Chapter Nine

Cherie

“Y-you mean that, Señorita?” Bonnie gripped my hand, her dark eyes full of hope and gratitude.

“I do. Lazarus is dead, and the governor is in prison. Would you like to call your family now?”

She shook her head, and I was ready to argue until she shocked the hell out of me. “I already called them, Cherie. They want me to come home.”

I smiled down at her, glad to hear this wouldn’t completely tear her life apart. “If you help the police, they will help you get home.” I gave her the details, and she promised to call as soon as she was discharged later that day. “Good luck, Bonnie.”

“You, too. Thank you, angel.”

I smiled and left the hospital for the last time. Outside I turned toward the sun, letting the heat heal me. A week had passed since I’d been shot in Roddick’s home, and I spent that time packing up my life in preparation for my move. To Canada. That still felt weird to say, but I’d called and accepted the job as soon as one of my colleagues stitched me up, so I had three weeks to make it to some small town in Saskatchewan.

“You gonna let the sun molest you all day or get your ass in gear?”

I rolled my eyes at Baz, giving him an indulgent smile. “Might be the last molesting I get for a while.”

“Aww, come on, Cher. I never need to hear that shit again,” he groaned and pushed open the passenger door. “Get in.”

“Where are we going?”

“It’s a surprise,” he said and hit the gas the moment my seatbelt clicked.

It didn’t take much time to realize where he was taking me. The clubhouse. “Baz, come on, I’m not in the mood.” I was less than not in the mood. For the past week, I’d had nightmares every time I closed my eyes, anxiety from all the law enforcement grilling and despite the graze, I was also in constant pain. Though maybe that was heartache.

“In the mood to hang out with people you’ve known your entire life?” he asked angrily.

“Dammit, Baz, don’t put words in my mouth!” I took in several deep breaths to slow down my heart. “I don’t want to be in a roomful of people carrying guns after…everything. You ever think of that?”

He quickly pulled over and gathered me in his arms. “Shit no, sis, I didn’t think of that. I’m sorry.” His warm arms held me close while he softly swore under his breath. “You have to say goodbye, Cher, these guys have known you all your life.”

I nodded against his chest because he was right. In two days, I’d put Brently in my rearview mirror, and chances were good I might never see many of them again. “I’ll go,” I sighed, chuckling when he put the car in gear and started driving again. “I’m gonna miss you, Baz.”

“No you won’t because I’m visiting once a month. At least.”

“It’s a thirty-hour drive, so I doubt that very much,” I laughed.

“Small town girls are freaky,” he said and wiggled his eyebrows.

“Gross.” I smacked his arm as we pulled up in front of the clubhouse. “Is he going to be there?” I hadn’t seen Roddick all week, and in a way it helped me get started on living without him, though it hurt like hell that he’d just forgotten about me.

Baz sighed and nodded. “He got back two days ago. Had to go to D.C. and Mexico to give statements and shit.”

We entered the bar area of the clubhouse and I paused, took my time looking around. I’d grown up in this place with scantily clad women leaning over every surface to show off their bodies, with gun toting bikers who really were big softies. I learned how to play pool at that table with the scuff mark in front of the center right pocket. I snuck my first drink from a metal card table in the corner when Torch left me unattended. A smile touched the corners of my mouth thinking about those moments. Those years when this place had been the only real home I’d known.

This was the place I grew to love Roddick. Swiping away tears, I turned to the bar and waved at Talon and her little baby and a very pregnant Minx. “Hi, girls. You’re both looking good.”

Talon and Minx both found their way to Brently though their connection with Magnus, though through very different circumstances. Minx didn’t like to discuss it. She’d been kidnapped and pulled into a human trafficking ring. Rumor was they’d finally found her parent’s, but she didn’t want anything to do with them. Said it was better if they think she’s dead. It was a sad notion to consider, but I guessed she was happy here, and that was what mattered.

Talon, on the other hand, only came to Brently because of Magnus’ estate. Her father. Unfortunately, she never even knew him. And he was such a good man.

