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Sharp - July - 2020

O nly he and Seabrooke were aware of Romeo’s capture. They’d kicked everyone out to patrol the grounds and checked CCTV when Romeo hadn’t shown his face all morning.

On discovering the study empty, both had exchanged knowing glances. The camera footage merely confirmed their fears.

To their shock, they watched as a team infiltrated the property early hours of the morning. and slipped past all guards. Sharp’s eyes narrowed as they observed Romeo’s bedroom breached and Romeo trussed up like a turkey. Two men carried Romeo out while a third picked up his laptop. A small figure waved at the camera and tore her balaclava off.

“That’s it. Romeo’s dead,” Sharp said as the screen froze on Artemis’s face.

“Fuck. I’m glad they didn’t slit all our throats. What we gonna do?” Seabrooke questioned.

“Me? I’m grabbing Carmelle and the kids and getting them safe. They were entrusted to me, and they’re now a priority. The boss gave me that as a last order. Romeo wanted me to keep them out of Wrath’s hands, and I’m honouring that,” Sharp said.

“You don’t want this?” Seabrooke asked.

Sharp looked at him. “Get your bodyguards in place before you announce you’re taking this shit over. Seabrooke, you’re aware of who’s loyal and who ain’t. You’ve trained them for this instance, I’m not going to challenge you.”

“Shit’s gonna hit the fan.”

“Yeah, secure your base.”

“You could stay Sharp, run this together,” Seabrooke suggested.

“Nah. I made a promise. But listen. Focus on immediate threats. Be strong and merciless. If you ain’t, you’ll be watching your back forever,” Sharp replied. Sharp could see Seabrooke considering his options. Sharp guessed Seabrooke was contemplating Carmelle’s worth and what my actions would be.

“Take them and leave. No doubt you’ve got shit set up, go and take my wishes with you,” Seabrooke said.

Sharp nodded and raced through the mansion, bursting into Carmelle’s quarters. Carmelle was sitting reading as the girls played.

“Get those bags we prepared,” Sharp ordered .

Carmelle looked up wide-eyed and then moved. Moments later, she hauled out three suitcases, which had been packed with clothes for her and the kids.

“Stay here and don’t answer the door unless it’s me,” Sharp ordered.

“What’s happened?” Carmelle whispered.

“Tell you once we’re free, but do as you’re told,” Sharp said.

He jogged downstairs and carried the cases to his vehicle. Inside was his duffel. Sharp kept one permanently in his trunk. Sharp headed for his room, where he had a backpack full of cash—it had one hundred thousand in it. The car already contained a similar bag. And two more bags were hidden along his escape route.

The money would allow Sharp to set up somewhere and keep Carmelle safe. Things were coming to a head. After grabbing the bag, he left his apartment and headed to Carmelle.

Sharp knocked and announced himself.

Carmelle opened it, looking worried.

“Come on. We’re getting out of here,” Sharp said as Carmelle swooped and picked up both girls. “Stay close to my back.”

They reached the garage without any trouble, and once they were all strapped in safely, Sharp pulled out.

He grabbed a small black box out from his pocket and pressed the button. Any cameras or taps on his car would have just fried.

Carmelle’s eyes met his in the mirror .

“Hi. I’m Ghost and a member of Rage MC,” he said. “And I swear to everything in heaven, I’ll lay my life down to protect you and the girls.”

Carmelle

Who was Rage MC, and why would they need an informant? This made no sense. I stared at Sharp’s…or Ghost, as he now called himself, expression.

“Can you explain what’s happening? Why is a member of an MC undercover and, oh God… an MC,” I gasped as panic welled. Was he taking me to a place like the Venomous Fangs clubhouse?

“Take some deep breaths, Carmelle. Rage MC is a clean club; they work with the police and Feds. It’s a long story, but we’ve got a long drive. Settle in and listen up,” Ghost said.

An hour later, my mind was reeling. I’d let Ghost talk himself hoarse as I listened to a fantastical tale of betrayal and loyalty and criminals.

“This is completely perplexing, Shar—Ghost. Why was I taken? Answer me that. Because it is me they want.”

“Yeah. Because of your family,” Ghost replied.

“My family is dead. My grandparents passed before I was born, and my mom died giving birth to me. Ghost, I was farmed out. But my adoptive parents told me the truth, so I knew about my birth mother,” I replied.

