Mace’s Wraith by L.A. Day

Chapter Five

Mace awoke before sunrise but he didn’t move, not even to stoke the fire. It was cool in the cabin, but under the blanket with Scar in his arms, he was more than warm.

Scar moaned as she rolled to her belly. Mace ran his hand over her abundant backside. Unable to slake his desire, he’d awoken her throughout the night. Even now his cock stirred to life, but he knew she was exhausted and sore. Soon he would have to leave and put his plan into motion, but for now he just wanted to enjoy this time with her.

A log shifted in the stove and Scar jerked awake. “Mace!” She raised her head then grasped his biceps.

“I’m here. I wouldn’t leave without telling you.”

The sun had crested the horizon and a beam of light lit Scar’s face, revealing the terror in her eyes. “Don’t go.”

He brushed his thumb across her cheek. “You know I have to.”

“I don’t care about the club. We can go somewhere else and start over.”

“I can’t do that. People depend on me and…” He hesitated. “I have to avenge Juice.”

“I want to avenge Juice too, but not at the expense of your life. Juice wouldn’t want that.”

“I’ll be fine.”

Scar frowned. “I can’t just stay here.”

“You’ll stay with Grady. He’s older but ex-military. He’ll protect you if anything goes down.”

“You mean if they kill you.”

“That ain’t gonna happen, but I need to know you’re protected in case someone finds this place before I get back.”

Scar scooted up in the bed, pulling the cover with her. She might try to hide her nakedness but he knew every curve.

“Can I trust you to do as I say?”

“Depends on what you say.” She tipped her chin up in defiance.

“Scar!” he warned. “Do I need to remind you to behave?”

She shot him a glare from beneath her lashes. “No.”

“Good. You need to do as I say. Safety always comes first.”

She nodded.

“I’m not gonna expect dinner to be on the table every night when I get home. I’m not going to yell about how much you spend on clothes, but if I tell you to do something I expect you to do it, or you won’t like the consequences.”

“Safety comes first,” she said in a mocking tone.

“Don’t make me redden your ass before I leave.”

“Hmph!”

“There are other ways I can make your ass sore,” he warned. He didn’t want to make anal sex a punishment but he would if he had to.

Scar’s eyes widened. “I’ll behave.”

“When I come back, I’m going to take your ass as my reward.”

She stared into his eyes. “If you come back safely, I’ll bend over and offer it up any time you want.”

Lust slammed into him and he clenched his jaw. Now wasn’t the time. “Oh, baby. You might live to regret that, but I’m going to hold you to it, repeatedly.”

She swallowed hard. “No matter what happens, I’d never regret you surviving.”

He cupped her cheek. “So beautiful even when you’re upset.”

She twisted her lips in an awkward smile.

“I’m gonna take a shower. I’d offer to share, but there isn’t enough room for two.”

“Okay, but I’d like one too.”

Mace showered quickly, saving most of the hot water for Scar. “The hot water won’t last too long,” he warned as she stepped into the small metal shower, which had seen better days. He needed to do some upgrades if he wanted Scar to spend time here with him in the future.

Thankfully he stored some clothes in the cabin, because he didn’t relish the thought of wearing the blood-stained jeans back to town. Mace was tugging on his pants as she stepped out of the bathroom in just a towel. He had to tuck his hardening dick into his boxers as he watched Scar towel her hair dry. She was stunning even with wet hair and no makeup. “Get dressed and I’ll take you to meet Grady.”

“I don’t need a babysitter.”

Mace rubbed his jaw. “Didn’t we talk about obeying?”

“You talked about it,” she said petulantly.

“I know you’re upset so I’ve been allowing some leeway, but in this you’ll obey me.”

Scarlett let her towel drop as she put one foot on the bed and began rubbing lotion on her leg. She rolled her eyes. “Sure.”

She knew exactly what she was doing to him, and he couldn’t let her get away with it. He stalked up behind her and slapped her damp ass. “I don’t want to have to punish you right before I leave, but I will.”

