“Okay,” I said. “Okay. We can go back.”
He looked so relieved, like a prisoner that had just been pardoned.
“Come on,” he said. “You ride pretty good.”
As he started his engine, the door to the clubhouse opened. I looked over.
Ford stared back at me. “Caralee?”
“Hi, Ford.”
He stared at Ryan. “What’s she doing here?”
Ryan killed his engine. “I’m sorry, Ford. She kicked Spill in the nuts and stole his bike.”
“What were you doing?”
“She said she saw guys around the place. I was checking it out.”
He stared at me for a second and then burst out laughing. “Did you really kick Spill in the nuts?” he asked me.
I grinned sheepishly. “Yeah, I did.”
“And you rode that here?”
“Yeah.”
“Holy shit, girl.” He walked over, laughing and shaking his head.
“You’re not mad?” I asked.
“I’m sorry, boss,” Ryan said.
“You’re a dumbass, but it’s not your fault. Caralee can be tough.” He grinned at me.
I smiled back, but inwardly I wanted to slap him. “Where have you been?” I asked.
“Club business.”
“So that’s the deal then? You’re just going to disappear whenever you feel like it.”
He expression hardened. “Not when I feel like it. When the club calls me, I answer. Come on,” he said. “Let’s get you back.” He moved toward the bike.
“I’m riding,” I said.
He stopped and frowned. “You sure?”
“She did good getting over here,” Ryan said. Ford silenced him with a look.
“I’m sure,” I said.
“Fine. Stay with me.” He walked over to his own bike and got on, kicking it started.
We rode out in formation, heading back toward the cabin. My stomach was a knot of worry, both for Ryan and Spill and for myself. I didn’t know how Ford would punish them.
And I didn’t know how I felt about Ford. I was already on edge about him abandoning me once. I didn’t think I could take it again.
The feeling of joy and freedom was completely gone as we headed back toward Ford’s place. Instead, I felt only confused, worried, and angry.
And I sure hoped that I hadn’t broken Spill’s balls.
Chapter Twenty-Four: Ford
We tore back toward my cabin, and I couldn’t help but laugh the whole way back.
Caralee had broken free of those two idiot pledges. I didn’t blame them, though they should have been on her better. But the girl was clearly tough as nails and resourceful to boot. I had to admit, I was pretty damn impressed.
Plus, she was awful at riding. Just uncomfortable and awkward. I was half afraid she was going to fall over the whole way back, though she managed to remain upright. We pulled down the dirt road that led to my cabin and parked our bikes.
Spill was sitting on the front porch, looking pained.
“You okay?” Ryan called out to him.
“Fine,” he said. “Balls have descended.”
I looked at Caralee. “What did you do?” I asked, wanting to hear it from her perspective.
She shrugged. “I might have kicked him.”
I cracked up laughing and Spill limped over, frowning. “I might never have kids, you know,” he grunted.
“Sorry,” Caralee said.
“Nobody wants to fuck your ugly ass anyway, Spill,” I said. “Now get the fuck out of here, both of you.”
Spill reluctantly climbed onto his bike, and the two of them headed back toward the clubhouse.
“Come on,” I said to Caralee. “Let’s get inside.”
“Tell me what’s going on first,” she said.
“Inside.” I moved into the house, went to the refrigerator, and grabbed a beer.
She sat down at the kitchen table. “I’m getting sick of these games, Ford,” she said.
“Nobody’s playing games. Those two were here for your protection.”
“Yeah, maybe, but you can’t keep me locked up in here.”
I stood and looked at her. “Why not?”
“Because I’m a person?” she said, exasperated.
“You’re my wife now,” I said, grinning. “I can do whatever I want.”
“Watch it, asshole.”
“Or what?”
“I can kick you like I kicked Spill.”
I laughed. “You wouldn’t dare injure my balls. You’re too fond of them.”
“Not at all.”
“You seemed pretty fond of them last night,” I said, sitting down across from her.
“I don’t know what I was thinking last night,” she said, “but that might have been a mistake.”
“Didn’t feel like a mistake,” I said, grunting. Frankly, the night before was what had kept me moving all day.
“Where did you go?”
I stared at her. “I’ll tell you this once. But if you’re going to stick around, you’re going to have to understand what ‘club business’ means.”
“Which is?”
“It means you don’t ask questions.”
“I never said I wanted to stick around.”
I shrugged. “Whatever you say. Ready to listen?”
“All ears.”
“We ambushed some of the Snakes up north of the city. Ended up capturing one of them.”
“Do you know if they’re after me?”
I nodded. “They are. And I know why.”
“Well?”
I grinned hugely at her. “Come sit on my lap and I’ll tell you.”
She stared at me. “No, Ford. Tell me.”
I moved my chair back. “Come on. Sit in my lap here and I’ll tell you.”