The low rumble of the engine echoed through the compound as Kodiak rode past Duke, opening the gate. The sun had dipped low behind the trees, casting long shadows across the asphalt, but his focus wasn't on the fading light.
He had no news. No updates from the scouts. No new threats. Without anything to push him forward in his hunt, his thoughts turned to Roma again, putting a knot in his gut.
Whether she liked it or not, she was tied to the threats coming from Deception Motorcycle Club by being related to Chopper and now involved with him.
He couldn't even send her away. Nowhere was safe until the danger was eliminated. He wanted her beside him, tucked safely inside the clubhouse until he deemed it safe for her to come out.
Looping around, he pulled into the front of the line of motorcycles, cut the engine, and let the quiet settle around him. The usual crew milled around the back door of the clubhouse, half ignoring each other, but every few minutes, someone would throw out an insult, hoping someone would take offense and fight back or brag about some bitch they fucked. It was the same scene, a different day. He swung a leg over the bike and stood, eyes automatically scanning for the one person he wanted to see.
He took off his gloves, shoved them in his back pocket, and approached the group. "Where's Roma?"
A few heads turned his way. Shoulders shrugged. Then, Rusty stepped forward, "I haven't seen her since she went to her room. Maybe a couple of hours ago. Want me to go check on her for you, Prez?"
The knot in his gut tightened. "No."
He turned and entered the clubhouse. His bootsthunkedagainst the concrete floor. The hallway light flickered faintlyoverhead as he passed. His stride lengthened, carrying him toward her door before he could talk himself out of doing the right thing.
He stopped.
The last time he was here, he hadn't knocked either. The memory struck him quickly—Roma, half-dressed, flushed, startled... and then, not startled at all. She enjoyed watching him while she touched herself.
Warmth filled his chest, but it was quickly replaced by the nagging unease crawling up the back of his neck.
He raised his hand to knock and then let his hand fall. He twisted the knob and pushed the door open.
Empty.
He walked inside, heart racing. The blood in his body was already pumping him up for what could happen in the bedroom.
But the bedroom appeared untouched. The bed was still made with the corners neat and tucked under the mattress. Her leather jacket hung where it always hung on the hook next to the closet. He backed out of the room, closing the door behind him.
Back in the main room of the clubhouse, he looked around again, more focused this time.
"Anyone seen Roma?" he called out.
There were more shrugs coupled with a few mumbled no's. Until finally, Nate, lounging against the counter as if he owned the place, jerked his thumb over his shoulder. "She's sitting out on the picnic table. Probably watching clouds or counting stars or whatever it is she does out there by herself."
Kodiak's eyes narrowed. Nate hovered around Roma every chance he had. He was too smooth. Too interested. Near enough in ages that no one would blink an eye if Nate decided to hook up with Chopper's daughter.
He dipped his chin and walked outside. He spotted her immediately. Perched on the old, weathered table, legs pulledup, chin on her knees, eyes turned upward toward the sky, she looked small there, wrapped in thought, and for a moment, he soaked her in. The tension in his chest shifted and quieted. The relief of seeing her and knowing that she was okay settled him down better than any whiskey and Coke.
He walked toward her, slower now that he knew she was safe.
He stopped short of the picnic table. "You hiding from me?"
Roma didn't look at him. "Not hiding. Thinking."
"About what?"
She hummed, and he thought she wasn't going to answer him. Then suddenly, she turned with her eyes wide, honest, and dangerous.
"I want to kiss you until you forget whose daughter I am and how old you are."
Kodiak snorted, shaking his head.
"I want to pull you into my room and shut the door and not come out for a day."
His cheek twitched as he studied her. She was fucking serious.
