SHADES: An Evil Dead MC Story (The Outlaw Series Book 3) (22 page)

“I thought Louisiana wasn’t their territory.”

“She’s got ya there, Brother,” Ghost added helpfully with a grin.

“Yeah, well they could be looking anywhere for you.” He knew it was unlikely that there’d be any DKs anywhere near where they were going, but he didn’t want to spend any more time around Undertaker than necessary. He sure didn’t want to go fuckin’ sightseeing.

“Oh,” she said despondently, and he felt her arms sliding away from him.

Shit. He hated to see the joy sucked right out of her face. And it was such a little thing she’d asked for, really. “Okay.
Maybe
. We’ll see how it goes.”

“Oh, thank you, Shades.” She kissed his cheek.

He brushed her cheek with his thumb. “You ready to roll?”

She nodded and moved toward his bike.

Ghost threw a leg over his and lifted it off the kickstand. He grinned at Shades as he moved past him. “Shit, she’s already got you wrapped.”

Shades shook his head and rolled his eyes. “Just shut up.”

Ghost let out a low chuckle and fired his bike up, the thunderous pipes drowning out any further conversation.

She nodded. “So, are we going to be staying close to the Quarter?”

“We’re not actually going to be staying in New Orleans. We’re gonna be staying across Lake Pontchartrain in Slidell.”

“Slidell? In a motel?”

“Not exactly.”

“What’s not exactly mean?”

“We’re gonna be staying with some friends.”

“By friends you mean the MC?”

“Yeah.”

“Oh.”

“Don’t look so scared. You’ll be fine.”

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

When they reached Meridian, they exited the interstate and pulled into a diner. Skylar climbed off the back of Shades’ bike and rubbed her sore ass. She eyed the motel across the street longingly and asked, “How much further is it?”

“We’re about half way, Hotrod,” Ghost informed her with a grin.

“Only half way?” Her hopeful expression fell in devastation.

“Yeah, halfway. Come on,” Shades took her hand and pulled her along behind him into the diner.

They were immediately seated in a booth, and a waitress came over with a coffee pot.

“Coffee?” she asked. When they all nodded affirmatively, she began turning the cups right side up in the saucers that sat on the table and filled them while Ghost pulled the plastic coated menus from behind the napkin dispenser and passed them around.

Shades barely looked at his before he slid it back in its holder and looked up at the waitress.

“I’ll have the pulled-pork barbeque plate.”

“Sides?” the waitress asked.

“Baked beans and coleslaw.”

“And to drink?”

“Sweet tea.”

Ghost shoved his menu behind the holder. “I’ll have the same.”

The waitress scribbled on her pad, and then her eyes fell on Skylar. “And you, miss?”

“Um,” she studied the menu. “I’m thinking maybe a salad.”

Shades yanked the menu out of her hand and told the waitress. “She’ll have the same.”

“Hey!”

The waitress scribbled on her pad and made a hasty retreat.

“Why did you do that?” Skylar asked him.

“You don’t need a salad, Sky. You didn’t eat breakfast. You have to be hungry.”

Skylar looked over at Ghost, her brows raised and popped her lips. “Guess I’m having pulled-pork.”

Ghost chuckled. “Guess so. That’s what the man said.”

“He always like this?”

“Oh, no, no, no. Don’t be putting me in the middle of whatever fight y’all are about to have.”

“We’re not about to have a fight,” Shades insisted.

“Right,” Ghost agreed sarcastically.

“I’m just making sure my woman is well fed.”

She looked back at Shades. “Maybe I don’t like pork. Ever think of that?”

“Do you like pork, Skylar?” he asked.

“Well, yes, but that’s beside the point.”

“No, it’s
not
.”

She rolled her eyes and gave up.

“Good decision.” Ghost grinned at her.

Skylar fidgeted in her seat.

“What’s wrong with you?” Shades asked.

“You know exactly what’s wrong with her, bro. Her ass is sore.”

“Ghost!” Skylar hissed, turning to see if anyone in the diner heard him.

“What? It’s true, isn’t it?”

“Yes, but you don’t have to bring it up.”

Skylar’s eyes again looked longingly out the plate-glass window at the motel sign across the street.

