FOUR

Mel

Hooch slides the entrance to the barn open, throwing his back into it as he shoves the heavy wooden door along its steel rail. The reverberation of bikes grows louder, headlights casting shadows as he passes by the waiting vehicles.

I’ve never missed a sound more; the comforting syncopated rhythm of multiple V-Twins.

King rolls in first, lifting his fingers from the handlebar in a semi-wave as he smiles at me. I step back, allowing him room to turn around as the second bike enters. The rider holds my gaze with wide eyes, never once breaking as he follows King’s path and pulls up alongside. I fail at fighting the smile that twitches on my lips. I couldn’t forget those dark and soulful eyes if I tried, but damn has he grown up a lot in the last year.

Dog was a prospect when I saw him last, young and misplaced. Looking for a home like so many of our members are. He’s a definite man now, comfortable and at ease in his new life. It makes me so happy to see that he found his niche, found where he belongs. Almost as happy as I am to see these familiar faces.

Hooch wanders over as the crash van reverses part way in, blocking most of the exit and any possible prying eyes in the process. The girl he brought with him, Dagne, sits off to the side of our group, watching intently as she no doubt sizes the guys up.

Men in leather and denim, wearing colors and weapons, are nothing unusual for me. But for those not accustomed to the life, the brotherhood, they’re intimidating, threatening and most often misunderstood because of it.

I reach out, offering her my hand, and she slips to her feet to make her way over.

“Don’t be shy,” I say with a smile. “They’re harmless.”

She nods, giving my hand a squeeze before letting go and heading for the relative safety she finds in Hooch. We had a chance to talk a little this morning, and I like her. She’s straight up, headstrong, and sensible. Everything Hooch needs in his life.

Big sis approves.

I turn to my right as Dog approaches at speed with his arms out wide. He wraps me in his strong embrace and lifts me clean off the dirt floor.

“Fuck, Mel. You know how good of a surprise this is?”

“I can guess,” I say with a laugh as he sets me down.

“Heard you were missing, assumed dead.” He reaches out and picks a piece of hay off my sweater, pain clear in his eyes. “And yet here you are.”

“Here I am.” I fold my arms as I smile shyly at him.

Dog and I are about the same age, so naturally when he became a permanent fixture at the club gatherings, the two of us found common ground in our struggles to find our place amongst the ranks. Although our stories couldn’t be any more different: I was born into this life, he chose it; I’ve had my life’s choices dictated to me from as young as I can remember, whereas he’s been able to pick and choose his path into the Fallen Aces.

Still, the two of us would hang out at the club meets, swapping stories from our respective chapters and generally enjoying each other’s company. He’s my first real friend inside the club, and was right up until I walked away.

When his touch became something I’d crave, rather than pay no mind to.

I shake my head while I appreciate how ridiculously good he looks now his physique fills his shirt right out. “I can’t believe how much you’ve changed.”

“Been a while, huh?” He knocks his shoulder into mine.

“Far too long since I’ve seen anyone, that’s for sure.” I duck my head and pull in a deep breath. “So, how the hell are you anyway? You look as though you lift weights in your sleep. Mighty been sharing his tubs of protein with you?”

“You approve?” He throws me a wink, the same one he would always give me before stealing a bottle of liquor from the bar at the club get-togethers.

The man sure is pretty, but damn I hate cocky son of a bitches.

“You make me feel as though I should have applied all my spare time a little better,” I tease, pulling the sides of my loose sweater out to show how little I’ve changed.

He shrugs; lip pinched between his teeth as he blatantly checks the length of me out.

“No complaints over here, Mel.”

I snort a laugh at him and look away at the prospects as they open up the back of the van. Dog was always trouble with the ladies back when he was a prospect, so Lord only knows what a killer he is now with all the thirsty women that turn up on a weekend.

Something I sure as hell don’t need to mess with, that’s for sure. Almost went there once, not getting sucked in again.

The hairs on my neck prickle, and I realize that while I’ve been watching the boys unload the van, Dog’s been watching me. I turn my head and fix him with a frown.

