Chapter Twenty
They had woken up early for the long ride to the cabin.
Aside from feeling as though death was imminent, she was excited.
It took a few tries to rally and actually get out of the bed.
Bogs was amazing, making her drink water and bringing her toast. She apologized profusely.
Last night was a bit of a blur. She remembered drinking with the girls and Bogs telling her about seeing Taylor.
She closed her eyes tightly remembering offering to blow him in the parking lot. Not one of my finer moments.
“Be honest, did I do anything that embarrassed you or made you feel uncomfortable?”
He snorted, rolling his eyes. “Pretty girl, I was feeling damn comfortable with your lips wrapped around my dick.”
She sighed and bowed her head with the echo of his chuckle filling the cab of the truck.
His hand was clasped around hers while the other lay lazily over the steering wheel.
He had remained quiet for most other the ride with the occasional call he took from one of the guys.
They were simple answers. T and Stone were driving up separately.
Kenzie thought it was strange they insisted on going up to the cabin to meet with everyone.
They no longer had any vested interest now that everything was settled with Dante. She didn’t question their motives.
Bogs had turned off the highway, down a long, isolated road. It was a beautiful area but extremely rural. She couldn’t imagine living in these parts, away from people and stores.
“So, whose cabin is it, Trent’s or Declan’s?”
“Both, they share it.”
“Really? Like partners?”
Bogs glanced over, smirking. “Depends on what ya mean by partners. Business, yes. They been friends since they were kids, did time in the service together, along with T and Stone.” Bogs shrugged. “Never really catch one without the other.”
“Like you and your brothers?”
“Yeah.”
Kenzie watched as he turned again and they went along an unpaved driveway. The brush was thick and only left enough room for one car in most spots. They pulled up in front of a small cabin with several cars scattered throughout the grounds. She recognized T’s SUV when Bogs pulled up next to it.
“We’re here.”
She shifted over to Bogs as he turned the ignition off, curving her neck and kissing him on his lips. His hand dove into the hair and prolonged the kiss. She had no problem with it. When he released her mouth from his, he grinned.
“Someone’s happy.”
“Thanks for making this happen.”
He kissed her again and opened his door. “You can pay me back later, in bed, naked, on your knees.”
She chuckled. It was a favor she’d gladly repay. She got out of the truck before he had time to get to her door. They walked up the short path and up the four steps to the small porch. It was a cute cabin she assumed they used for camping or hunting. Definitely a man’s place.
Bogs reached for the knob and Kenzie yanked his arm gently.
“You aren’t going to knock?”
He glanced from her to the door. “Why, they know we’re coming?”
“I don’t know.” She shrugged. “Maybe just knock first?” She suggested. What if they were in the middle of something?
Bogs raised his eyebrows.” Okay.” He knocked on the door and it was immediately answered. Declan stood at the doorway with a deep scowl, glancing between them both. His size took up the entire doorway. “Why’d ya knock?”
Great. She felt Bogs’ eyes on her but she refused to look at him. He snickered and ignored the question walking in and pulling her behind him. She quickly glanced up at Declan who was staring at her. It wasn’t harsh but not overly friendly.
“Hi,” she said and dropped her gaze to Bogs’ back in front of her. The faint sound of his masculine voice came from behind. “Hey.”
“About fucking time,” T said.
Could that man say a full sentence without dropping the f bomb?
Highly unlikely. She spent a lot of time wondering how T was able to convince a sweet girl like Cassie to marry him.
The murmurs of greeting were heard through the cabin but her focus was trained on the inside of the cabin.
She peered around the large living room and circled her sights throughout the open kitchen.
This place was massive, completely the opposite of what she expected from the exterior.
The cabin had neutral colors throughout giving a warm welcoming ambiance. The living room was scattered with furniture and a breakfast bar at the counter served the kitchen. She lifted her gaze to the cathedral ceiling and the loft area.
“Wow.”
A soft chuckle to her left had her glance in the direction of Trent who was smiling at her.
“Hello, Kenzie.”
“Hi.” She strained her smile knowing all eyes were on her. She gulped. “Your cabin is awesome.”
He lowered his head. It was a gentlemanly gesture and she liked it. She couldn’t be sure but she’d pegged him as being older than Bogs, maybe in his thirties, and gorgeous. “Thank you.”
“Oh, we got shy girl here too? The whole gang showed up.” Bogs made his way to a dark-haired woman standing by the kitchen island.
