Page 49 of Deceit

Instead of staying at the clubhouse and being in everyone’s way or taking someone’s room from them, I got a room at a hotel close to the clubhouse. Honestly, I should’ve just stayed at the clubhouse considering I spend most of my days there. I’ve been helping prepare food, cleaning the rooms that have been empty, talking to everyone I grew up with and reconnecting with them, and now helping decorate the backyard of the clubhouse for the big day tomorrow.

All day today I’ve felt as if I’m being watched and yet I don’t see anyone standing out. It doesn’t feel creepy. If anything, I honestly feel safe. Not because I’m at the Phantom Bastards compound but it’s as if this person is watching over me to make sure I don’t get hurt as I race around to help out wherever anyone needs me. Everyone is helping get things set up for the wedding tomorrow in one way or another. I’ve been moving back and forth between the kitchen and out back. The only time I don’t feel eyes on me is when I’m inside the clubhouse with the ol’ ladies as we cook and prepare as much of the food as we can before tomorrow.

“Ghost, did you need something?” Annabell asks as I turn around with a ribbon in my hand to tie on the chair at the table we’re currently decorating.

“I was told to ask if you need anythin’ else done out here,” he answers her, his deep voice washing over me as I get lost in his eyes.

“No. I think we’re almost done out here. The guys are gonna close up the sides of the tent once we’re done with the tables. None of the flowers can be brought out until they get delivered tomorrow and the dance floor will be here first thing in the morning. I don’t know what else has to be done,” Annabell answers him as we continue to stare at one another. “Ghost do you remember Alana?”

“Yeah. It’s been a long time since I last saw ya,” he says, his voice going even deeper if that’s possible.

“Kaden?” I ask, it suddenly hits me out of the blue who I’m staring at.

“Yeah,” he responds with one of those sexy smirks on his face as another guy walks up to him.

“Colton?” I question the newest arrival of our small group as I finally break eye contact with Kaden.

“Hey, Alana. How have you been?” Colton asks me, a smile aimed at me as my heart starts racing with these two men in front of me, staring as if I’m the only girl in the world.

“I’ve been okay. How have you guys been?” I return, surprised I’m able to find my voice with how fast my heart is beating.

“I’ve been good. Ghost here is as broodin’ as normal,” Colton tells me as his friend turns a glare in his direction.

“He’s not brooding,” Annabell says, laughter filling her voice as she looks between the three of us. “He just prefers not to make an ass of himself on a daily basis like others around here.”

“Damn, Annabell!” Colton says, placing his hands over his heart as if she’s truly hurt him with her words. “I thought you were the nice ol’ lady around here. I’ll have to rethink that.”

I can’t help but laugh at the banter between Annabell and Colton. It reminds me of the way we all were growing up. This happened on a daily basis whenever any of us were together. Colton doesn’t seem to have changed that much since we were younger in this aspect of his life. I can certainly say the two men in front of me have grown up and turned into the sexy bikers I never thought I’d feel an ounce of attraction to. They are proving me very, very wrong as my eyes continue to drift to them every few seconds.

“You haven’t been stayin’ at the clubhouse, have you Alana?” Colton asks me as I work on tying the ribbon on the last chair for the reception.

“No. I didn’t want to take someone’s room away knowing the empty rooms are being prepared for all the guests coming in for the wedding. I have a feeling the clubhouse is about to be very busy and noisy. I know Fox and Kim are here already and Blood and his family will be here within the hour. At least that’s what Hope said a little while ago,” I answer him, standing up once I’m done and inspecting my work.

“Are you stayin’ for dinner tonight? We ordered a ton of pizzas and everythin’ to go with them for everyone. We had to place the order a week ago just to make sure it would be ready for tonight,” Colton asks me as Ghost remains at his side silent like normal.

“Probably. My parents and brothers should be here at some point today or tomorrow. They aren’t sure if they’re stopping in Cedar Bay before heading here. If they go there first, they’ll all just ride in together tomorrow. I think a lot of the Wild Kings members are heading for Cedar Bay first so there isn’t such a strain here,” I answer him, not sure if I should make the trip to Cedar Bay myself to see my sister and everyone else I grew up with.

“You can eat with Ghost and me if you want,” Colton invites me before the two men turn and head to Vault to see what else needs to be done.

I watch them walk away before following Annabell back toward the clubhouse to find out what else has to be done with the cooking and meal prep for tomorrow. Really, I want to go back to the hotel and hide from the two men who have piqued my interest in ways I’ve never experienced before. The rest of the night is filled with talking, laughter, and avoiding Colton and Kaden at all costs. I can’t allow myself to get close to them when I have no clue what the future holds for me or where I’ll end up.

The day is bright andthere isn’t a cloud in the sky as I show up at the clubhouse to get ready for Kingston and Brynn’s wedding. Someone has put out the flowers so they line the aisle, cover the harbor they’ll get married in front of, and Brynn’s bouquet has been put in the refrigerator so it doesn’t start to wilt before the ceremony. The flowers lining the aisle she’ll walk down are wildflowers filling mason jars with dark purple ribbons wrapped around them. I walk around and take pictures of everything before people start filling the area and it gets harder to get images of before the guests started arriving. Plus, I want to go in and get pictures of the bride and groom getting ready for their special day.

Once I’m done outside, I make my way in the clubhouse to find Kingston. I know he’s already showered and dressed for the ceremony because one of the Prospects let me know. There was no way in hell I was about to take inappropriate pictures of Brynn’s soon-to-be husband and ruin anything between the two of them. I find Kingston in the common room of the clubhouse surrounded by men as he talks and laughs. This is when I start taking pictures of him and those around the room. My lens finds Ghost and Colton more often than I’d like to admit as I snap pictures of them with everyone else. I only stop when my family shows up so I can spend a minute with them before getting back to work.

“How are you doin’, Sweetheart?” my dad Cage asks me, wrapping me up in one of his hugs and holding me close.

“I’ve been better,” I answer honestly.

“He still callin’ and messagin’ you like crazy?” Joker, my other dad, asks me with a serious tone to his voice.

“I blocked his number but random numbers have been calling me repeatedly each day. I block them all and another one just pops up in its place,” I tell them honestly as I think of my ex-boyfriend who doesn’t get that I don’t want to be with him anymore.

“He better fuckin’ hope I don’t see him. Have you thought about what you’re gonna do?” my mom asks, pulling me in for a hug of her own.

“I have to leave Clifton Falls. It’s not like I have anything more than you guys holding me there. And you’ll still have Brandon and Kyle home with you. I just don’t see any other way to get away from him,” I say as Colton and Kaden walk up to us with smiles on their faces.

My family greet them and they spend time talking and catching up with one another. I used this as an excuse to get back to work and head for the kitchen. It’s almost empty with the exception of Genesis, Annabell, and Savannah. They’re putting the finishing touches on everything before getting ready for the ceremony. I start taking pictures of the cake my mom made and brought down along with the rest of the food that’s already finished and ready to be taken outside for the reception. When I’m done there, I make my way up to Kingston and Brynn’s home where she’s getting ready. I have the most fun there as I snap a million pictures of the glowing bride as her family, by blood and marriage, help get her ready for her wedding. I have to say I think my favorite ones will be when she’s getting her something old, something, new, something borrowed, something blue.

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