Chapter 19 #2
Wesley’s lip curled for a half second, almost like he was amused, but he sobered quickly with a quick glare. His phone was tucked into his pocket, and suddenly he was pulling my wrist, tucking us behind the siding obstructing his porch from view.
With his hands on my hips, he drew me close and put his lips to my ear. I closed my eyes because it was so intimate, and I was weak.
“Can you keep a secret, River?”
I nodded, bringing my hand up to grip his arm.
His hot breath washed over my skin as he whispered, “I finished making myself come last night in the shower, picturing you on your knees with those lips all wet from sucking my cock. Then this morning, I woke up hard as stone, still thinking of you, then I saw you in my shower, all wet and soapy, and I fucked my hand to the image and what it would have felt like to have walked in there with you. You make me insane, River, and I don’t know if I’m going to be as strong tonight.
So do me a favor and don’t test me. Just be a good girl and do what I say, so I don’t have to teach you any lessons. ”
Fresh air hit my face as he moved past me, walking down the steps. I swallowed, suddenly needing air and turned to see a smug smile cross his features as he continued toward the clubhouse. Killian was straddling his bike, Laura was in the passenger side of the car, and everyone was waiting on me.
I hustled down the steps and calmed myself enough to drive without revealing how my hands shook.
That asshole messed with me on purpose. He knew I was desperate last night, and I had begged him to finish me.
I hadn’t even slipped my hand in between my thighs last night after everything. I just lived with the ache.
Son of a bitch. Tonight, I was going to pull Max in the bed and put him between us. He thought he was clever, but he had no idea how stubborn I could be.
Laura hugged my neck tight as we watched the large Greyhound bus roll to a stop.
“Are you sure about this?” I asked for the billionth time.
I still felt uneasy about her reasons for leaving.
I knew her well enough to know she wasn’t telling me the entire truth.
Something else was going on, and maybe she just wanted to go.
That was okay too. I just wished I knew the entire story.
Letting each other go, she took a step back.
“I’m sure. I’ll call you as soon as I get back, and if you want I can check on your apartment.”
I waved her off. “No need…there’s no plants or anything there I need to keep alive.”
“What about your mail?” She tilted her head as a few people disembarked from the bus, and others were loading their things into the bottom storage hatch. Killian was placing Laura’s bags neatly into one of the slots.
“Actually, it would be amazing if you could get my mail for me.”
She smiled and took a step away, “I still have your key from when I last watched Max.”
Laura stalled as Killian stood awkwardly, watching everyone bustle around him.
Laura focused on him, tentatively tucking her hair behind her ear while going toe to toe with the giant.
They were laser focused on each other, silently speaking with their eyes when Killian produced something from his pocket.
I couldn’t see what it was, but the moment felt private.
I realized this would be my best chance to slip away from Killian without him noticing.
The car was parked behind the partition for the bus platform, so I could drive off without drawing his attention.
Hustling into the car, I quickly reversed and watched in my rearview to ensure I wasn’t followed.
I felt slightly guilty for taking advantage of a situation that seemed delicate between my best friend and pseudo big brother, but I pushed it down.
I needed to get somewhere with Wi-Fi, where I could find a way to contact that blogger.
I realized it was a long shot, but there was an entire network of people actively watching every move these clubs were making and would possibly provide unbiased information about what’s been happening over the past few years.
It may lead nowhere, but with Wesley keeping me in the dark, and now Laura leaving, I didn’t have any other ideas.
The bus station was on the outskirts of Rose Ridge, and wherever I went inside the town, someone from the Stone Riders would report back to Wes.
Finding somewhere outside the city would be my best option.
Navigating to a café along the side of the highway, I pulled in then drove around the side, so it wouldn’t be visible from the road.
With my tablet in hand, I headed inside and ordered lunch before sliding into a booth.
Connecting to the shop’s network, I navigated back to the initial blog I found yesterday.
Focusing on the page, I scrolled down to the ambiguous username and clicked on it.
There was a connected page for more information, a way to email, and even follow them on social media.
I clicked on the Instagram link and scrolled through the images listed.
