Torch (Great Wolves MC - Ohio Chapter Book 5)

by Jayne Blue

  “There,” I said as I used the staple gun next to her and secured the thing in place.

  “How’s that look?” I asked. Nicole stood out in the center of the floor, looking up at the stage.

  “Perfect,” she said, giving me the okay sign.

  “Good job,” I said, patting Brittany on the back. I climbed off the ladder, she got off the chair. I popped down from the stage and went to Nicole’s side. She threw her arms around me.

  “I can’t tell you how much I love you right now.” I’d been getting a lot of that. First, for taking over Shannon’s duties while she was in the hospital. She was due to get out in a couple of days. She had a few broken ribs, and her jaw was wired shut, but God or some miracle had intervened, and she’d make a full recovery. So would her unborn baby. Sticks knew about it now and in addition to the welcome home party, Torch told me he was planning to propose to her as soon as he could get to her. I had one more secret of Shannon’s to keep. When they did her ultrasound at the hospital, she found out she was having a boy.

  Torch stood behind the bar giving instructions to the probies. We’d open to the public again three nights from now. This was just for the club. The family.

  I took a stool opposite Torch. He had that look on his face, and I knew he had something serious to tell me.

  “It’s all set still, right?” I whispered, not wanting Nicole or anyone else to hear.

  “Yes,” he said. “I just got off the phone with the U.S. Attorney’s office. Your statement was the last thing they needed to wrap things up. You were amazing.”

  I’d spent almost the whole day yesterday in an office in Cleveland explaining everything I knew about what my Uncle George did. I had about seven missed calls from my father and couldn’t decide when to return them.

  “Sydney,” Torch said. “I just want to make sure you know what you have to do now. It’s important.”

  “I do,” I said. “I’ll call him in a few minutes if you like. Are you …” I leaned in closer and whispered. “Are you sure he’s really gone?”

  Torch nodded. “I don’t know where. I never want to. But your uncle took the deal. They’ve got him squirreled away in witness protection. They’ve rounded up the senior leadership of the Devil’s Hawks. They’re done. Finished forever in Ohio.”

  “Here we go!” Nicole shouted. She had the remote for the big-screen television, and she’d tuned it to a local news station.

  A cheer went up as we saw a live feed outside the Lincolnshire P.D. headquarters. Chief Tim Davis was being led out in handcuffs to an FBI van.

  Torch’s phone rang. He never said hello. He listened and nodded his head. “Understood,” he said, then clicked off. His face split into a wide grin.

  “It’s go time,” he said. He vaulted over the bar and slid his arms around me. “This is as much you as anyone, baby. Davis is gonna rot in federal jail right alongside the Hawks. It’s over. For good.”

  There was a rumble of engines outside. Goosebumps covered my flesh as my heart rate doubled with excitement. Everyone in the bar waited with breathless anticipation. Then the front door flew open, and a raucous cheer went up.

  Colt came through with Amy tucked under his arm. She was beaming, crying while looking up at him. He was followed by Kellan and Mallory. Then Brax. Nicole flew across the room, and he caught her, lifting her in his arms. Joker and Tara came next. The boys were home. For good. The pack was back together.

  The only man missing was Sticks. He’d wanted to go to the hospital to be by Shannon’s side.

  As the evening wore on, the drinks flowed. I got so many hugs I think my own ribs might be cracked.

  “We owe you,” Colt said to me when he found a quiet moment to do so. “The club never forgets.”

  “Thank you,” I said. “I’m just glad it’s all over.”

  Colt’s eyes twinkled as he looked over my shoulder. “Oh, I’d say it’s just beginning.” I turned to follow his line of sight. There was my man. Torch was busy doing shots with Brax.

  “Shit,” I said. “I better go pry him loose before Brax drinks him under the table. He’s no good to me then.” I blushed, realizing what I’d just implied. But Colt was already doubled over with laughter. Amy came to his side and pulled him away for herself.

  I wanted to go to Torch but decided there was no better time to get the last of this over with. Then I was free and clear to enjoy my evening.

