Lakelyn Chapter 14 #2
“Like hell, it’s not! And before you tell me not to cuss, I’m an adult in a few months. I won’t have him or anyone else using my sister. I’m going to talk to him. If he gets pissed and won’t help us, we’ll go back to our idea of leaving Nebraska.”
As River came to his feet, I knew I had to tell him. I didn’t want him fighting with Tyrant.
“Tyrant isn’t using me for sex. I know this because he asked me to be his old lady.
He introduced me to the businesses as such.
He was waiting for my answer last night.
He knew I needed to think about it. And I did, River.
I thought long and hard, and the truth is, I’ve fallen so hard for him that it’s crazy.
I know it’s been only a few weeks, but I’ve never felt like this after months with someone else.
He says he’s the same. I rode on his bike.
He doesn’t allow it. I’m the only woman who has ever ridden with him. ”
“So he says. Why do you trust him so much? How can you be sure he won’t kick us to the streets? Come on, there has to be more.”
We’d ended up going in circles. I refused to share Tyrant’s past with River. It wasn’t my story to tell. If my man wanted to tell others, he would. Eventually, we’d gotten tired of arguing. By the time that occurred, we decided to take a break from each other. River returned to helping Crypto.
When Tyrant came back to the house, he asked. “How did it go? Is he cool?”
“It didn’t go very well. I need to wait and talk to him again. He thinks you’ll hurt me. He wants to know why I believe you and how I know you won’t toss us out in the streets.”
“Did you tell him about how I grew up?”
“No, I didn’t. That’s not my place. I would never tell anyone that, Killian.” I got closer to him and slipped my arms around him. I lay my head on his chest. Tyrant clutched me tightly to him. I felt so safe when he did that.
“I need to talk to him. You tried, now let me.”
“Honey, please don’t fight with him,” I begged.
“I won’t. I promise. I just need to do this man-to-man. I should’ve done it, to begin with. He’s the man of your family. I’ll be back soon. Why don’t you think of what you want for dinner? We’ll go out and eat. We’ll see if River wants to go.” He gave me a deep kiss before he left.
I did think about dinner choices, but I mainly paced and worried.
It was over an hour before Tyrant returned.
He assured me things were fine and my brother would go to dinner with us.
Later, when we met at the clubhouse, River hugged me, and he shook Tyrant’s hand.
There was a new acceptance there that I was so happy to see.
We ended up with the whole club, even the prospects, coming with us.
The only ones who didn’t were the sluts.
It had been a fun, slightly crazy experience to eat out in public with all of them. I’d never laughed so much in my life.
That was two nights ago. Tonight was Friday night.
The guys had sanctuary and were now scattered around the common area, relaxing and ready to have a good time.
My brother was talking to Drax and Haze at the bar.
Jury and Smuggler were playing pool against Cardiac and Blood.
Handler and Charmer were throwing darts.
Earlier, the club decided that rather than fend for themselves or have the women cook, they would bring in a ton of pizzas.
It was the best pizza I’d ever tasted, so I hadn’t complained, although I overate and felt full and lazy.
I let loose a bit and had a couple of mixed drinks.
When the guys heard I was, River had teased them to look out.
They thought it meant I was a lightweight and would be drunk after one or sick.
That wasn’t what he meant, but we didn’t enlighten them.
I hoped there would be no reason to find out. It shouldn’t be a problem.
It was close to ten o’clock. I knew the sluts would be here soon with women from town.
I wasn’t thrilled, but I could deal. Tyrant was talking to Howler and casting concerned looks at me.
The reason was beside me. Alice had come in about twenty minutes ago.
She said it was to talk to me. I knew Tyrant wasn’t happy, but I said sure.
“He’s upset I’m here. I should’ve stayed away,” she whispered to me.
“Alice, you have a right to speak to anyone you want. I might be with Tyrant, but that doesn’t give him the right to dictate who I can and can’t speak to.”
“I know, but it’s weird for him.”
“Why? Because you and he have had sex?”
