Page 2 of Untouchable

“I’m good. Unlike you idiots, I don’t just stick my dick in anything that moves.” I decline the offer, hearing Mikey make some stupid comment about my sex life, or lack thereof.

“What about you, Kat? You wanna go with us?” I glare at Mikey, who’s wagging his eyebrows at her, before continuing my exit.

“Pass.” I smirk at the monotone of her voice. Her face is blocked by someone on my way past, but I can practically see the glare in her eyes with her response.

When I make it to my room, I slam the door closed, blow out a breath, and stare at the photo sitting on my dresser. I grab it and run my thumb across the happy people staring back at me. I can almost hear their laughter when I close my eyes, wishing more than anything that I could bring it all back. But it was a different time then, and we weren’t missing half of the people who made us a family.

I look around the room, seeing the lack of personality in it—unlessbored and slightly depressedcounts as a personality. The walls are dark gray, scuffed to all hell from things being thrown or banged against it. Only the necessary furniture pieces accompany the bed, and the original Drengr MC flag hangs on the wall opposite my bed. Well, one of the two original flags.Pops and Lenny were the only ones to have them, seeing as they were co-founders of this club. It’s tattered and torn from years of memories being made with it. Now it hangs on a wall. No longer being used as a cape as prospects jump off a roof for initiation, or as a towel when they go skinny dipping in the river in the middle of January. It’s untouched by new life and memories being made. The only thing close to showing who I am beneath the nothingness is the sketch pad that sits on the corner of my dresser, though it doesn’t get much attention these days. I hear the music volume rising from the bar, followed by whistles and enough hollering to have my feet moving to see what the hell is going on. Just before I can ask one of the guys what the noise is about, I look up and find my answer. Katarina is shotgunning a beer with Mikey at the bar. She finishes hers off about five seconds before him, causing the bar to erupt again. I shake my head and turn to leave, but two guys I’ve never seen before catch my eye, watching Mikey and Katarina from near the doorway.

“Who the fuck is that?” I nod to the guys, and Bodine’s head rears back.

“Shit, I don’t know.” My head snaps in his direction. We both move to where they stand, drawing the attention of others who are starting to realize there are outsiders in the clubhouse.

“Can we help you, gentlemen?” The music quickly fades into a low hum as the older guy with a nasty smile tries looking behind me. I tilt my head, blocking his view, just as more of my guys move toward us.

He squares his shoulders, trying to make himself appear larger than he is. “Oh, well, we just came to have a drink?—”

I cut him off. “This is private property.”

“Oh, that’s okay. I’m old friends with the president.” That does little to settle the unease I feel in my gut.

“Well, he isn’t here right now, but I’ll let him know you stopped by…” I leave my statement open-ended for him to fill in the blank.

“Striker. He’ll know who I am.” He waits a beat, then winks at me before he finally turns to leave with his nameless goon trailing behind him. Once the doors shut, I turn around to face the rest of the room.

“Have we forgotten that this isourfucking clubhouse? Who the fuck let outsiders in?” I yell. I’m met with a silence that makes my blood begin to boil. “Well?” I demand. Mikey pushes one of our prospects away from the pool table into the middle of the room, where I’m standing, earning a slap on the arm from Katarina.

“I–They said they were old friends of Lenny’s. That they used to ride together, I just thought…” The stuttered words fly out of his mouth, fear lacing his features.

“No. Youdidn’tthink.” I stare him down until he nods his understanding. “If they’re not wearing axes on their backs, they don’t fucking come in. Period.” He mumbles a scared response, then I turn around to find Lenny and ask him who the fuck Striker is.

CHAPTER 2

Katarina

“HOME SWEET HOME”

“He means well, Katarina. Your father just doesn’t want anything to happen to his little girl,” my mother says from the driver’s seat as we cruise down the road from our annual spring shopping trip.

“I understand that, on one hand, but on the other, you know if he had a son, he’d be preparing him to take over as club president someday,” I argue, feeling the weight of disconnect from my dad settle in my chest. I hate that he keeps me out of all club-related things because that’s what he does with 90% of his free time.

“You don’t know that for sure.” Her argument is weak, and when my head rolls in her direction against the headrest, I can tell by the look on her face that she knows it is. She lets out a sigh, grabbing my hand while keeping her eyes on the road. “He loves you so much, Katarina. It would kill us both if anything ever happened to you.” I smile because I know her words are true. I can feel my parents’ love in the deepest parts of my soul. They’re my entire world, and I’m theirs.

“I just wish Dad would let me ride with him sometimes. Like we used to when I was little.” I smile weakly and her eyes finally meet mine.

“Well, maybe I can convince him to make that happen soon, but in the meantime, be grateful you get to be involved in every other aspect of the club. They love you around there, and just because you’re not behind the handlebars yourself, doesn’t make you any less of a member, you hear me?” She winks at me, and I lean over to hug her, breathing in her comforting scent.

I’m jarred from my memories when a car lays on their horn behind me. I blink away the tears stinging my eyes, and my foot moves with haste to the gas pedal as I accelerate through the light. Summer drives with the windows down always make me think of Mom. Summer was our season, and driving around town was our favorite pastime. It started when I was in grade school, when we would go back to school shopping, and the tradition never ended. From Kindergarten to college, Mom and I kept our back-to-school tradition, and the year I would have graduated college was the year the tradition, along with my best friend in the world, died.

Dad and I both changed a lot after we lost Mom, which played a big part in my decision to travel for work. I’m gone more than I’m home, photographing all of the beautiful people and places this world has to offer, but when I’m home, I always come to see Dad—and the rest of the club—before I do anything else.

Today’s visit was a bit more stressful than I’m used to, though. The prospect that let outsiders in has a thing or two to learn about how Drengr operates if he ever wants to get patched in. Luckily, I had a good reason to dip out shortly after that when Tabitha texted me to tell me she was on her way to meet me at one of our favorite off-site bars downtown.

“Finally! I’ve been waiting forever for you!” Tabitha exclaims as I step out of my car, rounding the front to step into her outstretched arms.

“Hi, Tabs.” I smile at her, and she squeals, squeezing me tight.

“Hi Kitty Cat.” She pulls away and links her arm with mine, walking up to open the door. “So how was Florida?” When we walk inside, the sound of old rock music fills my ears, and I smile at the familiarity and the comfort I feel in being back here.

---