Page 10 of Rhett Redeemed

Or maybe I just don’t know how to do that.

If Arrow is surprised by my question, he doesn’t show it. “I think it was easier for me to take over because Sin had it all set up. We knew the men in our club. We trusted each other. They respected me already, and I had already earned their loyalty. And I’m older. With you being younger and having new people patching in, it’s going to be more difficult. There will be some curveballs thrown your way. Why are you having doubts? I know you’ve been partying a lot more recently, so if this is something you don’t want anymore, you need to let me know.”

With that I look him in the eye and see something I haven’t seen in a while—hesitation. Does he think I can’t do this? Is he regretting his decision about me?

“Do you not think I can do it?”

He sighs deeply. “We picked you for a reason. We know you can handle it. Shit, more than handle it. But you cannot let yourself get distracted. And you’ve been distracted.”

“I’ll get my head on straight. I got this.”

“I fucking hope so,” Arrow says before slapping me on the back.

I head to the gym we have set up in the clubhouse and do an hour of weights and boxing. I consider myself a good fighter, but not that I’d ever admit it out loud, it fucking hurts my ego that Decker, Cara’s new man, is better than me. When I had gotten into trouble with the Forgotten Children, it was Decker who sort of saved the day. Fucker.

And he’s obviously a good guy too, which is the only thing keeping me from going back after Cara and admitting the truth. She deserves better.

“You’re back,” Dice says as he steps into the gym, pulling his tank top off and getting onto the treadmill. I’m the one who brought Dice in after I almost got into a fight with him at a bar one day. Just as we were going to battle it out—over something I don’t even remember—he said something that made me laugh instead. So I bought him a beer. He’s had a hard life, but he’s a good man to have at your back. He only just got patched in and I know he was meant for this life.

“Yep, what have I missed?” I ask.

“An epic ride,” he calls out, starting to walk. “We rode all day yesterday. Prez had some business to take care of, and then we went to a bar.”

“Sounds like a good day,” I reply, low-key pissed I wasn’t here. I love our group rides. I love being on my bike, period.

I need to sort my shit out. Drinking and fucking isn’t going to get me anywhere.

“I saw Trisha. She asked where you were,” he adds, referring to the woman Cara saw me kissing at Rift, a club the MC owns. It was the moment that sealed our breakup. The moment when I couldn’t take back anything.

Trisha and I never slept together, although she has been trying for a while now. It was just that one kiss in front of Cara. And I know Trisha did nothing wrong, but I can imagine Cara’s face falling if she ever saw Trisha and me together again. I would never do that to her. Besides, Trisha’s not my type.

Dice laughs. “I’ll tell her you’ve left the country next time.”

“I’d appreciate that.” I pause, and then say, “Learn from my lesson. Never fuck shit up with Leah.” Leah is Dice’s woman, and they have been together since high school. She’s a beautiful Black woman, with long dark braids and a killer smile.

“I don’t plan on it. I’m not an idiot.”

Ouch.

“Good,” I mutter under my breath. I wouldn’t wish this shit on my worst enemy.

I finish my workout, have a long hot shower and then settle in my bedroom in the clubhouse, telling myself that I’m going to stay in tonight. I’m going to watch a movie, relax, and then tomorrow I’m going to get back to president-in-training shit.

I make it until eleven p.m. before I change my mind, get ready, throwing on my jeans and leather jacket, and rush out of there.

The last thing I want is to be left alone with my thoughts.

Chapter Five

Con

Two Months Later

Sitting at my desk, I glance around the Fast & Fury custom garage and smile. When Cara told me she’d managed to get me a job here, I was so nervous. I didn’t know anything about motorcycles or design, and I didn’t want to embarrass Cara if I wasn’t good at the job. It would be her reputation on the line.

The two months I’ve been here, I have worked my ass off. I’ve come in early, I’ve stayed working late. I’ve researched motorcycles and seen all the work that gets done here, and I’ve watched, and I’ve listened.

I’ve learned so much in such a short time, and I actually love working here. The owner, Temper, is great, and the managers—twins by the name of Atlas and Aries—are total opposites. Atlas is funny and loud, and Aries is quiet, yet has a warm vibe about him. I feel comfortable going to any of them for help, depending on what I need help with. They’re all members of the Knights of Fury MC, and I love all the staff. I actually look forward to my shifts, unlike at the bar, and I’m respected here. They all listen to me when I speak, and are always checking in to make sure I’m okay. If I need a day off, I know that they will make that happen. It’s a safe place to be.