Chapter 5 #2
“Crazy ass thinks you two are still together.”
Drew warned me. Our Uncle was an addict. We saw how much it broke our father, seeing his brother become someone else.
“As your boyfriend—his words, not mine—he wanted protection while he cleared shit up with Black Feral.”
My eyes fall closed. Stupid, stupid Brian.
“Our guy found out that your boy—,”
“Not my boy,” I mumble, but Drew keeps on as if I didn’t speak.
“Owes Black Feral money for pounds of drugs he promised to sell.”
“Mother—,” West sets his mug down harshly, coffee spilling out on the counter.
“Interesting thing was, he asked if I’ve seen you since you moved back.”
Well, shit. Busted.
I still don’t give him my eyes.
“So,” Drew calmly puts his mug down. “Let’s try this again.”
Okay. Fuck this. I’m not a kid in trouble. I straighten my shoulders and look my big brother in the eye. “Ask.”
His expression shifts. Is that respect?
“MC brother found your Jeep, banged up, in a ditch on the road into Eden.”
Shit.
“Same brother informed me there was a clear struggle and gunfire.”
Double fuck.
“Found your tracks through the woods leading into town.
Triple dicks.
He glances at West. “I was on my way to get your help on this.”
“And found me here instead,” I conclude, giving up the ghost.
“Would you look at that?” His jaw tightens. “Were you planning on telling me?”
“Eventually.”
“And him? This part I haven’t figured out yet,” he tips his head toward West.
“I ran into town, and the bar lights were the only thing on. I didn’t know what I’d find. I just needed…”
“She needed rest. I told her we’d figure things out today. Form a plan,” West speaks up.
Drew glares at West. “I should’ve been your first call.”
“I demanded that he keep his mouth shut. This is my problem to dictate. Not his or yours.”
That’s when my brother’s well-kept temper explodes. He shoots out of his stool so hard, it topples over.
“Of course it’s my fucking problem! A rival MC attacks my sister? You know how fucked that is?”
“Of course, I do,” I yell, getting out of my chair. “Why do you think I didn’t tell you! I don’t want my brother killed over a war my fucking stalker ex started.”
West comes around the counter and stands at my side, ready to step between me and my brother.
“Rein it in,” his deep voice rumbles.
“The fuck you say to me?” My brother turns his anger toward West.
“Stop,” I call out firmly. “West is my friend too, and he respected my wishes.”
Drew’s already furrowed brows crease deeper, looking back and forth between West and me. “What’s happening here?”
“What are you talking about?” I ask, though I know exactly what he’s asking.
“The fuck is this?” He’s glaring at West now.
“How about we focus on one thing at a time?” I suggest. Wrong thing to say.
“Is there something to focus on here?” Drew yells.
West steps between us and gets close to Drew. “Your sister’s life is in danger. How about we figure out this shit with her ex and get her off Black Feral’s radar?”
They stare each other down for what feels like an eternity.
West steps up, face-to-face with him. “You’re my fucking family.
My brother. You know me. Better than my own brothers in some ways.
Of course, I was going to tell you, but she’s like family, too.
I had to respect her wishes until we formed a plan.
” He lowers his voice, “We can’t have her staying on their radar, Styx. ”
The tension hurts my lungs from holding my breath. I want to be mad at Drew, but I get it. I’ve had countless sleepless nights wondering what troubles he’s riding into being a part of an MC.
Drew makes a choice. Taking a step back, he looks over West’s shoulder at me. “Are you okay?”
I exhale the concrete weight in my chest. “I’m okay. Thanks to West.”
I don’t mention Nora. I don’t want her getting in trouble for keeping my secret.
Drew nods. “The apartment story.” He points at my head. “It’ll work on Mom and Dad. You moving back in with them?
“I was going to stay there until I figured out my next move.”
The thick weight in the air dissipates. Drew takes out his phone and texts while he asks West, “Were your brothers able to get us that whiskey order?”
“Nash is dropping that off at the clubhouse tomorrow. Since the fire, I moved all supplies back to the distillery until we open.”
My brother nods. “We have the perimeter around Eden Ridge covered. No motorcycles other than our own will get through without us knowing. I’m handling your ex.”
“Drew. Absolutely not. I’m calling Brian and asking—,”
“The fuck you are.” Both of them. Both of them motherfuckers I love too much said that at the same time.
I rub my forehead. “I lost my phone last night. But that doesn’t mean you win.”
“Crushed by the car. Someone stepped on it,” my brother informs me.
“Excellent.”
“We’ll go get you a new one. I need to pass by the bar,” West says.
“Thanks.”
Drew starts for the front door. “Use his phone. Call the folks before you head to Main. Someone’s bound to call Mom if they see you.”
“And she’ll lose her shit that I didn’t call,” I conclude.
“Exactly. Then I’ll have to hear her vent about that shit for an hour. Love the woman, but I don’t have time today.” He flicks his hand over his shoulder as he leaves and calls out, “Answer my texts, fucker. I have a brother on surveillance.”
“I don’t want an MC bodyguard, Drew.”
“Tough shit. Life isn’t fair. Call Grayson, West.”
“Already texted him.” Door closes.
The cabin goes deathly silent as the rev of my brother’s heavy motorcycle drives off West’s property. West’s hand on my cheek startles me out of my head that’s spiraling.
“How’re you feeling?” he asks.
Sighing, I melt into his body, needing a hug. “That went better than I thought it would. Nearly shit myself when he caught me bullshitting.”
His fingers play with the ends of my hair. “We take this slow. We figure it out for ourselves first, then we tell him.”
“Agreed,” I nod against his chest. “We haven’t had time. This just happened. We’re allowed a moment to see what happens. Means keeping your hands off me, Hunter,” I pat his back, hoping to steer us back to calmer waters.
“No can do, Little Pixie. That one’s Nora’s, and she uses it like a curse word.”
I chuckle into his chest, which I breathe in deeply, centering my tumbling insides. I lean back, keeping our bodies close. That dimple on his left cheek peeks out as he smiles down at me.
“How are you at picking out pumpkins?” I weirdly ask.
West’s confusion is palpable, giving me a laugh.
“Come on, Mountain Man. Let’s go check out the festival prep.”