With the extra light, I see a brown floral couch to the far right of the room and a TV sitting on a cabinet with wheels under it.
Passing the TV, I head down a short hallway that has a door on both sides. I open the one to the right, and feel for a light switch on the wall until my fingertips hit it, I flip it on.
Three vanity bulbs light up a bathroom.
White tub with rust stains, toilet, and a bare sink with cigarette burns all over the counter. The mirror is in good shape though.
I open the door to the left, a window with a blind similar to the ones in the kitchen sits just above a queen-sized bed. The mattress is stripped and distressed, a dresser two feet to the left giving little space to walk in between, and a ceiling fan just above slowly swirling.
I turn in my spot, taking the place in.
It’s old. It’s dirty. It’s… perfect!
I smile. It’s all mine, and I can’t help but love it. Heading to one of the boxes I dropped by the door, I haul it to the bedroom and rip it open. My worn blankets spill out, the smell of home making me homesick and think about the girls. Addie and Piper. Addie would hate this place and demand we get in the car right now and go to Target for supplies, but Piper would love it. Pulling the soft fabric of my bedsheets to my face, I inhale. Smells of leather and perfume.
I wonder what Piper is doing? Probably with the baby. I wonder if she’s getting any sleep. I hope she’s okay. Jesus, I’m starting to miss home more than I thought, like the first time I slept over at Piper’s house and my dad came and got me at three in the morning. Piper came with me and stayed at my house so I wouldn’t feel like a pussy, she was always there. Now she’s not and it’s scary.
Pushing the guilt away that I left her, I make the bed, pull my shirt over my head and shimmy out of my pants until I’m in a sports bra and panties. I can’t unpack another thing, I need rest. I climb into the bed, close my eyes and drift to sleep before I can even think about the rest of my shit in the car.
4
Big Chief
Sitting on a blue crate that’s hard and digging into my ass, the sun shines on my back making my skin warm. Gripping the tool in my hand, I use a wrench to tighten up the bolts on the radiator of my motorcycle. A sudden cool shadow slips over me, I glance over my shoulder finding Shadow staring at me with his arms crossed, his face tight and serious. I drop the wrench and wipe my hands off on my jeans.
“‘Sup, Prez?” Turning my body to the left a little, I can see him fully. His leather cut claiming him as the president of the club, his muscles large and tattooed, and feet apart as he stares down at me with determination.
“I want you to go to Georgia and watch Delilah for a bit, at least until I know she’s settled and fine,” he orders, not asks. His tone of voice cutting through the air like an armed madman. “My wife wants me to leave Delilah to her own devices, let her find herself and spread her wings or some shit, but I can’t do that. I have to fucking know she’s okay.”
Spread her wings? What the fuck does that even mean?
“Um, maybe Zane should do it, he’s closer to her,” I suggest, not wanting to get into the family shit.
“Zane is too protective, he’d be down there thirty minutes and see Delilah do something he won’t like and blow his cover. Therefore having Delilah call home and her mom will be fucking pissed at me for going behind her back. She’ll be a cock tease for a week to get back at me and I like fucking my wife. A lot. She’s good at it.”
Rubbing the back of my neck I look down at my boots, wishing he’d stop there, I don’t care to know how his wife has him by the balls. In my eyes, he’s ruthless and respected by all, not pussy whipped.
“Look, Delilah and Dani, won’t expect me to send you. It’s gotta be you. I just need you to see where she’s staying, and who she’s around. I need to know that my daughter has shit under control, you know?” He comes into the garage a little farther. His dark presence taking over the entire area. His vibe eerie, like a reaper swooping over him wherever he walks.
I stand, my boot kicking the wrench on the ground. Using my arm, I brush the sweat from my eyes, trying not to get grease on my face. I can’t say no, he’s wanting me to do a job and as a prospect, I have to say yes. Fuck, that’s a long drive though.