Page 45 of Baja
The knot in my stomach tightens, twisting into something darker. We’ve all seen what men like Havoc can do. I’ve seen the aftermath, and it never leaves you. My thoughts drift to Alice, to the shadows in her eyes when she thinks no one is looking. No woman should have to go through that kind of hell.
“So, that was when you chose to pull her out?” Juneau grits out, the lines on his face deepening.
Uncle Jax nods. “I waited for the right opportunity. I couldn’t do it alone with his men around. It wasn’t easy.”
“You think you were followed?” Harlem asks.
“No signs we were.” My uncle shakes his head. “But that said, I can’t guarantee it. These fuckers are resourceful. They’ve got narks in places you wouldn’t think to look.” Uncle Jax eyes Harlem.
Mystic braces his forearms against the table, shooting my uncle a stern glare. “If what you’re spouting about this club is true, we better be ready… they’re gonna be hunting for Lily and you.”
Harlem leans back in his chair, rubbing his chin. “You’re askin’ us to step into a potential war. You realize that, don’t you?”
“I do.” My uncle’s voice is clear and steady.
The room goes still again, and every man exchanges glances, and then all eyes land on Salem.
“I want the names of every Phantom Rider you know. And, at some point, Lily answers some questions,” Salem states, and my uncle nods. “You and Lily will stay at the clubhouse and are not to leave. Got it?” His voice is stern, the order final. Salem shifts his attention and looks around the table. “I want at least two men here to always watch over things.”
“I’ll do it.” Juneau is quick to volunteer.
“I ain’t got no old lady or kid, so I’ll stay too,” Laredo says.
“Good.” Salem pushes from the table and stands. “I need to get my woman home. Harlem, Mystic, grab your woman and kid, then go.” Salem looks at me. “Get your uncle settled into a spare room, then take Alice home too.” Salem doesn’t idle and walks out of the room.
In the end, it’s just me and my uncle left. He plants his hands on the table and pushes himself up.
“Come on.” I lead him out of the room and down the hall to an empty room. The door creaks open, and he steps inside. “You hungry?”
He sinks onto the mattress. “Naw, just tired, kid.” He rubs his hand over his face, then peers at me. “You’ve grown into one hell of a man, Nash. I’m proud of ya.”
“You played a part in that.” I lean against the doorframe.
He snorts, shaking his head. “No, kid. Your mom and dad did. I take no credit. I’ve screwed up more times than I can count. I hope like hell this time isn’t one of them.”
“You taught me more than you realize, and to me, it counts for somethin’.”
For a beat, neither of us speaks.
“Well, I’ll leave you to rest.” I go to turn around.
“Catch you later, kid,” Uncle Jax mutters, his farewell carrying a weight it never has before as I close the door.
I brush it off and go looking for my woman. I find her in the kitchen, leaning against the counter with a mug in her hands. Her eyes lift to mine as I close in on her, and she gives me a small smile. She looks tired, both mentally and physically.
“Come here.” I open my arms, and she sits her cup on the counter and walks into them. “You okay?” I rest my chin on top of her head.
“I am now.”
“How’s Lily?” I ask out of concern.
Alice sighs heavily. “She’s alive and safe. And right now, despite what she’s been through, that is what matters.” Alice peers up at me. “Take me home?”
“You got it.” I tuck her into my side, and we move through the clubhouse. As we approach my bike, the familiar scent of damp earth and oak mixes with the faint smell of gasoline. I pull the helmet from the handlebar and slip it on her head, strapping it beneath her chin and feeling the weight of her gaze on me. I swing my leg over the seat, and she climbs onto the bike behind me, her body molding to mine. The warmth of her body pressing against my back as she wraps her arms around me is grounding, instantly melting away the tension in my body.
The engine roars to life, and I guide us from the clubhouse, the tires crushing against the gravel. The canopy of tall oak trees blots out the moon’s glow, shrouding us in heavy shadows as the clubhouse becomes smaller in my side mirrors.
Tires hum steadily once we hit the asphalt of the open road. Alice’s arms tighten around me as we pick up speed, and having her with me tonight steadies me in a way I didn’t know I needed. She cuts through the noises in my head. We ride, her body in tune with mine, leaning into the curves like one person.
