Chapter 15
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
HENDRIX
The hot spray pelts over my skin the shower, so hot it’s almost scolding.
Steam surrounds me like a thick fog. My hands are braced against the cold tiled wall, my head bowed as I think over the sounds she made.
The crying, the pleading, replaying over and over in my head.
Her face was contorted in so much agony, so much pain.
She was trapped, reliving that fucking nightmare, and I couldn’t do a fucking thing.
Again! Again, she was suffering, being tortured, even in her sleep. Even in a place she should be safe.
I curl my hands into tight fists as emotion, anger, and pure boiling fury pulses through my body.
A deep guttural roar rips from my chest as I rear my hand back and slam my fist into the tiles.
The tile cracks, splintering beneath my knuckles, while cutting into my skin.
Blood drips to the floor, slowly washing away with the water.
“Fuck!” I pant. “Fuck, fuck, fuck,” I mutter.
After switching the shower off, I step out, wrapping a towel around my waist before going to the cabinet and grabbing a bandage, making quick work as I roughly wrap it around my knuckles.
Closing my eyes, I restrain the anger, taking deep, steady breaths.
There’s a knock at the door. Sighing, I open my eyes and walk to the front door.
I swing the door open to see Ginny standing there, smiling up at me.
I lean my arm up against the door jam, while keeping my other hand on the door.
I’m in no mood to see her right now. Her smile fades when she realises I’m not inviting her in.
“I was worried. You haven’t replied to my messages,” she says softly, her eyes searching my face.
“I’ve been busy,” I answer coldly. I’m being a dick, I know I am, but right now all I can think of is Storm.
“I see,” she mumbles, looking down at her hands. When her gaze lifts, she spots my bandaged hand. “Oh my god, what happened? Are you hurt?” She asks with concern.
I exhale with annoyance. “I’m fine, Ginny, okay? It’s club business. I’m just showering, then heading back to the club. I will call you when things quieten down.”
Her face falls, her bottom lip quivering just slightly, like she’s holding back the tears.
I rub a hand over my face. “Jesus, I don’t mean to be a dick. It’s just, there’s a lot on, and it’s consuming. I just don’t have the time to deal with you, as well,” I state honestly.
“Deal with me?” she snaps. The sadness has vanished, and anger is now transforming her usually warm and beautiful face into something cold and hard.
“Fucking deal with me?! Is there someone else? Is it her? It’s her, isn’t it!
You know what, you are lucky to be spending time with me.
Do you know that?!” she seethes, her eyes turning wild.
I blink. What just happened? I shrug and tell her what she wants to hear. My dad always said, ‘just agree son, even when you don’t, for a peaceful life just fucking agree.
“You’re right. I didn’t mean it like that,” I mutter.
Like a switch, her face returns to the sweet soft girl from moments ago. What. The. Fuck.
“Okay baby, listen. I have to get to work, but are we still going out Saturday night?” she says cheerily. I look around to see if anyone else has just seen the Jekyll and Hyde moment. “Baby?” she calls my name
I look back at her. “Yeah,” I murmur.
Her grin deepens. “Good, pick me up at seven,” she says, leaning up on her toes and pressing her mouth to mine briefly before stepping back and leaving.
I stay stood there for a moment, wondering what the hell just happened before closing the door.
Before I can close the door another shadow appears in the doorway.
His hands shoved into the pockets of his kutte.
His astute gaze watching me, watching Ginny leaving.
He just arches his brow while giving me a subtle shake of his head in disappointment.
I step back allowing him in, “So..” He drawls. “You haven't let her go yet?”
I roll my eyes, “Who I choose to fuck isn't your concern, You going to start judging my taste in women now?”
“Nah.” He shrugs. “I gave up on that about three girlfriends ago.”
I snort despite myself, “Cunt.”
He grins, “Proudly.”
I make my way to the fridge, “beer?” he nods, so I grab two bottles handing him his. He twists the cap off taking a long swig.
“So..”
I groan. “There it is.”
“There what is?”
“The so.” He grins at me. “You got something to say.” I gesture.
“I've always got a lot to say.” He counters with a smirk, he takes a pull of his beer.
His smile fades, a serious look quickly replacing his amusement “I've just been deciding where to start.”
“Try starting nowhere.” I state taking a seat at the breakfast waiting for the lecture, the famous dad talk I know is coming.
He ignores me, “Storm.”
Everything inside me tightens. “What about her?”
He studies me for a long moment, then he quietly asks, “How is she doing?”
I shrug. Not expecting that to be his question. “Better.”
