10. Chapter 10

Chapter 10

Drake

I spent the rest of the weekend wrapped up with Lacy and lying in bed. The sex was wild and required hours of restful sleep afterward. It was absolutely perfect.

I had another meeting with Josh scheduled on Monday to go through the schedule once more for our trip. I had never been to San Antonio before, and it killed me that I couldn’t bring Lacy with me. I would be riding my bike and I would never take her on a trip that far on my bike, especially on a dangerous highway. Plus, I wasn’t sure what to expect with this new job, and I needed to make sure Josh and his clients were on the up and up.

Lacy spent Monday morning in class and I used that time to meet with Josh. We went over the map and what route we would take, where we would stop the first night to sleep, and who to contact once we reached our destination. I had asked Axel, Ryder, and Storm to attend the meeting as well as my cousin Micah and our longtime friend, and Twisted Kingdom Clubhouse member, Skylar. I trusted each of them with my life and knew they could benefit from the extra money too.

By the time Tuesday morning rolled around, I was both dreading the long drive and excited to get my check. I woke up early and said my goodbyes to a teary-eyed Lacy. It killed me more than anything to leave her, but we both knew I would be back in a few days. The bar was going to be fine, a close family friend, Seth promised to tend to the bar. He was a good kid and a great friend to Ryder. Storm had some guys he trusted at the ink shop and Axel was going to just close up shop while we were gone. Ivy had cried as he sat on his bike, but it was Lacy who broke my fucking heart. She tried to stay strong for me, but I could see how much it pained her to watch me put my backpack on, filled with my clothes and necessities for this trip. She gave me a strong kiss that promised she trusted me and would miss me like crazy but accepted my need to do this. If she only knew that this was all really for her. Everything was fucking for her. And, it would be until I took my last breath.

***

Six hours later, I found myself driving down a long highway with a massive eighteen-wheeler truck leading the way. I had all the paperwork needed for the shipment transaction and a massive check in my pocket. It was more money than I had ever seen before in my life, and it felt damn good to have it.

I had my phone earpiece in my ear in case one of the guys needed something or spotted anything suspicious. From what we had been told and instructed, we needed to just keep an eye out on any vehicles that got too close, or followed the truck beyond a specific amount of miles. I had never ridden this way before. Usually, when we rode, it was for pleasure. To feel a connection with the road and our bikes. Or, it was for someone else. We kept our eyes on the road, as the moments of the fallen soldiers and officers were for those embracing the loss. Not for us. But now, I was expected to control my bike and watch every piece of my surroundings.

Thankfully, the road was pretty clear of traffic. We weren’t around any major holidays and it was early on a Tuesday. Most people were at work or school, and I hoped it remained that way. We had expected to stop somewhere around Arkansas to eat dinner and sleep at a small motel. I wanted to use the money we earned for paying my guys and putting aside in my bank account. Besides, we had stayed in much worse places than some of these motels.

“Everything looks good,” Axel said through my earpiece.

“Yeah, it’s a nice day for a ride,” I agreed.

“Not a bad way to make some money,” Storm added in.

“Hell yeah, this could be a new Raven Boy venture,” Ryder laughed in our ears.

I shook my head, as I listened to the commentary coming through the earpiece. I loved my brothers, even if they were wild and crazy and in my eyes, still kids.

Plus, I couldn’t argue with their logic, either. If riding for a few days could earn us this much money, maybe this could be a new venture for us. All of the Ravens.

I would never leave my bar or my clubhouse. The Twisted Kingdom Clubhouse and bar is my life. It’s my home, but I also need to pursue my dreams and that includes making more money.

“When are you going to tell us why you need this money?” Axel interjected again.

Fuck.

I thought they would lay off that for a while, but of course, I was wrong.

“When I feel like it’s your business,” I say, and rev my engine. Axel pulls up next to me and we ride for a while side-by-side.

I glance over at Axel and see his dark eyes watch me for a second, before he returns them back to the road. An unspoken conversation flows between us and just like that, I think that he knows why I want this money. If any of my brothers could understand this, it would be Axel. Axel wanted to give Ivy the world. Hell, even Blaze had matured after finding Remy. Ryder was making a name for himself and making us all proud. I was the last one holding out, and I knew it was past time for me to get my shit together.

The world around us grows dark as the sun begins to settle. I see the truck put on his blinkers to merge off the highway, and take an exit that leads to a small town. I spot a Motel 6 a few miles down the road and sigh as I am ready to eat and fall into bed.

After we all get our rooms for the night, and the driver secures his rig, we head to a small diner beside the motel. Before we go in, I make a call to Lacy.

Of course, she answers on the first ring.

“Hey baby!” she almost yelled into the phone.

Hearing her voice makes me smile and I turn, so the guys don’t see me. I don’t need them giving me shit right now.

“Hey, I wanted to call and let you know we made it to Arkansas. We are going to eat and then I will get some sleep. We leave early morning at four am.”

Lacy sighs into the phone and I can just imagine her twirling her long hair around her middle finger, as she struggles to keep a smile and happy tone. Hell, she’s probably flipping me off with that same finger while she talks. Damn, I love how sassy she can be.

“I’m glad you called. It was getting late, I thought you forgot,” she said sarcastically.

Anyone else hearing this would have thought she was pissed at me. But I know my girl better than that.

“Yeah, well what would you have done if I had forgotten?” I asked, taunting her.

“Come home and find out,” she purred.

My dick went straight to attention as her voice took on that angry, seductive tone. Fuck, I loved it when she was like this. If we were home right now, I would have thrown her over my shoulder and had my way with her all night long. Instead, I was at a small diner with my brothers. Looks like I will have a date with my hand tonight by myself.

“Trust me, when this gig is over, I will be home and ready to find out,” I say.

There is a long moment of silence that transpires between us. I kick at a piece of loose gravel in the parking lot where I stand alone. I look into the large, dirty windows and spot all the guys sitting around a table. They are laughing and cutting up as they order their food. The older waitress seems to enjoy their banter and I smile a little to myself.

“Damn baby, I miss you,” I said into the phone.

“I miss you, too,” Lacy sighs. “Come home safe to me.”

Those words hit me hard.

Home.

Safe.

“I will be home as soon as I can. For now, focus on school and work. I love you. I will call in the morning,” I add, before we both stand up.

I stuff my phone back inside my pocket and make my way inside the diner. The smell of grease and Clorox hits me hard, but I take it in anyway.

I sit down with the guys and enjoy a good meal. Though, I wish more than anything, I had my girl by my side.