“Usually, around 20 or so, I think. They kept us separated for the most part, different age groups on different floors, boys on one side and girls on the other, and we all had our own rooms.”
Phoenix shook his head, “That sounds, lonely.”
I agreed, “It was at times, but I was pretty good at finding ways to entertain myself. I wouldn’t say it was terrible growing up there, but I wouldn’t say it was great either. I mean, I was fed, clothed, sent to school, and I was never abused or anything…”
Phoenix finished that sentence for me, “but you weren’t loved either.”
Sadly, he was correct. “No, I wasn’t.”
Phoenix stood, “I think that’s probably enough for now. Patch will be by after lunch to get the samples for the paternity test. We should have the results in three to five days. He’s going to run it under a false name, so you don’t have to worry about anybody finding out that you’re still around Croftridge. For now, don’t go outside of the clubhouse without one of the brothers with you. Same goes for Reese. There’s a little lake toward the back of the property and some walking trails through the woods. Get Dash to take you down there if you want to see it sometime.”
I rose to my feet, “That sounds nice. I’ll ask him. Thank you, for everything.” As I walked back to my room, I wondered why he specifically suggested Dash.
***
Four days had passed since I arrived at the Blackwings MC clubhouse and I was in desperate need of clothes and toiletries. I knew Reese was in the same boat because she had been wearing my clothes since she didn’t bring anything with her when Carbon told her to come to the clubhouse. I found Phoenix in his office and asked if someone could take us shopping.
“Yeah, that shouldn’t be a problem. Are you ready to go now?”
I nodded.
“Okay, I’ll send someone to your room to get you.”
“Thanks!” I couldn’t help but hope that it would be Dash who would take us shopping. To my surprise, Carbon and Dash showed up at our door half an hour later.
“Ember, Dash is going to take you to a few stores in town. Reese, I’ll take you home to get some of your shit and bring you back,” Carbon announced. Reese and her brother were two of the most mercurial people I had ever encountered.
I grabbed my bag and followed Dash out the door, trying to hide my smile.
CHAPTER 8
Dash
I took her to the only shopping mall in Croftridge. It wasn’t very big, but she should be able to get what she needed there. I stayed close by, but I tried to give her space to get what she wanted without making her feel uncomfortable. I’m sure she didn’t want to pick out underwear with me standing beside her, though I wouldn’t have minded providing my input.
She had just picked up a black lacy bra, making my cock twitch, when I was hit with an unmistakable feeling. We were being watched. I carefully scanned the area. I didn’t want whoever was watching to know that I was on to them. Shit! I couldn’t spot them, which made the hairs on the back of my neck stand up. If I couldn’t spot them, they were watching from a distance, like with a high-powered scope. The feeling of being in the crosshairs was not a welcome feeling. I had to get us out of here and lose whoever was watching us.
“Are you about done here? I need to get back to the clubhouse to finish up a few things before dark and we still need to stop by and get your shampoo and shit,” I asked, harsher than I intended.
“Oh, sorry, I didn’t realize you had to get back. I’ll just pay for this stuff and we can go.” I wanted to sag in relief when she agreed to leave without putting up an argument, but I couldn’t just yet. Not until I knew we weren’t being watched anymore.
As soon as she paid for her things, I rushed her to the car. If I could have gotten away with it, I would have tossed her over my shoulder and sprinted the whole way. “If you’re in that big of a hurry, I can get Carbon to take me to get my toiletries later,” she suggested.
Fuck. I just wanted to get her out of here, not alert her to something being wrong and I damn sure wasn’t letting anyone else leave the clubhouse with her. “Oh, no, it’s fine. We still have time to stop.” I tried to slow down, but I was too anxious to get back to the car.
I threw Ember’s bags in the back seat unceremoniously and sped out of the parking lot. “Slow down, Dash! Really, I can get the other stuff later.”
I flashed a fake grin at her, “It’s all good.” I drove all over the place, taking shortcuts, back roads, and any other route I could think of to make sure we weren’t being followed. I was utterly grateful that Ember wasn’t familiar with the layout of Croftridge. She had no idea I was taking the most convoluted path to the drug store.
I pulled into a parking space close to the front door and she immediately hopped out. “I won’t be long. I promise.” She rushed into the store before I could say anything.
I didn’t want to let her go in by herself, but since there was only one way in and out and I was standing right beside it, I relented. She might need to buy tampons or something and I’m sure she didn’t want me looking over her shoulder while she did that. Girls were so funny about that stuff. Same thing with taking a shit. We know you have periods and we know you shit. And yes, it does stink. Not a big deal.
It couldn’t have been more than five minutes when she came jogging out of the store. “All done. Let’s go.” Was she serious? No woman could get in and out of a store that fast, though judging by the three bags she was carrying, I guess I was wrong.
When we got back to the clubhouse, I helped her carry her bags to her room. “Thanks for taking me shopping today. I hope I didn’t keep you too long.”
“You didn’t. I’ve got plenty of time to finish up things.”
