“The governor’s daughter ran off, and he can’t find her ass.” I rise from my seat as the location comes through.
“You want me to go with you?”
“Nah. Need to handle this on my own.”
I’m going to find my naughty girl and teach her a lesson.
“Just remember who it is you’re dealing with.”
I don’t fucking need this right now. I know I’m not allowed to be with the girl. That’s exactly why I’m in this fucking situation to begin with. If I could be with her, she would’ve been back at the clubhouse, tucked in my bed.
“She’s nineteen, Cage. I’m not trying to rob the cradle. I’m just doing the man a favor.”
Nineteen or not, the girl is my everything.
“You let me know if you need me.”
What I need is get to my woman before someone else does. She’s exposed. And Vicious is still out there. And this is exactly why Pritchard should have 24/7 watch. From now on, I’m going to be there regardless of whether he’s home or not.
18
Zoey
Ishould’ve stayed home. I’m in no mood to party. But that’s not the point, is it? I’m here to drown out the noise in my head. But all this is doing is making it louder.
I never realized how immature high school boys are until now. They’re kind of annoying actually. And really, really loud. Cooper and all his football buddies are over in the kitchen smashing beer cans to their heads and having a belching contest. And the girls… I scan the room and it’s just like the hallways of our school. They’re all tucked in their little cliques, whispering about others. I don’t even care that half of them are staring at me. I used to want to be in the fold, but now I just want to be with Bones.
Teagan ran off with Mike the moment we walked in. I’m pretty sure they’re going to be an item before the night’s end. But since she’s my ride home, it means I’m not going anywhere untilshe’s finished messing around with him. And I don’t even have my phone to keep me occupied. I didn’t want my dad to track me on our family app so I left it at the house. Which means I can’t check my messages to see if Bones has texted. Not that he would. He had hours to call or text before I left, but he didn’t.
The sound of a door slamming against the wall has me looking up from the hole I’m burning into the carpet with the sole of my shoe. All the oxygen suddenly gets sucked from the room.He’s here. Bones in all his menacing stature with his face covered in that signature skull scarf is standing in the doorway.
How did he find me?
His angry eyes scan the room looking for me. His shoulders are so brittle his bones might crack under the tension. There’s nowhere for me to hide. And what he’ll do when he catches me is anybody’s guess. His head turns in my direction and fear slithers down my body. The serpent has spotted his prey, and his eyes grow even darker.
He points that stern finger at me then crooks it for me to come. I can barely rise from the chair; my knees are shaking. I’m in so much trouble. Every heavy step is caked with dread. The bass of the music playing is being drowned out by my pounding heart.
“Zoey! I’ve been looking for you.” Teagan’s voice barely registers. What does register is how the words die on her tongue. “Do you… Oh shit.”
She can say that again. I don’t even look at her or anyone else as I walk to the front door. Bones hasn’t unlocked that scowling glare. When I get to him, he merely steps aside to let me pass— not saying a word. I walk straight through the doorway, down the front steps, stopping at his huge metal beast, which he practically parked on the front lawn.
He grabs the helmet from his seat and hands it to me. Still not saying a peep. The silence is blaring though; I’m almost deaf from the anger.
“You have no idea.” The gritted whisper is so heavy in its warning it nearly blows me over. He straddles his bike and starts his engine, waiting for me to climb behind him, refusing to even look at me.
I grab his shoulders for support and feel how brittle they are.
“I’m sorry,” I whisper in his ear as I settle behind him. For what it’s worth, I have to say it, hoping it will soften his mood. His entire body rocks with a shiver, and I wrap my arms around his waist. He grips my hands, locking me tighter before he backs off the grass and then takes off. Every mile we drive closer toward my house feels like another nail hammered into my coffin. I know he won’t hurt me, but I’m certain he’ll realize just how immature I am and will end things between us. I pitched a fit and intentionally disobeyed the rules.
He pulls down the dark alleyway that I turned onto the first day he followed me. I don’t understand why he’s taking the long way. Until he stops. Parking his bike and cutting the engine. He climbs off and curses to the moon. “Fuck.”
He whips around to face me. “Do you know how fucking scared I was? You can never fucking do that again, baby. There are some really bad men in this world. And some of those men would love to hurt you.” He cups my chin, pulling me close. “I wouldn’t survive if anything happened to you, angel. I couldn’t fucking survive it.”
Those words have a heavy impact, each one making my heart beat faster. I’m so in love with this man it terrifies me.
“I’m sorry, Bones. I didn’t mean to scare you. I was upset and I didn’t want to sit at home alone. I just love you and want to be with you.”
“You what?” He grips me tighter. “Say it again, baby.”
