by Amelia Shea
“Oh my God, you like him.” It was a humored accusation that Macy fully intended to deny.
The main problem with her denial was Cheyenne knew her better than most people, she’d see through the lie. She’d try a new tactic.
“I like it when he makes me come, Chey. It’s not love.”
“It could be.” Cheyenne scooted to the floor across from her. “Ya know, Trax said Rourke doesn’t date. But you saw him a few times.”
“We banged, Chey. No flowers, no dinner or movie.” Macy shook her head. “I’d hardly call it a date. Besides, not interested in a man who gets laid and then brags about it.” The idea of him telling everyone was stirring something acidic in her belly. What the hell? The man barely spoke at all, yet he blabbed to his buddies about nailing her. Disgusting. And mortifying.
“Rourke didn’t tell Trax.”
She shifted her gaze up to Cheyenne.
“Gage. He mentioned the threesome, which apparently he thoroughly enjoyed.” She winked then continued. “It was also Gage who outed your one on one with Rourke.”
Macy flinched. She should have been relieved by the news, but it only pissed her off even more. “Great! So, he’s trying to keep it under wraps ’because he doesn’t want anyone to know? Why? Is he embarrassed about people knowing about me?” She threw down the bottle into the box. “Well, fuck him.”
“Whoa, girl, settle down. Your head is going in the wrong direction.”
She folded her arms. “Oh really?”
Cheyenne smirked. “According to Trax, it seems Rourke got quite possessive when Gage mentioned inviting him back to his room for a second round with you. Trax said he’s never seen Rourke get so fired up over a woman.”
Possessive? Of her? Her anger simmered as her curiosity piqued. He did seem extremely pissed when Gage stormed in on them. Then, when Gage asked to join in, he was met with a threat from Rourke. Interesting.
“And the night you left without telling him? Trax said he was on fire to get your number. He also said it’s quite clear around the club you are officially off-limits to the brothers.” She sighed. “Does that sound like a man who’s embarrassed to be with you?” Cheyenne cocked her brow. “Or a man claiming you?”
Macy clamped her lips, staring down at the floor. If everything Cheyenne was saying was true, it very much sounded like he was claiming her. She bit her lip in an effort to keep herself from smiling. So, why the hell hasn’t he called?
“Ask him on a date?”
She jerked her head. Cheyenne was practically bouncing in her seat. “You’re serious?”
She shrugged. “Why not?”
She widened her eyes and snapped. “You just said he doesn’t date.”
“Doesn’t date any girls from the club was what Trax said. You aren’t from the club, Mace.”
Macy shook her head. “He’d say no, and I’m not up for the rejection.” She wasn’t entirely sure her statement was true, but she didn’t want to chase after him. He should call her. She wanted him to call her.
“Ah-ha!” she shouted and snapped her fingers. “So, you are interested?”
Macy didn’t bother denying it, nor did she glance up at her best friend. She dropped to the floor, gathered the papers, and started cleaning up. This conversation was over. At least for Macy it was.
“I think he’ll say yes.”
“Don’t you have something to do other than harass me? Isn’t there a charity run or a drug cartel you could be infiltrating right now?”
Cheyenne laughed. “Yeah, you definitely like him.”
“Shut up,” Macy barked.
She waited until Cheyenne left the room to pull out her phone. A simple text asking if he wanted to hang out wouldn’t be strange. Yes, it is. At the moment, though, it was her only option if she wanted to see him again.
****
Rourke had spent the last thirty minutes surveying the new clubhouse property. He had his doubts originally. Smack dab in the middle of no man’s land. The closest big city was Lawry, which was about forty-five miles away. Fuck me.
He understood the reasoning behind choosing the small town. It gave every member opportunity, along with a fat paycheck, once they settled in and started distribution. In the past five years, the club had slowly purchased every available piece of property in Ghosttown through an undisclosed buyer. They became up for grabs to any member who would take up residence in the town. Rourke had eyed a few properties which would be perfect for his new garage. He just needed Trini to get on board and make the move with him. He wasn’t about to leave her behind.
