Page 20 of Knot So Sweet (Leather and Lace #1)

Chapter 19

Candi

D id I want him to leave?

I wasn’t sure. On one hand, Ghost had defended me like Owen would, like Vaughn or Creed always had. That kind of loyalty, that instinct to protect, wasn’t something I could dismiss easily, especially after everything that had happened. But on the other hand? Letting him stay made me feel vulnerable. Weak. Like I needed an alpha to protect me.

And I didn’t.

I knew I could defend myself. I’d done it before, and I’d do it again. But with Travis resurfacing, with his threat hanging over my head, it was tempting to let Ghost stand guard. My eyes stung with unshed tears as I looked at him, at the desperation etched into his expression, the pain he tried so hard to hide.

I hated that I cared.

Hated how it twisted my insides to see him hurting. Seeing Jordan use my bat against me, and Ghost taking the hit like he did, made me worry about him more than I wanted to admit.

His shoulder was hunched, his body tense, forehead slick with sweat. His usually neat hair was messy, clinging to his damp skin, and his dark eyes were shadowed with pain.

"You should leave," I forced myself to say, even though the words felt like shards of glass in my throat. "Take care of your shoulder."

"I'm fine, princess. I've had worse," he replied, trying to shrug it off, but the wince that followed betrayed him. His rough thumb brushed across my jaw, the warmth of it lingering on my skin.

"I don't want to leave you. I want to make sure you're safe. But..." He swallowed hard, his voice thick with emotion. "I’ll leave if you ask me to."

I glanced at Pixie, who stood nearby, his face tight with concern. He offered me a small, sad smile, clearly just as worried about Ghost as I was. Pixie had told me how great of an alpha Ghost was, but seeing it firsthand, seeing him put himself on the line for me... It was different. It hit me harder than I expected.

I closed my eyes for a moment, trying to summon some strength, but all I felt was the ache of uncertainty and fear. "You don’t have to stay," I muttered, fighting the tears that threatened to spill. "You don’t owe me anything. I'll be safe here. Right, Pixie?"

"Yeah, kid. Nothing but the best security is installed," he assured me, his voice steady, but his eyes still full of concern.

"I know Pixie's system is the best. I wouldn’t trust anyone else, like I trust him," Ghost said softly, his voice barely a whisper. His hand slid to the base of my neck, his fingers kneading at the tension there. "But the thought of leaving you... After what I just found out... Just the idea of any of those bastards touching you, and I see red, princess."

My heart skipped a beat, his words sinking deeper than I wanted to admit. They wrapped around me, pulling me in when I’d spent so long trying to keep myself afloat.

"And if you get hurt again? Then what?" I asked, my voice trembling.

God, this alpha made me admit too much. Feel too much.

"I’ve been hurt worse, sweetheart," he said, flashing that familiar crooked grin for just a second before it faded. "But walking away from you? That’d destroy me."

Another skipped beat, another flutter of something I didn’t want to name. This wasn’t the first time he’d admitted how much he cared, and I found myself starting to believe him.

His devotion wasn’t just words—it was real, raw, and terrifying.

"Thank you for protecting me, Ghost," I whispered, trying to ignore the way my chest tightened. "But please, get your shoulder looked at. I couldn’t stand it if you got seriously hurt because of me." I bit down on my bottom lip, anxiety twisting in my stomach as I waited for his response.

Ghost chuckled, though it quickly turned into a wince. "Fuck," he growled, rubbing his shoulder. "Maybe you're right."

The sirens blared louder now, red and blue lights flickering through the front windows of the club. My pulse quickened. We didn’t have time. If Ghost and Pixie didn’t leave soon, the authorities would be inside, asking questions none of us could afford to answer.

He glanced out the front window then back down to me. "Come with me."

For a second, I froze, the weight of his words wrapping around me like a net. His eyes held mine, steady and unwavering, full of something that made my heart race faster than the sirens outside.

"Ghost, I..." My voice caught in my throat. I wasn’t sure if it was fear or the gnawing sense that, once I took that step, there’d be no turning back. But the way he looked at me, like he was ready to fight the world just to keep me safe, made it hard to say no.

He stepped closer, his hand slipping from my neck to my wrist, his thumb tracing slow circles against my pulse. "Come with me," he murmured, eyes flicking back to the front window. "I'll bring you back later."

The sirens wailed louder, red and blue lights reflecting off the walls of the club. We didn’t have time, and I could feel the urgency crackling between us like a live wire.

I swallowed hard, glancing between the door and him, feeling the weight of his grip on my wrist. Every instinct screamed at me to stay strong, to push him away and prove I didn’t need him. But deep down, the truth gnawed at me—I didn’t want to be alone.

"Okay," I whispered, barely trusting my own voice. "I’ll go with you."

