Gus: Satan's Fury MC- Memphis (Satan's Fury MC-Memphis Book 6)

by L. Wilder

  “You sound pretty sure of yourself.”

  “That’s because I am,” he said, then he pulled back the sleeve of his t-shirt, revealing a wound similar to mine. “Hurt like a bitch, but eventually healed and so will yours.”

  “Good to know.” I took another shot, then immediately reached for the next. “Thanks for the round.”

  “Least I can do. After all, you seem pretty damn determined to get tanked tonight, so I thought I’d help you out.”

  “Needed to clear my head.”

  “Vodka isn’t gonna help you with that.”

  “Maybe not, but after the day I’ve had, it’s worth a try.”

  “Been one of those days, huh?”

  “Yeah,” I muttered. “You could say that.”

  “Life has a way of throwing some pretty hard punches … some harder than others.” He looked me dead in the eye. “You’ve just gotta take the hit and find a way to get back up.”

  “I’ve had one too many hits, man. Not sure I see the point in getting back up anymore.”

  “Put your hand on your heart.” He waited silently as I did as he requested. “You feel that? As long as your heart’s beating, then you’ve got a purpose. You’ve just gotta figure out what it is.”

  “I’m trying, but it’s just so damn hard.” I ran my hand down my face and sighed. “Every fucking thing is exactly the same as it was when I left … my folks, my house, this whole damn city, but it feels so different. How is that possible?”

  “Because you’ve changed. You can’t expect things to be the same when you’re not the same man you were when you left.”

  “I’m still me, though.”

  “Yeah, but now you’re a different version of yourself.” His eyes narrowed as he asked, “You ever ridden before?”

  “A motorcycle?”

  “Not talking about a fucking moped, son,” he scoffed.

  I shrugged. “Ridden a couple of times when I was younger but never actually had one of my own.”

  “Might be time to try again.”

  “Maybe so.”

  “Maybe isn’t an answer, son.” Then he leaned towards me and said, “If I’ve learned anything in this life, it’s that we only regret the chances we didn’t take. It’s time for you to take that chance.”

  “I hear ya.” I reached for my last shot and added, “But I don’t own a motorcycle, and even if I did, I couldn’t ride with this shoulder.”

  “That’s two problems, son.” He chuckled. “Both can be solved with time.”

  He reached into his pocket, pulled out a card, and offered it to me. “The name’s Gus. When you get back on your feet, come by the clubhouse. We’ll take that ride together.”

  “Sounds good. I’ll do that.”

  “I’ll be looking forward to it.” After finishing off his last shot, he stood up and started to walk away. “Drink to your heart’s content. Just be sure to get a ride home, son.”

  “Will do.”

  There was something about the way he’d called me son that got to me. As odd as it seemed, it felt like he actually meant it. Until that moment, I hadn’t realized how much I needed to hear it. That one word had me looking down at the card Gus had given me, and I knew at that moment I would be taking that ride with him. What I didn’t know was how that decision would change my life forever.

  Gunner

  “Give me a second,” I called out to Blaze. “I’ll be right back.”

  “Whoa … Where are you going?” His eyes narrowed as he watched me start across the parking lot. “We’re going to be late.”

  I was following Blaze, Shadow, Murphy, and their ol’ ladies into the gas station when a gorgeous brunette in the parking lot caught my attention. She was pacing back and forth in front of her car. I couldn’t tell for sure, but it looked like she was crying as she talked to someone on her cell phone. When we came back out and she was still there, I figured something must be wrong. There was something about a woman in need that got to me, especially when she was smoking hot with curves made for sin. As I continued walking towards her, I glanced back at Blaze and said, “No, we won’t. I’ll just be a minute.”

  “Um-hmm. I’ve heard that shit before,” he complained. Murphy, the club’s sergeant-at-arms, was a good guy, always played by the rules and never let a brother down, so I wasn’t surprised when he said, “We still gotta drop the girls off, and if we’re late for church, Gus is gonna be pissed.”

  “I already told ya … We won’t be late.”

  As I made my way closer to the woman, I heard her say, “Are you sure about this?” A gust of wind whipped passed us, and I quickly became mesmerized by the way her long, dark hair fluttered around her face. Damn. It was like I’d been pulled into some romantic, chick flick where everything was moving in slow motion. I needed to shake it off before I made a fucking fool of myself. She tucked her hair behind her ears as she continued, “I’m not certain. I think I’m close, but I took the wrong exit. Don’t worry, I’ll figure it out.” After another brief pause, she said, “I’ll let you know.”

  When she ended the call, I put on my best smile and asked, “You lost, darlin’?”

  The gorgeous brunette glanced up at me for a moment, and her dark eyes quickly drifted over me. Clearly unaffected by my dashing good looks, she looked down at her phone and replied, “No.”

  “You sure about that … ‘cause you’re a long way from heaven.”

  I cocked my head to the side and smiled, hoping she’d find the humor in my corny pickup line. Sadly, she was totally unfazed. Instead, my words just hung in the air, completely disregarded as she stared down at her phone. “I’m sure you’re a nice enough guy and all, but I really don’t have time for this right now.”

  “Okay, then. Tell me how I can help.” I wasn’t sure what to make of her. I knew she wasn’t from around here, otherwise she’d know how dangerous it was for her to be standing out in the parking lot with every thug around checking her out. I couldn’t blame them. Hell, she looked like a knockout in those hip-hugging jeans and low-cut t-shirt. I could only imagine what she’d look like wearing nothing at all. Just the thought made it difficult not to readjust myself. Unfortunately, I didn’t have the same effect on her. In fact, she seemed unimpressed by my southern charm and was doing her best to disregard me completely. I could’ve just walked away, kept what was left of my ego intact, but that would have been too easy. “Seriously … you got any idea where you are?”

  “Actually, I do. I’m in Memphis and”—she glanced up at the store front sign— “at the Citgo gas station on Frayser Road.”

  “So, you know you’re in Frayser?”

  “Umm … Yeah.” Her eyebrows furrowed as she asked, “Why?”

  “Not exactly safe around here, darlin’.” I lifted my chin, motioning my head towards the hood-rats smoking dope at the side of the building. “There are some real bad folks around these parts.”

  Her gazed drifted downward as she took a moment to study my torn jeans, leather cut, and tattoos. She shook her head, then clipped, “And what about you? Are you one of them?”

  “Depends on who you ask.”

  “Um-hmm. If had to guess, I would say you and your friends are just as dangerous, if not more so, as those men over there.” With a cocked brow and a half-smile, she sassed, “Regardless, I’d already be gone if you weren’t here … you know, distracting me.”

  “Well, that’s as much your fault as it is mine.” I let my eyes slowly drift over her, taking my time to study every gorgeous inch of her, as I said, “If you weren’t so damn beautiful, I wouldn’t be over here talking to you. Besides, I had to at least try and see if there was something I could do to help. Wouldn’t want anything to happen to you while you were out here all alone.”

  “You’re good. I’ll give you that.” She shook her head and scoffed, “A regular knight in shining armor, but you’re wasting your time with me. I’m fine.”

  “I don’t know about that.” A smirk crossed my face
as I added, “This is no place for someone like you, so if you’re lost, I’ll be glad to help you find wherever it is you’re trying to go.”

  “Thanks, but I think I’ve got it figured out.” She got in her car, and just before she closed her door, she looked over to me and said, “Maybe you’ll have better luck with your next damsel in distress.”