“Who’s your father?” Ghost asked.

“Sorry, my parents didn’t have that information.” “Carmelle, Volcano said your mother was his daughter. Miranda, her name was. She was a nice woman, and I remember her well. Miranda was half Mexican and a stunner. Her mother, Inez, met Fury at the club, and they had Miranda. But being a girl, Fury didn’t want to claim her. From what I’ve dug up, Inez married soon after leaving Fury. Inez died when Miranda was three,” Ghost explained.

“Damn, they both passed young,” I said sadly. It felt strange; this was my grandmother and Mom. While I experienced remorse, I hadn’t known them.

“I think Miranda came searching for Fury, which is why she ended up at Rage. Instead, she fell for Arrow Michaelson. Arrow was the President of Rage MC and had a son, Drake,” Ghost broke off as I gasped.

“Drake Michaelson, Fury yelled that name several times. Wait… that’s my brother? I’ve a brother? Ghost, I’ve got family?”

“Yeah. Under Arrow, the club was clean. Why Miranda didn’t tell Arrow she was pregnant, I’m unsure, because Arrow would have looked after her. He was a good man, and Drake is, too. If Arrow or Drake had been aware of you, they’d have come to fetch you, Carmelle. I believe Fury kept a tab on you in case he ever needed you,” Ghost replied.

“Why?”

“Because it’s well known what Drake will do for family. Fury took you to force Drake’s hand. But instead, Volcano and I got you out. As soon as Fury hears Santos is dead, he’s going to start hunting you,” Ghost responded.

“Where are we heading, Shar—Ghost,” I asked suspiciously.

“The one place Fury thinks you’ll stay away from,” Ghost answered as we began pulling over. I peered around, confused, as Ghost swung into a side road.

“We’re swapping vehicles. Don’t say a word now until we’re in next one,” Ghost ordered.

I nodded and did as told. Ghost knew how to keep me alive, and he’d done so for over a year. I trusted him and nobody else.

We swapped cars, and Ghost moved the bags to the new one. I caught a glimpse of a bag already inside, but Ghost didn’t seem too bothered. Ghost destroyed the VIN on the old SUV and ripped the licence plates off. Then he smothered it in gasoline, tossed something in, raced over, and drove away.

Startled, I ducked as there was a boom, and looking over my shoulder, I saw the vehicle blow up.

“What did you do?” I asked, bemused.

“Threw a grenade in, the fucker will burn now,” Ghost replied, and I chuckled.

Ghost smiled at my laughter, and I realised I’d not laughed since Beau had been taken from me. My smile faded as I thought of Beau and how I had nothing of him.

“It’s okay to laugh, Carmelle. I don’t think your husband would want you to mourn him forever,” Ghost said .

“Beau was twenty-nine when he died. The girls were robbed of the best father in the world. And I lost a man who truly adored me, and I loved him with everything I had. Fury needs to pay for Beau’s death,” I hissed, keeping my voice low as I glanced over at Shannon and Sadie.

Whenever I spoke or thought of Beau, there was a hole inside me I didn’t think it would ever close. Desperately, I clung to the memory of his laughter and his bright smile. Fury had destroyed my life, but I wouldn’t allow him to claim what was left.

Sadie had already fallen back to sleep, cuddled up with the grey rabbit that Ghost had bought her last year. Shannon’s eyes kept closing and then shooting open. She held a teddy that, again, Ghost had purchased.

“What happened to you wasn’t right, but Fury will pay. We know his plans, Carmelle. I’ve been undercover sucking up shit for thirteen years. Once I inform Rage and claim my place back, I can protect you with an entire MC,” Ghost said.

“Yeah, that won’t be happening. They’re strangers. Rage isn’t coming anywhere near me or my kids,” I stated clearly.

“Carmelle—”

“No, Ghost. You, I trust, not them. Shannon still has nightmares. Could you imagine the damage if she sees another club? No, not happening. Even Sadie wakes up and screams for no apparent reason. Ghost, I’m not exposing the girls to an MC. If my brother wants to meet me, Drake can come to me. ”

“We’ll see, Carmelle, but you’ve a brother, a sister-in-law, and nieces and nephews. A shit load of those fuckers,” Ghost said, amused.

“Don’t push me,” I warned, and Ghost nodded.

