His Ride or Die : Sons of Lost Souls MC Book Three

by Ellie R. Hunter

  There was no need to leave him with me, but Zach wouldn’t listen. Mason said he didn’t mind and made sure Zach knew he was now owed big time. They shook hands, Zach kissed me goodbye and then I fell asleep to Mason flicking through the channels on the flat screen tv. I have no idea how my life is going to go from now on, but I have Zach and he’s all I need.

  My movements stir Mason and his smile when he wakes is beautiful. Between him and his brother, their rugged beauty is going to damage girl’s hearts all over. A protective surge sweeps over me when I think of someone hurting them. They have become my friends through Zach and I don’t like the idea of them being heartbroken.

  “Morning,” he beams, his voice catching in his throat from sleep.

  I smile and try to stretch my legs out without disturbing my side.

  “I’m starving, you hungry?” he asks, and I shake my head.

  How can he eat as soon as he wakes up? It’d make me sick if I ate this early. He slips out the private room Slade got for me yesterday morning and I’m left alone for the first time in days. The room is much nicer than the previous room I was in and the silence is bliss and I close my eyes to the world.

  I must have drifted off because it seems like moments later, Mason is coming through the door with a tray of food and two takeaway cups of coffee.

  My mouth waters for the coffee but not the food. He doesn’t mind and eats the lot. I debate whether to message to Zach this early or leave it be in case he’s asleep.

  “Why didn’t you just play along and let Zach get you out?” he asks, scrunching the food wrappers into one big ball.

  “To play along I would’ve had to pretend I didn’t want to be with him.”

  “He would’ve understood.”

  “He probably would’ve but I never want to be the reason he looks destroyed, whether it’s real or not. Did you know how sad he was when I met you all?”

  “He was a moody bastard,” he taunts me.

  “No, he wasn’t, he was sad and he was lost. He closed himself off from you all and none of you noticed. I’m not having a go, I’m just saying, I will always be one hundred with him.”

  “That’s some hardcore love you’ve got for him.”

  “It’s the only way to love,” I smile. “What about you? Can you see yourself loving someone so hard?”

  He shrugs his shoulders. I would’ve thought he’d become uncomfortable where this conversation is going, but he doesn’t.

  “Maybe in the future sometime, but for now, I’m quite happy exploring my options,” he grins and winks.

  “How will that work? With you and Myles?”

  “Someone must be feeling better to be asking such questions,” he snorts. “Myles and I have our own way of doing things and no woman will come between us.”

  His tone ends the conversation and I hope Zach shows his face soon.

  “Unless it’s you, Neen. I could be down to run away with you, I know how good you feel on the back of my bike,” he smirks, and it sends a shiver down my spine.

  “I’d fucking kill you, Myles would have to bury you somewhere I couldn’t set your dead body on fire.”

  We both find Zach in the doorway, holding a tray of takeaway coffees and a bag of mine he packed on my behalf.

  “Good morning to you too, brother.”

  “You can leave now,” Zach grunts, but passes him a coffee as he makes his way out.

  His presence fills the room and I inhale his scent as he puts the coffees down and leans in to kiss me good morning. God, the feel of his lips on mine sends me on a crazy spiral of lust and urgency.

  “Good morning, you’re looking better today.”

  “So do you, you must have slept really well,” I point out.

  “Are you ready to go home?” he asks, sitting on the edge of my bed.

  “So ready,” I sigh, reaching for my drink.

  “I hope you don’t mind, but I thought you could stay at the club with me until you’re fully better. I can keep an eye on you and be there for my brothers.”

  Zach finally got around to telling me about the troubles between his club and another, the Black Crows. I was caught up with Andrew that day, I didn’t even know there was a huge fight sprawling across town.

  “How about you move in with me? When you’re not needed so much at the club, I mean.”

  “At your mom’s place?”

  “It’s mine now, the landlord changed the name on the contract. It could be our place.”

  He presses his lips together to stop himself from smiling but it doesn’t work.

  “I like that idea, it would save a shit load in gas coming to see you all the time.”

  “Exactly, that is just what I was thinking, how to make sure Zach saves money…”

  The bed dips under his weight as he shifts and winds his hand around the back of my head. His mouth crashes onto mine and I’d return the hunger if it weren’t for the pain shooting down my side.

