“Good man, well, that’s about all we have that Addi can hear,” Jackson says, giving me a look.
I stand, putting my hands up. “Got it. I’ll go and check on the bar.”
“I’ll be behind you soon, sugar,” Cade says.
I nod and then I turn and leave the room, still curious as to who this Ciara chick is. There’s a link somewhere, between Spike, Cade and clearly this girl. Was she someone they both…ummm…tag teamed? Did Cade steal Spike’s girl? Or the other way around? They seem quite determined to keep her and Spike apart, so there’s clearly some history there. I just don’t know what. I get to the bar without noticing how much ground I’ve covered. I’m far too curious about this mystery girl. When I get in, Mindy is serving, and flirting. Girl can’t keep those legs closed. I go to step towards her, when Britney steps in front of me. Rolling my eyes, I take a step back.
“Britney, I thought we covered that you and I don’t get along and I don’t play nice with the other kids,” I say sarcastically.
“You don’t scare me,” she growls, jutting her perky breasts out.
“I wasn’t trying to scare you. God, will you put those away, they’re frightening the bikers.”
I hear a group of bikers behind me roar with laughter. Britney’s cheeks flush red and she leans in close.
“You’re pushing it with me. I will make you pay, Addison. I don’t care if you’re Cade’s Old Lady or if you’re Jackson’s daughter. You and I will have our day. I know what went down tonight, everyone knows. Well, you’re the only one that doesn’t know about Spike and Cade. I wonder why he hasn’t told you yet? Perhaps he doesn’t trust you. He told me right away.”
This hurts my heart, but I don’t let it show.
“What makes you think I don’t know?” I say in a bored tone, while picking my nails.
“I know you don’t, because you wouldn’t be standing here if you knew what he did. Spike is the innocent one here.”
Innocent? What is she talking about? Cade speaks of guilt, Britney speaks of innocence. Where is the connection?
“Maybe I have a heart and don’t judge. Perhaps you should try it.”
I step past her, but she grips my arm, digging her nails into my skin.
“Britney,” Cade’s voice booms across the room, “get your fuckin’ hands of my woman.”
Britney flinches and drops my arm. She leans in close and whispers, “This isn’t over.” Then she disappears before Cade reaches me.
“What the fuck was that about?” Cade demands as soon as he stops.
“Why don’t you tell me?”
He puts his hands up and indicates that I should let him know what the hell I’m on about.
“Don’t pretend you don’t know. You told her things you clearly don’t want to tell me. You and Spike…she knows right?”
Cade makes a growling sound and leans close. “Get your shit, and get out to my bike.”
“Stop ordering me around!” I snap, crossing my arms.
“Sugar, what the fuck did I say about games? I don’t fuckin’ play them. You ain’t gonna make a scene about somethin’ you don’t know. Get out to my bike, shut your mouth and we’ll talk.”
“I hate you when you’re bossy,” I say, before spinning on my heel.
“You fuckin’ love me, you moody little shit.”
I am smiling by the time I get out to his bike. He steps up behind me just as I’m reaching for my helmet, and he wraps his arms around my waist, pressing his lips to my neck.
“Love it when you’re so fuckin’ temperamental.”
I grin and turn my head, pressing my lips to his. He spins me around, pressing my bottom against the bike seat, putting himself between my legs. He kisses me with intensity, sweeping his tongue across mine and every now and then, and stopping to nibble on my lower lip. I shudder and press myself against him. His hands wrap around me, and he pulls me as close as I can possibly get. He lets my lips go, and kisses up and down my cheeks until he finds my neck. He nibbles and sucks until I’m panting and desperate for him once more. Damn him for having such a powerful effect on me.
“You going to tell me about Spike?” I murmur against his cheek.
“Yeah, baby.”
I let him set me back and slip my helmet on, and then I climb onto the bike behind him. He speeds out onto the road, and when we go right past his house, I’m confused. Until we pull up at Jackson’s house. A little more of my heart opens up for him in that moment, because out of respect to my dad, he’s taken me home instead of taking me to his house. We climb off the bike, and as soon as he’s taken his helmet off, I grip him and kiss him deeply.
