Page 57 of Bound by Desire
She stills at my comment, eyes going wide, obviously not expecting me to bring that up. Toofuckin’bad.
“I’m fine, Deke. No more talking aboutthat.Ever.”
“You ever need to, I’maround.”
“Right.”
She gives me a hug, and I reciprocate before pulling away and heading to my new place. It’s not anything fancy, but it’s got a bedroom, which is more than my old place had. Not to mention the living room is bigger and could fit a pull-out couch. I hate fucking shopping, but I’ll scratch that off my agenda latertoday.
My cell rings, and I see the display says,Cruz calling. Fuck. I should let it go to voicemail, but he’s left me alone for themostpart.
“Yeah.”
“Clubhouse, one hour.” The linedisconnects.
Great, I’m being fucking summoned. Such bullshit. Then why I find myself going an hour later is up for debate. Instincts, Isuppose.
Entering the clubhouse, Cruz greets me by lifting his chin, turning, then walking down the hallway. I look for my father, but don’t see him anywhere. Either he’s waiting for me in Cruz’s office or this is a one-on-oneshow.
Instead of my father, Cooper stands there with his hip against the wall, arms crossed over his chest, his eyes focused on me as I liftmychin.
The door behind mecloses.
Cruz doesn’t waste time. “Hear you’re good with cars and bikes. Want you workin’ intheshop.”
Ravage owns Banner Automotive, which is on the clubhouse property. When I was a kid, my father would bring me there and teach me. We’d work together on cars, bikes, and trucks. It’s where I learned most of what I know. Good times were had in that shop. Now, though, I’m notinterested.
“No.”
I turn to move, considering this is all they wanted. I’m not getting sucked into the Ravage MC by workingforthem.
“Stop,” Cruz commands, deep and authoritative, just like when Coop and I used to get into trouble back intheday.
Cooper rounds the chairs in front of the desk and comes toward me, sayingnothing.
“Deke, you need to get over whatever shit you’re carrying around. This is family. We’re two men down and need the help. You’re in town,you’regood.”
“What makes you think for one second that I want to come and work forRavage?”
Cruz crosses his arms. “Need you back inthefold.”
“Is that right? Then why isn’t my ol’ man here? Right, because he doesn’t want me anywhere near here. Only puttin’ up with me because of Mom. You think I want to be a part ofthatshit?”
“You always wanted to be part of the club,” Cooper says. “You gonna say that’s changed? It’s a part of you, in your blood, and who you are—whoweare.”
“No shit? You know this. We fuckin’ talked about it. It’s nothin’ new. But shit’s changed. I’vechanged.”
“Have no doubt you’ve changed,” Cruz says, his eyes suddenly very aware. “You weren’t ready then. Can’t deny that shit. Now,youare.”
“Just like that?” I snap my finger in the air. “You know jack shit about me. How the fuck do you know I’m ready? I callbullshit.”
“You’d be smart, because you have a lot to prove,” Cruz responds, leaning his ass against his desk and crossing his ankles in front of him. “This is your first step. You ready totakeit?”
Damn, thisishuge.
A war wages inside of me. For four years, I’ve fought this, and now it’s all coming back in anexplosion.
“What makes you think I’m even stayin’ after this shit is out ofmymom?”
