Well, I see nothing has changed apart from the stealing. “And then you went into the military and met Cash?”
“I was angry when Victor died and hated the world, so yeah, I went into the military. Cash was my lifeline and just like me. We weren’t in the military for long, though. We went overseas, served, and did our time, and that was enough for us. I think we’re lucky that we left when we did. I see some of the others struggle with what they saw and experienced... especially Reaper. That shit haunts him.”
Tears prick my eyes. “That’s horrible.”
“Awww, babe.” He places a soft kiss on my shoulder that warms my heart. “Don’t get upset. Life happens. Every club member has a shitty life story, but that’s also what brought us together. Family is who you choose it to be.” He hugs me tighter. “Now get some sleep.”
“Bossy,” I mutter.
“Damn straight. Night, babe.”
Ten
Survival of the Fittest
Elena
My eyes flutteropen to sunlight filtering through the curtains. The music from downstairs has turned into a quiet hum. My thoughts drift back to last night. I survived meeting his friends... barely. It’s a different lifestyle here. I’ve never witnessed people having sex in public.
I need to go to the bathroom. I shuffle out of Axle’s hold and peer back at him. He reaches for me, but then he drifts back off to sleep. He looks so peaceful. I don’t want to wake him.
I crack open the door. I don’t see anyone, so I step outside. Heavy footsteps approach. Viper comes jogging up, drenched in sweat and with his shirt tucked into the waistband of his shorts. He gives me a head tilt. “Mornin’.”
“Good morning,” I say with a smile. “Can you please tell me where the bathroom is?”
He points down the hallway. “The door right at the end.”
“Thank you.” I tread softly, trying not to wake anyone.
After going to the bathroom and washing my hands, I stare at my reflection in the mirror. The responsible version of me says I shouldn’t have stayed overnight. The new, you-only-live-once version says screw it.
I cautiously open the door and creep back into Axle’s room. He hasn’t moved and is still fast asleep. I walk over to my bag and rummage through it, searching for my anxiety medication. I can’t take my tablets without water, but the kitchen is downstairs. I peer back at Axle and wonder whether I should wake him. I’m only going downstairs to grab a glass of water.
I leave his room, then pause at the top of the stairs and listen to the blend of soft music and quiet snoring from below. My eyes sweep across the room, landing on three people sprawled awkwardly on the pool table. I wince; that can’t be comfortable. Empty beer bottles and cans litter the space. At the bar a few men sit hunched over their drinks. With a deep breath, I start my cautious descent, feeling the cool handrail under my fingertips. I just need to reach the kitchen, and then I can retreat back to Axle’s room.
The men at the bar make my pulse accelerate. I try to creep by, but their gazes pierce me. One whistles, making me recoil. Perhaps I should have convinced Axle to come downstairs with me. I lower my head. Maybe if I ignore them, they’ll get the hint.
I rush to the kitchen, where I search the cupboards for a glass that looks clean. I find a glass and fill it from the tap. I really don’t want to walk by the men in the bar again. My hands shake as I grip the glass. I just need to get past them and get upstairs to Axle.
I exhale sharply and dash out of the kitchen and through the house while trying not to splash my water. I hear footsteps. My heart beats wildly. A large, intimidating man is blocking my way. I don’t recognize him.
His eyes roam me with greedy delight. My stomach drops. “Can I please get past?” I murmur. I just need to get up the stairs.
“Come dance with me.”
My grip around the glass tightens. I wait for him to move, but he doesn’t, so I answer, “No,” and try to sidestep him.
He leans down and grabs my hips.
“Let go,” I say, my voice unsteady.
His hands tighten. “Just dance with me.”
“Elena?” Axle is standing at the top of the stairs, his face set in stone.
The relief that washes over me eases the tightness in my chest. Axle’s eyes are darting to me, the guy... His gaze turns deadly when he sees the guy’s hands on my hips. The guy jerks his hands off me and takes a deliberate step away. I shuffle backward until my back is against the wall.
“Sorry, man,” he blurts out, “I didn’t know she was with you.”
