GHOST: An Evil Dead MC Story (The Evil Dead MC Series Book 5) (18 page)

Ghost tossed his lighter on a glass side table with a clatter. “So, what’s up?”

“Butcher called a meeting,” Shades said, pulling his phone out and glancing at the time. “We got about half an hour before we need to head out.”

“And?”

“He wants us to bring your girl with us.”

“What the fuck for?” Ghost frowned.

“Wants her kept under lock and key until we get this meet set with the DKs.”

“Why?”

Shades shrugged. “Just coverin’ our bases, bro. You know we got a lot ridin’ on this deal.”

“She’s not goin’ anywhere, Shades,” Ghost growled. This was bullshit.

Shades nodded. “I know she’s not. That’s why he wants her in lockdown at the clubhouse.”

“Are you shittin’ me?”

“Nope.”

“What the hell for? Does he think I can’t keep her safe?”

“Ain’t about you keepin’ her safe. It’s about you controlling her.”

“Say what?”

“The woman’s headstrong. We’ve all seen it. Hell, I gotta remind you she slapped fucking Blood, of all people? Not a lot of chicks I know would dare to slap Blood.”

Ghost ran a frustrated hand down his face. “That doesn’t mean shit.”

“Look, Butcher’s afraid she’ll decide she doesn’t need you watchin’ out for her now that she’s back in her hometown.” Shades shrugged. “Just playin’ it safe. Makin’ sure she doesn’t—
run off
.”

“Are you fuckin’ serious?”

“As a heart attack, bro.”

Ghost surged to his feet and walked a few feet away, violently flinging his cigarette in the distance.

Shades moved to stand with him.

“I want to serve my club, Shades. But using her to do it—” he broke off shaking his head.”

“You gonna be able to keep your head on straight about this girl? You gonna be able to use her for the benefit of your club? You good with that?”

“Club first, right?”

“Right. You made that decision the day you put that cut on your back.”

Ghost nodded.

Shades slapped him on the back. “Maybe you don’t want any part of this. But you’re a loyal brother, so you better fall in line, like the rest of us.”

Ghost shrugged off his arm and headed back inside.

“Where you goin’?” Shades asked.

“To tell Jessie we’re ridin’ out in a few minutes. That okay with you? You
do
know how long it takes chicks to get ready, right?”

Shades grinned. “Right.”

***

Half an hour later, Jessie was standing on the curb outside with Ghost’s brothers. He had paused at the door to lock up, and Shades was up there talking to him, but she was too far away to hear any of it. Whatever it was, it made Ghost smile, which was good because ever since the guys got there, he’d been in a surly mood.

Griz leaned over to half whisper in her ear. “Ten bucks says you can’t get him to break formation on the way over to the clubhouse.”

Jessie looked at him, frowning, wondering if this was some type of test to see if she could hold her own with them. Never one to back down from a challenge, she knew she had to accept. If he thought she’d punk out, he didn’t know what she was made of.
Well, bring it on, big guy
. She smiled up at him. “You’re on, old man.”

Hammer just shook his head. “Didn’t you lose enough money already on this trip, Griz?”

Griz didn’t break eye contact with Jessie as he answered Hammer. “You stay outta this, this doesn’t concern you.”

“It’s your funeral,” Hammer replied.

“Wait, what?” Jess frowned, breaking eye contact with Griz to look over at Hammer. She was beginning to doubt the wisdom of this whole idea. Griz put his arm around her and turned her away.

“Don’t you pay no never mind to him. You got this, girl. I got faith in you.”

“And what’s the purpose of this again?”

He shrugged. “No purpose. Why has there gotta be a purpose? This is just you takin’ a bet. No harm in that. It’s all good, doll. Just havin’ a little fun.”

Jessie’s eyes narrowed as she eyed him, considering. “Twenty.”

Griz grinned. “Ooo. The girl’s confident. I like it. Okay, girly. You’re on.”

“Okay, wait. Let’s clarify. What exactly counts as breaking formation?”

“You get his bike to wobble. Better yet, you get him to cross the centerline. I’ll pay double for that.”

“The center line? But he could kill us?”

“You don’t do it when there’s oncoming traffic, missy. Ya gotta time this shit just right.” He paused, considering her slowly as if he was rethinking the bet. “You sure you’re up for this?”

Her spine straightened. Of course she was up for this! She’d never turned down a bet in her life. “I’ve got it.”

He reached up and ruffled the hair on the top of her head. “I like you. You’re gonna fit right in. Give ol’ Ghost a run for his money. He needs someone like you to shake him up.”

