Page 30 of His Flawed Ride (Sons of Lost Souls MC #16)
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Shane
I didn’t want to drag my ass around town this afternoon, but it turned out to be the distraction I needed.
Lily’s death lingers over the club like a grey cloud threatening drizzle.
Ricky and Pope’s deaths lingered like a black stormy cloud, but Lily’s death isn’t nowhere near the same.
JJ and Cas are holding their tongues for Harper’s and Slade’s benefit, but they don’t hold back when they’re not around.
JJ’s pissed she has given Harper another reason to cry.
He’s worrying how it will affect his old lady having to live in the house where her mom killed herself.
So much is up in the air and while none of it concerns me, I can’t help feeling bad about it.
I pull into the club as dark clouds loom above us.
An older couple are stood with Grim and Nora.
The older woman is sobbing into a tissue, and the older guy has his arm around her, consoling her.
As I park the truck I notice Leo by the bar, smoking a cigarette, and intently watching Grim and Nora.
Killing the engine, I jump out and round the truck, helping Annie out.
I keep hold of her hand and keep my eye on Grim as I go to take her over to the main house.
The older woman steps away from who I’m assuming is her husband, and strikes Grim with such strength his head snaps to the left.
He’s more than capable of holding his own, but still, I instruct Annie to wait by the picnic tables and I head over and stand at my brother’s side.
“I see where your son gets his violence streak from.” His sarcasm has the older couple narrowing their eyes.
“Before you come around here again, check out how many times your beloved son put Nora in the hospital. Ask the sheriff how many 911 calls were made from their house. And why you’re at it, why don’t you look over the numerous x-rays of the broken and fractured bones your son inflicted. ”
Nora places her hand on Grim’s arm to calm him.
The older guy steps forward. “Is that why he’s missing?
Did you help fragile little Nora? Were you helping her by killing my son?
” Nora’s sharp gasp has her stumbling into Grim’s side.
He catches her and keeps her under his arm.
“He did, didn’t he!” He points to Grim while glaring at Nora. “He killed my son!”
Glancing in Leo’s direction, he’s slowly going for his gun. Cutting my gaze to Nora, her shoulders broaden, she lifts her chin and her eyes focus. She steps away from Grim and closer toward the couple.
“I have no idea where Harry is, but if you accuse my husband of something he’s not capable of doing one more time, we will sue.
I will come after your house, your cars, every cent you have.
I left Willow’s Peak, no, I ran , because of your son, never wanting to see him again because of what he did to me.
But now I want him to show his face because I’m going to have him charged for every bone he broke.
The whole town will finally know the truth. ”
“No one will believe you. They know…”
“Yes, they know him and that’s why everyone will believe me.”
The second they believe her they take a step back and then another.
“My son is a good boy,” the mother continues to defend him.
“You should go. Wherever Harry is, you can bet your ass he’s not worrying about you.”
The older guy leads the woman toward the gates and to their car parked by the curb.
Grim collects Nora in his arms and kisses the top of her head.
Annie is still by the picnic tables, and I wonder if she’d lie like Nora just did if I were in Grim’s situation.
Nora was on fire. If I weren’t there when Harry died, I’d have believed her.
Slapping Grim on the back, I say, “I’ll catch up with you later.”
“Sure.”
I expect Annie to ask questions, but as I take hold of her hand, she keeps her mouth shut. I can’t say why, but adrenaline is rushing through me.
Inside the house, Annie pokes her head into the living room, takes a look around, and then wanders into the kitchen. I follow behind and lean against the doorframe.
“It’s nice,” she murmurs.
She leans over the sink to look out of the window, and I close in behind her, skimming my hand across her stomach.
Pressing my lips to her neck, she tilts her head for me and guides my hand to her breast. Pulling away, I dart my hand under her sweater and yank her bra down, freeing her perfect breasts.
I’m harder than I’ve ever been before, and I work my belt and jeans in record time.
“Get your jeans down,” I order, stroking my dick.
I throb when her ass comes into view. She goes to turn around but I want that ass bouncing against me and it does as I slam into her, goaded on by her moans.
Gripping onto her hips, I dig my fingers into her skin, no doubt leaving bruises and quicken my thrusts…
“Shane? Are you even listening?”
Snapping back to reality, Annie is by the back door, fully dressed and I’m still in the doorway.
“Sorry, I zoned out for a second.”
She grins. “Where’d you go to?”
“It doesn’t matter. So, do you like the place? Will it do for now?”