He pulls back after some sweet as hell dips of his tongue into my mouth, and murmurs, “What was that for?”
“For being so damn sweet.”
He grunts. “Fuckin’ sweet, think you got me all wrong, sugar.”
I grin. “No, I think I got you all right, biker.”
Another grunt. “Take me to your room, we gotta talk.”
I do just that. I take his hand, and walk into my new home with a whole new outlook.
My life is finally piecing itself together.
And I couldn’t be happier about it.
~*CHAPTER 16*~
PRESENT
“It’s not a pretty story,” Cade says when we’re finally curled in the bed together.
“Mine wasn’t pretty either,” I remind him.
“Sugar, mine’s a whole lot worse.”
“Tell me. I won’t judge you.”
“Don’t be so sure about that.”
I don’t say anything, I just lay quietly. I know he’ll start talking when he’s ready to. He begins speaking in a rough, scratchy tone and I can hear the emotion in his voice. I know why too, because when he tells me his story, it quite literally rips my heart out, stomps on it, and then rolls over it until there’s nothing left but a battered mess. His story, is without a doubt, one of the most gut-wrenching stories I’ve ever heard. It makes my heart ache for him, but not just for him, for Spike too.
~*PAST*~
CADE
“We don’t have a choice,” Spike says, pacing the room.
“You can’t fuckin’ leave her in the house, Spike. It ain’t safe.”
He turns, glaring at me. “What the fuck should I do then?”
“Get her outta town. Throw her in the car and get her outta town.”
“They’re fuckin’ everywhere. How the fuck do you think we can get her out?” Spike roars, driving his fist into a nearby table.
“We don’t have a choice. You leave her here, her life is at risk.”
“Fuck, Cade, fuck.”
I walk over, grip his shoulder and jerk him to face me. Spike and I have been friends since we were kids. I know him. I trust him, and right now, he’s in a fuck of a situation. He’s got the biggest biker gang in the state after him, because of a dodgy drug job he did. Then the fucker tried to run, and made it a whole lot worse. Now, he’s in deep shit, and so is his family. This gang, they don’t give a fuck; they will put a bullet in his wife to prove a point. They’re vulgar, rotten and downright deadly.
“Get Cheyenne and get her in the car. We’ll drive her out of state, then we’ll come back and deal with Hogan and his gang.”
Spike runs his fingers through his hair, he’s clearly distressed. He’s gotten not only himself, but Chey in a situation that’s beyond dangerous.
“I don’t know if tryin’ to get out is the best move, Cade.”
“What will you do then? Leave her here? They come lookin’ for you, they’re goin’ to come here. You need to get her out.”
“I’ll lock her in the basement; she’ll be safe. I’ll go face them, keep them away from the house.”
“That’s a fuckin’ risk and you know it.”
He growls. “Fuck, mother fucker.”
“Go and get her. We’re gettin’ her out now.”
“What’s going on?”
We both turn
to see Chey standing at the door. She’s a beautiful woman, with silky blonde hair, big brown eyes and a tiny petite build. Her stomach is just starting to round out with their unborn babe. Chey is the love of Spike’s life; he’s given up everything to make her happy, to be with her, to adore her. And he does, he adores the living shit out of her. I watch as he walks over, wrapping his arms around her. Compared to his height, she looks like a child. Her head rests on his chest; he’s a good foot taller than her. He holds her close, and for a moment, I let him. Time is running short though, Hogan’s gang is already in town. It won’t take them long to find Spike’s address.
“We gotta move, Spike.”
Spike let’s Chey go and looks down at her. “We’re goin’ to have to go for a drive, sunshine? Got me?”
She nods. “What’s going on?”
“Just a biker problem, Cade here is goin’ to sort it for us, okay?”
She looks at me, her eyes hopeful. I smile at her, giving her the best reassuring glance I can. “Just goin’ for a few days, yeah?”
She nods, and turns and quickly gathers her purse. “I can get clothes on the way.”
Spike meets my gaze and I nod at him, then I grip the keys and jerk my head towards the garage. “My car.”
