Chapter Twenty

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                       The sun shone bright in the cloudy, blue sky as Melody made the short walk with Coal over to the clubhouse and garage. It was the day of the Silent Warrior's fundraising ride for the local shelter that provided resources for abused children. There were ten rides they did every year to raise awareness and support for different charities and groups and from what she had read, this was their most rewarding one between turn out and how much money they raised.
               Oak had left the other night after their fish dinner and she hadn't seen or heard from him since. He had said he would be busy with the bar and doing some work for the club but that he would see her Saturday. After telling her to get plenty of rest and having Felicity check in on her yesterday, she had questioned about Greg. Felicity had no news and Oak had said he was still alive but not giving information.
                Frustration was starting to make her upset that she was being left out of the loop and that Oak wasn't telling her something. If he thought she couldn't handle it or thought he was protecting her, Melody knew there had to be more to it. It was like a light switch had gone off and Oak seemed to be putting distance between them. 
            Coal trotted ahead into the parking lot of the garage area before she saw a couple familiar faces including Wyatt's. She had called him yesterday to see how he was doing and had smiled at his young, cocky attitude. Through all his bravado, she sensed he was still coming to terms about not being aware and feeling as though he could have prevented what had happened.
                 Walking up to him, she gave a small wave as Coal excitedly jumped up and licked his face.
           "Hey Coal! Melody! Glad you guys came today." Wyatt was still sporting a few bruises and cuts but otherwise looked good. He was trying to look anywhere but at her, and she felt the discomfort floating in the air. She placed her hand on his arm and finally got him to look at her.
           "Of course, I've been dying to get out of the house and it's gorgeous out. I'm glad your feeling well enough to ride." Melody smiled at him as she squeezed his arm. She wasn't one for dancing around issues but also didn't want to put a damper on today's event.
               He leaned closer and put his own hand on her shoulder as his face finally cracked and she saw the sleepless nights and defeat cross his face.
                  "How are you feeling? I wanted to come visit but Oak told me to stay away, saying you needed the time alone." Melody was surprised by this but wasn't going to enlighten him that she would have loved company. Her bedroom was tainted by what had happened and her own sleepless nights had her worrying about what was going to happen next.
                   "I'm doing much better now. The couple days to rest and heal helped but now I'm ready to get back into it all. And Wyatt, I want you to know I don't blame you for anything that happened and I don't want you to live on repeat on what you could have done differently. Greg is a sick man and took everyone by surprise. As selfish as it is for me, I was glad to have you there so I wasn't alone, it made it easier." She looked away as she felt a tear slide down her cheek, sniffing to keep anymore from falling. Gently, she felt his arms slide around her shoulders and lower back, careful not to touch any of her healing wounds.
"I felt so stupid and useless, but I'm glad it helped me being there. I wanted to kill him, still do but Oak and Ash are keeping everyone away." He blew out a long breathe as he pulled back from the hug and looked down at her. His green eyes were like moss, deep and soft as he searched her face. He appeared so much older now and she felt sad that their experience had done that.
        "I'm in the dark as much as you are but we can't focus on the what if's. So, I hear my dad's Mustang is all set?" Wyatt's eyes danced with excitement as he grabbed her hand and slowly tugged her over to one of the open bays.
     "Yes! Oak had the guys on it day and night, said you were going to be the chase car." Wyatt let her hand go as he opened the door and popped the hood. The engine compartment was clean and shining and had gotten quite a few new parts. Day and night? Melody leaned in under the hood as Wyatt showed off the new aftermarket upgrades. Chase car? He had said she was going to be collecting and giving stuff out, now he had her on the ride? Would she be able to shift? Her rib was aching today and sharp pains still stung her at the worst times when she moved.
        A hand on her waist brought her out from underneath the hood as she turned to find Oak with his cut showing off his Vice President patch.

     "Just needed some minor tweaking, but she's ready to go for today. I know I had said you could help with the collections and stuff but they already have it covered by some of the staff from the bar and prospects. I figured you would love to join the ride in a way it would be the most comfortable and you can bring Coal." He looked between her and Wyatt before speaking again.
