by Jade Kuzma
“Hello, Miller. It’s been a long time. Did you miss me?” Moore smirked and put his dirty teeth on display. I marched right up to him and slugged him in the mouth as hard as I could. He fell to the ground, laughing as he tried to catch his breath. I grabbed him by the collar and looked him right in the eye.
“Gimme one good reason why I shouldn’t kill you right now.”
“I can give you a dozen. But if all you need is one… Detective Bradford has some men right outside. They saw me walk in. They’re gonna expect me to walk out. And if I don’t, they’re gonna come looking for me. I don’t know your clubhouse too well but I can imagine you’ll have trouble hiding my body.”
“We have places.”
“You can’t clean up all the evidence. All forensics needs is a single drop of blood. That’s enough DNA to get you life. That what you want, Miller? You’ll never see the girl again—”
I clocked him in the mouth again to shut him up.
“Hey, take it easy.” Rex put a hand on my shoulder and I held back. When Rex was the one telling me to cool off, I knew I was heated. I stood up straight and waited for Moore to get back to his feet.
He wiped the blood from his mouth and smiled. “I didn’t come here to fight. I’ve got a business proposition for you.”
“Not interested. The only proposition I got is one that ends with a bullet in your head.”
“And I thought bikers being hotheads was just a stereotype… I think you’ll wanna listen to this.” He started pacing back and forth, his hand rearranging his jaw. “I need more money. I don’t have the transports I need to impress Picardo. You’re gonna be the one to provide it for me.”
“And why the fuck would I do that?”
“Because… If you don’t, they will never be safe.”
I moved forward and Rex grabbed me by the shoulder again.
“You lay a finger on either one of them, I’ll make sure you go to Hell a thousand times.”
“I don’t wanna do it, Miller. But I will unless you give me money. All I need is another hundred grand. Is that too high a price for peace of mind?”
“You really are crazy if you think I’ll do something like that.”
“Maybe I am. What I do know is that I got the girl before. I can get her again.” He slowly started walking backward, blood dripping down his lip and onto his shirt. “You still have the phone I gave you. I’ll keep in touch.”
Rex tightened his grip on my shoulder to remind me not to try anything. “You’ll get your chance, Teddy. Not now.”
“I could’ve fucking ended him. I don’t care if I spend the rest of my life behind bars.”
“And what about Summer? What about Sage? You planning on leaving them alone, too?”
They were the only two people keeping everything in perspective. I sighed and collected myself. “Shit… What am I gonna do?”
“We’ve still got time to figure this out. The MC is with you. We’ll make Moore pay. That motherfucker can’t come into our clubhouse and make demands.”
Every man in the club stood right behind me. I stared at all of them and nodded. “I have to talk to Summer… Make sure she’s all right.”
Chapter 20
SUMMER
“I remember the first time I came here. It was right after I got my scholarship to the university. My parents were proud of me but it was pretty much expected that I was going to succeed. Still, even they figured it was a time to celebrate, so they took me here. They never splurged. They saved every penny they had until they passed. Strange to think that they didn’t leave me much behind. But I guess that’s what happens when something unexpected happens and things end before you plan them.”
The steakhouse wasn’t fancy. It was just as quiet and quaint as every other shop in Ivory. And just like every other place, it brought back memories of a life I thought I’d left behind.
I stared down at the candle in front of me, watching the flames dance. I reminisced with a smile on my face.
“You know what’s strange? I never thought about what it would be like if they were still here. Things have changed so much with school and my job and Sage… I’d like to think they’d be proud of me.”
“Why wouldn’t they be?” Theo had a soft smile on his lips. The way the candlelight cast a shadow on his face gave him a sort of rugged handsomeness you wouldn’t find on most men in the city. He was just another reminder of what I’d left behind. “You were destined for everything you’ve accomplished. You’ve achieved a lot, Summer. Even if they aren’t here with you now, you should still be proud of yourself.”
“Maybe you’re right. But how I feel doesn’t matter anymore. I just want to be there for Sage so I can be proud of her.”
My daughter’s attention was focused on the sheet of paper she worked a crayon over. The way she stuck her tongue out the side of her lips while she focused made me smile like nothing else.
Theo knew the story of how I lost my parents in an accident. He knew I didn’t have any other family. He was pretty much the same way. Outside of the MC, he didn’t have anybody. I guess that was the reason why we were so close in the first place.
“I wanna do everything for her,” I said. “I’d give up my life if it meant just giving her a chance.”
“I’m sure you would but it doesn’t have to come to that. Your life isn’t on the line.”
“Sometimes it feels that way. I was with Roger and I had no idea what kind of man he truly was. I almost lost Sage. Now even with her back, Moore is still out there and a police detective has somebody tailing me to make sure nothing happens to me. I don’t know what I’m supposed to do.”
“How about you just enjoy dinner tonight and forget about everything going on? At least for a little while longer.”
“I guess I can try.” I sighed then laughed when Theo pointed out how worried I was. Thankfully, the waiter arrived with food that looked and smelled good enough to distract me. “Come on, sweetie. You can finish coloring later. It’s time to eat.”
