“Ash has that effect on people. Here, I’ll cuff your other arm. That’ll make this a bit easier.”
I watched him switch arms. “So, about that story.”
He smiled again. “Yes. My favorite childhood story of Ash. That’s probably when we figured out we were in the same homeroom class for seventh grade.”
“So, you guys went to the same school and everything.”
He nodded. “Yep. For the bulk of our childhood years. But we’d never had the same classes before, except homeroom in seventh grade. And boy, did we make that teacher’s life a living nightmare. I’m talking spitballs to the ceiling, sliding the girls in our class teasing little notes just for a laugh.”
“Hey, I used to be one of those girls. That’s not funny.”
“Yeah, well. We weren’t the best of kids. Ash got into a lot of physical fights, but I got into a lot of verbal altercations. When we were younger, we had a lot of anger we were working through since both of us were abandoned by our parents.”
I blinked back tears. “I’m so sorry, Scottie.”
“Bah, it’s water under the bridge now. But as a kid? To figure out your parents just left you at a place like an orphanage? It stung, and it stung hard. Thankfully, Ash and I had each other, and we both understood what the other was going through. That helped in ways I didn’t realize until I was much, much older. Open your mouth for me.”
I opened my mouth so he could check me out before he removed the cuff.
“Your blood pressure’s a bit high, but I’m thinking it’s more from me being sprung on you than anything having to do with the accident. I’m going to feel around your scalp and make sure there aren’t any nasty knots or anything. All right?”
I nodded. “What else did you guys get up to in seventh grade?”
As I sat there and listened to stories of Ash and Scottie getting into trouble only to talk their way out of it, he looked me over. He checked me from head to toe before giving me a clean bill of health and demanding that I take the pain medication I “forgot” this morning. Ugh. I hated taking things that made me so tired, especially without Ash around. I didn’t feel safe yet without him near. But Scottie was hellbent on not leaving until I took the medicine. So, I did.
“Scottie?”
He started packing up his things. “Yes?”
“Do you think there’s a reason why Ash hasn’t told me any of this yet?”
“Of course. But it’s not a bad reason.”
“Could you tell me anyway? Because I’m a bit worried that maybe he doesn’t trust me with this kind of thing. Which is going to hit hard, since I’m head over heels for the man.”
He smiled. “Ash is a good soul. If he’s got you in his home and cares enough to reach out to me to make sure you’re okay, then he loves you, too.”
“So, why don’t you think he’s told me about any of this yet?”
He shrugged. “Ash is a private man. And he doesn’t like negative emotions. He’s very good at compartmentalization. We both are, but he’s a professional at it. There’s a good chance he isn’t ready to unpack it with you because he knows you might make him feel more vulnerable than he likes. Give him time, Hannah. And when he’s ready? He’ll tell you everything. Front to back.”
That settled my soul. “Thank you so much for coming by, Scottie.”
He nodded. “And you let me know when we’re going that first family dinner you mentioned. My wife and I would love to come by.”
“Oh! You’re married? How long now?”
He grinned. “Four months.”
I gasped. “Oh. Oh, yes. We’re doing this very soon. I’ll talk to Ash about it the second he gets home.”
“He has my number, so feel free to steal it from him.”
I opened the front door. “I can do that.”
I ushered him out the door feeling safer than I did when he first approached. But I still didn’t know when to expect Ash home. I grew tired, so I hauled ass into his bedroom to fall asleep. And when I woke up, night had fallen.
Then, I heard it. The dull roar of a growl in the distance
That’s a motorcycle engine.
I leapt out of bed and shook the rest of the sleepiness from my brain. I walked out into the living room and paced the floor, hoping and praying that Ash’s bike was what I heard off in the distance. I didn’t want to take a shred more of pain medication until he was back. The dull growl grew to a dull roar. Then, that dull roar became a mighty roar. And when I peeked out the window into the front yard, something tore through the trees off in the distance.
Making my heart soar into the heavens.
I stood in front of the front door and waited for him to charge in. He parked his bike before he leapt up the steps, and finally the door burst open. I didn’t give him a second to process anything. I leapt into his arms, throwing mine around his neck. I held him close and peppered kisses against his cheek. Down his neck. Across his shoulder. Whichever parts of him my lips would touch, I kissed.
“My God, I’ve never missed anyone so much in all my life,” I whispered.
He held me close. “I’m home, sweet girl. It’s okay.”
I sniffled. “Please tell me you have good news. Please tell me everything’s all right now.”
“I can’t quite do that. But I can say that no one got hurt.”
I gazed into his eyes. “So, you guys didn’t get Skeleton?”
He sighed. “No. We didn’t.”
He scooped me into his arms and walked me back into the bedroom where he sat down on the edge of the bed. With me in his lap. But the look in his eye told me this wasn’t over just yet. So, I cupped his cheek.
“Talk to me, Ash. Open up a bit. What happened?” I asked.
His eyes found mine. “Are you sure?”
I stroked my thumb against his skin. “Positive.”
His forehead pressed against my own. “We tracked that fucker to an abandoned park on the side of town I grew up in. Right near the orphanage and all sorts of stores I used to steal from as a kid.”
