The Originals (Ghosttown Riders #10)

Chapter Twelve

The ride back to Ghosttown was numbing. Meg sat in the passenger seat of the van, staring out the window and not uttering a word. For his part, neither did the prospect driving or the other one sitting in the back. Her mind was racing with thoughts of what was happening with Mick and the club. Deep in her heart, she knew. But this time? She understood why.

What kind of person does that make me?

The van pulled up in front of the clubhouse. It looked different. There were only a few motorcycles parked on the side. No one on the front porch. Even the light coming from the window inside was dim. When she got out of the van, it was complete silence. No voices, no music. Nothing.

“Where do you want to go?”

She glanced over at the prospects standing side by side at the front of the van.

“What do you mean?” she asked.

“If you want to go to Mick’s room, we’ll guard the door.”

“You don’t have to do that.”

His face hardened. “Yeah, we do. And we will. Until Mick gets back, wherever you go?” He paused, sharing a look with the other guy. “We go.”

“Can I just wait inside, maybe at the bar?”

The idea of being isolated in a room was intensifying her anxiety.

He nodded and walked toward the door while the other gestured for her to follow. It wasn’t until they walked in that she realized they had her protected on all sides. She stopped short at the entrance, eyeing the room. She’d never seen it empty. It almost gave off a homey vibe. Oddly, it was comforting.

“Where is everybody?” she asked.

He furrowed his brows. It was a silly question considering how many members of Ghosttown showed up with Mick. It was a massive group. She hadn’t realized at the time, but it was the whole club. She clasped her hands, walking to the middle of the room, peering around.

“None of the girls are here.”

“Club whores and everyone else was ordered to leave.”

She bit her lip, nodding.

“Not all.” The soft feminine voice had Meg spinning around.

Colleen was standing in the doorway with a smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes. She slowly walked over, stopping a few feet away.

“Maureen is visiting her mom who lives about five hours away, and none of the other old ladies were available, so…um” —Colleen swallowed— “Mick asked if I could hang around and stay with you. Is that okay?”

It was better than okay. It was as if Mick knew exactly what she’d need and provided it for her. Colleen was the perfect choice for a comforting companion.

“Yes,” Meg whispered.

It was like a sucker punch to the stomach, and Meg never saw it coming. One second she was numb, and the next the night’s events flooded her mind, and she was overcome with fear and panic. The calm before the emotional storm. Meg started to shake, which seemed to trigger Colleen out of her hesitation. The girl rushed over to Meg, putting her arm around her shoulders and guiding her to a barstool.

Once Meg was seated, she expected Colleen to step away, but she placed her hand on Meg’s back and caressed in a circular motion. It was soothing. It took some time, but Meg eventually calmed down, and her breathing returned to normal. She was even able to take a deep breath without wanting to burst out in tears.

“Can I get you something? Maybe food or coffee? I think we have tea in the back. I’ll check.” Colleen started to walk away, and Meg quickly reached out, grasping her wrist.

“Can I get a drink? A double of anything amber-colored.”

Colleen smiled with a sharp nod. Meg let go of her arm and watched her round the bar and grab a glass.

“Will you have one with me?”

Colleen glanced over her shoulder. “Anything you want.”

She grabbed another glass, placed them on the bar, and walked over to the shelf with all the liquor, choosing a bottle on the top shelf.

“They usually reserve the good stuff for members only or when a new brother gets patched in.” Colleen twisted off the top and started pouring. “But I think Jack would make an exception this one time. You’ve earned it.”

Colleen slid the glass in front of her. Meg grabbed it and took a hefty sip. The burning of her throat was just the reminder she needed. She was alive to feel everything. She glanced across the room. One of the prospects was standing near the front door looking out the window while the other was stationed by the back door.

For the next three hours, she had another glass of brandy and switched over to beer until taking Colleen up on her offer of a cup of coffee. She was on her second when she heard the rumbling of the engines getting closer. It sounded like an army of bikers. For a brief second, fear struck wondering if it was Ghosttown or the others.

Colleen grabbed her hand, obviously reading her expression. She offered a warm, comforting smile and squeezed her hand. “It’s Mick.”

Finally, she could fully breathe.

****

Everything had gone according to Jack’s plan. Most importantly, Meg was safe. Jack had made arrangements to get rid of the bodies and would be making a few calls to cover their tracks. There was no doubt people would look for them. You’re not gonna find them. Nor would they trace anything back to Ghosttown.

