CHAPTER NINE

On the ride home from Holly’s session a couple of days later, Undertaker decided to follow the suggestion AJ made to him about redirecting her attachment from him to someone more appropriate.

She needed to go back to school, but he knew she would fight him. He knew that was a hurdle he had to get her over, and to do that he had to solve that problem for her.

He drove his pickup to the spot near the Twin Span Bridge where he’d taken her before.

“What are we doing here?” she asked.

“I thought you liked this spot.”

“I do.”

“Then come on.” He climbed from the truck, and she followed him down to the breaker. He bent and picked up a rock, heaving his arm and casting it far out into the lake.

She moved beside him.

“You have a good session today?” he asked.

“Yes. It was good.”

“You like Dr. Carter?”

“Sure, she’s nice and easy to talk to.”

“Good.” He studied her. She was eating better, and he made sure she got plenty of rest along with those early morning jogs, and it was starting to pay off. She looked better.

He moved to stand behind her, wrapping her in his arms and resting his chin on the top of her head. “We need to talk, babe.”

“Okay,” she murmured carefully, like she was afraid of the topic he might broach.

“You’re doing well, and it’s time you got back to your normal life. You need to go back to school. Cat talked to them and you can re-enroll for next term.”

“But… I’m not ready. That’s only six weeks away.”

“Yeah, it is, and yeah, you are, honey.”

She shook her head. “No. I’m not.”

“Babe, talk to me. Why aren’t you ready?”

She swallowed, finally admitting softly, “I’m afraid.”

“I know you are, sweetheart, and that’s why I’m going to see you’re well protected.”

“How? Cat’s moved in with Blood now. I’ll be alone.”

“I’ll have a man take you to and from campus every day. You want to go to the mall, he’ll take you. You get scared at night, he’ll camp outside your door. He’ll never be more than a phone call away.”

“But it won’t be you?”

“No, sugar. It can’t be me.”

“Why not?” She clutched at his forearm, her grip tightening.

He dipped his head to murmur in her ear. “You know why not. We talked about this. You and me, it’s a real sweet dream, but it’s not reality. I have an MC to run, and I’m too old for you.”

“No you’re not,” she whispered in a voice that sounded like she was trying to convince herself as well as him.

“Yeah, babe, I am. But I’ll always be your friend. I’ll always be here if you need to talk.”

She turned to face him. “Promise?”

“Cross my heart. Hope to die.”

“Don’t say that.”

“Just don’t make me stick a needle in my eye.”

“Ew.”

He rubbed the top of her head and chuckled. “Yeah, that’s not happening.”

***

When they got back to the clubhouse, Undertaker realized Holly had time to think about it, and her anger had flared to the surface. She was smart enough not to backtalk him, but it didn’t keep her from stomping up the stairs or slamming her door.

The guys milling about downstairs saw it, and it just reinforced the fact that he couldn’t have this going on at the clubhouse anymore. His eyes scanned a group over at the pool table, stopping on one he thought would be perfect for the job.

“Joker!” He lifted his chin, and the kid immediately looked up and walked toward him.

“You need something, Prez?”

“Yeah. I’ve got a job for you. Protection duty. It’s long term, but I need someone I can trust.”

“Whatever you need, you can trust me to take care of it.”

“Good. Holly is moving out and going back to school. The next term starts in six weeks. She’ll be getting her own place between now and then, and I want a man on her, watching out for her. You’re her new shadow.”

Joker ran a hand down his face, his eyes going to the stairs, and Undertaker frowned. “There a problem with that? She too much for you to handle, kid?”

“No, not at all. She’s just… got some problems. Not sure how I’m supposed to handle those. Especially…”

“Especially what?”

“I mean, the way she feels about you. I’m guessing she’s not gonna be too happy about this.”

“She’ll be fine. I’m trusting you to make sure of it. You hear me?”

“Yes, sir.”

Undertaker nodded. “Good.”

“How long?”

“As long as needed. Until I tell you different. Oh, and one more thing. Hands off, you understand, Joker?”

“Hands off. Got it.”