Blinded by Fate (The Ugly Roses Book 3)

by Harlow Stone

  “Thank you for flying with us, Ms. O’Connor.”

  I shake the pilot’s hand. “It’s Elle, and thank you for being so accommodating on such short notice.”

  He tips his hat to me and I head to the waiting SUV just off the runway. I didn’t figure a taxi would like me putting my big, hairy girl in the backseat, so I called a car service and requested an SUV. I could have rented my own car, but I was informed there is no car rental office at the tiny private airport. So either way I would have had to get Norma and I from A to B.

  “Good afternoon, I’m Ted. I’ll be your driver today.”

  I reach out and shake his hand. “Nice to meet you, Ted.”

  He takes my small luggage and I move ahead of him to open up the rear hatch for Norma. She’s familiar with the process of getting in and out of vehicles, so like a good girl she jumps right in and I hop in the back seat.

  “Where to, Miss?”

  Thankful he didn’t call me ma’am, I tell him the area I’m heading to and we pull out on the highway. The drive is quiet, and even though I just had time to myself on the plane, I enjoy the silence. I watch the somewhat familiar scenery pass by before I tell him our destination is just ahead on the right hand side. Putting the blinker on, slowing down he asks, “you sure about that?” Eyeing the dozens of bikes parked out front of Blacktop, I nod my head. “Yes, I’m sure.”

  He gives me no answer, but dutifully pulls in the lot. I put my hand between the seats and hand him a very good tip. “Thank you, Ted. I’ll get my bag.”

  He looks down at the wad of cash, a little shocked by the amount I placed there. But he looks like a kind soul and probably has better shit to do than drive all day. “Thank you, Miss. Thank you very much”

  I give him a small smile, and gather up my bag and my dog. When the SUV pulls out of sight there are already three bikers standing out on the front step of Blacktop. One smiles and crouches down on his haunches. “Norma! How’s my favorite dog doin’?”

  Norm wags her tail and smiles that sweet dog smile before waddling over to Digger. I may have spent a few weeks here about a year ago, but I didn’t make a lot of friends. The men were good to me, but I by no means shot the shit with many. Norma on the other hand, was welcomed with open arms and I never had to worry about her here. The guys took good care of her and she was fed well.

  “That’s my girl, ya missed me?” Digger asks, holding my hefty dog close to his body. As usual, Norm soaks up the attention as I walk up the steps.

  “Hey, fellas.”

  Digger nods. “Good to see ya, darlin’. Tiny’s inside.”

  “Thanks,” I say, giving the other two men I don’t really know a nod before heading inside.

  Sometimes change is good, sometimes it’s terrible. Being as this was one of the first places I felt safe after Andrew and my three days of hell, I’m happy it hasn’t changed one bit.

  The floors are still sticky and it smells like hookers and cigarettes, with a stale beer or two. I look to the left, for his regular table and spot Tiny at the head of it. Five others surround him, all hanging on every word he says.

  Respect.

  Obviously the conversation is important, because there are no scantily clad women running around the place, and other than the table of five and a few other bikers at the bar, the place is empty. I don’t bother disturbing him, he gave all his time and attention to me once and I’m not in a rush this time.

  I close my eyes and breathe for a moment. It’s not the cleanest air being as it smells so strongly of smoke. It makes me crave one but I think better of it. I’m saved from thinking about it when a booming warm voice says, “I ‘aint got much time left in this shithole. You keep standin’ there girl, I might be dead before ya get the chance to say hello.”

  I smile before opening my eyes, grateful regardless of his ancient status, he still hasn’t lost the wit and wisdom I love so much. Glancing toward him, I take in his kind old eyes and long, grey hair he still keeps tied at the back of his neck. His eyes hold a history—a very long one. I’m proud to know this wonderful man and I push off the wall to tell him so.

  “This shithole isn’t ready to let you go yet,” I say smirking, a double meaning to my words. I know he gets it. Swallowing, he waves his hand in a shooing motion to the other gentlemen around the table. “Back to work, ya lazy bastards. Rather stare at my girl than any ‘a your ugly mugs.” The men stand. I give a slight shake of my head at Tiny’s antics. Remy and Keg give me a head to toe perusal, and a shit eatin’ grin. In the past they never outright checked me out, but my spine wasn’t as straight then and I kept my broken body well covered in layers of clothing.

  Today I’m in a loose, black tank top with wide straps and skinny jeans with my black boots. I still wear my wrist cuffs but my neck is no longer covered. I raise my eyebrow in question and Remy just shakes his head before heading off. Tiny doesn’t like to be kept waiting so I brush them aside and lean down, kissing the old man’s cheek. “How are you old man?”

  He does his own perusal, but not like his men. Tiny’s perusal is solely on my eyes and I have no doubt he can see everything behind them. “I’m good girl, real good. So are you.”

  His smile is contagious. I return it with a big one of my own. “Yes, Tiny. I’m doing well.”

  He nods and says, “I know, wasn’t a question.”

