“I’ve got to run to the clubhouse and deal with some shit. You just want me to take you home?” I ask and she nods as I pull away from the curb.
“Yes. Thanks for hanging out with me today.”
I grab her hand, lacing our fingers before I bring it to my lips and kiss her thumb. “Anytime, baby. You like your tattoo?”
“Yes,” she replies, her grin growing as she glances down at her forearm. “It’s perfect.”
I kiss her hand again. “I’m glad.”
She turns on the radio and changes the station until Smile by Uncle Kracker starts pouring out of the speakers. Grinning, she turns it up and turns to me as she sings along with the song, capturing my full attention. A grin splits my face as I watch her sing and just be silly, something that I get the feeling Tate doesn’t do all that often but it’s fucking adorable and in a moment, I realize that this girl already owns my heart.
By the time we pull up in front of her house, she’s already belted out two more songs and I might as well go out and buy a ring today because I’m never walking away from her. I don’t care if she finds out everything and chops my balls off, I’ll still beg for her to take me back and I’ll spend every day of the rest of my life making it up to her.
“All right, I suppose I better let you go,” she says, pouting as she turns down the music and I laugh.
“What if I promise to come back later?”
Her face lights up. Man, I’d do anything to see that look on her face.
“Yeah?”
I nod.
“Okay, I suppose I’ll release you then but tell Blaze that if he doesn’t give you back, I have no problem going in guns blazing and stealing you myself.”
I laugh, reaching across the car and brushing my thumb over her cheek. “I’ll be sure to pass that message along.”
“Make sure he knows how scary I am, too,” she orders, looking anything but scary and I laugh again.
“You got it, Sweetheart.”
With a curt nod, she leans across the Camaro and I claim her lips, thrusting my hand into her hair and wishing I didn’t have to go. This is important, though. It’s time to end all the secrets and lies if she and I are ever going to have a real chance.
“Bye, baby,” she whispers against my lips and I smile.
“I’ll be back before you know it. Now, get inside.”
Rolling her eyes, she opens her door and climbs out of the car before leaning down and meeting my stare. “Don’t think that just because I kiss you now that you can tell me what to do. I’ll still tase you.”
I laugh. “Noted.”
“Text me when you’re on your way back.”
I nod and she winks at me before shutting the door and walking away from the car. My gaze is glued to her as she walks up the front steps and I swear she’s putting a little extra swing in her hips to tease me. When she glances over her shoulder and laughs, I know I was right. Once she’s safely inside her house, I pull away from the curb, my knee bouncing against the steering wheel as I drive to the clubhouse.
Based on all our previous conversations, I know Blaze isn’t going to want to tell me the truth but I’m not leaving until I get some answers. I care too much about Tate to settle for however much time I have until this thing blows up in my face. My mind drifts back to the note on Tate’s table and I scowl, gripping the steering wheel tighter. Something deep down in my gut is telling me that she’s in danger but unless Blaze is ready to divulge some details I don’t know how I’m supposed to protect her.
There are few bikes in the parking lot as I pull into the clubhouse and I park my car in my usual spot before jumping out and heading inside. Smith waves as I storm past him toward the stairs, eager to see what Streak has on this whole situation. His door is open as I approach the end of the hallway and he glances up when he hears me coming.
“Shut the door and sit down,” he instructs, pointing to the chair by his desk. I do as I’m told, shutting and locking the door before going to his desk.
“What do you have?”
He sighs and turns one of his three computer screens to face me. On the screen is the photo I sent him of the note next to a web search. “Okay, so the note in Tate’s house is a modern version of the original scene but it’s essentially the same except for one thing.”
“What?” I ask.
“Right here,” he starts, pointing to part of the note. “Where it says King’s daughter is wrong. The actual line is Jew’s daughter.”
“And you think this is a clue?”
He nods. “I do, but I couldn’t tell you what it means.”
“Yeah, you’re not the one who can give me answers,” I growl and his brow arches.
“Do I even want to know?”
I shake my head. “Did you see anything on the cameras? Like who dropped off the note?”
He presses a couple buttons before an image from the camera on the front porch of Tate’s house pops up. “This is the best I can get you. He kept his face hidden the whole time and he’s about as average as they get.”
“Shit,” I hiss before slapping his shoulder and standing up. “Thanks, man.”
“Yeah, you got it.”
As anger racks my body, I slip out of his office and go back downstairs before heading straight for Blaze’s office. I barge in without knocking and he glances up from the paperwork in front of him.
“You and I need to chat,” I growl, slamming the door shut and his eyes widen before he stands up and puffs out his chest.
“Boy, I don’t know who the hell you think you are but you will not talk to me like that.”
I shake my head. “I’m done playing your games. I want to know why I’m watching Tate and I want to know now.”
“No,” he snaps, turning away from me and I lose it, grabbing a pencil off his desk and chucking it at the wall. Instead of falling to the floor, it sticks in the wood and he turns to me with wide eyes.
“Why do you have me watching her?”
His gaze narrows and the office is silent as he studies me for a moment before his eyes widen.
“Oh, fuck.” He collapses in his chair and blows out a breath. “You fucking fell in love with her, didn’t you?”
“Yeah, and? What does that matter now?”
Bewildered, he stares at his desk for a moment before sighing. “Nope. I’m taking you off this. I’ll get Storm or Chance to watch over her from now on.”
Rage bubbles up inside me and I slam my fist down on the desk. No one is taking me away from my girl. “No, you will not. You started this and I’m going to finish it.”
“I’m your president!”
“I don’t give a shit. She’s mine now. You hear me?”
With wide eyes, he nods because he knows what this means. I’ve officially claimed her with the club and she’s mine. No man can come between that, not even Blaze.
“Sit down, son. If you’re going to be with her, there are some things you need to know.”
Chapter Thirteen
Tatum
Ain’t No Rest For The Wicked by Cage the Elephant blares through the speakers in the living room as I dance around the kitchen in a tank top and boy shorts, getting ready to make popcorn. I wiggle my hips as I pour the kernels in a stockpot, add in a little oil, and cover it with a lid. Once the stove is on, I dance over to the cupboard and grab a couple glasses and the pitcher of sweet tea out of the fridge, setting both on the counter as I go back to the stove and grab the handles on the pot, giving it a good shake. My cheeks hurt from smiling so much but I can’t help it. I can’t remember the last time I was this happy and as strange as it feels, it’s also amazing.