Shades eyes followed, and he huffed out a breath, taking a sip of his coffee.

“What was that for?” Skylar asked, turning to him.

“What was what for?” he replied.

“That huff? What was that for?”

“You want to check into that motel.”

“I didn’t say that.”

“No, but it’s what you’re thinkin’, isn’t it?”

She looked away.

“Isn’t it?” he repeated, nudging her shoulder with his.

Her eyes came back to him. “Maybe. Okay, yes, it was.”

“Christ,” he muttered.

Ghost just grinned at him from across the table. “Did we bet on this?”

“No,” Shades growled. “We bet on four days versus seven.”

“What does that mean?” Skylar asked, frowning.

“It means we’re getting a room.”

Ghost nudged her with his foot. “Just shut up and tell him thank you.”

She looked over at Shades and smiled. “Thank you, honey.”

He just looked away, shaking his head, but she could see the grin he tried to hide behind his coffee cup.

Half an hour later, they rolled across the street to the motel. Shades went in, and Skylar waited outside with Ghost.

Skylar watched after Shades as he walked away, watching the sexy way his hips rolled with his gate. He’d grown even better looking in the years they’d been apart. He seemed broader in the shoulders, and his arms and chest were more muscular. He’d really filled out as a man in his prime. And as she watched him walk away, she realized she’d never be able to watch him walk away
for real
again. It terrified her that that may still happen. No matter what he’d said, she knew things could happen that could change his feelings. But she wanted him, more than she’d ever wanted anything. She only wished everything could work out for them.

She caught Ghost’s eyes on her and turned to look at him.

He watched her, his arms folded, his feet wide apart.

“What?” she asked, frowning at the way he studied her.

And then as if he’d read her mind he said cryptically, “Be careful what you wish for darlin’.”

“What do you mean?”

“Let me tell you something about our boy in there.” He nodded his head toward the motel office. “When he’s bound and determined to do something, he’s gonna do it.

“I understand that.”

“I don’t think you do, Skylar. He’s on the road to be VP. It’s all he’s wanted for a long fuckin’ time. You on board for that? Because let me tell you, ain’t nothing gonna knock him off that road.”

“I…”

“If you’re gonna be the old lady of the club’s VP, you’re gonna have to toughen up. You’re gonna have to be strong for him when he needs you. There’ll be times—behind closed doors—when he’s gonna need to lay some heavy shit on you—when he’s gonna need to let the shield down. You’re gonna have to be able to take that weight off his shoulders even if it’s just for a few hours. Things can be stressful with the club; he doesn’t need stress at home, too. Home—that’s gotta be solid. You understand where I’m coming from?”

“I think so.”

“Shit may even go down this weekend. He’s gonna be watchin’ to see how you handle it. See if you’re the woman who can stand by his side through all the shit this club can bring. Make no mistake, good times are gonna outweigh the bad. Wouldn’t be a single member if they didn’t. But it’s how a person handles the bad times that speaks volumes. He’s got to know you believe in him. Gotta feel it to his bones. That goes for when he tells you to do something, he’s doin’ it for your own good. He’s got to know you trust in him enough to do what he says without questions, backtalk or arguments. And it’s more than just that. It’s knowin’ he can count on you to be there for him. Knowin’ you’ll always be there for him when he needs you. That’s what it’s all about.”

“And what about me? What I need?”

“Darlin’, you prove yourself, he’ll be there for you, too. In all the ways you need him to be.”

“So, I have to prove myself to him?”

“Don’t we all have to prove ourselves in some way? Aren’t you waiting for him to prove himself to you? That he won’t ever let you down again the way he did before?”

“I thought you didn’t know anything about that.”

“I don’t, but I’m betting he’s the one that fucked it up. Am I right?”

The way she looked away must have given him all the answer he needed, because he continued, “If you think he’s not watching to see how you handle the shit this life,
the MC life,
can throw at you, you’re wrong.”

“Shit this life can throw at me?” She repeated his words back at him.

He let out an aggravated breath. “You know what I’m talkin’ about, Hotrod. Shit like Ashley. Shit like the DKs at the gate yesterday.”

She dipped her head, studying the blacktop under her feet.

