Shadow:Satan's Fury: Memphis Chapter(25)

"Is she still in your room?"

"That's where I left her." My mind drifted back to Alex lying in my bed, and when I thought about how she'd felt in my arms, I wanted nothing more than to keep her close and protect her. Without me even realizing it, I'd fallen for her, and there was nothing I wouldn't do to keep her out of harm's way, even if that meant killing her father with my bare hands. I ran my fingers through my hair and let out a deep breath before saying, "Riggs  …  this girl  … "

"You don't have to say anything," he interrupted me. "I already knew this girl meant something to you, brother. Hell, I'm pretty sure I knew even before you did."

"Then, you know I'm not going to let anything happen to her."

"Yeah, I know that, too."

"So, now what?"

"We talk to Gus."

He stood up and I followed him down the hall to Gus's office. When we walked in, he was sitting at his desk talking to Moose, but the conversation quickly ceased when they noticed us standing in the doorway. They both watched silently as Riggs and I took a seat next to Moose and remained silent as Riggs told him everything that he'd uncovered about Navarro. I could feel the tension radiating off of each of them as they listened to the news about Alex, making their silence that much more palpable. Once Riggs had informed them of everything we knew, including the fact Alex was actually on the premises, Gus was done listening. He leaned forward, placing his elbows on his desk, as he turned to me and asked, "You had no idea this girl was in trouble?"

"No. Not until that motherfucker showed up at her bookstore."

"What has she told you about her situation?"

"Nothing," I admitted shamefully. "She's kept this entire thing hidden from everyone. Hell, I don't even think Hallie knew who she really was."

"Then, it's time we hear what she has to say."

I nodded, then said, "I'll go get her, but Prez  …  we need to be careful with her. She's been through a lot, and trust isn't going to come easy."

"Don't worry, Shadow." With his eyebrow perched high, he assured me, "I can handle your girl."





Alex





I'd always known there was a chance my father would find me, and I knew if that day ever came, he'd expect me to come back home. He would want me to go back to the way things were and forget about the new life I'd created for myself. I couldn't let that happen, so I tried my best to formulate a plan. At first, I thought I'd try to reason with him, explain how truly happy I was, and show him how successful I'd become, then maybe he would simply let me stay. But there was just one problem-my father wasn't a man who could be reasoned with-ever, so I had let go of that fantasy. I had to focus on the reality of my situation-my father was a cold, ruthless killer who would use any means necessary to bring me home. Having no other choice, I tried to prepare myself for the worst, thinking of all the different ways he'd make his appearance, and after going through scenario after scenario, I'd devised several plans for my grand escape, none of which included me ending up at the Satan's Fury clubhouse. And yet, there I was, lying in Shadow's bed trying to decide my next move.                       
       
           



       

As much as I wanted to believe that he might be able to help me, I couldn't expect him to take on my problems as his own. Dealing with my father would be dangerous, a life-on-the-line kind of dangerous, and it wasn't fair to get him, nor his brothers, involved in my screwed-up situation. While I hated the thought of leaving him, especially after the moment we'd just shared, I knew I had no other choice but to go. With great reluctance, I pulled myself out of his bed and put on my clothes. Once I was done, I collected my things and stepped out into the hall. I was relieved to find that there was no one around. Trying my best not to be noticed, I hurried towards the exit. Just as I was about to reach the door, I heard Shadow call out my name.

"Alex?"

Surprised by his sharp tone, I stopped dead in my tracks. Without turning to face him, I replied, "Just let me go, Shadow."

"Can't do that."

"Why not? It's the best thing for everyone concerned."

"You're wrong about that, Alejandra. In fact, you couldn't be more wrong."

I felt the air rush from my lungs at the sound of my name. There was only one way he'd know that name, the name that connected me to my father and all the lies I'd told. As I slowly turned to look at him, I tried to brace myself for the anger I expected to see on his face. Only I didn't see anger, nor anything like it. Instead, there was that same look of longing I'd seen in his eyes just a few hours earlier. Thinking I must've misheard him, I asked, "What did you say?"

As he continued walking towards me, he replied, "I know everything, Alejandra."

"You do?" I asked with my voice trembling with surprise. "Then, why are you trying to stop me from leaving? Aren't you furious with me for lying to you?"

"Not exactly happy about it."

"Then, why wouldn't you want me to just walk out that door and never come back?"

He was just inches away from me when he answered, "Because I don't want you to go."

"But why?" I couldn't believe my ears. After discovering the truth about my past, I thought he'd hate me, but there he was telling me to stay. I simply didn't understand. I knew I was pushing him to say things he might not be ready for, but at that moment, I needed him to tell me exactly what was on his mind. "This is something I need to know, so you're going to have to explain what's going through your head, or I'm walking out that door."

He inhaled a huge breath and slowly released it with a deep-seated growl. After several long, torturous moments, he answered, "I never thought I'd find someone who could make me feel the way you do, and now that I've found you, I'm not just going to let you walk out that fucking door. Is that enough of an explanation, or do you need more?"

"Um  …  that will do for now."

"Good." He slipped his arm around my waist and pulled me close as he leaned down and pressed his mouth against mine, kissing me so deeply, so passionately, that my knees started to buckle. Nearly losing my balance, I let my duffle bag drop to the floor before wrapping my arms around him and melting into his arms. I relished the feeling of security when I was close to him, and even though I was terrified by it, I wanted it more than anything else in the world. Just as I was getting lost in the moment, he took a step back, releasing me from our embrace, and as he reached down and picked up my bag, he said, "Gus wants a word with you."

"Gus?"

"He's the president of the club."

"Wait  …  the president of Satan's Fury wants to talk to me? About what?"

I felt like the rug had been pulled out from under my feet when he answered, "Your father."

"He knows about my father, too?"

"He knows everything that I do, Alex, but there are some things that you don't know  …  things that only he can explain."

"I don't understand."

"You will."

He motioned for me to follow as he headed back to his room. After dropping my bag off in his room, he led me down another long hallway and my stomach twisted into a knot when we entered a large office. I was only expecting to meet Gus, the notorious leader of the Satan's Fury, but when we stepped inside the room, three, big, burly bikers were sitting there waiting for us. They turned and looked at us, and the way they looked at me made me feel like a tiny rabbit surrounded by three hungry wolves. I wanted to get the hell out of there, run and never look back, but then, I felt Shadow's hand drift to the small of my back and suddenly my racing heart started to calm. The older man sitting behind the large, wooden desk with his thick, salt-and-pepper goatee and dark, brooding eyes eased back in his chair and smiled as he said, "Her pictures don't do her justice, Shadow. I can see why she caught your eye."                       
       
           



       

Before Shadow had a chance to respond, the large man sitting directly in front of the desk, stood up and motioned me over to his seat. "It's nice to finally meet you, Alejandra. I'm Moose, the VP of the club. The fella behind the desk is our president. You can call him Gus, and I think you've already met Riggs."

"It's nice to meet you as well  …  all of you," I replied as I walked over and sat down. I was too nervous to even think about small talk, so I said, "Shadow mentioned that you wanted to talk to me about my father."

"Hmph  …  Straight down to business. I like a girl with spunk." Gus chuckled. "But yes  …  I would like to hear more about your story, including your father. We know ya left California eight years ago. Cut all ties with your family. Changed your name. Met up with Hallie and ended up at the book store. What I don't know is  …  why?"