“Chain has guys on it. He’s not happy, brother.”
Liem gives Bullet a knowing nod.
I look away, pretend not to be listening.
The ride to the clubhouse has weird energy and when we finally arrive, everyone is asleep given the hour, which I’m grateful for. Having to explain this one to Tequila or the others will be too much tonight. Liem almost drowning my roommate’s boyfriend in the bathroom sink doesn’t have a nice ring to it.
Liem leads me to his room, the same one I’ve been in before. I hadn’t realized the scent invading the space is entirely him, until now. Before, I hadn’t noticed, but now—now it threatens my body like a ring of fire, and I steadily inhale every bit of it.
“You can stay as long as you need. No one will bother you here.”
I huff. “Funny. I gave you the same speech back at my place.” I set down my bag, turning to look at him. “But thank you. I appreciate this. Sorry I’m kicking you out of your own space.”
He shakes his head. “I’m usually at the cabin anyway.”
I nod. Right.
“Get some sleep, Danika.”
I breathe in the euphoric sound of my name and smile. “You, too. Liem.” Right before he shuts the door, I quickly say, “Thank you for what you did back there. It’s nice knowing someone will stand up for me.”
He stares; his eyes go soft. “You never have to worry that I won’t. And thank you for helping me.” A staggered breath rolls out from him and a hint of restrain tightens in his expression. But with that, he turns, closing the door behind him and I huff out a puff of air.
Man am I in trouble.
TWENTY-TWO
Hush
I never went to the cabin. There’d be no physical way I could pry my boots off this property while Danika stayed here. She was safe, that much was certain, but there’s an ache whenever I’m not close, a knife clawing at my insides. Besides, after the way she took care of me, I was exploding with gratitude. No one has ever cared for me in that way before. And I mean no one, not even... I pause before finishing the thought. I have to stop comparing her to Gracie but fuck, I can’t, and there’s not even a reason I should be. Even if I can’t stop thinking about Danika, it doesn’t mean shit.
End it now.
“Fuck off!” I grab at my hair, fisting it, wanting to pull it from my scalp, needing to feel the pain as I stagger back to the wall. But I close my eyes and slowly count to ten. A face appears inside my mind, but it’s not Gracie this time. The green eyes, the copper toned hair, the vanilla scent swirling in my thoughts is Danika.
“Son.” Chain lays a hand on my shoulder, and I come to, straightening as I stare at my boss. My president. The father figure for every single one of us. He’s not looking at me with anger or hate, it’s deep concern. “You good?”
What a loaded question.
“Yeah. Yeah, I’m good.”
He nods, backing away still eyeing me with curiosity. “Good. Then you can explain to me and all the brothers what the fuck happened last night.”
We file inside church, and I take my usual spot against the wall, away from the others.
Charger pays me first glance, then Tank as he leans back in his chair. Throttle already ready to come to my aid if necessary. And I can tell he’s ready to ask me if I’m all right. But that’s why I avoid such sympathy because I don’t want to lie to my brothers. So, staying silent is better for me and them.
Bullet takes his seat next to Chain as our boss lights up a cigar. Brass, our newly patched member, doesn’t spare me a glance like the others. It’s like he understands me which is fucking hilarious given the fact we don’t speak. Not because I don’t like the guy but because it’s just who I am.
A puff of smoke invades the air. “My men had a nasty clean up last night.” Chain pins me with a stare.
Attentions shoot over me and my skin itches.
Bullet raises his chin. “To be fair, Prez, Sergio was asking for it.”
Chain takes a slow and calculated puff, the smoke escaping out his flared nostrils. “I don’t like cleaning up unnecessary messes. What exactly happened that made you feel the need to slaughter our only lead?” Chain’s eyes don’t dare drift from mine.
“He touched something important to me.”