I kissed the tip of his nose. “Then, what happened?”
“We figured out that Skeleton was holding another one of his auctions in an abandoned park. So, we decided to hike through the woods to flank them on three sides. But by the time we got through the woods, the girls had already been sold off and we couldn’t get enough of a mark on Skeleton to take him out.”
I sighed. “I’m so sorry, sweetheart.”
“The only saving grace was that the police got there in time to intercept a handful of the buyers and same some of those girls.”
“Well, at least there’s that.”
He growled. “But a few still got away. And I don’t know if I can sleep with that on my conscience right now.”
“Then, it sounds like I should make a pot of coffee and start a movie marathon on the television.”
He kissed my forehead. “You need sleep.”
“I took a long, pain-med-induced nap before you got home. I actually just woke up a few minutes ago.”
“I’m sorry I didn’t tell you about Scottie sooner.”
I ran my hand through his hair. “Why didn’t you tell me about the orphanage sooner?”
He shrugged. “I don’t like talking about it much.”
“Not even Scottie?”
He cleared his throat. “Look, I grew up in a rough part of town, and sometimes the things I experienced in the orphanage with Scottie still give me nightmares.”
I shook my head. “I’m so sorry, Ash.”
“It’s just… easier not to talk about it. You know?”
I nodded slowly. “I know all too well. But just know that if you ever get ready to talk about it? I’ll be here for you. Ready to listen to whatever you have to say. Okay?”
His eyes danced between mine. “You’re remarkable.”
I smiled. “Well, I do try.”
His lips crashed against my own and I clung to him for dear life. His kiss left me breathl
ess and his touch weakened my already trembling knees. I loved this man with everything inside me, and whatever he needed from me, I knew I’d give him. Our tongues slid together in a moment of passion, forever searing itself into my memory. I blanketed my body against him. I melded to him and let him mold my body as he held me close against his heartbeat. I wanted nothing more than this for the rest of my life. I wanted nothing more than him for the rest of my life.
“Hannah?”
My eyes fluttered open. “Yes, Ash?”
He slid his fingers through my hair. “Why didn’t you take your pain medication until Scottie got here?”
I sighed. “Look, he had me take it and I rested, so—”
He glared at me. “Answer the question.”
I slumped against him. “I wanted to wait up for you in case you were coming back today. And I knew the meds would put me to sleep.”
He held me close. “Hannah, if you’re going to be in my life for the long haul, you have to learn how to take care of yourself in my absence. You can’t go putting yourself in more pain and more danger just because I’m gone. Okay?”
I blinked. “Long haul?”
He chuckled. “Hey, you’re not running away from me that easily.”
I kissed his neck. “Trust me, I wouldn't want to, handsome.”
He scooped me back into his arms. “So, you have your first day of work tomorrow.”
He carried me into the kitchen. “Mhm. Bright and early at nine.”
“Mind if I take you to work and see where you’re going to be at?”
“Oh, Ash. I’d love nothing more than to share that with you.”
He sat me down at the kitchen table. “Good. Because you didn’t have a choice.”
I snickered. “Figured as much.”
He walked over to the fridge. “So, how about I whip us up some burgers for our movie marathon? Maybe have some chips and milkshakes with them, too?”
My stomach growled. “That sounds like a damn good winner to me.”
“Do you want cheese on your burger, in your burger, or no cheese at all?”
I blinked. “In the burger?”
He grinned. “My specialty.”
“Then, by all means, stick as much cheese as you want in the burgers.”
As I watched him move around the kitchen, his brutish form hovering over the stove just for me, my heart leapt in my chest. I’d never be alone again, thanks to this man. I’d never have to wake up alone, or find my way alone, I’d never have to eat alone, love alone, or go on trips alone. I had a partner for life, and I’d never give him up.
Come hell or high water or a torturous end, I’d stay at his side.
No matter what the future brought our way.
Sneak Peak at Knuckles
I fucking hate packing.
I smoothed my black t-shirt out on my comforter before I reached for a pair of socks. I rolled them down, tightening them into a cylinder shape, before laying them horizontally across the front of the shirt. I reached for a pair of jeans and spread them out, making sure there were no wrinkles as I smoothed it out beside my shirt and socks. And after plucking a pair of boxer briefs from my pile of clothes, I folded them up and placed them on top of the socks.
Then, I wrapped up everything into a tight cylinder before sliding it up the left pant leg of my jeans.
I can live out of one outfit, right?
After folding the jeans over and wrapping them around the articles of clothing I stuffed up the pant leg, all I had left in my hand was an oddly-shaped object that wasn’t any bigger than both of my palms. I set the outfit down at the bottom of my backpack before I reached for another set of clothes, folding them up in a tight wad just like I had the first one. I did it again, and again, and then one last time.
Then, on top of the five outfits I had packed, I was able to fit my toiletry bag.
“Fucking recon,” I murmured to myself.
