Prospect Year

Chapter 1

Tim Bauer stood in the center of the small apartment above Mac’s Garage recalling his time here. Mac had generously offered him the space, free of charge, shortly after Tim moved to town. The only condition was that he work in the garage. He agreed and Mac hired him, patiently teaching him the trade while paying good money and giving him a place to call home. Didn’t make sense to him why this man that he had only met once before would be so generous. No, not generous. Demanding. Controlling. Even nurturing and at times proud. In an odd way, Mac had become his best friend.

Come to think of it, nothing of the past two and a half years made much sense at all. But he had made a promise to his mother, and he was bound to see it through.

“Move back to my hometown,” she had told him. “Go with only one aim and no expectations other than seeing where life takes you.” When he asked her for clarification of her meaning, she only replied with another demand. “Go to the place that holds the most pain and start there. You need to cleanse the guilt of ignorance before you can proceed to build a future of trust and loyalty.”

His mother had made no sense either. But when she passed, and Tim found himself alone with no ties to where he was, he tossed his few possessions into the back of his Jeep and hit the road. With her words echoing in the back of his mind, he drove straight to the little town in Louisiana he had visited once before and, after securing a hotel, he discovered himself sitting in front of the Voodoo Troops MC clubhouse.

That had been over two years ago. Today, he stood with all of his belongings, which were still few, packed once again and ready for a new home. At least for a short amount of time. Scanning the space, he grinned when his sight fell on the only thing left to grab—his cut. The day before, he had become a prospect. Something he had never considered even possible. But he had done it, and it felt good. When he had been summoned into church, entering the Troops meeting room for the first time was a rush. Adrenaline had shot through him, filling him with anticipation of what was to come. He was given the speech that he was sure all prospects received and was presented with a cut and his road name, Lola. And his first order—move from the garage to Angel Haven.

Angel Haven, he had come to learn over his time here, was the pet project of Rash’s old lady, London, to give back to the community. It was a home for women to stay while making changes in their lives and beginning anew. Whatever the reason was, didn’t matter to her. What mattered was the fact that they desired to better themselves with confidence and needed a push in the right direction. Whether they were running from abuse, like she had, or failed marriages, or just had the desire to find the strength they needed to go on, Angel Haven catered to each woman’s needs.

London would be having surgery soon. Her feet were mangled from a history that Lola was not fully aware of, and she would not be able to be there for a while. Ghost and his old lady, Maeve, had been living there as they built a home of their own that they would now be moving into. It would be his job now to keep an eye on things. With the property having state of the art security, he was unclear as to why anyone needed to stay there twenty-four seven. But he did as instructed and packed his things.

He lifted the leather vest from the back of the chair and slid it up his arms. Scooping up his bag, he walked out and closed the door then jogged down the stairs two at a time.

“Look a-here,” Dutch said, stopping him as he crossed the open garage, aiming for his bike. “I heard it happened. Let me get a look.”

Lola grinned and turned his back to Dutch, putting the “prospect” rocker on his back into view. He spun back, facing the man who had helped him learn the underneath of a car hood better that he had thought was possible.

Dutch shook his head with a low chuckle. “It’s a hard road to hold. But Mac would’ve never sponsored you if you didn’t have it in you.”

Hard road? Yeah. He could handle that. Nothing they could dish out would be tougher than our first meeting. He gripped Dutch’s hand and turned toward his bike.

***

Within the hour, Lola reached the large iron gates. He slowed taking in the sign before he followed the long drive, pulling to a stop in front of the elaborate dwelling now dubbed Angel Haven. Ahead of him, a shapely brunette caught his eye as she stepped from a silver Nissan. He pushed his kickstand to the ground and grabbed the bag from the back of his bike, all the while keeping the woman in view. He followed not far behind, but when he entered, she was nowhere in sight.

“Welcome to your new home.”

Lola jerked his head toward Ghost’s voice and grinned. “Looks like an interesting place to be.”

“No dallying with the women. There’re only two here now, but that can change any day. Amber,” Ghost paused, nodding toward the second floor, “arrived yesterday. That’s who you saw come in. Mia has been here for several months now. You won’t see much of her. She keeps to herself.”

“Please check on her though.” Lola leaned sideways, searching behind Ghost for Maeve as she rattled off instructions. “You’ll never know she’s here if you don’t stop by her room and check on her. Security codes and anything else you may need is pinned to the wall in London’s office. There’s something wrong with the light switch next to the stove, and I need help.”

Ghost dropped his head, cocking it toward his wife. She sat sideways on a step, her back against the wall, her hands framing her round belly. “Did you just forget how to maneuver the stairs?” He laughed.

“I’m already front heavy, having to lean back to keep from rolling down these things, and I got tired. Now, I can’t get up.”

Ghost barked a laugh. “Good. I’ll know where to find you when I’m done here.” Turning his attention back to Lola, he continued. “You’ve been here. Dining room. Library. Kid’s room. Kitchen.” He threw up a hand pointing in various directions. “And the office is in here.”

Ghost turned and Lola followed him through a door on his right, next to the foot of the staircase. “Anything you may need, you can find here.” He tapped the sheet of paper tacked to the wall. “The women will be dropping in and out. Nothing really for you to do. Rash requested your stay here to appease London, so she’ll relax and concentrate on healing. Now, come on, I’ll show you which rooms are open.”

As they maneuvered past Maeve still on the stairs, she reached up, slapping Ghost’s ass. “Just reminding you where I am.”

He only laughed and continued on ahead of Lola. “This is Mia’s room. The room on either side is empty. The one over there,” he said, giving a nod across the open floor. “Is where Amber chose. Said she wanted a view of the drive. Down this hallway are two more bedrooms, larger and empty. Top floor is all recreational. That’s it.” He turned back toward Lola.

