Total pages in book: 63
Estimated words: 60676 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 303(@200wpm)___ 243(@250wpm)___ 202(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 60676 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 303(@200wpm)___ 243(@250wpm)___ 202(@300wpm)
We ride for an hour, just traveling down the winding roads, the wind in our faces, feeling the freedom that comes with this life. It’s everything, and I feel like a fucking idiot for nearly putting myself in the position of losing everything. Especially Ciara. Fuck, I hate the way I treated her. She deserves a fucking lot more than that.
She has always stood by my side.
Arriving at a lookout that extends all the way back to the ocean, we get off our bikes. I walk over, hands curling around the railing as I look out, the wind getting cold as the winter months creep closer. Jackson steps up beside me, not saying anything for a while, just letting the moment sink in.
Only then does he turn to me. “I was tryin’ to keep the people that matter to me safe.”
I don’t look at him, but I know what he’s saying. “I know.”
“But you’re right, we have lost our stance in this town and shit is gettin’ bad.”
I swallow the heavy feeling down and turn to him. “I disrespected you as the president of this club, but mostly, as my friend. Shouldn’t have done what I did. I fucked up. It won’t happen again.”
His eyes hold mine. “It won’t, because if it does, you won’t be part of this club.”
I nod. “I hear you.”
“We’ll clean up the mess, and you’re goin’ to be in charge of leadin’ that, but only if you make a plan, be smart, and don’t drop my club in hot water because what you were doin’ was fuckin’ reckless and stupid.”
“Yeah,” I mutter.
“We clear?”
“We’re clear.”
“Know you like havin’ the control, Spike, and one day there is a solid fuckin’ chance you will. I won’t be in this spot forever and you’re always the one I wanted in my place, but when you do stupid shit, I can’t trust you to do right by this club.”
“I hear you. It won’t happen again.”
He nods, then turns and keeps staring out.
“For right now, you need to help your woman. Someone is botherin’ her, and the cops are hot on her tail.”
My chest clenches. “Someone is botherin’ her?”
“Spray paintin’ her room, leavin’ threatenin’ notes. Someone thinks she killed that girl, and if we don’t fix it, she could end up hurt.”
Fuck.
What the fuck have I been thinking?
In all of this, she has been there handling this shit alone.
Now someone is out there trying to mess with what’s mine. I won’t fucking have it.
“Someone is threatenin’ her?”
Jackson nods. “Don’t know who, but I do know she isn’t havin’ an easy time at that school. Only so long before the cops roll in and try to cause problems. Problems we don’t need. The second they know she’s with you, they’ll target her.”
He’s right, they will.
“I’ll go there now.”
“Make sure the cops are put back in their place,” Jackson growls. “Do not let them put it over her just because she’s a girl.”
Oh, they won’t be putting anything over her. If I have my way, they won’t speak to her at all. Ciara is far from a killer, and she isn’t going to be brought down over something she didn’t do.
Guilt grips my chest.
I should have been there for her, I should have put my own shit aside and helped her, but instead I was too worried about my own fucking issues. Now she’s got some psycho following her around, wanting revenge for something she didn’t do. I won’t let that happen.
“I’ll get it sorted,” I say to Jackson, my voice a low whip.
“Do it on the low,” Jackson orders. “Don’t bring any more attention to her. The club has enough mess to clean up.”
Mess I made.
“Clear,” I murmur.
“Trustin’ you to do the right thing, Spike. Don’t let me down again.”
“You have my word.”
I might have fucked up, but it won’t happen again.
I’ll make sure this club is protected, but more than that, I’ll make sure nobody touches a single strand of hair on Ciara’s head.
I might be behind, but I protect what’s mine.
And Ciara, she’s fucking mine.
14 – Ciara
“Ah, girl, there is a big scary biker in the hall asking for you.”
My head whips up from the book I was trying very hard to study to see Paulie standing in front of me, his eyes wide, a slight smirk on his face. He’s not even in this class, so the fact that he’s here means that what he’s saying is true. My eyes dart to Gerard, who is watching Paulie deliver his message, concern on his face.
“Spike?” I whisper.
“Yep. Oh, man, seeing that guy never gets old. I have shivers.”
Lord.
Pushing to my feet, I tell Gerard I’ll be right back and leave.
He can’t really stop me from leaving, considering I’m a grown ass adult.
Not that I think he would.
Stepping outside of the classroom, I see Spike standing in the hall, arms crossed over his chest, watching the students walking past him, some of their mouths slightly agape. Oh man. This is really happening. He has chosen now to come in here and do what exactly? Say sorry? Break up with me? Tell me some horrible news? I don’t know, but when his eyes swing to mine, I pause, and my body stiffens as my breath gets stuck in my throat.