Ghost would understand why I had an aversion to MCs. Four months in Fury’s hellhole of one was enough to scar anyone for life.

Ghost

He looked at the house and studied it carefully from a security point of view. There was one road in and out. The property backed onto a lake, which meant he could have a boat there and park a car elsewhere for escape. On two sides, there were trees, which gave someone running shelter. The place was in decent condition.

Ghost turned to the relator.

“Confirm the monthly rental,” he asked.

The woman’s eyes glowed, and she repeated the figure.

“I’ll pay six months up front in cash. No questions,” Ghost stated.

The realtor bit her lip. “I can’t condone anything unlawful,” she finally said.

Anderson sighed and pulled his badge and identification. “This isn’t illegal.”

“Oh, oh!” the woman exclaimed, studying his credentials. “We can work around the paperwork. ”

“Yes, you can,” Ghost agreed.

The realtor beamed, and Ghost rolled his eyes.

Carmelle - August - 2020

The girls raced around the garden, screaming. Watching them, I sat on the porch swing and rocked back and forth, loving the noise they were making. We’d moved in four weeks ago, and the kids loved it here. There was room to run freely, and Ghost took them to the lake for swimming, fishing, and boating.

I was concerned, though.

Four-year-old Shannon should have started school while Sadie was two and a half. Much like Shannon, Sadie hadn’t interacted with other kids, and it worried me. The girls and I never left here, but we went for walks and did other activities. While some might view this as another prison, I didn’t. This was freedom. Maybe not on the scale I was used to, but that would come.

Ghost was running in the garden with the children. He held a bubble wand, and as he ran, the girls chased the bubbles. It was bittersweet; it shouldn’t be Ghost doing that, it should be Beau, but my babies were laughing again.

Sadie wasn’t familiar with any man other than Ghost, and she adored him. Shannon, too, felt the same, and I doubted they remembered Beau, and Beau didn’t deserve to be forgotten .

I’d not got anything of his. But Beau’s parents were alive, so one day, I would be able to reconnect, I hoped. While I hated the fact they were worrying, I was too frightened of contacting them. If Fury had someone watching them, and they changed whatever they were doing, it would set alarm bells ringing.

Sadie screeched as Ghost caught her up and swung her around before placing her back on the ground and running off. Shannon paused, a little worried, but Ghost did the same to her, and Shannon broke into smiles again. While her smile came more often, it was clear Shannon was damaged and traumatised.

I’d never questioned Shannon over what she remembered of Beau’s death. Hell, how could I when I shied away myself? In the back of my mind, I understood I required therapy, but how could I reach out and tell someone? Fury was still searching for us; there was no way I was going to trust anyone… apart from Ghost.

To Ghost, our safety was imperative. He’d bought a boat and parked an escape car on the other side of the lake. Ghost had set up motion sensors, bright lights, alarms, all to make us safe. He paid for everything cash and had changed his appearance. Ghost’s hair was a blonde so pale it was white. He’d also cut it.

Ghost’s beard, which had always been long, was now short, shaped, and trimmed. A scar had appeared on his cheek. It bemused me how Ghost’s beard was dark and his hair was blonde. It made no sense.

He constantly wore jeans and tees, and Anderson had delivered a motorbike to the house. I initially dismissed it. But then Ghost ran his hand down it, and I sensed a deep emotion coming from him. This Harley meant a lot, and he’d missed it. With it came a cut with Rage MC on the back.

The first time Ghost had worn it, Shannon had melted down.

Ghost had removed it instantly and reassured her it was him. He’d made the changes to his appearance gradually so he didn’t scare the kids, and now Ghost was taking his time introducing his cut to them. It surprised me at how desperate Ghost was to get them to accept it. He didn’t force it on them, but he shrugged it on and off and ensured they saw that.

After Shannon’s first traumatic experience, Ghost ensured that she never come across him wearing it if she hadn’t seen him put it on. Ghost had been on several long rides with his cut, and he was a different man to Sharp. Sharp had been intense and focused. Ghost was no less, but he smiled and laughed more.

Like his Sharp persona, Ghost swore to protect us, come what may. He’d no intention of letting us suffer again. When the girls were in bed, he taught me how to shoot, fight and how to maim someone using anything within reach. Ghost had me running laps and building my muscles. I was probably the fittest I’d ever been, but I knew it would serve me well.