She couldn’t help the smile that lit up her face.
God, she hoped those words were true, because she definitely needed Ghost.

“Hey, doll?”

She turned back.

“Here’s a little hint, cause I like ya.”

“Okay.”

He lifted his chin toward Ghost. “Put your hands anywhere they want to go. He likes when girls do that.”

“Why do I get the feeling you’re trying to get me in trouble?”

“Hell, gal, I’m trying to help you win.” He shrugged. “But suit yourself. I’m only a guy, what do I know about how we men like to be touched.”

“Right.” She rolled her eyes at his sarcasm. “Okay, okay. Thanks.”

Twenty minutes later, they were walking into the clubhouse. Jessie had a crisp new twenty tucked in her pocket. She was relieved that Ghost had taken it all in stride, laughing at the bet they’d made and being the fun-loving guy she remembered.

He had a tight grip on her hand as he led her over to the bar, sat her on a stool, ordered her a drink, and then kissed her on the forehead.

“Sit tight, brat. This shouldn’t take too long, okay?”

She looked up at him and made a silly face. “Okie-dokie.”

He rolled his eyes.

“Goofball.” Then his eyes moved over her to connect with the prospect behind the bar. Thankfully, it wasn’t Yammer this time. Ghost lifted his chin at the man. “Yo, keep an eye on her.”

The man nodded. “Sure thing, Ghost.”

Jessie watched Ghost head down a hallway with the other patched members and disappear out of sight.

The prospect set a glass filled with cola in front of her. He held up a bottle of rum. “You want me to add a little something to that, darlin’?”

She smiled and pushed her drink forward. “God, yes.”

He chuckled. “That’s the spirit.”

She glanced around her. With all the men in the meeting, there were only a few people in the room. An old Rolling Stones song played quietly in the background. Mick declaring he couldn’t get no satisfaction.

Two drinks later, Jessie felt a presence at her side and turned to see little Ashley scooting her ass onto the stool next to her, dropping a pack of cigarettes on the bar, along with a pink rhinestone covered cell phone.

The prospect came over, his palms on the bar. “Ashley. You want a drink?”

She nodded over at Jessie’s drink and gave the prospect a big smile. “I’ll have what she’s having.”

He set a glass in front of her, filled it with cola and tipped a bottle up, adding some rum.

Jessie sat quietly next to her, sipping her third drink, now listening to the muted sounds of Eric Clapton and Cream’s
Layla
coming through the speakers, and wishing the club’s meeting would wrap up soon.

Ashley shook out a cigarette from her pack. “You got a light, Boo?”

The prospect dug a silver Zippo out of his hip pocket and extended his tattoo-covered arm, flicking the cover open, the flame flaring up.

Ashley stood on the foot-rung and perched over, her ass in the air as she dipped her head toward the flame. She sucked on the smoke, until it flared to life, the smell of tobacco drifting out.

“Thanks, doll.” She winked at the man named Boo, who flipped his Zippo closed and shoved it back in his pocket, then moved off to stock a cooler with cases of beer.

Ashley turned toward Jessie, offering her pack of smokes. “You want one, honey?”

“No, thanks. I quit.”

Ashley nodded, tossing them on the bar top. “I tried that once.” She blew out a stream of smoke toward the nicotine stained ceiling tiles. “It lasted about a week.”

She smiled over at Jessie, who nodded, not really in the mood to make friendly chitchat with the girl who’d been so cozy with Ghost last night.

She could feel Ashley’s eyes on her, studying her.

“You don’t like me, do you?” she asked.

Jessie turned toward her, shrugging. “Not particularly, no.”

“That’s okay. We don’t have to be friends. Just so you understand your place.”

“My place?” Jessie repeated, giving Ashley a look that could kill.

Ashley just grinned. “I’m not trying to be mean. I just want you to know the way things are here.”

“The way things are here? And how is that?”

“Never mind. You’ll be gone soon anyway,” Ashley commented, her eyes on the mirror behind the bar.

Jessie met her eyes in the reflection. “What makes you think I’m going anywhere?”

Ashley tapped her cigarette in the ashtray. “Way I heard it, sweetie, they’re taking you to the DK’s. Making some deal with the Death Heads.”

Jessie’s brows shot up. “Excuse me?”

Ashley shrugged. “You’re part of the deal, least that’s what JJ told me last night in bed.”