      "Felicity said you wouldn't be comfortable with shifting just yet so I was going to see if Wyatt wouldn't mind driving you." It was more of a statement than question but Wyatt was already nodding.
     "Of course Veep! I'll take real good care of her, she's such a beauty. You don't mind Melody?" Wyatt seemed so excited that Melody could have cared less about him driving her dad's car. The thoughtfulness from Oak had her humming with pleasure and she simply nodded at Wyatt's little boy expression. He jumped behind the wheel and began to make the adjustments for a comfortable ride.
      "We just finished setting up so the bikes should be pulling in soon. It's usually our largest turn out since it's one of the first rides of the season." Oak had shoved his hands in his jean pockets as he looked at her, making her wonder what was going through his head. Had he talked to Greg? Did he know more about what was going on? Pushing her thoughts away, she wanted to focus on enjoying today and smiled at Oak.
      "Thank you Oak, for everything. Just let me know how much it was and I'll make sure to drop it by later." She wasn't going to let him forget she wasn't doing any of this for free or feeling like she owed them.
     "Fine, now that that's settled. Can I talk to you privately?" His tone gave her no indication as to what he wanted to talk about and she wasn't going to guess.
     "Of course, I'll be back Wyatt, Coal be good." He just nodded as he played with the dials in the car, completely sucked into it. Coal looked up at her before padding off to check out the newcomers.
      "He's a good guy, young but has a good heart." Melody remarked as they walked toward the clubhouse.
      She felt Oak's eyes on her and turned to catch a flicker of something before his expression went blank. Shrugging it off she followed him into the clubhouse and to one of the offices. Sitting in one of the empty chairs, Oak remained standing and seemed to be weighing what he was about to say.
       "I know you have probably been wondering about what we have found out from Greg. The thing is, he refuses to say anything except he only wants to talk to you." Melody raised her eyebrows at this, knowing they had to have threatened him or gotten physical like they had with Bryce.
      He must have read her expression and seen her unasked question. Sighing, he rubbed his hand over his face before continuing.
     "He's in rough shape, but still we got nothing. He just keeps repeating he will only talk to you." Oak watched her carefully, but she kept her face from showing anything more, her eyes looking down.
      "I'll talk to him". She was firm with her voice as her eyes flashed with determination when she looked at Oak.
    "When do you want to do this?" Melody asked as she laced her fingers together in her lap.
      "Tomorrow. I have to stay at the bar tonight after we get back. Are you sure?" He stood with his arms crossed, his muscles bunching and distracting her in his grey tee shirt. Licking her lips, she nodded and looked away as she felt herself getting warm. She hoped her face wasn't red, giving her thoughts away.
     "It's okay if your scared, but I'll be there with you. He won't be able to hurt you, he's too banged up anyway." Oak misinterpreted her discomfort and she didn't correct him. She was angry, if anything, knowing Greg was just playing a game.
      "Sunday works...is he here?" Melody looked around and flung one arm out to indicate the entire compound. She wondered where they were doing their interrogating and where the bodies went after. The thought didn't bother her like it had before but she also didn't hold any love for who they were hurting. Was Greg right next door?
     "He's on the property but a safe distance away and fully locked up. Like I said, he is banged up and not moving on his own anytime soon." Oak spoke grimly, his intense blue eyes piercing hers as she slowly stood back up.
      "Good. Shall we get back to it then?" Melody wanted to be done with talking about Greg and moved towards the door. Her problems were certainly putting a damper on everything no matter how hard she tried to not let it. She still had to figure out what was going on between her and Oak.
       "You don't look like you've been sleeping. Do you want me to come over tonight?" She smelled his nearness but stayed facing the door. His deep voice sent chills down her spine and made wetness pool between her legs. Fuck, she really had to get a grip.
     When his fingers brushed her hair from her shoulders, she couldn't stop the trembling as she inhaled sharply. She wasn't sure why her reaction to him was so strong and knew she had to tread carefully for the sake of her own heart. He was just making it harder to do that.
     "Melody?" His voice was a low murmur, the way he said her name had her turning around and placing her hands on his chest as she looked up at him.
