4. Nate
four
Nate
I ’m hot and tired, and the last thing I want to do is go to a carnival.
But I’d look like a dick if I didn’t go to support the children’s hospital.
I’d planned to keep searching for “Angel,” as I’ve started calling her, for a few more days before returning home.
But Savage called me back to the club for an update on Lord.
When I returned to the clubhouse earlier today, Savage admitted it was all a ploy to get me to return home and that he didn’t have any new information about Lord.
He said I’ve been pushing myself too hard and that I need to rest for a while, or I’ll be no good to anyone if I pass out from exhaustion on my bike and crash and die.
After a long, hot shower and a power nap, I’m here at the carnival, surrounded by kids who only remind me that if I don’t find my mystery woman, I won’t have children of my own—because if I can’t have her, I don’t want anyone else.
“So what do you want to try first?” Viper, my assigned chaperon for the night, asks.
“Nothing,” I mumble.
“Come on. Don’t be such a spoilsport.” Viper nudges my shoulder.
In the past, Lord and I would be the two trying to get our club brothers to ride the rides or play the games, but this year, without Lord here, it doesn’t feel right.
“I’m not in the mood.” I try to tame down my anger. It isn’t Viper’s fault, my best friend, and my woman are both missing. “Sorry, Viper.”
“I know. How about some sugar to sweeten your sour mood? Prue is here with the bakery’s food truck. Their new baker makes the best strawberry cheesecake cupcakes. And I know how much you love strawberries.”
With a nod, I follow Viper to where the food trucks line up.
We pass fried foods and even a vendor selling cut-up fresh fruit before finally reaching the bakery truck.
Viper and I take our place in the long line and wait our turn.
After about ten minutes, we approach the window to place our order when Prue calls out to us.
“Oh my gosh! You’re back!” Prue waves at me with a smile.
“You have to meet my friend and coworker—I’ve been telling her all about you.
” I’m not in the mood to meet anyone or get set up on a date if that’s what Prue is thinking, but I can’t be mean to her.
She and her sister have brought joy to Ghost and Phantom.
“Hey, Prue,” I say politely, not letting any of my earlier anger show.
Prue turns her head to look at the person behind her in the food truck, “Faith, come here. I want you to meet someone.” Prue spins around and pushes a young woman in front of her.
“Faith, this is Sin and Viper. Two of Ghost’s club brothers.
” The rest of what Prue says is lost on me as I stare into the green eyes of my Angel.
“Angel. I mean, Faith.” I correct myself, not wanting to scare her off again.
How is it possible that I’ve been searching everywhere for her, only to find her working with Ghost’s fiancée?
“Sin.” Faith’s eyes widen like saucers.
“It’s Nate. My real name is Nate,” I say, needing to hear her say my birth name, not my road name.
“Nate,” she says, and I feel her soft voice glide over my skin as it did that first night we met.
Needing to touch her again and to make sure she doesn’t run from me, I stride to the food truck’s door and yank it open. “I think we need to talk.” I see panic in her eyes at my words before she finally accepts her fate.
“Okay.” She takes a step towards me, only to be stopped by Prue.
“How do the two of you know each other?”
Faith takes a deep breath, then lets it out. “I’m the woman from that night. I’m his mystery woman.” I hear Faith tell her.
“Yes!” Prue throws her arms around Faith. “I knew the two of you would be perfect for each other, but I never imagined how perfect.”
Faith lets Prue hug her, though she takes her time. Then she fiddles with the strings on her apron before finally taking it off and hanging it on a hook on the wall. I’m seconds away from throwing her over my shoulder, carrying her out of here, and going somewhere we can be alone.
When Faith is within reach, I clasp her hand in mine, pull her close, and lean in to press a soft kiss to her lips. “I needed to taste you in case you ran away again.” I reluctantly pull back and run my thumb along her bottom lip. “Delicious.”
Her eyes take on a dreamy expression before the same sadness I noticed that night creeps back in. “I’m sorry,” she says once we are in a secluded spot by a big oak tree, her eyes filling with tears.
“There’s nothing to be sorry about.” I run my thumb across her cheek, wiping away her tears.
“You’re not mad I ran away from you?” Her voice sounds so small and afraid.
“I could never be mad at you.” I lean down and kiss her again, this time using my tongue to deepen the kiss.
“Whore! Slut! Just like your mother.”
Breaking the kiss, I glance at Faith’s face—it’s gone white as a sheet. Her eyes are fixed on a spot behind me, and she’s shaking all over. “No. Not now.”
I turn around to find the crazy old guy from the trailer park charging toward us, raising his fist. “You owe me two thousand dollars, bitch.”
My hand is wrapped around his throat in a second, “Who in the hell do you think you are talking to her like that?” I growl, tightening my hold.
“I’m her father,” the old man spits out. “I sold her, but she ran off before they came to collect her—actually, they never showed up, but that doesn’t matter. She still owes me the money I would have made from her.”
“Please, Dad, don’t.” Faith begs, and I want to choke this asshole harder. Being a jerk is one thing, but selling your own daughter, that’s downright disgusting.
“Oh, shut up, Faith. The only thing you’re good for is your virginity, but I’m sure you’ve been fucking this greasy biker all the time you’ve been gone. You’re not worth as much anymore.”
“Enough!” I roar. My fist connecting with his face sends him sprawling to the ground.
“You think you’re so tough, boy. All she is is a piece of trash just like her whore mother.”
My vision blurs as I land punch after punch to his face, trying to shut him up. Faith doesn’t deserve the names he’s calling her. It isn’t until Viper and Ghost pull me off the old man that I realize I’ve knocked him out. But more importantly, Faith ran off again.