He glanced around the dirt road then gazed up to the sky. “Middle of fucking nowhere,” he muttered.
This was new territory for him, but not for Kase. He’d grown up twenty minutes away, and long before he joined, Ghosttown had been a home base for the club. The original clubhouse had since been torn down, or maybe it fell, who the hell knew. Either way, the spot Kase chose for the clubhouse was off a desolate road, a mile out from the main drag.
Rourke snorted with a shake to his head. Main drag? A mini-mart, gas station, and a strip of abandoned storefronts. Ghosttown was a perfect name for this place. But that would all change in a years’ time when the club took up permanent residency.
If he did make the move, it would take some getting used to. He took in the view again. Not a soul around with the exception of himself, Kase, Gage, and Dobbs.
And of course, the old guy across the street who had been staring out his window with binoculars. Rourke had tagged him before they even dismounted.
They knew when they started this venture, not all the residents would take kindly to a motorcycle club moving in. It was the main reason Kase insisted they slowly bought the properties. An occasional purchase here and there wouldn’t send up red flags or catch the attention of the townspeople. The plan worked flawlessly.
He patted his pocket on his chest and reached inside his jacket for his cigarettes as Dobbs made his way down the long hill to the street.
“It’s fucking God’s country out here,” Dobbs said, spreading his arms.
Rourke nodded. Dobbs made his way to his bike, reaching into his saddlebag.
“You hear from Saint yet?”
Rourke took a short drag. “He’s meeting us at the diner.”
Saint, their VP, was due to come in. He’d spent the last few months away from the club. He had a few side businesses he ran, all legit, and money makers. His tattoo shop was the only place Rourke got his work done, especially since the artist Marco was fucking brilliant, and Rourke was charged half price.
“We know who lives there?” Dobbs pointed to the property up the hill next to the future site of the clubhouse.
“No. Kase wants to reach out, see if they’re willing to sell, though.” There were only two properties on that side of the road, and they backed to wetlands leaving no option ever to build.
His phone vibrated in his pocket as Dobbs walked toward the property across the street. Two small houses and a few acres were lined up diagonally. They had yet to meet the new neighbors. He grabbed his phone to check his text.
Not much surprised Rourke but the message staring back at him had shocked the shit outta him.
Macy: Hi
She was the last person he expected to hear from. He considered waiting on responding. He lasted about thirty seconds before cursing under his breath and typing.
Rourke: Hey
Macy: How are you?
How was he? This woman bailed on him for the second time, and now she was asking how he’s doing. What the fuck?
Rourke: good
Macy: You busy?
Rourke: yeah, I’m in the middle of something.
Rourke sighed and shoved the phone in his back pocket and then scanned the empty, barren road. He wasn’t doing shit right now. He’d spent the last two days thinking of her which pissed him off. It was beginning to feel like self-torture with Macy. He’d thought of calling her or texting. He didn’t.
>
Out of the blue, she sends a random text, and he was supposed to buy into it? He couldn’t figure out what bothered him more, her sending a nonchalant text as though they were friends or his unwavering desire to check his phone again.
“Shit,” he snapped and yanked his phone from his pocket. She hadn’t responded to his reply. He should have left it at that but impulse wouldn’t allow it.
Rourke: What do ya want?
He waited a few seconds and drew in a harsh breath when he saw the text had been read. Who the fuck was he? Fucking her three times, and now he was some pussy whipped asshole watching the bubbles on his phone for her response.
Macy: What do ya mean?
Rourke glared down at his phone.
Rourke: You texted me.
Macy: yeah and you said you were busy.
Rourke: What did you want?
Macy: Nothing
Rourke: You are fucking pissing me off, why the hell did you text me?
“Fuck.” He immediately regretted it right after he hit send.
Macy: #1- you’re an asshole
Yes, he was.
Macy: #2- If you’re so damn busy, why are you texting me?