But it wasn’t over.

This was the third time a rival club had come after Ghosttown or one of their own. It was handled for now, but they all knew there would be a next time. A new club would step up and try to take a shot at them. As it had been said so many times in the last few months, times were changing.

Mick parked in line with the others, Jack on one side, Grain on the other. While most members got off their bikes and headed around to the back of the clubhouse, Mick remained seated, staring at the front door. Meg was inside. Safe. Though he had no idea where her head was at. If she hadn’t handled the night of the festival, how could he expect her to understand tonight?

It was as if he was prolonging the inevitable by staying on his bike. Walking in meant losing her. Again.

“Get Maureen to talk to her,” Jack said, and Mick looked over. “Coming from an old lady, she’ll make her understand.”

It was definitely a good idea and one that might work in keeping Meg. But Mick couldn’t do that. He didn’t want her coerced or convinced to be with him and the club. Meg had to find her way on her own. It had to be her choice, or he’d run the risk of losing her down the road. It was hard enough already. He wasn’t sure he could handle letting her walk away years later.

Jack got off his bike, as did Grain. “You get her settled, and we’ll meet in an hour. Work for you?”

A debriefing. Jack always held them after any job, or in this case, altercation. It was usually immediate. Nothing came before them. Except Meg this time. Mick gave a sharp nod and watched Jack and Grain head out back.

He got off and walked up the stairs. The door opened, and the prospect stepped back. Mick muttered, “Thanks.”

It had nothing to do with the door and everything to do with guarding Meg. He scanned the room and found her at the bar staring back at him. He sucked in a deep breath, prepared to defend his actions. While Meg may not see it his way, Mick made no apologies for how the night went down. He’d do anything to protect her at all costs. Seek out revenge on anyone who threatened, scared, or hurt her. Touch her and die.

He straightened his back and started through the room. He only got a few steps before she jumped off the stool, raced across the room, and threw her arms over his shoulders, holding him in a tight hold. Mick instantly wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her closer.

Her body began to shake, and he heard the gasping intake of breath. She was crying but refused to let go of him. Mick rubbed her back, pressing his lips to her head, whispering. “It’s all good now. You’re safe.”

“I just needed you to be safe too.”

Mick gave her a few more seconds before he attempted to take Meg to his room. But she refused to let go of him. He bent down slightly, grabbed her thighs, and wrapped them around his hips. He’d carry her if she needed it. He started toward the doorway near the stairs and glanced over to the bar. Colleen was standing with a bottle in her hand, staring. Not at him. At Meg. There was a sadness in her gaze but a soft smile on her lips.

Mick cleared his throat. Colleen immediately jerked her gaze and widened her eyes. She may have thought she would get scolded for staring. It was the opposite of what Mick was feeling for the club whore. All gratitude, Colleen.

“Thanks,” he said.

She nodded with a smile. She ducked her head and turned her back.

Mick walked up the stairs with Meg clutching onto him. He brought her into his room, shut the door, and waited. He’d let her hold on for as long as she needed.

Eventually, her grip loosened, and he set her on the bed, taking a seat beside her. He cupped her jaw, forcing her to look at him. Her nose and cheeks were bright red, her eyes damp and glassy. How could this woman have gone through this night and still be the most beautiful thing he’d ever set his eyes on?

“You okay?”

She bit her lip and scooted closer to him, resting her hands on his thighs.

“Are you?”

He slid his thumb over her cheek, brushing away her tear. “Yeah.”

There was a long stretch of silence.

“So, what happened? I mean, after…”

Mick tightened his hold and shook his head. “It’s over. They’re not a threat to you, me, or the club anymore. That’s all you need to know.”

She inched closer. “But…”

“No.”

She clamped her lips. He’d give Meg everything she needed and wanted but not the club.

“What now?” She asked.

“That all depends on you.”

She knitted her brows.

“You want to go home, I’ll take you. You want to stay, you stay. You get whatever you want.”

“I want you.”

It was exactly what he wanted to hear. But…

“I can’t say it’s always gonna be good. But I can promise you’ll always be safe with me. They have to go through me and this whole fucking club to get to you.” Mick leaned closer. “I love you.”

Her eyes welled, and she pressed her lips to his, whispering, “I love you too.”

Mick cupped her jaw. “Your face is the first thing I want to see when I wake up, and the last thing before I close my eyes every night. I want forever, Meg.”

And they would have it…’til death do them part.