  I can’t help but shake my head at him, of course he knows. When you’ve lived as long as he has you know just about everything.

  “Ya didn’t just come to say hello either,” he says, taking a sip of the beer in front of him.

  I sigh. “No, I also came to say a few things and tell you who I am.”

  “Already know who ya are girl, don’t need to tell me.”

  I tilt my head to the side, wondering how he knows. “What’s my name, old man?”

  He shuffles, slightly uncomfortable. “Good lad comes around here sometimes, good friends with Remy. Also good friend ‘a yours from what I hear, ‘cause he sat down and had a beer with me last month and told me so. Also told me thank you, for helpin’ you out.” I lean back in my chair knowing it was Jimmy and he leans forward. “Told him I didn’t know what he was talkin’ about and he told me all about a woman named Jayne.”

  Looking up from his beer, his eyes find mine again. “Glad you’re doin’ good, girl. Had I have known what you was runnin’ from, I’d ‘a kept you right here. I’d ‘a kept you safe.”

  Sincerity and guilt shines through his eyes and I don’t for one second want him to feel that way. “You did exactly what I asked of you and then some, Tiny. I survived a long time as Elle Davidson and without you that wouldn’t have been possible.”

  Deep in thought he replies, “yes, you did survive. But ya didn’t live.”

  I nod in agreement. “You’re right, I didn’t.”

  Warm ancient hands engulf my left one. He looks at the ring then back to my face. “But you are now, and so long as you keep doin’ that you’ll make this old man happy. Everybody needs to live girl, life ain’t just about survivin’ ‘cause ya ain’t got a life until you live. Happy to see you figured that out.”

  Swallowing past the lump in my throat and ignoring the tightness in my chest I tell him, “thank you, Tiny.”

  Ever the modest one he says, “ain’t nothin’ to thank me for. You bein’ well is all the thanks I need.”

  Ignoring me in favor of Norma as she rests her head on his lap, I take one last deep breath and let it go. I’ve been a lot of things in my life but a liar is not one of them, that was until I needed to lie in order to save my life.

  It’s over.

  My conscience is cleared.

  Now to get my head in order.

  Chapter Twenty-nine

  I crawl out of the clean sheets, mighty impressed with how quick Tiny can pulls things off. Although I shouldn’t be surprised. After I announced that I wasn’t leaving until the next day, Tiny had a couple of prospects clean a room upstairs for me. I couldn’t fi
ght the laugh when he hollered, “prospects! Clean out a room. Clean sheets, clean floors and do the bathroom while you’re at it! If ya can’t lick the toilet seat when you’re done, I’ll be starin’ at you’re backs when I kick your asses out the door.”

  Of course, like the dutiful young prospects they are, they did as they were told. When I stayed here before I kept a bottle of Lysol handy at all times and I’m happy that it wasn’t needed this time around.

  After a much needed trip to the bathroom and a quick clean up, I change my clothes and grab my bag. It will probably be the last time I see this place. I said what I needed to, and even though my head is not completely sorted, I feel lighter.

  I power up my phone as I walk down the hallway, as usual I check Matty’s text first and send him a quick text back regarding the five selfies he took with himself and the kitten. I absorb his elation before I open Ryder’s. The ones I never checked a few days ago because I wanted to stay focused.

  Ryder - Thursday @ 3:20pm:

  I was going to be gone for six days, so I’ll give you six, Elle.

  But that’s it, not a fucking day longer.

  Ryder - Thursday @ 6:30pm:

  I take it back; I can’t give you six days. Call me

  Ryder - Thursday @ 6:45pm:

  I’m waiting, and you know I’m not patient.

  Ryder - Thursday @ 7:02pm:

  I swear to god woman, if you don’t answer your phone I will make sure

  My handprint stays on your ass for a fucking week.

  Call me!

  Ryder - Friday @ 3:02am:

  I can’t sleep, you’re not here.

  I miss you, and I love you.

  Come home please.

  Ryder - Friday @ 11:02am:

  Time’s up, beautiful.

  Fuck.

  I respond with a quick, ‘I love you, handsome’ because Tiny is at the bottom of the stairs waiting to go. You don’t make an old man like Tiny wait because as I said before, he hasn’t got much time left.

  “Sorry old man, hope you weren’t waiting long,” I say as I give him a kiss on his old weathered cheek.

  He shrugs. “If I was and I went, rather it be waitin’ on a pretty woman than doin’ nothin’ with those grumpy bastards.”

  I give him a big smile because he meant every bit of what he said and it makes me love him that much more. “C’mon old man, I got a plane to catch.”

  Leading me out the door, he motions ahead to the black Ford truck. I’m not surprised to see someone else driving us because Tiny looks like he might fall asleep against the wheel or possible fall asleep and never wake up.

  Remy hops out, a hard-around-the-edges and beautiful man of few words. He barely said two words to me last night but that’s who he is. He sits, stares, and remains broody until something is important enough to be verbal.

