Chapter Seventeen

Rock

“Make my world go black,

hit me like a heart attack,

knock me flat on my back” - Dierks Bentley

Pulling back into the lot of the clubhouse feels so good. I used to be the one who always volunteered for the run. There wasn’t anything I wanted more than being out on the road.

This time all I could do was count the time till I would be able to come home. I hated leaving Chrissy here especially since I knew she was uncomfortable and all this shit has been stirring. She seemed a little better each day I talked to her and it made me optimistic that she might fit in better here than she imagined. I talked to Colt and he said the girl’s night had run pretty late so I’m sure she’s probably still passed out.

Whip comes walking out of the clubhouse door and gives us all a nod. “Pres has been waiting on you. He wants to have church and get an update.”

Great. All I want to do right now is pass the fuck out.

None of us say anything though, we just walk to the back room and take our seats around the table. Pres is standing at the head waiting silently until all of us are sitting and the door gets closed.

“What the fuck happened out there?” his voice grates out.

The question is directed at all of us and none of us really want to be the one to speak up. I choose to take the wrath and give him the story.

“Every damn time we changed routes fuckers were there. No idea how. It was almost like they knew our move before we did. Shipments got where they needed to be and in one piece but it was dicey a few times. There seemed like there were more of them than in the past. Every one of the fuckers were armed too.” I look at him not really knowing what else to say. We are lucky none of us took a damn bullet and that we delivered the goods in one piece. Whoever these guys are they aren’t some small time problem that’s going to go away.

“Wrench, there’s still no clue as to who these assholes are?” Pres almost growls out.

“I’m still working on it. Every time I think I have a lead it turns into a damn dead end. Whoever they are, they’re covering their tracks really fucking well.” You can see the defeated look on his face. He’s been on this thing for weeks so it has to be frustrating as all hell.

“We need to close in on the shit.” It’s all he says before the gavel bangs on the table. The harsh sound reverberates throughout the room. No one really makes a move to leave. We’re all probably thinking the same thing. We need to take care of them before they get more daring and something happens that we can’t come back from.

“Get the fuck out and take care of your shit,” Pres yells and everyone follows suit.

I head straight for my room but get stopped in the main room by someone I never thought I’d see again. Miranda is standing in front of me, her arms crossed over her chest. The same little smirk I used to fall for plastered on her face.

“Well, hey there, stranger.” She walks up to me giving me a hug before I can even react to seeing her.

I pull away. “What are you doing here?”

“Needed a new home base since you boys left us high and dry.” Her finger traces down my arm.

She was one of the club girls at our old club. We fooled around on a regular basis but it was never anything more. She had it in her head that I’d claim her one day but that was some shit she had made up in her head. The only girl I ever wanted to give my patch to is wearing it now.

“Yea, not like we had a huge choice in the matter. Plus it isn’t like we were a thing. You were one of the club girls.” I lean against the wall behind me. I’m tired as fuck and all I want to do is crawl into bed with Chrissy.

“We could be a thing.” She takes a step toward me invading any personal space I had. “You already know I can treat you right.” Her tongue darts out licking her lips.

“Listen, Miranda. I’m gonna make this as clear as I can for you. I got an old lady and it ain’t you. You make trouble for me or her and you’ll be out on your ass quicker than you showed up here. Got me?” I stand up waiting for her reply and it comes as a nod. “Good, now I’ve been on a run and I need to go see my girl.” I walk away not waiting for her reply.

I open the door expecting to see Chrissy asleep under my sheets ready for me to pull her tight against me. What I walk into is a whole different scene. Chrissy has her bag on my bed and is tossing all of her things into it.

“Going somewhere?” I say leaning against the door frame.

“Yea, I need to go up to my mom’s for a few days.” She doesn’t look at me and I can’t believe there is any reason she’d voluntarily go up there. “She hasn’t been feeling well so as much as I don’t feel like it, I need to be there. I’ll be far away from here so whatever you guys are dealing with shouldn’t be an issue.” She zips up her bag and grabs her keys off the dresser. “I’ll see you in a few days.”

Landing a quick kiss on my cheek she almost runs out of the room. I didn’t even have a chance to say anything. My mind is half confused as to what the hell just happened.

I see Megan in the hallway and she looks at us in confusion. “Where is Chrissy going?”

“Apparently her mom isn’t feeling good and she’s heading home for a few days to help her out.” I shake my head still trying to process her quick exit.

“What? Her mom is in Hawaii. She was telling us last night.” Megan pulls out her phone, pressing it to her ear. “Straight to voice mail. Why the hell would she turn her phone off?”

Warning sounds are blaring inside my head. I try and get a hold of her but my call goes right to voice mail too. “What the fuck is going on?”

Megan gives me a look of confusion. “I have no idea. I saw her a few minutes ago and let her know you guys just got home and she seemed so excited. She didn’t say anything about needing to leave.”

I need to go find her.