Rourke snorted. She had a point.
Macy: And #3 – I was going to ask if you wanted to come over tonight, maybe order Chinese food and watch a movie. But I changed my mind now because of #1
The corner of his lip curled, and he released a low chuckle which almost shocked him. He could not remember the last time a woman had asked him to do anything outside the confines of a bedroom. Takeout and a movie at her place. A fucking date with Macy and he couldn’t hold back a smile. A quick glance around his current surroundings had him cursing under his breath.
He was scheduled to spend the next few days in Ghosttown. The contractors were coming in to discuss renovations. He’d originally offered to make the ride out as a distraction from Macy. Her fucking timing sucked. But it wasn’t an opportunity he’d let slide by. He couldn’t see her tonight, but he would see her.
Rourke: I’m outta town for a couple days. I’ll be at your place at eight on Sunday.
A better man would have asked instead of telling, but he wasn’t taking any chances. If he’d asked, she could have declined. It was a fucked up barbaric way of thinking, but he didn’t give a shit.
Macy: You’re in luck, I don’t have any plans and I’ll let it slide you just assumed I’d be free. *see #1 again
Rourke smirked and shoved his phone back in his pocket. He had a feeling the next two days were going to drag on. He caught sight of Kase and Gage coming down the driveway, and he started his engine. They were meeting Saint and Caden at the diner in town for lunch.
As they made their way to Main Street, they passed the property Trax had claimed. He was in the process of building a house for him and Cheyenne. He had the strangest thought, wondering if this was a place Macy would like. He shook away the idea as quickly as it had come into his mind. Macy wasn’t looking for anything but a good time.
They pulled up on Main Street, gaining some attention from the few people littering the street. They parked in front of the small diner and made their way to the sidewalk where Saint was standing.
The small town had potential, but too many vacancies lined the storefronts. For now. He knew of several members who had plans in the works for opening new businesses. If Kase’s vision panned out, the current deserted Main street would blow up in the next year.
“We figure out the location for the strip club?” Gage asked while walking up to them, causing the entire group to snicker. Rourke shook his head, staring back at his brother. Of course, strippers would be Gage’s priority.
Kase scowled. “Thinking we settle in before introducing the townsfolk to a titty bar.”
Gage pouted and scanned the street. His lips perked, and Rourke followed his gaze.
“That her?” Rourke asked. He hadn’t met the mayor, but he’d heard all about her.
“Yeah,” Kase said.
It was hard to miss her. She was a tiny little thing, but the way the sun hit her auburn hair made the mayor of Ghosttown stand out.
“If ya want, I could get in with the mayor.” Gage wiggled his brow. “Convince her of all the perks to having a local strip club.”
“I’ll help ya, man,” Dobbs said, obviously appreciating the view.
Rourke glanced over at his brothers staring at Bailey like she was their last meal. This was his and Dobbs’ first glance at the mayor of Ghosttown. A few of them had attended a town meeting a few months back where they introduced themselves. The first time ever, a payoff had been denied. It seemed Bailey was the opposite of a true politician. She didn’t take bribes. But at the time, she promised to rush the permits and surprisingly, she had done just that, living up to her word.
“Everyone is to stay the fuck away from her,” Kase said sharply.
Dobbs whipped around. “Why?”
“’Cause ya don’t shit where ya eat, asshole.” Kase glanced her way then back to the brothers. “It’s an order. Ya feel me?”
Rourke cocked his brow as he took in the guys’ expressions. Dobbs and Gage seemed slightly disappointed. Saint seemed unfazed while he stared across the street at Bailey.
Kase led the group into the diner, and Rourke moved forward but noticed Saint hadn’t stopped staring across the street. Rourke leaned in from behind Saint.
“You heard Kase, man. She’s off limits,” he teased.
It didn’t happen often, but on occasion, Saint laughed. His soft chuckle made Rourke smile. Kase could give orders all day long, and the brothers would follow them. Except for Saint. Not a man alive who dealt an order to their VP, including their president.