Talon pulled me into a hug, and I pressed a kiss to Megan’s sweet head. “I can’t believe you’re leaving!”

Minx rolled her eyes and gave me a hug. “You’re really going out there, living your life. Very cool.”

“Thanks. You don’t think I’m running away?”

“Hell no! I think you’re brave as hell. I wanted to leave, but I went and fell in love.” She cast a loving gaze at Cash who’d just come from Church with Mick, Torch, Dagger, Rich and Roddick.

“You probably got the better deal,” I told her, hearing the wistfulness in my voice. “Take care of each other,” I told them. “I always wished I had friends like you growing up.” But all the girls wanted to get close to Baz or one of the other guys, not me.

“Good luck out there!”

“How’s it going?”

I turned and gave Baz my best attempt at a smile. “Fine. What’s going on?”

He nodded to where Roddick stood. “Talk to him, he might surprise you.”

“I doubt that.” But he was already making his way over so I didn’t really have a choice. “Hi.”

“Hey.” He sounded nervous, unsure. I’d never seen or heard Roddick look anything less than perfectly capable and fully in charge. “Walk with me?”

I took his hand and let him guide me around the back and up the fire ladder on the side of the main building. When we reached the top, I gasped. “It’s amazing up here!” A rooftop oasis with plants and flowers dotting the perimeter, comfortable sofas and chairs, tables topped with candles and a giant ashtray. Off to the side was a grill along with a picnic table. “Did you do this?”

“Been working on it all year.” His gaze was filled with longing. “I’ve missed you.”

“I’ve been where I always am, Roddick. You couldn’t have missed me that much.” I knew it wasn’t fair as soon as I said it. “Sorry.”

“It’s okay, you’re right. I should have called, but I needed to make sure everything was taken care of before I came back to you, Cherie.”

Words I always wanted to hear. “What’s going on, Roddick?”

He guided me to the gray cushioned sofa and held my hands in his before taking a long breath. Then he started talking. And talking. About the task force, the drugs, the cartel and taking down the governor of Chihuahua. Everything. “I’m not the Prez anymore.”

My eyes went wide and I grabbed his face. “Roddick, no!” No one ever left CAOS of their own free will. “You’re…?” I couldn’t even voice it, it was just too awful to think about.

He smiled and pressed a kiss to the center of my palm. “I’m glad to see you’re still worried about me, but you don’t need to be. I’m not out of CAOS, not officially, but I’m no longer an active member. In fact, I’m leaving California altogether.”

There was so much to dissect about just a few short sentences that I had no clue where to start processing. I tried to focus on one thing, just one thing, and finally, it came into focus. “Where are you going?”

He shrugged. “I’m not sure yet. This chick I’m in love with just got a job and she’s moving to some place called Saka. . .Sasketcha. . . oh, fuck, Canada, so I thought I’d check that out.”

It took a moment, but as soon as I felt a tear slide down my cheek I knew I’d heard right. My lips trembled. “Y-you mean that? You’re in love with me?”

He nodded, smiling in bemusement. “You didn’t know?”

“Don’t I seem shocked enough?” I couldn’t believe it. This big handsome man was in love with me and he wanted to move with me. “Oh, Roddick, I am so in love with you, too. I have been since…well, forever.”

He smiled as I slid closer, scooping me up and onto his lap. “It feels like I’ve been in love with you forever, too. Does that make me a dirty old man?”

I shook my head with a smile. “Fuck yeah, baby. It makes you my dirty old man.”

Then he pressed his mouth to mine in a smoldering kiss that quickly caught fire. His lips felt strong, soft, insistent as they coaxed mine open to let his tongue slide in. It just felt right. Amazing. Perfect. His hands were warm against my cool skin, so big as they cupped my ass and brought me closer. His tongue delved deeper and I moaned, letting my body relax into his. I was finally…letting go. Roddick was the first to pull back and dotted my neck and jaw with kisses. “That sounds like perfection to me, Cherie.”

“Me too.” I smiled at him, unable to stop the silly happy grin that spread across my face.

“So…Canada?”

I nodded and took another taste of his lips. “Canada.”