“What’s wrong?” Ace asks, frowning at me.
I keep my voice low. “Oh, my God. You can’t be that stupid. You denied anything happening between us, and that made me feel like shit.”
“I did that for you,” he says.
“Oh, how magnanimous of you.”
He throws up a hand. “It’s not as though I would have gone into specifics, unlike you. Gentlemen don’t kiss and tell.”
“From what I hear, you’re not a gentleman.”
He purses his lips and shakes his head. “Harsh.”
God, I just want a bit of peace and quiet and my own space. There’s so much going around in my brain, and I need time to process everything that’s happened.
Ghost walks out of the living room, pulling his jacket back on, which covers a holster containing two guns. Jesus. This place is even worse than Verona Falls University. At least there, the students aren’t walking around openly armed.
“Report back as soon as you know anything.” Jack watches Ghost leave.
Ace shoves his hands in the pockets of his cut. “GuessI should go, too, since I’m clearly not wanted around here anymore.”
He stares at me as though he’s waiting for me to argue his case, but I keep my lips firmly shut.
“Fine,” he relents. “I’ll see you around, Princess.” And he leaves the same way as Ghost.
Jack turns his attention to me.
“Okay, Camile. Let’s go get you set up in your new residence.”
“I can manage, thanks.” I tighten my grip around the handle of my bag. “Just point me in the right direction.”
He lets out an exasperated sigh. “Fine. I give up. Do whatever the fuck you want.”
I should be happy at those words, but there’s a pang of sadness. Part of me likes Jack watching out for me, even if he’s an overbearing asshole. But I can’t stand his hypocrisy either, so then I get mad. It’s all so confusing.
Next to the front door is a keyholder with multiple sets of keychains. I assume they’re for the various buildings on the compound. He selects one and hands it to me.
“Turn left when you leave here and follow the path straight forward, until you reach a concreted yard. It’s not the prettiest of things, but there’s a few small properties clustered around it. The empty one is the last on the left. Ghost’s place is right opposite, as he mentioned.”
I accept the key. “Thanks, Jack.”
He doesn’t look at me, so now I feel like the asshole. All he’s ever tried to do is help me, even if he does go over the top with it all. I try to remember if Vani ever mentioned her dad being overprotective, but nothing comes to me. She grew up in an MC, much like this one, so she must have seen a lot—more than I’d realized. She’salways been a bit of a tough cookie, and I imagine that’s why.
I guess it was different being Jack’s daughter, though, and while she might have seen things, I doubt anyone dared look in her direction. Everyone in the MC would have watched her grow up, and they’d have all known who she was. No one would have been dumb enough to lay a finger on her, whereas I’m just some girl.
Without exchanging another word, I leave Jack’s place and haul my bag of stuff along with me, following the directions he’d given me. I wonder how close Ghost’s place is. I’m fully aware that the only reason Jack has agreed to this is because he now has his right-hand man watching over me, but I hope he won’t be watching too closely.
I find the small collection of homes. They’re all single-story and done up with white cladding, with narrow porches running around the outside. They could use a couple of window boxes with some flowers for color, but they look tidy enough. Besides, I can hardly see any of these big, rough bikers gardening.
Using the key to let myself in, I step inside. Gratefully, I release the bag from my grip and rub the red, indented marks with my opposite hand. The house is clean and tidy inside. It has basic furniture, with a gray corner couch, a coffee table, and a television. The kitchen is stocked, and I open the refrigerator to find some milk and eggs already inside. The pantry contains bread and some cans of vegetables. It’s nothing exciting, but it’ll keep me fed.
A twist of guilt wrings out my insides. They didn’t have to do this for me. These men owe me nothing. Iliterally climbed into their compound and demanded help, and all I’ve done is act like a bitch about it.
I cover my face with both hands and let out a groan.
I wish I knew what I was supposed to do. No one ever gave me training in how to handle an overbearing man and his horny friends.
23
