Page 31 of Banshee's Lament
“We’ll make sure we put together a route for y’all so you can stop at places that’ll allow you to hook it up. Also grabbing a four-person tent and some sleeping bags since I’m pretty sure Scythe and Kracken will stick to y’all like glue,” Raptor says.
“Appreciate it, brothers,” I reply. “If there’s nothing else, gonna go grab some food for my ol’ lady, then go take care of her.”
“It hopefully goes without saying that we don’t share our secret with just anyone,” Raptor cautions.
“Outside of these walls, I know nothing beyond y’all are two of my many brothers,” I reply, smirking.
* * *
“We’ll wait a few days before we start toward Roanoke,” I tell Rory as we eat. Right now, she’s high on pain meds, so she just nods.
“My life has turned upside down,” she says. “But out of everything that’s happened, I’m glad you stopped that day.”
Leaning over, I kiss her temple and reply, “Me too, babe. Me too.”
* * *
“I know you want to ride,” she says as we pack the RV up. “I should be okay to drive, Banshee.”
“Babe, you still wince every time you have to move,” I retort. “It’s not a hardship to be in a cage, especially since you’re by my side.”
She grins at me while petting Sassy, who is eyeing her carrier with distaste. “I never expected to find someone again, Banshee,” she states. “After him, I felt defective and broken, but you’ve shown me I’m not. Thank you for that.”
My chest grows tight at her words. It’s way too soon to express my innermost feelings, so instead, I’ll show her through my actions.
Because she’s it for me.
This feisty, beautiful, hunting and fishing loving, country girl has captured me, heart and soul.
* * *
“You’ve done well, Brother. She’s good for you and you’re good for her. Say the words. It’s not too soon.”
Rory
“Arethey going to do that the whole trip?” I ask, watching Scythe and Kracken trade spots again. They’ve been alternating where they ride since we left the Dallas clubhouse. One of them is in front of us, the other behind us.
“Yeah, they’re the club’s Enforcer and SAA,” he replies, glancing at me. “This is not a bad ride.”
“Grampy and I swapped out the suspension that was originally in it,” I admit. “He wanted me to have all the comforts of home while I traveled.”
Sassy chooses that moment to meow before she jumps off my lap and heads to the back.
“She’s well-behaved,” he states. “Hopefully, how she acts will rub off on the two little heathens back home.”
“There are other cats?” I question. “Do you think they’ll get along?”
“Don’t see why not. My sister found them one day and even though they weren’t bottle fed, she’s babied them since she brought them home. When I left Roanoke, they were back at the clubhouse because they were painting the house and Brick didn’t want her to be exposed to the fumes. It’s possible they’re back home now, but be prepared because they pop up all over the place when they’re at the clubhouse.”
I snicker because Sassy is what is called a ‘tree climber’ and she loves to find somewhere to roost where she can watch everything without being bothered. “Sounds like they’ll get along just fine.”
“Are you okay right now or do we need to stop for the day?” he suddenly asks. “I notice you’re wincing more as the miles go by.”
“Can’t slip anything by you, can I?” I tease.
I still marvel over how easy it is to be with him. There’s no angst, no walking on eggshells, just understanding and genuine concern. While he hasn’t touched me since I was taken, he holds me close every single night and we talk. I know how his sister was taken, how all of them were made to believe she was dead, how she was found years later when another club came in and told Brick, the club president, he had to go find her.
Now, she’s the president’s ol’ lady and I won’t lie, I’m nervous about meeting her. She’s the long-lost club princess, and I’m just me. Plus, she’s pregnant and is due at any time. I’ve never been around babies, so I’m worried about that as well. I’ve shared my worries with Banshee under the cover of darkness, and while he understands them, he tells me not to stress, Ryleigh will love me, and I’ll love her.