Celeste Chapter 8
We’d been back at the Pagans’ clubhouse for a few hours.
When we first arrived, I had to take Capri aside and inform her of what we had found.
She was upset about having to wait for her favorite necklace to be returned, but she understood why.
Wire promised her it would be returned in one piece as soon as possible.
After that, I’d sat in with Wire, Hulk, Twisted, and Agony, who were home by then, as they made a call to a bunch called the Dark Patriots.
Hulk explained that they were a group of mainly former military personnel who worked in a variety of security-related jobs.
Sometimes, they worked for the government or helped out the various MCs they were friends with.
It had been started by four Navy SEALs who were best friends.
The call had gone well, I thought. They promised that a courier would pick everything up tonight.
The photos Wire sent over to them himself.
The call had ended, and we were still in Agony’s office.
Man, it wasn’t even seven at night, and I was tired.
I needed to get longer naps during the day. I stifled a yawn. Hulk caught it.
“You need to get more sleep,” he told me.
“I know that, but you know why that’s not happening right now,” I fired back.
“I do, which reminds me. Twisted, was Aliya afraid to be left at home alone after the attack, or did being here at the compound help her feel safe enough to sleep?”
“She had a few nightmares and woke us all up. Was she scared to stay alone? I don’t think so. She never mentioned it. But being behind the fence with so many others around to watch over her, I think it made it better. Why?”
“Celeste and Capri are getting hardly any sleep. Capri keeps waking up, screaming from nightmares, and then they can’t get back to sleep.
They try to survive on catnaps during the day.
Capri is afraid to be left alone at home even during the daytime.
She only dreams of the night she was attacked occasionally.
The rest of the time, she’s scared that whoever did that to her breaks in and hurts her and Celeste.
The presence of guns and knowledge of how to use them isn’t enough to reassure her. ”
Before I could protest, Twisted spoke. “It might not be the same, Hulk. Aliya was attacked but not raped. Even if Capri can’t remember what happened that night, maybe that plays a factor.
She doesn’t know who hurt her. Aliya knew who tried.
The two of them spent time together the other night and today.
Later, I’ll ask Aliya if Capri mentioned anything, or if she has any insights into what will help Capri. ”
“Twisted, thank you. I’d appreciate that. She’s trying to be brave.” I said.
“No one doubts her bravery, Celeste. But even the bravest person can use some help once in a while,” Agony stated.
“Why don’t we conduct an experiment tonight?” Hulk suggested.
“What kind of experiment?” I asked.
“You and Capri stay here at the compound tonight. You can stay at my house. I have plenty of room. We’ll see if she wakes up. In the morning, we can ask her how she slept. If she does wake up, we’ll see if she’ll fall back to sleep.”
His suggestion stunned me. There was no other word for it. My automatic response was to say no.
“Don’t say no. I believe it’s a good idea. And at Hulk’s, you don’t need to worry about disturbing a bunch of people, unlike you might if you stayed at the clubhouse, although no one would care. And if she does wake up Hulk and he can’t go back to sleep, it’s no big deal,” Agony chimed in.
“Why wouldn’t it be a big deal?” I asked.
“Because you can’t get enough beauty sleep to help his mug.
” Twisted laughed, then got serious. “I’m joking—no need to give me the deathly glare, brother.
On a serious note, Capri can borrow some sleepwear and stuff from Aliya.
They’re close in height and weight. As for you, Celeste, you have a few of the old ladies you can borrow from, including Zari.
You’re similar in height and weight, and so is Natalya.
That way, there would be no need to run home and pack anything.
You can kick back, relax, have some fun without the worry of driving when it’s late, and hopefully the added benefit of getting a full night’s sleep. ”
“That’s kind of you all to offer, but we can’t.”
That set off a twenty-minute debate, during which they presented their arguments, and I countered them.
At each turn, they found ways to shoot down my objections.
And I couldn’t get mad at them for doing it.
They were offering from their hearts. It made me recall what it was like to have people who loved and cared for you.
We’d missed that. Finally, I had no choice. I gave up in defeat.
With that decided, we all headed back to the common room to see who was there. It was after five, so those working should be home shortly. Thinking of the time, I turned to Hulk as we walked side by side to the common area.
“What time do you have to be at work tonight?” I asked.
