The Saint

by Amelia Shea

  “After what he did to you?” He shook his head, his lip curling in disgust. “The bastard should rot in prison, Bailey. He doesn’t deserve to see the light of day.”

  Coop’s words had been muttered a million times over by her mother and father, her brothers, countless friends. Even from her own mouth in the early days of her recovery. It seemed easier for Bailey to forgive and push on than it was for the others. If I don’t forgive him, I’ll never move forward.

  Coop flattened his lips and tugged his ball cap over his eyes. “You mean a lot to Marley and me.” He sighed. “This town. You’re one of us, and we take care of our own.”

  Bailey smiled and fought against the tears pooling in her eyes. She’d felt at home the second she moved to Ghosttown. Hearing Coop’s words only confirmed it. She was exactly where she was supposed to be.

  “You need to let us take care of you, Bailey. A few of us will make a schedule. We’ll stay on the nights you close up the meetings and walk you to your car. We’ll even follow you home if you want.”

  She shook her head. She swallowed the knot in her throat. It was all too much. “He’s not going to come here and…”

  Coop stepped closer and narrowed his gaze. “You don’t know that, Bailey.”

  She gasped and a cold chill spread over her skin like frost. He was right. No matter how much she’d played it off to her friends, her family, and even herself. She didn’t know where Adam’s head was at, or what he was thinking or potentially planning and plotting.

  “Every meeting, one of us will walk you to your car.” It was a statement, not a question. He glanced at the empty edge of the building. “He may not be out yet, but there are other threats around, and ya shouldn’t be out here alone at night. We should have been doing this since you became mayor.” He nodded. “I’m walking you to your car, Bailey.” His tone was firm and a bit out of character for the easygoing Coop. But he was a good guy, doing a good guy thing.

  Among the fear and anxiousness of the situation, her belly warmed, and an ease rolled through her. I’m one of theirs. One of Ghosttown’s.

  Bailey smiled. “Okay, then walk to my car.” They started down the steps and through the empty lot. She eyed him carefully. His focus was straight ahead, and he seemed on high alert. He remained quiet while she tried to gauge where his tension was stemming from. Maybe it was residual from their conversation. Or was it something else?

  They rounded the side of the building where she had parked. Immediately, her eyes widened. Next to her car were four motorcycles and their riders standing in a circle.

  Why are they still here? They had headed out as soon as the meeting ended, and she assumed they had taken off. They didn’t usually linger afterward. The town as a whole hadn’t quite warmed up to the club moving in just yet. It would be a process. She had done her best to assure those who were skeptical that the Ghosttown Riders weren’t interested in taking over their town, they just wanted to be a part of it. She had swayed a few. Others were harder to convince.

  She noticed Kase, the president, glance up and eye her, then shift his gaze to Coop. One by the one, the members turned. She recognized them all. Rourke. Gage. Her heart sped up and her face heated when Saint turned and his violet eyes landed on her.

  Ahhh…this man. It figured. The first guy to pique her interest since the incident would be a man completely beyond her reach. Her attraction to Saint was possibly ruining her chances for any man to come into her life. Talk about setting the bar high.

  She smiled, but it wasn’t returned. Saint’s attention had shifted to Coop as his gaze narrowed.

  Coop shifted closer to her and angled his body, so he was standing almost in front of her. Ohhhhhhh. Now it all made sense. She chuckled, and Coop glanced down at her with a scowl.

  “I’m assuming they are what you meant by other threats?” she whispered.

  Coop shifted his gaze. “We don’t know them, and until we do? I don’t trust them.”

  “Are you playing bodyguard?”

  “If I have to.”

  She flattened her lips and nodded slowly. It shouldn’t have surprised her. Coop was truly a gentleman, and if it had been a group of strange men, she may have been thankful for his protective stance. It wasn’t necessary, though. Not with the club.

  This was where the true divide between the club and the townspeople stemmed from. Fear of the unknown.

  They moved closer to her car, and in turn, closer to the guys. They watched as she and Coop approached. If she didn’t know better, she’d think they had been waiting on her.