She smiles. “Yeah. It’s perfect.”
“I’ll bring your things over later.”
“You will definitely stay here with me?”
“Sure.”
I have somehow found myself sat in the bar with Annie nestled in at my side and my arm around her.
“Yo, Shane! Join me at the bar!” Grim hollers.
“I’ll be back,” I tell Annie and slip away.
Grim already has two beers in when I join him.
“As soon as I leave you get yourself an old lady and knock her up.”
“Nah, it’s not like that.” I look over my shoulder, Annie is talking with Stevie. “To be honest, brother, I don’t fuckin’ know what’s going on anymore.”
I explain the situation, it doesn’t become any clearer as he listens, nor when he sighs.
“How the fuck are you gonna handle a baby on your own?”
“Fuck knows, I’ve got no choice but to find out.”
“Trust you to get caught out from a one-nighter.” He laughs, then continues, “But once your kid is born and you hold it in your arms, when they look up at you, something changes in you. You’re a good guy, Shane, you’re gonna be fine.”
“I’m trying to take it day by day. Anything past that, I start to freak out.”
“How are you doing after Harper’s mom killed herself?”
Frowning, I ask, “Why ask?”
“I heard you had a thing with her.”
“I’ve had a thing with most women around town. I don’t know, it’s sad, but I ain’t gonna lose sleep over her.”
His laughter takes me back. “I forget how laid back you are.”
“Yeah, cause you left, brother. How’s it going being back on the mountain? Not regretting it yet?”
“Fuck no. It’s like a different place there with Nora and Spencer. It’s no longer suffocating.”
“Can having an old lady really change your whole life?”
“I can’t speak for everyone, but it did for me. I wouldn’t change a fuckin’ thing.”
Leo joins us and signals for a beer before saying, “I just got off the phone with the sheriff. Harry’s parents have withdrawn the missing person’s report. Apparently, the sister wasn’t happy.”
“That’s some good news I needed to hear,” Grim grunts and finishes his beer.
“It’s what we all wanted to hear, but listen, I need you to get Nora back to the mountain. If the sister continues to kick up noise, I don’t want anything slipping out.”
I watch the conversation between Grim and our president and I realise what Leo’s problem has been lately. He’s been anxious about Nora. It all makes sense now.
“We’ll leave first thing in the morning.”
Leo shakes his head. “I need you to leave tonight. Now.”
Grim frowns as do I.
“Not gonna lie, brother, I’ve regretted letting Nora stay for a long ass time. I need this wrapped up so I can move the fuck on.”
Grim doesn’t reply and simply nods. “We’ll leave tonight.”
Leo slaps him on the back and walks out of the bar. I ask Grim, “Do you reckon he’ll let this go now?”
“I hope so. I swear he’s had Mason following us since we got to town, can’t be sure though.”
“Trust your gut, and you rarely are wrong.”
“That’s what I’m thinking.”
I drain my beer as Annie comes up behind me. “Are you ready to go back to the house? I’m tired.”
My first instinct is to tell her to do what she wants, that I’m content here in the bar, but she’s carrying my kid and if she’s tired, I’ll be the one who helps make her comfortable.
I say goodbye to Grim and for a brief second, I wish I were leaving with him, to hide away from everything and everyone while on the mountain. But I can’t hide from my kid, I wouldn’t want to.
Annie leaves first and Grim laughs.
“What’s so fuckin’ funny?” I ask.
“I was just remembering you sayin’ she wasn’t your old lady. She’s sure enough got you wrapped around her little finger like she is.”
“Fuck you. I’m looking out for my kid.”
He loses his amusement. “See, you’re already doing a good job.”
“Time will tell. Maybe I’ll bring my kid to visit, it can grow up around Spencer.”
“You’d move to the mountain?”
I shrug. “Fuck knows, but I’ve got a kid to think about now and while I love it here in Willow’s Peak… I don’t know, I can’t think straight.”
His laughter rattles me as he slaps me on the back. “Keep in touch, and I’ll see you soon, brother.”
I pull him in and hug him before I leave and catch up to Annie. I sling my arm around her. “So, what are the sleeping arrangements?”
Returning to my earlier daydream, sleeping on the couch is a no-go.
“I might need you in the night, so in my bed is what I’m thinking.”
I wink, making her laugh. “I like how you think, darlin’.”
I may never know the real reason she doesn’t want to be a mom, but I can find out more about her. While she locks herself in the bathroom, I finally shoot Zach a text, asking him to look into Annie.