Chapter 15
FIFTEEN
THEA
How dare he.
Earlier
“I know you’re upset, Thea, but they’re in a panic realizing how close of a call that was,” Rose reasons calmly, sitting across from me at one of the tables near the sofas that the other women have taken. At least all but Quinn who went up with Macy to bed, exhausted and half out of it anyway since Shadow brought her straight out of bed. Eden went up to check on her and Viper’s son, Archer, who was picked up from his sleepover by one of the Prospects, but she’s back and looking grim. “When this kind of thing happens, they close rank, and none of us can get through to them.”
I hold her gaze and remind her tightly, “I’m not an Old Lady to one of them. Neither is Sadie. I’m an employee, and that’s where my connection ends. So while I get closing ranks, that would not include either of us.”
“It does when someone in the club cares about you. Sadie because of her connection to Eden and Viper, but also for being a good friend to a lot of us now. And you because of Theo. If someone is after us, then there is a chance they could go after you too just by association with us.”
I hate that she’s right. “I am not helpless and can take care of myself,” I remind her firmly. “And I have my own system and ways to make sure no one can get into my apartment without me knowing.”
“What about blowing it up?” Syn asks matter-of-factly. I’ve just met her, but she seems like a no-nonsense kind of woman, so I can appreciate her blunt question. She looks tired, no doubt from having to get out of bed, but her gunmetal blue eyes are clear as they watch me. She pulled back her fiery red hair into a simple knot at the base of her head. At her feet are the two K9s that the other women affectionately call hellhounds. The two black shepherds watch me with assessing eyes, and I know they won’t hesitate to attack at the least provocation. Especially considering their handler is pregnant.
“No, I don’t have anything that would predict that,” I acknowledge.
“Then until it’s figured out what’s going on, this is the safest place for you to be,” Rose says smoothly. “And while we don’t have anything that predicts being blown up either, it’s far harder to get to us here than it would be in your apartment in the middle of the city.”
I look around at the other women carefully. I would have figured that the women would be in hysterics, including the ones that were ripped out of their beds, but no, they’re all calm. Too calm. The only sign of nerves is from Eden, who is mostly just glancing at the stairs, like she’s worried about her son. But that could just be a new mother’s nerves considering Sadie filled me in that her role in Archer’s life is a new one. And not to mention, Sadie doesn’t look all that panicked either, mostly just tired from the way she keeps yawning.
Which tells me that they know what’s going on. And they also know who or what might be the cause. I glance over at the door where the men disappeared an hour ago. I can barely make out muffled voices, but nothing that I could use to actually make out what they’re saying. They definitely soundproofed the place, and I would bet everything I have they are discussing who set off the explosions, because if the women know, so do the men.
What the hell kind of MC has Theo gotten himself involved in?
I keep that thought to myself for now though, and instead focus on trying to stay awake and figure out my next move. Which is mainly to get out of here, go home, and somehow convince Theo to give up the idea of prospecting with this group. If he wants to prospect with another MC, fine, but it won’t be this one. This shit is going to get messy.
Rose leans over to me and murmurs, “I know you’re confused and probably pissed off, but I promise it will all makes sense soon.” I don’t answer her, just nod. She pats my hand before standing up and moving to the couch to sit near Syn and pet the dogs who wag their tails when she gets close.
I look away, looking around the room carefully, and I see that outside the main door is a very large man, and from this angle, I’m assuming it’s Crypt. No doubt he’s in charge of keeping us all secure and inside. My resentment for it all grows by the minute, but I’m also trying to remind myself that it’s been a shit day overall, and maybe I’m overreacting.
Then the door to the Church room opens and the MC men pour out, and all of that anger bubbles up again. Sniper is one of the last ones out, and our eyes connect for a moment, and while I have an immense satisfaction at the fact that his eyes are already starting to bruise, it’s quickly squashed by anger when he looks away and stalks down the hall after another one of the men, slamming a door behind him.
Someone isn’t in a better mood then. Whatever, not my problem.
“Thea, can I speak with you, please?” Viper asks with a soft smile as he comes my way.
I glance over at Eden, who smiles at me and waves for me to go on. I look back at Viper and nod, getting to my feet and following him out of the clubhouse. I can feel eyes on me as I go, but I don’t pay any attention to them. Once we’re outside, Crypt moves out of the way and back inside, his face hard and unyielding.
I step down the stairs, and I see Theo leaning against my car, clearly waiting for me. I narrow my eyes at him, and he moves away from the car, grinning at me sheepishly. “If you scratched it, you’re dead,” I tell him deadpan, and he quickly looks back at the paint, checking it over in the light from the overhead light above the porch.
“All good,” he declares happily after a moment. “No murdering needs to happen tonight.”
I just stare at him for a moment and then look back up at Viper. I cross my arms over my chest and stare up at him, waiting for him to tell me what he wants to talk to me about.
“I know you’re pissed,” Viper starts. “And honestly, I don’t blame you. But I want you to know that I’m not accepting your resignation.”
I narrow my eyes at him. “You’ll have no choice when I don’t show up for work,” I reply coldly.