I pulled my daughter’s coloring page away from her. She reluctantly put down her crayons and munched on her chicken nuggets. Theo watched her especially close, smiling as she stuffed her face. He leaned in and whispered to her.
“You know, when I was younger, chicken nuggets were my favorite.”
“I thought you said fries were your favorite?” My daughter gave him a confused look. Theo laughed in response.
“How about that? You’ve got a great memory! But I liked chicken nuggets and fries. What’s your favorite food, Sage?”
“Chocolate!”
“Okay, okay,” I interrupted. “You’re getting her all worked up. Why don’t you eat your steak? Feels like I’m babysitting two kids now.”
Theo and Sage smiled at one another as they finally started eating. I cut into my own steak and took a bite, momentarily forgetting about all of the things stressing me out.
“This feels like old times,” he said. “You and me… Having a quiet dinner out on the town…”
“Dinner with you was never quiet.”
“Maybe I was never quiet but it was quiet all around us. People knew to mind their own business when they saw a Cobra.”
“They sure did. It was nice knowing nobody would bother us because of that vest you’re wearing. It’s like it has mystical powers or something. I can see why it means so much to you.”
“I didn’t patch in because I cared about what other people thought of me. I just wanted to make a difference. Same thing as you.”
“What are you talking about?’
“You’re a college professor working at a junior college. You’re helping out the less fortunate, helping them get by, giving them the education they can’t afford anywhere else. And I’m a club member, serving the townspeople. It’s practically the same thing.”
“You can’t be—” I was just about to tell him off when he smirked at me. I bit my tongue and held back all of the names I wanted to call him because my daughter
was sitting right next to me.
“You don’t have to be back in the city anytime soon, do you?”
“I’m off for the semester. I guess I’m fortunate that everything happened when I don’t have to take time off. Then again, I should’ve been watching her more closely so she didn’t get taken in the first place.”
“What happened exactly?”
“She was with Roger. I don’t know the details. I just got the call telling me he had her. I knew Roger was gone because there’s no way he would’ve let something like that happen.”
“I never would’ve let something like that happen to her.”
I could feel his eyes on me while I sliced another piece of steak. I chewed on it slowly, not looking back at him.
“I should be in her life. You know I should—”
“Theo. What happened to having a nice, quiet evening and forgetting about all of the drama for one night?”
“This isn’t drama. This is just the truth. I deserve to be with her.”
“You do. You’ve already proven that. I’m not going to argue against you.”
“Why does it feel that way?”
“Because you know it’s not that simple. Do you really want me to come back down to Ivory? Do you really want me to leave the life I built for her? It’s not about you. It’s not about me. It’s about her.”
“How else am I supposed to be there for her if you’re all the way in the city?”
I shifted my eyes up from my plate and stared at him. It took him a moment before it dawned upon him. And I knew it did from the way he slowly started to nod.
“You want me to leave… You want me to leave everything behind here in Ivory.”
“I don’t want you to do anything, Theo.”
“You might as well. You’ve already decided what’s best for her.”
“And what would you have me do? Just drop everything and come back here? You tell me my parents would be proud of what I’ve accomplished and now you’re telling me to just forget about all of it. Just throw it all away.”
“You wouldn’t be throwing it all away. Nobody can take what you’ve accomplished away from you. You can still do a lot in Ivory—”
“No!” I didn’t know what came over me. I raised my voice loud enough to get the attention from some of the other tables.
“Mommy?” Sage reached her hand out and put it on top of mine. I smiled at her to calm the worried look in her eyes.
“It’s okay…” I put my hand to her cheek then brushed her hair behind her ears. “Mommy’s okay. Just eat your food, okay?” My big smile was enough to make her do the same. I sighed a soft breath then looked back at Theo. “Sage is happy in the city. I’m happy in the city. Life was perfect before all of this happened. I’m sorry you didn’t know but now you do. I… I wanna make this work, Theo. I just don’t know how to do it.”
Theo twisted his lips like he was trying to think of what to say. He never found what he was looking for though. He just stuffed another piece of steak into his mouth then smiled at Sage.
“How are the nuggets?” he asked. “Good?”
“Mmm-hmm!”
“Here…” He squeezed a helping of ketchup onto her plate, making her eyes light up. “That’ll make it taste even better.”
“Mommy says I shouldn’t eat too much ketchup.”
“Is that right?” Theo raised an eyebrow at me. “I think mommy will make an exception for tonight. Isn’t that right, mommy?”
I rolled my eyes at him and sighed. He knew I couldn’t be mad. Not with the way he made her smile. But he and I both knew what was best for Sage wasn’t so simple.
I did my best to forget about the decision I had to make and tried to enjoy my dinner. The night was only just getting started.
Chapter 21
THEO
Summer knew the safest place for Sage and her would always be the Bone Pit. As long as Moore was still lurking, even with police detectives tailing her, the MC was the only thing stopping him from trying anything.
