Pistons & Passion

It was a clear warm evening the breeze gently lifted Cassie's hair and it waved behind her as she rose up out of her car. Cassie let out a deep sigh as she took in the simple cabin style building that stood in front of her, it had been 5 years since the last time she had seen the clubhouse, at the time as she watched it fade in her review mirror she believed she would never see it again and yet here she stood. Cassie noticed that not much had changed in the years she'd been gone it brought her some comfort seeing her brother had maintained the small garden she and her mother had once loved so much. The flowers growing there now where of course much easier to care for them the award winning bouquets their mother once grew, still she couldn't help but to smile as the the evening breeze carried the sweet floral scents to her. Cassie closed her eyes as she continued across the parking lot letting the nostalgic sound of the gravel crunching beneath her feet mixed with the floral scents of the garden take her back to the countless times she had walked across this parking lot when she was younger, a soft smile spread across her lips, it quickly faded though as her feet meet the edge of the steps leading up to the front door. Cassie took a deep breath as she gripped the railing of the short staircase, Ethan hadn't given her many details when he called just that he needed her. So she came with no idea of what to expect. Every step she took up the stairs her heart and mind raced faster she hadn't let her self think about worst case scenario at all as she drove but now she couldn't help to conjure them up as she tried to imagine what might be waiting for her on the other side of the door, she stood frozen for a moment with her hand resting on the door handle. Cassie sucked in one more deep shaking breath and pushed open the door as she released the air from her lungs. Cassie was surprised to find herself standing in a spacious Foyer that had not been here when she left. The wall in front of her was lined with dozens of coat hooks, the opposite wall lined with mismatched couches which judging by the wear and tear had all been picked up second hand. the small knot of confusion growing in Cassie gave way to understanding as she took in yet another new addition since she was last here. a large black sign with bold red lettering hung from the only door into the main part of the clubhouse MEMBER'S ONLY . So it would seem that something's have certainly changed in the time she's been gone, their father, the previous president and founder of the west ridge MC had believed in community and would welcome anyone into the clubhouse. he'd had a small meeting room that was members only set aside for the discussion of sensitive topics. Cassie shook her head as she reached for the door handle, if she thought she didn't know what to expect when she arrived she was absolutely clueless now. "and what's a pretty girl like you doing a dirty place like this" Cassie heard a deep smooth voice ring out before the door could even click shut. her head snapped to the left as she looked for the voice's owner. her cheeks flushed pink with blush as a tall man with dark hair and broad shoulders pushed himself back from the table where a poker game was taking place and began making his way towards her. The blush on her cheeks deepened to red when she locked eyes with his steely gaze, she recognized the way the light danced in his gray eyes making them shine like silver, no one but Sebastian had eyes like those. a smirk pulled at the corners of his lips when he noticed the deeping shade of red "what's wrong dollface, do I make you nervous?" Cassie's mouth gapped open slightly but words refused to come out. Sebastian was her brothers oldest and best friend not to mention the man she'd had a crush on since she was old enough to know what a crush was. the last time she'd seen him he still had soft round features and an undeniable boyish charm, the man infront of her now couldn't be more different. His features had become sharp, he'd filled out with well defined muscle transforming his once lanky frame into an imposing and powerful one. the mop of frizzy black curls that she remembered was no more his hair was properly styled now and pushed back from his face. she wordlessly watched him come closer as she now found herself trying to memorize every new detail of his face. he was infront of her before she knew it, without missing a beat or breaking eye contact he firmly barced his hands on either side of her head against the door she had yet to walk away from trapping her infront of him. her breath hitched and the blush on her cheeks speard out further making her ears burn with embarrassment. from this distance she could feel the heat radiating off his body, see the desire that burned in his eyes, and she noticed a web of thin silvery scar's that covered most of the exposed skin that she could see. her breath caught in her throat and her great stopped when Sebastian leaned forward and shiver ran down her spine as his cheek brushed against hers. "you're cute when you're nervous." Sebastian whispered his lips gently brushing her ear with every word well his hot breath danced on her neck sending another shiver up her spine, she felt a smirk spread on his lips as her reacted to his touch. "Sebastian you had better calm down if you keep acting like that she'll