The Billionaire's Secret Love Child(49)

“Who the hell are you,” I said.

He was a biker; tall and broad shouldered with a bald head and a patchy beard.

“You Tara?” he asked gruffly.

I contemplated telling him no. But, didn’t think that would really help right now.

“Yeah,” I said while gripping the shotgun tighter.

“I got a message for you.”

He held out a crumpled piece of paper and dropped it in my outstretched hand. I unfurled it as best I could so I could make out the writing.

“Tara, I don’t buy the engagement. You have one day to make good on your marriage, or I’m coming after the gang. –Connor,” read the note.

My hand shook as I finished reading the note. I wanted to respond, but the biker that dropped off the note was already riding off down the road along with a couple of his friends.

There was only one thing I could do at this point. I had to tell Buck what I just heard. He would know what to do; he always knows what to do.



5.

I arrived at the tavern, shortly after, in a panic. When I stumbled my way in I felt everyone’s eyes on me. I sought out Buck immediately and hurried to meet him.

“Buck, I got news, and it isn’t good,” I said as I handed him the note.

He took it and read, then turned it over looking for more writing.

“This it?” he said.

I was surprised by his careless demeanor. He barely batted an eye after he finished reading.

“Yeah, Buck. You know what this means, don’t you?” I asked.

“I do. It means that we have to make the marriage a real thing,” he replied coldly.

I sat on the stool and rested my head in my hands.

“I don’t think that will work, this time, Buck,” I said.

He snapped open a beer and set it down in front of me.

“I don’t take threats lying down. He’s calling our bluff, simple as that. I’m thinking I should go give him an invite to the wedding, personally.”

Buck pulled his shotgun from behind the bar. I knew what his invites were like, and they usually came at you fast.

“Buck, don’t do this,” I said putting a hand on his arm.

“I know what the note means, Tara. Whether we get married or not, he don’t care. He’s itching for a fight, just like me. I’m going to make sure that he doesn’t get the first punch,” he said.

The door flung open again, and in walked a bloody mess of a man. I ran over to him to hold him up; a couple other guys followed along.

“What happened,” I asked, “it looks like you rolled your cycle?”

The biker did his best to smile. I laid him out on a nearby table and was quickly surrounded by the rest of the gang that was there. Buck stomped over and looked the man up and down for a second.

“Two of them…” started the injured biker, “… they ran me off the road, into a ditch… then they bolted … Connor’s boys.”

“This is becoming too much of a habit,” Buck said angrily, “those bastards are going to get what’s coming to them.”

The rest of the motorcycle club cheered. This was the start of something which I didn’t want to get involved in. I shouldn’t have come back.

“Buck, I can’t do this anymore,” I said, “I’m going home.”

Buck grabbed my shoulder with his massive hand.

“Tara, I didn’t want you goin’ anyway. Take care of your momma.”

It was the last thing I thought he’d say. When we were younger, he wouldn’t have ridden off unless I was right behind him. But, now he didn’t want me. I was hoping he would have grabbed me and forced me to come along, just like the old days. He could have, and I would have followed along with a smile.

“Goodbye, Buck,” I said.

“Goodbye, Tara.” He sighed and gave me a push toward the door.

Now that he wasn’t holding me, I felt something missing. I wanted to run back into his arms and just run away. An overpowering thought started running through my head; I thought this would be the last time I would see him.

I turned to look at him while I walked out the door. He smiled at me. It wasn’t his regular smile; it felt like he trying to say ‘goodbye and thanks for the memories.'

I steeled myself and rode home. I could do little to hide my tears anymore, and they flowed freely.



6.

I tried to take my mind off the events that were unfolding. I wanted to get on my motorcycle and join in on the chaos that was probably ensuing. Then I would see my mother, lying in bed, barely able to move.

I knew where I was needed, and it wasn’t in a warzone. Buck could handle himself; I just had to stay positive. I waited by the phone, expecting a phone call at any moment; one that would never come.

“You look nervous, Tara,” my mother said.

“There’s a lot going on right now,” I replied.

“What’s keeping you inside? You used to like going for rides when you were like this, before. Is it something that Buck did?”

I wondered if I should tell her the truth.

“No, momma, it’s nothing. Just get back to sleep,” I said in a vain attempt at assuaging her curiosity.

“I’m not stupid, Tara. You could just tell me that Buck is off doing something crazy, like beating up a rival gang.”