Page 70 of Creed

“What?” She tried to look innocent, but that smile gave her away. “You said to dress for the ride.”

“Yeah, I did, but that kind of outfit is putting your life at risk cause there’s no way in hell I’m gonna be able to keep my focus on the road when you’re sitting behind me in that.”

She laughed, that soft, real laugh that made me feel like I’d just won the fucking lottery. We took a moment to have our coffee and some toast before heading out to the bike. I put her bikini bottoms and my trunks in the saddle bag with a towel and some sunblock, and then we were on our way.

We pulled into the clubhouse just as the guys were starting to gather at the gate. Bikes were lined up, engines were rumbling, and everyone seemed to be in good spirits.

Memphis and Tallie were up front, and as soon as we were parked, Devin hopped off and ran over to speak to Tallie. I held back and took my time pulling off my gloves as I watched Tallie give Devin a big hug. Devin smiled as she hugged her back. They started talking, and Devin was laughing about something that was said when Jenna walked up.

She slipped her arm around Devin’s shoulders like they’d known each other a lifetime, and the sight of it all made my chest tighten.

I found myself thinking back to when we were first together. Even back then, it was easy to love her. She was everything I wanted in a woman, and I’d let the world, her badge, my patch, and all the shit we thought mattered, tear us apart. I’d blamed her for walking out. I told myself she chose her badge over me, but standing there, watching her laugh with my family, I had to face the truth.

It wasn’t just her badge that got in the way.

It was me.

My pride. My stubbornness. My dedication to the club. I hadn’t let her in. I’d built walls around the club and around myself, keeping everything out that wasn’t tied to this life, including her. If I’d fought for her back then, if I hadn’t let my hard head get in the way, then we could’ve had this years ago. We could’ve had a home, kids of our own, and a life I’d tried to convince myself wasn’t for me.

But then again, maybe this was how it was supposed to happen.

Maybe we had to take the long road.

Maybe we had to grow the hell up before we could find our way back to each other. Either way, I had her now.

And I was going to fight tooth and nail to keep her.

Devin turned and caught me watching her, and her smile softened as her eyes met mine. I gave her a chin lift, then tossed my gloves on the seat of my bike and went to track down Shep. He was talking to a couple of prospects when I stepped up next to him and asked, “You got a minute?”

“Sure thing, boss.”

The prospects could see this had nothing to do with them, so they turned and made themselves busy elsewhere. As soon as Icould see we were out of earshot, I asked, “How good are you at what you do?”

“Why do I feel like that’s a trick question?”

“Just answer it.”

“I’d say I’m better than most. Why? What’s on your mind?”

“I need you to find someone.”

“Who ya got this time?”

“A girl.”

“Gonna need more than that.”

“Sorry, brother, but there is no more.” I shook my head as I told him, “She was there the night Devin was attacked. She was one of the girls they were trying to help.”

“Got a name?”

“No.”

“What about a description? Age? Height? Weight? Special tattoos? Anything?”

“Nope.”

“Creed.”