Her mouth dropped open. “I-you, what…”
“I figure he has had it with all of you more than a few times and plenty of others. Do I like it? No, but I can’t get pissed every time I see one of you.
If I did, I undoubtedly would be in a foul mood every minute of the day.
All I can say is I don’t ever want to hear details, and if you try to put the moves on him, I won’t be so understanding,” I warned.
“I would never do that, Lakelyn. I like you. I know the others are upset that you’re here, and they feel you’re stepping on their toes, but the truth is, none of us had a part of Tyrant.
He used us for sex, and we used him. If some of them thought they’d get more, they were stupid.
I will never do that to you or him. I’ve never seen him smile, and he laughed the other day.
How he watches you and likes to be near you tells me Pres is in love with you.
I think it’s beautiful. I wondered if he was capable of it. ”
“He’s more than capable, though I don’t know if I’d call it love. We haven’t known each other long,” I objected. My heart jumped. Even if he did say my love in French the first night together, it was likely an in-the-moment slip.
“But it’s been long enough for you to fall in love with him. Don’t deny it,” Alice said.
She had me there, so I didn’t bother. Alice giggled.
The door opened, and Mera, Bailey, Kendall, and more women poured in.
I heard the soft groan Alice let out. Undoubtedly, they’d make a big deal that she was here early and speaking to me.
I hoped they wouldn’t. Alice was asking for my advice.
She and I, on the tour of the strip club that day, had talked about what I used to do for work.
She came tonight to see if I could help her with a friend who she felt was abusing alcohol.
“Don’t pay them any mind. You’re allowed in here. You were talking to me. I hope what I told you is helpful. I can give you more. Just give me a day to dig up more resources. I knew where they were back home, but not so much here.”
“Lakelyn, that is so kind of you. Thank you. I’m afraid that if she doesn’t get help soon, something horrible will happen. Any advice you can give me, I welcome it.”
I patted her arm to comfort her as a snide voice interrupted us. “What the hell do you think you’re doing here early and speaking to her?” Mera asked Alice acidly.
Now, if I hadn’t had two drinks, would I have let her words roll off me? Possibly. Or it might not have made a difference since I disliked Mera so much. I raised my eyes to Mera’s. She was glaring at me.
“I don’t see how it’s any of your goddamn business if Alice is here early or not. And it sure isn’t yours if she decides to speak to me. Why don’t you run along and take your bitchy attitude with you? None of us wants to hear it. We’re trying to have a good time,” I told her calmly.
The astonishment on Mera’s and the faces of the other women who’d followed her like ducklings to watch the confrontation were comical. I glanced over at Alice, who appeared somewhat shocked, then laughed.
“Listen, bitch, I don’t know who you think you are coming in here, monopolizing Tyrant, and now trying to get cozy with one of us, but it needs to stop. If the men are too blind to do it, I’ll send you packing. You need to leave,” Mera hissed.
Her hand flew out to latch onto my arm. I could’ve avoided it. Instead, I let her do it. Her look of triumph changed when I came to my feet, and I leaned toward her.
“If you don’t let go of me right this second, I’ll beat the stupid out of you. Push me and find out if I’m full of it,” I warned her.
I heard the loud murmurs from the women surrounding us. The men I could see were hurrying toward us. Tyrant was in the lead. I let them come, but focused on Mera and her posse of skanks. They were egging her to hit me.
“Mera, don’t! If you do, Tyrant—” Alice tried to warn her, but Mera cut her off.
“Tyrant will be back in my bed tonight. He’s already bored with this piece of trash. He told me so,” she said as she swung her open hand at my face.
I heard a roar and shouts of anger, but I wasn’t paying attention to them.
I dodged the slap and then swept my leg out, taking Mera’s legs out from underneath her.
When she hit the ground on her ass, I straddled her.
She tried to punch and slap at me, but I ducked them or let them glance off me so I could grab her head.
I gripped it between my hands and slammed it off the floor.