  Bailey lifted her hand in a short wave. “Hey.”

  She noticed the chin lifts and nods, but none of them said a word. They all seemed to be eyeing Coop with suspicion. Introductions were necessary to bridge the town as a whole. She was up for the challenge.

  “Have you guys met Coop?” She glanced up to see him returning their glares. “He and his wife Marley, live down the street from Trax and Cheyenne.”

  No one said a word, and the men seemed to be in an odd stare-down. Bailey pushed her way in front of Coop. “So, Coop, this is Gage, Kase, Rourke, and...” Her breath hitched, and all eyes darted down to her. Why the hell did I pause? Her cheeks heated and she turned to Coop, who was eyeing her suspiciously. “And Saint.”

  “Nice to meet ya, man,” Gage said, reaching out.

  Bailey refused to glance in Saint’s direction until the blush was gone, which might be never.

  She was happily surprised when Coop shook his hand. It may not have been much, but it was something. Coop returned to his position next to Bailey in a protective stance.

  It’ll take more than an introduction, I guess.

  Bailey smiled up at Kase. “Is there something I can do for you?”

  He remained silent, eyeing the distance between her and Coop. His brows furrowed, and he side glanced to his left. She followed the direction and landed on Saint who was staring at her through hooded eyes. She smiled and the corner of his mouth curled. The man had perfected the half-smile.

  “Wanted to invite ya to a party this Saturday.”

  Bailey whipped her head to Gage, who was grinning. She wasn’t sure if he was happy or thoroughly amused by what she assumed was her shocked reaction.

  Me? She gulped. At their party?

  ****

  Her reaction was priceless.

  He almost hadn’t made it to the meeting with his schedule. Thank fuck he did. He wouldn’t have wanted to miss her face when Gage invited her to the party.

  He was a master at the poker face in most situations. Bailey changed the game for him. Her wide eyes and jaw-dropping pouty lip had his control wavering. So damn sweet. He objected to the invite when Kase brought it up a few days ago. His plan with Bailey had been a year in the making. If she was going to be at the clubhouse, he wanted to be the one to bring her in with his claim fully known to the club. He’d waited long enough, but there were still a few loose ends he needed to clear up before he was a permanent resident in Ghosttown. When it was all secured, he’d finally make his long-awaited move.

  He’d been shot down. Kase stressed the importance of having Bailey show some sort of solidarity with the club. The townspeople had yet to warm up to their presence. He figured if Bailey showed at the party, the residents would feel more comfortable around them. The club had plans of expanding the town, and the last thing they needed was having to go head to head with Ghosttown to make it happen. Saint had no doubt they’d prevail either way. At his suggestion, Kase was taking the diplomatic route.

  “A party?” Her voice cracked as she stammered out the two words.

  Gage chuckled, and her face instantly paled. He knitted his brows. Was she scared? Bailey had never shown any fear from the club. There was no mistaking the signs of stress lining her face. He balled his fists.

  When Kase stepped forward, she didn’t back away. It was a good sign.

  “Just a barbeque. It’s a family thing. Riss and Caden are coming up. Figu
red you come by, check it out, then report back to the fine people of Ghosttown,” Kase’s gaze slowly turned on Coop. “Tell em’ we’re not the fucking degenerate criminals their small minds fucking think we are.” Kase sneered, making him appear almost sinister. “Not burying bodies in the yard.” He paused and smiled with his stare remaining on Coop. “At least, not this weekend.”

  Saint drew in a breath, remaining silent. It was not how he would have handled it. Kase lacked the finesse. Saint had to give Coop credit, he didn’t shy away, though Saint read the uncertainty in his eyes. He’d be smart to fear them. They could be civil members of society. Or they could be Ghosttown’s worst fucking nightmare.

  A sharp movement from the corner had Saint jerking his stare to Bailey, who seemed caught off guard by the tension. Shit! It was not how they intended it to go down.

