Midnight (The Devil’s House MC: West Virginia #8)

Chapter Twelve

I WAS DOING my best to stay distant from Kaven, both physically and emotionally, but he wasn’t making it easy. He insisted on helping me clear the area around the greenhouse, working silently side by side. Every time he tried to bring up something other than the greenhouse, I would immediately change the subject or walk away. The pain was raw, and I needed time—something he apparently wasn’t willing to give me as he continued to shadow me ninety percent of the time. Asking for Valley instead did no good; Kaven just ignored my request, and I didn’t want to have to see Patch. Honestly, the man scared me.

“Hadleigh?” A female voice pulled me from my thoughts as I sat on a stool at the bar, staring into space.

I turned to see a woman I hadn’t met yet. “Yes,” I replied.

“I’m Daphne,” she introduced herself with a big smile. “I’ve missed meeting you the last few times I was here.” She studied me for a second before saying, “You look so sad, and that just won’t do. Not on my watch!”

“No, I’m fine, really,” I assured her.

She glanced over at Kaven, who was talking with Valley, a shadow of worry crossing her face. “Midnight being a crappy boyfriend?” she asked, then continued before I could answer. “He needs a reminder that you have options. Come on,” she ordered, taking my hand and pulling me into the crowd, leading me to a small area where people were dancing.

“It’s okay,” I shouted over the music, which seemed much louder in this corner of the room.

“It’s not okay,” she said, stopping in the middle of several men. “Now dance!”

Oh, what the hell. I hadn’t danced in this kind of environment in a really long time, and this time I didn’t have one of my grandfather’s men watching my every move. There was a reason I was still a virgin when I met Kaven. And it wasn’t like Kaven and I were really a couple, so what could it hurt?

I started swaying to the music, letting the beat and the energy of the room seep into my bones. The lights were dim, the air thick with the scent of perfume and alcohol. I didn’t even realize when Daphne was replaced at my side by a blonde man who smiled at me, his eyes raking over my body. He was middle-aged and not a club member because he wasn’t wearing a vest. He leaned down and said, “You’re a cute one, strawberry shortcake.”

I laughed because I had never been referred to as strawberry shortcake. Every other redheaded character out there, yes, but never her. Apparently, he took my humor as acceptance of his company because the next thing I knew, his hands had pulled me close to his body. That was a big fat no-no, and I put my hands up to push him away but only met air as his body was jerked away from mine.

I gasped, looking to find Kaven dragging him out the side door, Valley and some other men right behind him. “Oops, that wasn’t supposed to happen,” Daphne said, at my side once more. “Sometimes I forget how dangerous these men can get when they’re jealous.”

“I better go help him,” I said, feeling a surge of guilt and responsibility.

Daphne grabbed my arm and led me back to the bar. “No, don’t go out there. It won’t do any good. The man still put his hands on you, and he should have known better. In this clubhouse, you check first, touch after,” she explained. “It was obvious you weren’t a hang around or sweet butt.”

“Man, Midnight was fuming,” Ava said from where she was leaning on the bar. “I’ve never seen his face look like that before.”

“Looks like Midnight has it bad for Hadleigh,” Daphne chuckled. “Now maybe he won’t leave you alone at the bar.”

“What happened?” Aislynn asked, coming up to us. “Braden sent me inside and said to wait for him, and he took off out back.”

“Midnight’s taking care of some handsy fellow,” Daphne said, hugging her. “Guy touched his girl.”

Seeing Aislynn put me back into a funk even though she wasn’t to blame. Just looking at her made the hurt deeper, and I needed to be alone. “I better go and get a first aid kit from the kitchen,” I lied, needing to escape.

“Good idea. Be ready to patch up your man. They like to be babied like that,” Daphne said, her laugh ringing in my ears as I left the now much quieter room.

The kitchen was a welcome sanctuary from the loud common room. I leaned against the counter, taking deep breaths to steady my racing heart. The noise from the bar area was muffled here, giving me a moment to collect myself. My mind was a whirlpool of conflicting emotions—anger, confusion, longing. Kaven’s presence was both a comfort and a torment.