run away and not come back for another 5 years." Cassie's smile was genuine as she looked into the eyes of the massive man that had appeared behind Sebastian. Dominic looked just as she remembered him standing at 6'8" with muscles bugling under his shirt his towering stature and rugged appearance had always been in juxtaposition to his kind gentle and patient personality. His clear blue eyes sparkled as He returned a genuine smile of his own and clamped his hands down on Sebastian's shoulders. "Dominic... it's been too long, I've missed you" Cassie's voice came out quietly sounding almost horse. "I've been right here the whole time if you've been missing me that's your fault, but I agree it's been too long Cassie." Cassie had no time to respond before she found herself caught is a vice grip tight hug making it hard to breathe for a whole new reason. when Sebastian finally released her pulling back to look in her eyes once again the desire that had burned there just moments ago was now replaced with shock and excitement as he stared at her with wide eyes. "how did I not know you were coming does Ethan know he didn't mention anything about it." Sebastian's voice almost sounded hurt to learn that he hadn't been trusted with this information. "well..." Cassie dragged the word out unsure of what to say finally she landed on the Truth with a touch of sarcasm to hopefully soften the blow "I mean he's the once to demand I come home so I hope he knows I'm here." she chuckled as she ended her sentence looking up to again meet Sebastians eyes. Sebastian smiled back at her but it didn't quite reach his eyes. "well good to see you" he said looking her over one more time he added. "you look great, you've really grown up over the last few years." Cassie's checks flushed pink again. "I should say the same to you." Sebastians smile grew as he heard the compliment, this time it reached his eyes. Dominic who still stood behind Sebastian cleared his throat pulling their attention away from each other and to him. "well this has been very touching I should probably take you to your brother we'll all have plenty of time to catch up once you've handled business." Dominic moved Sebastian to the side easily and offered his arm to Cassie, she comfortably linked her arm through his craneing her neck up to meet his gaze from where she now stood beside him. "always such a gentleman." Cassie cooed at him as she leaned her head against his arm he chuckled warmly and he gave her a reassuring smile. "shall we?" he asked c*****g an eyebrow "we shall!" she responded enthusiastically as they sauntered off together arm in arm. Cassie studied Dominic's face as they made their way across the club house the massive man looked exactly the same as the day she had left right down to the scruffy stubble. she smiled and leaned in closer to Dominic she'd only meant him 2 years before she left when her brother brought him into the club as the new enforcer. she could never tell exactly what it was that had drawn the 2 of them together but from the moment they meant she knew she could trust him with her life and he had never given her any reason to doubt that. they reached a door at the back wall and Dominic finished a key out of pocket releasing Cassie's arm he leaned forward and unlocked the door. They stepped out into a short hallway. as the door clicked shut behind them Dominic spung around and in one smooth motion swept Cassie off her feet and enveloping her in crushing bear hug, Cassie squealed and released a cacophony of giggles Dominic had never been comfortable to show affection in public, but behind closed door he became a teddy bear. Dominic buried his face in her hair and Cassie could feel his smile as his lips pressed into the top of her head well setting her back down on her own two feet. "I've missed you so much" he mumbled into her hair before pulling away and meeting her gaze again. "He's right you know" Dominics blue eyes glinted with a hint of mischief. "You really do look great." "Thanks Dom.... I'm sorry I shouldn't have stayed away for so long." Cassie's voice trailed off towards the end of her sentence knowing that under different circumstances she would have stayed away longer. Dominic shook his head and let out a tired chuckle. "You're home now that's what matters." the sparkle faded from his eyes as a serious look came to rest on his face. "I don't know what Ethan told you but you should prepare yourself before going in there." Dominic noded his head towards the door of the office that had once belonged to her father and now belonged to her brother. "He's in bad shape worse then I was after the wipe out." Cassie winced as images of her dear friend laying in a hospital bed flashed in her memory. Ethan hadn't even mentioned he was hurt when they spoke only that he needed her to come home that something big was coming and he needed more people he could trust. "Thank you for the warning." Cassie reached out and gave Dominic's arm a light squeeze before leaving his company and making her way towards her brother's office she heard the door to the main house close behind Dominic. As she reached the office door She paused for a moment taking just a few more seconds to prepare herself for what was waiting for her on the other side. finally she was pushed the door open. "Cassie" Ethans voice rang out from a hospital bed in the middle or the room. "Welcome home."