I looked at Hunter, wondering what he was feeling, but he was smiling now, his attention lost to the shiny black bike in front of him. He ran his hand over it, likely idolizing what it stood for.
“One day, you’ll be giving out orders,” Roy told him, affectionately. “One day, when we’re gone and you’re still in your prime, it’ll be Savage running this club. It’ll be Savage in control of his faculties, doing us proud.”
I walked back, crossing my arms to myself as I watched the members one by one congratulate Hunter for becoming part of the Road. Whatever that meant. I felt conflicted by my emotions. I should have been happy for him, but instead I felt dread in my chest.
What did they have in store for Hunter?
How was it that both of my boys were going down the same bloody path but in totally opposite directions?
They urged Hunter to ride his bike for the first time, and they said it so seriously, like it meant something big. This must have been a milestone in the club. Keeping my expression clear, I watched as he climbed over it, and I couldn’t deny in that single moment how dominating he looked. My chest tingled. My stomach fluttered with warmth. His large-muscled body was made for such a ride. He looked…he looked like he belonged on it. Women from the club, who’d kept their distance the entire time we’d sat in the pub, suddenly moved to the front of the crowd, staring lustfully at him as he started the bike, revving it, which made everyone cheer.
Before he kicked the stand down, his head shot up and he looked all around him. I knew what he was doing. He was searching for me. He reminded me in that single second that I was never forgotten. My heart thudded harder when he found me quickly, and the grin on his face was infectious. I smiled back and waved, expecting him to ride off when he called out, “Ride with me, flower.”
I wanted to shake my head, tell him to go without me. I didn’t know anything about riding on the back of a motorcycle. But everyone peered at me, and suddenly it didn’t feel like I had a choice in the matter.
I kept my cool as I went to him. He instructed me to climb on, like it was no big deal, like I wasn’t five foot nothing. Jesse came at my side, helping me over the brand-new bike. A helmet went over my head, and he tightened the straps under my chin. Before he stepped away, Jesse said, “Good girl,” in my ear in a tone that made my skin prickle with awareness.
“Wrap your arms around me, Nugget,” Hunter instructed next.
I pressed my front against his back, wrapping my arms around him. Face pressed to his jacket, I smelled leather and his woodsy scent. I shut my eyes, hiding my terror as he kicked the stand down, revved the bike and we took off.