Journey (Soulless Kings MC: Marble Falls, TX #2)

18. Wren

CHAPTER 18

WREN

I don’t need you or the Soulless Kings.

“You’re not Wren.”

I smirk at the man in my grasp. “No shit, Sherlock. She’s weak, and would never know how to stand up to you.”

“Can you at least tell me who I’m dealing with?”

Rage boils my blood at his ability to speak when I’m trying like hell to squeeze the life out of him. Damn, Wren and her little body.

“Not that it matters, but I’m Aaron.”

He narrows his eyes at me as if trying to decipher my words, and then he grins. “Oh, right. I read about you.”

“The fuck?”

“You fancy yourself Wren’s big bad bodyguard,” he taunts.

“I’ve protected her since she was five years old, you stupid prick,” I bite out. “And I’ll protect her until the day she dies.”

“Hate to break it to you,” he sneers. “But Wren doesn’t need you. She’s got me.”

“And you’re the same as the man who broke her.”

I draw my arm back and attempt a right hook, but Journey stops my hand with his.

“You’re damn lucky that whatever happens to you happens to her. Otherwise, I’d end you.”

“As if you could.”

Journey stares at me for a long moment, and then he surprises me when his face softens. “You don’t need to keep Wren safe from me. I’d never hurt her.”

“That’s what Stone said, and she barely managed to survive him.”

His expression hardens in an instant. “Did you say Stone?”

“Who else would I have said?” I snap. “Her father broke her, and now she’s risking what’s left of herself on you… another biker.”

“You need to let Wren come back,” he says, panicking. “Get her, now!”

“That’s not how it works.”

“Aaron, please. You’ve gotta see that she’s safe with me. I haven’t hurt her yet, have I? And I’ve had opportunity.”

I consider his words and still, I hesitate. “How the fuck am I supposed to know I can trust you?”

Journey moves away from me and runs a hand through his hair. “Have you ever heard the expression ‘ the enemy of my enemy is my friend’ ?”

“Of course. Who hasn’t?”

“Well, Stone is my enemy, my club’s enemy. So, wouldn’t that make me Wren’s friend?”

His logic might be twisted, but it’s hard to argue with. Unfortunately, before I can reply, I’m yanked from the forefront.

My muscles ache from all the tension running through my body, and I make a conscious effort to relax as I glance at my surroundings.

“Wren?” Journey is in front of me in an instant, his hands cupping my cheeks. “Are you back?”

“It happened, didn’t it?” I ask, embarrassment settling in.

“Yeah, but it’s okay.”

I pull away from him and sit in one of the chairs lined up against a wall where customers can wait while their vehicle is worked on. I’ve spent so much energy trying to avoid Journey, and here I am, switching in front of him again.

“It’s not okay.” I hand my head. “Who, um…”

“Aaron.”

“Shit.” I lift my eyes to his. “I’m sorry if I… if he… What happened?”

“Nothing bad, sweetheart,” he reassures as he squats in front of me. “He was just trying to protect you. But I think we came to an understanding.”

Uncertainty niggles at my brain. “What kind of understanding?”

“That he doesn’t have to protect you anymore because I’m here to do it for him.”

I shove him away from me. “I don’t need you to pro?—”

“Tell me about your dad.”

“What?”

“Your dad… tell me about him.”

“What can I say that you don’t already know?” I counter. “You say you don’t work with him, but I don’t know if I believe you.”

“Wren, I don’t work with or for him, I swear. Just the opposite, in fact.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

Rather than answer my questions, he asks one of his own. “What’s your dad’s name?”

I scoff. “Ryan Abbott. Why?”

“Right, but what’s his road name?”

“He doesn’t have one.”

“Does the name Stone sound familiar to you?”

I close my eyes and try to think back to when I was a child. There isn’t much I remember about my family beyond what I’ve read or been told. But one thing that surfaces, blinking at me like a neon sign on the fritz, is an image of my dad wearing… a cut.

My hands fly to my mouth. “He was a biker.”

“And if I’m right, he’s the president of the Wingless Angels MC.”

Frantically, I shake my head. “But he can’t be. He’s been in prison for twenty years. How would he run an MC from a cell?”

“I’ve heard of crazier things.”

“No. That’s nuts. I mean…” I tilt my head and stare at Journey. “Oh my God. Is that why you scare me? Because my mind recognized the similarity between you and him?”

“I’d say that’s probably a pretty safe bet.” He smiles, and I shiver. “Do I really scare you?”

“Yeah. A little,” I admit. “But you also intrigue me. Which, I gotta say, is a bit disconcerting.”

“Disconcerting?” He snorts. “Such a big word.”

“If all of this is true, what could my dad possibly want from me now? I haven’t seen him since the day of the…” I swallow past the lump in my throat. “Let’s just say it’s been a while.”

“I think he’s kept tabs on you for all these years, and now he’s found a way you can be useful to him.” Regret flashes in his eyes, but he forges ahead. “Sorry, that sounds cold. But I doubt he has a selfless bone in his body.”

“It sounds cold because it is. But it’s also the truth.”

“I know you probably won’t understand, but I have to take this information to the Soulless Kings. They need to know.”

“I don’t think so,” I snap, moving toward the door. “This is my life, Journey. And I don’t want the details used as a punchline for your club.”

“Wren, no. That’s not what it is. But the Wingless Angels are gunning for us, and the only way to stop them is to take out their leader.”

“In other words, you wanna kill my dad,” I summarize.

“Well… yeah.”

“Look, I don’t give a rat's ass about his life or what happens to him,” I begin. “But I do care about mine. Just leave it alone.”

“I can’t do that. I swear, nothing will happen to you because of this. I won’t let it.”

Needing to get away from him, away from the reality of all that’s come to light, I push the door open.

“I don’t need you or the Soulless Kings,” I say over my shoulder. “I’m a big girl and can take care of myself, despite what you may think.”