Hulk Chapter 14
The past two nights since the letter arrived had been rough.
Both nights, Capri woke up screaming. The nightmare was back.
It took time to settle her down after each one, and she would fall into a restless sleep.
I knew it was restless because I’d stood in the doorway and watched her sleep.
Celeste and I weren’t getting much better rest, but it was to be expected.
On Sunday, I filled them in on what the club was doing with the letter, the update on the necklace, Vanessa, and the fingerprints, and the decision to speak to the other women at the party.
And I told them what had been suggested we do to try and bring out the person behind this.
I made sure they knew that whether to go out in public or be seen with the younger members and prospects was entirely Capri’s choice. I was so proud of her.
“Capri, honey, you don’t need to do either of those. You can stay here at the compound, where it’s safe. And if you want, we’ll have one of the prospects assigned at all times when I’m not here to stand outside the house. We’ll do whatever you need.” I stressed.
“Hulk, you and the club are such sweethearts. I can’t thank you enough.
You’re willing to turn your lives upside down to make sure I’m comfortable and feel safe.
Thank you, but it’s not necessary to have a guard while I’m inside the fence.
I feel very secure here. As for the idea of us being seen around town, picking up the mail and all that, in case this guy is watching, I hate the thought of bringing him to your doorstep. ”
“If it allows us to catch the bastard sooner, then we should. And if you’re worried about endangering us, we’ll be on guard.
Wire thinks it’ll drive the guy mad. He’s clearly obsessed with you and has been watching you for a while.
If he thinks his access will be cut off, he’ll make a move,” I argued.
“I guess I can see that,” she murmured.
“As for the other idea of having you out in town being seen with some of the younger guys, making this sicko think you’re becoming involved with one or more of them, it could do the same thing.
But I told the guys we would only do that if you felt comfortable enough to do so.
It would mean you spending time away from here and alone with them.
No one wants you to do it if you’re not totally at ease with it.
Just being seen once in a while in town might be enough to draw him out.
We want that so you can get back to living your life.
School starts back up in a few weeks,” I reminded her.
“No one here has given me pause, Hulk. I know that I’ll be safe with all of you.
And if there’s a chance that going out with some of the guys will make my attacker show his face, and we can end this sooner, I’ll do it.
All I ask is that the guys have veto power.
They have to volunteer to do it, not be ordered. ”
There had been a bit more back-and-forth before we reached an understanding.
I communicated it back to the others. As expected, not a single one of the guys said no, not even Soren and Thoryn when they were told of the idea.
I made sure when I spoke to the prospects, they knew it was all an act and not to get any ideas.
They assured me they wouldn’t, though they said pretty much the same thing Guardian and the others had about liking her and not being opposed to a relationship when she was ready, and if they weren’t involved.
I kept that part from Capri. I did tell Celeste, just in case she got worried.
We gave it a day to prepare Capri for her first outing.
We’d start with lunch, then stop by their apartment to pick up more things, including their mail.
The ladies chose not a restaurant but our bar, Pagan’s Watering Hole.
While it didn’t serve a massive selection of food, it was more than your typical bar food.
Many people came there for lunch. They enjoyed the relaxed atmosphere and the fast service, as several customers had told us.
Capri was quiet during the drive there. I asked her a couple of times if she wanted to turn back, but she said no.
The Hole was rather full when we arrived, but that was fine.
They knew to have a table for us. Knight had told them to expect us.
He managed the bar for the club with Guardian’s help. They would both be there today.
With a lady on each arm, I proudly walked into the Hole.
As with us all, no matter whether alone or in a group, a Pagan made people stare.
Some were merely curious, while others seemed slightly frightened.
The rest, usually women, gave us welcoming smiles.
We didn’t have to wait long. One of the waitresses, Ada, spotted us and came bustling over.
“Hi, Hulk, ladies. Your booth is right this way,” she said, pointing. We followed her to a more secluded booth toward the back wall of the dining area.
I sat with my back to the wall and Celeste next to me. Capri sat across from us. We were seated with Ada’s promise to come back to get our drink orders. Menus were on the table for us to peruse. I knew what they had, so I let the women look. Two minutes later, Knight and Guardian came over to us.
“Glad to see you came. We heard this is your first time here. I hope you enjoy it. I’ll let you relax, but I’m here if you need me,” Knight told us.
He smiled the most for Capri. As he walked away, Guardian slid in next to Capri.
We’d discussed this last night, and it was decided that the first time Capri was seen with one of the guys would be best when Celeste and I were with her.
Since we planned to come here, it made sense for Guardian to handle it.
When he sat, he turned and smiled at her while opening his arms. I noted no hesitation on her part as she hugged him.
When they went to part, he placed a kiss on her cheek.
