I laughed. “You’re a pain in my ass.”
“But you love me.”
I stopped as I reached my bike, swallowed hard, it was a figure of speech and I didn’t know whether she meant it as anything else. But I did. I’d loved her most of my life. “I do.”
“Hudson…” her voice was soft.
“I’ll be there as soon as I can. Just stay safe.”
I hung up before she could say anything else. I couldn’t fucking believe I just did that. I didn’t even say it right, and I did it over the phone, while she’s in some sleazy motel, scared and alone. Fucking hell. Only I could have done it like that.
“Hey, Shady,” I called out to one of the guys who was standing by the bikes smoking a joint. He tipped his chin and moved towards me. “Igotta go out. War called me, he’s fucked up but doesn’t want King to know.”
“Riding alone ain’t allowed right now Hustle.”
“I know that, which is why I’m telling you that I’m going to Connor’s place to check on our VP.”
I stared at him. He was a few years older than me, and he had long hair that reached past his shoulders, he had it tied up in a bun at the back of his head. He was stocky and scary as shit but I’d known him most of my life. He would have my back, if I could convince him. He’d been a prospect at the same time as Connor. I didn’t think there was anyone in the MC who disliked Connor, but I knew Shady had been good friends with him.
“He okay? Stitch, I mean. Someone said he woke up?”
“Yeah, he’s not out of the woods but he is awake. They can’t fucking take us down. Definitely not him.” Although I didn’t know how much more Connor’s body could take.
“They need people to go see him?” he asked me. “I meant to ask but I know we’re all supposed to stick around here.”
“Speak to Ballistic, Rosa is down there with him, I’m sure he’d be glad to know there are more brothers with her, looking out for her.”
“Okay. Yeah,” he frowned and glanced towards the gate. “I saw War leave before. Alone, you guys are fucking idiots, but sure. Go, anyone asks I’ll let them know where you are.”
“Appreciate it,” I said, even though I wanted to punch his face for calling us idiots.
There were more important things to worry about. I hopped on my bike and headed towards the gate. We weren’t taking on new prospects right now and had strengthened the protection at the gate. It took some finessing, but I got past them too, then hit the road hard.
I’d been driving all over the damn state the last three days but this journey, this was the one I’d been desperate for. This was the one taking me back to her.
When I finally pulled up to the motel she’d given me the address for, I rode inside, ignoring the office and the couple who were falling about as they laughed and made their way to one of the rooms.
I pulled up outside number twelve and got off the bike. As I was rounding it, the door opened and Waverley stood there. I stopped,just for a second. She was wearing yoga pants and a baggy hoody, her hair pulled back and her face, though tired, was clear and laced with concern. I was at a complete loss for words as Waverley pulled the door wider for me.
Then my brain and body kicked into gear. She was here, she was safe and that was all I cared about right now. I pulled her against me holding her so tight it hurt. Her arms wrapped around my middle, her face pressed to my neck and I could feel the wetness of her tears on my skin.
I pulled back and took her face in my hands, staring down at her, my eyes roaming over her features. Leaning back slightly I looked her body over, moving my hands up and down her sides, searching for any injuries but she grabbed my hands and put them back to her cheeks.
“I’m okay,” she whispered. “I promise I’m not hurt.”
“God dammit, Wave,” I groaned, barely able to believe she was standing here in my arms.
I pulled her back to me and pressed my lips against hers, holding her lower lip between mine. It wasn’t a passionate kiss, but I wanted to convey to her what it meant for me to be holding her. I cupped the back of her head as I pulled back, shaking my head again, still struggling to believe she was actually here. Safe.
“What the hell is going on, Wave?” I asked. “How did you get here?”
“Long story. Listen, before we go inside, there is something I need to tell you.”
“What?” I glanced behind her but the room was dim and she was standing in the way. My instincts kicked up a notch. My gun was at my back, I didn’t go anywhere without it these days and my fingers itched to grab it.
“There is someone here.”
Adrenalin pumped through me, I moved around her, keeping her behind me as I walked into the motel room. She grabbed my arm trying to stop me as my eyes searched and landed on a man lying on the bed. He was wounded, a bandage wrapped around him and I could see blood seeping through. He was tall and built and he was glaring at me like he wanted to kill me.
