Chapter Nineteen

Luc

She was pissed.

Then again, so was I when I had to stop what I was doing to go find her. Seeing her face when Gina left my office, I knew what she thought. And I was right. She confirmed that when she showed up at her apartment. I was ready to end it all. I didn't need her shit on top of everything else I had on my plate. But when she opened up and talked, something inside me shifted. For the first time in a long time, I actually cared about something other than myself.

I wasn't lying to her when I told her I wasn't good at relationship stuff. I never was. Never would be. After the life I'd lived, I only knew one way. My way. I still didn't know what we had between us or if there was anything at all, but I knew she needed me. It had been too damn long since someone needed me like she did, and I wasn't sure I had the energy anymore, but I wanted to try. I guess in the end, that was all that mattered.

So, I was trying.

Sitting on my bike, I leaned forward to make room for her. After showing her where to place her foot, she stepped on the back foot peg with her right foot, swung her left leg over, before lowering herself astride my bike.

I never had a woman on the back of my bike. Like most of my brothers, my bike was my mistress. When I rode, I wanted nothing between me and the open road. I had enough shit in my life to worry about without having someone else on my bike.

Yet, it was bizarre, like she had always been there.

It was a strange feeling. One I wasn't ready to admit.

Making sure she was settled, I twisted back around and grabbed the grips on the handlebars. I hoisted the bike off its stand and balanced it upright, feeling the heavy weight settle between my legs when she reached out and grabbed my shoulders. Looking down under my right arm at her bare thigh, splayed outward several inches from my hip, her foot tucked back under her, and her booted shoe hooked on the rear peg, I wondered if I should have told her to wear jeans.

Not that she would have listened to me.

I settled back slightly and started my bike, the rumble vibrations instantly soothing the tension in my body as her hands closed around my waist. Kicking the bike in gear, I eased off the clutch and my bike rolled forward.

Driving through the town of Destiny, I tried to imagine what she was seeing. I knew she wasn't an avid rider, maybe only a few times; so, she was still a newbie. A virgin. Everything must seem brighter, freer, just more as she pointed at everything that fancied her delight.

I could feel her legs pressed against my hips, her hands squeezed tight around my waist, and the wind whipping around us. The swirling vortices of air ruffled and blew against our clothing. I could only imagine the amazement on her face when I drove us out beyond the town's limits and into the early morning sun. The wind whipped through her hair, kissing her pale skin as she got to experience the freedom of riding. There was nothing else like it in the world. The sun rising high above in the east illuminating the open road, the wind at my back, the freedom of the road before me. The farther I rode, all the worries and complications of life faded away.

On the road, nothing mattered.

Just the next mile.

Northern California was beautiful, but it was nothing like the Smoky Mountains.

I knew I would always miss the long winding mountain rides in the early morning hours as the mountains surrounding Nantahala National Forest woke to a new day. The morning dew seeping up from the ground, creating a blanket of mist and fog that would soon envelop the entire area, rolling through the trees like some mysterious living entity until the sun rose, forcing it to shrink back into the ground. I could get lost in those mountains, never see another living soul again, and I would die a happy man.

The freedom of the Smoky Mountains was unparalleled, and I wanted Ivy to experience it all. In some ways, she was that small innocent child, before Hell opened up and consumed her. All she knew was pain and suffering. I wanted her to see that there was more to this world than pain. That there was happiness too.

Not that I really knew what that was, but I knew it was out there.

It was going to be a beautiful day with clear skies. Absolutely perfect for riding. The temperature was warm, so I knew she wouldn't be cold. The further out from civilization I rode, the more relaxed she became when I heard her laugh out loud, extending her arms wide like she was flying.

Smiling, I let her enjoy the moment before gunning the bike, holding on tight as it lurched forward, causing her to squeak as she quickly hugged me tighter. For the next hour, I just enjoyed the ride with her wrapped around me. She slid her hands down from my chest to my waistband, laying her head against my back while she slowly relaxed against me.

Seeing the sign for Castella and the Castle Crags State Park up ahead, I slowed down and made the next right turn, leaving the wide two-lane highway for a much narrower secluded two-lane road where the entrance of the park loomed ahead.

A little while later, I pulled into a campsite and cut the engine.

Ivy didn't move.

Looking over my shoulder, I smiled upon seeing the shock on her face. Her eyes darted everywhere and nowhere as she took in the ruggedly beautiful park with its massive rock formations. The state park was picturesque and breathtaking, for sure.

But at this moment, all I could look at was her.

"I have never seen anything so beautiful before in my life."

"Neither have I."

"Why are we here?"

"Meeting some people."

"Who?"

"You'll see," I said, holding out my hand to help her slide off my bike.

