Electra Chapter 16
Rhodes was upset with me. We were seated in the common room.
As cowardly as it might sound, I didn’t want to be alone with him.
I knew what he’d do. He’d go on the attack and do everything he could to dissuade me from being with Swerve.
Rho would truck out every negative possibility and paint it as a heartbreak waiting to happen.
Usually, I was a very logical person and used my head over my heart. This time, I couldn’t seem to do it. As insane as it was, I had to take the plunge and believe that Swerve felt for me all the things I felt for him. I was praying for a happy future with him.
His revelation that he would most likely be unable to father children had hurt.
I won’t lie. I pictured a little boy who looked just like his daddy running wild and causing trouble.
Or a little girl with his hair and soulful eyes.
I had no idea what the damage was that caused his infertility, but it saddened me.
However, it wasn’t enough to make me reconsider being with him.
He was right. There were options, and many children needed a home.
Growing up, given my mom’s lack of interest in me, I’d always wanted a loving family.
With the Boones, I got that until things fell apart.
I was thankful for Rhodes, but I wasn’t about to let him ruin my chance for that dream to be a reality.
I knew he wouldn’t do it on purpose, but Rhodes had a rigid way sometimes of looking at things.
He had cut himself off from a lot of emotions since the murder of Selah and the deaths of his mom and dad.
Even with me, he was less demonstrative than he used to be.
His eyes bored into me again. I could feel them as I chatted with Paige.
I half suspected she’d been asked by Swerve to keep me company and to provide a barrier.
While I was with Swerve as he dressed to meet with Diablo, he reminded me that if I needed anything, all I had to do was ask whoever was nearby.
“Electra, I know we’ve just met, but I want you to know that if you have questions or need someone to talk to, I’m here. From the way you’re holding yourself and the way your friend keeps scowling over at you, I assume that you’ve done something he disagrees with,” Paige said kindly.
I knew Swerve considered her and Scorpion his best friends.
Taking a deep breath, I dove in. “Rho is mad at me. He thinks I’m about to ruin my life or worse.
He found a place to hide me. However, I decided to stay here with Swerve.
He assures me that he can protect me without putting everyone here at risk.
I feel torn. On one hand, I have the person I see as my brother, and on the other is the man…
” I hesitated. Should I tell her what Swerve and I decided to do, or should I wait for him to do it?
“The man you’re falling for way too fast, and you’re scared he’ll end up breaking your heart, and your friend will tell you I told you so for the rest of your life.
Yeah, say no more. I had the same reaction to Scorpion.
In your case, you have the advantage. He doesn’t detest you, blame you for ruining his best friend’s life, or want to destroy you. ”
I gave her a wry smile. “There is that. Yes, Rhodes thinks Swerve and I are letting hormones drive us. He wants us to leave today, but I don’t want that, even if it is the smart thing to do.
I want to take a chance and live dangerously.
But there’s always the fear that it goes to shit or it’s a lie. ”
“Did Swerve say he loves you, wants to make you his old lady, or anything about using his real name?”
“He did all three,” I admitted.
She gave a tiny squeal and danced a jig in her seat as she clapped her hands. She drew the attention of the few others in the common room, which she ignored.
“Girl, that is a bona fide declaration. These men don’t do those things unless they’re sure of how they feel and what they desire.
And I warn you, once they get to that point, they’ll do everything under the sun to get you to say yes.
I know there’s all this worry about those people after you.
Scorpion told me. Please don’t doubt that the club and its friends can help you eliminate that threat.
They won’t win awards for being the saintliest men on the planet, but they’re not the most devilish nor liars.
Trust what Swerve tells you. When in doubt, tell him what you’re thinking. Don’t hide it.”
“See, I sense that to be true, but keep thinking, how is it possible? I don’t want to put anyone else in danger. There are his brothers, you, Jauhnna, and the kids to think about.”
“The thing is, there are always those people to worry about. The key is not to let it paralyze you or cause you to make knee-jerk decisions. The Horsemen are equipped to handle most anything.”
I was absorbing her words and feeling my tension ease when Rhodes came barging up. “Ellie, you and I need to speak in private. Excuse us,” he said to Paige as he snagged my arm.
