30. Matthias
Chapter 30
Matthias
The club’s quiet during the day, only a few workers stocking the bar for later. One of the men nods at Damon. They don’t dare look at me; I’ve spent most of my life making sure no one will attempt to get close. I’ve fanned more than one rumor that I’m nothing but a psychotic killer. That works for me. Unfortunately, with the added mystery around me comes eyes whenever I turn my back.
I take the stairs to the family’s private level two at a time and swipe my room’s key pass. The door opens with a beep, and I’m immediately met with my younger brothers. They’re both grinning like assholes.
“Did you really force Scarlet to marry you?” Xander says and kicks his feet up on the coffee table. He’s lounging back in a comfortable pose on the long leather couch.
I glare at Damon.
“Do you really think I’d miss the opportunity for these two to make fun of you after all the shit you said to me when I was trying to get Misty?”
“It’s not the same.”
“It’s fucking worse.” Xander stands and stalks toward me. Unlike my other brothers, there’s no humor in his gaze. “She saved us. You ignoring her was already fucked-up, and now you pull this bullshit?”
“Do you think I’d do anything to hurt her?” I ask.
“It doesn’t have to be intentional to hurt someone, asshole.”
“Xander’s right. She’s our sister now, which means we’re not letting you mess with her anymore,” Bash adds, his eyes slits.
I deserve the looks they’re giving me. After all, I did take it further than I should have. I was never supposed to bring her home like that. The look of betrayal in her eyes damn near killed me. It was like I’d finally broken through her walls and earned her trust, then stomped all the fuck over it.
“I love her,” I say honestly. “I’ve always loved her.”
“We know.” Xander and Bash speak at the same time.
“I’m keeping her locked in that house until she realizes she loves me back.” I don’t care how it makes me look. I can’t stand the idea of letting her get away again.
Xander’s brows pull together. “What if that never happens?”
“I’m surprised you’d even ask me that, Xander. It’s simple—if she doesn’t love me now, I’ll wait for her. I’ll do whatever I need to do to show her I’m worth loving back. I’m not above begging.”
“You aren’t winning us over on the whole you-aren’t-going-to-hurt-her thing.” Bash takes a large drink from a bottle with a label I don’t recognize.
“What do you want me to say? That I’d get down on my knees and beg her? That I’ll bend to her every whim if it makes her happy? That I’ll uproot my life if she asks me? Because there is nothing I won’t do for my wife. She could ask me to walk off a bridge, and I’d ask her which one. Don’t fool yourselves—she’s not the one being strung along. I gave up any hope that I could live without her a long time ago. All I can do is do my best to show her I’m worth taking a risk on. That even though I’ve hurt her, I did what I did because it’s what she needed at the time. Not because I decided for her, but because it’s what she asked for.”
I scoff, knowing damn well my life’s in danger. “Don’t worry. She can give as good as she takes.”
“My money’s on her killing him.” Bash smiles.
“I’m not taking that bet,” Xander joins in.
Damon breaks up the boys. “Does she know where she is yet? That could change things.”
“No.” I shake my head, picturing her reaction. “I’ll let her figure that out on her own.”
Damon pulls up in front of my place. There are guards stationed around the perimeter. I’m not leaving anything up to chance.
The house is dark; all the lights are off. Hopefully, my Little Sparrow is asleep.
“Good luck in there.” He chuckles.
I’m more nervous than I expected. It’s not clear if the time I gave her helped her come to terms with her situation or if I’m about to take a lamp to my head.
I get out of the car, leaning in, and say, “What do you do when you piss Misty off?”
“I don’t piss her off.”
“Never?”
He lifts one brow at me. “I do everything in my power to make my wife happy. You should consider doing the same.”
“I’m fucking trying.” I slam the door shut. With each step I take closer to her, my heart pounds faster in my chest. I suck air in through my nose and push it out through my mouth. I have to have my shit together.
I swipe my thumb over the keypad. It’s only keyed in for a select few guards, my brothers and Oliver. Anyone else has to get permission directly from one of us. I flick on the light as I enter, ready to dodge whatever she throws at me, but all I’m met with is silence. Too quiet. I search the open space, not seeing any signs of my wife, and head toward our shared bedroom. My breath comes out quicker with each step.
She’s going to be tucked in our bed.
She’s going to be tucked in our bed.
She’s going to be tucked in our bed.
But that doesn’t stop the way my gut twists. If anyone’s capable of getting out of here, it’s her. I push the door open quietly, not wanting to wake her, and my heart slams into my chest. The force of it feels like it’ll break bones. The bed’s perfectly made, not a pillow out of place. No one’s gotten into it since I made it this morning. My pulse rushes faster with each second as I search the room, as if she’ll magically appear.
“ Fuck .” My muscles strain, and I rake my hand through my hair, fighting my grip until it stings my scalp. I push the feeling down, forcing myself to breathe. There’s ten men outside, and I’ve got a tracker on her. There’s no way she’s escaping me. I scan the room again, and this time, my eyes lock on the closed bathroom door. It’s locked, the handle stiff, and I pull the keys from my pocket. There’s nowhere she can hide from me. Slowly, I slide the door open inch by inch, mindful not to hit her with it in case she’s close.
My chest caves with my exhale, spotting her tucked into the tub, covered in one of the spare blankets. Her eyes are closed, lashes flickering in her sleep. I drop my head to hers, breathing her in. “You’re going to be the death of me.”
With an arm under her legs and another supporting her back, I lift her out of the tub and pull her against my chest. She stirs, and I freeze, not wanting anything to wreck this moment, knowing the second she’s awake, she won’t let me go near her. Warmth hums in my veins when she turns her face into me. She may not realize it yet, but subconsciously, she already knows she’s mine.
I lower her to the bed, tucking her under the blanket, and take a second to just look at her. I’ve been waiting for her for so long that my heart aches at the sight. I run my thumb over her cheek, pushing back a stray strand of hair. Fuck, if I keep this up, I’m going to cry.
Stripping, I walk around the other side of the bed and climb in after her, wrapping her in my arms from behind. Her scent fills my nose as I press it into the nape of her neck, each breath a drug I can’t get enough of. I place a kiss in her hair and tighten my grip.
“I’m never letting you go.”