Chapter 18
Skyla
W iping the machine down with an anti-bacterial spray and cloth, I sigh, thinking about how disgusting some people are.
It does not take much to clean off a machine that you just worked out on and covered in your sweat. People are pigs. Clark is singing while he sweeps the floor, making me smile.
We are closing tonight, as Eva has a date with Tate, and Rocky is off meeting some chick he met online. What happened to going out and meeting someone face-to-face?
I shake my head when I remember when Rocky showed me the woman he is meeting tonight— her profile literally stated that she only wants hook-ups with beefy men, and Rocky fits right into that category.
I turn up the music, Clark smiling wide at me, and we both sing while cleaning the gym. His body moves to the music, his eyes sparkling with excitement as we dance and sing.
Once a month we do a deep cleaning, which is needed. We do a good clean every night but I like to make sure that every nook and cranny is scrubbed clean once a month.
Adele’s voice blares through the speakers as I move onto the next machine. Making sure that it is off, I spray and wipe it down.
My mind wanders to Camo before I can stop it. My chest aches, as I miss him. He may not be the best person for me to be with but I miss him. Something inside of me calls to him.
I miss the way he would look at me as he moved inside of me, the way he touched me like I was made of glass, but also like he could not get enough of me. Sometimes at night, I think I can feel him in my house, with the way my body reacts.
My skin feels tight, my nipples harden beneath my clothing, and I swear I can smell him, but I know deep down that he is too fucking stubborn to come and see me camouflaged.
Seeing Eva and Tate move forward in their relationship, it is new and exciting, and I wish I could have that. I admit my jealousy builds seeing them together but it is not because of seeing them together, but because of what they have.
“Hey, are you okay?” I blink at the sound of Clark’s voice.
“Yeah. Sorry.” I hadn’t realized that I had stopped cleaning and I was staring into space.
“Come and sit with me.” Clark takes my hand and leads me over to the small seating area that we built in the corner.
It is a space where people can come and sit to catch their breath, or if they get too overwhelmed. Black and grey seating fills the space, with a diffuser that pushes lavender scent into the air, which helps for both masking the scent of sweat, but also it adds a calming effect for people.
Sitting on the chair, I tuck my feet under my butt, placing a cushion over my lap and holding it to me.
“What had you spacing out over there? And do not lie to me, Sky,” Clark asks, sitting on the chair next to me.
“Camo.” I sigh. “I know that I should be stronger and not think about him, but he keeps slipping into my mind. I miss him, Clark. I know that I shouldn’t, but I do.”
I rub my sternum when it aches, thinking of the biker.
“I know you do; I have seen the light in your eyes dim with each passing day.
I hate it, Skyla, but I have to add that he was hurting you also.
Before you jump to his defense and say that you two were not officially dating so he could sleep with anyone he wanted, that is bullshit.
He knew how you felt; he is not a stupid man.
It was fucked up that he was fucking other people.
If I am being honest, I think he felt something too but he is too stubborn to say what he feels.
“The way he treated you was shitty, if you ask me. Plus, after what he did, I would want to cut his dick and balls off and spread them all over Salem. Maybe have a witch curse him. Now that sounds like a good idea, I know a few.” He winks.
“We are not going to see Aspen.” I giggle.
Aspen owns the most amazing little witchy shop that sells the best homemade candles. She is also a beauty, with her long blonde hair, sparkling blue eyes, and has boobs for days.
“She is hot; it is a shame I love dick.” He wiggles his eyebrows, grinning.
His smile slips from his face and I know he is about to get serious with me again.
“I have looked into certain things; you know that for years, I have been fascinated with the supernatural.” I nod. “Seeing how Camo is with you, and how other supernaturals act, I think he is your mate, but he is pushing the feelings down, not letting himself claim you."
I think over what he just said, and I agree that there is something extra between us, but he keeps me at arm’s length.
Over the last year, Camo has always avoided any hint or even a situation where we could become more. I have seen him go out of his way to avoid a romantic scene with me or random couples in the street.
He has told me time and time again that he won’t settle down as the club is dangerous, but what I feel for him outweighs the risks.
I know that he and the club would protect me if he claimed me. Seeing how Winger and Thorin react when he does something to hurt me adds a little hope that one day he might see me as someone strong enough to stand at his side.
With his recent behavior, I know now that it will never happen. He broke that last bit of thread between us. As much as I miss him, he hurt me badly by letting and enjoying seeing me hurt and broken.
“Well, we know his answer. I have had time to think over things and yes, I miss him, but he hurt me, Clark. It was always there that he was sleeping with other women, but actually seeing it broke my heart into too many pieces to place back together right away. I need time to heal from him, and then I will move on. Start dating again.” I wink at him.
“Boom, bitches. Miss Skyla Leigh Delmont is back.” He pulls me to my feet, hugging me in his big, muscled arms.
I snuggle my face into his chest because Clark gives the best hugs in the world. Sniffing him makes him laugh.
“What is it with you and sniffing me?” He pulls back, grinning down at me.
“You always smell good. Before, during, and after a workout. You have an amazing natural scent.” I giggle.
He taps my butt. “Come on, let’s finish up so we can grab a drink before we both go home and drown in ice cream and a smutty book.”
“Oh, who are you reading right now?”
His smile widens and I know that it will be good. Clark and I have similar tastes in books.
“Hear Me Out by Lila Rose. It is a part of the Hawks MC, a gay storyline and sexy as fuck.” He winks.
“Oh, I love her books. I am in the middle of a sexy reverse harem dragon shifter book. Now, that is hot as fuck.”
“Oh, can you imagine being sandwiched between two or three men?” His cheeks tint pink.
