The Originals (Ghosttown Riders #10)

Chapter Twenty-Four

Jack heard the bike from down the street but didn’t call attention to it. He didn’t want her freaking out if it was Dunn. Jack would handle it, but he didn’t want her worried or upset. As the motorcycle got closer, he recognized the sound of the engine and relaxed a bit. It wasn’t Dunn.

He cupped his mouth, replaying the little scene from a few minutes ago. Resisting her advances was harder than he imagined.

Jack watched Colleen make her coffee. Lots of cream and three sugars. By all accounts, she probably wouldn’t be tasting too much coffee. Jack lifted his cigarette to his lips, taking a strong drag and squinting as his gaze traveled over her body. He’d never seen her so covered up and yet somehow sexier. Her crop top showed off her stomach, and her shorts hugged her ass. Without hiding behind all her makeup, her face shined and showed off her youth. Colleen couldn’t be more than her mid-twenties and fifteen years his junior.

She lifted the cup and suddenly stilled, darting her eyes from the kitchen window to the door. He could see her panic and feel her tension in the small room.

“Mick,” Jack said, and her gaze jerked to him. He raised his brows. “It’s Mick.”

Jack had an uncanny ability to know the distinct sound of most of his brothers’ bikes. Relief washed over her features, and she offered a shaky smile. When Jack heard the bike shut down, he pushed off the edge of the counter and circled the table.

“I’ll go upstairs,” she said, and rushed through the kitchen, cupping her mug with both hands.

Jack held out his arm, blocking her path.

“Stay.”

She bit her bottom lip, frozen in her spot. Jack could feel her eyes on him. She was seconds from taking off through the room. But she didn’t. He walked to the door just as Mick was walking up the stairs.

“Mornin’.”

Jack lifted his chin, pushed open the door, and allowed Mick to pass through. He was halfway through the living room when he noticed Colleen near the doorway. She was wide-eyed and still clutching her mug. She looked like a deer caught in headlights.

“Hey, Coll.” Mick lifted his chin then looked back at Jack, smirking.

“I should go upstairs,” she mumbled, not asking for permission, rather escaping the room and rushing up the stairs. Even Jack couldn’t contain his smile. He walked into the kitchen with Mick following close behind.

“Am I allowed to ask about that?” Mick pointed to the ceiling.

Jack ignored the question, folded his arms, and narrowed his gaze. Mick laughed and held up his hands.

“Sorry, brother. Just thought when you left last night, you’d be dropping her off somewhere, not bringing her home.”

Everyone had already left or gone to their rooms last night when Jack took off with Colleen. How did Mick know?

“How’d you know she left with me?”

Mick walked to the pantry, grabbing a mug. “I called the clubhouse. Meg was worried about Colleen, so I was gonna offer her my room for the night. Gunner said she left with you.” Mick poured his coffee, smiling. “Gotta say, wasn’t expecting to see her playing house here.”

Jack sharpened his gaze but remained silent.

“How long is she staying?”

Jack wouldn’t be answering any questions about Colleen to anyone, including Mick. Mick had already come to his own conclusions of what happened between them. After all, why else would Jack bring her back to his place if not to fuck her? It came as almost a shock to Jack himself.

Being closer to Mick than some other brothers, Jack knew Mick picked up on his attraction to Colleen. He’d even taunted him a few times when the others weren’t around. Jack also knew no one, including Mick’s old lady, Meg, would ever hear about this unless Jack wanted it shared. Their brotherhood and loyalty was stronger than most.

“Gonna tell me why you’re showing up at my house at the ass crack of dawn?”

Mick took one last look over at the staircase, smiled, and turned back to Jack.

“Mack sent me over. Didn’t want to do it over the phone. Call came in late last night after you left. Sal wants to meet up with you today.”

Fuck. Jack was sure they’d have more time to think over the partnership. As of now, he wouldn’t have an answer for Sal. But Jack had no doubt this was the formal invitation to align with the Underground. He’d known it was coming, but somehow he’d imagined he’d be in a better, clearer headspace. After all, this decision would change the club in more ways than one.

