13
13
Sadie
I should have known keeping Bryce in the dark about why I returned to Minnesota would bite me in the ass. The club had been handling it and I had forgotten about the dangers. When a person grew up in a motorcycle club as I had, we became used to prospects guarding us. How could I act like it wasn’t a big deal when someone’s children were involved?
Tears trickled down my face as I looked into Bryce’s blue eyes. “I’m no good for you or your girls. My life is complicated. I don’t even know if I’m staying in town.” My words cut through my heart like a dull knife, the pain nearly bringing me to my knees.
He squeezed my hand like he was afraid I’d run out the door. “Until tonight, it was good. I like having you around.”
“A relationship must be built on trust, or it’ll never survive, and you don’t trust me now.” I was on the verge of falling apart as we stood close, our mouths within reach of kissing. Served me right for not being straight with him. Now I would lose him and never know what might have been. “I’m so sorry.”
“I want to trust you. Why didn’t you tell me sooner?”
Because I’m an idiot. “I wanted to see where things might go with us.” Guilt flooded my veins. “When I saw you in the warehouse, my first reaction was shock. I couldn’t believe it was you. Then I was angry at you for cheating on your wife. But after we cleared the air, it’s felt like fate brought us together.” And I didn’t want to lose him, even when I had no clue what I would do about my career.
He touched my face. “I know exactly how you feel. You’ve brightened my home, made the girls giggle, and gave me hope for the future.”
“But?” I sensed the damning word was on the tip of his tongue.
“I don’t know, Sadie. If you’re in danger, my girls might be too. I’d go nuts if anything happened to any of you. The thought of losing them or you is more than I can bear.”
My heart raced. This was it. The end of us before we really started.
Suddenly his lips were on mine. I felt him pouring himself into the kiss and I responded with just as much passion as I looped my arms around his neck and held on for dear life.
“I want you,” he said into my mouth. “We’ll figure everything out.”
“Are you sure?” My heart stuttered with hope. Maybe he wouldn’t throw me out of his home or forbid me from seeing Cat and Tori. If we could get past this one issue, we might be okay. Perhaps he was the one.
I jumped when someone knocked at the door and reared back. “Who could that be at this hour?”
“No idea,” he said, irritation in his voice as he released me and went to find out who it was. “But I’ll get rid of them.”
I glanced at the clock on the fireplace mantel. It was after eight thirty. If it was my brother, Zane, or Chase bothering us, I would be furious. Or maybe it had to do with the blackmailer…
Bryce opened the door. His broad frame blocked my view so I couldn’t see who was there. No one said anything. An uneasiness swirled to life in my stomach.
I moved to the side to peer around him.
“Hello, Bryce. I know it’s late, but I wanted to see you without the girls.”
“It is late, Connie.”
Oh shit! His ex-wife was here.
“Can I come in?” she asked.
“Now isn’t a good time.”
“I know your pretty nanny is still here. Been watching her with my girls.” She pushed past him, and I nearly jumped out of my skin as she stormed toward me. “I obviously interrupted something.”
She’d been watching me?
Bryce whirled around and left the door open. “We aren’t doing this now, Connie. Come back tomorrow.”
“Does he pay you well to watch my daughters?” She studied me as I did her. She wasn’t as pretty as in the photo perched on the end table. Time hadn’t been kind to her, but it usually wasn’t for alcoholics and drug addicts. Still, she was trim and attractive… I didn’t like her. “I can’t imagine that he does since he’s broke. Or does he fuck you as payment?”
You, bitch! I held back, yelling in her face. Instead, I rolled my hands into fists. If she didn’t watch it, I’d knock her front teeth out. I might be a graceful ballerina, but I was also a motorcycle club brat who could fight. I wouldn’t hesitate to protect myself, or Bryce and his daughters. In fact, I’d love to teach this bitch some etiquette.
“Get out,” Bryce barked and pointed at the door.
“I’m here to discuss our daughters. Your nanny can leave.” She hiked an evil brow as she swept her gaze at me. “Run along, honey.”
“I’m not playing games, Connie. This is my house, and I want you to leave.”
“No.” She turned on her spikey red heels and faced him. “I want to see the girls. Please let me stay. I’ve been sober for six months and I want to make things right.”
Make things right? With whom? Him or the girls?
I expected Bryce to laugh in her face and toss her out on her ass, but he didn’t say a word.
She moved toward him and placed her hand on his chest. “I’ve changed, baby. All I’m asking for is to see the girls and discuss our future.”
Again, Bryce remained silent.
But me? I couldn’t take it anymore. I put my coat on and headed out the door.
“Bye, nanny,” Connie, the bitch, said in a victorious tone.
