Page 4 of His Flawed Ride (Sons of Lost Souls MC #16)

Chapter Three

Shane

T he back room has always been so full of life.

Now we have three empty chairs, though Grim only returned to Mercy.

Pope and Ricky are never going to sit in these chairs ever again.

Death came for them and all that remains are two empty chairs and a heavy hanging sense of grief over the brothers.

I used to have Grim to lighten the mood with but he’s in Mercy with Nora and their son.

He has his own responsibilities, and I’m left here with only the patch to focus on.

And when I’m not needed, I’m free but alone to drink and fuck without a brother for a wingman.

“Is that good with you, Shane? Or do I have to fuckin’ repeat myself?” Leo grunts.

Snapping back to the present, I have no fucking idea what was just said or what is expected of me.

“Yeah, all good.”

Sparky’s laughter is hoarse but amusing. “He has no fuckin’ idea. Where’s your head at, brother?”

“Sorry.”

Leo taps the table and Sparky and I’s conversation is dead.

“Moving on,” Leo says. “Lily told Slade that she overheard some assholes in a bar, saying they’re coming after us. She didn’t see any patches, or know who they were, so as far as I’m concerned, we do what we always do and keep our eyes open, and we’ll see what happens.”

“It’s Lily, she probably made it up as a way to get back in,” Sparky offers, not looking Slade’s way.

“Fuck knows, so like I said, keep your eyes open,” Leo orders. “I also wanna mention the town. People are moving stupid with all the job losses and the town rapidly declining. I wanna remind ya all not to take any shit but tread carefully, I don’t want blow backs on the club.”

Brothers cheer. It wasn’t that long ago that Leo was telling us to wait shit out and handle our fights after taking some time to let the dust settle.

Leo slams the gavel down and brothers move to get up. Zach nudges me and asks, “You good to go in ten?”

“Huh?”

He laughs. “I knew you weren’t listening. We’ve got to drop off the sheriff’s monthly payment.”

“Yeah, I knew that.”

Rolling his eyes, he leaves the back room, and I drag my ass up. Since I have nothing else to do besides go with Zach to the pay off the sheriff, I head outside and wait on my bike. Lighting a cigarette, I’m not waiting long when Zach is mounting his bike and bringing it to life.

Slade jogs over and blocks Zach as he’s about to ride out. He passes him an envelope and tells him, “Drop this off to your aunt at the motel. She’s not picking up my calls.”

“Can’t you do it?”

“If I could, I wouldn’t be asking you, would I?”

Sighing, Zach takes the envelope and shoves it in his pocket.

“I’m starting to feel like the fuckin’ mailman.”

I’ve not been on a drop off to the sheriff before, Leo or JJ normally do it.

It seems ridiculous to me that she meets out in the open every month. If I were the sheriff and taking hush money, I’d arrange for it to be dropped off then I’d pick it up when I knew I wasn’t being watched. Anyone could see us with the law, but she doesn’t seem to worry about such things.

My mind returns to Lily. I haven’t seen her around and I don’t know if it’s a good thing or not.

I keep my eye on Slade or Zach every time they walk past me, waiting for the right hook they’ll no doubt deliver if they hear of our night together.

And it seems the universe is truly against me cause I’ve spent more time with Zach running errands than I have since patching into the Willow’s Peak chapter.

Paranoia is attacking me, and I don’t like it.

From what I have learned about the woman from overhearing brothers’ conversations is she’s a liability with easy-opening legs, and a liking to party with a guy, and she doesn’t care who the guy is as long as she’s not alone.

None of them have had a good word to say about her.

When Slade and Zach aren’t around, I’ve also learned I’m not the first, second, or third brother to have been with her.

I push her out of my mind and focus on the road.

We agreed to never speak of our night together again so I need to get over it.

Out by the dried-up creek, we’re waiting fifteen minutes before the Sheriff’s cruiser pulls up.

“I reckon her being late is her way of trying to regain a little control with us.” Zach snorts.

The politics of the club has never been my thing. It’s why I’m happy not to have a position in the club. I’m way past content to be a brother and do what I’m asked and live my life the way I want.

“Morning, have you got this month’s payment?”

I heard Leo once say how he wished he could put his gun to her temple and blow her brains out. Seeing her smug smirk and the way she thinks holding her hand to her gun in some way intimidates us, riles me. And I too wish I could blow her brains out.

“Would we be here if we didn’t?” Zach grunts.

He passes her the envelope and without another word, she retreats to her cruiser and drives off.

Our next stop is the motel. The sun is warm and while Zach carries out Slade’s business, I whip my hoodie off and put my cut back on. Sat on my bike, I watch aunt and nephew, the aunt that I was balls deep in a few nights ago, not that I remember, and she doesn’t look over once.