“When?” Jack drew in a breath.

“In about six hours. Mack can’t make it, so he sent me.” Mick smirked and raised his brows. “How fucking convenient for him.”

Jack had made a few mistakes in his life, and choosing Mack to be his VP had been one of them. Years ago, it had made sense, and all the brothers had been in agreement with a unanimous vote. However, the power had gone to his head. Mack enjoyed all the benefits of the position but seemed to skimp on the responsibility.

“So, uh,” Mick said, turning around with a smile playing on his lips. He glanced over at the empty doorway then up to the ceiling. “Got yourself a house mouse?”

Jack clenched his jaw. “With all the shit we got coming at us, that’s what you wanna know about?”

“Yeah, brother.”

Jack scowled. “Gave her a place to stay to let Dunn settle.”

Mick snorted, shaking his head. “Dunn showed up early at the house this morning. Cursing her name for the first hour when she wasn’t around, and no one knew where she went.”

Jack furrowed his brows. “Gun didn’t tell him?”

Mick shook his head. “As far as I can tell, he only told me. Even Mack was asking if anyone had seen her. Gunner kept quiet. When the hell are we patching him in? Gonna make a damn good brother.”

Yes, he will. Not all prospects got patched in. Some guys didn’t fully embrace or understand the life. Others were there for the wrong reasons. Gunner Fallon was born to be in the club. As soon as things got settled, he’d be the first prospect patched in.

“Soon.” Jack placed his mug in the sink and headed toward the living room. “Give me fifteen, and we’ll head out.”

Mick nodded. “Dropping her off at the clubhouse on our way out?”

It was probably for the best. Having her stay any longer would be the ultimate test of his control. He liked having her around, which wasn’t something good for Jack. He wasn’t looking for a woman, especially one like her. He’d called it years ago. Colleen was the type of woman a man wouldn’t forget or want to lose. Jack couldn’t take that chance of getting too close. But…

“No, she’s gonna stay here.”

Mick’s brows shot up, and he flattened his lips but didn’t say a word.

Jack walked up the stairs, noticing Colleen leaning against the wall in the hallway by his bedroom door. She looked uneasy and uncomfortable, shifting on her feet. Her smile was bright but didn’t quite reach her eyes.

“I have my bag packed up, and I made sure to leave your son’s room exactly the way I found it.”

Jack chuckled. “Hope to fucking God you’re lying about that. Even making the bed would be an improvement.”

Her lips twitched. “Well, I did make it.”

Jack stopped in front of her, eyeing her face. Fucking beautiful. He wasn’t sure why he did it, but Jack reached out, brushing his hand across her bare stomach. Her skin was softer than he’d imagined. When she stepped closer, Jack dropped his hand to his side. This was too much temptation from a very willing partner. She was the last person he should be messing with. It had very little to do with Dunn. As Jack said the night before, Colleen wasn’t anyone’s old lady, which made her up for grabs. But Jack had a feeling if he got her in his bed, he might not let her leave. It was a recipe for disaster, and with everything going on with the club right now, he didn’t need any more drama, distractions, or attachments.

Colleen lost all the heat in her eyes and stepped back a few feet. She hooked her thumb over her shoulder, pointing to Caden’s room. “I can get my things and have one of the girls from the club pick me up, if you want.”

It was clear Jack was giving her all the signs that he wanted her gone. That was good. It was the message he should be sending. It was as easy as saying yes, and she’d probably be gone before he was ready to leave with Mick. It couldn’t have worked out any better. It was perfect.

Jack drew in a breath and drove his hand through his hair, eyeing Colleen. Her tan legs up to her thighs brushed against one another stirring something in Jack.

“You can stay here.”

She flinched as if he’d struck her, and her eyes widened as she gasped. “What?”

“Yeah,” Jack cupped his mouth, knowing he was making a mistake and not caring. “Hang out at the house. Won’t be home until late. There’s food in the fridge. If you cook, there’s an ice box out back. You can use whatever you want.”

“If this is gonna be a problem…”

“What did I just say?” His tone was harsher than he intended.

