The Originals (Ghosttown Riders #10)

Chapter Thirty-Two

Unlike the meeting before, Jack brought a few men with him this time. Mack, Mick, Grain, and Tully walked in the building with him. They received the same routine line of questioning. Again, they were all carrying but none would admit to it. Nor would they submit to being frisked. One of the security guards gestured down the hall. Mick, Grain and Tully hung back while Mack followed Jack to the end of the hall. Jack walked in and stopped midway when Inez shook her head with her gaze locked on Mack.

“Just Jack.”

Mack sidled up next to him and snapped. “I’m the fucking VP.”

Inez smiled, sharing a look with Sal. “That makes you second in command. This meeting is for the big dogs, baby.”

Jack forced himself not to react, though he admired the way Inez handled every man. As if they were beneath her. And most were. Mack exited the room, and Jack took a seat across from Sal. Like last time, Inez was seated two seats down.

“My apologies for forcing your hand, Jack.”

Jack squared his jaw.

“But as you know, I got a lot a men jockeying for the position I’m offering you.”

The decision had been made in a unanimous vote. They’d align with the Underground but not without negotiations. This partnership would be on their terms.

“We won’t work with Satan’s Hex.”

Inez snorted, then laughed and slapped the table. “Look at you making demands. Got a set on you, Jack Reilly.”

“Non-negotiable.”

Sal smiled, glancing over at Jack. “I’ll cut them loose.”

Jack nodded.

Sal smiled. “I take it we have a deal?”

Jack nodded.

His vision of the Ghosttown Riders was forever changed.

It was a done deal. They were officially in the ranks of the Underground. It provided them with a certain level of safety, but the risks in doing business with and for Sal and his crew were high.

Jack didn’t bother with the celebratory drink Sal offered. He stood, shook his hand, and walked out the door. He met up with his brothers, but none of them said a word. Everyone knew while this would lucrative, it would come at a cost. Aligning with the Underground brought on a whole new set of risks and dangers.

Jack stopped on the edge of the sidewalk, lit his cigarette, and took a deep drag. Only time would tell how this would all turn out. They were in a good position, but life was unpredictable. The shoe could drop at any moment.

“I think you made the right decision, Jack,” Mick said, tucking his hands in his pockets. Jack glanced over at his brother. Mick wasn’t one hundred percent convincing, but he was showing his loyalty and support. Ghosttown MC would be hard pressed to find a better brother than Mick.

“Times are changing. This is gonna put every one of us in a dangerous position.”

“We trust you, Jack.”

Jack took another drag, nodding. He’d have the support of his club. They’d all look out for one another. They were family. But he wouldn’t wish this risk on anyone. His mind immediately went to Colleen. How could he claim to be a man and drag her into this world knowing she had an out? His answer was right in front of him.

“Heading home?”

“Have to make a stop first.” He glanced over at his brothers. “I’ll catch up with you all tomorrow.”

Jack didn’t wait for a response. He headed to his bike, planning his next move that had nothing to do with the club. He’d do his best to keep them safe and all those affiliated. His life was about to change, potentially putting a target on everyone close to him.

****

Colleen looked over at the clock. It was just after nine in the evening. And still no Jack. He’d been gone since they woke up over ten hours ago. They had opposite sleep schedules. Colleen busied herself around his house. While it didn’t necessarily need it after her last cleaning, she tidied up the house. It was all so domesticated, and surprisingly, she loved it. Or maybe it was just being with Jack.

It was mid-afternoon when she found a scribbled note on the counter. It wasn’t addressed to her, but she knew it was meant for her.

Be back late. Call your brother. Check in. And you keep your money.

Just those four sentences had her on a high all day. It was sweet and kind of Jack to think of her and her family, making sure she checked in. He remembered. Colleen made the call and spoke to her brother for almost an hour. There was so much happening, there was a part of her that hated they were so far apart.

Colleen was doing dishes when she heard his bike pull into the driveway and a bubble of excitement built in her chest. It always did, but somehow, it was different this time. She quickly grabbed a rag, dried her hands, and walked to the kitchen doorway to wait.

A minute later, Jack walked in. He tossed his keys on the side table with so much force, they bounced out of the tray. Colleen straightened. Something was off with him.

Jack took off his cut, slung it over the chair, and started toward her.

“Hi.”

Jack glanced up. “Hey, darlin’.”

He passed by her and walked in the kitchen. His tone was different. He greeted her as he did most times, but it lacked any sincerity. She slowly turned, watching him. Jack tossed an envelope on the counter, heading toward the back room.

“I made dinner if you’re hungry,” she said, lifting her chin and leaning to the side. She couldn’t see him in the small room but heard his footsteps as he walked out.

