Ghost

 

I walk into the room and notice Wasp and Tic have their heads together. By looking at their facial expressions, I know that this isn’t going to be good news. Once everyone makes it into the room and grabs their seats, Wasp’s head pops up and he and Tic stop their conversation. Wasp slams his hand on the table bringing the rowdy brothers to order. Then he begins to speak, “The Throwdown Riders contacted us this morning with some intel. I need to know if the name Johnny Valdez means anything to anyone. Has anyone heard of that name before?” We all shake our heads no, the name is being stored in my head so I can look into this asshole later, whoever he is I know he’s trouble from Wasp and Tic’s facial expressions.

 

Everyone pipes up asking the same question running through my mind. “Who is he?” Tazer asks.

 

“Do I need to go grab the laptop and do a search on him?” Bomber asks.

 

“We have some intel,” Tic speaks up, “We just wanted to know if anyone knows the name or not, or if anyone has heard anything on this guy.” Again, we all shake our head no. Wasp picks the conversation up from there. “Indie called me about an hour ago, and sent me over what he’s got. For you newbies, Indie is the President of the Throwdown Riders. According to him, his informant got in touch with him when he started hearing some talk from underground.” I see Wasp nod his head to Tic and he gets up and comes to stand behind me. Fuck! This is something that’s going to set me off. The only time one of the brothers stands behind me is if they’re afraid I’m going to go nuclear on someone.

 

Wasp picks up where he left off. “According to the informant, this Valdez character has put out feelers for information on our Bristol.” It takes me a second to let what he says kick in then I fucking lose it. I stand up so fast that my chair rams into Tic, causing him to lose his balance for a second before he’s on me. He tries to pin me down on his own, without success. Next thing I know I’m fighting my brothers, I need to get to Bristol and keep her safe, I need her in my sight, in my arms. I’m trying to break through the fog I’m lost in, all I can think about is that it is Bristol that’s in trouble. When I come back to my senses, I’m being pushed back into my chair by Tic, Tazer and Bomber. This is fucking bullshit! They should be as pissed about this as I am.

 

“Ghost!” Wasp screams out at me. “You need to calm down now! We need to go over this and figure out what’s going on before we take action. Sit down and let me finish so we can come up with a plan, none of us want to lose your woman. We all love her and don’t want to see anything happen to her, we need you to work with us here son.” I calm my body down and attempt to breathe through my anger, he’s right, we need to know more and make plans to take care of this Valdez asshole.

 

“Are you good?” Wasp asks me.

 

“Not sure I’m good, but I need to know what’s going on. I can’t lose her man, I won’t survive it,” I say as I look at my brothers letting them know with my expression that I mean every word that just came out of my mouth. I won’t take any chances with her safety, that’s not something I’m willing to budge on. If I have to become her shadow to keep her safe until this situation is resolved, that’s exactly what I’ll do. Nobody is going to take my life away from me without finding themselves six feet under first. I will torture, maim and kill anyone who comes after her. There is a reason I’m called Ghost, it’s because you never see me coming, until I sneak up on you and cause you to meet your maker. I come out of my thoughts when Wasp continues.

 

“The information I received was that he had an arrangement with Cordozo and Bristol’s dad, that she was supposed to be his. There was a deal exchanged and promises made, and Valdez is pissed off and wants what he believes to be his.”

 

“No!” I scream as I jump out of my chair, “She’s mine, she’s my Ol’ lady and he’s not getting his grubby hands on what’s mine! I’ll kill him and any motherfucker who gets in my way,” I growl out the last part.

 

“Am I to take it you’re claiming Bristol?” Tic asks me.

 

“Yes!” I tell them, “She’s mine, my Ol’ lady.”

 

“Votes for Bristol to be Ghost’s Ol’ lady,” Wasp calls out. “Ayes, will be yes, nays will be no, when we vote in Ol’ ladies if there’s even one nay it will mean that she can’t now or in the future become Ghost’s Ol’ lady. Let’s start with Tic and go around the table to his left.” I’m not worried about the vote since Bristol has become friends with all of my brothers and their women. Once all the votes go around the table and get back to Wasp, I see what I believe is hesitation in his eyes and it causes me to straighten my spine. Never thought I’d feel this way, but if he votes nay I’m turning in my resignation and taking Bristol and running as far away with her as I can get. My goal in life is to keep her happy, safe and free.

 

And if that means leaving to do so, I will with no questions asked. She didn’t ask for this bullshit and I will stand where I’m supposed to—by her side. I’ve made promises to her and myself and I plan on seeing those through. She’s mine, till the end, no questions asked. I mentally start preparing myself to take off my cut and think of where I can go to get my club emblem removed from my skin. That is, until I hear the words that come out of Wasp’s mouth.

 

“Bristol was part of us from the day we brought her home. She’s been family from day one, both by blood and by bond. She would’ve been protected either way Ghost, but by you making her your Ol’ lady, and with all of us brothers agreeing, she will never be harmed. I vote aye and know this—no motherfucker hurts what’s ours. If there is danger coming her way it’s our problem to deal with. We don’t let this touch her. Tazer, get her jacket ordered and delivered, and make it a rush job. I want to show everyone she’s protected by us all. She is, as of this minute, officially Ghost’s Ol’ lady.” There are a lot of whoops and hollers, and bro hugs and I accept every one of them with glee.

 

“Tazer, get me information on this motherfucker, meeting adjourned for now,” Wasp says.

 

Bomber walks up to Tazer, “Man, let me help you out. I’m not as good as you are, but I’m no slouch either. No one messes with one of ours.”

 

Tazer slaps him on the back and tells him, “All help is welcomed, meet me in the IT room.” With that they both walk away leaving me with my mouth hanging open. I love my brothers and the fact that they’ve accepted Bristol wholeheartedly into our family. They’re both hard men to get to know and are untouchable. Neither show emotions or feelings and that display is the first I’ve witnessed either of them show or tell how they feel about anyone or anything.

 

I almost feel bad for this motherfucker—almost.