Page 18 of Sinful Need
“Alone?”
“Yes.”
I pull her close and kiss her deeply, holding her body tight to mine. “I want to see you again before I leave.”
“I’ll try.”
“Try hard.” She slips from my arms and walks out the door. I’m pulled towards the door wanting to go after her and drag her back to my bed but Chainz has grounded me to my room and as bad as I fucked up, I know the best thing to do is stay put. I draw the curtain back and watch Rayne step into the parking lot, smiling when she turns around and blows me a kiss. I continue to watch her as she hurries across the street and slips around the side of her bar, disappearing into the darkness. I’m proud of her and what she’s accomplished but I can’t help but wonder how she convinced Hawk to loosen the noose around her neck and what it is she’s not telling me.
I crawl back into the bed, exhaustion and jet lag catching up with me. I inhale her scent on my pillows and close my eyes.
I’m woken up a second time by an incoming text on my phone. The sun is creeping through the edges of the blackout curtains I didn’t draw tight. I growl my annoyance and check my phone.
Tank: Church in Chainz’s room. Ten sharp. Time to take your lashes.
Dammit. I almost forgot I was in deep shit. I check the time and type out my reply.
Me: Got it.
I stride to the bathroom and flick on the light. The bright fluorescent bulbs hum overhead and flicker on and off until it finally clicks on. Leaning against the vanity I draw my eyes up tothe mirror catching my tattoo in its reflection. Even if last night was all we’ll have, Rayne will always be with me. That’s why I had her face inked onto my arm. To remind me of what was good in my life and why I had to stay away. That’s something I don’t think I can do anymore but before I can deal with what it is I want from her, I have to make things right with my club. I quickly shower, dress and tuck my gun to my side.
My nerves are shredded as I head out to meet Chainz wondering what my punishment will be. All eyes are on me when I enter the motel room. All of the members here had my back last night but they’ll also have a say in the consequences. I’m still holding on to hope that my track record will weigh on the outcome. I don’t know what I’ll do or who I’ll be if I lose my patch.
Chainz calls our impromptu Church meeting to order and I draw the only empty chair out from the table and take a seat across from him.
He opens the meeting, “I’ve decided there will be no punishment for your actions last night but let me be clear if you ever put a broad before the club again it will be the last time. I get you have a past but as long as we’re here, you’re to stay away from her.”
A slight nod of my head is the only response I need to give. Chainz knows me and he knows I’m loyal to the club and never meant to put any of them in harm's way. I just hope I can live up to my unspoken promise. Now that I’ve had a taste of her, I don’t think I can stay away.
“When we head out today, we need to take extra precautions,” Chainz looks at me, “Now that the Viper’s Den knows we’re here it won’t take them long to figure out our connection to Andrea and our part in annihilating the Cross’s trafficking ring. They’ll be gunning for us. Stay alert and no one rides alone.”
“We should put someone on Andrea. Make sure she’s safe until we figure this out.” Tank says.
“I agree. Cobra and Hound, your job is to make sure she doesn’t become another target. Stay alert but stay out of sight.”
“Got it Prez.”
“Now onto why we’re here. Hound did some digging last night and found another three women have gone missing in the last few days. The details surrounding their disappearance fit the trafficking ring’s MO. We are no longer observing, we are at war with these fuckers. Those women's lives are at stake. We cannot lose this fight.”
A roar of agreement erupts around the room. Everyone is fired up at the thought of a fight.
“We can’t win without a plan. We don’t know where they’re being held or how or when they’ll be moved.” Cobra interjects, bringing the noise to a halt.
“I can help with that. There’s a member of the club I have history with. I can reach out to him and get the answers we need.” Chainz’s questioning eyes meet mine, “He’s not like them. He saved my life once. I trust him. I need you to trust me.”
“How do we find this guy without tipping off the others?” Chainz has every right to be suspicious but they don’t know Storm like I do. There has to be a reason he hasn’t made a move yet.
“Through Rayne.” Chainz looks like he’s about to lose his shit, so I quickly tell him what I know, “She’s meeting with him this morning before the bar opens.”
“How do you know this?” The vein in his forehead is pulsing with his frustration.
“She told me. Last night in my room.” I confess. Not even sorry about it.
“Fine but I’m going with you. You’re stuck with me like a bad case of herpes the rest of this trip. Tank and Crusher, I wanteyes on the Viper’s Den clubhouse. Track every fucking move they make. Adjourned.” Chainz calls the meeting to an end and everyone splits off, heading out to their assigned posts.
Chapter 11
Rayne