“Thanks,” he said without an ounce of emotion.

“How was your day?”

Jack opened the fridge, grabbing a beer. “Shit.”

Colleen bit her bottom lip, watching him walk from one end of the kitchen to the other, stopping at the sink, and peering out of the window. Since she’d been staying with Jack, she’d hadn’t seen such a mood shift. Unless, she countered, his ex-wife showing up. Even then he’d been angry. He seemed more frustrated tonight.

“Is there anything I can do?”

Jack took a swig of his beer.

“If I did something wrong…”

“You didn’t. You’re doing everything right, darlin’.” He continued to stare out the window. “Just in a shit mood, that’s all. Got a lot going on.”

Colleen understood it. As president of the club, Jack had a lot of pressure on him. While she was never privy to any of the club business, she’d gotten a feeling that things were changing in the club. It wasn’t so much what anyone had said. It was more of a vibe. Members were doing longer runs and meetings at the clubhouse had doubled since last year.

The call Jack had gotten last night had changed his whole demeanor. It was the first night they’d stayed together that they didn’t have sex. Instead, he just held her close while they fell asleep. As much as she loved being intimate with him, she felt a deeper connection last night.

“Need to talk.”

“Sure, Jack.”

He turned, and for the first time since he’d walked in the door, he smiled. His gaze traveled over her body. She didn’t wear dresses often, but she was doing her laundry and it was the only thing clean.

“Never saw you in a dress before.” He paused. “You look pretty.”

“Would it put you in a better mood if I told you I wasn’t wearing any panties?” She hopped up on the kitchen table and spread her legs enough to prove her statement.

Jack’s gaze dropped to her legs and heated. He put his beer to the counter and stalked toward her. When he was inches away, she fisted the collar of his shirt, pulling him down for a kiss. Jack came willingly and wrapped his arm around waist, pulling her against his chest.

His kiss was slow, tasting every inch of her mouth, and his hands caressed over her back. There was no rush in any of his movements, as if he was taking his time. She curled in closer, deepening the kiss as his hand slipped between her legs. She released a breathy moan when he teased her clit, strumming over the sensitive nub with a light touch. It felt too good.

Colleen wasn’t used to gentle, and she’d never thought much of it. Until now. It created an intense build up. She tightened her thighs against his legs and reached for his jeans buckle, ripping it open. She hooked her thumbs inside the waist of his jeans and dragged them down to his thighs, refusing to break from their kiss.

Jack slid his tongue between her lips, just as he slipped his cock inside her. She was beyond wet for this man. Colleen arched her back, taking all of him. His lips trailed over her chin and down to her throat. Her skin prickled, and her blood raced through her veins. Jack had been the best lover she’d had, but tonight was something more. His slow strokes were sending her into a euphoric state.

Colleen closed her eyes, feeling everything. This was different from any time she’d ever been with Jack. His touch was softer and slower. He hand cupped her jaw, and she blinked open her eyes. Jack was staring at her with such intensity. It was as if he was memorizing her face, or the moment.

Their breaths echoed through the kitchen, and her soft moan was in sync with his deep groan. He pressed his lips against her shoulder, kissing her softly. Such a tender sweet moment had put her over the edge. She rocked her hips, and Jack matched her rhythm. It felt too good, too right, and Colleen was wishing for a superpower to delay the inevitable. I don’t want it to end.

Seconds later, they came. Together.

Colleen closed her eyes, dropping her face into the crook of his neck. His heavy breath fluttered her hair as his hand on her back caressed her in a circular motion. It was beyond soothing. She was in a complete daze. It was the only explanation of why she’d said what she’d said. Well, almost said.

“I love—” Colleen caught herself and glanced up at Jack, his gaze heated and intense. “I love being with you,” she whispered.

Jack didn’t say anything back. He kissed her, sliding his lips over her mouth while still deep inside her. Making out usually served as foreplay, but Jack wasn’t showing any signs of wanting to stop.

Unfortunately, nature had different ideas. He stepped back and turned toward the counter as she righted her dress. With both their backs to one another, they subtly cleaned up. It wasn’t until now, she realized, this was the first time they hadn’t used protection. Colleen wasn’t concerned. She’d been on birth control since she was fifteen. She hadn’t had so much as a scare.

When she turned around and leaned against the counter, Jack was snapping the button on his jeans with his back to her.

“I was thinking we could do a fire tonight,” she said.

Jack was silent. He was probably tired. He’d obviously had a long and stressful day.

“Or we could do it some other time.”

He glanced over his shoulder. There was something off in his eyes that was beyond stress. If she didn’t know better, she’d think he had a little sadness in his heart.

Jack walked over to her and braced his hands on the counter, caging her in. “We’ll do a fire tonight.”

