"Does it matter?"I headed for the fridge, needing something to do with my hands."I'm a grown woman, Ghost."
"It matters when you don't answer your phone."He stood, his movement fluid despite the tension in his frame."It matters when Lacey says she saw you leave with some guy no one knows."
Of course Lacey had ratted me out.I grabbed a bottle of water, unscrewing the cap with more force than necessary."So now you've got people spying on me?"
"Don't be dramatic."Ghost moved closer, arms crossing over his chest."You know how it works.Everyone looks out for everyone.And everyone looks out for you because you’re my pride and joy, baby.You might not be my blood, but you’re my daughter and I love you."Way to take the wind out of my sails.
I took a long drink, buying myself time."Well, I'm fine, as you can see.No harm, no foul."I gave him what I hoped was a reassuring smile.
His gaze traveled over me, taking in my rumpled dress, the faint bruise forming at the base of my neck where Rocky had sucked too hard.Noticed that little mark in my rear-view mirror when I’d parked the bike."Same clothes as yesterday."
"Brilliant detective work."I rolled my eyes."Want a gold star?"
"Don't push it, Wren."His voice dropped lower, a warning."Who was he?"
"Just a guy."I leaned against the counter, meeting his stare."Nothing serious."
"A guy with no club affiliation, who no one recognized, who you left with after knowing him for what, an hour?"Ghost's jaw tightened."That's not like you."
"Maybe you don't know me as well as you think."The words came out sharper than I intended.“I didn’t do anything any of the other unattached women haven’t done.I had my own ride, I know how to protect myself, and I wanted to have a good time.”
Ghost's eyes narrowed."I know you well enough to know when you're being reckless.This isn't some college party, Wren.These are dangerous people with dangerous connections.I don’t have a problem with you living your own life.I do have a problem when you put yourself in direct danger without even stopping to assess the risks."
"Dangerous connections?You mean like you?"I challenged."Like me?Last I checked, Bound in Blood wasn't exactly the Rotary Club."
"That's different and you know it."He ran a hand over his face, frustration evident in the gesture."We have rules, our own codes we stick to.We look after each other."
"It was just a hook-up.Nothing that puts the club at risk."
"You're not hearing me."Ghost moved closer, his voice dropping to that dangerous quiet that meant he was really concerned."It's not about the club.Me and Animal can keep the club safe.This is aboutyou.About keeping yourself safe."
The genuine worry in his eyes made my defiance waver.Ghost had saved my life, given me a home, a family, when I had nothing.He'd taught me to ride, to fight, to survive in a world that would chew me up and spit me out if I showed weakness.His protectiveness came from love, I knew that.But sometimes I had this stupid need to push back.Maybe it was to see if he would keep those childhood boundaries in place.If he still cared about me even though his obligation was long finished.It was that thought alone that held me in check.
Finally I sighed."Look, I appreciate the concern," I said more gently."But I can handle myself.You taught me well, remember?"
"There's things happening you don't know about."Ghost stepped closer, lowering his voice even though we were alone."You know I can’t talk about club business, but you need to know now is not the time to be bringing strangers into the mix."
My mind flashed to the Copperheads patch in Rocky's bag.What if I'd just spent the night with someone connected to a rival club?I pushed the thought away."It was one night, Ghost.Not a marriage proposal."
"One night is all it takes for things to go sideways."His eyes searched my face."You think I'm stupid?"
The question hung in the air between us.Of course I didn't think he was stupid.Ghost was the smartest person I knew, street smart in ways that mattered in our world.He'd survived decades in club life by seeing angles others missed, by reading people better than they read themselves.
"No," I admitted quietly."I don't think you're stupid."
"Then don't treat me like I am."His voice softened slightly."All I'm asking is that you be careful.That you think before you jump."
Guilt gnawed at me.Ghost had given me everything, and here I was keeping secrets from him.But telling him about Rocky didn’t seem like a good idea.Not just because I'd likely get a lecture about sleeping with strangers, but because I wasn't ready to share it.Whatever had happened between Rocky and me felt private.If something changed to make me feel differently, I’d come clean.
"I am careful," I said finally."I wouldn't do anything to put myself or the club at risk.You know that."
Ghost studied me for a long moment, his expression unreadable.Finally, he nodded, though the suspicion never left his eyes."Alright.But next time, answer your damn phone."
He moved toward the door, pausing with his hand on the knob."Club meeting tonight.Eight o'clock.Jack wants everyone in the compound there."He looked back at me."That includes you."
"I'll be there."I nodded, relieved the interrogation was ending.
Ghost gave me one last look, his eyes lingering on the bruise on my neck."Get some rest.You look like you didn’t get much last night."
