Chapter Twelve
Anastacia
The room is dark when I wake. I have no idea what time it is because there is no clock in here. The door is ajar, just a sliver of light peeking through the crack. The house is silent, but I’m certain Grizz wouldn’t have left me alone. He was adamant about someone being with me at all times.
I’m not sure if I feel better being here because I’m with him, or because I’m in a different place—a place the Iron Runners may not look.
Many times I’d thought of how they could track Kolton down to get me.
They have cameras everywhere, and I’m sure they saw him take me out of that bar.
He’d be the one they’d go after first, if their priority was me—which I think it may be.
I feel bad leaving him, and that’s why I didn’t want to mention it in the first place.
It feels ungrateful, even if I am the opposite.
Grizz told me Kolton didn’t take it well, but he didn’t stop us when we left.
I apologized, and he just stared at me like he wasn’t seeing me at all.
He’s hard to read, and I have no idea what to make of it all.
But… I have a baby to worry about. I can’t worry about a grown man.
I do, however, owe him my life. So, maybe checking in on him now and then won’t be the worst thing.
At least, not for me. He may have a heart attack if I go back into his space.
Or maybe me inserting myself into his life is what he needs to come out of his shell.
Grizz wasn’t wrong in saying his mattress is comfortable.
It’s the most comfortable thing I’ve ever laid on, or maybe it’s because it smells like him.
I’m quickly getting attached, and I’m not sure that’s appropriate.
He’s only being kind—helping me and protecting me as part of the MC. Maybe it’s something they do.
Though, if they did this often, why don’t they have more of a system? I guess it doesn’t really matter. I’m here and I’m safe. That’s what matters.
I use the bathroom and find my things lined along the counter by the sink. I smile to myself as I reach for my toothbrush and toothpaste. Grizz must have unpacked some of my things for me this morning. He’s so sweet and thoughtful. I didn’t think they made men like him.
I read about them in books. Saw them in movies sometimes, when I was young. But firsthand, all I’ve dealt with are men who could pass as the devil.
When I open the door, I find Grizz leaning against the opposite wall. His smile is bright when he sees me.
“Good morning,” he says. His husky voice sends a shiver up my spine.
“Morning.”
“How are you feeling?”
“Like I could use a shower.”
“Take what you need. Use what you need. There are towels in the closet in there, and I already put your shampoo and soap on the shelves in the bath.”
“Oh, a bath sounds so good.”
“The bathtub upstairs is bigger, if you want to use that one.”
“Dr. Carter said I shouldn’t take baths so far along. I’m not really sure why, though.”
“Oh, uh... maybe we can Google it or something?” he says as I head into the bedroom.
“Sure, but after I shower. I think I smell.”
“You smell amazing.”
I look at him over my shoulder and see the seriousness in his eyes. No one has ever looked at me the way he does.
“Can I ask you something?” I say.
“Anything at all.”
I go to pick up my duffel, but he’s there to do it for me. He puts it on the bed and even unzips it.
“Does your MC help trafficked women as like… one of their things?”
“You were—” He stops, swallowing hard.
I give him my full attention and carefully explain. “They took me for the sole purpose of having sex with me so I would produce a child for them.”
“I just… I don’t know.” He scratches his head, his eyes glossy.
“It’s a harsh word, I know, but it’s what was done to me.”
“I’m not trying to take away from that,” he says quickly.
I give him a smile. “I didn’t think you were, but let’s call it what it is.”
“You just say it so… effortlessly.”
“I told you… my feelings toward it are basically non-existent. I know it happened to me, but it feels like I saw it in a movie.”
He stares at me in disbelief.
“This is why I didn’t want to tell you,” I say as I turn back to the bag.
“No,” he says. “No, I’m sorry. I’m not looking at you like that because I feel bad, Anastacia.” I bring my gaze back to him. “I’m looking at you like this because I am in awe of your strength.”
I huff a humorless laugh. “I’m not strong.”
“You are the strongest person I’ve ever met. I can only imagine what they did to you, and here you are. You’re living, you’re functioning, you’re having a baby. That is… admirable.”
I keep my gaze locked onto his, my heart beating a little faster.
“I guess I don’t see it like that.”
He steps closer to me, cupping my cheeks. “Then I will keep telling you until you do.”
How does this man say all the right things?
I have the strongest urge to lean up and kiss him—to learn what his lips feel like. But no amount of tip-toe will get me to where he is. I start to laugh, and a slow smile forms on his face.
“What?” he asks.
“Nothing.” I shake my head as his hands fall from me. I go back to the bag to find something to wear after the shower before I do something inappropriate.
“Well, to answer your question: no. We don’t deal with trafficked women, ever. Surprising since we’re near the border, but that’s why we protect it. So shit like this doesn’t happen.”
“Why was I different? Why did Kolton—uh, Snapper take me?”
There’s silence for a few moments, as I dig through my clothes.
“Well, for one, we will always help someone in need. Just because it’s not our thing doesn’t mean we don’t do the right thing. But also…” He pauses, thinking over his words. “Kolton is lost, and he’s looking for something to help him find his way.”
“And I was that?”
He shakes his head absently. “I don’t know. He’s very private, and very snappy. Like a turtle.”
I laugh as I pull out a pair of sweats and a T-shirt and turn to Grizz. “So we have a bear and a turtle. What else does the HMMC have?”
He laughs. “Oh, you’re going to love this.”
“Am I?” I ask as I move toward the bathroom.
“Snapper’s brother is Shark. And there’s also Rhino and Coyote.”
“Does everyone in the club have an animal name?” I ask.
“Nope. Then you have Bullseye, Ghost, Tank, and Spam.”
“Like the meat?”
“Yep.”
I walk into the bathroom and turn to face him. “That’s a story for later. See you after my shower?”
“I’ll be waiting.” I swear there’s a hint of something in his tone, but maybe I’m hearing things.
When I’m finished in the bathroom, he’s waiting for me just like he said he would be.