Mine Now (The Phantom Vipers MC)

32. Chapter 31

Chapter 31

Hunter

I lean down and grab the water bottles from the drawer at the bottom of the fridge. It’s a miracle there is water in this fridge at all. When I shut the door and turn around, Candace leans against the island with her breasts on full display. When she sees me glance down at them, a smirk forms on her face, and she walks toward me.

I let out a breath, already knowing where this is going. She trails her finger down the center of my chest and hooks my vest in her grimy grip. “Hey, sugar,” she whines. “When are you going to have fun with me?”

I shake my head. “Never.”

“But why? You know I'd treat you to a good time.” She tilts her head.

“I’m sure you would. You have had a lot of practice.”

She takes a step backward and scoffs. “What are you trying to say?”

I start toward the door, but she grabs my vest again, and I stop to look at her. I let out a deep breath. “Candace, you know exactly what I mean. This is not a surprise to you that I don’t want to play. I have never wanted to play, and it is for good reason. I’m sure you make all the other men around here happy enough. But you just aren’t for me.”

She leans back and goes to smack me in the face, but I dodge her hand in the nick of time. This only makes her madder, and she attempts to do it again. “Candace,” I growl. “Keep your fucking hands to yourself.”

She points her finger at me. “You called me a fucking whore, Hunter. And the worst part is, I know the only reason you don’t want me is because of that fat bitch you brought with you.”

A gasp comes from behind me, and I turn to see Blake standing in the doorway. She looks stricken. Her gaze goes from Candace to me, and then she rushes back out the door.

Red-hot rage burns my core as I turn back toward Candace, and she takes a step back. “Who the actual fuck do you think you are? You think you get to come in here into my fucking clubhouse and treat my guests any way you like?” I take a step toward her. “This is not your home, house mouse. Your only fucking role is to suck whoever's balls dry and to clean up after them. Other than that, you can keep your fucking mouth shut.”

Tears trail down her face as I rush for the door. I have to make sure Blake is okay. I see her black hair heading toward her car at a brisk pace, and I call after her. “Crash!”

She doesn’t even slow down before turning behind her vehicle out of sight. My yelling across the yard has gained us attention. But when I give them all an eat shit and die look, everyone turns back to what they were doing.

I find Blake crouched down with her head in her hands as her body visibility shakes from sobbing.

Fuck.

The sight of her like this does something ugly to my chest. I place the water bottles on the trunk of her car and crouch down next to her.

“Hey.”

“Go away, Hunter. Just leave me be,” she mumbles through her arms, voice thick with tears.

I exhale slowly, trying to keep my patience in check. I don’t know how to fix this, but I sure as hell can’t walk away.

I reach out and gently pull her arms from her face, needing to see her. She resists, turning away from me like she’s trying to disappear completely, and something about that—about her—makes my frustration spike.“Will you just look at me for a second, please?”

She finally relents, lifting her head just enough for our eyes to meet.. And Jesus Christ, the sadness there grips me like a vise.“Don’t listen to her.”

She lets out a bitter laugh, shaking her head. “Why not? It’s the truth, isn’t it? I’m just a pathetic, useless waste of space—a fat pig who take up too much space..” She wipes her eyes.

Rage burns hot in my veins. Not at her—never at her. But at whoever the fuck made her believe this shit.

“That isn’t true at all.”

She rips her arm from my grip. “What the hell would you know? You and your perfectly fit fucking body. You barely even know me, Hunter. Just leave me be.”

Her words sting more than I want to admit. Not because they’re harsh, but because I know what it’s like to believe you’re nothing. To carry the weight of every cruel thing ever said about you like it carved into your skin.

I drag a hand down my beard and stand slowly, forcing myself to back off. I cant force her to see what I do. I can't make her believe she’s not worthless. I will have to show her and that is what I intend to do even if it takes me the rest of my days.

“Fine.” I whisper. “Clearly, you need some space for now. I’ll go give Charlie her water.”

“Thanks,” she mutters, her voice hollow. It takes everything in me not to turn back.

It breaks my heart to see her like this. She shouldn’t feel like she’s nothing when she lights up a whole damn room just by smiling.

I spot Charlie hiding behind a tree as she plays hide and seek with the other kids. “Charlie!” I call to her. She spots me with a smile and rushes over to me.

“Hey, Mr. Hunter.”

I rub the top of her head. “Here little one, drink this.” I hold out the bottle of water to her.

She scrunches her nose and shakes her head. “Water is gross.”

I chuckle. “It may be gross, but it’s good for you.” I rub her rosy cheeks. “And these cheeks of yours state that you need some water if you are going to continue running around outside playing.”

She looks over her shoulder at the other kids running around and laughing and then back at me and the water. “Fine,” she grumbles, taking the bottle from me and running off.

At least I was able to do one thing right tonight.