Chapter 16

 

I spin the truck tires as I pull into the clubhouse. My anger is off the charts the more I think. I jump out and go around to get Aria. She’s playing some kind of little game that quickly pisses me off. As soon as I open her door, she slides across the seat.  She can clearly see now isn’t a time to fuck with me.

“Get the fuck over here.” I growl. The way it comes out of my mouth, she doesn’t hesitate. I pull her out and head straight inside. The guys are waiting right where I told them to.

“What’s goin’ on, Roc?” Ghost says, looking at the way I’m holding Aria, he pulls his eyes back to me.

“Prospect! Take her to my room. If she tries to run, shoot her ass.” Aria’s eyes jerk to mine. I hand her off to the prospect along with my room key. I wait until they are out of ear shot to start talking.

“Tomlin is her father. I’m supposed to kill Aria.” I say, running my hand through my hair. The word shit leaves a lot of mouths around the room. I agree with that.

“How did this happen?” Devil asks tugging at his lip piercing. A telltale sign that he is overthinking shit.

“Went to the Goddamn gala and saw her. Tomlin came to find me as planned, and saw me with her,” I say. Dragon’s climbs to his feet, pacing the room.

“Now what? What the fuck do we do here?” Ghost snaps. Moving to his feet next.

“I get her out. I need more information on Tomlin. I need to know who else has the intel on us.” I say. It’s as simple as that. Devil looks over at me. His eyes are blazing with rage.

“I’ll take her. I have a place up north. They won’t find her there.” I can’t believe that he’s actually saying that. Of all the guys here, I never expected him to agree.

“Why don’t we just kill Tomlin, game over.” Ghost suggests. Glancing over at him, I shake my head.

“He has other people in on this, that much I know. I need to get all the info he has on us, then he’s out.”  Nods, all around. That’s my family right there.

“I’ll get her ready,” I say, looking at Devil as he nods his head.

“Don’t worry, Roc. I’ll keep her safe.” Devil’s words are comforting in the slightest way. I know he will. That was never a question in my mind.

“Give me a little bit.” I tell him before he nods. I shove off the seat and toward my room not at all ready for this.

“We’ll get this shit straightened out, brother.” Ghost throws his arm around my shoulder.

“I know. I’ll kill that motherfucker.” 

***

Knocking on my own door is weird enough but to see Aria in there with the prospect, it kind of pisses me off.

“We good?” The prospect asks as he looks up at me. I give him a quick nod before he leaves the room.

“Devil’s takin’ you up north. You’ll be safe there.”

“What about you?” She asks timidly. I can’t stop the laughter that erupts out of me.

“I’m lost and alone, Aria. This is it for me. This is my home! You don’t know what this world is like! You can’t make it through the week in this shit. You go with Devil, listen to what he says. I’ll get your dad,” I say with the most assurance I can give her.  Her eyes fill with tears as I rummage through my dresser drawers.

“So, you just throw me away?” She says. I don’t acknowledge that. I have to get her out of here, and safe. I pull a t-shirt and a pair of sweat pants from the drawer, dropping them onto the bed.

“He’ll get you some more clothes once you get where you’re goin’.” I run my hand over my face not sure what to say or do next.

Everything inside of me is what it is. I can’t change it.

“You’re a coward!” Aria screams. I may be.

“It was never your place to be here, Aria. I dragged you into this shit. I’m stayin’ this way. I live my life the way I choose. I’m choosin’ to walk away before I lose you. Don’t you see that? It’s time for you to go.” That was hard for me to say. I can’t let her words hang in my head for too long. I will lose my mind if I do.

“You didn’t pull me anywhere. If it wasn’t for my dad, you wouldn’t be pushing me away. Why are you punishing me?” She comes up in front of me so quickly, I didn’t see her move. Slamming her hands into my chest, I shake my head.

“Stop. Stop it, Aria! You think I’m punishin’ you? It’s the complete fuckin’ opposite! I’m tryin’ to protect you here!” I scream in her face. Aria drops to her knees and cries. I turn and slam my fist into the wall next to me.  This girl pushes every Goddamn button I have. The choice to keep her safe wasn’t even a choice; it was something I have to do. I turn back to her, kneeling in front of her. I slide my hands around her. She drops her head on my shoulder while I unzip the back of her dress.

“No one has ever given a damn about me. My dad hated me. Ghost took me in when I was young.” I talk as I slide the dress off her shoulders, all the while she keeps crying.

I reach behind us and pull the t-shirt off the bed, sliding it over her head.

“He gave me a life. He gave me a family. I owe this club everything I have. Meetin’ you though, I can’t think straight when you’re near me.” I lift her under her arms, standing up, setting her on her feet. I watch the dress slide the rest of the way to the ground, pooling at her feet. I turn back and grab the pants before helping her lift her legs into them.

“I never thought I could feel the way I do. My heart slams in my chest every time I see you. My brain wants me to kill every man that even looks in your direction.” I grab the inner strings, pulling the pants tighter around her waist, the tears never stop. I let my hands linger on her hips longer than I should.

“Sometimes, there’s just no escaping from reality.” I say looking up into her eyes. I hate the look I see in them.

“Heartache is new to me. Mistakes aren’t, though. I’m used to makin’ plenty of those.” I say, her eyes plead with me to stop.

“One day you'll look back, and it will all make sense to you. Why I do the things I do−why I can’t keep you.” Reaching up, I wipe the tears with my thumbs as I let them glide over her cheeks. I lean in, pressing my lips to hers, tasting her salty tears. Resting my forehead against hers, I sigh.

“Never forget me,” I whisper against her lips when I hear someone knock. I know it’s Devil.

“Your chariot awaits,” I say, with a small smile. The small laugh that escapes her kills me piece by piece. I pull away from her, grabbing her hand, leading her to the door.  Pulling it open, Devil stands there with a bag over his shoulder.

“I won’t, Roc,” She says. I give her a sad smile knowing what she means. Releasing her hand, I place it into Devil’s.