by Amelia Shea
Oh fuck! The blood drained from her face, and her entire body cooled in a chilling spell. Now she remembered, and if she had to guess, Rourke just gave her an exact quote from that night. She’d been angry and scared for her friend, and she hadn’t really known any of them before passing the harsh judgment. I was such a bitch. That’s not what she thought now.
“I’m sorry.”
He snorted, but she could read beyond his faux exterior. It struck a nerve for Rourke, and she couldn’t blame him for being pissed at her if he was. This would mark the second time he quoted from the tapes.
“Nothing to be sorry for, it’s how you fucking feel.”
“No, it’s how I felt. Past tense. And I didn’t even know you really.” She inched closer to his face dragging her naked breast over his chest. “Ask me how I feel now.”
He took a drag from his cigarette before giving her his back. A strong tattooed canvas, she leaned forward pressing her lips to the arch in the broken angel wings. “Rourke,” she whispered. She knew he heard her from the way his body tensed. One breath then another. His back jolted slightly from him putting out his cigarette.
“How do ya feel now?” His tone was a graveled raspy grunt as if he was agitated. Maybe he was. Her mouth curved, and she kissed him again as she wrapped her arm around his chest and grazed her fingers across his abdomen.
“I was wrong. I had this idea in my head of what you were like, what the club was like. I saw a biker gang.”
His brows furrowed, and she cupped his jaw. “I didn’t see you, Rourke. Not at the beginning.” She gulped. “I see you now.” She shifted closer under his intense stare. “No one has ever made me feel the things you make me feel. I’ve never wanted in with someone, but you changed it, Rourke. I want whatever you’ll give me. For however long you’ll give it to me.”
The corner of his mouth curled, and he whispered, “Be careful, Mace, you might be committing to forever here with me.”
Forever? With Rourke? Yes!
She heaved forward brushing her lips against his mouth. “Not sure that would be long enough, Rourke.”
His move caught her off guard. One second, she was confessing a truth, and the next she was on her back with Rourke hovering over her. His features seemed softer than she’d ever seen.
“Anything ya wanna say?”
His grip on her hip tightened, and his jaw clenched. “Don’t wanna talk, Mace.” His lips skimmed hers. “Just wanna be inside you.”
And he was. Again.
****
Rourke slid out of bed slowly in hopes of not waking Macy. He was meeting with Trax, Kase, Gage, and Saint over at Trax’s house in thirty minutes. They purposely scheduled their gathering at seven in the morning to allow privacy for the conversation. A decision on Bryant’s fate would be made before he left Trax’s house. With the new information he received last night from the bouncer, it only made what would come next harder.
Rourke got dressed in the dark and made coffee. When he checked on Macy, she was curled in the center of his bed, asleep. He’d send her a text saying he had to run out. Her phone was on the kitchen counter with no possibility of waking her. He grabbed his keys and headed out.
He was the last to arrive at Trax’s and parked at the edge of the driveway. He’d caught sight of the silhouetted figure on the front porch. With the sun not fully risen just yet, it was strange to see Cheyenne sitting on the front steps. It was as if she was waiting for someone. He turned off his engine, watching from the corner of his eye as she got up and made her way toward him. He dismounted and hooked his helmet over his handlebar.
I do not need this right now.
Another confrontation with Trax’s woman was not what he needed or wanted. He circled his bike and glanced up to find her barefoot with a long sweatshirt dangling at her knees. It was Trax’s. She smiled with an awkward wave and shuffled toward him. She had definitely been waiting on him. Shit.
He sighed, making his way down the driveway. He pointed toward the garage and kept his steady stride. “They in the back?” He knew the answer.
She nodded. “Yeah, waiting on you, I guess.” She cleared her throat as he passed her. Rourke glanced over his shoulder.
“Can you just give me a minute?” She lifted her finger and shifted on her feet.
Rourke turned to face her and cocked his brow. She flattened her lips and twisted her fingers. He’d known her for only a short time. However, she was fairly easy to read. Cheyenne was nervous, and certainly not in the same combative mind frame as the other night.