“Bikers, oh hell.” I fan my face.
“I bet you would, you dirty bitch. You would have plenty to pick from with the Kings.” He winks.
We laugh and get back to work, singing and dancing because it makes the time fly.
A zip of electricity rushes through my body, seconds before the gym is plunged into darkness, and the music shuts off.
“Skyla,” Clark calls out.
“Over by the front desk,” I reply, just as the glass main doors shatter.
I hear Clark calling me again, but my own screams drown out his voice. I cover my face, protecting myself from the flying glass.
Shards of glass cut into my arms as I fall to the floor.
The sound of glass crunching under footsteps makes me look up, shaking seeing two men all dressed in black with their faces covered.
“Go deal with the man-bitch; I was told to deal with this nosy bitch,” one guy snarls.
I channel my training and slowly push to my feet, ignoring the stinging pain from the cuts. Before I can brace myself, he grips me by the hair, pulling me the rest of the way up.
His breath smells of stale beer and smoke.
“You are one nosy fucking cunt, aren’t you, bitch?
You just couldn’t keep your fucking nose out of people’s business, could you?
Stay the fuck away from the kid, if you know what is good for you.
” He yanks my hair, making me scream. “He told me that you were a pretty bitch; fuck, I could have some fun with you. Make you scream or cry, not bothered by which, I just want to hear you.” Fear ripples through me at his words but I do not recognize his voice, so it is not Aston’s stepfather.
“Leave her alone, you bastard,” Clark bellows, then I hear grunting.
Pulling against the hold on my hair, I look across the room and see Clark fighting with the other guy. And he is winning.
Knowing I need to fight back, I channel Clark’s fighting energy. I pull back my fist and slam it into the fucker’s thigh, hoping to give him a dead leg, but it doesn’t work. He growls, throwing me away from him, and I roll to a stop against a display stand.
“You cunt.” He charges me, and I brace for the hit.
His palm connects with my cheek, and I cry out as the sting vibrates through my face. Instead of crying and being weak, I brush my hair back from my face and smile up at the man, grinning like a fool.
“You call that a hit? You just bitch slapped me, you weak, pathetic man. I suppose you like to hit people smaller than you, don’t you? Well, I fight back, bitch .” He growls.
“We’ll see.” He raises his hand up, ready to strike me again.
“Your boss likes to beat on kids, he is too chickenshit to do his own dirty work.” I laugh.
“Mouthy cunt, too. Back off, before you get really hurt,” he snarls, spit foaming from his mouth.
“No, I don’t think I will. I will do whatever it takes to make Aston safe. You tell your boss to hire a man with fucking big balls next time, because you are shit at this intimidation act.” I know that I am riling him up, putting myself in more danger if he snaps and hits me for real.
I hate that Tate and his contact can’t remove him from the home as there is not enough evidence, but they are keeping an eye on the situation.
“You are a mouthy little cunt, aren’t you? I have something that will fill that mouth to shut you up.” He reaches for his belt, and I shiver, as fear runs through me.
Before he can undo the buckle, his friend comes over and slams into him, all sweaty, with blood dripping down his face.
“We needed to scare her, man, that’s it. Fuck, I did not sign up to rape her. Come on, we need to leave.” He looks over his shoulder, seeing Clark storming across the room, looking like he is ready to rip the guy’s head off.
“You have your warning. Keep away.”
They both bolt for the door, with Clark hot on their heels.
Climbing to my feet, I sway a little, my back hurting from when I hit the stand. My shoulder feels like it is on fire as well as my cheek from the slap. Stepping over to the front desk, I lean against it, taking deep breaths to soothe my erratic beating heart.
“Skyla, honey.” Clark stops in front of me, breathing as hard as I am.
He cups my jaw, and I wince when his thumb touches my cheek.
“That fucking bastard. Are you hurt anywhere else?” Shaking my head, I take in his handsome face.
Reaching up, I touch around the cut above his eye, making him wince.
“He got a hit on you,” I state.
“Fucker hit me with a fucking ab roller, can you believe that shit? Pussy bitch,” he snaps.
I can’t stop the giggle that slips free at the fact that this supposed badass man came in here to intimidate us and hit my bestie with a plastic ab roller.
“We need to call Tate. You need to press charges, babe.”
Shaking my head, I point to the cameras that we have here for both our protection and the members.
“Their faces were covered, so there will be no proof of who they were.”
“Fuck,” he mutters, his hands resting on his hips.
“Come on, let’s get cleaned up. I will call Tate; can you call your guy from that construction company and see if he can board up the doors for now and see if he can measure and order us a new door, please?”
He steps to me, pulling me in for a hug, kissing the top of my head.
“On it, babe. Love you, Skies.”
“Love you too, Clarky.”
I watch as he walks off to get his phone to make the call, while I walk back to the office to make my own phone call. My body aches, and it feels like I have gone ten rounds with Ronda Rousey.
Stopping at the mirror in the office, I wince seeing the little cuts on my arms and shoulder, and neck. They look like they do not need stitches, but blood drips down my skin.
Reaching for a first aid kit, I clean myself up and call Tate.
Once I am off the phone with a very angry police officer and friend, I call Rocky to let him know what happened here tonight, and of course, he ends his date to come to help us. Eva will come here with Tate, so I know she is safe.
Picking up my phone again, my finger hovers over Camo’s name.
The need to call him and ask him to come here and hold me floods my blood, but my head wins out and I lock my phone.
Closing my eyes, I sink back into my chair and let some tears fall, the fright finally settling in my soul, showing me that at any time I can be hurt, and this time, it had nothing to do with the club.
I just wish that Camo could see what I see. Danger is around every corner and there is nothing we can do to stop it.