“Get the fuck out of my bar.” The bartender cocks it keeping it aimed straight between my eyes.
For the first time in a long time, excitement roars through me. The temptation of telling him to do it itches to get free. Then something, I don’t know what, pulls at me and I take a step back. I wanted him to pull that trigger, even if the craving was short lived.
I snatch my bag from my previous seat slinging it over my shoulder. The crowd watches in silence as the barrel never leaves my sight. I pull my hood up and make my exit, heading straight for the open road. My boots crunch over the dirt beneath me, and I don’t look back.
It’s night with only a few cars on the road so there’s low risk of encountering another, whatever the fuck that was back there.
“You got one of hell of a right arm.”
My steps falter and I slowly turn toward an older man with a biker cut leaning against a beat-up pickup. I brace myself for another fight but notice his patch isn’t the same as the guys inside. None the less, I keep my hand in a fist as I wait for him to make an unpredictable move.
He stays in position; his beefy arms crossed over his chest, and he gives a knowing grin. “Relax. You did me a favor. Now I get to go home to my ol’ lady with my handsome face still intact.” He strokes his jaw hidden beneath a thick greying beard and prowls toward me.
Without so much as a blink, I study his every thunderous move. He’s massive and could easily overpower me if I let him.
“Name’s Chain,” he announces, and I stare down at his outstretched hand not accepting his friendly introduction. He clears his throat dropping it back down to his side. “Where are you going, kid?” He nods to my bag.
Kid?Hardly. But I guess in comparison I am younger than him.
I shrug. “Not entirely sure.” It’s true. I have nowhere to go. No plan for a destination.
“Mmm,” he hums. “Well. I got a club. A spare bed. And a woman who knows her way around the kitchen. When she’s not busy running things, that is. You want in?”
What the fuck is this? He’s asking me to join his biker club.
“No thanks. I enjoy being on my own.” I grip the strap of my bag, yanking it up higher over my shoulder, then turn to leave.
“I respect that. But I can use someone like you on my team. An enforcer.”
“Not interested.” I head down the side of the road toward nowhere and that’s when I get the tug again. A pull. The wind blows, leaving a chill running through me.
I stop to take in a steady breath, then with an exhale I turn back at this Chain guy. He hasn’t left his spot, but the smile he wears tells me he knows what I’m about to choose.
I take one last look at the open road, then join him. Because honestly, whatever my fate may be, I have nothing left to lose.
ONE
Hush
The sound of rain echoed off the roof of the porch and Gracie turned to me with a smile that reached her eyes. I loved her smile. It was like watching the sunrise and listening to the doves sing.
Her knees are pulled to her chest with her nightgown slung over her legs. The thin sheerness of it made the material dance at the slightest breeze.
“Isn’t it beautiful?” she asked.
“Yes.” Though I wasn’t looking at the sunrise. “What are you thinking about?” I asked from next to her. My arm rested over the back of the swing as we swayed front to back.
She was always lost in thought on mornings like these.
“I’m thinking about how I never want to leave this place. It’s perfect here.” She was right about that. Our two-story farmhouse overlooked the mountains of Oregon.
We made it our morning ritual to always come out here and watch the sun rise through the mountains. She drank her coffee dowsed in caramel and I just listened. Whatever it was she talked about, I sat and listened. It was a peaceful way to start the day, and it became my favorite moment with her.
With my Gracie.
“We never have to leave.” I pulled her close, her body nestled into my side. The smell of her shampoo invaded me, and I inhaled every bit of it.
“All good things come to an end eventually. Even this will one day end.”