She glared at him over her shoulder.

“Are you looking for a fight?”

“No.” She pouted.

“Then what?”

“I’m not used to taking orders.”

“I told you I won’t be too demanding, but as my ol’ lady you’re gonna have to obey on the big issues.”

“I didn’t agree to be your ol’ lady,” she snapped.

He felt those words and was stunned silent for a minute. “You didn’t reject my claim when I was filling you with my cum last night.”

“I’m not saying I didn’t want to have sex.”

“So I was just scratching an itch? Never mind that you could have my baby inside you?”

“I didn’t say that either.”

He pressed his lips together to stop from blurting out something he’d regret. “I know you’ve been through a lot, losing Juice and having threats hanging over your head. I also know you haven’t forgotten what I did, but know this—as far as I’m concerned, I claimed you last night. When I leave here, I’m going to protect you, and I have to know you’re safe or I can’t focus.”

“That’s not fair.”

“Life ain’t fair, little girl. But I can’t concentrate if I have to worry about you.”

“Fine. I’ll stay with your friend. I want you to return safely whether we have a future or not.” She looked away, not meeting his gaze.

He felt like a knife had cut through his chest again, this time at her direction. He hadn’t allowed himself to think that she might not want a future with him. The desire was there, but was that all that was left on her side? He turned from her and grabbed a shirt. “Get dressed and meet me outside.” He tugged the hoodie on and headed out the door. He couldn’t stay inside and watch her knowing that when this was over she might walk away. Fear and anger tore at his gut and he slammed his shoulder into the post hard enough to shake the tin roof of the porch. He couldn’t let her go again and survive.

He heard the door behind him but didn’t turn to face her. “We’ll walk to Grady’s,” he said and stepped off the porch.

“It’s chilly this morning.”

“Mmm.”

“Do you think you’ll be back tonight?” she asked.

He shrugged.

“Mason!”

He stopped but didn’t face her. He couldn’t look at her or he might embarrass himself by begging for another chance.

“I’m sorry.”

“You can’t help how you feel,” he said through gritted teeth.

“I don’t know how I feel.”

He shook his head. “I was probably right the first time. You aren’t meant for club life. You deserve more.”

She gasped. “I didn’t say that.”

Mace started walking again. “If I come back, we’ll talk.”

“If?” She jogged to catch up and snagged his sleeve.

“I meant when.”

“Don’t you dare do anything stupid. I couldn’t live with that.”

“I’m not suicidal,” he said as he yanked his arm free and stepped up on the porch of a rundown cabin.

The door opened. “Mason, good to see you, son.” Grady held out his hand and Mace shook it.

“Good to see you too. This is my…friend, Scarlett.” He turned to see a surprised look on her face. “Scarlett, this is Grady.”

“Nice to meet you,” she said.

“The pleasure is all mine, young lady.”

“I had an emergency come up and I need Scarlett to stay with you for a day or so,” Mace said.

“Of course. Is there anything else I can do?”

Mace rubbed the back of his neck. “Keep your eyes open for trouble.”

Grady patted the gun on his hip. “I always do, but I’ll stay sharp. This have to do with that club you’re in?”

Grady’s question startled him. “You know about the MC?”

Grady inclined his head. “Of course. I knew your parents. Trig was something else and your mother was a special woman.”

“You never mentioned that you knew about the club.”

Grady shrugged. “It’s not my business.”

Mace snorted. “I think this place is safe, but I can’t be positive.”

“Nobody will get to your…friend.”

He clasped the old man’s arm. “Thanks. This means more than I can say.”

Grady nodded. “Come on, Scarlett, bring that bag in here. Do you play chess?”

“No. Can’t say that I do.”

“Poker?”

“I can play that,” she said as she eased past Mace and into the room.

“I guess I’ll be leaving.”

“Wait.” Scarlett grasped his arm. She glanced at Grady. “Can you give us a minute?”

