I turn to the left to see Bomber’s eyes on me. Everyone’s voices stop, and my heart speeds up. I’m taken aback. “I’m not sure yet... I was hoping to do up a résumé and start applying for jobs.”
“I could put in a good word for you at the restaurant I used to work at?” Elena offers. “The tips were good.”
“No!” Twitch and Viper say simultaneously.
My eyes go wide.
“She stays with us. We need food,” Viper says, looking at Reaper. “Can we make an exception for Ava and pay her? No one else can cook around here.” Then he gives the women around the table a cheeky half smile. “No offense, ladies.”
His charm impresses me.
Elena tuts, shaking her head at him, and puts her hand on my arm. “If you need me to put in a good word for you, let me know.”
Axle shakes his head at me from behind her, and I try to hide the smile on my face. “Thanks, I appreciate it.”
“You should have asked Ava before announcing it across the dinner table,” Reaper responds, his eyes flicking between us.
Elena’s phone rings, distracting me from the rest of their conversation. Axle groans. “Why won’t you answer it? It’s been ringing all morning.”
She bites her lip and glances at me. Tension takes hold of my shoulders. “I don’t want to,” she replies with a bite in her tone.
Axle’s eyes narrow. “If you don’t answer it, I will.”
She grasps her phone and walks away, so I follow her.
“Hello. Yes, it’s Elena. Yes, I heard she’s missing.”
My stomach drops at her words. We bypass the kitchen and go out the back door.
“I don’t know. I haven’t seen her.”
She paces and groans. “I don’t know what you want me to say. I said I haven’t seen her. Okay, I’ll be in touch with you if I do. Bye.”
She turns to see me and jolts back, grasping her chest.
“Who was that?” I ask cautiously.
She lets out a long sigh as she bows her head. “Beau reported you missing.” She looks up at me with sympathy in her eyes. “The police were asking about you.”
With a lump in my throat, all I can do is nod in acknowledgment.
She reaches out and puts her hand on my arm. “Beau and our parents have called as well. I should have told you, but I didn’t want to upset or worry you.”
“What did Beau say?” I hate that my fear of him makes my voice unsteady.
“The same as our parents. Asking if I have spoken to or seen you. Mom and Dad sounded worried. Beau also sounded worried. It’s scary how convincing he sounds.”
I let out a chuckle that has no humor in it. “He used to belittle me and threaten me, but when we went out to dinner or to our parents’ house, he was a different person. He’s very charming, but with me, he could change like that.” I snap my fingers.
“The officer mentioned that if you were to contact them to say you were okay, for whatever reason you left, they don’t have to disclose your whereabouts to anyone. I gather that includes Beau.”
Her words cut through me like a blade, and I feel no comfort because there’s always the “but what if Beau finds out?”
I shake my head abruptly. “I’m not ready.”
She gives me a small smile. “I understand. In the meantime, I’ll ask Axle to talk to the club’s attorney to make sure it’s legit.”
After helping to clean up after breakfast, Elena and Axle go off by themselves. I’m left alone, a little lost without Elena. Two women don’t like me, and the rest seem to have no interest in making new friends.