  “I’d, um, love to come.” Bailey forced a smile, and her lower lip trembled. He was making a mental note for the future. Bailey was not a fan of confrontation. He’d watched her handle her own against a few angry residents with grace and patience. Something about male against male was making her tense and uneasy. He reached out, gripping Kase’s arm. When Kase looked over, Saint merely stared. Kase sighed and stepped back, taking his non-verbal cue to back off.

  “What can I bring?”

  Saint glanced over at Bailey, and his lips twitched. So fucking adorable. If he had to wait much longer for her, it would be impossible. Gage stepped closer, and he noticed she didn’t back away. Good.

  “Whatever ya want. Starts at three.”

  Bailey smiled. “Great, I’ll be there.” She turned to Coop. “Thanks for walking me out.” She walked to her car, opening the door. “Don’t forget to tell Marley about dinner at my place.”

  Coop smiled, and his shoulders seemed to relax. “I will. Drive safe, Bails.” He stepped back slowly. Saint had the feeling Coop wouldn’t leave until Bailey was out of the lot. The act alone had earned him Saint’s respect.

  Bailey settled into her seat and reversed the car. As she rolled backward, she glanced up at them again, her eyes were solely on him. When she pulled out of the lot, he noticed Coop halfway to his pickup.

  “I thought we were supposed to play nice with the people, Kase,” Gage said with a laugh.

  “Ya wanna look at me hard, motherfucker better be able to back that shit up,” Kase said with a smirk. “Just proving a point.”

  “Yeah, you’re a fucking charmer, Prez,” Rourke said as he took a drag from his cigarette.

  Saint sighed. It could have been worse. He made his way to his bike parked between Kase and Gage. He mounted the motorcycle and grabbed his helmet when he felt the stares. He glanced up to see all three brothers watching him.

  “My guess is you’ll be there Saturday?” Kase asked.

  Saint remained silent. His appearances at parties were rare. However, he’d definitely be there this weekend.

  Gage chuckled and shook his head. “It’s becoming clear now.” He walked over, smirking at Saint. “Bailey is off-limits to the club unless you’re the VP.” He snickered. “Not fair, man. Using your power to snatch up the mayor.”

  Saint ignored the teasing. It had become clear to quite a few members of his interest in Bailey, and while she was off-limits as per Kase, it didn’t apply to Saint.

  He turned back, staring at the empty road where her taillights were no longer in sight. It was a five-minute drive to her house. He’d take a quick ride and let her settle in before doing a drive by. He’d kept tabs on Bailey for the past three months. He had also dug into her past when Caden, Kase’s brother, shared some unsettling news.

  Bailey didn’t know it, but she had an entire motorcycle club watching her back.

  “Got Decker watching. He’ll let us know,” Kase said, and Saint glanced over his shoulder.

  Decker was a friend of the club. He was linked as the go-to guy for both Kase’s MC and Ghosttown East. Saint had made the call personally to find out about Bailey’s ex a few months ago. Decker called in to Kase a week ago informing them his release had been approved. His time in prison was ending.

  Rourke leaned forward. “Not one fucking guy in with him?”

  Saint sighed, jerking his chin. “No.”

  Their contacts ran far and wide, including prisons. Unfortunately, they had no one on the inside with Bailey’s ex. Not even an extended contact they could call in a favor with to help with their issue. If they had, the only way the bastard would be getting out would have been in a body bag.

  Chapter Two

  “The MC is classing up, I see.”

  Bailey smiled at the man approaching her table. The very handsome and impossibly irresistible club flirt. She’d been on the receiving end a few times. Not a bad place to be when it came to Dobbs. He wasn’t necessarily her type, a little too sexually aggressive for her, but who didn’t like being flirted with? He stopped behind Meg and rested his hands on her shoulders. She shook her head and looked up.

  “Yeah, we’re trying to keep it classy, so behave.”

  He furrowed his brows and scanned all the women at the table. “Behave? Me? You’re asking too much, Meg.” He gazed over to Bailey, giving her a wink.

  Cheyenne and Macy giggled and began teasing Dobbs. Bailey turned to Marissa. She seemed amused also, watching and listening to the banter from Dobbs and the ladies. Of all the women seated, Bailey and Meg were the only single women. Meg was Mick’s old lady. He had died a short time ago. Bailey found it odd she still gathered with the MC, until Meg explained, they were family for life.