She smiled and shook her head, blushing slightly.
Bogs pulled her in for a hug and the woman laughed.
She noticed Declan glare down at the embrace.
If she had to guess, they must be a couple.
Bogs released the woman but kept his arm over her shoulder. He met her stare and grinned. “Shy girl, meet pretty girl.”
Kenzie’s face heated but she couldn’t contain her smile. She rolled her eyes, trying to play off embarrassment. She reached out her hand. “I’m Kenzie.”
She slid from under Bogs’ arm and stepped to Kenzie. “I’m Evie. It’s nice to finally meet you. Taylor talks about you all the time. I kind of feel like I already know you.”
“I hope she hasn’t been too much trouble.”
Declan snorted. Evie jerked her head in his direction and narrowed her eyes. “She’s been nothing but sweet.”
Declan raised his brows. “To you.”
She glanced over his shoulder to see T and Stone. Smiling again, she lifted her hand in an awkward wave. She got a head nod from Stone and a semi glare from T.
“Where is she?” Kenzie asked when she didn’t see Taylor. She watched Trent sigh and feign a smile. It seemed like he was exhausted by the mere reference to her. She had that effect on people.
Trent took a breath and called out. “Taylor?”
There was no answer. Was she gone? She looked over at Trent who tightened his lips again. He looked like an impatient parent who was being annoyed by a small child.
“Taylor.” He shouted louder, and with less finesse than the first time.
“What?” Taylor’s voice sounded from down a long hall. It was laced in anger and agitation.
“You have company.”
“Screw you, Trent. Your asshole friends are not company, they’re dicks.”
Kenzie widened her eyes in shock, her mouth dropping open. Taylor had always had a sharp tongue but she was being downright nasty. Something must have happened. She just didn’t know what.
“This is what we’ve been dealing with,” Declan said as he passed by Trent. “Should have handed her over to Dante when we had the chance.”
Evie gasped. “Declan, that’s not funny!”
“It wasn’t meant to be, Kitten.”
Trent stared back at Kenzie. She noticed his back straighten. Yeah, Taylor had definitely done something.
“Darlin’, I think you wanna see this company.”
“And I think you can take your company and go fuck yourself.” This time Trent’s entire face darkened and his brows indented in the center. His lips tightened as he sent a glare to the empty hallway.
Kenzie stepped away from Bogs, releasing his hand, and made her way to the edge of the hallway.
“Taylor?” Kenzie said. She waited peering down the hall.
No answer came from the room at the end but the door slowly opened.
A stream of long black hair fell from her view and Taylor’s face appeared.
It took her best friend less than two seconds to charge down the hall and knock her back when she threw her arms around her waist and hugged her close.
She wrapped her arms around Taylor’s shoulders. Her feet lifted off the ground and she giggled. “I’m so glad you’re okay, I was so worried, Tay.”
Taylor didn’t say a word but hugged her tighter.
This was so unlike her friend, who was never speechless.
It hit her in a way that she couldn’t describe.
It was like a mental conversation between her and her friend.
This hug was more than being happy to see her.
It was the words she couldn’t speak. The only time Taylor had a hard time talking was when she needed to apologize.
Kenzie hugged her tight and whispered, “I’m fine and it’s okay. Taylor, it’s okay.”
Her friend released her and her eyes confirmed what Kenzie knew. This was her saying ‘I’m sorry’ without uttering the words. She grabbed her hand and squeezed before losing her smile and jerking her head to the men standing gawking.
“I’ll be in my room. Don’t bother us.”
“That would be my room, darlin’.”
She pulled Kenzie down the hall. She barely had time to look back and see Bogs holding back a laugh when their eyes met and he winked at her. She lost sight of him when she was yanked through the door and it slammed behind her.
“Taylor, what’s going on?”
She sighed. “That man is such a prick. I called it right from the beginning, didn’t I?” She hopped on the bed and patted the mattress for Kenzie to join her. She slid her hair into a ponytail.
“Wait, what happened?”
She sighed, twisting her hair into a bun and tying it up as she spoke.
“What didn’t happen?” She shook her head.
“The condensed version? I got out of the club, couldn’t find you but made my way back to the apartment thinking that’s where you had gone.
Knew those bastards were following me. I was able to dodge them for a few days when that prick Trent got his hands on me. Been here ever since.”
“Where were you for those few days?”
Taylor shrugged not meeting her eyes. “Not important.”