Page 31 of Ghost's Obsession

Zen whistles low, spinning back to his keyboard.

“Shit, I’m sorry to hear that.”

I barely hear him. All I can see is Jerry’s face, the way he used to smile. The ugly curve of his lips that used to send shivers down my spine. I remember the way he used to watch me when he thought I wasn’t looking. The way he used to talk about bikers like they were scum.

“You wanted me?” Siege’s voice cuts through my spinning thoughts. He’s pissed. I can tell by the tone of his voice.

“Yeah, Prez. You need to see what I found,” Zen says, his voice serious.

“Thought we’d seen the last of that fucker,” Siege mutters.

“Traitorous scum,” Rigs adds.

I blink at them, not understanding.

“No, Jerry hated bikers. He used to talk trash about them all the time.”

All Siege says is, “Tusk.”

Tusk steps closer and pulls the back of his t-shirt up to display a full back tattoo that I’ve seen before. Jerry had thatsame tattoo. Glancing around the clubhouse, I see it on the back of every brother’s vest. How had I missed that?

Siege asks sarcastically, “Look familiar? If I’d caught the fucker I would have burned it off him.”

I nod, unable to speak.

Rigs explains, “He was one of ours,” his voice is low and flat. “Savage Legion. Before he got thrown out for selling out the club to our enemies.”

Ghost jerks to attention. “I’ve heard that story. He must have been one of the brothers loyal to Butch back in the day. The way I remember it, Butch and his VP wound up dead at the hands of the Hellfire Hounds club president, King. The others ran away to keep from facing retribution from the Legion.”

The room goes so still I can hear people breathing. I can’t believe what I’m hearing. My Jerry was a biker, a full-fledged member of the Savage Legion MC. I can’t reconcile what I know about Ghost’s club with that asshole who ruined my life. They’re saying he was thrown out for betrayal though, so maybe this does track after all.

“Why didn’t he ever tell me?” I whisper, more to myself than anyone else.

Ghost’s hand presses a little firmer against my back.

“Because if you knew him as Carnage, you’d run. I’ve heard all the stories about that asshole. He was one of the nastiest fuckers from the old crew that Butch ran.”

Zen looks up from the screen, his face serious now. “He planted that tracker in your truck while it was parked in the driveway of a fully patched brother of the Savage Legion. Thatwasn’t a fucking accident or a coincidence. He’s not just looking to get his woman back. He’s planning something more.”

Ghost’s jaw flexes, his eyes hardening into something I’ve never seen before. It wasn’t just anger or protectiveness. It was pure blind rage.

“He’s using your woman to get to the club,” Siege states quietly.

“He’s not getting near her,” Ghost says, his voice steely. “Not now. Not ever.”

And the way he says it is filled with determination. And for the first time in months, I believe it.

Chapter 11

Heather

After the huge revelation that one of their club brothers has come back looking for revenge, the atmosphere at the clubhouse feels different now.

I’d been here before when it was loud and chaotic. Right now, it’s tamer and more focused. The music is off, and the bar isn’t serving alcohol anymore. The brothers are congregating amongst themselves, talking, whispering really. The club girls don’t appreciate being left to their own devices. The club officers are moving fast between the main room and the club president’s office. Conversations and sharp nods fill the space like invisible threads tightening around the edges.

It’s clear that they’re planning something or preparing for whatever Jerry has planned. They don’t seem to harbor any ill will towards me for anything and that’s a huge weight off my shoulders.

Right now, I’m sitting at the end of the bar, nursing a glass of club soda, and trying not to make it obvious how out of place I feel.

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