“I’m not going in tonight. It’s being covered. They can handle it. If anything too crazy happens, they’ll call me.”
“I hope we’re not the reason you’re not going.”
“You are, but it was my choice, and you’re worth it.” He winked.
I didn’t know what to say or do when he winked or teased me.
And the thought of staying all night in his house was going to test my restraint.
I had hot fantasies and dreams about him every night at home, which required me to pleasure myself to an orgasm before I got any sleep.
I wouldn’t be able to do that at his house, leaving me with a long, restless night ahead and an exhausted me in the morning.
“You shouldn’t stay home. We’ll be fine unless you don’t want us alone in your house.”
He paused and pulled me toward the hall’s wall.
The others kept going up the hallway. “Celeste, I have zero concerns about you being alone in my home. As for staying here and not going to work, I planned that before you decided to stay. I wanted a night we didn’t need to cut short.
Believe it or not, I enjoy spending time with you.
And since I knew you’d be here, I hoped to talk you into hanging out with the club and me tonight. Unless you dislike that idea.”
“No, I don’t dislike it! I-I’m just surprised. You and the club are doing enough for us. I don’t expect you to miss work, too,” I rambled.
“We’re doing what needs to be done, nothing more.
Now, come, let’s forget this for a while and have fun.
I know you did last time you were here. Capri seems to have settled in nicely.
Let’s tell her the plan. We’ll get you some things together first, I’ll show you my house, then we’ll come back to hang out. Sound like a plan?” Hulk asked.
My heart pounded. Anything that allowed me to be near him or to spend time with him, I wanted, even if it meant setting me up for heartache.
No matter how much I dreamed about it, what Hulk and I had would never be more than a casual friendship at the most. However, despite knowing this, I found myself agreeing.
“Yes, we should do that.”
He took my hand and walked me the rest of the way to the common area.
There were more bodies in it than when we went to Agony’s office.
It took me a few seconds to spot Capri. She was talking to Aliya.
They were seated on a couch along the wall.
Hulk must’ve seen her, too, because he steered me toward them.
We came to a stop next to them. Capri looked up and smiled.
“All done?” she asked.
“We are. Hey, we need to borrow you for a little bit. It won’t be for long.
You and I are staying here tonight. We can have fun without worrying about driving home late or that we’ve had something to drink.
Agony said the club will loan us some things, since we don’t have any of ours with us.
Hulk wants to gather those and show us where we’ll be staying tonight,” I explained.
“Really? We’re staying here? That’s so cool,” Capri said excitedly.
“You should stay with us. I know Twisted and Zari won’t mind. You can stay in my room, and you can borrow my clothes or whatever you need,” Aliya offered.
“Are you sure they won’t mind?” Capri asked uncertainly.
Before Aliya was able to respond, Twisted’s voice sounded behind us.
“I think that’s a great idea. Capri is more than welcome to stay with us. I was gonna ask Aliya to lend her things anyway, so this makes it perfect.”
Standing next to him was Zari. She smiled and nodded. “We’d love to have you as long as you can stand the noise. Ransom gets up at dawn, and Arif loves to get him going. Then you throw in Twisted, and the boys at our house are deafening. We’d love the extra girl power,” Zari stated, smirking.
Twisted reacted, as she expected, no doubt.
“I’m not the one making all the noise. That’s our boys. I’m an angel. Don’t tell Capri lies,” he mockingly growled.
Their debate caused my niece to grin widely and giggle. Seeing her carefree made me want to cry, but I held in my happy tears. A couple of minutes of banter ended with a return to the original question.
“So, do you want to stay with us?” Aliya asked.
Capri glanced over at me. “It’s up to you. I’ll be good wherever you stay,” I tell her.
“I’d love to stay. Thank you,” she replied to Aliya, Twisted, and Zari.
Aliya jumped to her feet, grabbed Capri’s hand, and tugged her toward her. “Okay, come with me, and I’ll show you our house. We’ll come back and hang out with everyone shortly.”
Without a backward look, the two walked off. I addressed Zari and Twisted.
“Thank you so much for that. It’s been a while since she’s giggled and smiled like that. She’s been relatively isolated growing up. I should’ve insisted she do sleepovers and those things, but we were comfortable being together.”