“Of course. Why, what are you thinking?”
Usually nothing bothers me, but I’m on edge after this morning. “Elena is too nice... too trusting. I don’t want a repeat of this morning, so I want to check him out since he’s working with her every day. I’ve just got a bad feeling about him.”
I leave the room and start walking through the house. Perhaps I’m paranoid, but I’ve seen the way he gazes at her, and I know that look. He wants to bang her for sure. I growl in annoyance, then pause.Why do I care so much?I’m the one Elena should run far away from, but I tell myself I’m just looking out for her. Elena’s out of my league, but she doesn’t think so or she wouldn’t be hanging out with me.
Viper catches up with me. “Did Reaper give you a lecture about Elena?”
“Reaper just said I’ve got to keep my emotions in check.” He has a point, but saying and doing are two completely different things. “As long as no one touches Elena”—or looks at her—“I’m sweet.”
“I thought she was going to be a bit of fun for you. I honestly didn’t think you’d last after the first date. I know you wanted to win the bet, but I thought you’d be bored out of your brain. That’s why I took the bet. But after this morning, watching you lose it like that...” He shakes his head. “You two aren’t good for each other. I can see it now. If anything happens to her, you’re going to lose it.”
I glare at him, my body tense. “Why does everyone suddenly have opinions about the girl I’m with? I’m not giving her up.” Hell to the no.
“Because she’s not like the other women you’ve been with. I don’t see her being able to handle being in the clubhouse, or us changing our behavior to suit her.”
“She’ll be fine, and it won’t kill you to keep your dick in your pants when you’re outside of your bedroom.” And anyway, Elena’s handled everything so far.
He sighs and looks past me. I turn to see Grace and Candy walking toward us. Now it’s my turn to sigh. For fuck’s sake... I wish everyone would just give me a break. Grace sways her hips as she walks to me with that same so-called seductive smile she always gives me.
“No!”
Both girls stop, their eyes wide.
“I’m not in the mood to deal with you right now.” I look directly at Grace. “Turn your ass around and go shake it at one of my brothers.”
Grace gasps. “Why? The nun clearly isn’t giving you any.”
I turn to give Viper a pointed glare. He gave Elena the name that Grace is using now. He winces.
Grace pouts, crossing her arms over her chest. “Tell me I’m lying? She’s never going to be enough for you... Uptight bitch.”
My jaw clenches as I stride toward her. She swallows hard, taking a few steps back. “If I hear you”—I turn my deadly stare to Candy—“any of you disrespect Elena”—I look back at Grace—“I’ll show you exactly what fucking rudereallyis.” My voice is deep, the threat clear. “Then I’ll ban you and you can go back to wherever the fuck you came from.”
Grace mutters, “Asshole,” as she turns and leaves, and it makes me smile.Yes, yes, I am, but I’m not putting up with her shit. She’s a guest living in my home.
I take my phone out and check the time. I’m counting down the hours to see Elena. I’m strung out. I like pretending she’s mine even though it’s a pretty little lie.
“Axle.”
I turn to Twitch.
“Come see what I found.” The intensity in his eyes unsettles me. “It’s not good man.”
Twelve
Whiplash
Elena
“What’s up with you today?”Mel asks.
I peer up at her, then finish wiping the table before I speak. “I stayed the night at the clubhouse.”
Her mouth falls open, and she just stares at me for a moment. “Really? How was it? You’ll have to invite me next time!”
“It was eye-opening.” To say the least.
She steps closer to me. “Why? What happened? What were all the men like?”
