Chapter 10
Chassie
“Dusty, don’t do this!” I shout, chasing them outside. “Why didn’t you just let me go with him?” I look toward Preacher.
“It’s going to be fine, baby. Just go on inside and have a drink with Payton. I’ll be back before you know it.”
Dusty slams the door in his face right as he’s talking to me.
“You should gather up your friends and head back to town, Chassie. They’re going to take you down with them.” He walks around and climbs into the driver’s seat then pulls out, blaring his damn siren.
“Let’s ride,” King shouts to the others as they mount their bikes.
“Please take me with you!” I rush to him. “Please. I caused this. Please let me fix it.” I just need to talk some sense into Dusty. I know my best friend is in there somewhere.
“Yeah, okay. You can ride in the cage with me, doll. Preach would beat my ass if I put you on the back of my bike.”
I’m assuming that’s because I’m in a dress and it would ride up, showing off my underwear.
I climb into the pick-up truck and we take off. The Knights are in a diamond formation behind Dusty’s cruiser. And we’re tailing behind them with the other two cruisers behind us. I feel like I’m on the edge of my seat freaking out, while all the others seem so calm.
“It’s going to be fine, doll. You just sit back and relax while I make a quick call.”
Sit back and relax. Preacher’s being arrested. And from the look in his eyes, I know he’s guilty of whatever crime Dust is accusing him of.
“Yo, Sheriff!” King says into the phone. “Got one of my men heading your way. One of the new kids showed up at our clubhouse and made an arrest.”
An expletive comes through the other end of the line.
“We’re headed to you. Figured it’d be a good time to school these new kids on how things operate around here.”
“Bet your ass it is. I’m liable to take their badges away. Don’t worry, King, I’ll deal with them when they get here. They’ll be making their apologies.”
“See you soon.” King hangs up and looks in my direction. “I gather he’s your ex.”
“Yes.”
The shame in that answer washes over me.
“Never seen Preach willing to eat shit for anyone. Means he cares about you.”
“Eat shit?”
“If he didn’t care about you, he would’ve beaten that cop to a pulp. My guess is he’s worried your opinion of him would change if he had hurt the kid.”
I want to hurt Dusty. But hearing that… makes me feel better.
“I care about Preacher.”
“I know.” He smirks. “Told the whole club how you felt.”
Ugh… how mortifying. But it’s true. I care about him. A lot.
“I’m sorry for causing this mess. Dusty didn’t always used to be like this. But that badge has really gone to his head.”
“No apologies needed, doll. When new kids join the force, they always think they run this town. They’ll learn their lesson, and hopefully, it will never happen again.”
We pull into the precinct parking lot, and it sounds like an army of engines coming to town.
“Stay with me until this shit is settled.”
I nod and follow him out of the truck, but when I see Dusty yanking on Preacher’s arm, my anger boils over. I march over to them and get in his face.
“If you don’t let him go, Dusty, I swear I’ll cut off your dick. He’s perfectly capable of walking on his own.”
A low rumble of chuckles breaks out in the background, but I am not amused by what is currently happening. My ex-boyfriend, now ex-friend, is acting like a complete jerk.
“Appreciate you having my back, baby.” Preacher gives me one of those crooked smiles. “But I don’t want you anywhere near his dick again.”
Dusty yanks him even harder and Preacher’s smooth voice sends a shiver down my back.
“You put your hands on me again and I’ll be the one cutting off your dick.”
“That’s another threat,” Dusty grits back. “The only dick you’ll get a chance at is the one of the inmate you’ll be sharing a cell with.”
All I hope is that King can get Preacher out of this mess, because Dusty’s need for revenge right now will send Preacher to jail for years. He’ll probably make up bogus charges just to keep him away from me.
“What the fuck do you think you’re doing?” barks an older man as soon as we enter the building. “Who authorized you to march onto the Savage Knights’ private property and cuff one of their men?”
Dusty looks taken aback by the man’s anger. This must be the sheriff—his boss.
“He vandalized my vehicle. Got surveillance footage to prove it.”
Dusty wasn’t even at the clubhouse because Meg called him.
I thought he showed up worried about Dakota, but he came for his car.
I don’t understand who this person is. He hated Kollette, and now he’s fucking her.
