He went to walk away, and I asked across the empty parking lot, “Is there anything I can do to help?”
He turned and looked at me. “Do you have a remedy for how to make a stubborn woman be reasonable?”
I laughed and replied, “I wish. If you figure it out, tell me the secret.”
He chuckled and shook his head before he turned away and got on his bike. Standing there, watching one of my best friends pull away from the clubhouse, I had to ask myself, who was this mystery woman who made the normally calm Raven almost destroy a thousand-dollar toolbox?
And why is this the first I’m learning of her?
Chapter 18
Willow
Chicago - One week later
The little girl across the hallway from me had been watching Felix, my rescue cat, while I was out of town, and when I saw how much the cat loved that little girl, I decided his best home would be with her. As much as I’d miss him, he deserved someone like her who could give him the attention and love he deserved. Dean wanted to make sure the girl and her mother had supplies for Felix, so he’d run to the store to grab food and treats.
Ghost and I were standing on the sidewalk outside of my old apartment as one of his men lowered the gate on the moving truck and secured it with the lock I’d given him. Zodiac, Ghost’s Vice President, handed me the key to the lock as he said, “Rooster will drive the truck to Rapid City so he can pick up his bike from your man.”
Rooster was the Phantom Renegades Secretary, and Raven, The Sinners Road Captain and mechanic, was upgrading his bike, so it all worked out so Dean and I didn’t get stuck in a truck for the drive back. We’d brought his bike, and the eight-hour drive over to Minneapolis with him was wonderful. I got to have my arms wrapped around his toned waist the entire time, and when we got to my apartment last night, we couldn’t keep our hands off each other.
“Is the apartment clear?” Ghost asked him.
“We’re giving it a onceover, checking closets and drawers to see if we missed anything, and one of the ol’ ladies’ sister liveshere and is coming over to clean the place,” Zodiac responded as I heard Dean’s bike getting closer.
“I could’ve found someone to clean up,” I remarked, and he offered a smile.
“It’s no problem. She owns her own cleaning business and is doing this as a favor to the club.”
I looked at my brother, not wanting to owe anyone or have the club owe anyone, but he just smiled and crossed his arms, saying to Zodiac, “Thanks, brother.”
Dean pulled into the parking lot as Zodiac walked over to Rooster to speak with him. Placing my hand onto my brother’s arm, I waited for him to look over at me before I said, “Thank you.”
“For what?” he asked.
Dean was walking closer as I replied, “For being a good big brother.”
He turned to face me. “I know I haven’t always been the best brother or friend to you, and I’m sorry for that. But I want you to know how proud I am of you and all that you’ve accomplished.” He glanced at Dean and added, “You’ve got a good man by your side, Willow. I don’t have to worry about you as much anymore, but that doesn’t mean I won’t be checking in on you. If Jigsaw does you wrong, he will have a reckoning.”
I looked at Dean as he walked up to us and said, “You don’t have to worry about that.”
“Worry about what?” Dean asked.
I shook my head, and replied, “Nothing. Did you get everything on the list?”
“It’s in Ghost’s truck,” he responded and handed my brother the keys to his SUV, explaining, “I’ll get everything out of the back, but I wanted to say thank you for letting me borrow your ride, and” he looked around at the Phantom Renegades standing by the truck as he tacked on, “for everything.”
My brother extended his fist, and they bumped knuckles as he responded, “That’s what families do.” Dean gave him a nod as Ghost turned to me. “Now, give me a hug and go say goodbye to that fleabag so you can get headed home. Rooster will be pulling out and heading that way.”
I stepped away from Dean and wrapped my arms around my brother’s waist as I whispered, “Love you.”
He returned the embrace, and when he released me, he placed his hand onto my hair and shook it, laughing as he messed it up. I gave him the middle finger as Dean laughed beside me, then I turned and walked to the truck to get the supplies for Felix.
Dean helped me carry everything inside as the Phantom Renegades cranked their loud bikes and began to pull away, headed back to Minneapolis. Rooster was getting his stuff situated in the front seat of the truck as I glanced and saw Ghost pulling away from the apartment complex. After giving two bags of food, three bags of litter, a bag full of snacks, and another full of toys to the family who’d adopted Felix from me, I gave him a quick snuggle before he bolted from my arms, seeking out the little girl who’d fallen in love with him while I was out of town.
Dean and I walked out of the apartment and back outside to see we were alone. He pulled me against him and hugged me, asking, “Are you okay?”
“I’m good,” I returned then asked, “Are you ready to go?”
