any of my business for now. I’ll decide when it needs to be, though.
His daughter went missing six years ago, Marie.
Ryder thought she’d been picked up by auction hunters.
He’s close enough to two different auction houses, so it’s a possibility. ”
Oh. Shit. This is information I didn’t have before.
“Why do you think she wouldn’t want to go home?” I ask softly.
“Shame?” Lore suggests. “I met her when she was a snot-nosed teenager. Ryder and she were always butting heads. Her mom died when she was two, and Ryder did the best he could. The older she got, the less they could find in common. Hastings can change a tire, put together a motorcycle that’s just deconstructed, but she didn’t want any part of it.
She may not think she can go back, or maybe something happened. I have no idea.”
“Shit,” I whisper, watching as he pays for gas and begins to pump it. “I have an odd feeling, Lore. Do you feel it? I don’t know if it’s because it’s so empty all of a sudden or what.”
“I feel it,” he mutters. “You have great instincts. I just need another minute to top off, Princess. Be my eyes.”
I turn around slowly, searching for danger I don’t see.
“Done. Time to go, Marie. Hurry up.”
I move instinctively behind Lore on the motorcycle, and get my helmet clipped just as the sound of bikes comes tearing up the highway.
They’re far enough for us to outrun them, and I wrap my arms around Lore’s waist as he guns the bike.
My heartbeat thumps as he gets onto the highway, leaving behind whoever was behind us.
I remember quite clearly what Ransom told me about other bikers, and I cling to Lore as we put lots of space between ourselves and that gas station. I’ll gladly sit on the back of this motorcycle until my tailbone falls asleep if it keeps us safe.
I shouldn’t need a bathroom break for a while.