He used to be so protective of Dakota, and now he cares more about his stupid muscle car.
This person is not the boy I fell in love with.
“I don’t fucking care if he smashed your car to pieces.
Whatever instigated the attack meant that it was probably warranted because the Savage Knights are our number one allies.
They help us keep these goddamn streets safe.
They take the drug-pushing fuckers off our hands and make them serve the justice they deserve.
They don’t go around picking fights with cops for the fuck of it.
Now, I suggest you turn the fuck around and get to groveling because it’s that man right there who gets to decide your fate here.
If he tells me to take your badge, I’m fucking taking it and filing harassment charges on their behalf. ”
I think my jaw just hit the floor. That was the craziest thing I’ve ever witnessed.
Dusty looks shocked by the entire thing too. I think he expected to walk in here and have his moment as he booked Preacher. Now, he has to beg for forgiveness. I so wish Kollette was here to witness this moment. I wonder what she would think of him chomping on a mouthful of humble pie.
The most ironic part is the fact that he never once offered me an apology, and now he’s being forced to utter the words. That is… if he wants to keep his badge.
“I apologize for interrupting your evening.” It looks like those words hurt to say. Each word is grinding through that clenched jaw. I think he should do better than that.
“And?” the sheriff crosses his arms.
“And for slapping the cuffs on your wrists.”
“And?” I say.
Dusty’s eyes shoot to mine and his jaw clenches tighter. I cross my arms mimicking the sheriff, waiting for him to finish. I don’t think he’s done enough groveling yet. Preacher lets out a low chuckle. It seems as though every time I open my mouth to speak, he and his brothers find me funny.
“And for threatening you the other day. I apologize for the things I said. I won’t cause any problems in the future.”
“And you’ll leave my girl alone?” Preacher adds. “Don’t want you showing up on her doorstep again. She’s done with your ass. It’s time for you to accept that.”
Dusty looks to me and I cock my brow waiting for him to agree. I don’t want to have anything to do with him again.
“You have my word.” He turns back toward Preacher.
“Apology accepted.” Preacher nods. “As long as he knows his place, Sheriff, we’re all good.”
He holds out his wrists for Dust to uncuff him. The moment he’s free, I rush to him.
“I’m so sorry.” I bury my face into his chest, hugging him close. “I didn’t mean to drag you into my mess. The last thing you wanted to deal with was a jealous ex.”
“I’m not fucking jealous. I’ve got Kollette waiting in my bed.”
I almost want to laugh. Dusty’s attempt at hurting me only makes me happier with my decision.
“Careful, fucker,” Preacher warns. “Might be wise of you to keep your mouth shut. You hurt my girl, I will hurt you.”
I shake my head. “It doesn’t hurt. The bitch is perfect for him.”
Another round of chuckles from the men and I’m struggling to understand how I’ve turned into a comedian.
“Thank you for sticking up for me.” I hug Preacher tighter.
“I can think of a better way of you thanking me, babe. Been dying for that kiss.”
I don’t even think. Don’t even hesitate as I lean up onto my tippytoes and press my lips to his.
The warmth settles over me and expands as he grips my cheeks and takes me soft and slow.
His tongue isn’t demanding entrance but enticing me to come out and play.
His lips are not pressing with force but moving with such skilled smoothness.
It’s the most perfect kiss I’ve ever had.
Making me want more. Making every nerve in my body spark to life.
A whimper escapes my throat as I cling to his chest, needing him to keep me standing.
There’s a low whistle in the background and Preacher slips away from me. I don’t want the kiss to stop.
“It’s time to get you home, babe. I have a bet to collect on.”
I remember the terms. No rules. No resistance. My only job is to obey.
“Yo, King. You mind dropping us at my girl’s house?”
“Not a problem. Come on, brothers. We have a party to get back to.”
We turn and I catch a glimpse of Dusty’s face.
It gives me a smug satisfaction to see the anguish in his eyes.
He tried to hurt me again by throwing Kollette in my face.
It’s good to know that my instinct was right about him.
I didn’t lose out on something that could’ve been amazing.
I think I spared myself a future of pain and disappointment.
He would’ve broken my heart. But now, that’s not possible.
My heart is no longer his. It’s quickly becoming someone else’s.