Page 27 of Ruthless

It wouldn't take us long to reach town. Wildman's clubhouse was in an isolated part of the country, but I knew a shortcut. I had an apartment there in an old Victorian that had been converted into an apartment building. Ginger would be safe there. As far as I knew, none of the Red Devils knew anything about it. I'd make my call to Stone, grab a sandwich from the local sub shop to explain my trip into town, and then head back.

Once we left the dirt road behind and were on smooth asphalt I revved up my speed until we hit the town limits. I could tell that this wasn't Ginger's first time on a bike. She knew enough to lean into the turns with me, which made for a safe ride. I was constantly aware of her arms around me, and how close her hands were to my dick. God, what I wouldn't have given to be able to fuck her one last time. I clenched my teeth, trying to concentrate on making it to my apartment and not on what her hands would feel like on my dick.

The three story Victorian came into view, and I parked my bike on the street. Grabbing Ginger by the hand, I pulled her behind me to the front door, inside the building, and then to my door. I had a ground apartment, small, but perfect for me. Once we were inside, I locked the door.

"Why are you helping me?" she asked me, stopping right inside the door.

I continued to the kitchen and opened the cupboard above the refrigerator. "I'll explain the next time I see you. Right now I don't have time." I reached for the box of cereal and opened it up, grabbing one of the burner phones I kept stashed inside. "Make yourself to home." I walked away from her, already dialing Stone's number.

"Yeah?" Stone's tone was sharp and hard as steel.

"It's me, Prez." I headed toward my bedroom.

"Fuck! I was getting worried. Thought they found out who you are."

I laughed. "Not a fucking chance. They put me through a fucking initiation the other night and I passed with flying colors." I closed the door to my bedroom so Ginger couldn't hear my conversation.

"What have you got for me?"

"Wildman wants your woman bad. He's making plans."

Stone snorted. "The fucker's already been in contact."

"I know, I was there. He's working on a plan to lure you away from the clubhouse for an ambush. He plans to kill everyone off and then burn the place down."

"Shit, Rebel, that's kind of generic," he groused.

"I know, brother. Wildman's a wild card, he doesn't do shit like other MCs. He doesn't take votes, he just comes up with a plan and says how it's going to go down. The only thing I know for certain is that whatever he comes up with, it's going to involve your woman, and it's going to be soon."

"I haven't claimed her."

I could hear the grin in his voice. "Not what I heard." He sighed heavily. "Heard he sent Ronald with a message."

"Yeah. They gutted him, slit his throat, and sent him crashing through the fence around the clubhouse in one of our own fucking trucks. They took Rachel's sister, Maddie."

"She's at the club, but I haven't seen her. They're keeping her locked up somewhere."

"Fuck." I could hear his frustration. "I want that fucker and his whole club in the ground."

"You and everyone else. I've got to get back. If I hear anything concrete I'll let you know."

Once we disconnected I dropped the phone and crushed it beneath my boot. Then I picked it up and tore it apart with my hands before dropping it into the bathroom trash can. I could explain away a smashed phone, but calls to the president of Dark Menace would sign my death warrant. The Red Devils may not have discovered my apartment yet, but that didn't mean that they wouldn't in time.

Ginger was standing by an opened window, staring at something outside, when I re-entered the room. Something alerted her that I was there, because she turned her head and met my eyes. She straightened from the window and turned more fully my way. I could see the questions in her eyes, and, fuck, I wanted to answer each and every one of them. I wanted to soothe her fears and protect her. For the first time in my life, I wanted to put a woman before my job, and that wouldn't fucking do.

The club always came first.

Always.

I walked straight for her. "I have to get back. You stay here until I return. You understand?" I could see the indecision in her worried eyes. "You'll be safe here, angel."

"How will I contact you if I need you?"

I shook my head. "There's no safe way. I'm?" I hesitated, not sure that it was a good idea to tell her the truth. "I'll explain everything when I can. You just stay here." She walked with me to the front door. "Don't leave here for anything. Don’t open the door to anyone. I can’t keep you safe without your help."

"Why do you care what happens to me?" she asked in a small, quiet voice.

How could I answer that without sounding like a pussy? I couldn’t, because I didn't exactly know why I was doing what I was doing, why I was taking such a risk. I stared down into her pretty blues, and then my gaze dropped to her soft lips. Christ, if I kissed her now I wouldn't leave until I fucked her up against the wall. I steeled myself and tightened my mouth.

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