Chapter 2
Chapter Two
The clubhouse was full of people. There were so many, in fact, that even the courtyard was full of people drinking and laughing and doing other — my eyes scanned the crowd — other more entertaining things.
Grinning, I followed Duke, only to run straight into Domino.
Slapping me hard on the back with enough force that I was pretty sure he snapped my remaining ribs, he greeted me. “Pocket,” he boomed and I could smell the whiskey on his breath.
Hell, the stench was so strong that I would have been able to smell it from a mile away without trying. These guys were partying hard.
“Welcome home, welcome to your…” Stepping back, he motioned with his hand at the gathered people and the empty bottles that littered the floor. “Get well soon party.”
A cold beer was thrust into my hand and for a second I stared down at it. I was on enough pain meds to knock out a horse, so I really shouldn’t, but…
I lifted the bottle to my lips and took a long draw. I’d never really been one to follow the rules. Laws and rules were for other men, not men like me.
“Thank you, brother.” I grinned. “This is exactly what I need.”
“Well,” Duke shook his head. “I wouldn’t get too excited.
Your face is a mess and your ribs are dust, so I don’t think you will be doing much of the good stuff.
” Winking, he waggled his eyebrows at me, which caused me to laugh and that sent pain spiralling through my body.
I swayed where I stood and it was Domino with his black and grey hair and deep lines around his eyes that caught my elbow to steady me.
“Are you even meant to be out of the hospital?” Domino asked in the cool, calm, and collected voice he was known for.
So many people confused that even manner for weakness and none lived to regret it because they hadn’t lived at all.
People did that to me as well. They confused quietness for weakness.
“He discharged himself,” Duke added unhelpfully, and I snapped my head to him. He was such a fucking traitor at times.
“I’m fine,” I muttered. “They just wanted me to relax, and I can do that here a lot easier than laying in some lumpy hospital bed.” My eyes found the swaying ass of one of the club girls as she sauntered past. Without thinking, I reached out and snagged her wrist, drawing her to a stop.
Glancing back over her shoulder, she smiled.
“A lot easier.” I pulled on the girl’s wrists, tugging her into my body. Duke was right. Any vigorous exercise probably wasn’t on the cards for me a mere two days after my crash, but there were other things she could do to help me relax.
Nice, wet, relaxing things.
“Well, I’m glad you didn’t die.” Domino patted my shoulder. “And have fun. Just not too much fun.” He winked before turning his attention to the blonde sliding her hand down the front of my jeans. “Look after him.”
“I will, Domino.” She reached out and ran her hand down his chest, her fingernails scraping his leather cut. “I can look after you as well if you want some company later?”
Before he could answer, a frantic voice sounded over the general noise of the bikers that surrounded us.
“Look, I’m just here to see Ghost. Can you tell him that someone’s here to see him and I’ll be on my way?” The female voice spoke from behind us. From the other side of the gate, in fact.
The four of us turned and the moment I saw her, any plans of sinking myself into the wet and willing mouth of the club girl vanished. I knew that face. I had been dreaming of it for the past two nights.
“Look, love, the Prez is busy.” The prospect at the gate was as interested in the newcomer as I was from the way he leaned against the gate and looked her up and down. “But I can keep you company if you like?” He reached for her and she stepped away quickly.
I’d seen enough, though. I knew her face because it was ingrained in my memory.
She was the angel who had saved me at the side of the road.
I didn’t know why she was at the clubhouse, or why she was asking for Ghost instead of me, but I sure as hell wasn’t going to let some snotty nosed prospect lay claim to her.
“Pocket.” The club girl bristled at my side. Her hand slid back down to cup me over my jeans, palming me roughly, and my cock jumped to attention, throbbing against my zipper. But my arousal wasn’t because of her.
It was the girl on the other side of the gate that had me twitching.
When I was losing consciousness after my crash, I had convinced myself I was dying and that she was an angel.
After waking in the hospital, I wondered if I hadn’t imagined her.
But she wasn’t an angel, or a mirage. She was a living, breathing girl.
A beautiful one at that. And she was right here. It kind of felt like fate.
“Hey.” Stepping back from the wandering hand that was working me, I called out. “I know you.”
“What are you doing here, Chloe?” Chance strode forward quickly, and I did a double take. I hadn’t seen Chance for over a year. He was always busy with the band he ran security with.
“You can let her in, prospect.” He came to a stop and even from my place behind him, I could see how angry he was. That was strange. Chance never got angry.
The chain-link gate was pulled open and the tiny blonde stepped through with her chin tucked down into her chest. It was like she could feel us all watching her and wondering.
“You’re not meant to be here, Chloe.” Chance caught hold of the woman’s elbow and started leading her forward. “But don’t say another word. I’ll take you to Ghost.”
They moved past us without talking to each other. “It’s good to see you up and about, Pocket,” he said, nodding at me as he walked past.
Chloe, that’s what he called her, finally looked up at me, and for a second she looked terrified.
“Thanks, Chance.” Taking a step forward, I offered my outstretched hand. “I believe we’ve met before, but we didn’t get to exchange names. I’m Pocket.”
Chance shook his head. “Now’s not the time, brother. Enjoy your party. Your date is looking a little neglected.”
Glancing over my shoulder, I frowned at the club girl. She wasn’t a date. In fact, she was as far from a date as a woman could get. Club girls were just willing. Only now I wasn’t interested in her at all. Not now someone far more interesting had crossed my path.
Turning back, I watched as Chance ushered Chloe into the clubhouse and out of my sight.
“Fuck.”
“Isn’t that the girl that saved you?” Duke asked.
“Yeah. I wonder how Chance knows her.” She didn’t look the type to hang around with bikers. She was too much of the girl next door type.
Duke followed my gaze. “I’m more intrigued about how she knows Ghost and why she would come to him for help. He’s not exactly Mr Reliable, is he?”
My eyes widened. No, our president was anything but. So, how the hell did they know each other?
How did a girl like her know a man like Ghost?