“Sure thing.” Grady looked at Mace. “You be careful and come back for your friend or I might keep her.”

Mace snorted. “She’s a hard one to pin down.”

“Looks like she’d be worth the effort.”

“Right here, guys!” Scarlett said as she stepped back onto the porch and Grady disappeared inside. She swallowed hard. “You can’t leave without saying goodbye.”

“Thought we already did.”

“As usual, you thought wrong.”

Mace snorted as she moved closer. Undeterred, she wrapped her arms around his neck. “I didn’t say no. I just didn’t say yes.”

“What the fuck does that mean?” He didn’t like the plea he heard in his voice.

“It means yesterday morning we hadn’t talked in over four years. Then Juice is murdered and you sweep in and take over, which, on some level, I appreciate. Last night was amazing but it doesn’t change the fact that you shoved me out of your life four years ago.”

“I explained that.”

“You explained why you did it, but it doesn’t make what you did right. You make decisions and expect me to accept them. Next week you might decide I need to go again.”

“I won’t.” He shook his head. Whether she acknowledged it or not, she belonged to him now.

“I need time to trust that, to trust you.”

“I get it.” Mace nodded. “I need to prove myself.”

“But right now, you need to kiss me.”

She didn’t have to ask him twice. Mace cupped her ass with both hands, lifting her up as his head descended. Their lips touched, meshed, then he sought the honeyed depths of her mouth and feasted. He’d never get enough of her taste. He’d starved for her for years and now she was in his arms, in his life.

Scar groaned as he squeezed her bottom and ground her against his cock. He didn’t care that she knew how much he wanted and needed her. Separating their lips, he kissed her jaw as he made his way to his spot on her neck. Scarlett tilted her head, allowing him access, and he bit then sucked the already tender skin.

She stiffened in his arms and he rode her up and down his groin while he added to his mark.

“Mace,” she gasped.

“Come for me.” The words came out as a plea.

“Oh my God,” she whispered, and a shudder shook her frame. When she settled, he placed her on her feet and traced his spot with his fingers.

“Do you think anyone else can make you feel that?” He tilted her chin up to meet her gaze. Her eyes were raw with passion.

She shook her head. “No.”

“I will be back,” he said with a cocky grin. “Nothing will keep me away.”

“You better come back.”

He pressed his lips to her forehead. “I have a prize to collect after all.” He slapped her bottom lightly. “Behave.”

“I will.”

He pulled a folded-up envelope out of his back pocket and handed it to her. “If things go sideways, open this. It’s some papers and the contact information for my attorney. You’re taken care of.”

“Mace, I don’t need anything.”

“If I don’t come back you need to leave town. My attorney is trustworthy and Grady will help you.”

Her hand trembled as she took the envelope.

“This number.” He pointed to the one he scrawled on the outside. “It’s to my burner phone. Don’t call it unless you think you’re in danger. I don’t want anything traced back to this place.”

“Okay.”

“I need you to go inside and stay there until I come for you.”

“Promise me that you will be careful.”

“I promise.” A tear streamed down her cheek and he brushed it away with his thumb. “I’ll be back before you know it.”

She grabbed and hugged him hard. “See you soon,” she whispered as she let go and ran inside.

Mace stepped inside and met Grady’s gaze. The old man tipped his head in acknowledgement and Mace shut the door. He knew Grady would protect his woman.

* * * *

They had played three hands of poker and she had yet to win. She eyed Grady critically as she shuffled the cards. “You know, the inside of your place is a lot nicer than the outside. In fact, it’s quite modern,” she said, looking around at the gleaming hardwood floors and updated kitchen. He even had an espresso machine, which she was currently enjoying the benefits of.

“Never judge a book by its cover.”

“I’m starting to see that.” She arched a brow and dealt the cards. There were playing five-card draw. She took two cards.

Scarlett held three aces in her hand. She was sure to win. “I’m all in.” She shoved her pile of pennies into the middle of the table.