She drew in a deep breath and swept her hair behind her ear. “I wanted to apologize for yelling at you that night at the clubhouse.” She stared down at the ground.
He was not expecting her to apologize. The whole scene with Macy had been crazy and left everyone tense and unhinged. As her closest friend, Cheyenne had been harsh and protective. As much as it pissed him off at the time, he knew where it was coming from and didn’t need an apology. If anything, he figured they’d forget it and move on. It seemed Cheyenne had other ideas.
“I-I just um—” She paused then lifted her gaze. “She’s my best friend.” She shrugged, forcing a smile. “I was really scared.” She gulped a breath. “When I saw her in the bathroom, something just clicked, and I just had this crazy desperate need to protect her, ya know?”
He nodded. He knew exactly what she had felt as he was feeling the same. Seeing Macy the way she’d been would haunt him forever. It wasn’t until now, he realized, it would haunt Cheyenne too. For as pissed off as he’d been with her for coming at him that night, he knew it was coming from a place of love and loyalty to Macy.
“And I guess, I just kind of lost it at the club, and then you said what ya said, and that just sent me over the edge.”
He drew in a deep breath. Not this again.
“I said I was sorry.”
Her eyes widened, and she waved her hands. “I know, I’m not trying to bring that up again, I-I swear.” She cupped her face and shook her head. “I’m messing this up.”
Rourke stalked toward her, and she flinched at his approach. He had to give her credit. She didn’t back away. He stopped a foot in front of her.
“It’s over. Macy’s good, you’re good, let it fucking go.”
She bit her lip eyeing him.
“What?”
Her bottom lip twitched, and she gave a slow shrug. “I don’t want my best friend’s boyfriend to hate me.”
He smirked. “I don’t hate ya, Chey,” How could he? He had yet to meet another woman more loyal than the one standing in front of him.
“I was kind of a bitch.”
He raised his brows. “And I was kind of an asshole.”
She snickered and nodded. “So? Friends?” She grinned.
Rourke sighed with a slow nod. He’d always liked Cheyenne, and while he’d never admit it, her taking up for Macy and going head to head with him, she’d gained more respect from him. At the time, she had pissed him off, but he was able to see clearly when the dust settled. Protecting Macy had been her priority. He could relate.
“Alright, well,” She stepped back and pointed to the garage. “I’ll let ya get back there with the guys.” She smiled and turned toward the walkway. He watched her until she made it to the porch then started down the driveway. He walked up to the garage door and walked through. It was a brief greeting before everyone settled in. Then silence.
Saint was the first to speak up.
“How’s Macy?”
Rourke shrugged. “Hasn’t talked about it. Thinking she just wants to move on. She took the week off work not wanting to run into him.”
Gage snorted. “Like you’d let that happen anyway.”
“I’ll paralyze that motherfucker before letting him step a thousand feet in front of her.”
Saint eyed Kase then moved to stand near Rourke. “She’s your woman, and we’ll handle it how you see fit.”
Rourke sighed. “Heard back from my buddy
who bounces where it went down. He pulled the tapes from the bar.”
“Good.”
Rourke shook his head. “Not fucking good. He said he watched the tapes three times but didn’t catch the act of him spiking her drink. Not saying he didn’t but there’s no footage of it.” Rourke folded his arms resting back against Trax’s truck. “The cameras are constantly panning the bar. He could have done it, but it ain’t documented.”
“You saw her, man, the doctor confirmed it. She was fucking drugged,” Gage said with a fire in his tone.
Rourke scowled. “Yeah, but I got no proof he was the one who did it.”
Gage shook his head. “With or without proof, that asshole did it. Let him pay with his life.”
The room grew silent, waiting on Rourke’s response.
Kase stepped up. “We take him out…we do it now. And this shit stays between the five of us.” He lifted his chin towards Rourke. “Your call.”
Rourke sighed and glanced around the garage, taking in each brother’s response. They’d all have his back and do what he wanted.
