Chapter 11 Bullseye
I can tell Xiara is barely holding it together. When our eyes lock and she sees me enter the store, her knees almost buckle. I don’t care who the fuck is inside this store, but I shove them out of the way to reach her, rushing to her side. I’m fucking tense as I hug her against me, cradling her head to my chest as she begins to sob.
My heart fucking breaks .
I’ve never been good at comforting an upset woman, but when it’s one that I care about, who’s also scared, my whole body thrums with the need for violence. I want to burn the fucking world to ashes so nothing can ever threaten or terrify her again. Logic has fucking fled. I’m practically seeing red as my vision tunnels. It’s her soft voice whispering my name that brings me back from the edge.
“Drew.” She hiccups. “I want to go home.”
My eyes scan the store, noticing the empty interior. Cash is standing outside with Zoo, and they’re not letting anyone in. Who else is working? I don’t see a fucking employee anywhere.
“Xiara.” My gut tightens as I try to remain calm. “Who else is working?”
“No one,” she blubbers. “They called off.”
“And left you alone?” At a gas station at night. Where anything can and did happen. Fuck!
“The next shift comes in at ten.”
I search for the nearest clock. That’s another hour from now. She’s not staying. I don’t care how much she protests. “Babe. You’re gonna contact the next person and see if they can come in early because you’re not staying.”
I expect her to argue. She doesn’t.
By some miracle, the next two employees arrive quickly, and I don’t have to worry about Xiara spending another minute at this fucking gas station. Until now, I haven’t let my thoughts drift to the reason Lefty and the Crimson Heretics came to Xiara’s place of employment tonight. I don’t want to consider whether she knows them or has somehow offended Murder and his club.
They’re fucking ruthless. Murder is a goddamn convicted rapist. He’s the V.P. of the Crimson Heretics, and he’s lethal. She’s not safe until I take care of this. We’re gonna discuss what that means, but I won’t push it until she’s home. Once I’ve got her calm, I’ll bring it up.
I opt to drive Xiara’s car and take her home, instructing a prospect to ride my bike to Mags’s house. Xiara seems dazed as I lead her from the store and to her vehicle, opening the door and gently pushing her onto the seat. I buckle her seatbelt as she stares at me, blinking like she’s retreated inside her head and now she’s in survival mode.
I’ve been in this position in the past. When fear and shock force you into a place of self-preservation. I’m worried because nothing happened that I could tell, other than a few bikers standing outside the store. It doesn’t make sense until I start thinking about what she’s said to me in the past. I don’t have much to go on, but I’m piecing it together.
Xiara must have met Murder, which means she’s in danger.
I drive her car to her place, open the garage door using her clicker, and park inside. As I close the door and scan the street, I see Smoke, Zoo, and Cash on their bikes. They’ll be hanging around until I figure out what’s happening. The prospect parks my bike next door and walks toward Smoke, handing him my keys. He knows better than to approach me when he knows something is going down.
Once the garage door is shut, I help Xiara out of her car and into her house. She’s still out of it, so I lead her into the living room, settle her with a blanket, and take the stairs. Xaden needs to know what’s happening, too.
I find him in his room, gaming on his PC. I don’t waste time and slap my palm on his desk. He startles, frowns, and decides something isn’t right faster than I expect. He yanks off his headset and swallows hard.
“Where’s Xi? Is she okay?”
“Downstairs. I’m not sure, but we’re gonna figure it out.”
He nods and rushes out the door ahead of me, nearly flying down the stairs. That big kid sinks onto the sofa beside his sister and reaches for her hand. I can see him trembling, and it’s not hard to guess he’s concerned and a bit afraid for her. “Xi? What’s going on?”
She blinks a few times, and her gaze sweeps the room, pausing on me and then focusing on Xaden. “The Crimson Heretics.”
Xaden stiffens. “What about them?”
“They came to the gas station.”
“Are you hurt?” His voice cracks.
“No, not tonight.” Her chin wobbles. “But this isn’t the first time they’ve come inside the store.”
His grip on her hand tightens. “What happened before?”
I’m pacing the floor, trying to stay quiet because if I speak, it’s sure to be in growls. Those fucking assholes terrified Xiara. They’re going to suffer for it, guaranteed.
I listen as she describes how Murder, Lefty, and his club showed up a few weeks earlier and how she got shoved into the drink case. When she admits Murder left bruises on her skin, I fucking lose it. A roar leaves my lips, and I rush outside, knowing if I don’t leave those walls, I’ll punch my fist through one of them.
Smoke and Cash are in the yard when I rush down the steps, staying silent but alert. Zoo remains on his bike, idling in the street like he suspects trouble at any moment. I can’t say that I’m bothered by it. If Murder, Lefty, or the Crimson Heretics know where Mags or Xiara lives, none of us are safe.
That means nothing to me or my club brothers. We fucking thrive on danger and chaos. But for Xiara and her brother? That’s not acceptable.
They can’t stay in their house until this is resolved.
As I reach that conclusion, I know I won’t allow anything or anyone to harm Xiara or Xaden. It’s not been long, but I’ve gotten to know the two of them. They’re more than my neighbors. The siblings have become a part of my life, and I don’t want that to end.
