“I know. And that’s peachy. When you are, we’ll explore. Until then, shit’s fine, babe. We can build a friendship and a foundation, and I’ll just keep doing what I am doing. Because I ain’t ever gonna force ya into something you’re not ready for. Babe, I can sit here, loving you, until you can love me. And that won’t be a betrayal of Beau. He wouldn’t want you to be alone.”

“I don’t deserve you.”

“You deserve everything, Carmelle, and I’ll fuckin’ break my back to get you it.”

Ghost kissed the top of my head, and I closed my eyes. In his embrace, I felt safe. That counted for something.

Chapter Eleven.

Ghost

It was time to tell Drake the damn truth. The question was, how would Drake react? Rage needed to know what was coming for them, and Ghost would take a day to inform them what was happening. He told Carmelle he was going to pay someone a visit, ensured she knew the escape routes, and took off on his Harley.

As he headed to Rage, he passed a biker and glanced over. Without hesitation, Ghost swung his bike around and followed him.

Ghost was chuckling when Manny pulled over and yanked a gun out. Ghost parked up behind him and held his hands up. “Gonna shoot, brother?” Ghost asked.

“In two fuckin’ minds about it!” Manny retortedsharply. “Did you actually take those bullets?”

“Yes, wanna see the scars?” Ghost taunted.

“Yeah.”

Ghost raised his eyebrows and lifted his top slowly.

Manny maintained an impassive face at the round marks near Ghost’s heart. There was one in his gut and another further up in his left shoulder.

“How the fuck did you survive?” Manny demanded.

“I’ll explain that at church. I’ve gathered everything I need to prove who was behind Rage turning dark and why,” Ghost said and watched disbelief hit Manny’s face.

Manny shook his head. “Why you stalking me?”

“Because I saw you speed out of Rage and followed you. No brother rides alone, not for the foreseeable future.”

“What fuckin’ shitstorm are you bringing down upon us?” Manny yelled.

“One that’s been going on since Rage got clean! Shit was happening that none of you realised. I did! I sacrificed my life with Rage to bring this into the open,” Ghost roared back.

Manny had no idea what Ghost had lost, and Ghost had no intention of discussing stuff here. Manny needed to get with the programme.

“Well, I’m heading out. I’m meeting—”

“Inglorious. About Isabelle. I know everything about all of you. Think I wouldn’t keep a tab on my brothers?” Ghost snapped.

“Dunno what the fuck you’ve been up to. Can’t even say I know you anymore.”

“I never once betrayed Rage the entire time I was gone,” Ghost erupted.

Ghost felt Manny’s words bite deep and draw blood. His pain must have shown as Manny flinched. But Ghost recognised Manny wouldn’t apologise.

Ghost snorted. Manny had always been a stubborn fuck. He wondered what Manny would have done in his place and then shook his head. As Ghost had told Carmelle, wishful thinking meant shit. It was a waste of time and effort.

“Fifteen fuckin’ years, and you were never at cross purposes with us? You were in the truck that nearly took Silvie from us!” Manny yelled, interrupting his thoughts.

Oh no, Manny didn’t get to pull that one. Ghost moved into Manny’s space and growled. “If I had known it was Silvie, I’d have got word to Washington. Never, Manny, never would I have put a woman at risk!” Ghost let his temper show at that accusation.

Manny stepped away at the threat and anger emanating from Ghost. “Fine, but you need to ride to Rage.”