“Let’s take a ride.” He didn’t wait for a response and walked out with all four brothers following his lead.
No one asked questions. They didn’t need to; his brothers knew him well enough to know where his head was at. The drive was short, only about fifteen minutes when they pulled into the parking garage. Kase led them up to the top, and they parked.
He needed to buy some time before making a final decision on how he was going to carry this out. Macy’s safety was his top priority, even outranking his need for revenge. He got off his bike and started toward the back entrance of the apartment complex.
“Brother,” Kase warned. “What the fuck is going on?”
Rourke kept walking. “Not gonna touch him.”
Rourke felt a strong grip on his shoulder, halting him. Kase moved in front of him. His president didn’t take kindly to being kept out of the loop. Kase didn’t do anything without a plan.
“I’m gonna need a little more than that.”
Rourke set back his shoulders, straightening to full height. He was the largest of all the brothers with Kase being only an inch shorter.
“Not gonna lay hands on him. Won’t even step foot through his door.”
Kase scowled. “Then why the fuck are we here?”
Rourke glanced over at Gage, then Trax. “When he picked up Macy at her place, we were there. He saw me and Gage. Doesn’t know the connection to Macy, but he knows there is one.”
There were a few seconds of silence.
“And?”
Saint stepped forward, between Kase and Rourke. “Smart move, let’s go.” Saint gestured for Rourke to take the lead and he did. His brothers flanked his back. Kase hadn’t said another word. He may not have understood what Rourke was doing, but Saint did. And it was enough for Kase to fall in line.
Rourke couldn’t know where Bryant’s head was at. Maybe he thought he got away with it. Or maybe he didn’t do shit after all and thought Macy just bailed on him. Without footage, he couldn’t know with certainty who slipped something in her drink.
They walked down the steps to his floor and made their way to his apartment. Rourke stood in front of the door with his brothers surrounding him in a half circle. He glanced over his shoulder at Saint who nodded, then he knocked and waited.
After a few seconds, Rourke knocked again, this time pounding harder, causing the flimsy door to shake.
Bryant ripped open the door, obviously annoyed by the knocking and probably the early hour. Rourke had never seen someone’s demeanor change so quickly. It was almost comical. Bryant tightened his grip on the door handle, and his gaze flickered between the brothers. Recognition set into his features.
“Can I help you?” Rourke didn’t miss the shakiness of his tone. This pussy was probably seconds away from pissing his pants.
“You live here.” It was all Rourke said. It wasn’t a question. It was a statement. It was confirmation to Bryant that they knew where he lived.
“Umm.” His voice cracked.
It was probably enough to serve its purpose, but Rourke decided to go step further.
“63 Gardner Road.” Rourke lifted a brow. “That’s where your folks live.”
Through his t-shirt, Rourke watched his chest rise and fall quickly. He understood the message. And although he perceived it as a threat, it wouldn’t hold up if Bryant went to the cops. He’d executed it perfectly.
Rourke stared him down a bit longer before stepping back. He turned and walked down the hall with his brothers following behind in silence. When he reached the corner, he slowly turned his head and found exactly what he was hoping to see. Bryant had poked his head out the door watching them leave. He was getting the perfect view of their patches. Rourke nailed him with one last glare until he jumped back through his doorway and Rourke caught the sound of his door slamming shut.
Never underestimate the power of fear.
They made their way back up to the lot where they’d parked.
“That’s it?” Gage asked clearly not understanding the purpose of what they just did.
“That’s it.” Rourke paused. “For now.”
“But we didn’t do anything.”
Saint chuckled. “Yes, we did.”
“What?” Gage remained confused.
Kase slapped Rourke on the back and stepped in line with him. “Just secured Macy’s safety. That motherfucker won’t step foot near her knowing we’ve got her back and,” he turned back to Gage, “we know where he lives and where his family lives.” Kase squeezed Rourke’s shoulder. “Well done.”
For now. It wasn’t over.