  “Sorry,” he quickly apologises as I hiss through the pain against his mouth.

  “It’s fine. So? Will you move in with me?”

  “You know I fucking will.”

  Here’s to my third new beginning.

  It’s been a week since I was discharged from the hospital and now I’m sitting at the Jackson’s table, with Cas sitting at the head of the table and Mrs Jackson and Mrs McCarthy serving dinner.

  Apparently, I’m only here because I’m Zachery’s old lady. Zach’s only here because he is cousins with Harper who is Cas’ long-lost secret daughter. Who I’m yet to meet. Lily, Harper’s mom and Zach’s aunt, sits between Slade and Zach and it’s awkward as hell.

  “Do you need anything?” Zach asks for the tenth time since we arrived.

  “I’m fine,” I say for the tenth time since we arrived.

  “In that case, I’ll be back in five.”

  I widen my eyes, silently screaming at him not to leave me. Then he’s gone, and Leo is following him out the back door. Really? He has to go for a smoke now? Minutes before dinner will be fully served. While he goes out, I take the opportunity to go to the bathroom before everyone is at the table and starts to eat. My wound hurts today and climbing the stairs doesn’t help me. Doing my business, I flush the chain and turn the faucet on. The warm water feels good against my skin and I wash my hands until it becomes long enough that Zach should be back at the table.

  I reach the top of the stairs and I come to a sharp stop. Putting pressure on my left foot sends crazy pain up the entire side of my body.

  I slide down onto my ass and sit on the top step to pass the time before the pain fades. I go to dig out my phone when I hear Cas.

  “This is a one-off. If Harper weren’t so fragile and you weren’t Slade’s sister your life would be over. The amount of times I’ve killed you in my head for keeping her from me is not fuckin’ normal, Lily.”

  My blood runs cold hearing the conviction in his voice. He means what he says, and I hope I’m never on his shit list.

  “I can’t apologise again, Cas. I’ve said I’m sorry a thousand times. The past can’t be changed now and you’re setting off to fix my wrongs. Don’t worry, she’s always wanted a dad, it won’t take much for you to crack her.”

  Her mom makes her daughter sound so needy and desperate.

  “I swear, Lily. I’m two fuckin’ seconds away from killing you in my own house.”

  “At least you’d remember killing me, it’s not like you remember fucking me, is it?”

  Scornful. Come on, Harper’s mom, have some dignity. Now she’s the one sounding desperate.

  “I’d probably get more satisfaction killing you than I did fucking you.”

  Wow.

  So apparently, old guys can still argue like teenagers.

  “I didn’t want to be here today, you wife insisted. Perhaps you should keep your old lady in check when it comes to the dinner invites.”

  “Fair enough, I’m not arguing with you. I actually wanted to ask you som
ething and I want the truth when you answer, and believe me, you will answer.”

  “Go ahead.”

  “You came to town on and off over the years, you must’ve seen how I was as a dad to my boys? Surely you could see I was different?”

  I hear a rush of breath and then Lily says, “I went out of my way not to see you or your boys, Cas. I didn’t want Harper around you because I knew you wouldn’t even see her clear enough to see yourself in her. I heard all about your perfect little family from Kristen, I didn’t need to see it.”

  Cas’ sigh is defeated as I wince in pain. I need more painkillers. The back door opens, and Zach’s voice bounces off the walls as he tells Leo to fuck off.

  “I want her in my life, I’m going to bring her home and I’m not going to hold back. Don’t get in my way, and don’t fill her head with your shit, you hear me?”

  Silence hangs in the air between them and I silently urge Lily to answer him before hell freezes over and I never get the pain relief I need.

  “Lily?” he growls.

  “I hear you,” she spits out.

  “Good. Now, I’d thank you for raising her without me but all I’ve heard is how you’re a selfish bitch and put yourself first instead of her. I hope you choke on my wife’s cooking, a nice accident to get you out of our lives should do.”

  Heavy footsteps move on and then Zach is asking Lily if she’s seen me. I hear her walk away next and I lean through the banister just enough to call down to him.

  “Up here, help me.”

  He darts down the hall and flies up the stairs.

  “What’s wrong? Why are you sitting up here?” he asks.

  “I was in pain and then Cas and your aunt were having the most awkward conversation and I didn’t think they’d appreciate knowing I heard everything. Cas is very angry with her, you know.”

