Page 44 of The Ghost of Rage's War

An hour later, my mind was reeling. I’d let Ghost talk himself hoarse as I listened to a fantastical tale of betrayal and loyalty and criminals.

“This is completely perplexing, Shar—Ghost. Why was I taken? Answer me that. Because it is me they want.”

“Yeah. Because of your family,” Ghost replied.

“My family is dead. My grandparents passed before I was born, and my mom died giving birth to me. Ghost, I was farmed out. But my adoptive parents told me the truth, so I knew about my birth mother,” Ireplied.

“Who’s your father?” Ghost asked.

“Sorry, my parents didn’t have that information.”

“Carmelle, Volcano said your mother was his daughter. Miranda, her name was. She was a nice woman, and I remember her well. Miranda was half Mexican and a stunner. Her mother, Inez, met Fury at the club, and they had Miranda. But being a girl, Fury didn’t want to claim her. From what I’ve dug up, Inez married soon after leaving Fury. Inez died when Miranda was three,” Ghost explained.

“Damn, they both passed young,” I said sadly. It felt strange; this was my grandmother and Mom. While I experienced remorse, I hadn’t known them.

“I think Miranda came searching for Fury, which is why she ended up at Rage. Instead, she fell for Arrow Michaelson. Arrow was the President of Rage MC and had a son, Drake,” Ghost broke off as I gasped.

“Drake Michaelson, Fury yelled that name several times. Wait… that’s my brother? I’ve a brother? Ghost, I’ve got family?”

“Yeah. Under Arrow, the club was clean. Why Miranda didn’t tell Arrow she was pregnant, I’m unsure, because Arrow would have looked after her. He was a good man, and Drake is, too. If Arrow or Drake had been aware of you, they’d have come to fetch you, Carmelle. I believe Fury kept a tab on you in case he ever needed you,” Ghost replied.

“Why?”

“Because it’s well known what Drake will do for family. Fury took you to force Drake’s hand. Butinstead, Volcano and I got you out. As soon as Fury hears Santos is dead, he’s going to start hunting you,” Ghost responded.

“Where are we heading, Shar—Ghost,” I asked suspiciously.

“The one place Fury thinks you’ll stay away from,” Ghost answered as we began pulling over. I peered around, confused, as Ghost swung into a side road.

“We’re swapping vehicles. Don’t say a word now until we’re in next one,” Ghost ordered.

I nodded and did as told. Ghost knew how to keep me alive, and he’d done so for over a year. I trusted him and nobody else.

We swapped cars, and Ghost moved the bags to the new one. I caught a glimpse of a bag already inside, but Ghost didn’t seem too bothered. Ghost destroyed the VIN on the old SUV and ripped the licence plates off. Then he smothered it in gasoline, tossed something in, raced over, and drove away.

Startled, I ducked as there was a boom, and looking over my shoulder, I saw the vehicle blow up.

“What did you do?” I asked, bemused.

“Threw a grenade in, the fucker will burn now,” Ghost replied, and I chuckled.

Ghost smiled at my laughter, and I realised I’d not laughed since Beau had been taken from me. My smile faded as I thought of Beau and how I had nothing of him.

“It’s okay to laugh, Carmelle. I don’t think your husband would want you to mourn him forever,” Ghost said.

“Beau was twenty-nine when he died. The girls were robbed of the best father in the world. And I lost a man who truly adored me, and I loved him with everything I had. Fury needs to pay for Beau’s death,” I hissed, keeping my voice low as I glanced over at Shannon and Sadie.

Whenever I spoke or thought of Beau, there was a hole inside me I didn’t think it would ever close. Desperately, I clung to the memory of his laughter and his bright smile. Fury had destroyed my life, but I wouldn’t allow him to claim what was left.

Sadie had already fallen back to sleep, cuddled up with the grey rabbit that Ghost had bought her last year. Shannon’s eyes kept closing and then shooting open. She held a teddy that, again, Ghost had purchased.

“What happened to you wasn’t right, but Fury will pay. We know his plans, Carmelle. I’ve been undercover sucking up shit for thirteen years. Once I inform Rage and claim my place back, I can protect you with an entire MC,” Ghost said.

“Yeah, that won’t be happening. They’re strangers. Rage isn’t coming anywhere near me or my kids,” I stated clearly.

“Carmelle—”

“No, Ghost. You, I trust, not them. Shannon still has nightmares. Could you imagine the damage if she sees another club? No, not happening. Even Sadie wakes up and screams for no apparent reason. Ghost, I’m not exposing the girls to an MC. If my brother wants to meet me, Drake can come to me.”

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