Chapter Thirteen
Macy had gotten Rourke’s text earlier. She found it odd he would just leave without saying goodbye, but she was a little grateful. She was exhausted from the night before. She smiled, just thinking about it. She’d texted him, but he hadn’t responded right away. When he finally did, he said he’d be back by the afternoon.
Macy lounged around most of the morning and had just finished her shower when she heard the bikes pull up from the window.
Macy walked out of the bedroom to find Cheyenne sitting on the couch.
“Hey, I didn’t know you were coming by.”
Cheyenne stared back at her with a dazed gleam in her eye but without a verbal response.
“What’s wrong?”
Cheyenne shook her head and flicked her gaze toward the door then back to Macy. They’d been friends long enough for Macy to read when something was off with her best friend.
“Where is everybody?” She slowly walked over, gaging Cheyenne’s reaction.
“Outside.” She pointed and forced a smile.
Macy sat, angling her body toward Cheyenne who kept her eyes on the floor.
“Okay, you’re seriously weirding me out right now.”
Cheyenne inhaled deeply. She glanced up at Macy then back to the floor. Whatever she was keeping was not good.
“Chey, friggin’ speak.”
Cheyenne drew in another breath and turned to Macy. “So…” She bit her bottom lip and paused.
“Okay, now you’re scaring me.”
Cheyenne gulped. “I overheard something.” She stared back as if waiting on Macy to figure out the rest. That wasn’t happening. “I spent half the day stressing about whether I should tell you or not. But if it were me, I think I’d wanna know. Right? Oh shit.” Cheyenne dropped her face in her hands.
“Chey, what the hell is going on?”
Cheyenne sat up and turned to Macy, eyeing the door once more before leaning into her and lowering her voice. “I’m pretty sure I’m about to ruin any chances of Rourke and I being friends again. Probably gonna start a fight with Trax over this one too. And I’m definitely getting banned from ever stepping foot in the club again.” She twisted her lips. “But I can’t not tell you.”
Macy’s heart leaped in her chest. A million scenarios ran through her h
ead, and none of them were good.
“The guys came over earlier. It was early, at like seven. They met up in the garage.”
Macy furrowed her brows. “Okay.”
She frowned. “I gave them some time, but I got a few orders last night, so I wanted to fill them and get them out to the post office this morning. So, I went back out and was set to knock when I heard Rourke mention Bryant and I just….”
“What was he saying?”
“Mace, they were talking about taking him out.”
“Out where?”
Cheyenne huffed an annoyed breath. “Out. As in dead, killing him.”
Macy jumped from the couch and shouted. “What?”
“Shhhh.” Cheyenne reached for Macy’s hand, but she ripped it from her reach.
“Oh my God, please tell me you’re joking.”
“Macy, shut up, they’re gonna hear you.”
Immediately the door opened and Rourke, followed by Trax, Gage, and Kase, all entered the living room.
“What’s wrong?”
Cheyenne grasped Macy’s hand, pulling her down to the couch, squeezing tightly. “Nothing.”
Gage snorted, making his way toward the couch. “Nothing? Then why are you screaming?” He glanced over at Macy and cocked his head. “And why does short stack look like she’s about to rip off someone’s nuts?”
“Mace.” Rourke stepped forward and scanned his gaze between her and Cheyenne.
“You are not killing him,” Macy blurted.
“Jesus Christ.” Trax snapped under his breath, and all the men immediately turned to Cheyenne. “What, did ya have your fucking ear against the door?”
Cheyenne fiddled with her fingers. “No.” She licked her lips and took a deep breath. “I just happened to hear you guys and….”
“And what?” Kase snarled, walking toward Cheyenne. Trax followed with him, centering himself between Kase and Cheyenne.
“That is so fucked, Chey,” Trax barked.
“Hey,” Macy shouted, gaining all their attention. “What’s fucked up is you all handling a situation without even talking to me first. And killing him? Are you serious?” Macy lunged forward toward Kase and Trax. “Don’t you dare get in her face, assholes.” She whipped around and pointed straight at Rourke. “And you? I’m so fucking pissed right now.”