Chapter Fifteen
Carbon
EVERYTHING IS OUT ofcontrol with Peyton’s situation.It was bad enough to know she has a stalker who can get to her even on the compound.Now, she had fucking cameras in her house and has no clue how long they were there or who put them in place.My girl feels more violated with this latest blow than she has since this all started.I can’t blame her if I’m being honest because there’s no way in hell anyone should have walked into the place she called home and put up cameras to spy on her.That would make anyone feel violated and as if there isn’t a single safe place in the world where they can truly be themselves and not worry about someone watching who doesn’t belong getting a glimpse into their private life.
Peyton is trying to act strong and as if she isn’t filled with fear, anger, and a sadness that fills her deep down in her soul.I’ve seen her walk into every room of the house over the last week since we got the news from the realtor and check for any sign of cameras having been installed when we weren’t looking.She looks by the ceiling and anywhere else she thinks there could be a chance of a camera.I’m not the only one who’s noticed this either.Her parents, Jennifer, and any of the club members who have been at the house have also seen her doing this.The one it hurts the most is Kimber because they’re good friends and she can’t stand seeing Peyton act the way she is.My girl isn’t living her life and instead of becoming confident around the compound, she’s now back to living in the shadows and barely leaving the house.I refuse to have her continue on in this manner so we’re having church today to go over everything Brick’s found.
“Peyton, I have to head to the clubhouse for a while.We’re havin’ church.I know your parents are on their way over to spend the day with the kids and you.Will you be okay if I leave now?”I ask my girl when I find her making lunch for the kids in the kitchen.
She doesn’t even have music playing today as she normally would.Peyton always listens to music when she’s not working or watching a movie with the kids.Today, the house is silent with the exception of the movie playing for the kids and the sound of them playing with toys in the living room as Peyton keeps glancing at them.
“Of course I’ll be okay.I know Seth will be outside the house and it won’t be long before my parents get here.They left a while ago and were gonna stop at the store to get ice cream,” she answers me, not looking up from what she’s doing.
I really hate leaving Peyton alone like this.Her voice is monotone, the light has vanished from her eyes, and there’s a dull paleness to her skin as if she hasn’t been outside in years instead of this morning when she sat on the porch with me.My girl is always pale and rarely gets a tan, but what she looks like now is so much worse than I’ve ever seen her before.Even her hair has lost its shine and hangs lifelessly down her back.She hasn’t even put it up in one of those messy bun things she wears when she’s not going anywhere for the day.
“I love you, Tutor.You know how much I love you.I’m gonna end this shit one way or another.I can’t fuckin’ stand seein’ you like this.Dammit!You were just startin’ to live your life again and now you’re back to hidin’ in the shadows and jumpin’ at every fuckin’ sound you hear.You haven’t slept more than a few hours in the last week.This isn’t good for the babies or you,” I tell her, pulling Peyton into my arms and holding her close while I rest my chin on the top of her head as she wraps her arms around my body and holds me close.
I can feel her trembling as she rests against me and I know if I were to look in her eyes right now, she’d be fighting back the tears.It’s only late at night when she thinks everyone is sleeping or when we manage to convince her to take a shower that Peyton lets her tears fall freely.The only reason I know this is because I’ve heard her crying as she tries to hide it from everyone around her.
“This situation will end the way it’s meant to.I don’t know how that is, but one way or another it will end.Maybe I’ll get answers before anything too bad happens,” she tells me in that monotone voice I’ve come to hate more than anything else in this damn world.
Peyton’s giving up.She’s not going to fight any longer and that shatters my heart.Whoever this fucker is has completely broken my girl and I refuse to allow it to keep going this way.
“I’ll be home as soon as I can,” I tell her, kissing the top of her head and releasing her from my hold.“I love you, Peyton and I’ll see you soon.”
With one last kiss to her mouth, I leave the house before I can’t force myself to leave her side.Yes, I have to force myself to leave these days.I can’t protect her if I’m not there with her.Peyton and the kids are never alone for any reason.There are always guys outside the house and Seth or Brick are the only ones allowed inside with my family.No one else is to come inside the house and they know it.Well, Rooster is the exception of this since he’s the President and wouldn’t come in the house if I’m not home unless his ol’ lady were already inside.
After giving the kids a hug and kiss, I make my way to the porch and shut the door behind me, testing to ensure it's locked.Peyton will also check in a few seconds because it’s what she does.Whenever I leave the house, she checks every door and window to make sure no one can get inside to the kids and her.No fresh air gets in the house unless I’m home because she knows I’ll protect her and will only open certain windows that I can monitor no matter where I am in the house.
“You ready for this?”Homicide asks me, waiting for me at the bottom of the stairs.
“Yes.She’s gettin’ worse instead of improvin’ again.Peyton doesn’t want to leave the house and we just started gettin’ her to the point she’d leave for any reason.Now, she’s worse than before.I honestly need this to end for her because there’s no way she can continue on this way.I’m ready to admit her to the hospital because I’m that worried about her and the babies.Peyton could go into labor any time now and this situation is only makin’ everythin’ more dangerous,” I answer him honestly as I walk over and get on my bike next to where Homicide is sitting on his.
Getting on my bike, I don’t bother putting on my helmet as I start the engine and the two of us leave the house as Seth stands directly in front of the door.He won’t let anyone inside.A few other guys are patrolling around the house to ensure no one gets close to my family.Peyton knows they’re there and will use them if anything happens.I’ll also be taking my phone into church in case she goes into labor or something else happens.Rooster knows this and is okay with it due to the circumstances.I honestly wouldn’t give a fuck if he approved the decision or not.Peyton and our children come first and that’s how it will always be.
Pulling up to the clubhouse, I park my bike where it goes and quickly shut the engine off.Homicide and I make our way in the clubhouse to find it virtually empty.The club’s girls are sitting around the common room instead of cleaning the way they should be.
“Get off your fuckin’ asses and get this place clean,” I bark out as I continue walking through the room.“I find out you’re still sittin’ on your asses when we get out of church, you’ll be out on your ass without hesitation.”
The girls scramble to get up and do whatever they were assigned to clean today.Homicide laughs behind me as we enter the hallway to church and I pull out my gun to hand over to the Prospect.
Walking in, I take my seat next to Rooster while Homicide takes his.Rooster and Brick watch me and I know they’re trying to figure out what kind of mood I’m in today and how Peyton’s doing.I’m trying desperately not to give anything away, but I know my emotions aren’t locked down like normal.Not when it comes to the love of my life and our children.
“Church in session,” Rooster calls out, his voice echoing in the room.“We’re here today to figure out what the fuck is goin’ on with Peyton and the asshole stalkin’ her.This shit needs to end now.It’s been too long and we have no fuckin’ leads.The asshole even managed to get on the compound and on the porch of Carbon’s home.This won’t happen again!Brick what have you managed to find?”
I look to my best friend and watch as he types away on his laptop while Knuckles pulls down the screen for the rest of us to see what Brick does.
“As you all know, Peyton’s husband, Clark, died in a car accident on the highway.Since then, she’s gotten a stalker and this person has left her things that only her and the deceased husband would have access to.I’ve searched all angles of the accident and there’s no way in hell her husband survived.The body was identified by DNA.There’s no way it wasn’t her husband who died that day.I’ve searched into Clark and what I’ve found isn’t good at all.The fucker was married before he married Peyton.Their marriage wasn’t legitimate at all.I don’t know how he managed to hide a second family from Peyton the entire time, but somehow he managed it.I’m guessin’ this entire situation has been orchestrated by the other wife of Clark.I’m still diggin’ into her and any ties she has to someone who could do this.