I got to my mom’s car and fumbled with the stupid key. Across the street, two houses down, I saw Zane watching Bryce’s place. Just spectacular. He’d probably tell my parents about Connie’s arrival and my departure.
Growling, I went to open the door and was stopped.
“Listen, I’m sorry,” Bryce said.
I kept my back toward him. “Do what you gotta do.”
“She’s the girls’ mother.”
“Yes.”
“Sadie, will you look at me? I know it was awkward in there, but I care about you.”
I turned around. “She’s a rude bitch and obviously doesn’t care about you or the girls, because if she did, she would’ve come at a reasonable hour. Never mind the fact that she was spying on me. But you know, it’s your life. I’ll see you around.” I pulled the door open and got in.
“Don’t be angry. I don’t want her. I want you.”
“Really? Could’ve fooled me. You just let her walk all over you. You didn’t introduce us. Hell, you went mute.”
“I was shocked.”
“You were pathetic!” I shot back. “You didn’t stand up to her. That’s not the man I was falling for. And if it is, that’s not the man I want.”
He stepped back like I’d slapped him. “Connie and I will forever be bound by our daughters. I don’t know what you expected. I need to see what she wants.”
“From my point of view, it looks like she wants you.” Literally, Connie was at the door, watching us with a broad smile. She got her way and stayed. And where was her latest lover? He probably wised up and dumped her. Good for him, but with nowhere else to go, she’d come to Bryce’s because she knew he’d take her back. God, I could throw up!
“I just told you I don’t want her.”
“Yes, but who’s the one leaving?”
“She’s never been easy to deal with. What do you want me to do?” He exhaled a labored breath. “I’m sorry.”
“So am I. Have a good life.” I slammed the door shut, locked it, and left.
On the way back to the compound, I cried, yelled, and cursed like a sailor. I went through a multitude of emotions: sadness, fury, confusion. But right now, I was frustrated with my brother for following me.
I don’t need a bodyguard. I need privacy!
Once word got out that I wasn’t babysitting Bryce’s girls because his ex-wife returned, I’d get a million questions… Unless Zane didn’t tell our parents what he had seen. I could make up excuses for why I stopped watching the girls, maybe go to California until the blackmailer wasn’t a threat anymore. Stay gone for weeks, so I could forget I ever met Bryce Nelson.
“Dammit, I’m so pissed at you, Bryce!”
Slowing down at the gate, Max, Uncle Boxer’s son, came out of the guard shack. “Hey.” He jerked his chin. “Didn’t expect to see you so early.”
“It’s almost nine.”
“Anything before midnight is early.”
“Only to bikers.” I rolled my eyes. “I’ll see you later.” I drove forward.
“Yeah.” He didn’t smile much and looked every bit like an MMA fighter, a carbon copy of his dad: blond hair, frigid ice-blue eyes, handsome, muscular, and brutal. Max had gotten all the girls in high school and had competed with Chase and my brother to be the top dog with the ladies. And he had succeeded, having more notches on his belt than Chase and Zane put together.
Zane had been much too busy with hockey to screw around with every girl that crossed his path, unlike Max. My little brother had been straddling the fence of being a biker or a professional hockey player. Instead of choosing one over the other, he was doing both; prospecting and being the best centerman. His dream was to get drafted and play for the Minnesota Wild.
Hopefully, his dream would come true as mine had, getting the lead in the Nutcracker. Until I was forced to give it up…
I groaned in frustration as I drove straight home, not bothering to stop at the clubhouse, even when I’d do anything to numb my emotions with a bottle of tequila.
It was ridiculous how I felt stabbed in the heart after Bryce let me leave. He had chosen his ex-wife over me. Was it wrong to be crushed, after only being with him for less than a week? I couldn’t fault him for wanting to restore his family. Cat and Tori deserved to have a mom and dad under one roof.
Selfishly, I wished he’d picked me.
Stop it! Think of Cat and Tori. They need their mom.
I shook my head, so done with myself.
Turning my attention to my quiet surroundings, I felt at a crossroads. I’d missed Manhattan’s bright lights, high energy, swarms of people. It was the sort of place a person could blend in and not be noticed.
But Minnesota was my home and where my heart resided. I couldn’t hide at the compound. Eyes were everywhere, even if the property appeared to be an abandoned ghost town underneath the inky sky. The high moon illuminated the tall trees on the border of the property. I felt safe in the fortress Storm had created.
Though it was calm and peaceful, I knew better…
Evil lurked outside the confines of the compound.
Depravity ran amok in the world.
Not far from my parents’ home, improper and lewd activities were in progress.
In my rearview mirror, I watched Zane park beside several Harleys in front of the clubhouse. A golden glow filtered out of the wooden shutters that covered the bulletproof windows. All kinds of fuckery were playing out in the bar: loud music, drinking, and wild, filthy sex. All of it sounded amazing at that moment.
