The Originals (Ghosttown Riders #10)

Chapter Twenty-Two

Jack was at the bar surrounded by brothers and a few women. Maureen was seated next him with Tully on the other side. Most of the chatter had been about the fight. Jack was receiving accolades and praise from everyone. He felt a light tap on his thigh, and he looked over at Tully’s woman. She’d been with Tully for a long time. Kind and sweet usually didn’t have a place in the club life, but Maureen was one of the exceptions.

She leaned closer, lowering her voice. “Are you okay?”

Jack smiled, glancing up at Tully. The man had a good woman. Jack rested his hand on her back. Jack always had a soft spot for the women. But Maureen had always been one of his favorites.

“I’m fine, darlin’.”

Maureen smiled with a nod.

Jack grabbed his drink and subtly searched the room for Colleen. He hadn’t seen her since he’d ended the fight. By the time he’d gotten off the platform and through the crowd, she was gone. He’d made a point of not asking. The last thing she needed was to draw any attention to her.

“Why the fuck is my glass empty?” Grain snapped.

Mick laughed, shaking his head. “Fuck, you’re an asshole.”

Jack chuckled, and from the corner of his eye, he saw the familiar brunette rush behind the bar and straight to Grain.

“Sorry, Grain.” Colleen grabbed his glass and circled around the prospect, grabbing the bottle of whiskey and pouring the refill.

Jack watched her move, forcing himself not to focus too long on her body. It was a feat. Aside from beautiful, flawless skin, a dark set of brown eyes, and long silky hair, Colleen’s figure was what most men dreamed of in the perfect woman. Jack looked down at her ass, snugly cupped into her short shorts, showing off a sliver of cheek. He ground his teeth and shifted his gaze across the bar. He caught Mick’s stare. His brother smirked and raised his brows.

Jack fisted his glass, taking another sip. The irony wasn’t lost on him. He could have any woman in the club with the exception of the old ladies. Any one of the club whores would jump at the chance to spend a night with him. It wasn’t arrogance speaking. It was the truth. Whether it be for the status or fucking, all he’d have to do was snap his fingers, and they’d be naked in his bed in ten seconds flat. But he didn’t want just any girl.

He watched Colleen fill two beers and place them on the bar. She glanced down the counter. When her gaze landed on his glass in need of a refill, she walked toward him and glanced up. A small smile played on her lips.

Fuck.

Colleen stopped in front of him, pointing to the glass. “Another, Jack?”

There was something in the way she said his name. It wasn’t the first time he noticed. Her voice hitched slightly. Colleen was sweet and kind to everyone, but only Jack got the breathy tone.

Jack put his hand over his glass. “I’m good, darlin’.”

Colleen raked her teeth over her bottom lip and stepped back, walking to the other end of the bar. And Jack watched.

“That’s right, motherfucker. You do your walk of shame.” Grain laughed as did quite a few others. The brother wasn’t known to let pass an opportunity ribbing another.

Jack sipped his bourbon watching Dunn walk past the bar. Usually Jack would offer some type of encouragement. After all, the fights at the club were all in fun. They weren’t personal. Except this time.

Dunn was followed by a few brothers. Mack and Dove were at his back with one of the club whores, Lyssa. She’d seemed to be spending more time with Dunn in the past few weeks.

“Cheap fucking shot,” Dunn muttered as he passed.

It was a cowardly move. If Dunn had something to say to Jack, he should be man enough to say it to his face. Dunn’s ego took a hit tonight, and had it been any other brother, Jack might’ve let it slide.

Jack shot up from his stool and glared at Dunn. “You have something you want to say to me?”

Dunn stopped and slowly turned. Jack watched as the seconds passed, and the man remained silent. Mack tapped him on the back. His VP was trying to diffuse the situation. Jack didn’t need any interference. If Dunn had something to say, he should say it.

Dunn shrugged off Lyssa who gripped his shoulder. “Cheap fucking shot. The fight was over.”

Jack narrowed his gaze. “Not for me. And just because it knocked you out doesn’t make it a cheap shot.”

Dunn opened his mouth but seemed to rethink whatever he was going to say. He glanced over Jack’s shoulder, and his jaw squared.

“Coll! Let’s fucking go. We’re leaving.”

Jack had no doubt with as much anger and rage Dunn had built up, he’d be taking it out on someone tonight given the chance. Jack wouldn’t allow that. He wasn’t letting her walk out of the clubhouse with Dunn. Jack was just about to make that known, but Colleen beat him to it.

“I’m going to stay.”

Jack’s back straightened when he heard her small voice from behind. Her voice was a little shaky, but she wasn’t unsure of herself. That seemed to fuel Dunn’s fire, and he lunged toward the bar, his lips twisted, and his gaze darkened.

“No, you’re not. We’re fucking leaving.”

Jack drew in a breath, knowing he had to step in now before Dunn did something stupid like try to remove Colleen physically. That would put Jack over the edge. The beating he’d just given Dunn would look like a light tap compared to what he’d do to the man if he put his hands on Colleen again.