She smiled, and his gaze softened.

“Are you sure? You had a long day. We can do it some other time.”

“Yeah, we’ll do it tonight. Anything you want.” Jack leaned in, brushing his lips against hers. “Go get your sweatshirt.”

She cocked her brow. “You mean your sweatshirt. Unless I steal it.”

Jack smiled, angled, his head and kissed her again. He stepped back, and she started through the kitchen, heading toward the stairs. She was almost out the door when she remembered what he’d said when he came home. She grabbed the doorframe and looked over her shoulder.

“What did you want to talk to me about?”

Jack stared back at her, his gaze scanning her face. There was a long stretch of silence.

“It can wait ’til tomorrow.” He lifted his chin and smiled, though it didn’t quite reach his eyes. “Hurry your sweet ass up.”

Anything you say, Jack.

*

Jack was standing at the kitchen window, staring out the window when she walked into the kitchen the next morning. He did that a lot. Colleen figured he was watching the sunrise. From Jack’s property, it must be beautiful. Colleen had always slept past it. Except today.

“Morning.” She walked up behind Jack, wrapped her arms around his waist, and leaned past his arm to look out the window.

She’d called it. The sun was just cresting over the mountains in the distance. It was an amazing sight. One she’d lock away in her memory. They stood in silence, both enjoying the view for the next two minutes. Colleen pressed her lips against his back before stepping back and walking toward the refrigerator.

Colleen grabbed the handle, opened the door and peered inside. “What can I make you for breakfast?”

“We can grab something on the road.”

She straightened and looked over at Jack. He was leaning on the counter staring back at her.

“Where are we going?”

Jack grabbed an envelope from the counter beside him and placed it on the table. Colleen had no idea what it was and made no move to take it.

“Time to talk, darlin’.”

His tone said it all. Whatever Jack was going to say, she wasn’t going to like. He gestured to the envelope. She slowly closed the refrigerator door and inched to the table. She picked it up, and peeked inside. Her stomach dropped, and a cold chill spread over her skin. A one-way bus ticket to Colorado.

“I don’t understand,” she whispered.

“It’s time for you to move on.” Jack’s tone was neutral, not cold or harsh. It was worse. It lacked any type of emotion.

“What?” she muttered, her voice trembling. This felt like an absolute blindside.

“This was only temporary, Coll.” Jack drew in a breath and stared down at the table as if he couldn’t look her in the eyes. “Never promised you anything.”

He hadn’t. It was her own mind that had conjured up something more. She looked down at the ticket. This should be happy news. She loved her brother and his family. They’d be ecstatic that she was coming. She repeated it over and over in her head, waiting for it to stick. But it had the opposite effect. Her stomach twisted, and her eyes welled.

“Hey.”

She glanced up, and he offered a soft smile.

“You got things you wanna do, darlin’. Said so yourself.”

She had. She’d opened up to Jack more than most people.

“Yeah, but…”

Jack held up his hand. “Not gonna let you give that up to stay here.”

It was as if he was taking her choice out of her hands.

“What if I want to stay more than I want those things?”

Jack grasped the edge of the counter. “Lot of changes happening here with me and the club. It’s gonna get dangerous. You need to be far away from that.”

“What changes?” Colleen had suspected, but this was the most she’d gotten. Was the club in trouble? Was Jack trying to protect her from it?

Jack shook his head. “You got a good life ahead of you, darlin’. But it ain’t here.”

She flattened her lips. Jack spoke with finality. This wasn’t up for discussion. He couldn’t make her leave Ghosttown, but what did she have if she didn’t have Jack.

“What about my stuff? I have clothes and things at Dunn’s.”

“I’ll have Meg or Maureen pack it up and send it to you.” He paused. “Clean break, Coll.”

She licked her lips, nodding. It seemed Jack had thought of everything.

“Did I do something, Jack?” she whispered.

She heard his footsteps as he got closer.

“It’s like I said last night. You did everything right.”

She glanced up, meeting his stare.

“And yet you’re sending me away.” She tried to hold back her tears but it was nearly impossible.

He cupped her jaw, sliding his thumbs over her cheeks. “I’m setting you free. This isn’t the place for you, Coll.”

“But—”

“You’re planted, but you ain’t growing in Ghosttown. ’Cause you’re not supposed to be here.” Jack grasped the back of her neck, pulling her closer and pressing his lips against the crown of her head. “Bus leaves in two hours.”

Colleen closed her eyes, willing away her tears. She wasn’t sure how long she’d stood there in his kitchen with Jack’s arms around her, but he never let go. At least not until she pulled away slightly.

There was nothing more to say.

Colleen took two steps back and turned, heading toward the stairs.

It’s over.