Page 38 of Clash

“Are you going to file a report?”

Shaking my head, I took Alex’s hand that had somehow wiggled into mine, and squeezed, thankful my son was so loving all the time. “I can’t. The second they run my name…”

“You’re afraid they’ll take your son?”

“Yes.”

“I see… well, that settles it then. Until you can figure out a way to get to your sister, you’ll stay with me.”

“Bessie, I can’t do that to you. We’d only be a burden.”

“With faces like those, I’m quite certain neither of you could ever be a burden. I never had any children of my own, and since my dearest Roger passed away, I’ve been living here alone without a single person to talk to. I have a delightful guest bedroom that never gets used. It has a bed big enough for both of you. I’d only ask for you to help me around the house, maybe do some cleaning?”

Nodding, I couldn’t help but agree. “Okay. We definitely could use the help for at least a few days.”

“Then it’s settled. Why don’t you go put your stuff in the guest bedroom? I usually don’t cook dinner for myself, but I love cooking for other people. Do you like pot roast?”

“Love it.”

She beamed. “Wonderful, let me go to the store to pick up some groceries, and I’ll cook us up a four-course meal.”

The wordsfour-course mealturned my stomach sour. But I pushed the invading thoughts from my head, focusing on the sweet woman before me.

Bessie seemed like just what I needed in that moment. Her friendly smile, inviting home, and unwavering hospitality was the exact opposite of Clash. It may not be Vegas, but it was definitely safer than staying with a biker who had a death wish.

14

Every part of me wanted to go chasing after Gina, but the man in me knew that I needed to right my wrong. I wasn’t going to let Officer Hadley take off with Gina’s money, and luckily, I knew where the bastard liked to go when he didn’t like being seen.

I had time, but that time was very limited…

My phone rang just as I mounted my bike, and I hooked it up to the Bluetooth speaker in my ear.

“Hello?”

“Hey,” Snyder’s voice came over the line. “How’s things there?”

“Like you fucking care,” I grumped, gritting my teeth at the mere sound of his voice. “Find the bitch yet?”

“Don’t fucking call her that!” Snyder yelled, his voice commanding the line. “I get that you lost the race for her heart, but don’t fucking call her names just because you’re bitter.”

I was bitter, but I was sure as hell not going to let that motherfucker know it.

“Whadaya want, Prez?” The word Prez was said with so much disdain, I seriously felt like my tongue was going to disintegrate in my mouth just for saying it.

“To clear the air. Ranger told me you weren’t too happy about us leaving like we did.”

“You abandoned the club for a girl, one that tore apart our fucking club. Yeah, I’m just peachy, asshole.”

Snyder inhaled sharply and let out an exasperated breath. “Clash, I know you’re pissed at me, but I need you. I know you’re the only one I can trust that will keep the club safe while I’m gone. Please, I know that me leaving was wrong, but I really need to know that I can count on you to keep the club out of trouble in my absence.”

I scoffed, laughing internally as I revved up my bike and started it. “Too late for that, Prez.”

“What the hell does that mean?” Snyder shouted, but I could barely hear him over the glorious hum of my bike.

God, it’s so nice to drown out the disruptions of life with the roar of chrome and exhaust.

“Clash! Answer me! What the hell are you about to do?”