Saint continued to watch her, which had Rourke glancing over again. Bailey was clueless she was being watched. She was fumbling with a sign in regards to the monthly town meeting. She practically tripped over her own feet. Rourke smirked. He didn’t have an interest in her, but as a man, even he could appreciate her beauty. There was something rare and endearing about her innocence.
He shifted his gaze to Saint, who remained fixated on her.
“Got no interest in her, but I gotta say,” Rourke paused, peering over at the redhead, “she’s really pretty.”
He turned to follow his brothers into the diner when he heard Saint’s faint voice.
“Yes, she is.”
Rourke smiled and pulled open the door making his way to the back table at the diner. There were a few customers, all who stopped eating and cautiously watched him walk in. When their eyes shifted behind him, he knew Saint had followed.
Kase had been adamant about not bringing attention to the club. However, in a town this small, they couldn’t easily blend in and go unnoticed. They didn’t have illusions of being welcomed with opened arms when they finally took up residency. There would be resistance. They expected it and were prepared.
Rourke rounded the table, patting Caden’s back as he took the seat across from him.
“How’s it going?”
Rourke had known Caden for years and considered him a friend. They’d gotten together a few times outside of club gatherings. Caden was solid, like all the Reilly men. Unlike his older brother, Caden had a more laid-back likable demeanor, though any man would be a fool to underestimate him. Like Kase, there was a side to Caden no man wanted to cross.
Caden reached out, shaking Rourke’s hand. “Good to see ya, man. It’s been awhile.”
“Yeah, the drive out here sucks.”
“Yeah, well, in another few months it won’t be a problem.” Caden laughed and dipped his chin.
Caden may not have been a member, but he was well liked, and more importantly, respected by the club. It always struck Rourke as odd he never joined the club. It was in his blood. Their father, Jack, was president of the Ghosttown Riders before Kase took over the gavel.
“How’s the old man doing?”
“Jack’s a pain in the fucking ass, as usual.” Cad
e cocked his brow with a smirk and planted his elbows on the table, leaning forward. “He’s all right, though. He’s got his good days and his bad.” Caden shrugged, playing it off, but Rourke knew better.
Jack was diagnosed a few years back with the early stages of Alzheimer’s. While Kase rarely talked about his family, he’d mentioned it. It was Caden who stepped in and picked up the responsibility, moving Jack into his house and taking care of him. It was a heavy load to bear, especially since he ran his own trucking company, and was a single father. Solid.
“And Trevor?” Rourke snorted.
“Fucking Trev, man.” Caden sighed. “He’s fifteen, so like Jack,” he paused, “he’s a pain in the ass who’s got his good days and his bad.”
Few people knew Caden’s backstory with his ex, Trevor’s mom. Being tight with him, he’d heard all about her. A good girl turned junkie who stole from him, abandoned their kid, and in the end almost cost Trevor his life. Thankfully, she’d been out of the picture since the kid was a year old and solely raised by Caden.
“He riding yet?”
Caden laughed. “Every fucking day when he doesn’t have practice.”
“Good, then he’ll be ready in a few years when he joins.”
Trevor had made it clear years back that he wanted to be in the club like Kase. The kid had some hero worship for their president.
Caden shrugged. “That’s his plan. Still gonna push for his ass to go to college.”
The waitress came over, taking their order. For the first thirty minutes, they all sat around bullshitting. When the meal was done, the conversation turned to business.
Every part of their deal had worked out in their favor. The property purchase in Ghosttown, partnering up with other chapters who had garages and repair shops who would use them as their distributors for parts and tools, plus they would make the deliveries, earning extra income. It was all internal, which meant the club would make a shit ton of cash—legitimate money.
It had all come together, except for the trucks. In order to keep the cash in their pockets, Kase had all the members get their CDL. Rourke and all the brothers would make the deliveries and charge a fee for the service. Everything they did would keep the money in their hands. However, the trucks were the issue. The cost was too high to purchase.