She was an addiction he didn’t want to get rid of but for her own safety, he was going to do it.
“I want you to go and pack a bag. We leave immediately,” he said.
He stood up and helped her to her feet. Without another look in her direction, he made his way into his office and picked up his phone.
It was a number he memorized but never thought he’d call.
“Well, well, well, I never thought I’d get a call from you,” Rancher said.
Lord rubbed at his eyes. “And I never thought I’d call you.”
“I’m guessing this is urgent business.”
“It is.” He was silent as he weighed up his options. Calling Rancher was a last resort.
“Lord, brother, what is it?” Rancher asked.
“I’ve got a girl.”
“Club pussy?”
His hands clenched. “No.”
“Wow, who knew with one word you could sound as possessive as fuck. She’s not club?”
“She’s mine.”
“Okay. What do you need?”
He breathed deeply. What the fuck did he need? First, a brand-new set of balls. Second, to not be falling for the woman who was only supposed to be a toy to him. He rubbed at his temples but still, he wasn’t happy about what he was doing. Ally didn’t deserve this. The thought of Skull Nation getting to her, well, that settled it.
“I need a safe house for her.”
“You want to bring her here?”
“Yes. I know you can protect her.” Rancher had once been his VP. Brick a close second until Rancher had fallen deeply in love with his own sweet woman. “If your woman will allow her.”
“Fuck, man. You know Betty isn’t the one who wanted me to quit the club. It was a decision I made. No one else. My wife supported me in the club.”
He still left though.
For Lord, it was never an option.
The club was in his blood. It was who he was and there was no getting away from that.
“Do I need to know what kind of danger you’re in?” Rancher asked.
“The Skull Nation.”
“Those bunch of pussies aren’t worth your time, Lord.”
“They weren’t. Now they’re making themselves known. They’re causing me trouble and you know I don’t like it when someone does that.”
“Yeah, you get pissy when they do. Should I be worried?”
“I’ve got it handled. They’ll come for me. Not for you. Hide her for me. Keep her safe.”
“She’s not one of these chicks that moans, is she?”
Lord laughed. “No.”
“Damn, part of me was hoping you’d say yes so I knew your ass was in trouble.” Rancher laughed. “Bring her now. I’ll get everything set up.”
“Thank you.”
“Don’t worry about it. I owe you one, remember.”
Once men were initiated into the life, no one could leave. Rancher was more than just a club brother, he was a friend. During their time together, Rancher had taken more than his share of bullets. Lord didn’t see it as being indebted to him.
Rancher earned his right to leave, and he’d granted it without a second thought. He looked toward the door to see Ally with a single bag packed.
Her eyes were red, but she wasn’t crying now.
“I can help you here,” she said. “Please, Lord. We belong together.”
“I know what I’m doing, Ally. I’ve got to do everything in my power to protect you.” He grabbed his car keys. There was no way he was risking his bike. He took the case from her and headed out of the clubhouse. Brick was entering as he left. Lord gave him a quick update before heading out to his car.
After throwing her case in the back, he climbed behind the wheel, waiting. In a matter of seconds, Brick and a couple of other brothers were out, straddling their bikes, ready to go with him.
Lord was tempted to order them back inside, but if for whatever reason The Skull Nation decided to attack, he wanted the numbers.
Turning over his ignition, he made his way out of the clubhouse, heading down the road, toward the ranch. It wasn’t too close. There was a good distance and silence filled the car.
“Are you going to ignore me the whole way?” he asked.
“I don’t have anything to say to you.”
“It’s for your own good.”
“According to you,” she said. “Last time, you brought me with you. You said it’s safer if I go wherever you go. I don’t understand.”
“Ally, I know you’re angry.”
“You’re sending me away to protect me, but who’s going to protect you?”
He gritted his teeth. “I’ve got an entire clubhouse to protect me.” He heard her snort. “Ally?”
“An entire clubhouse to protect you and yet you’re sending me away. It tells me that for as much as you trust them, you don’t think they’ve got what it takes to help me.”
“I’m their leader, Ally. You’re not.”
“I’m just the woman you decided to keep for your own entertainment. Don’t worry, Lord. I know my place.”
This wasn’t what he wanted to talk about. She was more than just a plaything. He knew that and he bet most of The Skull Nation knew that as well. Rather than argue with her, he remained silent for the rest of the journey.
He turned down a dirt road, going in the direction of Rancher’s. Several cars were parked in the driveway and the man himself was already waiting.
Without a word to Ally, he parked the car, climbed out, and grabbed her case. Rancher was already walking toward him, holding out a hand, which he shook. “I didn’t think I’d care for your ugly-ass face, but damn it is good to see you.”
Ally climbed out of the car.
“Wow,” Rancher said.
“Please, take care of her.” He handed the case to Rancher as Ally joined them. Without another backward glance, he climbed into the car, and left the ranch, knowing he’d made the best decision he could. He couldn’t let Ally go, but for now, he could at least keep her somewhere, he knew she was safe.
****
The following day, Ally made herself useful by helping Betty with the daily chores, which included laundry, cleaning, and cooking. Rancher didn’t work alone. He had a small workforce. All of which Betty cooked for, including their three kids. Ally tended to the vegetable garden.
Betty talked nonstop all day and Ally enjoyed the distraction, but for now, she wanted peace and quiet to be able to reflect on the past twenty-four hours. She wasn’t in the best of moods, that was for sure.
She’d known embarrassment and humiliation her entire life because of her father. The way Lord had treated her yesterday, well, she had no doubt he wanted to be rid of her. He hadn’t kissed her goodbye. He hadn’t said anything to her. She was nothing but a hindrance.
“I don’t know what my runner beans have done to upset you, but if you’re not careful, you’ll ruin the entire crop,” Rancher said, pulling her from her thoughts.
She didn’t even realize she’d been brutalizing the tree before he started to talk. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to do that.”
“Don’t worry about it. Runner beans are quite resilient.”