I like that Nitro wants to put his mind at ease, but I don’t like the fact that he just told her Dad that she has friends here.
Her Dad laughs as he turns to Nitro. “You boys don’t know my daughter very well if you think she’ll call anyone for help. That girl would use a cup to put out a damn fire alone, before she asked for help. She’s too stubborn, independent and proud. But she’s my little girl so I appreciate the gesture.” He gives us all a chin lift and the climbs into his car and leaves.
My stomach bubbles with his words, it’s good she’s independent, but that kind of attitude can get you into trouble. There’s a small part of me that likes how close she is. But there’s an even bigger part of me that hates the fact that she’s in my city. I can’t have her here; I can’t be around her.
She messes with my head, and I can’t have that. I won’t have that. I need to stay clear of this woman and she needs to stay clear of me. I’ll make sure she knows which parts of the city belong to me; I’ll make sure she knows which parts she can’t venture into.
Chapter
Twenty-Two
It’s been three days since I saw her in Knights Café. I’ve been back every single day, even gone so far as to tell Jess to call me if she turns up again, but I’ve heard nothing. The fact that I’ve not seen her, and I don’t know where she is, is pissing me off.
“Your face has been tripping you for days. What the fuck is wrong?” Nitro asks as he slides onto one of the stools next to me, signalling for the prospect to pass him a beer.
I side eye him before downing my now warm beer, then hold up my empty bottle to the prospect. He gives a small nod then grabs two bottles out of the fridge, before dumping them on the counter in front of us then moving back to the end of the bar, making sure he’s within calling distance but out of earshot of our conversation. As prospects go, this kid is good. He’s around six feet, not as built like the rest of us, but he does as he’s told without question and knows not to listen in to brothers’ conversations. He’ll do well in the club when he eventually gets his patch.
I take a long drink of my fresh beer and then place it back on the counter, picking at the label wondering what I should tell him.
“She’s under your skin, isn’t she?” I give a slight nod, because he’s right, she is.
“What is it about her brother? Why can’t you stop thinking about her, and more importantly why are you fighting it?” There’s no judgement from him, just genuine curiosity.
I let out a small sigh before turning toward him. “Honestly, I don’t know, but ever since she walked into that tattoo shop back in Newcastle, I can’t stop thinking about her. What I do know is that I can’t get close to another woman; they can’t be trusted. And this chick, man, her being here is messing with me? What if she came here to follow me, what if she sees me as an easy target and is stalking me to get my patch?”
His eyebrows shoot so far up his head they almost disappear into his hairline.
“You can’t be fucking serious? You think she followed you here?” I hear the utter disbelief in his voice, but I don’t know what else to say so I just shrug my shoulders at him. “Jesus. That girl is not a stalker man. And if all she wanted was a patch, you and I both know that there were a number of guys in the Newcastle Chapter who would be only too happy to oblige. I get that Chloe used you, that she betrayed you, but you’re being irrational right now.”
My phone buzzing in my pocket stops whatever shit that was about to come out of my mouth.
Ice – Your girl just walked into the café.
Me – Keep her there.
Ice – won’t be too hard, she’s just sat down with Jess and Pops.
Fucking hell. So much for Jess calling me when she turned up. I push my beer away and climb from my stool. Nitro turnshis head up toward me, in question. “I gotta be somewhere,” I tell him grabbing my phone and turning toward the door.
“Brother,” he calls out stopping me in my tracks. I don’t turn around; I don’t want to face him. He’s right, I am being irrational, but I don’t want to admit it. “I saw that text. Whatever you’re about to do, take a second to think about it.”
I don’t respond, I just storm out into the warm September afternoon. My mood souring by the second. The truth is, I don’t know what it is I’m about to do, I don’t know why I told Ice to keep her there. Kicking up the stand and starting my engine, I take a couple of deep breaths before placing my helmet on my head and taking off out the gate.
I thought the ride over here would clear my head and give me an idea of what I planned on doing, but it only takes fifteen minutes to get to the café from the clubhouse and by the time I pull up outside I’m so far in my own head, I’m convinced she really is here stalking me.
Not giving myself a minute to calm down I rip off my helmet and hook it over the bars of my bike before storming inside. I catch a glimpse of Ice and Tongue watching me, both ready to pounce at any moment.
I see Jess and Pops scowl at me, then I see her turn to look at me, confusion filling that beautiful face of hers. I stop right next to their table, right beside her. Folding my arms over my chest I tower over her; I see her swallow and I know she’s intimidated.
“Wrath?” She questions, trying to sound confident.
“What the fuck are you doing here?” I keep my voice low trying to rein in the anger that I feel.
She glances at the girls and then shakes her head like she doesn’t understand my question. “Erm, having a coffee?” She does her best to act confident, but it comes out more like a question.
I lean down, resting my knuckles on the table my face inches from hers. It takes way too much strength not to lean forward and kiss her.
“Tell me why you’re in London?” I bite out.