“Haven’t you two been drinking?” Chey asks.
“It’ll be fine,” I assure her.
“I have an unborn child. I’m not comfortable with you two driving.”
Fuckin’ women, they can be so fuckin’ stubborn.
“Let Cade drive,” Spike says in a warning tone.
“No,” Chey says, crossing her arms.
“Might be a good idea to let her drive,” I suggest. “If they see her, and we’re low in the back seat, they won’t get suspicious.”
“Great idea, can we go?” Chey says, grabbing the keys out of my hand.
I can see she’s scared as hell, but she’s covering it well.
“I say no,” Spike argues. “It’s not safe.”
“Spike, just let it be. It’s the safest option.”
“For who?” he roars at me. “You and me?”
“They won’t recognize her!”
“You underestimate them!” Spike bellows.
Chey walks over, rubbing Spike’s shoulder. “Hey, it’s okay. I’m with Cade on this one; he’s got the right idea. It’ll be fine, honey, just fine.”
Spike is trembling with rage, but he nods with defeat and we all pile into the car. Spike and I get into the backseat, and Chey gets into the front.
“Stay low, boys. I’ll tell you when it’s clear.”
We both sit low as Chey backs out. When she’s out on the road, I can feel Spike trembling beside me. He’s scared, and I know why. These guys aren’t the sort you fuck with. Jack’s and the boys are out of town, so I can’t even call on them for backup. This is our only option, and it’s a shitty one.
“It’s clear so far,” Chey says from the front seat.
“Keep drivin’ sunshine, yeah, good girl,” Spike encourages, his voice trembling.
We drive for ten minutes and thus far, things are workin’ out. Then everything changes. Just like that, it all becomes a nightmare.
“Spike, there’s some bikes behind me,” Chey says in a panicked voice.
“Fuck,” Spike growls lifting his head enough to look out the back of the car.
“Is it them?” I ask, reaching into my jeans for my gun.
“Fuckin’ mother fucker. It’s them all right, with back up. There’s at least twenty of them.”
Fuck.
“Keep drivin’, Chey,” I say gently to the woman having a panic attack in the front of the car.
“Spike, I’m frightened,” she wails.
“Baby, you’re gonna be just fine,” Spike soothes her, but his eyes are wide and panicked.
“Oh God, I don’t want to get hurt. I don’t want to,” she sobs.
“Hey, Chey, listen to me, yeah? You’re gonna be just fine. It’s fine. You just keep drivin’, sugar, just keep drivin’,” I say to her, using my best comforting voice; even though right now, I’m anything but comforted.
“I say pull over,” Spike growls in my ear. “Let me face them. It’s me they want.”
“They’ll fuckin’ kill you,” I hiss.
“I’m not riskin’ her.”
“I won’t pull over!” Chey cries, picking up speed.
“Chey, baby, do as I ask,” Spike orders.
“No, I won’t hand you to them,” she cries, high pitched and frightened. “I won’t let you die.”
“We gotta pull over, Chey, pull over,” Spike pushes.
“No!”
“Spike, she’s right. We can’t pull over,” I hiss in his ear. “They’ll blow your fuckin’ brains out as soon as you step outta this car.”
“Oh God!” Chey cries.
“It’s me or they’re goin’ to fuckin’ blow this car!”
“We’re on a highway. They won’t do anythin’ while we remain on it.”
“Cade, you’re fuckin’ wrong about this. It’s the wrong call. We need to pull over.”
“I won’t fuckin’ sit back and let my best friend die,” I roar at him.
“Stop it!” Chey screams. “Just stop! I won’t pull over!”
“Pull over!” Spike bellows. “Now, Cheyenne!”
“No!”
My heart is thudding so loudly I can hear it in my head. We’re fucked. We’re royally fucked. Spike grips the door handle, but I lunge at him, gripping him around the neck and hurling him backwards. That’s when the shot rings out. Just one single shot. For a moment, I think it was just a warning shot, until I realize we’re covered in blood. It’s everywhere, on the roof, on the seats, on us. Spike’s eyes are wide; he’s just stopped moving. The whites in his eyes keep getting bigger and bigger, like he’s in shock. My stomach drops. My buddy, they’ve shot him, fuck, no. Then he opens his mouth, and he screams. He screams so loudly my ears begin ringing. It’s only then, I realize what he’s screaming about.
