Ace let out a sigh. “No wonder you kept yourpast so hidden.”
Nodding, I hated that he knew who I was now, my heritage.
“You’re right, we can’t risk your safety as well. It would be good to have you stay here. I’ll have Hawk take the boys over with Wolf and Lorcan.”
I was grateful that he understood, but couldn’t help but wonder if maybe he was looking at me differently now.
“Viper, did the boys clean up after last night properly?” Ace asked.
“Got ‘em trained good, Prez.”
Ace nodded. “Good. I’m heading back to Dublin to check on Shauna and Chains with Sheridan. Anything you need, let Hawk or Bear know. Valkyrie was asking for some help with back up. Savage, you good with heading that way with some of the Nomads just for the week?”
“Yeah, Prez.”
“Good.”
He left the chapel and headed out, but I knew he was still coming to terms with what I’d said. Hell, I didn’t blame him. I hated thinking about who my dad was.
“You good?” Viper asked me. He was the only one who knew everything about me, and what they did to me in that orphanage, because he’d had the same done to him.
“Yeah. I need to go out and ride for a bit. I’ll let the boys know, and we’ll be back tonight.”
Viper nodded. “You going to do anything about this shit with Shona first?”
I sighed. I wish I had an easy answer. I wish she’d just give over to what she felt and let me have her. It was so clear she wanted me, she’d almost beat the life out of Leesha for me and yet…she wanted to run this morning.
“She’s pushing me away. Maybe it’s for the best until I’m fully back. After we get Neal, I have to go back to the Nomads.”
“Nothing says you can’t take her with you.”
I shrugged my shoulders because the idea alone of her rejecting me was enough to burn through me like a jalapeno.
“Brother, it’s clear she wants you. She near killed Leesha last night from the injuries I saw Morena patching up.”
I smirked over at him, remembering the feeling that came over me as I watched her tear that skinny bitch a new one. Viper smacked me on the back and I headed out of the clubhouse to find the boys to let them know the plan.
My past coming back like that was pushing me into a different direction that I’d thought I’d be in today. I’d woken up with Shona, and it had felt so right, like maybe, especially after last night, that we could admit what we had but now…how could she love a man like me?
I was tainted. I was no fucking good for her. Maybe she should run.
Jumping on my bike, I tore out of the compound.
Shona
Finally, I placed the last case of beer on the floor of the bar and helped Maree and Kayleigh to unpack it into the fridges. The clubhouse was getting quieter the later it got, and I knew at some point Savage was going to demand we talk. I’d been nervous about it all day, but he’d been out so I could relax. Thelater it got, the more I panicked that he would rock up and take me against the wall for all to see.
Then, I wouldn’t be able to deny him, but even that idea in my head had my thighs trembling with need.
“You look exhausted,” Maree told me. “Go and get some rest. We’re closing up early tonight anyway. Some of the boys are heading to the airport early.”
I’d heard that some of the boys were going over with Lorcan to get Neal and bring him back to face his crimes. I was so glad he was going to finally get his comeuppance, but it was still a big risk. She was right though, I was feeling exhausted after the last few days. I thanked her and headed down to my room. A quick shower and I was in bed, falling asleep before my head hit the pillow.
Five Years Earlier
He was looking at me like I was a treat, and I felt his eyes on me all night. Heat crept up my neck knowing he was watching me, and he was doing it in plain view of everyone. I wish he wouldn’t do it so blatantly. I’d already had to fend off Orla’s knowing look every time she came over. That little smirk she wore was making me want to be violent.
The constant flirting with Savage, the way he would protect me, it was nice. I hadn’t had nice in a long time. I’d even thought maybe this was my penance for a shit life I’d led. The flirting was becoming more and more obvious, and the heat in his eyes when he looked at me, especially after he caught me in the storeroom or the office, was undeniable.
