Chapter 6 Pagan
Lainey was gone. I knew as soon as my eyes opened, and I felt the cool sheets beside me. She either got spooked or she ran. It didn’t matter which one because I planned to arrive at The Crossroads and stake my claim.
It took a few seconds for me to remember I didn’t have a fucking ride. My bike was totaled and in the repair shop. I’d have to thank Grim for agreeing to fix it, and I hoped the final bill wouldn’t rob me of my savings. I had a future to fucking plan, and I needed the funds to move to Tonopah.
Yeah, I was fucking sticking around now.
But none of that helped me when I didn’t have a bike. I scrubbed a hand down my face, annoyed by the constant dull ache in my chest. It hurt to fucking breathe, and I was sick of the pain.
I slid from the bed and walked to the bathroom, turning on the hot water because I needed to ease some of the tension building in my shoulders. Once I stood under the spray, I let the steam roll over me, placing my palms against the tile as water cascaded over my head, neck, and upper body.
It felt good. Almost relaxing.
But without Lainey, I couldn’t shake the restless, agitated feeling that lingered. Did I spook her? Come on too strong? Was the sex too vigorous?
I didn’t hurt her even if I fucked her hard and deep, filled her pussy with my cum, and rutted her like a beast. She enjoyed it. There was no faking her response. She got off multiple times, and her pretty mouth begged for my cock.
She didn’t leave because of the sex.
I finished my shower and dressed, happy I dropped my shit in this room so I had all my belongings with me. Just as I was picking up my wallet and shrugging on my cut, someone knocked on my door.
Lainey?
I rushed to open it, frowning when I spotted that jackass Rael. He smirked. I started to shut the fucking door.
His boot shot out, stopping it from slamming into his face. I let him do it, somewhat curious about how and why he found me.
“The fuck you want?” I asked, getting irritated and skipping any polite conversation.
His lip curled on one side. “Thought you might wanna know that Snooki is back at home. The Crossroads,” he clarified.
He could fuck off.
Catching my pissed expression, he grinned. “She’s waiting for ya.”
I snorted. “She say that?”
“Not exactly.” He shrugged. “Grim wants to see you.”
“Kinda hard to go anywhere without my bike,” I growled.
“Yet you took a shower and got all pretty.”
I flipped him off.
“Goddamn, you’re crankier than me. It’s fucking fantastic,” he observed, slinging an arm around my shoulders. “Come on, honey. I brought you a gift.”
I shoved him away as he laughed, snatching my keys as I left the motel room and locked the door, shoving them into the pocket of my cut.
Rael strutted to the parking lot, gesturing to a motherfucking bicycle. A legit ten-speed.
Oh, he had jokes.
“Let me see your keys,” I ordered as I held out my palm.
“Why?” He knew. The fucker wasn’t dumb.
“So I can leave your ass here and take your bike.”
His guffaw startled a murder of crows, and they flew upward to land on the roof nearby.
“I swear to fuck,” I began, but he gripped my shoulder and turned my body to the left.
“I’m just fucking with you. Got you a loaner.”
At the edge of the parking lot, closest to the Tonopah Cemetery, a beautiful matte-black, polished-chrome Harley nearly sparkled in the morning light. She was fucking gorgeous.
“Damn. She’s a beauty. The club do this for me?”
He shook his head. “No. Me.”
“You?” I asked with disbelief.
He chuckled. “Yeah. From my personal collection.”
“Why?” What reason did he have to give me one of his bikes?
“Because she needs you.” His expression grew wistful. “Snooki deserves the best.”
I locked eyes with him, nearly growling. “Because you fucked her in the past?”
He didn’t laugh or smile. His expression sobered. “No. She’s a sweetheart, and she’s been through a lot of shit, put up with all of us members and our baggage, and she’s been neglected far too long.”
Neglected. That word again.
I grunted.
“You’re good for her. She needs you,” he repeated. “I think you need her, too.”
How the hell would he know that? “You don’t know me, Rael. Not a fucking thing about me.”
“Don’t need to. The Reaper knows.”
The Reaper? What kind of cryptic shit was that?
“I’ll explain, but first you need to talk to Grim. He’s got a proposal for ya.”
Since I wanted to talk to Lainey and she was at The Crossroads, it made sense to go with Rael, borrow his bike, and take care of business while also getting my woman.
“Keys.” I held out my hand, and he reached into his cut, handing them over.
“Don’t scratch her. I’ll get fucking cranky.”
Right.
“Lead the way, Rael.” I walked to his bike, sat on the seat, and started the engine, following him from the lot.
The gate opened as we approached the GBMC compound, and we parked in front of a massive building with various sections; the middle, obviously, was the bar and main clubhouse.
Members were already working in the open bays of the auto shop to the left of the main entrance, and I scanned the long row of bikes nearby.
When I rose off the seat, I dropped the keys in my pocket since I would be using this bike until mine was fixed.
Rael led the way toward the door, and we entered the bar and common room.
The space was welcoming and comfortable, with leather couches, flat-screen TVs, pool tables, and, closer to the bar, several tables with chairs.
Along the back wall, a giant mirror reflected the patrons inside, bottles of liquor, and us as we entered.
The mirror had been etched with the Graven Bastards name and logo, proudly showing off the Reaper.