Jessie felt a chill run down her skin. Her mind racing with thoughts, she lifted her glass to her mouth and drained it. Ghost wasn’t going to turn her over to the DKs. It wasn’t possible. He wouldn’t let his club do that, would he? But if that was their plan, could he stop them? If they did hand her over to the DKs, there’d be only one reason for it. So she could be handed over to the Death Heads. She felt her stomach drop, the rum roiling inside as panic overwhelmed her, and the fight or flight instinct took over. Her eyes moved to the prospect behind the bar, the man Ghost had instructed to watch her. He was busy stacking cases, and then her eyes flicked to the entrance reflected in the mirror, and she wondered if she could make it out the door without him seeing.

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

Ghost sat at the table with his club. He looked toward the head, where his chapter President sat eying him.

“Talked to the DKs last night.” Butcher’s voice was gruff. “They want her brought to the meet. Want to hear it straight from her mouth.”

“No way.” Ghost’s voice was firm as he shook his head.

“Afraid so, Ghost. They insisted. Those are serious accusations she’s makin’. They’re not turnin’ their club inside out lookin’ for some rat unless they believe this ain’t some bullshit some chick made up to get a ride across country.”

“You know that’s not true.”

“Maybe I do. What I believe isn’t important. We need them to believe it. Only way we make this deal.”

“Fuck,” Ghost murmured, his eyes moving to the scarred wooden table, his jaw clenching.

“You got a problem with this, you better say so right now.”

Ghost glared at his President, and his VP stepped in. Leaning forward, Shades looked at Ghost.

“You brought this to the club. Coulda kept your mouth shut and put her on a bus.”

“I wouldn’t keep that from the club.” Ghost stared Shades down. “You know that.”

Shades nodded. “Damn right. So get right with this, Ghost.”

Ghost’s eyes moved from Shades back to Butcher. “And if they want more? If they want her?”

His President just stared at him with a cold expression that didn’t give Ghost a good feeling.

“Butcher, I gotta draw the line—”

“We draw the line where I say we draw the line,” Butcher barked, cutting him off with an arch look that brooked no argument. But Ghost had to argue his point.

“I’m not lettin’ you turn her over to the DKs. They’ll use her to make their own deal with the Death Heads.” He shook his head emphatically.

“And maybe we let them think that’s a possibility,” Butcher growled.

Ghost surged to his feet. “Is it?”

Shades was on his feet just as fast, his fist in Ghost chest, pushing him back down. “Sit the fuck down!”

Ghost fell back in his chair; Hammer grabbing his shoulders to keep him down.

Butcher remained calm, glaring at Ghost. “You keep your shit straight, son. And you keep her locked down until the meet. You understand?”

Shades turned to Butcher. “He understands, Prez.”

Butcher glared at his VP. “I didn’t fuckin’ ask you.” His eyes moved back to Ghost. “Are we clear?”

“Crystal,” Ghost growled back.

Butcher slammed the gavel down. “Meeting fucking adjourned.”

Boot and Slick accompanied Butcher down the hall to his office, and the rest of the club all shuffled out. Shades hung back with Ghost, who still sat in his chair wondering how this had all gotten so fucked up.

Ghost looked over at Shades. “You with him? You afraid she’ll run, too?”

Shades stared him in the eyes and asked, “You tell me. Will she?”

Ghost rubbed his face and grudgingly admitted, “There’s a damn good possibility.”

“Then don’t fuckin’ tell her. She doesn’t need to know shit till we’re rollin’ towards the Georgia State line.”

Ghost rubbed his hand back and forth across his mouth for a long time, then finally looked over at Shades. “How far you think Butcher’s gonna take this?”

“What do you mean?”

“You know what I fucking mean, Brother. Do you think he’d actually hand her over?”

Shades shook his head. “No way.” His brows rose. “Now, he might let them think that, just like he stood at that back gate with you and me, and lied to the DKs about Skylar for
me
. But he ain’t gonna hand over your girl. You
know
that, Ghost.”

He nodded. He wanted to believe it. But this was Jessie they were talking about, and he just couldn’t put her at risk.

Shades patted his shoulder. “Come on, man. It’ll be fine.”

They both stood and headed down the hall toward the common room.

When Ghost entered the room, the first thing he saw was the look on Jessie’s face. She was pissed off, royally. The second thing he noticed was that the prospect he’d put in charge of keeping an eye on her was now standing behind her, one hand on the bar, one on the back of her barstool.

Then his eyes slid down the bar to see Ashley sitting a couple seats over looking too happy with herself, and a bad feeling snaked down his spine. If he were a betting man, he’d bet that Ashley had something to do with the look on Jessie’s face.

He walked up to Boo. The man had a full, dark beard and tattoo sleeves that ran up both arms. He was a man Ghost felt he could count on, having passed every test the club had thrown his way so far. They connected eyes.