Her cheeks pinkened. “I’m staying here.”

Jack nodded and was heading into his room when he felt her hand slide into his, forcing him to stop mid-step.

“I really appreciate you doing this for me, Jack.”

There was so much sincerity in her tone. He had a feeling it had been a long time since anyone had done something nice for her. Jack squeezed her hand and pulled away, refusing to look at her.

This is a big fucking mistake.

****

For the first hour after Jack left, Colleen wandered around the house. It seemed strange to be there, especially alone. Seeing Jack outside of the club life was interesting. She’d always built up this vision of his other world. Seeing the reality, it was so normal. And it was comforting. But still, she was a stranger to his real life.

She made her way to the kitchen, glancing around the room. She zoned in on the phone hanging on the wall. There was one call she needed to make and had planned on it before the Dunn fiasco. She walked over to the counter and made herself a cup of coffee. She sat at the kitchen table and again looked over at the phone.

Colleen wavered with the idea of calling her brother. It had been over three weeks, and she knew how upset he got when he didn’t hear from her for long periods of time. It made sense. She felt the same way. She and her brother, Michael, had always been close. Their childhood had been traumatic and nothing short of horrific at times. Her parents weren’t always stable. Alcoholism ran in their family. Every so often they’d get on the wagon. It was almost cruel, showing Colleen and her brother how good life could be, and then in another month rip it all away.

They leaned on each other, being only a year apart, and they both got out of their home at the same time. Michael graduated high school and joined the Army. Colleen didn’t have it in her to wait another year. Not without her brother. She’d dropped out of high school the summer before her senior year and moved out the day Michael left for bootcamp.

Her brother had been against the idea, suggesting she could stay with a friend and finish out the year. In hindsight, it would’ve been the smartest move. Unfortunately, it’s not the one she made.

Colleen stared at the phone hanging on the wall in the kitchen. If she only spent thirty minutes talking, she’d have enough money to cover the call. It was best to ask Jack for permission beforehand, but it was also a conversation she preferred to have in private.

Decision made.

She walked over, grabbed the receiver, and dialed her brother’s phone number. It rang twice.

“Hello?”

“Michael, hi. It’s Coll.”

She heard a heavy sigh of relief on the other end of the line. “It’s about time. We’ve been worried about you.”

She smiled, twisting the cord around her finger and leaning her shoulder against the wall.

“I’m sorry. I’ve been busy. Working a lot.”

“At the clubhouse?”

“Yep.”

There was a long stretch of silence. Michael may not have agreed with her decisions, but he never shamed her for them. We all do what we have to do to get by. Colleen always steered the conversation back to her brother and his family when things got awkward. Deflection at its finest.

“How’s Beth and the baby?”

Michael chuckled. “Baby is not much of a baby anymore. Turns two next month.”

“I know,” she whispered.

Colleen had only been able to visit three times in the last two years since her nephew, Brian, had been born. Bus tickets were the cheapest form of transportation but still expensive. At least for her.

“He’s got Beth running around.” Michael snickered. “There’s a reason why they call it the terrible twos.”

Colleen smiled. “Does this mean I won’t be an aunt again anytime soon?”

The line was silent, but she heard muttering in the background. She pressed the phone to her ear but couldn’t make out what they were saying.

“Michael?”

“Yeah, hang on,” he said, and seconds later she heard her sister-in-law’s voice. “Hi Coll, how are you?”

Her smile brightened. Colleen had heard horror stories about in-laws, but none rang true with her own experience. Beth, her brother’s wife, was the kindest, most loving, and welcoming woman Colleen knew.

“I’m good. How are you?”

“Fantastic. I didn’t mean to interrupt the conversation, but Michael promised me I could tell you since he told you last time.”

She knitted her brows. “Told me what?”

“I’m pregnant.”

Colleen straightened, gasped, and covered her mouth.

“It’s still early, and we’re not telling anyone.”

But you’re telling me. Her eyes welled.

“That’s great. I’m so happy for you two. And Brian. He’s gonna be a great big brother, just like Michael is.”