“Words, Dog.”

He shrugs again, both hands jammed in his pockets. “Never seen you without makeup is all.”

“Well, now you have.” I lift my shoulders a little, hoping my sweater will hide me some.

“Still as gorgeous as ever, though.”

He reaches out and brushes my hair from my face, which results in my back going a stiff as a board. His is the first non-platonic touch I’ve received in over a year, and I’m not too sure how I feel about that. Especially since I made a promise to myself to only ever be friends with the guy.

Too many memories of awkward failed kisses for this tender ego to handle right now.

“Seriously,” I snap. “Stop before you really embarrass yourself.”

“Come on, Mel. Don’t be like that.” He ducks his head a little to level our gazes. “I’m still on a fuckin’ high from seeing my girl here in the flesh when I thought she was gone for good.” He sighs, twitching a small smile. “I missed you, missed our chats. Missed seein’ your smile.”

I shake my head and back up a step. ”Dog, we went there. It didn’t end well, remember?”

“Went where?”

I peer out from under my lashes at him, giving my best “don’t fuck with me” stare.

“Can’t fault a guy for tryin’.” He shrugs.

“Except your timing is way off.” I’m not even home yet, still on the way back to the club after being hidden from everyone I love for the past year. He could at least let me have a damn shower and sleep before he starts on with this.

He could at least give me time to catch my breath.

“Well,” he snaps. “Good to know you didn’t feel the same way, then.”

“Don’t, Dog. I’ve missed everyone, I just …”

“Didn’t miss me that much.”

“I missed my friend,” I stress. “I want my friend here right now, okay?”

I expect the usual brush off, the “I wasn’t interested anyway” bullshit that comes when you wound a man’s pride. I don’t expect the absolute shutdown that happens right before my eyes.

Dog’s gaze falls to the ground, his shoulders curl inward, and he jams his hands in his pockets as he walks back to his bike.

I almost feel sorry for the guy.

Almost.

“Dog giving you grief already?” King asks as he approaches.

I look over to the man in question as he flops dramatically onto his bike and stares at the wall with his arms folded.

“He seems more sensitive than I remember.” I pull my chin back, making a mock “oops” face.

King frowns. “Something’s up with him these past few days. Don’t let it bother you. I’ll have a quick word.” He pats me on the arm and follows after Dog to have a quiet conversation in the corner of the barn.

I turn my attention to the prospects that unload an unmarked stock standard bike from the back of the van. They wheel it over next to Hooch’s, transfer his gear over, and then wheel Hooch’s custom bike into the van in the spare bike’s place.

All the while my brother makes cutesy with his new plaything. I’m happy for him, honestly, but damn, talk about feeling like the fifth wheel.

I hover on my spot, trying to decide what to do. I can’t get on Dog’s bike yet because King is still having words with him, and I can’t help the prospects because that would undermine their job; take away their pride in doing what they’ve been instructed to by the president.

So I stand, wondering if this is how life will feel from here on out. I’m supposed to be dead. In theory, there’s no place for me in this world any longer. Am I always going to wake up wondering what the purpose of the day will be? While I was in hiding, I understood the feeling of pointlessness. After all, there’s not much you can do when you’re literally unable to show your face to another living person besides those who know where you are, which for me, was one man.

A trusted third party hired by the club to put me into hiding, and then promptly “forget” the address.

Days went by the same as the one before, and each and every night as the sun would sink behind the trees I’d lie there on the grass, watching the stars come out, dreaming of a life back with my club.

This wasn’t exactly how I pictured it.

I mean, I didn’t expect a fanfare, a huge welcome home party or anything. But I guess I thought I’d fall back into my role as the president’s daughter. Except my brother is now the president, and when I ask him why Daddy didn’t come to get me, he changes the subject.

A niggle I’ve been trying to ignore.

A question I’ll demand answers for when we arrive in Lincoln at the Fallen Aces mother chapter.

Right now, I just need to focus on the task of getting there with a guy who’s making it clear by the daggers he fires my way he’s pissed I friend-zoned him. Yay.

Let the fun begin.