Why did he have to be so damn protective? And why did that protectiveness make my heart ache with frustration because it was so damn confusing?

Footsteps echoed in the hallway, and I tensed, expecting Kaven to storm in. Instead, it was Valley, his expression a mix of concern and curiosity.

“Hey,” he said softly, closing the door behind him. “You okay?”

“I’m fine,” I lied, plastering on a weak smile. “Just needed a breather.”

Valley studied me for a moment before nodding. “Midnight had to show the man his mistake, you know. That guy crossed a line, knowing he had no right to touch you.”

“I know, Daphne explained,” I sighed, feeling the weight of my situation pressing down on me. “But it’s more complicated than that, Valley. Like I said the other day, I’m overwhelmed with everything.”

Valley leaned against the counter next to me, his gaze thoughtful. “He cares about you, Hadleigh, and he’s not doing a great job of handling it.”

“Yeah, well, caring isn’t enough,” I said bitterly, forcing myself not to cry and be pathetic.

We stood in silence for a few moments, the tension in the air thick. Finally, Valley spoke again, his tone gentle but firm.

“Maybe you need to talk to him. Really talk. Not just about the greenhouse or the club, but about what’s going on between you two.”

I looked at him and sighed, “Maybe you’re right. But not tonight. I just can’t. He makes it too hard.”

He nodded, understanding. “Take your time. But don’t take too long. Some things are worth fighting for and there is no use being miserable if you don’t need to be.”

With that, he gave me a reassuring smile and left, leaving me alone with my thoughts once more. I took a deep breath, trying to steady myself. I knew he was right, but right now, I needed to be alone.

MY ANGER BURNED like hellfire at the sight of that asshole touching Haddie. I was already on edge when I saw her and Daphne start dancing. Haddie moved to the rhythm, lost in the music, and I couldn’t take my eyes off her. I knew I wasn’t alone in my admiration, which only fueled my rage.

I shot up from my seat.

“Take it easy, brother,” Valley warned, his voice tense. “They’re just dancing... oh shit.”

“He’s a dead man,” I growled, storming over and yanking the guy away from her. I dragged him out the door.

“What the hell?” the man shouted, struggling to break free.

“You touched my property,” I snarled, shoving him outside. He stumbled, scrambling to stand.

“No way, she wasn’t wearing a property cut,” he argued, confusion crossing his face.

“Should’ve asked first. You must be new here,” I growled, my fist connecting with his face and knocking him back down.

He staggered to his feet and threw a punch. I easily dodged and hit him again, watching him hit the dirt, out cold. These hang arounds thought they had what it took to be one of us, but couldn’t even handle a few punches.

“Well, that was boring,” Hillbilly chuckled. “Guy couldn’t fight his way out of a plastic wrap.”

“Or he’s pretending,” Leather said, giving him a hard kick. “Nope, he’s out cold. How’s it feel having another man hit on your woman, even if you’re only pretending?”

“For the last time, drop it, Leather. I’ve moved on, and so should you,” I snapped, wishing he’d shut the hell up. We weren’t pretending, dammit.

“Maybe you have, but until I’m sure you’re on my radar,” he replied, turning to leave.

“What are we doing with him?” Valley asked, pointing at the unconscious man.

“Fuck him,” I spat, turning to go back inside and talk to Haddie. I had been trying to stay calm, waiting out the ice wall she’d built around herself, even though I wanted to break it wide open. The silent treatment was one thing, but enticing another man? That sent me into a rage.

Inside, I scanned the common room but didn’t see her. She must have gone back to her room already. I took a moment to have a beer and calm down before trying to talk to her. We always seemed to end up fighting, and I hoped tonight would be different. I walked to her room and knocked on the door.

No answer.

Maybe she wasn’t inside, so I turned the knob and discovered it was unlocked. I made a mental note to talk to her about locking her door. Without knocking, I walked in just as Haddie emerged from the bathroom, wearing only a towel. Her startled gasp at seeing me in her room caused the towel to slip to the floor, and my heart skipped a beat as my eyes took in every inch of her.