  I slipped into the conference room where the men usually met. It was empty, and earlier, Colt told me I could use it.

  It was an impressive space. They sat at a huge, polished wood table with Colt at the head. I slipped into Torch’s seat. The leather warmed beneath me. I pulled out my phone and dialed my father’s number.

  “Sydney!” he yelled in answer. “Where the hell have you been?”

  I had a whole speech prepared. How I was over eighteen. How I’d made up my own mind. But when he asked that simple question, the only answer that mattered popped into my head. I smiled.

  “Home,” I said. “Dad, I’m home.”

  I heard movement by the door. Torch leaned against the doorframe. He’d just taken a swig of beer and nearly spit it out when he heard my answer. He gave me a thumbs up, and his presence gave me strength.

  My father railed and yelled. I was disowned. There was no turning back.

  “I love you, Dad,” I said. “You and Mom too. But this is what I want, and you don’t have to worry about me. I’ll call you later.”

  He was still yelling when I set my phone on the table and hung up on him.

  “You sure about that?” Torch asked. “You’re not gonna miss your fancy life?”

  I went straight into his arms. “I like this one so much better, baby. I meant what I said to him. This is home. Wherever you are.”

  He kissed me slow and deep then lifted me off my feet. The party was still in full swing, but my man took me up the back stairs to his room.

  Then he made me his all over again. Four times before the sun came up.

  Epilogue

  Torch

  Six Months Later …

  She could have had the world. Designer clothes. Fancy cars. The best schools. Instead, she chose me.

  I stood in the alcove, just off the game room. Amy adjusted my tie.

  “You certainly do clean up nice,” she said. There were tears in her eyes. I caught her hands.

  “Is it enough?” I asked. “I mean ... she’s used to …”

  “It’s enough,” she said. “It was always enough. That girl loves you. And she has good taste. Now go on out there. Everyone’s waiting.”

  They’d built an arch. A trellis with white roses weaved through it. Kellan, Brax, and Joker stood at the end of the long, satin runner the girls had just rolled out. They were all my best men. I couldn’t choose just one.

  Mallory stood off to the side with key members of her band. They were playing acoustic today, and Mallory’s clear, strong voice filled the air as I took my place next to Colt.

  “You ready?” Colt asked, slapping me on the back.

  “Been ready since I was born, I think,” I said. He gestured to Amy. She stood at the end of the runner and a little off to the side. She leaned down and whispered into Cameron and Carly’s ears, her two kids. Cam was dressed in a pint-sized tux. Carly wore a pink dress with lace on it that she’d picked out herself. The little ones spread red rose petals on the ground before them as they made their way up the aisle.

  Then Tara came. Joker met her halfway. Then Brax and Nicole. Finally Amy. Colt had nothing but love in his eyes as he took his wife’s arm and brought her to stand beside me.

  Mallory took a breath. She smiled at me then started the first, slow strains of the song Irene loved best. “Here Comes the Sun.” She sang it slowly, poignantly, with those smooth, smoky notes that only Mallory could produce.

  Then I saw my angel. My life. My heart. Sydney took my breath away in a white dress that hugged every curve. The bodice dipped low, and I
can’t help that it stirred every part of me. I can’t help that she always brought out the dark parts of me, and I envisioned how much fun I’d have sliding that off of her later. Soon.

  For now, my throat clogged with emotion as she came toward me on her father’s arm.

  Yeah. Garret Bailey turned out not to be a complete idiot. Her mother was a different story. If it weren’t for the prenup he’d made her sign before Sydney was born, their divorce would probably still be going on. Today, he looked just about as free as Sydney did. A bold step for a man in his position. I didn’t know the full story, but I think his daughter inspired him to finally fight for what he wanted instead of what people expected.

  Then she was at my side. I said the words the preacher told me to.

  “Do you take this woman to be your lawfully wedded wife? To have and to hold. Through sickness and health. Forsaking all others, till death parts you?”

  “I do,” I said, smiling. “I sure as hell do.”

  Laughter went up.