“Hey, a penny for them,” Ghost said, making me jump.

“Huh?” I replied eloquently.

“You were lost in thoughts, babe. ”

I liked that, too. Ghost called me babe as if I meant something to him. He smiled at me a lot, too. I wasn’t stupid; I’d guessed Ghost was attracted to me, but I didn’t know what to do about it.

Beau was very much part of my memories, and we’d had our future stolen. Ghost was here because of Fury and Beau’s death. It was far too soon to move on from Beau’s murder. And that made me flinch. I’d never referred to Beau’s death that way before, and suddenly, the thought hit me. If Beau hadn’t married me, he’d still be alive today.

The blood drained from my face, and Ghost frowned.

“Shit, Carmelle!” he exclaimed, but I jumped up and ran to the bathroom. I kicked the door shut and heaved. Moments later, the door bounced open, and I heard the faucet running. Someone placed a cold cloth on my neck and then pulled my hair back.

“Go away,” I choked out.

“Not happening,” Ghost rumbled.

“I don’t want you to see me like this,” I cried and heaved again.

Ghost just sat on the edge of the bath and rubbed my back while holding my hair clear. Finally, I stopped heaving and sat up and flushed for the last time. Ghost handed me a glass of water and taking a gulp, I swilled it around my mouth and spat.

“What happened?” Ghost demanded.

“It hit me. Beau’s death. I’ve always called it a death, but it’s not, he was murdered. And… and… if Beau hadn’t met me, he’d be alive today,” I cried as tear s began tracking down my cheeks.

“Damn, babe, I didn’t know you were omniscient,” Ghost said.

“Huh.”

Ghost manoeuvred his ass to the floor and hauled me into a hug. “Carmelle. Beau could have been hit by a bus, in a car accident, or even had a building fall on him. Hell, anything could have happened. You’re not responsible for his death. Fury and the fuckers he sent after him were. In the last two years, Volcano has eliminated the assholes who killed Beau. Fury is all that’s left, and I’ll get him. He’ll pay.”

“I hate Fury,” I sobbed, resting my head on Ghost’s very nicely muscled chest.

“Babe, you got every right to. But blaming yourself for his death ain’t good. You can’t know what would’ve befallen Beau if you hadn’t been in his life. But I tell you something that wouldn’t have happened, and that’s those two beautiful babies.”

“True.”

“And from what you’ve told me, that man would die a hundred times for Shannon and Sadie to exist. He’d not flinch or change path because Beau adored them, and he loved you. Don’t tear down what he gave the three of you because that is doing Beau a disservice. Beau died fighting them to save you. It was an unfair fight, they had guns, and he didn’t. He deserves recognition for his heroic actions.”

“Okay.”

“Carmelle, it’s too early for you to be thinking of dating another man. Or even considering someone. But know this. I’m gonna be here by your side no matter what. And if I fall, if Fury or his assholes get me, one of my brothers will step up. You’ll never, ever be alone again or unprotected.”

“I feel like I’m betraying Beau,” I whispered.

“Why?”

“Because I’m attracted to you.”

Ghost’s arms tightened.

“Sweetness, I’m in love with you. Head over heels. But it’s too soon, you’re not ready. But know this. In ten, twenty years’ time, hell, when I’m an old man in a rocking chair, there’s going to be a picture of Beau on our fireplace,” Ghost said. “Wanna know why?”

“Why?”

“Because Beau Travers is a fuckin’ hero. He gave his life so his woman and kids could live. By doing so, Beau offered me a chance at a beautiful life. Beau will be the reason for everything when I’m old and surrounded by grandchildren. All because of Beau’s sacrifice. And I will respect and owe him until you put me in the ground, baby,” Ghost said honestly.

“I’m not ready for another relationship,” I whispered.

“I know. And that’s peachy. When you are, we’ll explore. Until then, shit’s fine, babe. We can build a friendship and a foundation, and I’ll just keep doing what I am doing. Because I ain’t ever gonna force ya into something you’re not ready for. Babe, I can sit here, loving you, until you can love me. And that won’t be a betrayal of Beau. He wouldn’t want you to be alone. ”

“I don’t deserve you.”

“You deserve everything, Carmelle, and I’ll fuckin’ break my back to get you it.”

Ghost kissed the top of my head, and I closed my eyes. In his embrace, I felt safe. That counted for something.