Chapter 21
Amelia
It’s been a few weeks since the unfortunate event at Rueben’s bike shop, and the guys have tried everything they can to make me forget it.
Despite their best efforts, nothing has worked so far. I’m grateful for all they have done to cheer me up; I don’t know what I would have done if I didn’t have them helping me with all of this.
I owe a lot to them. They not only rescued me and put themselves at risk, but they also did a lot to make sure that I was safe, and have been entertaining me so much.
I roll out of bed, exhausted. I hadn’t been able to get much sleep last night and this morning is no better. My head feels about ready to implode, my body aches, and I’m just so irritable.
Nausea hits me just as I stand up, and I sit back down as the lightheaded feeling causes my head to spin.
I muster up the strength to leave my bedroom, taking it as slow as I possibly can. For the past few days, I’ve been hiding my sudden illness from the guys, as it will only make them worry when there’s absolutely no need for any of that.
So far, they have attributed my quietness and lack of energy to the encounter with Jared. I can't say that that hasn’t contributed to my tiredness and sickness, or that it isn’t even the cause of it.
I walk with slow steps to the living room, where I can hear the guys’ voices as they discuss me. I stop and listen. From where I'm standing, I can see them seated.
Rueben is shirtless, revealing his tattooed body as he sharpens the edge of his dagger.
On the couch is Josiah, his broad shoulders bulging out from his white vest.
Leaning against the wall beside them is Tanner, with a Rubik's cube in his hands. He is tactically rolling and adjusting the edges to solve the puzzle. He's wearing a white T-shirt that hugs his skin and exposes his fit frame.
I’m reminded once again just how attractive these men are.
Despite my gratitude for them saving me and doing everything in their power to keep me safe, there’s still a little part of me that remains reserved in my decision to trust them.
“Guys, I know it’s been weeks already, but I can’t get the image of her shaking out of my head, especially not now with all that's happening,” Rueben says, and my heart skips for a moment. What does he mean?
What's happening?
My brows furrow as I wait for them to speak, although a part of me already knows.
“We need to find a way to protect Amelia without giving the Flames of Hell bastards any reason to suspect us,” Tanner says in a strong voice as he takes his eyes off the cube for a while.
“Yes, but what do you suggest we do?” Josiah asks. The couch crunches beneath his weight as he leans forward and says, “If it were up to me, I would love to take out the guy who dared to cause her so much grief, but that might lead back to me and then to her. I don’t think I can ever forgive myself for that.” A mix of anger and resentment is palpable in his voice. “They can't hurt her, guys. I swear I'll kill every last one of them.”
“They won't hurt her, because they won't find her,” Rueben says with confidence, but the others don't seem convinced.
“I get it, man, but these Flames of Hell bastards are asking for results. They're putting a lot of pressure on us,” Josiah states.
“We need to play this cool. We gotta be smart in our moves. Right now, we're two steps ahead, which gives us the upper hand.”
“So, we're supposed to chill?” Tanner asks.
“Yes. For now. Let's do all we can to keep their suspicions off us. It’s the only way to ensure her safety. We're in the search already, at least that's what they believe,” Rueben suggests.
“I suppose it’s a good thing that the men aren’t aware of her presence with us. It makes it easier for them to be serious with their search when we decide to go for it, and there’s no fear of anyone leading Flames of Hell to her,” Tanner says.
“Exactly,” Rueben concurs. “And trust me. The men are really looking, they're searching and sniffing every nook and cranny of the city.”
Tanner pulls himself off the wall and stands upright. He sighs heavily, stretching. His eyes have dark circles around them, like he hasn’t slept in quite a while, which is completely uncharacteristic of him considering how much effort he puts into his appearance.
“In the meantime, my inside man still sends me updates whenever I ask. We’ll know if they ever start to connect the dots and trace her back to us, although our tracks were successfully covered.”
“Good. I’ve received another message from them about our involvement in finding her. I’ll reply and let them know that we’ll be continuing with the search, and we will be sure to leave no stone unturned until she is found,” Rueben says.
Rueben exhales sharply, and I see worry flickering in his gaze, however subtle. “We can't let her get hurt. She has to be protected at all costs, and whoever gets in the way or so much as lays a finger on even a strand of hair on her head will have us to contend with.” It is clear and glaring in his black eyes that he is seeking comfort in the things he would do to those who would attempt to hurt me.
They look at each other and nod as he continues.
“This isn't a sense of responsibility anymore, is it?” Tanner asks.
Rueben looks up at the others. “Everything in me wants to protect her, to keep her safe.”
Josiah and Tanner smile and reply with one voice, “Yeah, we get it.”
“I care too much to let anything bad happen to her.” Rueben rises to his feet and sheaths his blade.
“Nothing bad is going to happen to her,” Josiah assures him.
“Not on our watch.” Tanner twists the Rubik's cube a couple of times and it clicks.
“Ha!” He laughs and turns to Josiah, who is staring in disbelief. “Pay up, buddy.” He stretches his hand out.
“What, like right now?” Josiah asks.
It looks like they had a bet about Tanner solving the puzzle. Now it seems Josiah has lost.
I laugh within myself, full of excitement and relief as their words prove that they actually do care about me.
Rueben chuckles at his friends as they start to argue about the amount they had agreed upon earlier.
“Rueben, come on. Settle this. Tell Josiah to pay up the money he owes me.”
Rueben says nothing.
“C'mon!” Tanner grumbles, “We bet and he lost.”
“Look, I don't wanna get involved in whatever the hell this is. Sort yourselves out.” Rueben walks away, leaving the two as they resume their argument.