It wasn’t Spike who was shot.
It was Cheyenne.
Slowly, my mind registers what’s happening. When my eyes fall on the front seat of the car, I see so much blood it’s hard to see anything else. Then I see her, Cheyenne, missing half of her head. They shot her, clean in the back of the head. She’s dead. It’s her blood covering us. Spike’s screams pierce my ears, and I can’t react, all I can do is stare as the car begins spinning wildly out of control. When it begins to roll, I finally give in to the shock ripping through my body. Cheyenne is dead. She’s dead and it’s my fault. I let my best friend’s wife die. I as good as killed her.
When the car smashes into a tree, I let everything go black.
It’s easier that way.
~*PRESENT*~
I’m crying. No, I’m heaving. When Cade has finished telling me his story, I can hardly breathe. I’ve never heard something so gut wrenching in my life. It all makes sense to me now. God, poor Cade, poor Spike, poor Cheyenne. My heart breaks a little for each of them. I swipe my tears from my eyes, and I try to focus on Cade. He’s staring out the window, his body heaving. The guilt he’s holding, it’s huge. He blames himself for Chey’s death. I can understand why he blames himself, but he was trying to do the right thing. It’s not on him, though I understand why he can’t see that.
“I’m so sorry,” I whisper, reaching out and placing my hand on his back.
He’s sitting now, he got up mid-way through telling his story. He flinches when my fingers slide down his back.
“I killed my best friend’s wife,” he says in a voice devoid of all emotion.
“No, you didn’t.”
He turns, and when his eyes fall on mine, they’re glassy and red. “Yeah, I fuckin’ did. I forced them into that car. I didn’t let him stop when he wanted to.”
“If you didn’t leave, it could have ended the same way. If you had let Spike out, do you think you wouldn’t be carrying the same guilt when
they did the same to him?”
Cade closes his eyes a moment, then opens them. “He hates me for it, and he has every fuckin’ right.”
“He can hate you, and yeah, maybe he does have the right, but he should hate himself too. He put himself in that situation, therefore putting his wife in it, too.”
“He went through hell afterwards. Her family tried to put him in jail. He also lost a baby when she died. He lost everything he believed in.”
“And he lost you.”
Cade flinches. “I’ll never forgive myself for it. I see her face every time I close my eyes. She haunts me.”
“She wouldn’t hate you, you know.”
He shakes his head. “No, that’s the fuckin’ painful thing. She wouldn’t hate me. She would tell me it was her choice. That she was the one who wanted it. Cheyenne was beautiful like that.”
“I don’t think you’re a bad person, Cade.”
He turns to look at me. “Why do you have to be so fuckin’ understandin’?”
“Because I’ve lived with pain, guilt and horror before. I know how it feels to be trapped in it. You’re not a bad person. You’re only human, and sometimes, we don’t make the right choices.”
He cups my face. “I could so easily love you sugar, you’re testin’ every part of me. I’m fallin’ fuckin’ hard.”
I tremble at his words and every hair on my body stands on end. Did he just say he could love me? I mean, truly love me? He must be mistaken. He’s feeling lust, and getting it confused with falling in love. Noticing my expression, Cade turns my face and lets his eyes scan my face.
“Sugar, you look like you’re about to pass out. Breathe.”
I swallow over and over, unable to push the words from my head. He could love me. This can’t be right, surely there’s a mistake.
“You reactin’ like this ‘coz I said I’m fallin’ in love with you, yeah?”
I nod, feeling my eyes sting.
“Ain’t never had someone say that, and truly mean it, have you?”
I shake my head, and struggle to get a breath in.
“Well, I mean it, sugar, with everything I am. I don’t love easily, and I sure as shit don’t tell people when it’s happenin’. You’re different You’ve been different since the moment you walked into that compound.”
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