Walking her over to the picnic table, I heard the familiar rumble and turned to see several bikes ride into view. With a grin, I stood and watched while bikes rolled closer, lined up perfectly in even rows as they each slowed to a stop, and the engines shut off.

Brothers smiled, stretching as they joked and kidded around with each other. Women straightened their clothes and laughed while they took in their surroundings. A van pulled in next, followed by four more bikes bringing up the rear. The women happily walked over to the large vehicle, waving and smiling when the side door slid open and kids jumped down, running wild, when one in particular screamed loudly.

"Pop-pop!" The most beautiful little girl in the world smiled as she ran toward me. Grabbing her, I hauled her into my arms and hugged her tight as she placed a sweet kiss on my cheek.

"Pop-pop, you camping too?"

"Just for the day. Ivy and I have to get back before dark."

"Jesse!" Reaper shouted, running after his boy, who was hellbent on evading his father, when Massacre quickly side stepped and snagged the kid by the back of his shirt.

"Got him!"

"Boy, I'm going to whip your ass when I get my hands on you. I told you not to run off," Reaper grumbled, taking his son from Massacre.

"But, Dad, I wanna go play."

"Play later. Are you trying to get me killed before nightfall?"

"Who's gonna kill you, Dad?"

"Your mother," Reaper groaned, swatting the young boy's ass, shoving him back toward the other kids. "Now stop being an asshole and do what you're told for once."

"Pop-pop, who's that?" Soleil asked, pointing behind me.

Turning, I smiled. "Soleil, this is Ivy. She is a friend of mine."

"Hello," Ivy said, looking intently at my granddaughter before she looked at me, her face contorted in confusion and worry. "I didn't know you were a grandfather."

"And soon he will be again." Sunny walked over, smiling. "Hello. I'm Sunny. Solomon's wife, and you must be Ivy. He's told me so much about you."

"He shouldn't have," Ivy murmured, looking around at everyone.

She was nervous.

Frowning, Sunny gently reached for Ivy's hand. "You're safe here, Ivy. No one here will hurt you."

"Give me my niece, asshole!" Wraith roared, storming over while Soleil giggled, clapping her hands, and when Wraith was in arm's length, my fearless granddaughter leaped from my arms into her uncle's.

"Luc, he hit him," Ivy whispered, and her eyes glazed over.

Stepping into her view, I cupped her face.

"Look at me. I need you to hear the words coming out of my mouth. No one, and I mean fucking no one here would ever, and I mean ever, lay a fucking hand and intentionally hurt any of these kids. These kids are protected and spoiled fucking rotten. Everyone here, including the women, would happily kill a motherfucker before any harm comes to any one of these kids. Do you understand me?"

A tear rolled down her face and she slowly nodded.

"I'm sorry. I just saw him and my head..."

Hugging her tight, I whispered. "I know, baby. I know."

"Ivy? We briefly met the other day. I'm Reaper and this is my son, Jesse."

Ivy turned and looked down at the young boy standing in front of his father, kicking the dirt. Kneeling before him, Reaper shoved the kid forward and growled, "Jesse."

The young boy sighed, his shoulders slumping. "I'm sorry if I scared you."

Tentatively reaching out for him, Ivy whispered, "It's nice to meet you, Jesse. I'm Ivy. I get in trouble a lot too. It's easy sometimes, huh?"

"Yeah." He nodded. "My mom says I'm a magnet for trouble."

"Can I tell you a secret?"

Jesse nodded.

"Trouble follows me everywhere, too. It's like a bad shadow. But I'm trying to do better. How about we make a pact? If you try to stay out of trouble, I will try not to overreact and get upset when you do."

"Guess that sounds fair."

"It sounds perfect." Remi walked over, glaring at her son. "Now, be the good boy I know you can be and go help the brothers. Massacre is waiting for you to tell him where you want your tent set up."

"Can I share a tent with Colin?"

"Only if it's okay with Player and Catarina."

As Jesse ran off, I wrapped my arm around Ivy's waist and made the introduction. "Ivy, I'd like you to meet Remi. She is the wife of Reaper."

Remi smiled warmly. "Not if he can't get his head out of his ass."

Ivy chuckled when Reaper groaned, walking off, muttering to himself.

"He still in the doghouse?" I asked.

"When isn't he?" the beautiful woman snarked, before smiling at Ivy. "It is wonderful to meet you. I'm glad you could make it to our little get together."

"Wasn't like I had a choice." Ivy grinned, looking up at me.

"Oh, honey, I know how you feel," she said, pulling her away from me and, together with Sunny, walked Ivy over to the other women.

Standing there, I watched as Ivy looked back, a little worried, but something one of them said made her turn back around. I still wasn't sure this was a good idea when Reaper suggested it, but he assured me that if anyone could get Ivy to talk and open up, it would be Remi.

I just hoped he was right.