Page 10 of Ghost
“Mother Fucker.” I grunt as Tizzy’s legs shake, and she stumbles into me. I expect her to scream, to freak out, throw up. I don't know anything. What I don't expect her to do is exactly what I should have known my woman would do.
“No, no, no,” she mumbles, and just as I’m about to lean down and whisper to her to be strong, the woman surprises me once more. She straightens her shoulders and takes in the scene head-on.
The house is on fire, or it was. Judging by the smoldering ruins that are all that’s left of the building, I would guess it was set ablaze sometime last night. The structure is almost completely gone; only the charred husk of what used to be the first floor remains, with the broken and twisted debris of what's left of the second floor sticking up and out of it at odd angles like so many blackened ribs.
I look up at Omen as he walks back in and shakes his head subtly. There are no survivors in the house, but that doesn't mean someone won't be back. We need to clear out.
“Bunny, why don't you go to the car? Get some water. I have some in my saddlebags if you need it. We’ll take care of all this.”
Tizzy doesn't answer; she just nods numbly and returns to the car. As she passes by me, she places a soft and all too quick kiss on my lips.
We spend the next twenty minutes looking over the house, making sure there isn't anything left over that might help identify what the hell happened here. Then, we spend the rest of the time scrubbing every trace we could have possibly left of our presence here.
“House is clear, Prez,” Omen says, completing his final sweep of the ruins as I see Rasputin and Caesar coming around the far side of the smoldering heap, having just finished their check of the grounds.
“Didn’t want to say it in front of her, but we all saw it, right?” Rasputin asks when he joins our little group.
I nod, saying nothing. What is there to say?
Bodies. Two bodies—or what’s left of them. Two forms huddled together in the remains of a bathtub in the far corner of the lower floor. Charred and burned beyond recognition.
My men stare at me silently, waiting for their orders like the good soldiers they are.
“I’ll tell her. We’re heading out. Keep your eyes and ears out for anything that might tie back to this. She's going to want answers.Iwant answers,” I say before giving them each a quick nod. With their acknowledgment and mumbled agreement, I turn on my heel and head back toward the car, and the woman I know must be going through hell.
Rounding the corner, I see Tizzy propped against the hood of her car, arms crossed against her chest as she stares down at the gravel, lost in thought. I take a steadying breath before approaching silently and coming to rest next to her, mimicking her pose.
“Chasin’ you has been the biggest thrill of my life, and I’ve been to hell and back, Bunny. But it looks like our time away has come to an end. We need to head back home, my home,” I annunciate the last part so she knows she ain't going nowhere else but with me. When she smiles even though she doesn’t look up, I know she ain't gonna give me any trouble.
Hearing them crunching on the gravel as they approach, I turn to my guys.
“Me and Omen will take point. Tizzy will be in the middle in the car, and Caesar, Rasp, and Crypt, you three bring up the rear. Keep your eyes peeled for any sign of trouble.” They all nod before heading to their bikes as I look at my woman.
“Tiz, I need you to stay close. I’ll lead the way, but if we get into any trouble, you haul ass back to the Reckless Omens Compound.” She gives me a surprisingly serious face and a silent nod before turning and climbing into the front seat. I grab her around the waist and quickly turn her back to face me.
“When you leave, you give me a kiss, Bunny, every single time,” I say against her lips before crashing mine to hers. I put everything into this kiss, not stopping until she moans. I’m grabbing her little ass and nearly lifting her off the ground when someone interrupts.
“Uh, Prez, don't think any of us are in the right headspace for a show,” Rasputin snickers from behind me. I flip him the birdwith my hand that's free of her glorious ass, then sigh, knowing he’s right. I need to let her go so we can get out of here.
“Stay close. Be safe beyond all reason,” I whisper to her, then turn and walk to my bike. As I’m climbing on, Crypt pulls up close to me.
“The scramblers will cut off as my bike pulls out of the driveway. Even if someone was watching the house, they won't get anything, and we’ll be long gone before they suspect.”
I give him a nod, then look back at my woman, seeing the worry all over her face. I’ll get her home and try to make this right as best as I can.
Chapter Ten
Tizzy
I alternated between singing at the top of my lungs and calling Devon’s cell and mindlessly chattering away as we drove. Thank the sweet lord above for Bluetooth connections in helmets. Nothing about the incident and nothing overly serious, just taking advantage of the chance to get to know him a bit better now that I ain’t runnin’ this time. What shows he liked now, music, just random questions that might get his mind off things. The first leg of our journey from Virginia to… well, wherever Devon’s super secret lair is located, was six hours. We stopped for gas, a quick station snack, then promptly made like a bad check and bounced.
I wasn't sure if someone was following us. I still wasn't sure what happened back at the house or why they came for them. I thought the problem had been taken care of the last time we were taken. I want to know what happened but I'm scared to death of actually finding out the answers.
We’ve been on the road for hours. My tush is numb, my shoulders ache, and I’ve lost count of how many tiny, desolate towns we’ve driven through. New Orleans isn’t far, and I’m this close to waving Devon down and begging him to find a motel forthe night. But just as I’m about to tap my brakes, the guys signal to pull off the main road.
I follow them, weaving through a maze of cracked streets and faded buildings until we roll into a parking lot that looks like it’s been through hell and back. I pull to a stop and scramble out of my car, eyeing the overgrown weeds sprouting from every crack in the pavement. The smell of damp earth and faint oil hangs heavy in the air, and the building ahead of us doesn’t do much to inspire confidence.
“Well, this is kinda sorta feeling a bit like home,” I mumble to myself, not sure if that's too much of a good thing.