  She couldn’t have predicted in all her twenty-five years she would ever be sitting at a motorcycle club party. Strange how life threw curves. A path she never saw for herself, and there she was, a town mayor at a club party.

  This wasn’t the first time she’d been at the Ghosttown Riders’ clubhouse. A few months ago, when Marissa and Caden got married, she was invited to the reception held at the clubhouse. However, she’d never been invited to one of their club barbeques. Until today.

  When the invitation was extended last week she was surprised, but she saw the motive behind it. It was smart on the club’s end. She didn’t take offense to be invited for a purpose. She shared the same agenda. Her attendance was a good faith effort on her part to unify the residents. The town had resisted the acceptance of the club. Bailey figured if they saw her attending the party, they might be more inclined to give this group a chance. Most residents were older and enjoyed their quiet, tranquil existence in Ghosttown. They missed the bigger picture. If the town developed, it would be lucrative in business and real estate. It was a win for all of them.

  She had shared her views with the locals. Giving them her perspective of the potential of growth had swayed some to give them a chance. Some, not all.

  “So, Bailey, what do ya think of our little barbeque” Dobbs asked, grinning down at her. He had a great smile, warm and inviting.

  “Not quite what I expected, but definitely a lot of fun.”

  It wasn’t anything she expected. She had an unfair preconceived notion of what she would be walking into. Massive amounts of drinking, and possibly drugs, loud metal music, and topless, maybe bottomless women scattered around the party. In her stereotypical assessment, she expected to catch a few sexually deviant acts.

  Nothing surprised her more than seeing a bounce house in the yard by the main house. There were lots of people, and quite a few children running around. There was drinking, but nothing belligerent or out of control. The majority of women were dressed for a barbeque, though there was a lot more flesh than she was used to. It was exactly what she had been invited to—a barbeque.

  Dobbs and the rest of the table laughed. “You want us to meet your expectations, babe, gotta come back tonight.” Dobbs smirked, and his gaze perused her body giving her a small shiver and she shifted in her chair. Bailey spent most of her time alone, or in a town filled with people collecting social security. She couldn’t remember the last time a ma
n checked her out. Except…

  “Dobbs!” Someone yelled from the main house and he retreated, keeping his gaze on Bailey until he turned. She watched him walking away. A group of women in short shorts passed by him, trying to get his attention. Oh, they got it. His eyes were aimed at their asses as he passed.

  “You gonna come back tonight?”

  Bailey turned to Meg, who was staring at her. Bailey widened her eyes and pointed to her chest. “Me?”

  Meg laughed. “Of course, you. Hell, if I were your age and Dobbs asked me to come hang out, girl, I would find my sluttiest outfit, my highest heels, and be here.” Meg winked. “I’ve heard things. The man is a good time.”

  “He’s a man-whore,” Macy said.

  “He’s single. He’s allowed to be.” Meg chuckled. “I’m not suggesting she marry him,” Meg paused and smirked at Bailey. “Just take him for a ride.”

  Bailey’s face burned.

  Macy sat back in her seat and glanced around the open area where tables had been set up. “Saint’s single, and he’s not a whore.”

  Saint.

  How just the sound of his name could hitch her breath and start her heart racing was beyond her. But it did. Every time. She didn’t make eye contact with Macy. She knew the angle she was working. It seemed Bailey was not doing a great job at keeping her crush a secret.

  Marissa elbowed Bailey in the arm and smiled. “No, Saint is a saint.”

  Bailey ignored the teasing twist of her lips. Although she never came out and admitted an interest in Saint, she had gotten pretty close to Marissa, and there wasn’t a doubt she knew Bailey liked him. From afar.

  Meg snorted. “Well, I wouldn’t go that far, Riss. Not a man here is saint-worthy, but our Saint, he’s definitely not a man whore, much to the dislike of most of the women who hang around here.”

  The statement gave Bailey small butterflies and got Macy’s full-blown attention. She sat up, resting her elbows on the table, staring at Meg.