Viper sighs and puts his hands on his hips as he stares down at me. “Thea, seriously, everything else from tonight aside, do you really hate the job enough that you want to quit?”
I want to tell him yes, but the truth slips out. “No.”
“Alright, well then, I’m not accepting you quitting. We can figure everything else out, but you are a damn good guard for us, and we all enjoy having you around. Hell, you got praise from Crypt the other day and he doesn’t say shit about anyone. So I think it’s clear we need you here.”
I don’t reply for a moment. I’m glad that the guys like me, sure, but that doesn’t change what happened tonight, and what happened earlier. “What I want to know right now is why I’m being forced to stay here when we both know the need for me to watch over the women is bullshit. Because the women in there know exactly what’s up, are cool as cucumbers, and the rest of you are acting like if I leave, I’m going to be in deep shit when we both know the whole explosion had nothing to do with me.”
“That’s—”
“That’s club business,” Sniper says.
I don’t even look his way, keeping my gaze on Viper, who looks uncertain of what to do when Sniper stops next to him. Now that his VP is here, I have a feeling Viper is about to change his tune. So I turn my head to Theo. “What do you think about all of this?” I ask him bluntly.
Theo’s eyes widen, and he glances at Viper and Sniper briefly before turning his gaze back to me. “I mean, I like the club and the job, sis,” he answers honestly. “And I’m okay not knowing things. We didn’t always know things in the Army, right? It’s the same. I’ll be told what I need to know when the time comes.”
He has a point, and Theo has always been one who doesn’t need the extra information. Not like me. “And after tonight? Clearly, they’re involved in some shit, and the last thing I need is to have to call our parents because you were killed in an explosion or gun fight.” It’s cold, harsh even, but this isn’t the time to be careful with my words. Not when my brother’s life is at stake.
Neither Viper nor Sniper say a word as Theo looks at them again for a bit longer this time, before looking back at me. I can see he’s torn. He glances away and then back at me with a serious expression on his face. I already know what he’s going to say before he starts, but I force myself to stand here and listen.
“I get why you’re pissed tonight, Thea, and if I was in your shoes, I would be too. But you go home to your apartment after work every night and I see you the next day. You’re not in the thick of the club, or see the way they are, or hear how they talk to each other. This isn’t just an MC to them, this a family, people who lean on each other. They’re a team, and I fucking miss that. If I hadn’t taken that damn bullet to the leg, I probably wouldn’t even be here but still trying to rise up the ranks in the Army. But that’s not what I got in life, so I’ve been pushing myself to find my spot. And this feels right to me. This is where I want to be.
“Do I know everything? No. I’ve only been here a week. Do I think that there’s something else going on? Sure. But when isn’t there? It wouldn’t matter where I went, something is always going to be happening behind the scenes. Like the club I bounced at before here. They were into drugs and prostitution, not that anyone would know it to look at it. But it’s there. But these guys, they’re good men, and I feel like a part of a team again, and if that means getting my hands dirty, I’m not afraid to do that. So I’m not going anywhere, and I hope that you can accept that and be okay with it.”
I regard him for a long moment. My brother is both stubborn and admirable. He’s a goofball, but he’s also loyal to a fault. And as angry and as frustrated as I am over this whole thing, I won’t let that affect him. I give him a short nod. “Alright.” I turn to Viper and says, “Clearly, you all have something you have to handle and now that you’re done your meeting, the women are your responsibility. I’m going home. Whatever is going on has nothing to do with me, and I’ve been awake close to twenty-four hours, so I need to sleep. I’ll be in the office on Monday.” Then I turn to Sniper. “You can move your bike, or I’ll do it for you. I haven’t up until now because I know how anal you all can be about them, but that’s about to go out the window very shortly. You have one minute.” Then I turn on my heel and move around Theo toward my car.
“Prospect, you’re on the gate,” Sniper says. “And you are not to let your sister leave the grounds. She and I have some things we need to clear up.”
I don’t even look behind me as I get to my car and open the door. I keep my temper in check—barely—and think to myself that it’s going to be a shame that I have to drive over his bike and probably damage some parts of my car. But sometimes, sacrifices have to be made, and this is one of them that I’ll happily make. Especially because I’m not talking to Sniper about anything. We’ve done enough of that tonight, and I’ve already said too much.
I’m not reliving it all again.
I move to climb into the car, just as an arm wraps around me, and pulls me swiftly back. But before I can take him down, Sniper has me in a tight grip and pressed up against the rear driver’s side of the car. His boots kick my feet apart and he puts a hard thigh between mine to prevent me from kneeing him in the balls. I struggle, but his grip is strong, and he barely budges. “Enough, Thea,” he snaps at me.
“That punch in the face is going to be nothing compared to what I’m going to do the moment I’m free,” I threaten him.
“You can take as many shots at me as you want in a minute, but we’re finishing our conversation from earlier. You can do it now, or you can do it over the next few days because you’re not leaving the grounds until you do.”
“You don’t get to demand anything from me, old man,” I spit. “And you certainly have no right to my past, or anything I don’t want to tell you.”
“That’s where you’re wrong,” he says in a voice so calm I’m not sure I’m hearing it right at first. “Because everything about you is mine to demand, little girl.”