My bottom lip quivered. I was sad and green with envy.
I almost got laid tonight.
My pussy tingled as I remembered how ravenous Bryce had eaten me out.
But there was no one I could call on in Bastion Township to hook up with. Hell, I didn’t want anyone but Bryce.
I parked in the driveway and turned off the engine. My phone chimed just as I opened the driver’s side door. I’d gotten a text from Bryce. Sucking in a deep breath, I read it…
Bryce: Did you make it home safely?
Really? That was it? He knew I was being guarded. Of course I made it home safely. I replied out of respect for him. He didn’t have to check up on me…
Sadie: Yes
Bryce: Good. I wish you were in my bed right now.
I rolled my eyes.
Sadie: I’m not into threesomes, nor do I share my man.
Bryce: Am I your man?
Honestly, why was he screwing with me?
Sadie: No
I jumped in my seat when the phone rang. “What?” I answered in a harsh tone.
“I don’t accept your answer.”
I laughed as I reached for the doorknob, then closed it. “Too bad. My man wouldn’t have chosen his ex over me.”
“I didn’t choose Connie over you.”
“Bullshit you didn’t. She’s there and I’m not.”
“She’s not here. After we talked, she went to her hotel. I’m in bed alone and wishing you were here.”
“Well, keep on wishing buddy because I won’t be any man’s second choice.”
“Goddammit! You’re my first choice. The only woman I want.”
My heart squeezed so tight it was painful. “Why’d you text and call? I’m sensing there’s more you want to tell me.”
He sighed into the phone. “It’s the weekend.”
“Yes, and I won’t be watching the girls.”
“Right. But during supper, we talked about taking them to the pumpkin patch tomorrow.”
A lump of emotion shot into my throat. The outing was going to be the highlight of my weekend. “Mhm.”
“Connie wants to take them.”
“How nice. Have a magical time.”
“Sadie, try to understand.”
“Have you found someone to watch the girls? Our arrangement was only temporary.”
“Fuck no, I haven’t! I want you, Sadie. I want you to watch my girls and to go to the pumpkin patch with us, and to make love to.”
“Again, I’m here and she’s there. Good thing it’s the weekend. It’ll give us both time to think.”
“To think about what?”
“Don’t forget, I’m connected to a motorcycle club. You weren’t thrilled about the dangers earlier. Maybe this is your way out. You can get back together with your ex-wife and have a perfect little family.” I hated myself for pushing him away. But it was the truth. He should want a whole family for the twins.
“Jesus Christ, you don’t mean that. I would never take Connie back. I never loved her. And she doesn’t want to be a mother. Even now, all she wants is to see them and then she’ll leave. You don’t know how she treated them when they were babies. I’d be putting them in harm’s way if I let her back into their lives.”
Tears blurred my vision. “I could endanger them too.”
“It’s not the same, Sunshine. I’ve seen you with Cat and Tori. You’re gentle and nurturing, fun and silly. You’d do anything to protect them, even take a bullet for them.”
“I would.” My voice cracked as the first tear cascaded down my face. “I’d do anything to keep them safe.” Even give up their dad.
“Don’t give up on me, baby.”
Could he hear my thoughts?
“I’m just trying to be amicable, so Connie will leave and stay gone.” He exhaled, what sounded like relief. “Riling her up might make her sue for full custody. I can’t lose my girls, Sunshine. It would kill me.”
“I know,” I whispered. “Just get through the weekend and if you need me to watch the girls come Monday, I’ll be there.”
“I do need you, Sadie. But do you need me? Do you want me and my girls?”
“Yes, but—”
“That’s all I need to know.” He went silent. “I hear one of the girls.”
“Okay.”
“I’ll try to call you before Monday.”
“No worries. If I don’t hear otherwise, I’ll see you then.”
“Don’t be late, or I’ll spank you.”
A delicious shiver shot through my core. “Promise?”
“Is spanking a kink you like?” He chuckled so damn sexy, I melted.
“One of many.” I blushed, knowing how I liked to be dominated in bed, spanked and tied up, but also praised. Each time he called me Sunshine, I soared into happiness.
“Wow. You can’t see it, but I’m hard as a rock. This is horrible, since I need to check on the girls, and can’t relieve myself. Have you ever had phone sex?”
I giggled. “No, but it could be fun. Now, go. I’ll talk to you later.”
“All right, Sunshine. Good night.”
“Good night.” I ended the call with a smile on my face. Maybe we’d be okay…
I wondered if my dad and the club had made progress with my situation. Then again, once it was over, what would I do regarding Bryce and my career?
I had no idea.