Ally made her way to the spare bedroom.
Calling Lord, was it desperate? She missed him and the clubhouse. Even with all the people who couldn’t stand her.
She typed the number into the phone and waited for a second before pressing the button to activate the call.
Chapter Ten
They’d gotten a few leads. Lord knew where the Skull Nation VP was hiding out. The other club had spread out, trying to remain untouchable, invisible. They didn’t know how capable the Straight to Hell MC really were. Once Lord got his hands on the VP, he’d torture him, make an example of the fucker. He’d let him call for backup, then the real party would get started.
Their businesses up north had been cleaned up and he had extra men patrolling to ensure their enemies didn’t try to infiltrate again. Lord wasn’t ready to hand over one of his cash cows on a silver platter. He’d die before he let his enemies get the better of his club.
Tank and Tarmac had been making bullets on their presses for the past few days straight. They were ready for Armageddon. The amount of lead they’d stockpiled was impressive. The boys were getting ready. They were riding out after sunset.
Lord sat in his office. Alone. He didn’t want anyone near him now. He needed to stay focused on tonight, but it was next to impossible when he kept thinking of Ally. She was supposed to be temporary, not take over his whole world. No one had to tell him, even though he’d never experienced it before … he was falling in love. And his love was unlike any other man’s. It was deep and dark, had a life of its own. Just thinking of her made his entire body come alive. His heart would beat faster and his gray mood would improve.
He was thinking of stupid bullshit that he had no right to be thinking. What would happen to her if he got killed? Who’d take care of her?
No one had ever put him first. His childhood was a shitstorm that started his road into trouble and crime. But now Ally had become his everything. He lived and breathed for that slip of a girl and there was nothing he could do to backtrack his feelings now.
His cell went off. Lord leaned back in his office chair, the hinge giving a slight squeak. It was an old number he vaguely remembered. One he’d given to Rancher a long time ago. Why would he call from that number and not his new one?
Was there trouble?
He sat up straight, bringing the phone to his ear. “Rancher?”
The line was dead.
He tensed, his jaw twitching. A hundred horrific scenarios played in his head.
Rather than drive himself crazy, he dialed back the number.
It kept ringing, stirring his anxiety into overdrive.
“Hello?”
It was her voice. The perfect, musical voice of his little virgin. She was alive.
“Are you okay?”
Silence.
“Ally? Answer me now.”
“I’m sorry for calling. I know it’s only been a day. I’m sorry,” she said.
“Why’d you hang up?”
“I didn’t want you to think I was being clingy. I don’t want to push you away more because it seems I’m already very good at that.”
“You’re not pushing me away, baby. I’m just keeping you safe. But, trust me, I haven’t stopped thinking of you.”
“Really?” More silence. “When will I see you again? I keep thinking something horrible is happening. I hate being here not knowing anything.”
“Soon.”
“I need you, Lord.”
The yearning in her voice only mirrored how he felt. How was he supposed to focus tonight with his mind on Ally and his cock hard for her?
He didn’t think long. “I’ll be there in twenty minutes,” he said. “Meet me in the lane behind the barn. Wear a skirt with no panties.”
He hung up the phone and mentally kicked himself. This had to be his secret or the boys would call him pussy-whipped. He felt like a love-sick teenager, but there was no doubt he had to see Ally. Last night, in bed alone, he’d had too much time with his own thoughts. He needed her by his side. She was healing. Innocent. She chased away his demons without even realizing it.
Now he’d promised himself as much as her that they’d be together within the hour. No backing out now. He was an idiot, always taking risks to be with Ally.
Lord headed out to his bike. The sky was clear, the sun reflecting off the chrome. This would be a short and sweet trip. He’d be back long before they had to get ready for tonight. Seeing her would give him enough peace until he had her back at the club again.
He kicked his bike to life, the purr stirring his body. Reaper approached him before he could escape unseen. “You need someone to ride with you?”
“Not this time. I won’t be long.”
His enforcer raised a brow. “You’re seeing her, aren’t you?”
He revved his engine. “Rally the men as we planned. I’ll be back in time.” Then he rode off without further explanation.
He didn’t understand why Rancher would leave the club. Lord didn’t understand love. Couldn’t understand sacrificing everything for one woman.
Now he knew exactly what his old friend had gone through.
He craved the same thing with Ally, only he couldn’t give up his club. Lord needed to find a balance between the two, and the biggest obstacle would be keeping Ally safe. In his world, enemies sought out weaknesses. The greatest target was a loved one. They could be used against you, make you weak. Lord had done the same thing for many of his enemies. Ally was in his life for this reason alone. He wanted to make her father suffer, to exact revenge for his lack of loyalty. Now he had to protect her from men just like himself.
The lane was unpaved, so he slowed down his bike as he neared Rancher’s back gate. Just the anticipation of seeing Ally make his cock stir in his jeans.
He hoped she was there waiting for him.
He needed her.
There were overgrown trees in the way, so he couldn’t see if she was near the gate. As he pulled closer, he noticed her outline in the shadow of a new outbuilding that hadn’t been there before.
He parked next to the shed and cut his engine.
It had only been twenty-four hours. He shouldn’t crave her this much. It felt like she’d been away from him for weeks or months, not hours.
Lord braced an arm on the low split rail fence and hopped over. He approached her, slowly, cautiously.
“You came.”
“It’s okay, Ally. I wasn’t stupid enough to come straight here. I wasn’t followed.”
“That’s not what I mean.”
He cupped her face and kissed her. It felt like their first kiss all over again—deep and addicting. She tasted sweet and he wanted more.
“I couldn’t keep away,” he whispered against her lips.
“Good.”
He wrapped an arm around her, pulling her flush to his body. Her soft curves pressed against his hardness.
“They treating you right here?” he asked
She nodded, toying with the buttons on his cut.
“You behaving yourself? Keeping safe?”
“I want to come home,” she said.
His insecurities must run deep. “Where’s home?”
She scowled, a look of confusion on her face. “With you. At the club.”