Chapter 2
Torch
Pulling up to campus, I hope Ruby doesn’t hear my pipes echoing off the buildings.
The chill of the late October weather doesn’t affect my body because I’m wired to see my girl; it’s been so long since I’ve laid eyes on her.
I’m behind the stands, watching her from the shadows, play on the pitch with her team.
They’ve worked hard to make this year a good one, but they are up against one of the toughest teams they’ve yet to face.
Ruby gets hit hard, and I can’t contain the urge to move to the field to check on her, but she doesn’t know I’m here.
She can’t know. She thinks I don’t care.
She’s so mad at me, but I had to break her heart.
It wasn’t only Swede who pulled me aside and asked me to give her a chance to move away from club life, but even my president, Judge, did.
He has no clue how attached I am to Ruby, unlike his father.
Judge thinks my crush on her is new. Swede knows that after she almost died, I swore to protect her.
He was there with me when I killed four of the men who attacked her.
Together, he and I disposed of their bodies.
I was there with Swede when he added the treaty clause stating that he would step down from the Kings of Anarchy and promote Judge to president.
It was the one thing he had to give up to finalize the negotiation.
Both leaders ended the war by stepping back, and Gashi, the head of the Albanian’s, promoted his nephew Bersha to Don of the family.
Judge was still on his trip in Mississippi when Swede brokered the meeting with the man I knew as Besnik.
Besnik told me there were only four men involved, but I knew he was lying, and I couldn’t ask Ruby how many there really were.
I found out the names of the four after she had a nightmare and woke up screaming them out.
One name she said I could never get her to repeat, and I think he’s the fifth man. I will kill him someday.
“Hello, handsome,” a blond girl says to me, with not only overdone makeup but blown-up lips and a face that barely moves when she talks. I don’t understand why a woman in her twenties would do this to herself.
“Not interested.” I turn away and continue watching the pitch.
My girl runs with the ball again, and it doesn’t shock me how determined and ambitious she is.
When she was hurt and was told she wouldn’t be able to play again, given all the damage to her leg, she fought back and worked harder to prove them wrong.
“Why are you watching those cows, pigs, and runts? They aren’t anything special.
I’m okay slumming it because my boyfriend is doing the same with one of those freaking cows.
” The blond stands in front of me, trying to distract me by touching my chest. I step back and grip her hand tightly, twisting it.
“Don’t fucking touch me, bitch. Those women out there are tougher and more dedicated than a tramp like you.”
“Ugh! What is so special about them?” she huffs, and I move away from her again. “I’m going to tell security you’re here.” She storms off, and I shake my head. What a bitch.
My phone rings, and I pull it out of my pocket. It’s my Prez. “What up, Judge?” I answer, watching Ruby run for it while a big girl blocks for her. She lays out an opponent, and I’m glad she did because the player would’ve hurt Ruby if she’d hit her.
“Where are you?” he asks.
“At my dad’s, watching a game.” The lie falls effortlessly from my tongue; it shouldn’t be this easy. I do respect him, but I won’t be deterred from my obsession with Ruby for anything.
“No, you’re not.”
I look around, not seeing him. “If you think you know where I am, why the fuck would you ask me where I am then?”
“Because you promised. You told me you would let her grow and walk away if she wanted to. I know you told my dad, too. He told me.”
“She has no clue I’m here. Where the fuck are you, and how do you know I’m here to begin with?”
“I’m at the clubhouse. I’m watching my girl. Don’t avoid the truth, brother.”
“I didn’t. I wasn’t going to lie to you again. She has no clue and still thinks I’m fucking around with other girls. Besides, when did you get a girl?”
“Don’t worry about it. I’m willing to sacrifice her for the greater good.”
“What the fuck is that supposed to mean?”
“I’m sure I have deeper feelings than a crush on my girl. Ruby isn’t meant for this life, just like Evie isn’t.”
“You have no clue how I truly feel. Now, what the fuck do you want? I’m not doing anything wrong by being here.”
“Fuck, brother.” He pauses this time, and I can almost hear the wheels squeaking in his head through the phone.
“Forget it. I need you to go to the Shiver of Chaos clubhouse since you’re there.
I can’t get away. Something is going on at the mortuary I need to check in on.
They have an inspection coming up. I wish Matthews wasn’t out on paternity leave. ”
“I’ll stop by and find out what’s going on after the match.”