“Shit like that happens, you can’t run and hide or bury your head in the sand.”

“All right, Ghost. I get the message.”

“For what it’s worth, I think you’ve got it in you. You could be a damn good ol’ lady to him, if you just step up, girl.”

She smiled up at him then. “Thanks.”

“I know it’s none of my business, and I should stay out of it, but maybe I just want you two to work out. I’m givin’ you a piece of advice because I don’t want
either
of you to fuck this up. So take it in the way it was intended. You want to make this work, I’m givin’ you a little guidance to ease your way into this life.”

“I appreciate that, Ghost. I do.”

“Yeah, well, nobody wants unsolicited advice, but you took it pretty well, darlin’.”

She chuckled and repeated his words from earlier that morning. “Don’t take this the wrong way but…”

“Yeah, yeah. From now on just tell me to shut the fuck up.”

When Shades came back out, he didn’t look happy.

“They’re full up.”

“You’re kidding? In this Podunk town?”

“Some family reunion. Clerk said there are hundreds of ‘em in town.”

“So we riding on to Slidell?”

“Guy at the desk called around. Place two blocks down on the left has one room left.”

“One?” Skylar asked.

“Yup. Just one.”

Ghost grinned over at her. “Don’t worry, Hotrod, I don’t snore.”

They headed over there and checked in. After unloading their bags off the bikes and storing them in the room, Ghost headed for the door.

“I’m going to that bar across the street.” He winked. “Give you two a little alone time.”

“You don’t have to do that, Ghost,” Skylar offered, hating to run him off.

“Oh, yeah he does,” Shades said with more force.

Ghost grinned. “I turn into a pumpkin at midnight, so that gives you a couple hours, Romeo.”

“Thanks, man.”

Ghost winked at Skylar before he left.

****

Skylar was still awake when the door opened quietly and Ghost moved into the room. She glanced at the clock radio on the nightstand. One am. She was on her side, facing the door across the empty second bed in the room. Shades was pressed up against her with his chest to her back, his arm tight around her waist.

“The bikes okay?” Shades murmured sleepily without moving a muscle.

“Yeah, man, they’re fine,” Ghost replied, pulling his shirt over his head.

Skylar couldn’t help but let her eyes run over him admiringly.

“Close your eyes, Skylar,” Shades murmured, again without moving.

Ghost’s eyes dropped to hers, and he grinned as he reached for his belt buckle. “She can watch; I ain’t shy.”

Shades hand came down over her eyes. She reached up to grab at his hand, managing to peek through while giggling.

Ghost dropped his pants and crawled into bed.

“Oh, my,” Skylar whispered in awe of all that was Ghost.

Shades flipped her over to face him. “Okay, babe. Enough of checking out a brother.”

She giggled again.

“Guess there’s only one way to shut you up,” he grumbled, and his mouth descended on hers.

“Oh, good. The shows about to start,” Skylar heard Ghost tease and broke the kiss long enough to peek over her shoulder and see Ghost turned on his side facing them, his head propped in his hand.

She shoved against Shades chest in a panic. “No show. Just sleeping. Goodnight, Ghost.”

He fell back onto his back and folded his arms under his head. “Damn. Night, Hotrod.”

****

The next morning, Shades awoke to feel Skylar crawl out of bed and go in the bathroom. He remembered from before that she was an early riser. The sound of the shower turning on carried through the bathroom door. A minute later, the sound of her humming in the shower drifted out.

“She always this cheerful in the morning?” Ghost grumbled, his eyes still shut.

“Yeah, usually.”

“Christ,” Ghost muttered sleepily. “How do you handle it?”

“I usually fuck her, and she goes back to sleep,” Shades replied with a yawn.

“During or after?”

“Smartass.”

The singing continued, a little off key.

“Well, don’t let me stop you,” Ghost grumbled and put a pillow over his head.

“Fuckface.”

Fifteen minutes later, the door opened, and Skylar walked out wrapped in a towel, followed by a cloud of steam.

Ghost whistled, and Shades lifted his head turning to look at her.

“Hey, baby. Come over here a second,” Shades said in a sexy rumble.

She grinned at him, shaking her head. “I’m on to you.”