Summer had her reservations but Sage didn’t mind. Doc and Jordan kept her company like they usually did. Even Micah did his best to put a smile on her face. No amount of people beginning to crowd into the bar that night would be enough to make the little girl uncomfortable.
I trusted those men with my life, so I could trust them with my own daughter. A little bit of coaxing and I was able to convince Summer to head into my room in the back of the clubhouse. I had intentions but not just what she was thinking.
She stood next to the window and watched the traffic roll by. Across the street, there was probably some cop on a stakeout making sure that Summer was safe.
“I’ve lived here all my life,” she said. “I left five years ago. After all that time, it still feels like yesterday I was here. The weather. The roads. The buildings. They’re all so familiar. I guess I can never really leave everything behind.”
“Ivory is a part of you. You can move to the other side of the world but you’d never find a place like this.”
“You’re right about that.”
I moved forward and put my hands on her shoulders. She trembled slightly but I could feel her calming underneath my touch. She was a foot shorter than me, small enough that it didn’t take much effort to hold her in my palms.
“I need to ask you something—”
“I know.” She cut me off, her eyes still locked on the view outside. Summer was an unassuming brunette to most people but to me, she was the most gorgeous woman in the world. The worry on her face right now made me wanna do everything to get rid of it. “You’re up to something. I’ve known you long enough to know that. You’re going after Moore.”
“I have to do this, Summer.”
“I’m not gonna try to stop you. I’d prefer the cops handled this but I guess that’s just how things work in Ivory. The MCs are the ones responsible for the real justice out here.”
“The phone Moore used to contact you. I need it.”
Without saying a word, she pulled it out of her pocket then placed it into my hand. “Bradford wanted it but I figured I would hold onto it, seeing as how that bastard is still out there somewhere.”
“He won’t be out there for long. I’ll settle this, Summer. I promise.”
“I don’t want you to promise me that. I want you to promise something else.” She turned around and looked up at me. I remember the last time she gave me a serious look. It was five years ago, right before she left me. “I’ve never seen Sage so happy with someone before the way she is with you. I know it’d be wrong to keep the two of you separate. I want you to remember that. Remember when you’re out there handling club business, there’s a little girl who has her hopes up because she thinks she’s gonna see you again. You don’t have to make any promises to me. It was wrong of me to keep the truth from you. But Sage is here now. You have to do everything you can for her. Everything.”
“You don’t need to tell me that. I love that little girl. I’ll keep her safe and happy—”
“The only way she’ll be safe and happy is if you’re safe and happy. Do you understand, Theo?”
I put my hands up and cupped her face. Even in a moment like this, she looked so damn beautiful I couldn’t help myself. I moved my face to hers and kissed her. Our lips tangled. My tongue reached out and tasted her sweetness before I pulled away slightly to whisper into her lips.
“When this is all over, we’ll be together,” I said. “I promise.”
I put my lips back on hers. Another sloppy kiss and we lost ourselves. Our hands roamed over one another. I ran my palms over her shirt, cupping her tits and making her moan. My hands trailed down and lifted her shirt up over her head. I reached behind her and unhooked her bra. I perfected that move on her.
And she’d perfected her moves on me. The way she pulled my kutte from my arms. The way she pulled my shirt off. The way she unbuckled my belt while still managing to keep her lips locked on mine. Nobody could do what Summer did to
me.
The loud smack of our messy kisses trailed toward the bed as we inched closer to it. I stepped out of my jeans and underwear while she did the same with her panties.
I scooped her up in my arms and she gasped into my mouth. Her soft, porcelain skin rubbing against my body made my cock throb. I dropped her down on the bed and looked down at her figure. The curves of her tits. The shape of her waist. The slender legs that led toward a wet slit that was just dying for me. And all that was without even mentioning her beautiful face.
She stared at me with those brown eyes of hers, the moonlight just enough to illuminate her.
“Are you just going to stand there and stare at me all night?” She raised an eyebrow at me.
I grabbed my shaft and gave myself a few pumps to make sure I was ready. “Would that be such a bad thing?”
She bit her bottom lip, not because she was hiding a smile but because she knew I couldn’t help myself. I moved back closer to her, pressing my lips on hers and enjoying the warmth of her body. Between her legs, she was even warmer. I guided my tip toward her folds and pushed the head in. Her jaw dropped slightly, lowering more and more with every inch I pushed into her. I braced myself, digging my hands into the mattress as I plunged my cock into her completely.
I hadn’t even moved my hips one bit when she wrapped her legs around me and rolled me onto my back. I didn’t protest. When a pretty girl like Summer was on top of you, you just laid back and enjoyed the view.
I reached up and ran my hands over her tits then down the curves of her waist. She leaned forward and pressed her hands on my chest, the whole time keeping her eyes locked on mine.
“It’s been a long time since I did this,” she groaned.
“Too long…”
She started working her hips the only way she could. Pulling off of me so just the tip was inside of her before lowering down to take me completely. Up and down. Up… and down. She did it over and over. The wetness leaking out of her spilled on my hilt. The wet sound of our bodies slapping together grew louder.