“Excuse me? I don’t know who you think you are, but like fuck do you get to say that to me, you geriatric asshole.” I seethe. The audacity of this man clearly knows no bounds.
“Keep it up with the old jokes, baby girl, and all you’re going to do is add up your tally.” The statement is smooth, silky even.
A small part of my brain is clued in to the radical change from him, but the anger inside me is overtaking it. The only thing I can see is the red tinging my vision. “I’m going to enjoy putting you on your ass this time, you miserable old?—”
His mouth is over mine, drowning out my words, and I’m too shocked to do anything but go still. I manage to get my hands on his chest between us, despite it being a tight fit, but instead of shoving him away and punching him in the face again, my fingers curl into his cut, gripping it so tight I’m sure I’m leaving indents in the leather from my nails, and I kiss him back.
A part of me is screaming at me for being an idiot, but the other part of me—the girl that had a terrible crush on her superior officer—is cheering and screaming inside, desperate to enjoy the moment. To commit everything about it to memory.
The kiss isn’t kind or gentle. It’s hard, almost punishing, and everything I hoped it would be. The man can kiss and everything inside me is straining toward him, needing more. Needing everything he can give me. His tongue thrusts into my mouth, and I can’t stop the moan that escapes me as I can only hold on for the ride. For everything that he’s forcing me to feel.
Suddenly, he yanks his mouth away, and I’m too stunned to do anything but stare at him. His dark eyes look down into mine with something that I’m not sure I’m ready to think about. And I’m going to blame that for the fact that he eases back, pulls my hands from his cut, and then pulls me away from my car, slamming the door shut.
My head is reeling as he pulls me back up the steps, and it’s not until he’s pulling me past the room full of people that I start to come back to myself. What the hell am I doing?
“Sniper, let me go,” I hiss, tugging my arm to try and get him to release my wrist. But he’s got in a tight grip and I don’t have the strength right now to pull it away.
“No,” he says simply, ignoring the stares aimed his way. Including one of the guys who has his mouth hanging open. Apparently, this isn’t a common thing to see for him. I try to dig in my heels, but he pulls me, making me stumble.
When we reach the top, he pulls me to the right and down a long dark hallway to a door at the very end. I struggle harder, but he just opens the door with his free hand, and yanks me inside hard and fast, shutting and locking the door behind him. The room is pitch dark, and every single one of my senses is on alert. I can hear him moving, the creaking of the floorboards under his feet, and the soft rattle of what I assume is change or something in his pocket. Then the light goes on, and I round on him, hands on my hips, glaring at him. “What the fuck do you think you’re doing?” I demand once more.
“That is me getting you alone so we can fucking talk,” Sniper replies calmly, moving away from the door, and surprisingly away from me toward a chair that’s in the corner of the room, facing toward the bed. He shrugs off his cut, then hangs it over the back of the chair.
“And I already told you that I don’t want to talk to you.” God, this man is such a pain in the ass, and I don’t care how good that kiss was, I need to remember that.
“Well, that’s too fucking bad, because there is no way you’re dropping the bomb on me like you did earlier and then walking away,” he snaps; the calm he’s trying to portray slipping away.
“What is there to talk about? It’s done and over with. My team were assholes, it’s been handled, and that’s that.”
“It hasn’t been handled if those fuckers are still walking free and clear!” he yells. “You think I want to sit here knowing that they did those things to you and that they didn’t get punished for it? That just because you’re a woman, it was okay for them to treat you the way they did?”
I go cold with every word he says. There’s only one explanation of how he knows any of that. “You looked into me,” I say carefully. “All that shit is classified, and under a hell of a lot of red tape because they didn’t want that shit getting out.” The betrayal of it is sharp and threatens to suffocate me. But right behind it is shame, and then anger. Shame that he knows about it, that he knows I wasn’t strong enough to save myself; but then the anger that overtakes it. The anger that he feels as if he has some kind of right to know any of it when he shouldn’t.
I move before I can stop myself. “You had no fucking right,” I snarl. “No fucking right to look up anything about me. Whatever hero complex you have, get the hell over it. What happened is not your business, it was never your business, and you don’t get to demand from me anything about this or anything I don’t want to tell you. Because none of this shit deals with or affects you.”
“I have every fucking right,” he snarls back. “And everything about it affects me, because anything to do with you affects me. As for me doing a run on you, that’s standard as part of you working at the security office. You signed it in the paperwork, so you can’t go after me for that shit.”
“Oh yes, I damn well can. Because like I said, they tried to sweep it under the rug, and put it under so much red tape that Cryos would have had to go through all of it to get the info, and he wouldn’t have done that without an order from someone else. Namely you, Shadow, or Viper. And Shadow and Viper don’t strike me as the types to care. So the only other person that would is you. And any obsession you have with me is your own problem, not mine. But you don’t get to hurt me to satisfy whatever sick curiosity you have, or to make yourself feel better over whatever guilt you’re feeling. I’m no longer under your command, and I’m no longer your responsibility. And just in case that geriatric brain of yours still doesn’t get it, I’m not your anything .”