Total pages in book: 73
Estimated words: 66480 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 332(@200wpm)___ 266(@250wpm)___ 222(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 66480 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 332(@200wpm)___ 266(@250wpm)___ 222(@300wpm)
"A guy with no club affiliation, who no one recognized, who you left with after knowing him for what, an hour?" Ghost's jaw tightened. "That's not like you."
"Maybe you don't know me as well as you think." The words came out sharper than I intended. “I didn’t do anything any of the other unattached women haven’t done. I had my own ride, I know how to protect myself, and I wanted to have a good time.”
Ghost's eyes narrowed. "I know you well enough to know when you're being reckless. This isn't some college party, Wren. These are dangerous people with dangerous connections. I don’t have a problem with you living your own life. I do have a problem when you put yourself in direct danger without even stopping to assess the risks."
"Dangerous connections? You mean like you?" I challenged. "Like me? Last I checked, Bound in Blood wasn't exactly the Rotary Club."
"That's different and you know it." He ran a hand over his face, frustration evident in the gesture. "We have rules, our own codes we stick to. We look after each other."
"It was just a hook-up. Nothing that puts the club at risk."
"You're not hearing me." Ghost moved closer, his voice dropping to that dangerous quiet that meant he was really concerned. "It's not about the club. Me and Animal can keep the club safe. This is about you. About keeping yourself safe."
The genuine worry in his eyes made my defiance waver. Ghost had saved my life, given me a home, a family, when I had nothing. He'd taught me to ride, to fight, to survive in a world that would chew me up and spit me out if I showed weakness. His protectiveness came from love, I knew that. But sometimes I had this stupid need to push back. Maybe it was to see if he would keep those childhood boundaries in place. If he still cared about me even though his obligation was long finished. It was that thought alone that held me in check.
Finally I sighed. "Look, I appreciate the concern," I said more gently. "But I can handle myself. You taught me well, remember?"
"There's things happening you don't know about." Ghost stepped closer, lowering his voice even though we were alone. "You know I can’t talk about club business, but you need to know now is not the time to be bringing strangers into the mix."
My mind flashed to the Copperheads patch in Rocky's bag. What if I'd just spent the night with someone connected to a rival club? I pushed the thought away. "It was one night, Ghost. Not a marriage proposal."
"One night is all it takes for things to go sideways." His eyes searched my face. "You think I'm stupid?"
The question hung in the air between us. Of course I didn't think he was stupid. Ghost was the smartest person I knew, street smart in ways that mattered in our world. He'd survived decades in club life by seeing angles others missed, by reading people better than they read themselves.
"No," I admitted quietly. "I don't think you're stupid."
"Then don't treat me like I am." His voice softened slightly. "All I'm asking is that you be careful. That you think before you jump."
Guilt gnawed at me. Ghost had given me everything, and here I was keeping secrets from him. But telling him about Rocky didn’t seem like a good idea. Not just because I'd likely get a lecture about sleeping with strangers, but because I wasn't ready to share it. Whatever had happened between Rocky and me felt private. If something changed to make me feel differently, I’d come clean.
"I am careful," I said finally. "I wouldn't do anything to put myself or the club at risk. You know that."
Ghost studied me for a long moment, his expression unreadable. Finally, he nodded, though the suspicion never left his eyes. "Alright. But next time, answer your damn phone."
He moved toward the door, pausing with his hand on the knob. "Club meeting tonight. Eight o'clock. Jack wants everyone in the compound there." He looked back at me. "That includes you."
"I'll be there." I nodded, relieved the interrogation was ending.
Ghost gave me one last look, his eyes lingering on the bruise on my neck. "Get some rest. You look like you didn’t get much last night."
The door closed behind him, leaving me alone in the suddenly too quiet apartment. I sank onto my couch, the water bottle dangling forgotten from my fingers. Ghost wasn't convinced, not by a long shot. And honestly, I wasn't sure what I was doing either.
One night with Rocky had left me more off-balance than I wanted to admit. I needed to think through what I wanted to happen next. I definitely wasn’t making the first move. Mainly because, I could admit, I didn’t want to ruin what had been the perfect night. But also because I needed to do some recon before I went any further. The trick would be doing it without Ghost finding out what I was doing. Fortunately, I wasn’t without my own shady connections. Time to call in a couple favors and get to work.