He tried to pull me out of my chair. I knew he didn’t mean anything by it; however, it immediately became clear that the others in the room didn’t see it that way.
I heard the scrape of chair legs on the floor and the rustle of clothing.
Glancing around, I noted Thunder, Crash, and Turbo approaching, wearing frowns.
They surrounded us, crossing their arms.
“I suggest you let go of her. If you do, we’ll overlook this. If you don’t, we’ll have to adjust your attitude,” Thunder informed him gruffly.
“It’s alright, guys. He’s not hurting me,” I quickly assured them.
“Why don’t you mind your own damn business? I need to talk to Electra in private. You put your hands on me, and you’ll land your asses in a heap of trouble,” Rho growled.
The three of them exchanged looks and shrugged before Turbo replied, “It won’t be the first or last time my ass has been in trouble. And I like the odds of us not landing in any of them. You forget. You’re on our turf, Fed. We’re calling the shots here. Now, let go of Electra.”
God, things were about to spiral out of control into chaos and a fight. I rose. “Guys, I don’t mind talking to him,” I told them.
It was a staring contest between the four men. Paige sat there calmly watching. I wasn’t sure what would’ve happened if Scorpion hadn’t entered the room moments later. He came straight over to us.
“Diablo wants to see you two in his office. Let me guess, he was trying to get her alone with him,” he said to his club brothers. They all nodded.
“Not happening, G-man. Blossom, are you doing alright?” he asked Paige. Scorpion bent over and kissed her as he tenderly rubbed her belly. Her smile spoke of the love she had for him.
“I’m great. Get this figured out so I can get back to hearing all the dirt from Electra. Go.” She playfully pushed him. Her man laughed and whispered in her ear, causing her to blush. Then he turned to me. His arm came out.
“If you’ll allow me,” he offered.
I took his arm, causing Rhodes to release the other one. He was displeased for sure. We moved down the hallway.
“Paige likes you. I can tell. Swerve told Diablo and me the news. Congrats. We want nothing more than for him to be happy. All we want is for you to listen to what we have to say and answer us truthfully,” Scorpion said.
We made it to a closed door before I had a chance to answer.
Rho snorted. I cast him a quelling glance.
Scorpion ignored him, knocked twice, then, after hearing Diablo call out to enter, opened the door.
He took me inside, leaving Rhodes to follow and close the door behind us.
My gaze went first to Swerve. He was next to the desk.
He gave me a sweet smile. Next, I looked at his president.
Diablo wore a neutral expression. I wasn’t sure whether that was a good indication.
“Everything okay out there?” Diablo asked his VP.
“Yeah, if by okay you mean this one was about to get his ass beat for trying to remove her from the common room. He should thank me for rescuing him when I did.”
“That wasn’t what was about to go down, biker. The only way your guys were beating my ass was if they all jumped me at the same time,” Rhodes sneered.
“God, enough, please. I want to hear what Diablo has to say. But first, I want you to know that I don’t want to endanger anyone in the club. Having anyone get hurt because of me would kill me.” I directed this to Diablo.
I was holding Swerve’s hand. He tugged until I had no choice but to sit on his lap. His strong arms came around me.
“And that’s what we’re about to talk about.
Agent Boone, have a seat. You’re in my world, and I’m in charge.
You’ll sit there and listen to what I have to say, as well as what I told Swerve.
When I’m finished, then we’ll address any questions you or Electra may have.
I won’t tolerate disrespect of myself, my brothers, or Electra.
We have a game plan to cover, and we don’t have a lot of time to do it.
There’s information you’re unaware of,” Diablo informed Rho.
He wasn’t ugly about it, merely stating a fact.
“Let’s get this over with so I can state my objections,” Rhodes responded.
I wanted to smack him upside the head. He was deliberately trying to instigate them. I knew his technique. I gave him a headshake, which he ignored.
“Electra, Swerve shared with me what he wants with you and what your answer was. I want to hear that from your lips. Are you in love with my brother? If so, do you want to spend your life with him as his old lady? Do you understand the implications of what he shared with you about the club?”