Ghost exhaled, relief flooding his features as he gently squeezed my wrist. A fresh wave of pine drifted between us, calming the restless hum beneath my skin.

I glanced at Owen, who had been watching our exchange silently, his jaw tight and arms crossed over his chest. He didn’t like this—didn’t like me leaving with Ghost, even if he wouldn’t say it out loud.

"Owen…" I began, but he held up a hand, cutting me off before I could say more.

His gaze shifted to Ghost's. "I assume you're taking her to Serpent territory."

Ghost gave a sharp nod, but it was Pixie who spoke. "Yes, we have a doctor at the clubhouse who will look at his injury."

Owen folded his arms across his chest, his eyes never leaving Ghost's, even as Pixie spoke. "I need your word that my sister will be safe there."

Ghost grunted. "I swear it."

My chest tightened. Gears had an issue with me being at the compound, and if it weren’t for Pixie stepping in yesterday, that situation could have been far worse.

Pixie shifted uncomfortably, like he wanted to say something about Gears, but held his tongue.

Now wasn’t the time.

This time, going into the Serpent's den, I wasn’t going in unarmed. My favorite dagger, tucked into my bra, burned against my skin, a reminder that I would defend myself if necessary. Hopefully, it didn't come to that. I wasn't sure how Viper would react if I stabbed his VP—or Ghost, for that matter.

He was his father, after all.

In the lit alley behind the Den, my gaze landed on two sleek bikes.

Fuck .

He was going to ask me to ride with him, wasn’t he?

The thought alone sent a shiver through me, my core tightening involuntarily. I could already picture it—his firm body in front of mine, the rumble of the engine beneath us, and my legs wrapping around him, thighs pressing tight as the world blurred past.

No way I was going to keep my thoughts straight if that happened.

"Have you ever ridden before?" Ghost asked.

My heart raced. My mind immediately dropped into the gutter. It wasn't riding his bike that raced through my thoughts, but riding him. His body beneath mine, the thrill of being in control of someone as powerful as him.

I shook my head, forcing my focus back to the moment, but the heat creeping up my cheeks betrayed me.

The mischievous glint in his eyes told me he knew exactly what I was thinking. "Don't worry, princess, I've been picturing you riding me too."

"Ghost," I gasped, my cheeks burning.

Damn him and his mouth. My gaze dropped to his full lips and my mouth suddenly went dry.

Great.

Now I was stuck thinking about his mouth. Wondering how it would feel to be kissed by him, the heat of his lips against mine.

Pixie cackled as he straddled his bike, the sound cutting through the tension. "Come on, lovebirds!" I narrowed my eyes on him as he slipped his helmet on.

"Princess," Ghost said.

My gaze flicked to his. He was already mounted on his bike, a challenge glinting in his eyes as he held out his helmet to me. My heart raced like a hummingbird's wings.

I hesitated, taking him in—leather, ink, and that devil-may-care attitude that made my stomach flutter.

God, he was gorgeous.

"I have a car. I could just drive myself," I suggested, crossing my arms to play it cool. But the way Ghost smirked, his cocky-as-fuck grin practically made my knees weak. Then that smile slipped, replaced with a smoldering heat that sent a jolt through me.

"Get on the bike, Candi."

My core throbbed.

"Or what? You’ll make me?" I shot back, arching an eyebrow.

"You’d like that, wouldn’t you? I know I would," he teased, mischief dancing in his eyes. It made me want to roll mine, but it also made my heart race a little faster.

The thought of him throwing me over his shoulder was tempting, but then I remembered he was injured.

"You're insufferable. I’ll just drive myself. You're injured. It could make it worse." I took a step back toward the door.

But my keys were upstairs in the loft. Which meant crossing through the bar where Sheriff Bradshaw was, and that definitely wasn’t a good idea.

Ghost kicked up the stand and revved the engine, the roar cutting through the tension. I barely had time to react as he zipped the bike next to me, a smirk plastered across his face.

"See? I’m perfectly capable," he said. "Now stop stalling and get your sexy ass on the back of my bike, princess."

I shot him a glare, my heart racing at how effortlessly he maneuvered the bike. "You’re insane."

"Maybe."

I glanced toward the bar, then back at him. He raised a brow in challenge.

"Fine, but if I die, I'll haunt your ass." I grabbed the helmet, my fingers brushing against his, sending a jolt of electricity up my arm.

He laughed, the sound rich and warm, and I couldn’t help but smile, despite myself.

With a resigned sigh, I climbed onto the bike behind him, my heart pounding as I wrapped my arms around his waist. The heat radiating from him was intoxicating, and I tried to focus on anything but the way my body responded to his presence.

"Hold on tight," he said, revving the engine again.

"Yeah, yeah," I muttered, but I couldn’t hide the thrill that raced through me as we took off.

What the hell did I just get myself into?