“We’re gonna get it right, Remi. We’ve just gotta get used to one another.” When she doesn’t speak, I tip her head back slightly to look her in the eyes. “I never planned to be in this situation.” She continues to look at me, her eyes questioning. I groan, “I’m getting this all wrong.”
“You mean saving me?”
I smile, brushing her hair from her face. “I mean claiming an old lady.” Her brow furrows, and I rub my thumb over it. “Axel is pushing it to happen.”
She steps back. “Why?”
“Protection,” I say simply. She gives a slow nod, her brow still knitted together like I’ve just announced I’m sending her back into hell. “Today,” I add, “in front of the club.”
“Right,” she almost whispers.
“I’d like us to go and get you an outfit.” I rake my eyes over my shirt that hangs loosely on her thin frame. “Cos as much as I love seeing you in my shit, I can’t let my brothers see you like that.”
She glances down. “Shopping didn’t really work out for us before,” she mutters. “And I don’t think I’m ready to go out.”
I wince. “Of course. I should’ve thought about that. Okay, leave it with me. I’ll sort something.”
Within the hour, I have the main room set out with different outfits. Lexi smiles, her hands on her hips. “You owe me for this,” she says.
I kiss her on the cheek before rushing upstairs to find Remi.
She’s lying on the bed staring at the ceiling when I burst in. “I have a surprise,” I announce, grinning as she pushes to sit up. I grab her hand. “Come on.”
I drag her downstairs and into the main room, placing my hands on her shoulders and putting her in front of the clothing rails. “Lexi has a friend who owns a small place. She brought you one of everything she sells so you can pick some outfits.”
She remains silent. Lexi gives me a worried look before stepping forward. “Hey,” she says gently. “Why don’t we kick Shadow out and have a girly minute?” When Remi still doesn’t speak, Lexi gives me a nod then takes Remi by the hand and leads her to the couch.
I watch for a second before backing out.
“She didn’t like it?” asks Kasey, who’s leaning by the Pres’ office.
“Hard to say,” I mutter. “She didn’t speak, and Lexi kicked me out.”
“Have you been honest with her?”
I sigh impatiently. “About what?”
“How you really feel. Not the part where you wanna be all caveman and save her, protecting her. But the real part. That you love her. That you want to claim her.”
I shrug, hating that I’m being forced to talk about feelings, especially to Kasey. “I told her I’m claiming her, yeah.”
She narrows her eyes. “Told her or asked her?”
I think back. “Erm . . .”
“You asked her, right?”
I swallow the panic in my throat. “I didn’t really . . . I just said Axel was pushing it to happen today.”
Kasey pinches the bridge of her nose, groaning with annoyance. “You bikers are so stupid. She probably thinks you’re doing it because Axel told you to.”
I frown. “So?”
“She doesn’t feel special or wanted, dumb arse. You haven’t told her it’s what you want. You’ve told her Axel demanded it. Jesus, Shadow. She already feels like a spare part here. Now, you’ve confirmed her fears.”
“She knows I like her,” I argue. “Why else would I keep rescuing her?”
“Sometimes, you have to state what you think is obvious . . . because it really isn’t. Pit reckons I don’t understand feelings.” She scoffs, rolling her eyes. “I understand them way better than you.”