“She’s staying,” Jack said.

The room was drowned in silence. Dunn jerked his head in Jack’s direction.

“Says who?”

“Says me,” Jack said and sat on his stool, pulling out a cigarette and lighting it. It was rare any of the members went against him. But every once in a while…

“Ain’t none of your business, Jack.”

Jack looked over at Colleen. She was wide-eyed with her eyes darting between both men. “I’m making it my business.”

“There’s a fucking code, brother, and she’s mine!” Dunn shouted.

Dunn’s claim had his blood boiling, but Jack kept his composure. He slowly turned around, lifted his cigarette, and eyed the man.

Jack took a long drag. “She your old lady now?”

Dunn straightened but remained silent.

“No code with club whores. You go home. You cool off.” Jack narrowed his gaze. “And you do that alone.”

Dunn looked past Jack. He knew where Dunn was looking. Directly at Colleen. She hadn’t said a word, and as far as he could tell, she hadn’t moved. The tension in the room was high, but Jack wouldn’t relent, and he’d have his whole club backing his decision. At least the majority.

Jack looked over at Mack, who was scowling. Jack lifted his chin toward Dunn. It was an unspoken demand. Get him the fuck outta here. Mack gave a curt nod and grasped Dunn’s shoulder, leading him to the front door. A few of Mack’s closest brothers followed behind, and when Lyssa started forward, Jack shook his head. She immediately stopped and turned around, heading toward a few brothers near the dartboard.

Jack wasn’t letting any woman go home with Dunn in his volatile state.

The crowd at the bar died down after an hour. Mick, Tully, and their old ladies went home, Grain headed out to Lawry to be with Regina, and the brothers either retired to their rooms or went out back to the pit. It left Jack alone at the bar with Colleen.

“You got somewhere to stay tonight?”

She bit her bottom lip, sighing. “I can probably get a room at the motel.”

Jack cupped his mouth, dragging his hand over his beard. He’d set Colleen up for a hard night with no place to go. He hadn’t thought much about where she’d stay. He had a room at the clubhouse. He could let her crash there for the night.

“I’m heading home. You can stay in my room here.”

It was a fair alternative, and one he hadn’t offered to any other woman. But Colleen didn’t seem too keen on the idea. She shifted on her feet and glanced around the empty room, focusing on the front door.

“Um, I appreciate it, Jack, but…” She glanced over.

“What, darlin’?”

“I just don’t want to run into Dunn again. At least for a little bit, ya know. If he knows I’m staying here…” Her voice trailed off, and she shoved her hands in her back pockets.

Colleen was scared, and Jack was realizing he may have underestimated the situation.

Fuck.

“Do you think you could ask one of the prospects to give me a ride over to the motel?” she asked.

He could’ve. There were at least four prospects in the back cleaning up. Any one of them could’ve given her a ride. He took a drag from his cigarette, never taking his eyes off of her. Jack was about to make a choice that would forever alter his world.

He stamped out his cigarette and stood.

“I’ll take you.”

****

This wasn’t her first time on Jack’s bike. Over the last year, he’d given her a ride to Dunn’s place a handful of times. She’d always seized the opportunity when he’d offered. Colleen shared a small house on the outskirts of Ghosttown with Dunn. Shared might’ve been a stretch. He took every chance to remind her that it was his house, and he allowed her to stay there. When he got mad at her, he’d often kick her out, and she was left scrambling to find a place to stay. On a few occasions, Mick let her crash in his room at the clubhouse when he and Meg weren’t using it. They were a godsend. Tully and Maureen had also offered their home as a sanctuary a few times.

Tonight, she opted to use some of her savings for a clean break from the members.

The Turnersville Motor Lodge wasn’t anything special. It catered to mostly truckers and transients. It was no frills and cheap. In other words, it was perfect for Colleen’s current predicament. With only seventy dollars to her name, she could probably stay for three nights and still afford a few meals.

The ride took about twenty minutes. Jack pulled up to the front office as she eyed the vacancy sign. She gave one tight squeeze over his stomach, and Jack turned his head. This man was beyond handsome.

Colleen leaned closer, brushed her lips against his cheek, and whispered, “Thanks for the ride, Jack.”

She slowly unraveled her hands, sliding them over his waist up his back and onto his shoulders. She was preparing to get off when his hand landed on her thigh in a tight grip. She quickly looked down at his hand on her leg.

“This place gets shittier every time I see it.”

Colleen glanced up, eyeing the motel. “I’ve stayed in worse.”

His hand tightened over her thigh, and a warm rush raced through her veins. In all the time she’d known Jack, he’d rarely touched, and never anything this intimate.

“You ain’t staying here.”

What?

Jack released her leg as the bike started to roll. She clasped her hands around his waist, and he took off through the parking lot and back onto the street.