I wanted to be back at the bars. Tallying earnings, paying out payroll, and wiping down tables. I enjoyed the monotony of it all. The routine. It calmed my racing mind and helped me to sleep at night. All my life, I had relied heavily on routine. On schedules and time clocks to keep me focused and organized. I hated being ripped away from my foundation. I didn’t like stepping outside of those bars I had been charged to run early on in my tenure with this crew.
Now, I had to go do some bullshit recon road trip? By myself?
Fuck this.
I zipped my bag closed and hoisted it onto my back. I cracked my neck as I jumped around, feeling the excess space still jostling things a bit too much. I needed that backpack to be one big lump on my back. No shifting of weight needed to be occurring, not on a ride like this. Because if I was made and had to get away? Shifting weight was sometimes the only difference between getting away and getting caught in a ditch while being surrounded.
Ask me how I know.
I slid my backpack off and started for my kitchen. I tore open the pantry and started stuffing things like snacks and bottles of water into my pack. The more I could take with me, the less I had to stop and eat. Which meant more time to recon and less time filling my stomach. Which was massive, by the way. Not physically, but damn it, even I knew I could put away too much food at once.
Still, once all of this food was gone, my shifting weight issue wouldn’t be solved.
“Whatever. You live and you learn,” I murmured.
After nearly escaping with my life, I was about to be thrown back into the mire. Into the thick of it. Into the darkness that was the Golden Jags and this bullshit sex trafficking ring they were determined to run out of our city. They had another thing coming, though. This was our town. Our part of the country. And if that jerk-off thought for one second that he could come in and use our resources while trafficking our women in our hometown, he had another thing coming.
In the form of a rocket aimed at his head, if that’s what it took.
All of the research Bowser and Link had done on this dredged up information that made me sick to my stomach. Not only had the Golden Jags sold off that motel space they were in, they had picked up a property just on the outskirts of town. Just inside city limits, as if to throw his middle finger in each of our faces. We all knew damn good and well that’s where he’d try striking up his activities again. Especially after almost being busted at the park.
It took us damn near two months to stay low. But now that we were sure he was set up in that warehouse, it was time to do recon.
Enter, my dumbass trip.
At this point, though, we weren’t trying to bring him in. We weren’t looking for answers to questions or anything like that. At this point? The Dragon Riders were ready to hunt him down. Our orders were to take him out, by any means necessary, and that brought a shiver of delight down my spine. That meant I’d get to be creative. That meant I’d finally get to flex the muscle that got me into this damn crew in the first place.
For once, my love of playing with my food would be of use.
It was the only reason why I agreed to this recon in the first place. Not like I had a choice in the matter, but I still tried to rationalize it to myself. To make myself okay with it. And the only reason I had was the fact that if I found myself face to face with Skeleton? I had permission to do whatever I wanted.
And oh, did I have ideas for when I strapped that fucker to a table.
Plus, things were really tense in the bar. And the clubhouse? Forget it. I didn’t even go there if I didn’t have to. Granted, the bar had practically taken over the role of our clubhouse. But, every once in a while, we’d peek our heads into that place. Have a quiet cup of coffee and brood in silence.
I hated brooding in silence.
Such a waste of energy.
As I stood in the middle of my living room in the run-down house I purchased for myself, I sighed. I’d been living in this shack at the end of my block for two years now. And in those two years, I had drawn up schematics for how I’d redo this place.
Walls I’d knock out. Flooring I’d put down with my own two hands. And absolutely none of it had gotten done. The brown water spots on the ceiling kept slowly growing. The leak in the kitchen sink bothered me at first, but was now the only thing that lulled me to sleep. The stairs going up to the second floor creaked and groaned with my weight every time I walked upstairs, not to mention the cracking hardwood that practically cried out for a bit of moisture to come its way.
This house needed a complete overhaul.
Yet, I never found the time to start.
“Maybe after this recon,” I sighed.
Then, I turned and headed for the front door.
With my keys in my hand, I walked out to my bike. I heard a horn on a child’s bike honk as it rode past, and I looked up long enough to see Miss Alistair’s daughter peddling as hard as she could down the block. I grinned as I watched the little girl ride away, booking it for her mother’s porch. For as long as I’d been here, Miss Alistair had been here longer. And the first person to ever greet me to the neighborhood was that sweet daughter of hers.
Seven now, I think she was.
“Hey there, Kay!”
I looked up and found the young single mother waving at me from her porch.
“Miss Alistair,” I said as I waved back.
“Going on a road trip!?”
I nodded. “Something like that.”
Her daughter stopped peddling. “Morning, Mr. Knuckles, sir!”
I grinned. “Morning, Miss Katie.”
And as I watched that sweet, innocent little girl take off back towards her mother once more, a loneliness settled like lead in my gut.
Don’t even go there.
I shook my head and focused my eyes back onto my bike. I had a job to do and a promise to keep in the process. Bowser made me promise not to come back until I had steady evidence that Skeleton and his pals were at that warehouse. I promised Link I’d clock their movements over the course of a few days, picking out their favorite places to go and where they went to get food. But, I also made a promise to myself.
And it was a promise I couldn't default on any longer.
After, Knuckles. After the journey.
Ash (Dragon Riders MC Book 3) Page 15