Page 6 of Pike
Chapter Five
Chloe
“Mommy, you need hugs from Chopper.” Gemma sat, smiling up at me with her arms wrapped around the chunky bulldog. Despite his stout body and mean mugging expression, Chopper was a lovable dog who loved to kiss anyone who’d let him. The only downside was his flatulence problem. “Come on, give ‘em a hug.”
I love this girl so damn much.I hadn’t protected her the way I should have and now I was determined to make sure nothing ever hurt her again. She was resilient and strong, thriving through three years spent living in hiding. My only regret was that it was clear Gemma thought she needed to look after me. “You can have my hugs, honey. I think you’re squeezing farts out of him.”
Those words sent her into a fit of giggles that reached Leo, Ashlyn, and Olivia, making them also erupt into laughter. It was a sound I could spend the rest of my life listening to. It was the purest sound of happiness I’d ever heard, and I never wanted it to end.
Which was exactly why it ended so abruptly. Ellie stopped beside me with a gentle smile that did nothing to hide the fact that something was on her mind.
With the kids’ attention back on the dog, I turned to Diesel’s wife and offered a smile. “You have a terrible poker face.”
“I know,” she admitted on a heavy sigh. “Diesel needs to talk to you. Emma and Winter will keep an eye on Gemma.” Her words were kind and calm, but it wasn’t really a request, it was a demand.
I cast one last glance over my shoulder at Gemma, sighed and stood up. “Yeah, okay.” My legs felt as if they were weighed down by thick, wet sand, a sense of impending doom settled deep in my belly. I knew what this meeting was about, and I told myself that whatever they said, I wouldn’t cry. When they kicked me out because we brought too much trouble with us, I would accept it and figure it out. It was about time I figured my life out without the help of a man.
Inside what looked like an office stood Faith and T-Bone, Diesel, Rocky, and Will.
The sight of Will cemented my belief that Gemma and I would have to leave the clubhouse and the Steel Demons’ protection because it had now become too difficult to keep their promise to us. The Ghost Riders had a new president, that was part of the message that was delivered after the memorial service. “What’s up,” I asked in a shaky voice. My jaw remained clenched so tight I wasn’t sure how I got any words pushed through my lips.
My sister stepped forward and rested her hand on my shoulder and I had to resist the urge to shake off her touch. “It’s no longer safe for you here, Chloe.”
I nodded as if I understood, but I didn’t. Then again, maybe I should have. Faith had taken care of me since we were both little girls, she’d taken me with her when she left home for college, keeping me fed and clothed while she made something of herself so she wouldn’t have to rely on anyone else. But Iexpected, maybe hoped, that she would always be there for me. I kept nodding even though no one had asked me anything. “I’ll pack our things and Gemma and I will be gone before the day is over.” I took a step back, unable to look at the looks of anger and guilt aimed at me.
Diesel’s brows were dipped into a dark scowl and when he stepped forward, I gasped and took a step back, flinching.
“Sorry,” I muttered when I realized what I’d done. He’d given me no reason to fear him, but instinct took over. “It’s no problem, really,” I rushed out, taking another step backwards. “We’re gone. Thank you for putting us up for as long as you did.” I took another step back before I turned and walked towards the door.
“Chloe.” Faith’s voice stopped me cold.
I turned slowly, biting the inside of my mouth to stop my tears from falling. When I was sure I had my emotions under control, I tried for a smile. “Don’t worry. We’ll figure it out.”
Faith stepped forward and grabbed my arm. “They aren’t kicking you out. I would never…” she began and shook her head. “It’s not safe here because we don’t know what this new guy will do to get to you so we’re putting you in a safe house while we take care of the remaining Ghost Riders problem.”
The blood drained from my face, leaving me ice cold. “We? You’re part of this now.” It was the last thing I wanted.
My sister nodded. “I’ll do anything to keep you both safe.”
I shook my head, refusing any offer of help. “I can’t have more people dying for me, not even for my little girl.” It would literally kill me but there was a compromise. “Keep Gemma here with you. Keep her safe and I’ll take my chances, so they don’tcome after you,” I told Faith before my gaze met the others. “I don’t want your families at risk. Please.”
“That’s not an option, they want you and Gemma,” Faith said.
“She’s right.” T-Bone stepped closer to her side with a look that brooked no argument. “You’re family and this is what we do, so stop arguing and start packing. You guys need to get on the road.”
My body trembled at the thought of driving off somewhere on our own, but I dug my heels into the ground and nodded. “Right. Okay.” I left the office and headed back to my room. I wanted to run and hide. Get as far away from this as possible. Even leave Gemma here if it gave her a chance. But if what Faith said was true, then my little girl wasn’t safe either. I didn’t want to go to a safe house, but where could I go?
“Chloe,” Faith caught up with me just before I shut the door behind me and gripped me tighter and watched me. “This is for real. You’ll be safe. Don’t run.”
Sometimes I hated that she knew me so well. “I won’t,” I whispered.
“Good.” Her hand fell away, and she took in a deep breath before she blew it out heavily. “Because Pike is going to take you up there and watch over you.”
“You can’t make me go there. He hates me and he has every right to!” I shook my head as the tears streamed down my face.
“It’s done,” she answered in a low, sympathetic tone.
“It can’t be.” I shook my head, still unwilling to believe it. “I don’t want to be a burden, if it wasn’t for me, Ash would still be alive.”