Colleen had no idea where he was taking her. Maybe she should’ve asked, but she was speechless in her confusion. They drove through the center of Turnersville and down a long, winding, dark and desolate road. She peered around but couldn’t see much until his headlight shined over a reflective number on a mailbox. Jack turned left into the driveway and up a steep hill before it leveled out, revealing a small house.

Where the hell are we?

Jack pulled up on the side of the house and parked, shutting down the bike. She turned her head, taking in her surroundings. It was too dark to see much beyond the house and the backyard. In the driveway to the left, she saw a carport with a beat up pick-up truck, two older cars, and a few motorcycles.

He tapped her leg, and she got off the bike. The house was dark except for the front porch light. Did he bring her to his house? She spun around, watching Jack swing his leg over his seat and straighten.

“Is this your place?”

Jack looked over, and his gaze shifted to the house.

“Yeah. You can stay a day or two. Let Dunn settle down.”

Her mouth fell open, and her eyes widened. “You’re going to let me stay at your house?”

Jack smirked. “Darlin’, it ain’t anything special as you’re gonna see when you get inside.”

Colleen felt like she was in a fog or the latest episode of the Twilight Zone. This is his house, and he’s letting me stay here? Her mind didn’t fully comprehend.

“Come on, darlin’,” Jack said, and she realized he was halfway to the house, and she was still standing next to his bike.

She rushed forward, catching up to Jack at the porch steps. The porch was the length of the house with plenty of space for outdoor seating, but it was empty with only a filled ashtray balancing on the railing. Jack opened the door and walked in, flicking on the lights. She remained just outside the door looking in. The house was on the smaller side. It had a decent living room that segued into a small dining room and a kitchen off the living room. From where she was standing, she could see the majority of the first floor. If she had to guess, the upstairs wasn’t much bigger.

It smelled like stale cigarettes, and there were magazines and other things on the coffee table. Along with a good amount of dust. It was fitting for a single father with two teenage boys. Colleen had never met Jack’s sons, but they’d come around a few times to the clubhouse. His oldest son favored Jack’s looks with lighter hair, but they both shared Jack’s brown eyes. They shouldn’t have been anything special, and she could never figure out what was so enticing and intriguing.

“You coming in or gonna stand there all night?” Jack teased from the doorway into the kitchen. He had a beer in his hand, and he leaned against the archway.

Colleen smiled, walking farther into the room, still looking around.

“I like your house.”

He arched his brow, and the corner of his mouth curled. It was beyond sexy. “I don’t hear that often.”

This was the first time she’d been alone with him outside of the clubhouse. It felt strange, yet exciting, and oddly comfortable.

“It’s very homey.”

Jack squinted and looked around the room. “It ain’t much, but it’s better than staying at The Lodge.”

“Much better,” she blurted.

She hooked her hair over her ear, peering around as she shifted on her feet. “Um, Jack?”

“Yeah, darlin’.”

Her cheeks pinkened, and her lips twitched. “Where are your boys?”

“Cade’s got football training camp, and Kase is in Virgina.”

“So, we’re alone.”

Jack took a swig of his beer, eyeing her. “Wanna beer?”

Colleen licked her lips, noticing his gaze drop to her mouth. For all her interactions with him, tonight’s felt so different.

“Yeah.”

He pushed off the wall and disappeared into the kitchen. Colleen walked over to the large doorway. Jack was at the counter, popping off the tab to the beer. It was surreal being in his house and doing something so normal as sharing a beer.

Jack walked over and handed it to her. She immediately took a large gulp and stared back at him.

Jack sighed. “Not gonna get in the middle of what you and Dunn got.”

Colleen tried to hold her smile at bay but completely failed. “I think it’s a little too late for that, Jack.”

His eyes hardened. “Meant, this is just so he can cool off. What you got with him you work out. Or don’t. Not getting involved other than giving you a few nights away.” Jack paused, and his stare sent a shiver up her spine. “Nothing else.”

His message was loud and clear. If she had any ideas that this gesture meant anything more than helping her out, she’d be disappointed. And she was. She hadn’t given it more thought, but now looking at the situation and given some time to reflect, she probably would’ve conjured up some romantic fantasy. Her being the damsel in distress, and Jack being some type of knight in black leather.

Colleen nodded. “I appreciate this, Jack. And I promise not to involve you in anything else. I already caused enough trouble. I won’t make any more for you.”

Jack smirked. “Too damn fucking sweet, Coll. Some days you need to tuck that away and give people exactly what they deserve.”

It was good advice.

Colleen finished her beer in silence while Jack had a second. It was three in the morning, and after a long and stressful day, she looked forward to crashing. She discreetly covered her mouth, trying to conceal a yawn. But Jack saw. He grabbed her empty bottle, tossed it in the trash and led her to the stairs.

“Let’s get you to bed.”

Your bed?

Colleen had heard everything Jack said, but she was getting a different vibe from him since they’d left the clubhouse. Maybe she was reading into it. Or maybe he just needed a little push.