“You got it.” he said.
“Thanks, Prez.” I said, ending the call and climbing into the car that brought me here with two of Sal’s men.
Time to go to church. I looked down at my phone. I knew the weight of what I was doing. Calling chapel was a given. Laying claim, well, that was another matter.
“What the fuck is church?” one of Sal’s goons asked.
“What?” I said, looking at him like he was fucking crazy. “Church, you know, when we have a damn meeting? All the active members, no fucking prospects? We sit around the table and braid each other’s fucking hair, you moron.” I couldn’t help but be sarcastic.
The guy whose name I learned later to be Angelo looked at the prospect who’d asked me the question. “We have board meetings in a boardroom, they have church and chapel,” he informed him.
Tuning out for the rest of the ride, my mind wandered to that first time Jules’ light broke into my dark world.
One year ago
Sitting in chapel, I dreaded this shit party tonight and hoped I could get out of it. Networking, our President called it. We had ties with the Outlaws MC, and he wanted to keep that shit good. So, when their President called and asked, you didn’t say no.
Barely listening, I felt a hard kick to the shin.
“Hey, fucker.” I looked over at Viper, laughing his ass off. He nodded toward Locke.
Shit. Guess I’d spaced out. I looked at our President and he just smiled.
Viper shook his head. “We good for tonight?”
I knew what he was talking about. The same damn thing I’d just been thinking about. I nod. “Yes. The club knows what’s up. Told them if they fuck up tonight, they’re dead.” I decided to go ahead and let him know about the plans I’d put in place. “I have three prospects staying to watch the place, as well as Axel. We’re backed up on orders and behind on deadlines for the shop. But he’s one of the best mechanics we got, so he’ll keep things from getting worse.”
I knew what I’d done was smart. See, our President, Locke, was a scary motherfucker, one who doesn’t play around. The only other person I wouldn’t mess with is Sal. So, when I made a play and directed guys to stay without letting him know, it was kind of risky. But on the other hand, our bike shop made a lot of money. It was the top-rated motorcycle shop in the state.
When Locke called the end of chapel, I let out a mental sigh of relief. I jumped up, ready to head out. This party was going to be the death of me. Maybe I could fake a problem at the shop and cut out early.
Straddling my lady, I turned when Viper called my name.
He sauntered over to me. “There’s one rule Salvatore has you need to follow.”
I eyed him. “Yeah? What’s that?”
Viper’s slight smile was a little wicked. “The daughter is off limits.”
“Yeah, thanks.” I smirked and pulled out ahead of him.
Heading for the party, I blew off what Viper had said. Once I got there, the first thing I did was scan the crowd. I knew nobody was going to try anything, but I couldn’t help it. That’s how I was trained.
The first thing that caught my attention was a pair of incredibly sexy legs that I swore went on for miles. That short skirt stopped my heart and tightened my jeans instantly. My eyes roamed up ever so slowly, taking in the view. Luscious curves, a sexy waist, and a skimpy top barely holding anything in. My mouth watered as dirty images popped into my brain at warp speed.
But what really knocked me on my ass was a set of ice blue eyes, staring right at me. A slow smile spread across my face. When her friend whispered in her ear, her smile widened and her blue eyes flashed, stealing my soul.
A jab to my ribs rocked me. “Stay away from her,” Viper whispered.
Fuck! That couldn’t be her. Shit.
She slowly walked over and took my hand.
One touch, and I knew I was screwed.
Present
Climbing off my bike, I headed into church.
Locke stopped me at the door of the chapel. Yeah, he’d already heard the news. And he knew Jules was mine. “I’m gonna let you head this up.”
I’d worked my way up in the club to second in command, right behind Locke. So it didn’t surprise me that he was letting me head this up. But right now, I didn’t care about my position. All I cared about was finding Jules.
With a curt nod, I brushed past him and took a seat. As chapel started, I gave a rundown of the information her father had told me.
Viper spoke up. “You got a current photo of her that we can have the club circulate?”
Pulling out my phone, I scrolled to one of my favorite pictures of us. Her head was on my shoulder while she sent a text or some shit. I’d looked over at her beautiful face as she was deep in concentration and snapped the picture.
I sat back as the silence drowned me. I couldn’t just sit here. When no one else said anything for a while, I jumped up and headed for the door. I knew of only one contact who could possibly be my love’s saving grace.
I’d reached the door when Locke called my name. “We got your back.” That was all I needed from him. “You going to see Duke?”
I nodded. “Yeah. Keep Tech on standby in case I find something.”
I flew out the door and hopped on my bike, heading to the one person I knew could help save my soul.
Because that’s what she was. My heart and soul. If I lost her, I wouldn’t survive.
5
Jules
Present
I shivered in the darkness, not sure if it was from the cold, or the fear trying to burrow into my bones.
