Page 23 of Property of Raider
“It is decided already,” I hear Colton state firmly behind me.“The only choice you have currently is how you will get there.Willingly or by force?”
That is the straw that fucking breaks the damn camel’s back.I spin around.“Fine!We’ll fucking go!How do you suggest we get there?If you haven’t noticed, my house is on fire with not only all my shit in it, but my aunt too.So tell me, oh great one, how do we get to this great clubhouse?Seeing as my car seems to have been a casualty of the fire as well?”I break off the sob that tries to escape as I finish that sentence.
“A prospect should be here any moment,” someone else says.
Colton beams at me still with that boyish grin on his face.“Follow me this way and I’ll lead you to your chariot.”
“God, you still haven’t changed,” I huff, throwing my hand out in front of me.“Lead the way, Your Highness.”
Colton, or Remedy, I guess they are now calling him, smirks at me before wrapping an arm around Rusher’s shoulder and guiding him away.Sighing, I slowly follow behind, looking at my feet, realizing for the very first time tonight that I don’t have any shoes on.I cover my mouth with my hand to help hold back the sob still trying to claw its way up my throat.
We have nothing left, and I do not know how we’re going to get anything.
“It’s all going to be okay.We’ll make sure that everything is taken care of,” someone says softly.
I just shake my head, unable to speak and fighting against the emotions.We make it just past the ambulance when a set of headlights comes bouncing up the driveway, and I finally get a good look at the bikes lined up in a perfect row.The SUV pulls to a stop.A tall, dark-haired man steps out, only he doesn’t have a vest on like the others.Reaching out, I grab Rusher by the back of his shirt, pulling him to a stop while at the same time I step in front of him protectively.
“It’s okay, he is with us,” Remedy tells me, looking back with a look I can only equate as pride on his face.
“He doesn’t have a vest on like y’all,” I state suspiciously.“I just don’t know … we really can go to a hotel or something.”
“Cut,” he says firmly.“There are only a few times you will find one of us without one.In this instance, when we are driving or riding in a cage, we do not wear them.”He turns back to the man.“Prospect, put your fucking cut on.”
“Shit,” the man mutters, opening the back door and pulling one out that looks new and sliding it onto his shoulders.
“Now that we have that settled.This man here is what we call a prospect.He is working to become a full member of the club.His name it Twitch,” Remedy informs us.
One of the other men steps forward, settling a hard look on the man.“You will take Ms.Anastasia and her son Rusher to the clubhouse.We’ll be providing escort.They are special guests of Prez and should be respected as such.”
Twitch nods his head, not saying a word before turning back to the SUV and opening both passenger doors for us.I jump when the rumble of motorcycles starts out of the blue.Rusher squeezes my hand before leading me to the SUV.I slide onto the seat, shivering as the heat of the vent hits me.
“It’s going to be okay, Ma.Just you wait and see.Everything is going to be different and okay,” he whispers, giving me a quick side hug before climbing into the back and closing the door.
I lay my head back with a silent prayer.“Lord Auntie Lynn, please don’t fail me now.”
That’s the last thought I have as my eyelids slide closed, pulling me into darkness and finally giving me a break from the hell that is my life currently.It could have taken us five hours to get to this club house for all I know, but it felt like only ten minutes before I’m being woken up by the sound of a door being closed.Blinking my eyes open, I’m instantly on alert when I don’t hear or see Rusher.I throw the SUV door open and stumble out into an open parking lot in front of a large converted barn.There is a long line of motorcycles on the right side of the door.Looking behind me, I find a large gate with what looks to be a twenty-foot-tall brick fence as far as the eye can see.I hear music and laughter coming from the left side of the barn.
“Rusher, where are you?”I whisper low under my breath as I start to slowly make my way toward the sound of the people.
“If I didn’t know any better, I would assume you’re an elder by the way you’re moving,” Watson drawls from somewhere in the dark, scaring the ever-living shit out of me.
“Shit, why the hell are you sitting in the dark like a psycho?”I gasp, my heart rate picking up.
“I was coming to get you from the car.”His tone is bored.
“Where is Rusher?”I ask him because right now that is the only thing I care about.
“Rusher is your son?”he tilts his head to the side, studying me.
I bite back the truth because I am not in any way ready for that conversation.“He is.”
His eyes narrow at me with a sneer like I’ve never seen.“Seems that Shea wasn’t the only whore in the family.”
His words do exactly what he wanted them to.They slice my soul as if I’d been struck with a cat-o’-nine-tails.Though I refuse to allow him to see that pain or any other, he doesn’t deserve it.I walk over to him so I can see his face, taking in the man he has become.Where there used to be laughter and curiosity in his eyes, now they hold anger and pure and honest devastation.Neither of us says anything as time drags on, the silence growing thick and heavy.
I swallow my pride at the moment because this man stands between me and Rusher.“Can you take me to my son?”
“I could absolutely take you to him,” he says, leaning back onto the wall with his arms crossed over his chest.“But I don’t fucking think I will.”
