Page 11 of Rooster's Redemption

“Yes?”

“Are you serious about my brother here?” That question throws me off and I look to Rooster. He’s leaning against the bar, his face is stoic, not giving me any signs.

“I am.” My face heats at my confession, but that’s one thing I’ve learned about Kayne. He doesn’t beat around the bush. He gets right to the point, no matter how uncomfortable you are.

“How serious?” He takes a big step toward me and I take a step back. “Will you put your life on the line for him?” Another step. “Will you sacrifice everything you know for a life with him?” Kayne’s towering above me and my back is against the wall. He’s deadly serious. His ice-blue eyes are pinning me in my spot.

I swallow hard and think about what he’s asking. I know without a shadow of a doubt, I’d give up everything to be with Rooster. To have him love me and protect me. I’d do everything Icould to keep him safe. I’ve proven that with my secret to myself and know I would do it for him.

“I would without a doubt in my mind.”

Kayne smirks and backs off. Without saying another word to me, he whistles loudly and circles his finger in the air. Everyone follows him out of the bar and I breathe a little easier. He’s intense and kind of puts my nerves on edge. I relax my shoulders and continue the closing part of my job. Once the tables are wiped down and the chairs are set upside down on them, I can lock up. Shit, everyone left and I don’t have a ride home. Story of my life. Everyone forgets about Alyssa.

With a deep sigh, I grab my things from under the bar and walk to the door. Setting the alarm, I step outside into the warm summer night air and lock the door. Hitching my purse onto my shoulder, I resign myself to the fact that I have to walk back to the Clubhouse. Not surprising. I take a few steps into the dark night when a bike appears on the corner. A smile lights up my face when I see Rooster waiting with a small helmet in his hand.

“Where ya going, Baby Princess?” He teases, handing me the helmet.

“I was walking back to the Clubhouse. I thought everyone forgot I needed a ride.” I take the helmet and strap it on.

“Baby Princess, I’ve never been able to forget about you. Now climb on and wrap those thighs around me. Keep them tight 'cause you’re going to need it.”

“Have I told you I hate that nickname?” I ask. I use his shoulder as leverage to get onto the back of his bike. I wrap my arms around his waist and press my body against Rooster as close as I can. It feels right being in this seat. We feel right together.

“Hang on, Baby Princess.” He shouts over his shoulder ignoring my question as he fires up his Harley.

I squeeze Rooster a little tighter as he throttles the gas and takes off at a breakneck speed. He doesn’t slow down or stop as we disappear into the night. Just the two of us on the open road. All the stress and worry I’ve been harboring flies away while we soar into the night. I might be only one person, but I can do something to save the life of another. To give her the chance I never got. Now I hope Rooster will forgive me for the secret I’ve been carrying.

Rooster slows down and turns onto a long dirt road. He drives for a little while until a beautiful farmhouse appears. It has a wraparound porch with a swing placed on one end. There’s a big picture window and an oak front door. The house is perfect and everything I’ve ever dreamed about. Rooster pulls his bike into the attached garage and shuts it off.

He dismounts the bike and holds his big hand out for me to take. It’s now or never. I need to tell him everything I know and pray he won’t push me away.

Chapter

Six

ROOSTER

Afaint gasp escapes Alyssa’s lips when we pull up to my house. The moon is shining brightly overhead, lighting it up. Her thighs clench my hips tighter and I’m rock fucking hard having her on the back of my bike, pressed against me. I pull into the attached garage and dismount. Holding my hand out to her, Alyssa takes it cautiously.

Something is weighing on her mind and I hope she’s ready to tell me what it is or our relationship won’t last any longer than tonight. I’m giving her a chance to come clean and if she doesn’t, I’ll go back to the clubhouse and back to my life before she was in it. I don’t want to. I really don’t, but she isn’t giving me much of a choice. I’ve already made it clear at the bar when my fingers were playing with her that she needed to spill whatever it is that’s plaguing her.

With a deep sigh, Alyssa follows me into my house without a peep otherwise. I open the garage door and it leads into a mudroom. Toeing off my boots, I place them under the bench along one wall. Alyssa does the same with her shoes. I shrug off my cut and place it gently on the hook above the bench. I’m in my sanctuary so I don’t need to have my colors on. Alyssa setsher purse on another hook and timidly steps into the next room. I watch her move with caution as she takes in her surroundings.

I had this house built years ago after Phoebe left me and I didn’t know where I was going or what direction I was heading in. I thought if I had a house and a sense of purpose besides being the communications expert for Rockford and Associates, Phoebe would come back. But she didn’t. The last time I saw her, the rain was pounding down around me and she left. No word of when, where or why. I’ve spent the last 8 years trying to find her. It’s like she disappeared without a trace, until now.

“Rooster, this house is beautiful. Did you decorate it yourself?” Alyssa asks from the kitchen pulling me out of my thoughts.

I lift my tired body off the bench and follow her into the kitchen. I try to see it with her eyes, but I can’t. I nod my head, “Yeah, I did.”

Alyssa runs her fingers along the dark granite countertop. “Was there a particular woman you designed this for?” She avoids looking at me when she asks the question.

Seeing an opening to get her to be honest with me about who those men were taunting her and what secrets she’s carrying, I stay truthful. “I would like to tell you no, but that would be a lie. When I built this house, I was in a dark place with no sense of direction.” Alyssa’s shoulders slump in defeat. I reach her in a few quick strides and place my hands on her shoulders. We both shudder from the contact. “But hear me now.” I lift Alyssa’s chin so she’s looking at me. “The woman I had in mind, left me years ago, never to return. So back then yes, I did build this house with her in mind, but I’ve lived here with only me in mind when I realized she wasn’t coming back.”

“What if she did? Come back I mean?”

“Baby Princess, I wouldn’t give two fucks if she came back claiming she had my kids and had to run for her life. I would never in a million fucking years put myself through that again.”

“Do you mean it?” Tears glisten in Alyssa’s eyes and I want to wipe away the sadness enveloping her.

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