Rueben shakes his head, as though the others are acting like children, and he isn't wrong.
It is refreshing watching them fool around a bit.
Their informal meeting seems to have come to an end as Rueben walks away, typing into his phone, likely sending the text that he mentioned.
Although I feel like I’ve been chewed up and spat out, their concern for me is touching, clearing away the tiny shred of doubt still left behind. There’s no way they are trying to trick me. They wouldn’t go out of their way for me like this if that were the case.
My insides warm at their overprotectiveness. It’s nice to have people who care for me enough that they’re willing to risk their own lives to make sure I am okay.
I take the time to appreciate the irony of the turn of events. These are the same individuals that I had planned on taking down at one time.
My heart melts at the affection they have for me. Joy overwhelms my soul, and my mind eases from all the what-ifs that had plagued it.
They are not as bad as I had first labeled them to be. Each of them has their unique trait of kindness, despite the line of business that they're in.
Their need to protect me is not about the stash anymore, and it's not about their lust over my body either. It is way beyond that. It something more, something more affectionate, and these are the same people I used to think were incapable of love, affection, or compassion.
The infatuation or lust between us had been mutual, but even in my cravings for them, I still had doubts about their intentions. Things had even gotten worse after Jared's visit to Rueben's workshop. The conversation and the nature of it had left me in a state of discombobulation.
Before now, I was beginning to question everything they told me, everything I thought I knew, and my suspicion of them had escalated.
However, they had cleared the air now. I'm relieved, because even in my suspicion, I wished deep down that I was wrong. How glad I am now that I realize that indeed, I was wrong.
The implications, however, are not something I wish to consider. The last thing I would ever want is for them to come to any harm because of me.
I watch Rueben go to the guys, who by now have stopped arguing.
“What if this doesn’t help?” Josiah asks, and Rueben casts a puzzled look at him. “What are we supposed to do when they grow restless and start actively looking within?” he adds, although the tone of his voice suggests that he already knows exactly what to do.
I lean in, eager to hear their response.
“Then we go to war,” Rueben says. “I will never give her over, no matter what happens or the problems that come my way. Whoever tries to take her from me must be ready to go through me first.”
“Yeah.” Tanner nods in consent. Josiah does too. That's what they wanted to hear. Going to war is not going to be a problem for them.
As honored as I feel, I still can't bring myself to allow them to endanger their lives for me.
I clap my hands over my mouth to stop the whimper from escaping.
“Rueben is right. I do not care to know who it is. All I know is that whoever tries to get her must go through me first, and I do not intend to be lenient or calm about it,” Josiah adds, standing up.
“Good. That’s all I needed to hear. I’m glad we’re all on the same page,” Tanner adds. “For now, we pretend and see what we can find out that’ll be of help to us.”
This time, I’m unable to stop the lone tear from sliding down my cheeks. There is no doubt about it. I have completely fallen for all of them, and somehow, that doesn’t seem so bad all of a sudden.
“Well, now that that’s sorted, I need to make her breakfast before she wakes up. I’m sure she’ll be ravenous,” Rueben says, groaning as he leaves them again and heads to the kitchen.
The guys follow after him. “What are you making? How about you make some for the rest of us?”
“How about you make something for yourself? I’m sure you can manage that.” He glares at Tanner, who chuckles in return and holds up his hands in mock surrender.
“It seems our lady is the only one who gets to enjoy Rueben’s special treatment. I see how it is.”
Rueben rolls his eyes, and Josiah laughs in his usual fashion, with his arms crossed over his large chest and mouth sealed, choosing to stay out of it.
I watch them, content to stand there and store up memories of my men happy and joking together. It’s such a wonderful sight to see.
“I think it’s best you clear out of the kitchen so I can get to work. That or you help me, if you can manage it.” He smirks at Tanner, and Josiah chuckles.
“I guess I’ll be sticking with vegetables then.” Tanner shrugs as he heads to the fridge to pick out a small cucumber.
He takes a large chunk out of it and grimaces, making Rueben smile.
“Fine. I’ll make breakfast for everyone.”
He turns to the stove and beats the eggs, pouring them in to scramble them, and slides some bread slices into the toaster.
The smell of the eggs frying reaches me, and bile rises up to my throat. I turn away from them and hurry in the direction of the bathroom, just in time to vomit the contents of my stomach into the toilet.
My throat burns as I throw up, and the smell causes me to throw up some more. I keep the sounds to a minimum, although all I want is to call the guys and have them take care of me.
The last thing I want is for them to worry, so I refrain from doing so and stand with shaky legs. I flush the toilet and rinse off my mouth before heading to my room and climbing back into bed.
What’s going on? Why am I suddenly so sick?
I am usually not one to fall ill easily, so it’s a bit of a shock to me that I’m suddenly so sick.
And why does the smell of eggs make me want to hurl?
I close my eyes and press the back of my hand to my head. The coolness does little to help with the sudden raging headache I feel, but there’s only so much I can do.
Perhaps I should rest here for a short while.
I try not to think of the other reason I could be getting so sick and throwing up from the smell of food, although it’s difficult not to think about.
Restless, I go to the bathroom and lie gently on the tiled floor, pulling up my top to reveal my bare belly. I roll over and settle with my stomach on the tiles as the chill bites my skin sweetly.
I feel at ease, much better as I shut my eyes. I toss and turn after a short while as so many different thoughts begin to overlap themselves in my mind. I'm a grown woman; I know my body. I understand myself better than anyone else.
A particular thought has been pushing itself into my mind, but I won't let it in. It can't be true.
I have to get to the bottom of this.