“Sure about that?”
I shake my head. “No.”
Dad watches me, “You’ve been around a lot.”
“I promised Ghost I would keep an eye on her.” I shrug.
“Did you just promise Ghost that or yourself?” he presses.
I laugh, “Jesus Christ.”
“What?”
“You sound like mom, the only difference is she practically pleads for me and Storm to be together.”
“I adore your mom, so I will take that as a compliment.” Dad raise his beer in a toat to mom before drinking from it.
I place my beer down and run my hands through my damp hair. “Storm has been through hell. I'm just making sure she's okay.” I huff.
Dad shrugs. “I know.”
I look to the ceiling and sigh exasperated. “So what is your point?”
He gestures towards the front door. “My point is you’ve spent most of your life having different women, come and go.”
“And how is that your business dad?” I yell my irritation growing.
“Because they aren’t her.” He pauses watching me.
I grit my jaw.
“They aint your BB, they aint fucking Storm.”
I'm well aware who I am fucking dad.” I bite back.
“Watch your tone boy.” He seethes, “I've watched you let her go when she chose someone else, I watched you smile while it ripped your heart out.” He pauses. “And I've watched you stay close, being by her side ever since Zeke nearly killed her.
I swallow. Hard. “I wasn’t about to let her be alone.” I grit.
“No. you weren’t.” He steps closer. “You would have traded places with her if you could have.”
“I nod. “I would’ve.” The words leave before I can stop them. “I would have taken every punch, every kick every broken bone. If it meant that she never had to go through that.” I shake my head. “I would’ve done it.”
Dad nods. “I know.” Silence stretches, the only sound is the clock ticking.
“I cant tell her now.”
“Why?” Dad asks in confusion.
“Because if she says no, turns me away again. I'm not sure I could handle it.” I admit. Silence stretches, until dad bursts into uncontrollable laughter. I frown. “What the fuck dad?”
“Sorry, but fuck I thought you were smart, but apparently you ‘re thick and blind too. She aint going to say no. You two have loved each other since you could fucking walk.”
“Thanks dad, I'm glad I can be your amusement.” I mutter, my lips twitch fighting a smile.
“Ghost will beat your ass, you know that right.” he points out.
“I know and he will probably enjoy it.” I sigh.
“Oh he will absolutely enjoy it.” Dad finishes his beer. “But.” He points his empty beer bottle at me. “He will respect you afterwards.”
“Great.” I sigh sarcastically.
He clasps his hand on my shoulder. “Son, if you’re man enough to chase a Black Hearts Daughter. Then you’re man enough to survive the father.”
This time we both laugh. Before dad places a rough kiss to the top of my head, before ruffling up my hair.
He makes his way to wards the door, pausing he turns around to face me.
“When you finally stop being a stubborn prick.” He smirks opening the door.
“I will happily watch Ghost beat the shit out of you. Because it would mean you chased for what you want, for what you deserve. For what both of you deserve.” He pauses, his hand on the door frame.
“Don't let a chance of happiness slip through your fingers again son.” He adds, before closing the door behind him leaving me alone with my thoughts.
My mind drifting back to Storm, the bruises, the fear in her eyes.
I had been powerless then. I never want to feel that again.
Ghost will beat the living shit out of me if I ever laid a hand on his daughter.
Hell a hundred punches. A hundred broken ribs,.
A hundred boots slamming into my body. None of it.
None of it would ever come close to the pain of standing beside her as she lay there fragile and broken, wondering if I was going to loose her again.
I will take every kick, every broken bone, every ounce of his fatherly hatred. Because the truth was… loving Storm had always been worth the pain. Losing her is the only thing I know I would never survive.
Later that day, I’m surprised to see Storm at the club. My feet lead me straight to her as she leans over the pool table to take her shot. Creeping up to her, I lean down beside her ear, my lips millimetres away.
“Slightly to the left,” I whisper. She lets out a screech and whacks the white so hard it flies off the table.
She stands upright, turning to face me. “Jack ass!” she hisses, her eyes alight with anger and amusement.
I grin and give her a playful wink. “The key is to lock yourself in the zone and drown out all outside distractions,” I state cockily, goading her.
“Well, some things are hard to block out!” she snaps. I take a step closer to her, placing my hand on my heart.
“Are you saying I’m unforgettable? That I’m that important to you, that you just can’t shut me out,” I tease. She folds her arms across her chest, her lips twitching, desperate to smile.
“No, I’m saying you’re fucking bad distraction,” she bites out.