“No, now. I’ll text you the results.”
“You’re an asshole, you know. I haven’t gotten to see her in months.”
“Now you understand how I feel. I haven’t seen Evie since September. Oh, by the way, that cunt who was just talking to you calls Ruby, runt. So, if you’re interested in pissing Ruby off, that’s the way to do it. Sleep with that bitch.”
“What the fuck!” I turn around, ready to chase the bitch down and show her what a runt looks like.
“Don’t hurt her. Besides, she’s talking to security now, so you better get out of there.”
“Fine.”
My boots clomp against the pavement as I stomp back to my bike and swing a leg over.
Taking one last look as I start the engine, Ruby turns to see me.
I notice new ink on her neck, masking the scar.
For years, she’s been covering them up, trying to hide her pain, and all I thought about was the strength she showed in bearing them.
But I get it. I want to wave but don’t; instead, I turn and ride away.
Pulling up to the Shiver of Chaos’ clubhouse, I park with the other bikes and make my way to the door.
We work with Shiver together on a few things, and they have been keeping an eye on Ruby for Judge.
I would like closer surveillance, but I realize that even though Swede is traveling, he keeps constant video eyes on her.
It was one of the promises he made to me when she left for college.
Swede is ruthless, but nothing like Judge or me. I told him that if she were ever in danger again, he wouldn’t stop me from taking her, but I’d also napalm the world for her. She’s everything, and I’ll never allow her to get hurt again.
“What up?” Grim asks as he opens the door for me. He takes his enforcer job seriously. The guy is not only big and commanding, he’s also a freaking brick wall.
“Here to see Gambit,” I let him know, and he points toward his office.
“He’s back there, but I’d knock before you enter; his wife just headed that way.”
“Thanks for the warning.”
Weaving through the tables, members, and sweet butts, as they call them, I make my way to the far side of the room.
The door is partially propped open, but I’m not about to get shot for seeing something I’m not supposed to.
Gambit takes his possession of his wife, Franci, to a level I’m not sure I would go to for Ruby.
Rumor is that he fucked with her birth control to get her pregnant, and he would also watch her as she slept.
I’ve snuck into Ruby’s dorm room or her house in Jupiter, but I haven’t watched her sleep.
I’m certain Ruby sleeps light enough that she’d shoot me before turning the light on.
I knock. “Hey, it’s Torch. Judge said you needed to talk.”
“Enter,” he growls, and I slowly push the door open. Franci is sitting on the edge of his desk and leans down for him to kiss her before he lifts her down. She turns, and I notice her large belly from being pretty far along. “Go up to my room and lay down, starfish,” he orders.
“Yes, sir.” She bats her eyes at him. I realize that she’s about the same age as Ruby, and Gambit’s a bit older than me.
It gives me something to consider about being with my girl and telling her father and brother to take a flying leap.
She smiles at me. “I’m Franci.” She points over her shoulder. “His.”
“Torch.” I shake her hand and release it quickly as Gambit stands.
“Go, Franci. I have some business with Torch about the Kings. You know the rules.”
She huffs before smiling up at me. “He’s a bit over the top. Don’t let him be a meanie to you. My adopted mom can kick his ass.”
“Franclynn.” He raises his voice slightly, and she tips her head back to him.
“Gavin?” she questions.
“Don’t make me punish you when you’re this close to delivering. And as for Rogue, I was taking it easy on her.”
She guffaws and says, “I’ll let her know you said that,” then skips out the door.
“Marrying a sassy girl keeps me young, but it also drives me crazy at times. I swear I have more grey hairs now than I did before her. Have a seat.” Gambit points to a chair and opens a drawer. “Want a shot? I’m certain you’ll need it.”
Instantly on alert, I sit up instead of relaxing back in the chair. “Why do you say that?”
“Because Ruby is yours, isn’t she?” He pours the shot and slides it across the desk to me. I throw it back, knowing it won’t calm my nerves much if this has to do with Ruby.
I start to deny his claim, then just ignore the question.
“You’re fighting it. I did that for a bit, but it won’t last long.
I’ll give you some advice that I gave your Prez.
” He pauses, and again, I wait. “Get eyes on her more than a prospect. I have a hacker who can help you with that. Lock her down before someone else tries to take what’s yours.
Almost lost Franci a couple times before finally giving up and facing the inevitable. ”