“There are a lot of houses?”
“Yeah. Tucked behind the clubhouse sit two hundred twenty. Between that side of Main Street and the field where the zeppelin crashed are another seventy-five. Although that number will shrink, the club will be using the larger area for our homes. They’re all semi-detached, so we’re having them knocked into one to make bigger houses for us. The seventy-five we’re hiring out for staff to use.”
“Oh, that’s good,” I replied, but didn’t feel it.
I couldn’t imagine living there and looking over the field into which the zeppelin had crashed. Although Vortex had been matter-of-fact, I’d flinched when he mentioned the crash. How long before I stopped doing that?
“Come on, you’re tired and overwhelmed.” Vortex led me into the clubhouse, and while I got a quick glimpse, he hurried me up some stairs. He walked along a passageway, up a second flight, and opened a door.
“There’s nobody on this level, so you’ll not be disturbed here. My bunks on the ground floor, but tonight I’ll stay opposite you, just in case I’m needed,” Vortex said. He opened the closet and pulled out two plastic bags containing bedding and pillows.
“Go do what you need. The bathroom is through there. I’ll make your bed up,” Vortex ordered.
Tiredly, I headed for where he pointed. I did need to use the facilities. Once I washed up and re-entered the bedroom, I wasn’t surprised to see the bed ready for me.
“Amy, I’m going to my bunk to collect my bedding and shit. I’ll be gone ten minutes tops. Go to bed. If you need me, I’ll be across the hall,” Vortex said.
“This is so much trouble…”
“Shhh, brave girl, it’s nothing of the sort. Get some rest, tomorrow I’ll take you on a tour of the town. Just ignore the chaos that you’re bound to find in the morning. The brothers aren’t quiet, and neither are Nanci and Daisy-Duke.”
I didn’t get a chance to ask who they were as Vortex kissed my forehead and left the room, shutting the door behind him. Damn, that man was something else. If only he didn’t view me as a project, the one he’d saved. Then again, he had asked to see me; did that mean dating? Life was so confusing right now. I wish Natasha were here; she’d understand what was happening. As sorrow rose at my loss, I climbed into bed and lay there listening for Vortex to return.
Boots clomped quietly, and my bedroom door opened. I kept my eyes closed, and Vortex shut the door and headed into his own room. Shit, how could you not care about a man who checksif you’re asleep and okay? Life was turning on its head. Sadly, I didn’t know which was up.
Chapter Seven.
Vortex
“Why are you coming downstairs?” Lasher demanded as soon as I entered the rec room. Conversation ceased, and all eyes focused on me. There was an expression of intense curiosity on Lasher’s face.
“Morning, asshole,” I replied, and Lasher didn’t blink.
“Well, boy? Your room is down here.”
“Lasher, you’re aware I’m not a kid anymore?” I challenged.
“Why are you sidestepping the question?” Nanci was now involved.
“There’s a guest up there,” I said, and Inglorious immediately scowled.
“Why are you taking your fuck toy upstairs and not to your own bunk?” he demanded.
“Keep your voice down!” I snapped.
“Why, she doesn’t wanna do the walk of shame?” Daisy-Duke sniped. “Bitch should have made sure she was gone when you’d done with her.”
“Why are you fuckin’ someone in a room that ain’t your own?” Chill asked.
Christ, these were a nosy bunch of fuckers.
“I’ll go kick her out, maybe she’ll want a real man,” Hercules added and flexed his biceps. Nanci and Daisy-Duke both wolf-whistled, which made their men scowl.
“Go near her, and I’ll rip your throat out,” I warned Hercules, and surprise flashed across his features. Everyone stopped their teasing and stared. “It’s Amy. Last night, somebody tried to break into her apartment.”
“Why bring her here? Why didn’t Amy call the cops?” Inglorious demanded.
“Amy thought she’d dialled her Papa. She hit me by accident. I told Amy to phone the cops and rode out. When I got there, someone had placed a wreath by her door with the message, ‘RIP AMY’.”
