Spike’s Perdition (Saints Purgatory MC #7)

27. Spike

CHAPTER 27

SPIKE

“You have to secure the corners with th?—”

“I know what I’m doing,” I snap, glancing at Ivory over my shoulder.

We arrived at the site where we’re setting up camp about an hour ago. At first, she tried to do everything, but I quickly shut that down with a jar of spicy pickles and peanut butter. Now, she’s happily dictating to me from her seat on a fallen log and snacking.

“Just trying to help,” she sasses before dunking another pickle into the peanut butter and taking a large bite.

“How can you eat that shit?” Megan gripes as she drops the last of the supplies on the ground near Ivory. “Just looking at it makes me wanna vomit.”

Ivory shrugs. “You’ll have to ask our son when he arrives.”

Megan shudders. “I’ll remember that. I’m gonna take the climbers to where we’ll start our climb and review safety info with them. Need anything from me before I go?”

“Nope,” Ivory says and tries to stand. “But I wanna come with you.”

“Sit your pregnant ass down,” Megan says with a chuckle. “We don’t have time to wait for you to waddle over there. It’s gonna be dark soon.”

My woman pouts but sits back down. “I don’t waddle.”

The laughter escapes before I can stop it, and she glares at me. “What?” I ask.

“I don’t waddle,” she repeats.

“Yeah, you do,” I insist. “And it’s the cutest thing I’ve ever fucking seen.”

“Smart man,” Megan teases and walks away.

An hour later, all the tents are set up, and dinner is cooking over a fire. The climbers eagerly talk about tomorrow’s adventures while I sit next to Ivory and listen to their excitement.

“I love this,” Ivory says absently.

“What?”

She nods at the others in the group. “This. A lot of these climbers have done excursions with us before, but every time it’s like it’s their first. Nothing beats the adrenaline that comes from what I do for a living, and I love it.”

“How long have you been running Chase the High?” I ask, realizing that in all the time we’ve spent getting to know each other, we never really talked about this.

“Megan and I started it several years back,” she says. “I’ve always been an adrenaline junkie, and she’s always supported my habit.”

I chuckle. “I get it. That’s how it was with Lonnie.” Ivory knows the story of how I met Lonnie Jacks and how I became a member of Saints Purgatory. “If not for him, I’d probably be dead or in prison.”

“Without Megan, my life would definitely be way less eventful. I’d still be seeking adventure, but I doubt I’d get the same thing out of it if I did it all alone.”

“Food’s ready,” Megan calls out, interrupting our conversation. “Feel free to dig in and stuff yourselves silly.”

One by one, climbers and staff fill their paper plates, and we all eat in silence. The meal is a simple one: chili, cornbread, and water. But it’s fucking fantastic.

After dinner, two of the guests break out guitars, and we sit around the fire singing and laughing until the moon is high in the sky. Ivory announces that it’s time for lights out, and everyone goes their own way into their tents.

“G’night, you two. Try not to be too loud tonight,” Megan teases as she zips her tent closed.

Ivory yawns, and I help her to her feet. “C’mon. Let’s get some shut eye. You’ve gotta be exhausted.”

She rubs her belly affectionately. “ We are definitely tired.”

I lead her to our two-man tent and ease her to the air mattress I insisted we bring so she can get comfortable. Laying down next to her, I tuck her against my chest, and it’s only minutes before a soft snore fills the air. I’m asleep shortly after.

In the morning, light filters through the canvas walls, and I stretch only to realize I’m alone. Scrambling to my feet, I listen for sounds from camp.

“I think I do.”

Ivory’s voice is the first I’m able to make out, and I smile.

“Might wanna be sure before things go much further,” Megan replies.

Are they talking about me?

I duck through the opening, and they both whip their heads in my direction.

“Morning,” Megan says.

Ivory walks toward me and rises on her tiptoes to kiss me gently. “Morning sleepyhead,” she says when she breaks the kiss.

“You left me again,” I accuse, but there’s no heat in my words.

She swats me playfully. “Someone’s gotta get up and make breakfast. Can’t have anyone climbing on an empty stomach.”

I want to ask them what they were talking about, but climbers begin to join us, and the moment is gone. Ivory tries to insert herself into every task, and I do my best to stop her from overdoing it. She’s not thrilled about it, but she doesn’t gripe too much, no doubt not wanting to make a scene in front of the others.

The rock climbing lasts the rest of the day, and I find myself realizing exactly why Ivory loves it so much. I might not be climbing, but it’s easy to get caught up in the excitement from the others.

“Wanna head home tonight?” Megan asks when Ivory lies down in the grass just outside of the seating area around the fire.

“Why would we do that?” Ivory asks. “They’re all booked through tomorrow.”

Megan shrugs. “I just thought… With the pregnancy, I’m sure you’d rather sleep in a real bed.”

“I’m fine.” Ivory straightens into a sitting position. “I won’t let our clients down because I got knocked up.”

“No one would be let down,” I tell her, unable to stay out of the conversation. “I’m sure they’d understand.”

“No. We’re staying, and that’s final.”

Megan and I exchange a look, but neither of us try to argue.

“Then at least go rest for an hour or so before dinner,” I suggest.

“Will that make you both feel better?” Ivory hisses.

“Yes.”

“Fine. I’ll go rest .”

I reach down to help her to her feet, but Ivory swats my hand away. Stepping back, I watch her struggle, but eventually, she’s upright and waddling away from us.

“Oh, you’re so in for a wild ride,” Megan taunts.

“Whaddya mean?”

She points at Ivory, who’s out of earshot. “That woman is gonna give you a run for your money, biker boy.”

I grin. “I’m counting on it.”