“Talk,” Ghost snapped.

Boo stepped away from Jessie, and they moved away a couple of paces. He leaned in close to Ghost and said in a low voice. “Ashley said something to her, not sure what it was, but it rattled her enough to have her bolting for the door. I caught her in the yard. Been keeping ‘em separated.”

Ghost nodded, his eyes moving from Jessie’s rigid back to Ashley.

“Who’d she take up with last night?” he asked Boo.

“JJ.”

“Thanks, man.”

Boo nodded and went back behind the bar.

Shades stepped over to Ghost. “Problem?”

“Apparently. Can you tell JJ to get Ashley out of here?”

“I can take care of her. Be my pleasure.”

“Let JJ handle her. He fucked her last night.”

Shades nodded, and Ghost moved in behind Jessie, taking up the position Boo had been in, one hand on the bar, one on the back of her barstool. “We need to talk.”

She whirled on him and bit out, “You’re turning me over to them? I’m part of a deal?”

Ghost’s eyes lifted over Jessie’s head for a split second to touch on Ashley. Just then JJ walked past, and Ghost knew he’d heard what Jessie had just said. Hell, half the damn room had heard her.

And Ghost knew exactly where that shit had come from. Ashley. And she had to have heard it from someone, most likely last night in bed with JJ. That fucking pillow talk was going to get his ass beat. But Ghost couldn’t deal with him now. He had a pissed off woman he was supposed to get under control and locked down.

Fucking hell.

Ghost grabbed her by the upper arm and pulled her off the stool. “Let’s go.”

“Let me go. I’m not going anywhere with you. Go to hell.”

Too late, sweetheart, he was already there.

She tried to pull back, but that barely slowed him down as he hauled her down the hall. He threw open the second door on the right and shoved her inside.

It was a room he sometimes used when he stayed at the clubhouse, which was rarely. It was barebones with just a twin bed against the wall, a small table next to it with a lamp and a half empty bottle of Jack Daniels on it.

There was one window, and the decorating consisted of one lone, framed photo of himself and Robert. It was a shot he’d always liked, from back when they were in High School. They’d both had their arms around each other, laughing.

Jessie whirled to look at him as he slammed the door.

“You’re going to turn me over to them, aren’t you?”

“Shut up, and listen to me for one goddamn minute!”

“You’re just using me. How could you? I came to you for help. God, I never should have trusted you!”

That cut him, deeper than he cared to admit. And it pissed him off.

“Yeah, Jess, you came to me for help. And you were dragging a shit ton of trouble with you. And I took that on.
No fucking hesitation
. I said I’d help you. I told you I keep you safe. But you don’t get a say in how I do that or how that happens.”

“I don’t have to listen to you. You’re not the man I thought you were.”

“You’re right, babe. I’m not. Maybe I never was. But it’s time to grow up, little girl. And yes, you are going to do whatever the fuck I tell you.”

“I don’t have to stay and listen to this. I’m leaving. I’m going to my mom’s.” She made to move past him to the door. He yanked her back with a hand clamped around her arm.

“Your mom lives in fucking Daytona, Jess. That’s Death Heads territory. That’s the last fucking place you’re going.”

“You can’t stop me.”

“
Wanna bet?”

Ghost strode out into the common room and took a seat at the bar next to Shades.

Shades brows rose as he looked over at Ghost. “Everything okay?”

“Yup.”

They could hear screaming and yelling coming from down the hall.

“Don’t sound like it.”

Ghost tipped his head down to light up a smoke, then he tossed the lighter on the bar, blew out a pissed off stream of smoke and admitted, “I cuffed her to the bed.”

Shades cocked a brow. “You what?”

“Only way to keep her in the room.”

They heard a crash.

“What was that?” Shades asked him.

Ghost took a sip of his drink. “Probably a half empty bottle of Jack.”

Shades nodded. “Well, as long as it was half empty and all.”

Ghost grinned. “Shut up.”

“She scare you, Ghost? ‘Cause if she doesn’t scare the hell out of you a little, she’s not the one.”

“She scares the shit out of me.”

Shades laughed.

“Skylar scare you?”

“Every damn day, bro.”

“Women.”

“Yup. We got some business to take care of. You gonna leave her in there?”

“Yup.”

Shades laughed. “Somehow I don’t think Butcher’s gonna like hearing all that caterwaulin’ going on all day.”

“Guess it sucks to be him, then. He wanted her locked down. She’s locked down.”

“Okay, then. Let’s roll.”