It’s been a week since I took Xiara for that ride on my Harley. In that time, I’ve spent five of the last seven nights watching movies, eating dinner, and even playing dominoes. I’ve come to realize I want a future where I’m with Xiara. I want to hold and kiss her every night in bed. If I’m doing this, I’m all in.
Starting right fucking now.
Smoke clears his throat. “You’re claiming her.”
It’s not a question. “I am.”
Cash flicks ash from his Marlboro Red. “Knew it.”
I can’t find humor in any of this right now. I’m too fucking agitated. But even in the midst of chaos, I find clarity. It’s because of Xiara.
“Go.” Smoke ticks his chin toward Xiara’s house. “We’re not goin’ anywhere.”
“I’m gonna make her my ol’ lady,” I inform them. “I’ll text Storm later.”
Cash grins. “He said it was happening last week.”
Great. I guess I’m not that hard to figure out.
With renewed purpose, I return to Xiara and Xaden’s living room. “Xiara.”
She stands as I walk toward her, rushing into my embrace. “Drew.”
“I’ve got you. You know that, right? You and Xaden are under my protection. The whole club is watchin’ out for us.”
“That’s a relief,” Xaden answers.
I kiss the top of Xiara’s head before she lifts it. “I won’t lie and say this isn’t dangerous. You shouldn’t stay here until I’ve dealt with Murder and Lefty.”
“I won’t leave my home,” Xiara responds.
“So stubborn.” I kiss the tip of her nose. “So, the only other option is me staying here until I know you’re safe.”
Xaden shrugs. “Fine by me.” But he frowns. “You don’t sleep in her room.”
Xiara rolls her eyes.
I respect that he’s looking out for his sister. That’s why I don’t hesitate to clear things up. “I’m not goin’ anywhere. She’s my woman, Xaden. I want her to be my ol’ lady.”
His brows lift in surprise. “Like a wife?”
“In my world, it’s more permanent and special than that. It’s a bond that’s not easily broken. We don’t divorce. These relationships usually last a lifetime. Making her my ol’ lady is a statement. She’s an extension of me but also my other half. It means I’d give my life to protect her, and all I have is hers. Every member of the club will recognize her as family.”
“Damn.” He looks a little choked up. “That’s so good for you, Xi.”
“It means you’re family too, Xaden. We’re brothers.”
“Cool.” I can tell it means a lot to him, even if he only answers with one word.
“I’m confused about something,” Xiara admits.
“What’s that, Babe?”
“You’ve got the cart before the horse.” She plants a hand on her hip. “Better ask me before you decide I’m yours.”
This woman does wicked things to me every time she starts with that sass. “Xiara, Beautiful, will you be my ol’ lady?”
She bites into her lower lip. “Yeah.”
There’s no question about what that means or entails, and I grin. She’s so fucking perfect.
I slip an arm around her lower back and tug her against me. Her hands splay across my chest as I lower my head, greedy for the soft cushion of her lips. Xaden clears his throat and leaves us alone, which is probably best. I don’t ask for permission but capture her mouth like I’ve been thinking about for the last few minutes, plunging my tongue inside. I want to devour her. Taste her. Lay her down and glide my tongue over every inch of her body.
She breaks our connection, gasping. “Drew.”
Fuck, I love the way she says my name in that sultry voice. “I guess you need to breathe.”
She looks a bit dazed. “That was, wow.”
“Never been kissed like that?”
Her head shakes.
“Get used to it,” I order, tugging her hair back to give me access to her neck. I graze my teeth over the slim column of her throat, lightly biting the skin until I reach her ear. Sucking on the lobe, I whisper to her what I’m gonna do later.
She shivers. Distracting her is a success. I don’t want to see her upset again, and I’ll do anything to prevent it.
My woman is wise. She sees what I’m doing. “I’m okay, Bullseye.”
“Not yet, but you will be.”
She accepts that statement and presses her lips to mine in a soft kiss. “I’m a biker’s ol’ lady.”
“You are.”
“Since it’s you, I don’t mind.”
“Good to know.”
Now that this is settled, I can focus on my enemy. I lead Xiara upstairs and draw her a bath, getting her settled in the tub before I head downstairs. Her trust in me is so complete she doesn’t hesitate to allow me to spoil her. She knows I’m leaving her to relax while I handle the Crimson Heretics. I peek in on Xaden, and he’s asleep. The protectiveness I feel for both brother and sister is nearly overpowering. I won’t let Murder harm either of them.
One fucking phone call and I can have his entire club wiped out. But that’s too easy. I don’t need someone else to handle my shit. The Blade name carries weight, but I don’t need my family’s money. This is personal. Murder made it my problem the first time he dared to touch Xiara. It doesn’t matter that I didn’t know her then. She’s mine now, and he’ll fucking regret breathing the same air as my ol’ lady.
I’m not fighting what I feel for Xiara anymore. I’ve made my claim. She’s mine .
All that’s left is taking this to Storm and filling my club in during church.