Page 1 of Bond

CHAPTER 1

Zambia

January 2015

BOND

It had taken us some time, but finally those of us who had opted to relocate to Zambia to start the new chapter of the Crow MC were all here. Crowthorne Chapter was now up and running. Paperwork allowing us to stay in Zambia had all been completed and registered with the government. We were settling into our roles. It had been a hell of a ride so far.

We’d spent most of last year cleaning up the businesses that Noni and Rogue had inherited. They’d been nearly run into the ground, badly managed, and funds had been misappropriated by trusted managers. Initially, we’d had a lot of pushback and had ended up getting the police and lawyers involved. It had not been a good time for any of us. We were hopeful that it was all behind us now.

Not only had we been trying to clean up the town and the businesses, but Noni had ended up pregnant at the same time, and let’s just say that Bull hadn’t taken it well. We’d all understood why, and we’d all been relieved and had breathed a little easier when Noni had safely given birth to a beautiful little girl that they’d called Samantha Gwen. It always amazed me at the capacity for love the Crow women had for each other. Nonihad named her daughter after her friend, who had also been Bull’s first wife.

There were not many women that I knew of who would be comfortable doing that. But it seemed the Crow women were a different breed altogether.

Over the last year, it had made me wonder if Blaze, Cairo, and I would find anyone who would fit in. I’d thought I had, for all of a minute, but it wasn’t meant to be.

Out of the four of us that had prospected together, only Skinny had an Old Lady. Josie was a kick-arse woman who’d been there through thick and thin for Skinny when Bull had fallen apart after Gwen passed away. She was also perfect for our brother and had taken to living in Zambia like she was born to it. Her practice was thriving, and I had a feeling that before long, we’d be adding a rehabilitation centre to her veterinary clinic for all the injured wild animals that seemed to be finding their way to us.

I slowed my speed down as the heavens opened and the rain came bucketing down in a massive torrent. This was another thing we’d had to get used to: the rainy season—which consisted of torrential rains and thunderstorms that were often accompanied by huge bolts of lightning. Sometimes, it could last hours, but most of the time, it would be over and done within about twenty minutes, and the sun would come back out. The heat was unrelenting at this time of the year. Some days it made me yearn for the cooler climes of the UK, but not enough to make me want to move back. I loved the slower pace of life here, even with all its hardships, such as not having electricity twenty-four-seven or being able to do online banking.

It was a hot and humid day today, not helped by the rain that I’d been hit with. Luckily, today I was in one of the Land Cruisersthat had both tinted windows and air conditioning. Four-by-four vehicles were a must in this country; not only were the roads in terrible condition, but because of the distances that had to be travelled to collect supplies, it made more sense to have the room to load up. It had been just on a year since I’d last done this trip. I had my reasons.

I’d managed to farm it off on either Blaze or Cairo. Not this time, though. I’d had to do this one; I couldn’t not do it—not with the changes we’d be making soon when it came to our collections and deliveries.

Bull had a plan to get a plane that would not only pick up guests from the city but also bring in supplies. We’d already cut through the bush and made a runway for it. Noni’s baby daddy Monroe was funding it as it would make it easier for him and his family to visit his daughter. He’d told Bull to use it as often as needed because he’d only be using it a couple of times a year.

Getting anything done out here took time, but I loved the slower pace of life. This trip would be the last one we’d be doing to stock up on spare parts for a long while. Not only were we changing supplier but also how we’d be transporting them.

I knew that if I wanted to get my last fix of the gorgeous woman who worked at our current supplier, this would be my last chance to do it. I needed to see her one more time. In my heart, I knew that under different circumstances she would have been mine.

Not that I was planning on doing anything but checking in on her and making sure she was okay. She was married and it may not have been happily, but if there was something that I didn’t do, it was go after another man’s woman.

She was the reason that I’d stopped doing this journey, even though the garage and tow were my responsibility. I’d had Blazeor Cairo do the trips to collect our order of spare parts. I’d not mentioned her to them, but we’d been friends for a long time, and they knew me. They both knew I wouldn’t shirk my responsibilities if I didn’t have a good reason to. It wasn’t how I was built.

It had been over a year ago when I’d first seen her. We’d not long been in the country, and we’d needed stock for the shop. She’d been stocking the shelves in the back storeroom. I hadn’t realised it was her father who owned the wholesalers where we got our spare parts. He’d sent me back to find a part that wasn’t on my list.

And there she’d been, not paying attention to what was going on around her as she studied a clipboard.

She was of medium height, around five six or seven at the most. She’d been dressed in a pair of denim shorts, a pink tank top, and hiking boots on her feet.

She had masses of tight, dirty blonde curls that hung down her back and were held off her face by a bright pink bandana. And her face, fuck me, her face. She was gorgeous, with high cheekbones and skin tanned a warm brown.

I must have made some sort of noise even though I’d been standing still, struck by the perfection before me. She’d looked up from her clipboard with a wide smile, her cheeks dimpled, and the corners of her bright green eyes crinkled slightly. A light dusting of freckles crossed over her nose, which seemed a little too wide for her face. While she wasn’t what most would consider beautiful, to me, she was gorgeous.

I knew the minute she smiled at me that she was mine, except she wasn’t and never could be. Not with the wide gold band on the fourth finger of her left hand.

“Hi, I’m Rochelle,” she greeted me, coming forward with her hand out. “Can I help you with something?”

Jerked from my stupor, I cleared my throat and shook her hand. Ignoring the spark that raced along my arm, I replied, “Hi, yeah, I’m Bond. The guy in the front said I was to come and find a part for myself while they loaded my vehicle.”

“Old and surly or young and whiny?”

“Sorry,” I asked, confused.

“The guy who sent you back here. Old or young?”

“Oh, old,” I replied.

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