Page 56 of Property of Player

I study the man, knowing what I know. I feel for him. But at the same time, I hope the feelings those two have for each other don’t end in disaster. Drae seems like the strong, silent type, but apparently Cici has gotten under his thick shell.

“Not much. We’re pulling out of the clubhouse at 8:00 a.m. Monday. Be loaded up and ready.”

Drae nods and blows a stream of smoke toward the sky. His eyes scan the beach, and I’m sure a trip to California is the last thing on his mind.

“You’re leaving so early Monday?” I ask Player.

“Yeah. Need to get a good distance the first day.”

The realization of just how much I’m going to miss him hits me. “Can I see you off?”

“Countin’ on it, darlin’. Matter of fact, I thought maybe you could stay with me at the clubhouse tomorrow night. That way we wouldn’t have to get up so early to get there in the morning.”

I grin and lean against his shoulder. “Sounds like a plan.”

Chapter seventeen

Taylor

It’s late when Player and I ride to his clubhouse.

It’s not the same one I remember from when Player and I dated. After the bombing, Gage moved them to this new location. It’s hidden deep in the countryside.

We pull up at a chained gate. A prospect lets us through, and Player rides us up a dirt drive that leads to a gravel lot surrounding a long industrial building. It’s brick with multi-paned windows. A set of skylights runs the peak of the rooftop right down the center.

Player stops, and I climb off the back. The last time we were here, Player told me it was once an abandoned aircraft hangar. Gage liked the land that came with it, and he sunk a fortune into remodeling the place. Now, it’s the ultimate biker retreat—with polished concrete floors, industrial luxury, and a space built for the brotherhood and the MC lifestyle.

We walk inside. The main room is long, and eight windows run along the right and left sides with skylights overhead.

At the far end is a huge big-screen TV with leather seating around it.

A bar takes up the left wall and a couple of pool tables run opposite.

There are only a couple of prospects and one patched member inside.

A separate hallway leads to a maze of other rooms that Gage had added on, including another room with an upscale bar with tables and games, and a hall with their church meeting room, Gage’s office, a kitchen and dining area and bedrooms for all the officers.

With my hand in his, Player leads me down the hall to his room and unlocks the door. The room is neat and clean, and I know they have girls to keep it this way.

He’s got a bed, a couple of nightstands, a tallboy dresser, a chair, a small closet and an attached bathroom. I know his room is larger than most, since he’s the VP.

The only one larger is Gage’s at the end of the hall. I’ve never been inside it, but I know his suite takes up the entire end of the hall.

I drop my sling bag on the bed, and Player wraps his arms around me from behind, nuzzling my ear. “You hungry? We could go raid the kitchen.”

“I could eat.”

“Come on.” He snags my hand and leads me down the hall, backtracking to the kitchen. There’s a huge industrial fridge, and he peers inside. “Looks like Pearl made her famous chili.”

“Sounds great.” I remember Pearl from the old days. She’s the widow of an older member who died years ago.

Player pulls out the pot, and we heat portions in the microwave, then carry them into the dining room and sit at the end of the big, long table.

I moan around my first spoonful. “Mmm. So good.”

Player grins. “Mama Pearl sure can cook, can’t she?”

“You guys are lucky to have her.”