Page 12 of Colt

6

Colt

When Viking told us he was going to offer Ember the opportunity to stay with us while Ice was locked up, my first inclination was to tell him it was a horrible idea, but it wouldn’t do any good. Viking had a soft spot for the girl, always had. He and Joker had been great friends, so of course Viking was around a lot when she was younger. He’d always wanted a daughter and before Kate came along, Ember filled that void in his heart. Now he had two girls he would do anything for. It wasn’t just Viking with a soft spot either. In the short time Fitz had been in Reno, they’d rekindled their friendship, and I wouldn’t be surprised if the guy wanted more than that from her.

We spent a couple of days here helping Ice prepare for his upcoming incarceration, and tomorrow was moving day. It didn’t take long to load up Ember’s belongings. Viking’s wife, Meredith, managed to work her magic and find a furnished place that would be ready in just a few days, so Ember didn’t need to bring a ton of stuff with her.

It was easy to ignore her while we were all busy earlier, but now we were sitting down for dinner, and I couldn’t help but glance her way a few times. It didn’t escape my attention that she appeared more subdued tonight than she was when we first arrived. I knew the situation with her brother was wearing on her, but it seemed odd she was sitting in silence, staring at the plate she hadn’t touched. Maybe the thought of leaving Torch was affecting her.

The person she was right now was in stark contrast to the vibrant young woman I knew all those years ago. There was a small part of me that wanted to help her find that spark again, but the other part of me thought she created this life for herself by hooking up with a man who wasn’t free to be with her.

For once, Torch wasn’t all over her, but seeing them together and what they represented touched a nerve. One from when I was a boy, and one only recently. As much as I disliked Ember’s role as a side piece, Torch was just as guilty. Probably even more so. If he didn’t want to be married, instead of cheating and disrespecting his family, he should just end it. Ember didn’t seem to get that he also disrespected her on every level, and her behavior made it appear as though she was fine with it.

I’d always liked Ice, but he was either too distracted with running the club to cut the shit his sister was involved in, or Ember fought to get her way; either way, it didn’t sit well with me.

“I appreciate you guys finding a place for Ember so quickly,” Ice said, bringing my attention back to him.

“That was all Meredith,” Viking said proudly. “She got on it as soon as I called her.”

The initial plan was to have Ember stay at our clubhouse where we could keep a better eye on her, but Torch nixed that idea. He made it clear he wouldn’t have her staying with a bunch of guys. That was a red flag for me since I knew she stayed at this clubhouse quite often.

Although, judging by the way Fitz couldn’t tear his eyes from Ember, maybe Torch did have something to worry about. Poor bastard would be dumb to get himself caught up in that mess, but he could make his own decisions about Ember.

“What time are you heading out tomorrow?” Ice asked.

“The plan is to leave as soon as the sun comes up.”

A few grumbles went around the table at Viking’s declaration. He’d always been a morning person while the rest of us were night owls. That was likely due to us staying up all night to party while Viking would leave early to spend time with his family. We sometimes gave him shit about it, but it was the quality I most admired about the man I’d known since I was in high school.

“We’ll be ready,” Torch responded.

Of course, he was coming with us. We would all be on our bikes while Ember followed us in the small moving van we rented since her car was too small. It would be a long day, but we all had things we needed to get back to in Vegas. I knew I was anxious to get home.

“I better get to bed then.” Ember spoke for the first time tonight as she stood up and started to walk away from the table.

“I’ll walk you up.” Torch got up from his seat to escort her to their room.

That pretty much signaled to everyone else to get up and leave, which left Fitz and me.

“I don’t like him,” Fitz mumbled loudly.

“Ember seems to like him just fine,” I said, not hiding my disdain.

“Then you haven’t been watching her as close as I thought you were.”

“Figured you were watching her enough for the two of us,” I shot back, not appreciating his comment.

“Jealous much?” he asked, almost to himself since he continued without waiting for a response from me. “She seems on edge around him. When he’s not in the room, she’s relaxed, but as soon as he shows up, she’s on the defensive.”

I narrowed my gaze at him. “Meaning, what?”

“He’s a controlling bastard. I mean, we all are in our own ways, but...” he said, trailing off. “She’s afraid of him. I don’t know why, but my gut says it’s nothing good by the way she acts around him.”

I frowned, considering his words, but I didn’t see it. If what Fitz was insinuating was true, Viking would never stand for it. We may not have the best reputation, but we didn’t tolerate anyone treating our women poorly. However, we also didn’t make it a habit to throw our brothers under the bus without proof.

“That’s some serious accusations you’re throwing around about a brother. Has she said anything to you?” I asked.

“She hasn’t said a word, but I think this move to Las Vegas may be the best thing for her. I miss the old Ember, and I don’t want her in danger.”

Despite my conflicted feelings about her, I couldn’t agree more, but I would never admit it out loud how much I missed that same girl.