She’s stunning and certainly doesn’t look her age, which I found out yesterday. According to the brothers, she’s had an easy life since Slade has paid most of her way, but she’s had a hard time when it comes to men.

Zach tries giving her the envelope, but she refuses to take it and closes the door.

“Something’s wrong,” he mutters when he reaches me.

“Why do you say that? She looked fine to me.”

“She wouldn’t take my dad’s money.”

“So you conclude something’s wrong?”

Isn’t that a good thing?

“If you knew my aunt, you’d think so too.

My dad could’ve paid off a second home with all the rent he’s paid for her.

Unless she’s trapped an asshole into playing house.

And trust me, it’s always an asshole she chooses.

I love my aunt but she’s trouble wrapped neatly in a headache.

Her not taking this money means something is going on.

And it won’t end well. It never does.” He stares at her room and frowns.

“She seems harmless,” I hedge.

His snort is mocking. “Lily is anything but harmless to the unsuspecting. Of all the assholes she’s set up home with, it’s always her that walks away scot-free.”

Why the fuck do I want to know more. I’m being told this woman is trouble and all I want is to delve deeper into her life. With Grim gone and me left to my own devices, I’m losing my damn mind.

“She sounds like a strong woman.”

There’s another snort from him. “There’s not much strong about her, she has my dad. The number of scrapes he’s pulled her from is beyond belief. Though I think he’s had enough these days.”

I keep my mouth shut. He knows his aunt much better than I do, though not in the same way I do.

Later that evening in the bar, I hear Leo grunt, “Why is she here?”

I rearrange Stevie on my lap, and look around her and catch Lily stood in the doorway. She sets her sights on Leo and keeps her chin up as she cuts across the bar. I should look away, she and whatever she’s here for isn’t any of my business, but I can’t.

She stops at our table and glances my way before she focuses on Leo.

“I’d say welcome back but I’m not sure anyone, including myself, gives a shit.”

Glancing at my president’s harshness, I get over it quickly.

“I need you to talk to Luca, tell him I’m back and make sure there won’t be any repercussions.”

“Why would I do that?” He laughs, then adds, “Oh, you think I’d go out of my way for you?”

“Because I’m here for Harper… your sister.”

Leo sits up straighter. “If Harps tells me she wants you here, I’ll talk to my brother.”

“Thank you.”

“But if she’s not interested in giving you yet another chance to fuck her life up, I’ll run you out of town before my brother even knows you’re here.”

I watch her closely. Fire burns in her eyes, she wants to come back at Leo but she presses her lips tightly together and wisely says nothing. Her eyes flick to mine and then she’s turning her back and walking out. Forgetting about Stevie, I shove her off of my lap and head outside.

Lily is sat in her car, staring off into the night around her. I jog over and knock on her window. She lowers it and I lean on the frame.

“You good?” I ask her.

“I’m far from good but it isn’t your problem.”

I must have a death wish because all I want to do is distract her from her misery.

“Do you want me to remind you how good you can feel?”

“You weren’t that good, and we agreed it’d never happen again.”

My laughter is full of arrogance. “We both know that’s a lie.”

I’m not good at much in life but fucking is what I excel at.

“I’m thinking we’ve already got one secret, what’s one more?”

I wait while she thinks it over and smirk when she says, “Sure, why not. Meet me at the motel, but don’t park out front of my room. Be discreet.”

She starts the car and drives out and I pat my pockets down looking for my keys. Thin arms wrap around me from behind, Stevie’s hands clasping together at my waist.

“Are you coming back in, baby?” she purrs.

I should go back into the bar with her. I should forget about Lily and fuck Stevie’s brains out up in my room. But I uncurl her from around me and I walk over to my bike.

“Nah, I’ve got shit to deal with in town. I’ll catch you later.”

She disappears back into the bar and just before I’m about to mount my ride, my phone rings.

I go to ignore it but see Grim’s name and answer.

“Brother, are you missing me already?” I laugh.

“Sure, if that’s what you need to hear.” His laughter fills the line. “You good?”

I dig out my smokes from my pocket as I say, “I am, considering you left me with the grief brigade. How’s life back on the mountain?”

“That’s why I’m calling. How’s Leo?”

“You’re calling to ask me about Leo?”

“Yeah, how’s he been?”

Confused, I ask, “How do you mean? He’s just Leo.”

“Is he anxious? Walking around on edge?”

“Brother, I don’t know what the mountain air is doing to you, but he’s just normal. I don’t know what to tell ya.”

“So he’s not actin’ weird?”

“No. Some woman, Harper’s mom showed up and she’s got the club talking but life here is just moving on as it did when you were here.”

“Good. Good,” he murmurs, then says, “I gotta go, brother. I’ll check in soon.”

The call is cut, and I shove my phone and smokes into my pocket. What a fucking day.