Of course, I knew about the logo, but when Rael mentioned the Reaper, he wasn’t talking about the patch.
I didn’t see Lainey. She wasn’t in the bar.
“Pres first,” Rael reminded me before gesturing to a hallway that tapered left. “Then your woman.”
My woman. Damn fucking straight.
Rael led me down the hall to a closed door. He knocked, and a gruff voice answered, telling us to enter.
Grim, the president of the Tonopah chapter, leaned back in his chair, sizing me up as I walked in the door. “Pagan,” he greeted me. “I remember you. We spoke at the rally. If I remember right, you showed an interest in joining us.”
“I’m curious. Heard a lot of rumors.”
“I bet.” He gestured to Rael. “So you met the most fucked up and annoying brother in the chapter. Rael, our Sergeant at Arms.” He ticked his chin at Rael. “I say that with love, fucker.”
Rael appeared amused.
“If you can make it through the day without punching him, you’re more patient and have a shorter fuse than most of us.”
“No guarantees.” I gestured to Rael, smacking him in the gut. “He’s annoying as fuck. I already wanted to hit him five times this morning.”
Grim slapped the top of his desk. “Ha!”
“But I am interested in the club and the Reapers in Tonopah.”
“Then you’re in the right place.” He stood, walked around his desk, and gripped my shoulder.
The guy was tall and had a presence that commanded respect, but also was charismatic, almost too relaxed.
Under the surface, though, I could tell danger lurked.
Whoever chose to fuck with him would be taught a brutal lesson.
I liked Grim. Instantly. Not just today, but also at the rally. He didn’t bullshit or blow smoke up your ass. He was genuine and unapologetic. I sensed the members would follow him wherever he went. He was loved, and a president men could feel proud to support and to lead.
The Crossroads felt warm and inviting with a brotherhood that I hadn’t seen in other chapters, not like this. Grim led his men, but he was also one of them. A true leader. It felt different here... like home.
I blinked when I realized it, and Grim nodded.
“You feel it. You’re meant to be among us.”
“I think so.”
“Then all that’s left is the Devil’s Ride.”
The Devil’s Ride? “Not sure I want to ask,” I laughed.
“Initiation into the club. You make it through the ride, you’re in.”
“No prospecting?” I asked, surprised.
“Not for you. You’re a nomad. Just have to be voted in after we ride.”
“That’s it?”
“That’s it,” Grim confirmed. “You ready?”
“I need to see Lainey first.”
Grim tilted his head. “Lainey?”
Rael shrugged.
“Snooki,” I reluctantly revealed. I fucking hated that nickname. It implied she belonged to them. Lainey belonged with me.
“Ah.” Grim gestured to the door. “Go. We’ll meet you in the bar.”
I left his office in search of my woman. The clubhouse was large but easy to navigate, with an open floor plan, only a few hallways, and a single set of stairs that led to the second and third floors.
When I didn’t find Lainey in the bar, I took the hallway to the right. It turned out to be the right choice because I found her in the kitchen, whipping batter with chunks of chocolate. Something smelled sweet with a hint of cinnamon. I didn’t know what she was baking, but it would taste delicious.
“Hey,” I greeted her as I entered.
She didn’t seem surprised to see me. “Hi, Pagan.”
Our eyes met and locked. She was the first to look away. Not good.
“Missed you this mornin’. Didn’t like waking up without you.”
She tucked a strand of blonde hair out of her face. “That motel is creepy.”
Yeah, I thought so too. It had charm, though if you liked clowns, horror, or just weird shit.
“I wanna take you out later.”
She dropped her hands and nibbled her bottom lip. “I don’t know if that’s such a good idea.”
No. We weren’t doing an awkward dance around the subject, not saying what’s on our mind, and breaking up.
I eliminated the distance between us, reaching her in only a few strides. My fingers slid around her jaw and lifted her chin. Something pained lingered in her gaze. “I can’t fix it if I don’t know what’s goin’ on in your head.”
“You’re a nomad, Pagan.”
“So, are you saying you’re lookin’ for more than sex, Lainey?”
She blinked. “I think so.”
How fuckin’ cute. I rocked her world so fucking hard she struggled to know what she wanted. As long as it was me, I would be happy.
“Then I patch in.”
She looked shocked. “Here? With Grim?”
“Yeah, darlin’.” I caressed the side of her face. “No pullin’ away from me. I want you. You want me. We figure this out.”
“Only if you can promise me something.”
“Name it.”
“Keep calling me Lainey.” The way she said it, I knew she wanted to leave Snooki behind and embrace the badass ol’ lady she was destined to be.
“Already planned on it, baby.” I lowered my head and kissed her lips, deepening the kiss since my hunger ignited the second I touched her. “You’re mine.”
“Prove it,” she breathed, hope sparking in her pretty blue eyes.
Oh, I would. “After the Devil’s Ride.”
She wrapped her arms around me, holding tighter as our mouths fused, the need inside both of us growing at an alarming rate.
A throat cleared in the doorway. I pulled back, noticing Grim, Mammoth, and Rael. They were ready. It was time to make this official.
I kissed Lainey one more time and released her, knowing she was it for me. I couldn’t lose her.
There was only one choice left.
Grim met my gaze as I turned toward him. “Ready to ride?”
Hell yeah.