  Then it was Sydney’s turn. Part of me still couldn’t believe it. She chose me. Her small hand fit inside of mine. I kept her safe and warm. Then she gave me her heart and soul.

  It happened so fast. It had been building forever. We turned and faced the crowd. The club. My family. Now it was part of her too.

  “Introducing Mr. and Mrs. Thomas ... Torch … Anthony!”

  There were whoops and cheers. I took my bride and swept her off her feet. I carried her down the aisle as she laughed and cried and gave me back my soul.

  Later, it was just the two of us. We sat on the edge of the porch behind the Den, her bare feet swinging over the edge.

  “I’ve got another surprise for you,” I said. “I was gonna wait until the morning to tell you.”

  She rested her head on my shoulder. “What is it, my love?”

  “I bought some land I want to show you. If you don’t like it ... if it doesn’t make you happy then …”

  She gasped. Blinking fast, she put her hand to her mouth. “It’s perfect!”

  “I haven’t even told you where it is.”

  She smiled. “I bet I can guess. Is it along the river?”

  I laughed. “Yeah. We’ll be able to see the bridge from our bedroom window. Baby, I’m going to build you the most beautiful house. Then I want to fill it.”

  We had big plans for that, but I knew it wouldn’t be right away. Sydney started college again last fall. She’d take another year and a half then planned to go to law school. She’d have the world if I had anything to say about it. And I knew that I did.

  “I want that,” she sighed against my shoulder. “More than anything in the world, my love.”

  “Sometimes, I still can’t believe that you’re real.”

  She squeezed me tight. “Me too. With you. And I love it here. Even with everything my Uncle George did, I have no regrets. It all led me right where I’m supposed to be.”

  She was right. It did feel like fate. I’d worked so hard to leave all my monsters behind me. I never dreamed I could find a woman who would love every single part of me. As I thought it, the darkness swirled in my core. I slipped a hand down the front of Sydney’s dress and found her nipple. She made that little gasp that I loved.

  “What? Here?” she said. I knew she was already wet for me.

  “Come on,” I said, hopping off the porch. She came into my arms. There, just beyond the tree line, I knew a spot. I would take her. I would make her mine over and over again in the shadows. Then, as she always did, my Sydney would lead me back into the light.

  Want More Sizzling Biker Romance?

  The Great Wolves have chapters in Michigan, Ohio, Florida, and Chicago! Keep reading for my entire book list or check them all out here: http://www.jayneblue.com/gwmc-clubs/

  Don’t miss the Dark Saints MC series because everything’s bigger in Texas!

  http://www.jayneblue.com/books/dark-saints-motorcycle-club/

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  Jayne Blue

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  Also by Jayne Blue

  Great Wolves M.C. Series

  Ohio Chapter

  Colt

  Kellan

  Brax

  Joker

  Torch

  California Chapter

  Dex

  Sly

  Gunn

  Angel

  Switch

  Michigan Chapter

  Sawyer

  Stone

  Ryder

  Hammer

  Steel

  Chicago Chapter

  Ridge

  Thorn

  Kase

  Titus

  Brogan

  Florida Chapter

  Nash

  King

  Lucky

  Shakes

  Puck

  Dark Saints M.C. Series

  Dark Vow

  Dark Temptation

  Dark Honor

  Dark Fury

  Dark Desire

  Dark Instinct

  Dark Seduction

  Dark Destiny

  Dark Oath

  Dark Redemption

  Tortured Heroes Series

  (Men in Uniform Romance)

  Vice

  Heat

  Marked

  Strike

  Ripper

  Edge

  Uncaged Series

  (MMA Romance)

  Ride

  Clinched

  Stripped

  Hooked

  Hold Series

  (MMA Romance)

  Book 1

  Book 2

  Book 3

  Hold Series Box Set

  Torrid Series

  (Billionaire Romance)

  Book 1

  Book 2

  Book 3

  Complete Series Box Set

  The Owned Series

  (Billionaire Romance)

  Owned by the Playboy

  Owned by the Candidate

  Owned by the Spy

  Owned by the Prince

  Owned by the G-Man

  Complete Series Box Set