Page 90 of Scar

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It tooka bit to track down her luggage. Simone and Tom were staying at a hotel in town with the kids. After Tally had basically vanished on them the day before, they’d left the club’s property to go check-in and inadvertently taken her suitcases with them. She didn’t even have her purse or the bag she’d used as a carry-on.

Since Tom was already planning on meeting with Keys that morning, they agreed to bring her things to Bulldog’s house rather than Tally having to journey out to their hotel to get them. From what Bulldog had told her earlier, the club kids still did not know that their Uncle Scar was alive or that he was back. Obviously Georgie and Caleb, Bulldog and Abby’s youngest, had seen Scar that morning, but they were still young enough that they wouldn’t have understood Uncle Scar’s death or the significance of seeing him again.

Simone did not understand why Tally and Scar were leaving so soon. Tally sensed her best friend’s wariness around Scar. She still was not completely on board with Tally’s decision to be with him. What she didn’t understand was that it wasn’t so much a ‘decision’ on Tally’s part, but an unrelenting need.

Hell, Scar didn’t even like giving her enough space to be able to shower on her own. Tally wasn’t too fond of that distance either, but Scar had encouraged her to head to the bathroom. When she asked him where he was going, he made a jerking motion with his head. Tally didn’t know his specific destination, but she knew he’d be back and soon. The kiss he placed on her in the threshold of the guest bathroom promised that.

Since Abby and Bulldog’s house was not designed or organized for a blind person, Scar had spent the time after breakfast while they were waiting for Simone and Tom to arrive with Tally’s luggage to clean up and move anything he deemed hazardous for her. It really was adorably sweet. There was something so profoundly comforting about knowing he would protect her from anything—even a bruised shin.

Tally took the time to repack while waiting on Scar to return. She didn’t know where they were going or how long they would be gone, but she figured carrying two large suitcases wouldn’t be ideal. Bulldog told her to leave behind whatever she wanted and he’d store it in Scar’s apartment in the clubhouse.

“He has anapartment?” she demanded, her back only just now feeling better from sleeping on the hard floor of the attic.

“He has one,” Bulldog reiterated, “but he’s never used it to my knowledge. I know some of the other brothers have checked on occasion to see if that’s where he’s secretly been living, but the amount of dust in that place suggests otherwise. Before our, uh, current housekeeper was hired, the former staff members refused to go in there to clean for fear of him.”

Tally didn’t know why Bulldog was hedging around the fact that they’d had staff members before hiring whoever their current housekeeper was, but clearly something had happened. Maybe there was an incident with one of the brothers? She knew there was a different culture to motorcycle clubs, and she had a lot to learn to become part of it.

The roar of a motorcycle approached and Tally’s heart leapt with excitement at the idea of being able to ride one again.

She heard the rustle of fabric and then Bulldog announced, “It’s Scar.” Opening the front door, he called out without leaving the house. “Stealing is against the law, you know! Just because we own aHarleydealership doesn’t mean you get to just take any ole hog off the lot without paying for it.” Tally heard boots on concrete approach and then there was the crinkle of paper followed by the slapping of flesh. Bulldog grunted. “What the hell is this?”

As she felt Scar approach her, she heard the sound of paper again coming from Bulldog’s direction. Tally held her arms open, waiting. Scar wrapped her up in his embrace, pressing his nose into the crook of her neck. His body shook like he’d been in physical pain being away from her. Tally ran her hand through his hair in comfort and noted that he too had showered. He was also wearing another leather tactical vest like he’d had on in her apartment the morning he’d been captured by her father. From their time in her storage unit, as well as what she could feel now pressed up against her, Tally knew it carried his weapons.

“‘Gene Wilder’? Really? You couldn’t have come up with a different alias?”

Tally giggled at the name. “What does he need an alias for?”

“Your man bought a motorcycle,” Bulldog explained. “Pretty sure that’s the first time he’s ever done that.”

Tally continued to stroke Scar’s hair, noting his heart rate was already slowing down to a much more normal pace. “Um, he didn’t have one before?”

“Of course he did, but I highly doubt they were ever purchased or that he held the title for them. More than likely, they wereprocuredrather than bought.”

While Scar did not deny Bulldog’s words, there was also nothing in his stance that indicated he was ashamed of his actions. There was something to be said for being so unrepentant. He was who he was and he wasn’t making any excuses for it.

Tally turned her head, her lips connecting with the skin behind his ear. “You think I didn’t know he only viewed laws as suggestions? A lot of bodies dropped in Atlanta during his time there.”

“Wasn’t trying to scare you or make you uncomfortable. But you need to be informed if you’re going to ride off with him.”

Scar stiffened in her arms slightly, but she didn’t think it was from fear of her opinion of him. “I know exactly who Scar is, Bulldog.” Then she tapped Scar on the back of his head. “And you. Of course, I’m coming with you, and no, you’re not leading me into danger. I can take care of myself, remember?” Swiping one of the blades from his vest, she twirled it in her hand before putting it back. In his ear, she whispered, “You don’t work alone anymore, Julian. You and me, we’re not just a couple, we’re ateam.”

She felt his smile against her throat and her lips returned the sentiment.

“I’ve got my bag all packed, but I don’t know if it’ll fit in one of the saddlebags. Did you buy me a helmet?”

He nodded into her neck.

Tally pulled on his hair playfully. “Good boy.” She hated to separate from him, but she also was eager to get on the road. “I found something of yours in my apartment. It’s what brought me here.” Stepping back, she reached for the couch behind her where the smaller bag she’d used as a carry-on waited for her. Scar’s cut was draped over the zipper. She picked it up by the shoulder seams, showing him. “Thought you might want this back.”

She felt the material bunch as he grabbed it and then let go as he pulled it towards himself. She expected to feel the rush of air as he threw it over his head to put it on. Instead, he lifted her arm and threaded her hand through the hole. Walking around her, he placed the worn leather over her back. Tally lifted her other arm for him.

Her hands gripped the edges at her chest, bringing the leather up to her nose. “Sissy told me that only an ol’ lady is allowed to wear her member’s cut. Guess this makes me your ol’ lady, huh?” A low rumble projected from behind her, a very similar sound to the first time she’d called him by his birth name. Tally smiled, turning her head slightly over her left shoulder so he could see it. “I can live with that. Ready to get out of here?” He placed a hand on her hip, squeezing. “Then let’s ride! But I swear to God, Scar, if you take me to some stranger’s attic tonight instead of getting me a real bed, I will take one of those daggers you love so much and stab your sexy ass.”

CHAPTER21

Scar headed west. He had no destination in mind; Tally had been right that he just needed to get away. More than not being comfortable with the attention of his resurrection, he needed time with Tally. Without an audience, without expectations.

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