Lola gave a nod, committing every detail to memory and pushed opened the door they stood next to, tossing his bag onto the floor. “I got it. New home with moody roommates that I won’t know are here. Sounds interesting.”

Ghost chuckled, slapping Lola on the back as they turned back toward the staircase.

“Kohl!” Maeve called out. “I need to move. Your kid is dancing on my bladder.”

“He’s just letting you know where he is.”

“Uh huh,” she brushed off his comment as Lola had noticed was her usual way.

Lola halted a couple of steps above Maeve, and Ghost hopped over her, landing on the step below her. Crossing his arms, Ghost looked down, shaking his head. “How bad you want up?” He raised his brows, waiting for her an answer.

“You’ll be mopping up a river if you don’t get me up from here.”

“Are you telling me you’re not potty trained?” Ghost appeared serious and agitated, although Lola knew he wasn’t. He loved getting his old lady riled. She was sassy and defiant to any outsider. But Lola had learned that she was only playing into his hand.

“Get me up,” Maeve yelled, struggling to pull herself to her feet.

Finally, Ghost helped her to stand. “Come on. I believe the kids have a potty chair here, if you think you’re tall enough to reach it.”

Maeve said nothing as she hurried past Ghost, but then she glanced back, sticking out her tongue when she was out of reach.

Ghost shook his head again and turned back toward Lola. “It’ll be all yours as soon as she waddles back out here.”

Minutes later, the petite redhead returned, moving slowly in what had become her normal pregnancy stride.

“Let’s go, Lil Bit,” Ghost said.

“I gotta tell the girls bye,” she reminded him.

“No, you don’t. I’m ready to go home.”

She rolled her eyes at him and yelled toward the second floor. “Yo, Amber!”

Within seconds, Lola recognized Amber as she leaned over the balcony. “Don’t you abandon me after convincing me to leave the club and do my own thing.”

Maeve laughed. “Girl, you got this. You have all the support you need. And you have my number for a pep talk anytime. But I got this.” She laughed, rubbing her belly like a crystal ball. “So, I’ll be at home waiting for him to arrive.”

“You got this, too, little momma,” Amber called back.

“Mia,” Maeve then called out.

Lola twisted toward the stairs wondering if Mia would make an appearance. That must be her. Practically running down the stairs toward Maeve standing at the bottom step.

Maeve took both of Mia’s hands in hers. “I’m only a call away. The computer in the office is set up for video calls. Don’t hesitate to go in there and call me. Or any of us. You hear?”

Mia nodded and dropped Maeve’s hands. Gently, she placed her palms on the roundness of Maeve’s stomach.

Maeve smiled. “Yes, we’ll take care of ourselves. And I’ll bring him to see you.” She threw her arms around Mia’s neck, then stepped back at the sound of Ghost’s voice.

“Woman, you’re not leaving the country. You’re moving ten miles away. Let’s go.”

With a huff, Maeve walked a few steps only to stop at the bench near the entrance door and dropped onto it. “I’m good right here for a bit.”

“The hell you are.” He stormed toward her. “Your ass is getting in the car.” He scooped her up and spun all in one movement. Lola pulled open the door, holding it until Ghost passed through. The mischievous smile that Maeve gave over his shoulder brought a laugh to him as he closed the door. Turning, Lola headed toward the kitchen, where he had seen Mia disappear into.

“I’m Lola. You must be Mia.”

She only nodded.

“She doesn’t talk,” Amber informed him as she strolled through the door. “No offense, honey. Just helping you out.”

Mia smiled.

“Where I come from, the girls help each other out. Well, except the old ladies. They could be downright mean,” Amber explained to Mia.

Lola cocked his head, leaning his back against the double stainless-steel sink. “Where are you from?”

“Don’t go getting ideas. I see your colors, and I’m not one of your club girls. Ace assured me I was not beholden to anyone anymore.”

“That’s obvious. We don’t have club girls. And I wouldn’t touch one if we did,” Lola told her.

“Why?” she snapped. “Not good enough for you?”

“I’ve dealt with a variety of that shit where I came from. They hop from dick to dick, then sucker you in with lies, hoping for a ring. When that falls through, they screw you again, leaving you nothing.”

“I’m not like that. But don’t you worry about me. Any man on two wheels is the last person I’d trust.”

“Then we understand each other,” he said with a glare.

“Yes, we do,” Amber agreed with a huff.

Lola glanced to where Mia stood rooted to her spot in the kitchen with her eyes darting back and forth between the bickering.

“She always this cheerful?” he asked Mia, tilting his head toward Amber.

The scarf wrapped around Mia’s neck bunched together as she lifted both shoulders.

Odd, he thought as he studied the woman for the first time. A scarf? It appears thin, almost sheer, but isn’t it warm for a scarf? She was beautiful. Stunning even. The ends of her dark hair flipped outward slightly as it lay against the thin material hiding her throat. A throat he caught himself desiring to get a glimpse of. No doubt, it was slim and sexy with just the slightest curve, like the rest of her.

“Hey,” Amber’s sharp tone pulled him from his thoughts, “I’m right here if you have a question. And for your information, I’m as happy and cheerful as you’ll ever see.” Her long waves bounced as she gave him a quick nod and whirled away.

He grinned, holding back his laughter. She was a bit shorter than Mia but not by much. And her ass was slightly wider, he noted, hypnotized by the exaggerated sway of her hips as she stormed out of sight.

This was definitely going to be an interesting stay. Two tempting women who apparently would not be talking to him. On the other hand, he decided, that could be a blessing in disguise. He, in no way, needed the distraction of a woman, not that he desired a serious relationship at all. No, that was the last thing on his list of to-dos. After his last relationship ended in disaster leaving him fighting for his life. The only relationship he needed was his bike and his club.