Page 653 of The Tempted

One more chance to get it right.

“Take me to my bike.”

Throughout the drive Riggs brought me up to speed on everything I had missed while in lock up. It seemed like everyone was getting hitched and the club that used to be about drugs and corruption was turning over a new leaf. Pipe was doing big things with the garage, expanding it was definitely a good move because Jack took over the union contracts Vic had with the Atlantic Express buses. Riggs was trying to get the club on board with opening a security company, and I told him he had my vote at the table. I think it’s good we start making legit money. That doesn’t mean we’re a bunch of pussy’s though. Jack put up his house, took the equity out and handed over a lump sum to Pops to repair all the damage done to the shooting range. We have a new buyer for our guns too, Rocco Spinelli, the mobster moving in on Vic’s territory.

And then there was the new blood—I had already gotten to know Stryker a little better and would make it my business to learn what made the rest of them tick.

I knew Riggs had his hands full while I was away so I didn’t think to ask him about Lacey and how she was doing but he offered. He told me about the talk he had with Jack and how he confessed knowing there was something going on between us. He also mentioned that when Jack went to get the confession and make the kid drop the charges Lacey was already there doing his dirty work.

My girl wants her man back.

I’m coming, angel.

Gonna’ take real good care of you.

Once we finally pulled up the Dog Pound Riggs parked the truck, and I made my way over to my bike. Someone had my baby detailed, all her chrome was freshly polished and my helmet was hanging off the handlebars.

The boys knew I had a score to settle, and they had everything ready for me to do what I needed to do.

I straddled my bike, revved the engine and let my baby purr to life.

Sweetest fucking sound.

I glanced over at my side view mirrors and saw Wolf and Pipe walk out of the clubhouse. Wolf gave me the finger as he grinned while, Pipe gave me a two-finger salute. Riggs crossed his arms and mouthed the words two words he lived by…own it.

I glanced around the lot, looking for Jack but neither he nor his bike were anywhere in sight, reminding me there was one war still raging and it was the one between him and I.

I took Vic’s words to heart and tried to put myself in Jack’s shoes.

I’d make him see I was the right man fit to take his daughter.

He’d cross over to the other side.

All he had to do was see her smile and God, I would make her smile.

I lifted one hand in the air, saluting the men who had my back and took off on the open road. I had a long ride ahead of me but I kept myself focused by picturing Lacey’s face. The quicker I took care of business the quicker I could get my girl.

I hope she didn’t have plans because she wouldn’t be leaving my bed for at least a week.

Probably longer.

It was a little less than five hours when I neared my destination, turning onto the narrow road and slowed at the motorcycle blocking the road. I was about to reach into my jacket and pull out my gun when I noticed the patch on the back of the man straddling it.

He turned around, lighting a cigarette before his eyes met mine.

Jack.

He held the cigarette between his lips, lifted his feet and turned his bike around as I pulled up beside him.

I knew then I never had doubt his loyalty to me. We might not see eye to eye, and he might hate me right now, but he always would have my back as long as I kept doing the right thing.

He gave me a quick jerk of his head before he throttled his bike and waved me off in front of him.

Jack didn’t give me words he gave me his actions and by letting my bike ride in front of him was his way of showing me respect. He knew what I was about to do, and I didn’t even have to tell him. He was there, waiting for me and it was as much personal for him as it was for me.

It wasourgirl we were making safe.

It wasourrevenge for what happened to her.

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