She screamed. Then, I was airborne. I went to lash out at whoever grabbed me, but Tyrant’s scent engulfed me, and I recognized his touch.
I relaxed. I turned my head to smile at him.
“Hi, honey,” I said.
“Hi, bébé. Mind telling me what you’re doing?” Tyrant asked. I think he was torn between anger and amusement. Brutus dragged a crying and swearing Mera up off the floor.
“Not at all. I was talking to Alice, as you know. Then Mera and these other women came in, and Mera seemed to think it was her place to chastise Alice for speaking to me. She was about to evict me. Why didn’t you tell me you were bored with me, and she was to return to warming your bed? ” I stated innocently.
“I’m what?” he snapped.
“You’re throwing me back into the street to take Mera back, and you had her come to take out the trash, a.k.a. me.”
His eyes landed on Mera, who was standing with Brutus behind her. She had nowhere to run. She wasn’t so confident anymore. Her eyes darted all over the room. Seeing no one standing up for her, Mera tried to defend herself.
“She’s been strutting around here like she’s in charge, Tyrant.
Why are she and Alice allowed in the common room before the rest of us?
I’ve been here the longest. I thought you said she wasn’t to be one of us?
She keeps hogging your attention and time.
She’s in your house, Tyrant. You never let any of us stay there,” she whined.
“Did you ever think there’s a reason I’m spending time with her and she’s staying with me?” he asked Mera.
“Sure, but you don’t need her for sex. You have me.”
“Turn down the fucking music!” Tyrant bellowed.
I wasn’t sure who did it, but the music abruptly stopped. He moved, so I stood with his arm around my waist. Mera disliked it. Her expression said she did.
“Since there seems to be confusion around here, let me clarify. One, I’m the fucking president of this club, and my men or I decide what someone’s status is or who stays or goes, not the rest of you.
Two, the reason I’m spending time with Lakelyn and she’s in my house is simple.
I don’t want any of you to forget this, so listen closely.
Lakelyn Barbeau is my old lady. We’re official.
I just have to wait for her property cut to arrive, which should be soon. ”
Judging by their smirks, the men didn’t seem surprised by the news. The women, on the other hand, aside from Alice, were shocked.
Mera let out a ghastly scream. “No, you can’t!
Tyrant, please don’t do this. I’ve done everything to be exactly what you want and need.
She can’t come in here and steal you out from under me.
I understand if you want to occasionally fuck someone else.
A man like you needs variety. I can live with that. She won’t,” she sobbed.
“Mera, I don’t know where you get the idea that Lakelyn is stealing me from you.
I was never yours or anyone else’s. I fucked whoever I wanted because I didn’t give a damn who got me off.
It was your choice to be what you are and to come here.
However, in Lakelyn’s case, I’m not only claiming her.
I’m swearing an oath right here that I’ll always be faithful to her.
Why can I do that for her? Easy. I love her. She’s my old lady and always will be.”
She broke down into agonized sobs. I felt a twinge of pity for her, but that died when she tried to charge me and scratch my eyes with her talons. Howler and Brutus dragged her out of the common area as she struggled and screamed.
“Bailey, I know she’s your cousin. You’re free to leave with her if she leaves. However, if you stay, I don’t want any problems from you or anyone else. Anyone coming after my woman is gone. This warning is Mera’s last one.” Tyrant warned her, but made it loud enough for all the women to hear.
“I understand. I’m not leaving, but I need to make sure she’s alright. Can I?” she asked.
“Yes, go.”
As she rushed after her cousin, the tension slowly dissipated. I wasn’t sure what to do next. Tyrant took the choice away from me.
“My old lady and I are calling it a night. We’ll see you when we see you. Come on, Lakelyn,” he demanded softly.
“Give me a minute,” I said, then told Alice to come see me tomorrow.
After I found my brother and hugged him, I let myself be led away. Tyrant was silent and frowning. Oh lord, was I about to be punished for fighting? It didn’t seem fair, but I wasn’t sure of the rules. How badly had I messed up?