         She pushed herself up and pressed her lips against his, her side protesting the movement. Ignoring the pain, she felt his arms come around her lower back and tug her against him. Her back twinged but the way his tongue invaded her mouth made it easy to ignore.
       He was first to pull back, his hands sliding up to cup her cheeks as he kissed her forehead.
     "Dammit, I'm  hurting you." Melody opened her eyes at his words. The stitch in her side was constant but she could still breathe.
     Shaking her head, she pecked him on the jaw before stepping back completely.
      "I can handle it, Oak. Come on." Melody opened the door, hoping the weather outside was cooler.
         Hearing the motorcycles start to ride in got her heart racing and made her smile as she felt the rumble under her sneakered feet. She loved the sound of motorcycles and was disappointed she wouldn't be riding with them.         
        As Wyatt waved her over, she turned back to Oak. "Ride safe, I'll see you at the bar?" He nodded and stroked at his beard. She knew he had to be warring with himself over whether or not they should pursue whatever this was.
      Walking over to Wyatt, she giggled when he held the door open and gave her an exaggerated bow. "Milady, your chariot awaits."
        His laughing green eyes and big smile showed off his boyish face, reminding her of when she had been younger and full of such exuberance. She was barely ten years older than him but she felt so much older. As she sunk into the seat, her back registered the plush cover laid over the leather interior and thanked whoever had added that. Her back felt cushioned and didn't rub against the material.
      Sighing, she feathered her hands over her seat and closed her eyes, relishing in this small comfort.
       "Oak thought you would like that, you know for your back and all", Wyatt spoke quietly as he shut the door, the window still down. She opened her eyes and saw Oak across the parking lot talking to a few bikers from another club.
      "Well, he was right, it feels fantastic ." Melody was not joking, her back fit against the gelled seat perfectly and the plush cover was light against her back.
     "Sweet! The rides getting underway, I'll go grab Coal!" Wyatt took off towards where Coal was sniffing at the bikes.
       She sat back and took in the milling about of women and men, her eyes zeroing in on familiar cuts. Red Devil's. The group of trouble maker bikers with Chuck, the VP now sauntering straight towards her in the car.
        "Well, hello again Melody." The way he said her name made her skin crawl as she avoided his gaze and looked past him, smiling briefly.
        "Chuck, right? Hope you and your men are behaving today." Smiling sweetly, she kept her back rigid as she held herself with one hand on the dash and another on the top of the door.          
              Melody instantly held a dislike towards Chuck. He curled his fingers over hers into the open window of the car, his cologne choking her throat and making her eyes water. The pressure he applied had her eyes flashing in warning as she looked past him and saw both Wyatt and Oak headed her way. Squeezing quickly, before letting go, Chuck pushed back and put his hands back in his pocket. Melody could tell he was the type of man who didn't respect the opposite sex.
       "Good to see you, Chuck. Have a safe ride." Melody stated in a dismissive voice as she looked past him and smiled warmly at both men approaching. Ignoring the look of anger on his face, Melody watched the expression of puzzled interest on both men's faces as Chuck spun around and headed in a different direction before both men arrived at the car.
       "Everything okay?" Oak asked as he looked over at Chuck's retreating back.
       "Just saying hi to people I already know. I think everyone is antsy to get going." Melody avoided looking at both of them as she stared out at all the riders starting to mount up.
        Wyatt made his way next to her before Oak finally shook his head and headed to his own bike. His brother came out of nowhere and boomed a quick prayer and safe travels to all riders on the ride today. The charity said a few words before kickstands were up and exhausts rumbling.
    Melody sat back in the passenger seat of her dad's car and longed for her Dad to be sitting next to her. Instead she looked out the window as they waited for all the bikes to leave before Wyatt put the Mustang in gear and pulled up the rear. She ignored the warning she had seen in Chuck's eyes and wondered how she had made a new enemy so quickly. Bullies like him made her blood boil and she wasn't one to back down from the likes of them either.
       Bring herself back to the ride at hand, she settled in and ignored the minor pain in her side as the countryside flew by. Time to enjoy the day because who knew what tomorrow would bring.
       


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