They were of various club members engaging in dangerous or violent behavior.
Each post was a call to action to raise awareness regarding some ballot measure to outlaw motorcycle clubs from setting up residence within city limits.
I let out a small laugh because several of these clubs were already operating in illegal activities.
A ballot measure wasn’t going to do anything; most of the police officers in each county were on the club’s payroll.
This wasn’t the way to get change. If anything, you needed a bigger bully to strike fear into the clubs, but that was asking for a war.
My food came, but I was focused on the comments in each image.
Snagging a fry, I clicked onto another person’s profile that seemed to be protesting the same agenda as the first blogger.
Their images were a little more detailed, with creepy shots of the entrance to different clubhouses.
There were even images of kids playing in the yard at one.
“Okay, that’s fucked up,” I muttered out loud, concentrating on the intrusive images. I was so engrossed, I jumped when I heard someone say my name.
“Callie?”
I looked up and found Sasha smiling down at me.
Her dark hair was tucked into a neat bun, while she held her purse to her shoulder.
My eyes went to the man behind her. He was tall, with midnight hair and blue eyes, but something about his nose and lips, those were a near replica to Sasha’s.
As soon as his eyes landed on me, they widened like he’d seen a ghost.
“Sasha, hey.” I smiled, but it faltered when the man next to her shifted and I realized the leather cut he was wearing. Death Raider.
I froze, but Sasha seemed to register my concern.
She slid in across from me, with a reassuring smile. “This is my son, Silas. You’re safe.”
That explained the similar features. Silas folded into the seat, pinning me with an unkind glare. He held a sort of dangerous beauty about him, his hair was shaved close on one side of his head, but the top was slicked to one side, similar to something you’d see in the nineteen twenties.
“What the fuck are you doing here?” he asked me brashly.
His terse tone startled me, making me tuck my tablet closer to my chest.
“Silas, stop,” Sasha chided.
The waiter came over to ask what they wanted, but Silas glared so hard at the girl she just left without even asking about their order.
Silas focused on the plate in front of me, like he was offended by the mere notion that I needed food. His eyes were pale blue, reminding me of a horse I once rode that my friend had named Moonshine. They were beautiful but unsettling.
“Where the fuck is your protection detail?” Silas repeated. It was quiet but still clipped.
My eyes flicked to Sasha, but her lips smashed together while she stared at the table.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I lied, even knowing that Sasha would likely call me out. She knew that Wes had me followed.
Suddenly Sasha’s hand came down over mine sweetly, while Silas lifted his phone and took a photo of me.
“Hey, what the hell?” I blanched, shocked at the intrusion of privacy.
Silas began texting and then his phone rang.
I watched his inky black hair as he ran his hand through it. “Yeah…”
His gaze swung to me. “Right here in front of me.” With a mocking tone, he added, “What would you like me to do, Mister President?”
My face flushed as I realized who he was reporting to.
Wes was going to be pissed and was likely just going to have Killian come get me, who would also be angry that I slipped past him.
Silas pressed end on his phone and leaned forward while Sasha elbowed him.
“No, she needs to fucking understand how dangerous this is. I guess getting kidnapped once wasn’t enough for the princess.”
“Hey!” I slammed my hand down on the table. Fuck this guy and his angry ass attitude, “What the fuck is your problem with me?”
He leaned closer, and a part of me wanted to curl into the corner of my booth to avoid his creepy stare.
“Other than almost losing my life because of you, or my mom losing her place in the club,” he scoffed, “do you even know the details around how you were rescued, or how your dad made a deal for your release?”
My focus sharpened. My dad did what?
Silas seemed to notice my demeanor shift because he sneered while stealing a fry.
“I see no one told you about the deal. Not surprised, no one ever asks what Simon Stone sacrificed in order to get you back. Such a shame your overeager boyfriend fucked it all up. Eight years later, and now your dad is dead. Who do you think is responsible for holding up that bargain now that he’s gone? ”
Fear slid in between my rib cage, forcing my breath to shudder.
Silas smirked and Sasha remained quiet, although her face was about as somber as mine, almost as if we were both getting lectures.