“Yeah, Thunder. Do what she says and no one will get hurt.” Spike ripped open several sugar packets and dumped the contents into his mug.
If I wanted to catch them, I needed to play it smart. I was in this for the long haul. Beating the crap out of both of them would be more than satisfying in the moment, but it wouldn’t get us any closer to figuring out what the Bones were after. So I kept an eye on Ashley while I walked back to my table.
Those two might think they’d gotten the best of me this morning, but age and experience had provided me with perspective and patience. Justice was coming, and I’d be the one to deliver it.
CHAPTER6
ASHLEY
I’d toldThunder I could find my own way back to the ranch, but he walked into the café just as I was clocking out after the lunch rush.
“Thought maybe you’d want to stop by the clubhouse with me,” he said. “I’m meeting with a few of the guys to talk about our next move.”
“Next move for what?” I stepped out onto the sidewalk first. The promise of rain hung in the air. The crops needed it, but I wasn’t looking forward to a spring thunderstorm.
Thunder rushed ahead to open the passenger side door of his truck for me. “Next steps with the Savage Bones. Did those two say anything to you this morning?”
“They’re friends with Razor and wanted to make sure I know the club is blaming me for him ending up behind bars.” I’d tried to block out the snide grins and not-so-veiled threats they batted around. Thinking about it again sent a shiver racing down my spine and my skin pebble with goosebumps.
“I told you, I won’t let anything bad happen to you. Those two are going to get what they deserve, and then some.” Thunder lingered in the open doorway like he wanted to say something else. Then a fat raindrop landed on his nose. Another splattered onto the windshield. He closed my door and raced around to climb behind the wheel as the sky opened up and rain poured from the heavens.
“If you think it would be helpful, we can go to the clubhouse,” I offered. It’s not like I had anything else to do except head back to the ranch. With Gram gone and Dusty still sending me updates on Scamp from the vet’s office, I wasn’t looking forward to being in the big house all by myself. It would give me too much time to think about that kiss Thunder and I had shared. The one that left me wanting so much more.
Thunder backed out of his parking spot and headed outside of town. I’d only been to the clubhouse a couple of times. Everyone knew where it was, but only the members of the MC or their families spent much time there. A guy stood in the pouring rain next to the big gate at the front of the compound. Thunder slowed, and the guy opened the gate and waved us through.
It had only been a couple of days since I’d staggered into their meeting with Ellie’s blood on my hands. Except for a few bikes and trucks, the parking lot had been empty. Now, trailers and campers rimmed the perimeter. Thunder had been serious when he said they were moving people onto the property. Made me wonder how long this battle with the Savage Bones was going to last. And more importantly, who was going to come out on the other side?
We raced through the rain and ducked inside the front door. Thunder grabbed my hand and tugged me down the hall. “Let me get you something dry to put on.”
“Oh, that’s okay.”
“Don’t argue with me. You’re already tired. I don’t want you to catch a cold.” He pushed open the door to what appeared to be a bedroom.
Oh god… was it his bedroom? My throat tightened and goosebumps pebbled my skin. A king-size bed sat in the middle of the room with a nightstand on each side. I wasn’t sure what I expected, but the thick, fuzzy comforter on his bed immediately drew my attention.
“Is this your room?” I tugged my hand away from his to move toward the bed, unable to resist touching the bedspread. It was even softer than it looked. I could have curled up in the middle of it and gone to sleep for weeks.
“All the officers have a room at the clubhouse. I don’t stay here too often, though. I’d rather be at my own place.” His mouth quirked up on one side in an almost-smile. “You should try lying down on that. It can get way too hot sometimes, but you can’t beat it on a chilly night.”
“That’s okay, I don’t want to…” To what? Climb into his bed? Spend too much time in his personal space?
Thunder pulled open a drawer and handed me a huge sweatshirt. “Why don’t you put this on and climb under the covers to stay warm while I go toss your clothes in the dryer? Atlas isn’t here yet, and we won’t be able to make any decisions without him.”
The bed beckoned. I hadn’t slept at all last night, though neither had Thunder. “Fine, but only if you try to get some sleep. You were out on the porch all night and deserve some rest.”
“Deal.” He held out his hand to shake on it.
My fingers slid against his palm, then I squeezed his hand in mine. It may as well have been the middle of winter with the way my teeth started to chatter.
“Your hands are like ice. You need to get out of those wet clothes.” Thunder took both of my hands in his and rubbed them together. “I don’t want you to get sick. I’ll turn around so you can change or you can head into the bathroom.”
My fingers were numb. The combination of being so cold and the shock of being in Thunder’s bedroom conspired against me. I couldn’t work the buttons of my shirt free if my life depended on it. “I don’t think I can.”
His eyes darkened. “I’ll help.”
Nodding, I closed my eyes, not sure I could handle seeing him this close. He let my hands fall from his and stepped into my space. Close enough, I could feel the brush of his warm breath on my cheek.
“First, let’s get rid of this shirt.” His fingers worked the buttons free, then he slid the wet fabric off my shoulders.
