I text back and forth with Carly for a bit, then rest my head down on the table, using my bag as a pillow. A while later, I’m gently tapped on the shoulder.
“Hey girl, we’re ready to go, and you look like you could use a comfy bed to sleep in.”
Agreeing, I follow Marie and Connie out to their car and hop into the backseat. The drive is quiet, and I wish my apprehension would disappear because I don’t like the feeling of living on the edge. Unaware of what might happen next. Thankfully, their apartment isn’t too far from Euphoria or their work.
“So, enter the building code.” Marie rattles off the number, then they show me the mailboxes, manager’s office, and the laundry room before we arrive at our fourth-floor apartment. Mercifully, there’s a working elevator.
“Home sweet home,” Connie gestures and smiles.
“Everything in the common areas is for everyone to share. Your room is here.” She opens the door to reveal a futon bed, dresser, lamp, and night table in a decently sized room with a large window overlooking the city. “I hope it’s okay.”
“It’s perfect.” Ten times better than the motel.
“You can change anything you like, get a proper bed. This is just what we had.” Marie smiles.
Returning the smile, I can tell they’re tired and ready for bed, so I say, “This will do for now. Is there a bathroom I can use?” I’d like to wash my face and brush my teeth before crashing for a few hours.
“Right here.” She points across the hall to a larger-than-average bathroom. “We have our own shampoos, conditioners, and body wash. Feel free to use anything until you get your own.”
Tears spring to my eyes. “You’re being so nice to me.” I don’t know how to handle this type of kindness.
“Get some rest, Logan. We’ll have a nice big breakfast in the morning and talk once we’ve all rested.” They both give me a quick hug and say their goodnights.
As I walk out of the bathroom, Marie pops out of her room. “I put a water and snack on your night table, just in case.” She’s gone before I can thank her again.
Dropping onto the bed, I quietly sob when I see the bottled water and what is obviously a homemade carrot muffin on a plate, with a knife and a side of butter.
Aside from Carly, no one has ever put this amount of effort into taking care of me. It’s overwhelming in a way that makes me feel unworthy.
God, how messed up must I be that even kindness from strangers is unfathomable.
I eat half the muffin and drink some water before slipping into a clean shirt and lying down for the night. Which is followed by dreams of two men worshipping my body.
Exhaustion will likely be my new friend.
Chapter 10
Viking
“You guys sure she’s worth the trouble?” Brute spears Priest and me with a look that would send most men running. “Because what I’m seeing is trouble we don’t need.”
Breathing in deeply so I don’t bite my president's head off, Priest thankfully takes the reins. “Was Finleigh worth it?”
Damn, he went there.
“You got something to say, Priest?” Brute snarls, getting to his feet.
“Just saying that she came with trouble. We helped, no questions asked.” Brute seems to chill a bit as he thinks about it. “We’d do it for anyone here, too.”
“Point taken,” he grumbles, settling back in his chair. “But Fin didn’t have drama with any of the girls who’ve been around for years, providing you with relief when needed.”
It’s comical how uncomfortable he is talking about sex.
“Logan needs protection; we’re providing it. Trista can find some other club to fuck for all I care.” The woman has become a pain in the ass. It’s not her place to have opinions about what we do or who we bring around.
“What’s the deal with her mother and this bullshit?” Brute pinches his nose, like he’s fighting off a headache.
“Seems to me she’s been pulling strings in Trista’s life that have sent her reeling and into denial.”
