Murphy(31)

He looked away. “My brothers knew what I was doing. I didn’t betray the club. They acted like I did. The real betrayal is with Tate. I fucked up. I promised her shit, and I didn’t deliver. She doesn’t give a shit about what happened at the club. Tate cares about what I did to her.”

“Tiny’s daughter?” Killer asked.

Sitting on the edge of the bed, Murphy let out a sigh. He pulled out his packet of cigarettes and lit one. “My first job as a prospect was babysitting duty. Fucking hated it. I was better than that. I was too good for baby-sitting my leader’s daughter.” Murphy took a long drag of his cigarette.

“Was she a bitch?”

“No, not at all. Tate was nothing like she is now. She was sweet, charming, and the most amazing person I’d ever known.” Licking his lips, Murphy offered Killer a cigarette. “It didn’t take long until the best part of my life was being with her. I pretended to the guys how much I hated it, but I loved it. She was sunshine in our dark world. Tate didn’t judge, and she never accused me of anything. It was nice to sit with her, listen to her talk and talk about everything.”

“You fell in love with her?” Killer asked, taking a seat and lighting up his cigarette.

“I fell in love with her. On prom night, I was her date. I kissed her, and I had every intention of telling her my feelings. I told her how I felt even though I’d decided in the same night, not to. She was in my arms, and I couldn’t imagine being anywhere else but with her. We were going to fuck or at least, she wanted to. She was ready. I was an idiot and not ready for that. I wanted to talk with her father and take my time. Not every girl should lose their virginity prom night.” Murphy shook his head at the stupidity of his actions. “I promised her commitment. I promised her that she’d always come first, and then the job of infiltrating The Lions came up. I’d earned my patch by then and was ready to help the club. They needed someone who could go inside, gather information without any problems. There was a plan, and I volunteered for the job.”

“What about Tate?”

“The club came first, and I broke my promise. You knew what I was like, Killer. I fucked any woman I wanted. I was a monster. ”

“What are your thoughts now?” Killer asked.

“I’ve got to win her back. For the past couple of years I’ve stood back and watched her grieve and change. I can’t let her go, Killer.”

They were silent as they finished their smokes.

“How come you don’t feel betrayed by me?” Murphy asked, getting up.

“You didn’t turn your back on the club, Murphy. I wasn’t there when the shooting went down, but I knew you’d be the kind of person I’d want to be joined with. The Skulls are bastards, and yet, there’s a sense of friendship and support. You don’t turn on each other. I want that.”

Killer grabbed the clothes, and they headed down to the lobby.

Angel and Lash were wrapped around each other, kissing and making a spectacle of themselves.

The drive to the airport was tense. The only sounds were Lash’s moans and Angel’s giggles, which were driving him insane.

When they hit the earth after the long flight back home, Murphy was anxious to get to Tate’s house.

“I’m going home. Bring Tate back home tomorrow,” Tiny said, leaving him to handle everything. The airport housed their bikes. It had cost a pretty penny, but it was worth it.

Climbing on his bike he noticed Killer follow him as he neared the apartment building where Tate lived. Stopping into a lay-by he waited for Killer to catch up with him.

“What are you doing, man? Tate’s going to be fighting me. You don’t want to see that.”

“I was going to give Cherry back her clothes. She deserves to have them back after we ruined their weekend.”

Nodding, Murphy gave the other man a bag. “I’ll get her apartment number for you to give the clothes back.”

They were riding toward the apartment building once again. With every mile they drove Murphy was tensing up ready for a fight. Tate was different, and he knew she was going to fight him every step of the way. He couldn’t lose sight of what he wanted.

The Tate she’d once been was still in there. He was the one responsible for ruining everything for her.

Parking the bike in the first available space he waited for Killer to do the same. “Go to the front door. I’ll text you the number.”

“Where are you going?” Killer asked.

“I always surprise my girl.”

Going around the back of the building, Murphy found the ledge he needed to start climbing the building. The first time he’d climbed into her bedroom window, Tate hadn’t been able to stop laughing at his gesture. He’d showed her it was lame and clichéd for a guy to sneak into a woman’s bedroom window. What Tate didn’t know was he’d gotten Eva’s help to do it. She kept Tiny occupied while he gave Tate what she always wanted.