Chapter 11
CHAPTER ELEVEN
ROMANIA
When I walked Eve to her room last night, it seemed like her thoughts were getting the better of her because of how silent she’d become. I couldn’t say for sure what was bothering her, but something had her distant—like she couldn’t bring herself to be close to the man she loved.
I’d noticed it at the bar, too, which was why I’d tried to take her mind off things. But on the drive to the compound, whatever it was kept pulling her under, and I couldn’t reach her.
Did other people see her struggles?
Did she let them?
I was surprised she opened up to me about her heartbreaking past.
It really boiled my blood when kids had to deal with parents like that.
No, it did more than that. I wanted to hunt them down and destroy them.
I am my father’s daughter.
Eve suffered on the inside. I could tell. If she didn’t, I was certain she’d be locked in a relationship with that gorgeous man.
Whatever her parents poisoned her with—words and actions—she was still letting that fester and control her now.
It wasn’t right.
But what could I do?
Be there for her.
Of course I would. She was someone special. I just knew it.
Slowing my steps, I cut off my train of thought and took a deep breath as I stretched my arms and legs. I’d just finished running the perimeter of the compound for the tenth time, and if I didn’t get food in my stomach soon, it wasn’t going to forgive me.
I walked into the kitchen from outside. “Hey, hi, hello,” I called to Chaos, Rule, Saint, Gun, and Boomer.
I was pretty proud of myself for remembering all their names.
What helped was when I remembered something specific about them.
Like Chaos with his wild long hair. Rule was young and had a tattoo of a snake winding around his arm from his wrist to up under his tee.
Saint and Gun were easy because I’d met them on the first day here and we’d talked for hours about bikes.
Boomer was another easy name to remember because he actually talked loudly.
“Morning, kid,” Boomer boomed.
I got chin lifts from Rule and Gun, while Saint winked.
Chaos wouldn’t look at me, though.
“What’s wrong, Chaos?” I asked.
Chaos said, “Darlin’, if my old lady caught me lookin’ at you, a single, new woman who isn’t one of the club women… one she knows I’ve nothin’ to do with, she’d nail my nuts to the floor.”
I glanced down at myself. Brows pinched in confusion. I lifted my gaze just when the kitchen doors opened and Quake strolled in as I said, “But I’m not naked. My boobs and vagina are covered.”
Chaos made a pained sound while the others chuckled.
“Sorry. But I’m saving my nuts. My woman is a crazy one. Not that I’d have her any other way, but I like to stay unharmed,” Chaos said before he walked out with a smirking Rule following.
I really didn’t get it. I had on a sports bra and boy shorts. I glanced down again and cupped my breasts, pushing them up. “There’s not even cleavage.”
“Jesus, kid. Quit it,” Boomer called. Then he huffed. “Reminds me of the time when Gun found out what he could do with his pecker.”
“Fuckin’ hell, Boomer. Shut your trap, old man.”
The other men chuckled.
I shrugged and walked to the counter to steal a raspberry muffin. I took a bite and moaned around the goodness.
“We’re headin’ out to the tables. You comin’, Rommy?” Saint asked.
“I’m gonna grab some more food first. Be out soon.” I went over to grab a plate.
“Meet you out there,” Gun said as he, Saint, and Boomer left.
Now I was alone with Quake.
The handsomest man in the club whose peen I really wanted to see.
A shame he was off limits.
But the real question was should I keep my mouth shut and not get involved with him and Eve, or would it be helpful if I did say something?
Shit. What should I do?
I couldn’t say anything, could I?
It really wasn’t my place.
But Eve… she needed a slight helping hand, right?
Turning, I found Quake already staring at me from where he leaned against the counter with his arms crossed.
He smirked. “I could hear you thinking.”
Smiling, I brought my plate over to the counter and started piling on food. “Dad always says he can see the wheels turning before I start to speak.” Laughing lightly, I shrugged. “At least whoever I’m going to talk to can prepare themselves.”
“Is what you’re going to say bad?” he asked as he went to pick up a plate too.
Placing my dish down, I shook my head. “No, no. Not bad.” How did I say this?
What was I going to say? “I-I, hell, I don’t want to put my foot in it, but I think you need to know that Eve does like you.
Anyone can read it. I think she’s a bit in love with you, but she has struggles.
I won’t say what. That’s for her to tell you. ”
“About her parents?”
“Yes. Has she told you anything?”
He shook his head. “Not really, and neither has Tech. They’re both tight-lipped about it, but I’ve gathered being around their parents was a shitty time for them.”