  Surprising me, he takes my small suitcase and puts it in the backseat of the truck and opens the passenger door for Tiny. “I’m old, I ain’t fuckin’ dead yet,” Tiny growls, batting Remy out of the way so he can get in the truck himself.

  “Coulda’ fooled me ol’ man,” Remy gripes.

  Enjoying my own little laugh knowing I am not the only one who teases him about his age, I follow Norma into the back. Remy closes the door behind me.

  “Cocksuckers, don’t know respect if it bit ‘em in the ass,” Tiny grumbles as he reclines his seat.

  ***

  “What the hell kinda shit is that?”

  “It’s music, old man,” Remy says.

  “Can’t hear no music, just people screamin’. That ain’t music.”

  I don’t put my two cents in because Godsmack is a favorite of mine. I also enjoy their bickering. I’ve never spoken much to Remy, mainly because he too hates useless chatter. But I’m beginning to think he’s just selective with who he chatters with.

  Remy pulls the truck into the small airport. “Where to, darlin’?”

  I shake off the fog I was in. “Left after the gate,” I tell him.

  Driving where I tell him to go he says, “you’re a friend of Jimmy’s.”

  It’s not a question, but I answer him regardless, making eye contact in the rear view mirror. “He’s not my friend, he’s my family.”

  Understanding, he nods. “He’s good people.”

  Yes, he is. But that wasn’t a question either and we’ve reached the end of this little journey. I open my door and hop out with Norma. Tiny fumbles around for a few minutes before him and Remy come around to the front of the truck. Remy hands off my suitcase to the flight attendant on the tarmac.

  “Damn girl, you sure know how to travel don’t ya?”

  I roll my eyes at him. “I had to make sure Norm was comfortable.”

  He reaches down, fluffing my girl’s fur. “Oh she’s comfy alright, and packs a pillow wherever she goes.”

  I ignore his comment about my husky girl and wrap my arms around him. “This is so long old man, take care of yourself.”

  His withering arms surround me and he kisses me on the head. “So long girl, keep livin’.”

  I let go and give a small smile to Remy. “Thanks for the ride.”

  I give a chin lift. “Pleasure’s mine, darlin’.”

  After a small salute I board the plane, not entirely sure about what will happen next but knowing I have one last thing to do before my head will be cleared.

  ***

  I’m thankful I dozed off on the plane. Even though I’m stubborn to admit it, I don’t sleep well when Ryder isn’t with me. I also don’t sleep well when I have life changing shit on my mind. I stretch out in my seat, loving the luxury of flying privately. It’s comfortable and spacious enough to catch up on some much needed shuteye.

  I stand up and stretch, waiting for the door to open so I can meet up with Brock. I texted him when I left to remind him of my arrival time. I know he wouldn’t forget. There were no new texts from Ryder after his ‘times up’ text he sent on Friday. Now it’s Sunday but I have no idea what that meant.

  I exit the plane with Norma, she scurries her fluffy body to the first patch of grass and does her business while I turn my phone back on. There’s no sign of Brock, or my Chevelle so I bring up my text app seeing his name.

  Brock - Sunday @ 10:50am:

  Did all I could do but he’s a pushy fucker.

  Stay happy, talk soon.

  B

  Norma takes off, well, as fast as one her size can take off and I whistle. She slows, but doesn’t stop and I see the Chevelle come into view.

  I look beyond it and notice the red white and blue flags hanging off the building, not like the building I took off from in Indianapolis. These flags aren’t just the American ones either. Every flag bares the letters, ‘NC’.

  North Carolina.

  I spin around and watch as the pilot pushes my bag toward me, not the flight attendant I didn’t need. Noticeably uncomfortable he says, “forgive me, he’s rather persuasive.”

  I don’t get a chance to reply when a deep voice washes over me. “Miss me, beautiful?”

  I close my eyes and shiver like the horny hooker I am for this man before I turn around asking, “how?”

  Of course he smirks, but I can tell he’s still pissed. “Like he said I’m persuasive, and I told you time was up.”

  I huff, not necessarily annoyed because I’m actually pretty fucking impressed. Still I say, “you gave me six days, Ryder.”

  He shrugs. “I couldn’t wait any longer.”

  I grab ahold of the handle on my luggage and start walking toward my car. I don’t make it very far when he takes it from me and grabs hold of my arm, swinging me around. “No kiss, hello?”

  He doesn’t wait, he takes it. Like everything else in life, he grabs it by the horns and rides that bitch into the sunset. No holds barred, he takes whatever he wants and doesn’t stop until I give it back.

  When he’s done, he grabs my hand and marches us to the car, tossing my suitcase in the trunk and of course op
ening my door for me because even though he’s pissed, he’s not quite an asshole and still has manners.

  “Thank you,” I mumble getting into the passenger seat. I could argue that it’s my car and I want to drive but I don’t really feel like driving because I’m kind of tired and still a little grumpy. When he gets in the driver’s side, my stubbornness kicks in, or maybe it never really left; it was just dulled for a moment because he can kiss incredibly fucking well. Sometimes it leaves me stupid for a moment.

  He knows it too.