“I’ll call,” Grady said and pushed his in.

“Three aces.” She laid her cards down with a smirk.

“I’ll be damned. That’s a fine hand, but it doesn’t beat a full house.”

“What?” She looked at his cards. He had a pair of fours and three sixes. She narrowed her eyes at him. “Are these cards marked?”

“I’m insulted,” Grady huffed, then winked.

“You old card shark,” she accused with a laugh.

“Gotta have fun somehow. Don’t have many options left.”

“Psst!” Scarlett waved her hand at him. “You don’t look washed up to me.”

Grady grinned. “They were all my pennies anyway.” He pushed off the table to stand. “I’m going to take a walk around.” He patted the shotgun on the table. “Lock the door behind me. I won’t be too long.”

Scarlett locked the door and grabbed her laptop. She pulled up the video of her brother in church. Tears streamed down her face as she listened to his last words. The screen went black and she laid her head on the table and sobbed. Juice’s voice pulled her from her misery. His face had popped back up on the screen.

“I forgot to tell ya that Nitro is working with me. He ain’t with them. He wanted to come to you but I want to try this first. If it goes bad don’t blame him. I dragged him into this mess.”

The video cut off again. Scarlett stared at the screen, but he didn’t come back.

Nitro wasn’t involved. That would make Mace happy. She smiled. “Oh fuck,” she said to herself. Nitro was innocent but Mace didn’t know. Mace would kill him, then never forgive himself.

“Oh my God. I have to warn Mace.” She grabbed the envelope and picked up Grady’s landline phone. She hesitated. Calling from here would jeopardize Grady’s and Mace’s places. “Fuck.” She looked at her watch. Mace had been gone almost an hour, but he needed time to set things in motion. She had time to stop him.

Scarlett scribbled a note to Grady and ran out the door. Mace had taken his dad’s bike so she had her truck. She didn’t exactly know the way home, but she had GPS.

She had to get there in time.

* * * *

At the edge of the county line, Mace pulled off the interstate and rode his Harley behind an old, abandoned factory. Engaging the kickstand, he hopped off his bike and paced. He was wound a little too tight. He stretched his arms and legs. His first instinct was to check on Scar, but he couldn’t. She was safe. Now he had to end this mess and get back to her. She might have doubts, but they would make it work.

Mace pulled out his burner and texted Cowboy.

Package secure.

Two minutes ticked by and he started to get antsy.

Good to know. Want I should send a prospect for security?

A heavy weight descended on Mace’s shoulders. Cowboy knew he didn’t want to involve anyone else. He re-read the text. ‘Want I should’. “Fuck.” He knew that wording. It was Tank. The asshole wasn’t even smart enough to attempt to text like Cowboy. They had Cowboy!

Nah! It’s been shipped far away.

He hoped to make them believe he’d put Scar on a plane to some distant place.

Gotcha. Got an ETA? We got Demons to hunt.

Cowboy had delivered the message about a Demon killing Juice. But he had no way of knowing if they believed he thought a Demon was responsible.

Had to take a minute. A couple hours to go. I’ll give a heads up when I’m close.

Good deal, Mace.

Mace turned the burner off and reached for his cell. He didn’t have a lot of choices. He scrolled and clicked on a contact to call.

“‘Sup, Pres? We’re on the road now. Sorry about the delay in taking the delivery. The truck didn’t wanna start this morning,” Legend said. He sounded normal.

“Just checkin’ in, brother.”

“Sorry about Juice, man. I know how tight y’all were. We’ll be back this evening and down for vengeance,” Legend assured him.

“Who’s with you?” Mace asked.

“Ice and a prospect.”

“How far out are you?”

“Only thirty minutes. I know we’re running late but we’ll get it done.”

“I need you to stop,” Mace ordered.

“Okay. But it wasn’t our fault,” Legend said. “We can make up some time.”

“I ain’t worried about it. How far are you from the abandoned factory on Smithfield?”

