“Thank you.” Ghost turns his head to look at me and smiles. “To answer your question from before, we have been very blessed with all the businesses we’ve opened.”
I fiddle with my napkin, feeling a little out of sorts since this is my first date. But I want to get to know this man. I take a sip of my beer and just decide to ask him some questions. “You weren’t born here, were you?”
He sits back and takes a pull of his beer, his eyes never leaving mine. I don’t think they have since we sat down. “I was born in the next town over, but met all the guys at basic and we kind of just formed this bond. After we were done with our time in the army, we knew Blade wanted to come home to his sister, so he pitched the idea of forming our own MC, and we just followed. Most of us didn’t have any family to go back to, so it was a no-brainer for me. We pooled our money together and started a few businesses.”
“Add in all the work you guys do for this community. It's truly amazing. You and the guys formed this family.” Honestly, the things they have done most people wouldn’t even think of doing. They have food drives and toy drives during the Christmas holidays because no child should go without on Christmas.
He just shakes his head and smiles. None of the guys ever want the recognition for the things they do.
“And you're part of that family now.” He winks at me.
I fiddle with my hands under the table; his attention makes me nervous. “Yeah, I'm starting to realize that now. It's a nice feeling to finally feel like I belong and that I have a purpose in life.”
Ghost gets a dark look in his eyes. He leans forward and lowers his voice. “Your father is a piece of shit for making you feel that way, and he will get his soon enough. You're mine, and I always take care of mine.”
His growled-out words make me shiver. His words are guttural and raw, letting me see the other side of him. But I don't fear him; quite the opposite, really. Maybe there's something wrong with me. I just don't have it in me to care. Now that I'm learning more about myself, I'm finding I like when he gets all growly; it really does do something for me.
“So tell me about your artwork. Have you always loved drawing?” Ghost gives me his full attention.
“For as long as I can remember, I've always had a pencil in my hand. At first, it was a passion; then it became a way for me to escape my life and everything that was going on around me. I like to sit in the park and watch people for hours, and I will take my sketchbook out and just draw the people living their lives. Happy and free. For just those moments, I feel like I'm a part of them.” It may sound stupid to some, but I was happy in those moments. I always wished I would be that carefree, living my life without any worries. The time I've spent with Ghost, I've been able to draw him.
His smile, which he sends my way, takes my breath away. “That's amazing. I'd like to see some of your art one day if you don't mind sharing it.”
Oh boy, I've never really shown anyone my drawings for fear of being ridiculed, but I have a feeling that Ghost would never do something like that. So I put my fear to the side. “I can show you when we get back home.”
I realize that I said the word home and not his house, and by the smile on his face, he likes that very much. Before he can comment on it, the server comes our way with the food.
The smell of the steak makes my stomach growl. “Here you go. Enjoy your meal and let me know if you guys need anything else.”
“Thank you.” I don't waste time cutting into my steak, and it's cooked to perfection. The flavors explode on my tongue. I don't even remember the last time I had a steak. “This is so good.”
Ghost smiles at me. I noticed he's been watching me eat, which makes me blush. I was practically drooling on my steak; how embarrassing. “I'm glad you're enjoying it, babydoll.”
He finally picks up his utensils and begins to eat, both of us too engrossed in eating to say anything else. I don't leave anything on my plate. I will definitely have to come back here. I drain the last of my beer as Ghost finishes his dinner.
“Did you have enough to eat?”
“If I ate any more, you would have to roll me out of here.” It’s true I don’t think I could put another thing in my stomach.
“Then let's get out of here and head home so we can watch a movie. How does that sound?”
I smile at him, feeling content and happy. “That sounds amazing.”
Nine
Ghost
After I pay the bill, I help Scarlett out of her seat. I’m so glad she decided she was ready to go out with me tonight. Despite everything she’s been through and continues to go through, that smile hasn’t left her face. She’s never looked more beautiful than she does right now, knowing she’s safe with me and can let her guard down. From the moment I took her from her hell, she has slowly started to heal. I would gladly lay down my life for hers, and I can’t wait for the day I can rid her father from the face of this earth. The things I’m going todo to that man would frighten her if she knew, so I keep that dark side of me locked down.
We walk out of the restaurant into the cool night air, heading towards my bike. “What has you smiling so big?”
As I place her on the back of the bike, she looks at me with her innocent eyes and her beautiful smile that I love so much. I realize my smile is a little feral thinking about all the torture I’m going to inflict on Ian. “Nothing, babydoll. Just happy you're here with me. Now let’s get you home so I can cuddle your ass.” Sending her a wink, I watch as her face goes red. Chuckling under my breath, I help her with her helmet, checking the parking lot before I get on. I notice a dark- colored SUV idling down the road from the restaurant, which puts me on high alert. I stay rooted to my spot until it does a U-turn and hightails it out of there. It takes everything in me to stay rooted to my spot because I know for a fact that it was Ian watching us. Whoever this fucker is working with has given him the means for a new car because I know it was Scarlett that was paying all the bills. I pull out my phone and shoot Crow a text.
Ghost: Came out of the restaurant with Scarlett and saw a dark-colored SUV idling down the road. I need you to look at the cameras in the area to see if you can catch a plate.
Crow: On it.
I watch for a few more seconds to make sure they aren’t coming back and get on, needing to get Scarlett out of here and safely back into my home. Honestly, I wish Ian would have just showed his face so I could put a bullet into his head and end him right on the spot so Scarlett can finally be free. I pull out of the parking lot and head forhome. I speed through town, wanting her out of here fast. We make it back to the compound in record time as a prospect opens the gates and lets me in. I pull into my driveway and kill the engine.