  Frowning, he runs his hand through is hair.

  “Yeah, everyone knows. She deserves it though, she should never have kept Harper from her father.”

  Part of his resentment bounces off him, and I’m glad he’s sorted things out with Slade.

  “Come on, I’ll help you down and you can take your pills.”

  The stairs aren’t so bad having Zach help me and I avoid Cas and Lily’s eyes when we join the table.

  Food is everywhere, and everyone is helping themselves. I dig out my painkillers from my bag hanging on the back of my chair and Zach fills a glass of water for me.

  I’d much prefer a glass of wine but that isn’t happening while I’m on this medication.

  Slade and Kristen are both watching us and a shy smile creeps over my face. I look away from them and catch India watching us too. She has the baby on her lap and Leo has him arm around them both.

  I look between Zach and I, and his arm is instinctively draped over the back of my chair while he digs into his food using one hand for now. His chair is so close, his thigh rubs against mine. This is my life now, with him, with his family, with his club. I’m ready for this chapter, for my future.

  Cas

  Leo and Luca are packing the SUV with our bags while I make myself comfortable in the passenger seat because I’m too fucking weak to drive. Not that anyone has heard that admission from my lips.

  I’ve been kept waiting for too long while they get their asses in gear. I wanted to be on the road an hour ago, but the baby needed changing and then feeding and then changing again. Now we’re an hour behind.

  The need to light up a cigarette and puff away while I wait weighs heavy on me. Tapping my finger against the side of the car as I hang my arm out the window, it nearly makes me forget there isn’t a cigarette between my fingers.

  Loud rumbles of my VP’s bike shakes my weak body and I soak in the need to be on my bike.

  He pulls up beside me and kills his engine. He heaves himself off his machine and comes to lean beside my car.

  “You’re definitely going then?”

  “Yep.”

  He’s still not happy but I have to do this.

  “Have a smoke for me, brother, please, I beg you,” I grunt and he snorts, shaking his head.

  “No chance, brother.”

  The amusement rapidly vanishes from him and darkness falls over him.

  “What’s really on your mind?”

  “On my mind?” he sighs. “This isn’t the best time to be taking a fuckin’ road trip, Cas,” he moans.

  “She’s my daughter, he’s your son, they should be here with us. I made mistakes and now I’m going to make them right.”

  “Still, no one wants my boy back more than me, but it doesn’t feel right having you go all that way without us. You’re ill, Cas, and Slade was shot last week. Shit is pouring around us, and we need to stick together.”

  “You’ve been by my side for so long, I can’t remember a time you weren’t there. I’m leaving because I have to bring her home and I trust the club with you and our brothers.”

  “Fuck, Cas. Too much is up in the air, we’re not as young as we were the last time we had to fight for each day of our lives and…”

  “Sparks, I’m already fuckin’ fighting for each day. Trust me, it’s all going to work out. Have I ever let you down?”

  “No.”

  “Trust me, and look after my club, you know what I want, any Crow comes around town, kill them, and don’t let Zach go off too publicly when he learns where the stalker is going. Brother, it’s going to be fine.”

  It’s all I say these days, it’s going to be fine.

  “Yeah-yeah, okay, look after yourselves and make sure my boy gets home sooner rather than later.”

  My wife, and the light in my darkness comes up behind him and nudges him out of the way. She passes me a bag and I roll my eyes knowing it’s all the medication I have to take. I shove it in the foothold and ignore it’s there. Sparky walks over to Slade as he talks with Zach on the porch.

  I’m glad the two are back on good terms, it’s how it should be between father and son, and without a shadow of doubt, Slade is the boy’s dad. My eyes creep to the spot where I kneeled on my knees and helped Billy as he died, and I wonder what would be worse, dying in the pain he did or dying in the pain I’m in?

  “Are you sure you’re up for this?” Alannah asks, climbing in behind the wheel.

  I look at her and I’m fucking glad she’s on board with this and just concerned for my health. She could be ripping my balls off me having her drive me to my daughter with another woman. It still doesn’t feel real, it might help if I could remember being with Lily, but I can’t. All I remember in my life is Alannah.

  “Yeah, I’m sure. Are you?” I ask her.

  “Yeah, I’m sure,” she throws back at me.

  “Let’s bring my daughter home then.”