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Chapter One
Of all the days to be late!
Vada pressed her foot on the gas and took the sharp turn quicker than the speed limit allowed. She’d been taking Ghosttown’s backroads long enough to know them well. Still, she typically obeyed the laws. Today was the exception.
“I should’ve rescheduled the meeting,” Vada mumbled as she passed the river on her left. She usually took a moment or two to glance over. Since moving to Ghosttown, it had become one of her favorite spots. She’d even considered getting married there. However, with the unpredictable weather and rougher terrain in some areas, it was not accommodating for the number of guests they were expecting. Still, it would’ve been beautiful. Not that it mattered where they said their vows. She just couldn’t wait to marry Hades.
After two rescheduled dates, she was sure some had their doubts she and Hades would even make it down the aisle. Now, they were only a few weeks from the big day. She had almost everything in place. The flowers and cake were ordered from a shop in Turnersville. The caterer was just waiting on a final headcount. She had her dress and veil. Hades and Saint had gone for their suit fittings. It was a bit of a compromise in that department. Hades promised to give her everything she wanted, but she learned quickly that did not include wearing a tie. The alternative was better in the end. They went with black on black on black. Even Vada had to admit it was a sharp look.
Everything was falling into place. But she had one major project left to do, which was her current reason for blowing the speed limit for the last ten miles.
She cautiously slowed down as she entered the center of town. Ghosttown was small enough to not worry about traffic issues, but it had definitely become busier in the last year or two. As she passed the market and gas station, she increased her speed and turned left at the next street. She was just pulling up to the driveway when she saw Arnett grabbing his mail. Vada smiled and waved. Neither of her gestures were returned. A simple scowl and a head shake. Arnett had not warmed up to her or anyone else in the town. Except Ivy and Dobbs, and even that was lukewarm at best.
Vada drove up to the clubhouse, scanning the lot for a specific bike. Usually, it was Hades’, but today, it was a member of Ghosttown East’s. Even after all her time with the Riders, it was hard to decipher whose bike was whose. Vada parked on the side of the building, turned off her engine and jumped out of the car. She did a quick perusal of the motorcycles lined up as she raced past them.
Please let him still be here.
By the time she made it into the clubhouse she was slightly out of breath but relieved when she saw the group sitting at the bar. The older man at the end glanced up from his beer, met her stare, and smiled.
“I’m so sorry, Grain.” Vada rushed over, waving to Ryder and Sydney, who were seated next to Kase. She slipped her hand over Regina’s shoulder, who was sitting beside Grain. “I’m sure you wanted to get on the road earlier.”
Regina tapped Vada’s hand. “Relax, Vada.”
Relax? How could she? Lawry was a long drive, and it already started to get dark out. Considering Grain’s age, it was probably best they get on the road in daylight hours. Though, she would never say that directly to him.
“I’m really sorry. I had everything planned out, and then the Committee wanted to meet to finalize all the last-minute details for the dance. They all volunteer, so I couldn’t say no, and what should’ve been about twenty minutes turned into an hour.” Vada drew in a breath. “And then I had to drop off Allie at gymnastics and coordinate a time to pick her up. Luckily, one of the local moms offered to drive her home after lessons. But—” She needed to slow down, but Vada was on a roll. “—when I got to the car, I realized she had forgotten a change of clothes, so I had to run to the store and buy her a pair of leggings, and the line was so long that I…”
“Sweetheart,” Grain snapped, narrowing his eyes. “Take a fucking breath.”
Vada ignored the muffled chuckles echoing in the room, nodded, and did what she was told. She hadn’t realized how worked up she’d gotten until her heart began to beat at an even pace. Wedding planning was stressful enough, but coming down to the last few weeks was also exhausting.
“Better?” Grain asked.
“Yes. But I am so sor—”
Grain yanked out the stool next to him and pointed to it. “Sit your ass down.”
Vada rounded the stool and sat as instructed. When she glanced over at Grain, he winked and slid a box in front of her. Her heart rate spiked into overdrive once again, this time from excitement. This was the reason for their visit. Vada was putting together a video collage for Hades as a wedding gift to show at the reception. She’d gotten a few pictures from Grain, but Regina promised her more, specifically from back in the day when Ghosttown MC was one club. Vada dug into the box, pulled out a handful, and immediately started to sift through them.
They’re perfect.
There weren’t many people she recognized. But Hades would know them, and he’d remember the original Ghosttown clubhouse. Vada flipped through the pictures but stopped immediately when she saw the familiar men. Well, not really men. Boys. They were standing around a line of motorcycles. None were looking at the camera; they were too engrossed with the bikes. The corner of her mouth hiked as she zoned in on the one on the end. Hades, who couldn’t have been more than fourteen or fifteen, along with Saint, Kase, and Caden.
“That was before they patched in. They were just little assholes back then.”
“Will those work?” Regina asked.
Vada smiled, peering up. “Yes, thank you so much. And I’ll take really good care of them and get them back to you as soon as possible.”
Grain wrapped his arm around her shoulder. “Take your time, sweetheart. This is a cool thing you’re doing for your man. Good fucking woman, Vada.”
Heat rushed to her cheeks, and she leaned into Grain’s side. This man was great for her ego. It was hard to believe a relationship forged on a beating and a kidnapping could’ve formulated into a friendship this beautiful.
“Is this a party?”
Vada arched her neck, looking toward the door. Trax was walking in, heading to the bar with Rourke following behind.
“Impromptu,” Vada said.