I admit, I tensed, but Celeste’s hand on my thigh kept me from saying anything to him.
“Capri, is there anything you like better than others when it comes to food?” Guardian asked.
“Not really. I’ve never been super picky about food. I like most things, but if I had to choose, a great burger and pasta are always a yes for me,” she replied.
As he set out to point to the items on the menu that he’d suggest or were his favorites, I did the same for Celeste.
“Honey, you’re more nervous than I am. Relax. She’ll let us know if she’s not okay with anything Guardian says or does. Remember, we’re supposed to act like we’re all for her dating him and the others,” Celeste whispered.
“I know, but it’s harder than I thought. I swear, I won’t tear his head off for kissing her cheek. But if he goes for her lips, all bets are off,” I muttered. Her laughter made the couple across from us look up and smile.
It seemed I had worried for nothing. Lunch went smoothly.
The conversation flowed easily back and forth, and we all praised the food.
When it was time to leave, after I’d paid the bill, Guardian walked out with us.
He was the one to open Capri’s door and assist her into my truck.
To anyone watching, he appeared to be a besotted man.
I covertly scanned our surroundings to see if anyone was watching.
Nothing suspicious caught my attention. I knew Guardian was doing the same.
We said goodbye to Guardian and then waved as we rode off.
The next stop was their apartment. I discussed it with them, and they were to pack even more of their clothing, personal effects, and some other must-have boxes to bring to the house.
We had no idea how long they’d have to stay away from their place.
Plus, I was banking on talking them into staying there permanently.
I felt the tension in the truck rise as we got closer to the apartment.
I bypassed the mailbox. We’d pick the mail up last. It was a replay of me escorting them to their doorstep like at the Hole.
I unlocked their door and insisted on entering first. My search revealed that no one seemed to have been there.
While they packed, I hauled the boxes they stored in their closets out to my truck. When I was finished with those, I kept watch out the window that faced the parking lot. I was alert for anyone approaching or staring. However, there were many places someone could hide, even another apartment.
Twenty minutes later, they had everything else they wanted in the duffel bags I’d loaned them. Tossing them both over one shoulder, I kept the other hand free to lock the door and to get to my gun if necessary. However, I wasn’t expecting her attacker to jump out at us, not yet anyway.
In the truck, their tension had eased only partially.
We had one more stop to make. At the communal mailbox, I quickly emptied their box and got back in my truck.
I handed the stack to Celeste. We weren’t chancing Capri, opening another disgusting letter.
Nor did we stay to wait for her to sort through the stack.
Let the bastard, if he was watching, wonder when they’d see it.
During the drive home, Celeste sorted through them. She sighed in relief. “There’s nothing here, just junk mail and bills.”
“Good. Now you can take a deep breath and relax,” I advised.
As we got closer to home, the strain eased. By the time we entered the compound, both of them were talking and joking.
“We’ve decided on what to make for dinner tonight,” Capri said.
“Oh yeah, what?” I asked. Nothing they’d made so far had I not enjoyed. I looked forward to what it would be.
“We thought we’d make two of your favorites: peas and Brussels sprouts,” Capri giggled.
I’d confessed when talking about what we liked and hated food-wise that I detested Brussels sprouts and peas. I gagged, then shook my head.
“Well, I guess I’ll be at the clubhouse ordering pizza while you cook and eat that shit. No way do I even want to smell it.”
Their teasing lasted until we were home in the garage.
I unloaded the boxes and left those in the garage, then carried their bags to the bedrooms. While they unpacked them, I went to the living room and sent the brothers a message to let them know there was no note.
I knew they’d all be wondering. When all of us were finished, Capri asked.
“Is it okay if I ask Aliya to come over and hang out?”
“Capri, you don’t have to ask permission. Of course you can,” I assured her.
We had a few hours until they’d start making dinner and another couple afterward before I headed into Soul’s Striptease for the night. I was covering during the week or splitting with Wire. He’d be there this weekend so that I could be home.
Later, Celeste and Capri were to make some final touches to the Christmas decorations on the house.
We’d already done the tree. After arriving home, a delivery of more decorations for my house came that they’d been waiting for.
Since I had been single, I hadn’t bothered to go into the whole decorating thing.
The clubhouse was always full of holiday cheer, so I got my fill there.
However, my new family told me that wasn’t enough. And like a good man, I listened.
The boxes we’d brought from their apartment contained their Christmas ornaments and other furnishings. I wanted them to feel at home here. What better way to do that than to display all their special things?
I offered to help them do it tomorrow before work, but they insisted on doing it themselves so they could surprise me.
I was happy to see the two of them enjoying the season, especially Capri.
Before leaving for work, I’d bring the boxes into the house for them.
I looked forward to seeing what the house looked like when I returned.