“Yeah,” Beth whispered. “Still, two kids is a lot of work, and with Michael working such crazy hours, I could really use some help.”

“Beth.” The stern warning was her brother in the background.

Colleen smirked, knowing what was coming next.

“What, Michael? I’m just saying that it would be helpful to have someone else in the house with me. I wasn’t suggesting she drop her life in Ghosttown.” Beth paused. “Unless you want to. Because you know we have the back room. It’s only a three-season porch now, but we can get a real good heater for the winter. And maybe next year we can enclose the whole room. And I was just talking to a friend, and she said her store is looking for cashiers. Or you can always bartend here too. Got lots of bars.” Beth took a breath but didn’t slow down. “Oh, and our church is partnering up with the local high school, and they’re doing a GED program. The fee is small. And we can spot you the money. Don’t worry about that, and…”

“Give me the phone,” Michael said, and she heard the humor in his tone. “Sorry, Coll. She promised she wouldn’t guilt you into to moving here. Again.”

Colleen was used to it. Every time she spoke to her brother and Beth, one of them mentioned her coming to stay with them. Beth was a little more aggressive, always highlighting things she thought Colleen would be interested in. She had no doubt once her nephew started making coherent sentences, Beth would recruit him for the guilt trip tour.

“I don’t mind. It’s nice to be wanted.”

“You are wanted,” Michael blurted. “We’d love for you to come stay with us. For as long as you need.”

Her brother had always been there for her, serving as a surrogate parent when her own weren’t up to the task. He took on more responsibility than he should’ve while taking care of himself. And me.

Colleen shook her head, lowering her voice. “You’ve already taken care of me long enough. You practically raised me.”

“We took care of each other, Coll.”

Her emotions were getting the best of her, and she drew in a breath, desperate for a change in conversation.

“My life is in Ghosttown.”

“Yeah, I know. But what’s Ghosttown got that you can’t find somewhere else?”

There was a long stretch of silence.

It was a fair question and almost impossible to answer. Ghosttown and the club provided her with a home base. It wasn’t perfect, and neither were the people, but they felt like family. The idea of leaving and starting over was scary. It was best to leave that conversation in limbo. For now.

“So, how’s work? Did you get the promotion?”

Her brother knew what she was doing and was kind and supportive enough to go with it. He did, in fact, get the promotion, and they spent the next ten minutes talking about it. Colleen had to cut the call short when she saw her thirty minutes were up. But she promised to check in next week.

Once she hung up, she looked around the kitchen and the opening into the living room. There was at least a half inch layer of dust on most of the furniture. She wasn’t sure if she was overstepping her boundaries, but she decided to go in search of some cleaning products and a vacuum. For the next three hours, she cleaned the entire first floor. When she was filling the bucket to wash the floors, she noticed the large pile of clothes in the corner of the laundry room. It couldn’t hurt to get them washed.

After starting the laundry, she checked the fridge. There wasn’t too much to work with, but she’d grabbed a pound of ground beef from the freezer earlier. Colleen wasn’t the best cook, but she enjoyed it any chance she got. She had no idea what time Jack would be back, but she planned on having a warm meal waiting for him. It was the least she could do to show her appreciation.

Once it was prepared and in the oven, she walked into the living room. Now that it had been completely cleaned and tidied, she was second-guessing her decision. Maybe she’d crossed a boundary. She walked through the room, eyeing a side-by-side picture frame of two boys. Jack’s sons, Kase and Caden. They were old photos taken from picture day at school. They still haven’t updated the background since I went to elementary school.

Colleen stared at the picture with a smile playing on her lips. The boys couldn’t have been more than six and nine. She wasn’t sure of their ages now, but they were definitely teenagers. She’d seen them both a few times over the years but never interacted with them. It was well known throughout the club that when Jack’s boys were at the clubhouse, it was a PG event.

When the buzzer went off, Colleen retreated back into the laundry room. She switched over the loads and folded all the clothes from the dryer. She glanced up at the clock. It was a little after seven.

Do I have time for a shower?