“Ten, tops.”

“Go directly there. Don’t talk to anyone. That’s an order. Don’t answer your phone or return any texts, do you understand?”

“Gotcha. We’re on the way.”

Mace pushed his bike over behind some old equipment and waited. He assumed Tank had sent them on a run to get them out of the way, because he hadn’t ordered any delivery to be made.

A few minutes later the truck rolled in and the men hopped out of the cab. Legend jogged over. “What’s up? You got a lead on who took out Juice?” he asked.

“Yeah. I do.”

“Where are they? How many?” Ice’s gaze darted around as he approached, followed by a prospect.

“There are three, but I don’t know exactly where they are. Thought you might be able to help.”

“I’m down,” Legend replied, and Ice nodded.

“Ghost killed Juice. Tank and Nitro are accomplices.” Mace laid it out for the shock value.

Legend and Ice froze. The prospect twitched and looked away. Legend spoke first. “Are you fuckin’ sure?”

“Juice named Ghost before he died and he gave me video proof of the plot to kill him, Cowboy and me.”

“Fuck!” Ice shook his head. “When Tank talked to me about this delivery, Cowboy was there with Ghost. It looked real tense but I thought it was just because of Juice.”

“Are they at the club?” Mace asked.

“They were at the garage when we left.”

Mace nodded. He needed a new plan. “What are you all delivering?”

“Bikes and parts to the Saints.” The Saints were an affiliated club about four hours away that they supplied with bikes.

“All right. We’re gonna need to stash the truck somewhere. It’s too obvious.” The big blue box truck stuck out like a sore thumb.

“What’s the plan?”

“I’m gonna ride up like I’m not suspicious. They aren’t expecting me for a couple hours though.”

“Fuck!” Ice cracked his knuckles. “Pres! They’ll fuckin’ kill you. You can’t go alone.”

Mace cranked his head and popped his neck. “Nah. I have information they need. Without me they can’t find or access accounts, lockboxes, safes. They want me dead but they need me alive if they want the club to survive.”

“True that,” Legend said. “But I ain’t sure they’re smart enough to know that.”

“I gotta piss,” the prospect said, and dashed behind a pile of rusted metal.

Mace watched the newest prospect run off and snarled. “I smell a rat,” he whispered.

Legend and Ice circled one way and he the other. Just as he’d thought, Prospect had his cell, not his dick, in his hand. He jumped when he saw them approaching.

“I, uh… Texting my girl.”

“Do I look stupid?” Mace asked.

Prospect shook his head.

“You texting Tank? Giving him an update?” Mace cocked his brow.

“No.” The young man trembled, knowing he was looking death in the face.

“Really? Hand me the cell.” Mace held out his hand.

Prospect tried to swipe something with his thumb but Ice snatched the cell from him and read the screen. “He texted Tank what you said about needing you for info.”

Mace smiled. “Good. I wanted him to. I was counting on him being a rat.”

“Fuck,” Ice said. “Tank texted back.”

“What did he say?”

Ice handed him the phone.

Don’t worry. He’ll tell us everything. His bitch just turned up at her shop and we’re going to get her. He’ll do anything to protect that piece of ass.

Mace dropped the phone and barked orders as he pulled out his cell. “Knock him out and put him in the back then meet me at SINsations.”

He ran for his bike and started the engine just as she answered the phone. “Scar?”

“Yeah. Mace, I had to come—”

“They know you’re there. They’re coming.”

“I have to tell you—”

“No time. Hide, I’m coming for you.”

“But—”

He cut the call off and hit the accelerator, spinning his back tire in the gravel. From the corner of his eye, he saw Ice dragging a limp prospect toward the truck. He dodged two cars as he whipped out onto the street.

He’d never been taught to pray and he didn’t think the Lord would help him, but he prayed he’d help Scarlett. She was innocent in all of this. He was two car lengths from a light when it turned red but he didn’t slow. Every second counted if Scar was in their hands.