Page 9 of Blood & Honey (Saint’s Outlaws MC: Deadman’s Beach, AL #2)
Chapter Eight
“What are you getting?” Ashley questions as her gaze moves along the variety of food trucks parked in a crescent shape around the seating area. Indecision is evident on her face as her gaze darts between street tacos and nachos or Spuds with the dancing potatoes on the side of the truck.
“Not sure. Was kind of thinking of trying the new one that only serves grilled cheese sandwiches.” I pull her closer as she scrunches up her nose at that suggestion.
We navigate around my club brothers as they move into the lines.
Hemlock lingers around the donut truck. I think he has a sweet spot for the chick that owns it.
“You want to share some loaded nachos and get a taco pack?”
Her eyes light up, and seeing her happy has my skin buzzing with electricity. My pulse hammers at the base of my throat as her fingers curl tighter around mine.
After ordering, we move off to the side to wait for our order to be called.
Ashley stays tucked into my side as I scan the crowd looking for Shelby.
I’m keenly aware of my brothers doing the same.
That is when they aren’t staring at Ashley and me.
Some of them seem to take some amusement at the sight while others may have questions, but they won’t dare to challenge my decision making.
A privilege I’ve earned by being president.
With our food and drinks in hand, we choose a table off to the side that affords us some privacy and allows me to observe everyone coming and going.
If Shelby dares to show her face, I’ll spot her and we’ll be ready for her.
She may have gotten the jump on Slasher, but she won’t be as lucky if she attempts to make a move a second time.
Ashley digs into our nachos and prattles on about her upcoming graduation and wonders if she should still move in with Melissa.
The subject catches me off guard. I knew she was planning on getting a place with her friends, but that was before everything changed between us. I should be encouraging her, and I know it’s selfish, but now I don’t want her to move out.
It makes me an asshole because what we are doing is the opposite of what she’s been working toward.
“I don’t want you to worry about Ash and me. We’ll be fine.”
“I’m aware that you don’t need me, Blood.”
“Never said that. You don’t have to do anything you don’t want to, but I don’t want to be the thing that holds you back.
A lot has changed in the past twenty-four hours, but that doesn’t have to change your plans to go to school.
” I brush the errant strands of hair from around her face that’s in danger of getting the sauce from our nachos in them.
“You’ve got choices, but you can take all the time you need to decide. ”
“I know what I should do, but no matter what I choose, I’m going to be hurting someone I care about. Melissa is my best friend, but you’re my husband. You and Ash are my family.”
“You’ve never got to worry about where you stand with me. I know I said some shit this morning that wasn’t the greatest. I didn’t mean it. I was pissed at myself for being weak.”
“I don’t think you have a weak bone in your body.”
“When it comes to you, there’s no question. You’re my kryptonite.”
“Sorry to interrupt, but Hash called,” Poe says. “He looked at the footage of Slasher’s attack. Two people wearing hoods. Couldn’t see their faces or what they were driving. They appeared to be on foot. Backs to the camera.”
“Thanks for the update. Tell him to keep digging.”
“Will do, Prez.” Poe gives me a chin lift and heads back to where he was sitting with the rest of our club brothers.
Ashley picks at the nachos, and I finish off my last taco and my beer. “I’m going to go smoke. Do you want any dessert?”
She shakes her head.
“I won’t be far.” I bring her hand up and kiss her knuckles. The guys are close enough that no one would be stupid enough to fuck with her. I walk toward them as they carry on giving each other shit.
I light up a cigarette and glance back at my wife. She’s staring off at the beach. I don’t know what she’s thinking, but whatever she decides to do, I’ll respect her choice.
I don’t want Ashley to think she’s stuck with no way out. Yeah, we have a code, and most people who get out only do so in a body bag. No matter what, I’ll protect her. Even from myself.
I do another perimeter check. The hair on the back of my neck stands at attention. The sense that someone is watching me overwhelms me, making me feel on edge.
Is Shelby watching, or is it her unknown partner?
A chill slithers down my spine in warning as I catch slight movement behind the trees that line the edge of this section of the beach.
“Ashley,” I call for my wife, my tone gruff and demanding.
Confusion creases her brow. I jerk my head to the side, beckoning her to me.
Unaware anything is wrong, she discards our leftovers and struts toward me. Damn, she looks good enough to devour in her tight jeans and white floral print tank top that clings to her like a second skin. I stub out my cigarette and toss it in a nearby public ashtray.
“Everything okay?”
“Yeah. I’m just ready to get out of here,” I lie.
We rejoin my men, who all seem to sense my unease.
“I’ll meet you at the clubhouse. Keep your eyes peeled for anyone suspicious.” The tourist season is already in full swing, making every unfamiliar face a potential suspect. I sent Graves to keep watch on Candyce’s place in case Shelby decides to go after Ash.
The short drive to the clubhouse is quiet and tense.
I have a million and one thoughts filtering through my mind.
I’m torn between doing something to make Ashley hate me so she will go off and build a beautiful life far from me and the dangers that come from being connected to me and pulling her in deeper and closer.
I swore her choice would be her own, but I’m terrified of what the consequences of it will be. If she stays, she’ll always have a target on her back. If she leaves, she’ll still have a target on her back because any enemy that does his homework will connect her to me and use her to get at me.
She’s always going to be in danger, and I don’t know if I’m strong enough to watch her walk away.
I’ve always felt protective of her, but since I had a taste of her lips, the urge to keep her only grows stronger.
She looks over at me with those gorgeous ocean eyes that I could easily drown in if I allow myself to fully go there. I swore after the bullshit and hell of Shelby I’d never fall in love. Not after that bitch ripped out my heart. And here I go again, ready to do it all over again with Ashley.