“It plays on her mind a lot, and I think adds to her… not being herself, if that makes sense? I’ve heard some of the club girls talk about Eve, and they’re all scared of her.
I know she takes care of matters for the brothers when it comes to the women, but I don’t think that’s who she really wants to be.
Oh my God, I probably shouldn’t be saying any of this.
I suck. I’m not a good friend at all, but I hate seeing her struggle.
And it seems I can’t shut up either. Please ignore everything I’ve just said. She’ll kill me for this.”
I buried my face in my hands.
It was wrong. I made the wrong choice and now—
“Do you know you bring out a side to her that she keeps close to her heart? A side I’ve only seen glimpses of.”
Dropping my hands, I cocked my head to the side. “Huh?”
He chuckled.
God, that sounded nice. Like Eve’s laugh did.
It was such a pity that neither of them looked at me with heat in their eyes.
It actually made my heart hurt.
But I couldn’t be too upset because they were so into each other, and I loved that for them.
“Last night Eve was… Christ, this is gonna sound weird, but it was like she glowed when she was around you. Like you made everything bad disappear and had her smiling and laughing as if she didn’t have a care in the world.”
I waved him off. “She’s like that with her posse.”
His brows rose, and amusement shone in his gaze. “Posse?”
“Oh, Julian always calls the old ladies of the club the pussy posse.”
His laugh was loud, and my grin was instant.
“I get it.” But the look he gave me made me think he wished he didn’t get it. “And in a way, you’re right about Eve with her posse. Although, I think, even with them that she’s kept them at a distance. Not you, though.”
“I’m easy to talk to,” I offered.
For the first time, his gaze swept over my body, but he did it so quickly I nearly missed it before he was eyeing the food. “I won’t give up on her,’ he said quietly.
And that was exactly what I wanted.
Beaming, I clapped. “Perfect.”
He studied me and scrubbed a hand over his head. “You really think she loves me?”
“Without a doubt. But it’s hidden deep, and she’s scared— Fuck. I shouldn’t have said that. Ignore what I said. I can hit you over the head to give you a concussion and hopefully amnesia. Just a short case of it to forget this moment.”
Another chuckle rolled out of him, this one low and rough. “Forget about what?”
“That I said…. Wait, I see what you’re doing.” I shot him fingers guns. “You’re a cool, big guy, Quake, and if I wasn’t rooting for you and Eve, I would have so tried to get in your pants.”
He coughed and spluttered and went beet red.
Cackling, I picked up my plate again and winked. “Good luck,” I said before I walked out into the common room.
There was a spot left on the table that held my parents, Texas, Maya, Saint, Gun, and Boomer. When I got to the table, I kissed Dad and Mum on the cheek before hugging Texas and Maya with one arm since I still held my plate of food.
“Mornin’, girl,” Mum said. “You been out for a run?”
“Yep, just around the compound.”
“You wore that?” Dad demanded. “Go and get a tee on or a damn body-length turtleneck.”
The men chuckled.
I rolled my eyes as I sat down. “The ladies aren’t peeking out. If I’ve offended anyone with what I’m wearing, please tell me and I’ll go get into something else.”
“You’re offendin’ my eyes,” Texas said. Maya slapped him in the side.
“You don’t count,” I told my brother. However, I doubted anyone would actually tell me I was making them uncomfortable, and I should consider the old ladies of the club. They may not want to see me dressed like this around their guys.
I took a large mouthful of the eggs and stood. “I’ll be back. Mind my spot, please.”
Mum winked at me. She was happy that I gathered it wasn’t just about me and that I had to think of others. Sometimes I could forget that. To me, a body, no matter what shape or size, was a beautiful thing to showcase, but not everyone thought like I did.
Laughing to myself as I climbed the stairs, I was sure no one thought like me.
I was walking down the hall when I caught sight of Eve.
“Hey, hi, hello,” I called and then skipped down to her. When I was at her side, I wrapped my arms around her waist. She stiffened for a moment before hugging me back.
“Morning. Have you already had breakfast?”
I pulled back. “I have a plate ready down there, but I wanted to grab a sweater.”
“I’ll come with you.” When we started walking, I could tell she wanted to say something from the way she kept parting and closing her lips.
I waited it out, even when I wanted to ask how she was or to see what her plans were for the day.
Maybe I could convince her to play some video games with me in Quake’s room.
Oh, oh, oh. I really wanted to take another look at Quake’s bed. Did they have sex there or in Eve’s room? I’d been in both, but I hadn’t studied them like I now wanted to.
God, they would really be a sight together.