Chapter 27 Isla
ISLA
The vet’s office is quiet when I unlock the door at eight o’clock sharp the following morning. And in the stillness, I ask myself the question I’ve been asking all morning.
What on earth made me get up and quietly flee Garrett and Kai’s house at four-thirty?
Certainly, having to be here this early and needing time for a shower and clean clothes was a part of the decision.
But I waited for the two prospects keeping watch to disappear around the back of Kai and Garrett’s house before I sprinted across the street.
In hindsight, it was reckless. It was still dark.
We’re no closer to knowing who was lingering around the houses last night either.
He could have been waiting for me, in my own home.
And I make a mental note to ask Kai to teach me to shoot a gun because I think he’ll be patient with me. And maybe Garrett will help me purchase one because he’ll make sure it’s a perfect choice for me.
But I woke up, in the middle of the bed, surrounded on both sides by two men I never saw coming. My head was on Garrett’s bicep; Kai was tucked up behind me. And, at first, it felt like bliss.
Half-asleep, my brain was in heaven. It was more than I’d ever wanted. A biker to take care of me. Only, now, I have two. And they’re here after I convinced myself bikers weren’t good for my health.
And the catalyst for my exit wasn’t even the feelings I had, tucked safely in their bed between them, where I honestly felt like the world could never get me.
It was the thought of what happened when our relationship became public knowledge.
Because, no matter what we do, someone is going to find out, eventually.
I bet Wren and Catfish already suspect. Kai and Garrett are going to ask me to go to the clubhouse.
And I’m going to have to find a way to hold my head up high.
I’m going to have to look the other men I slept with in the eye with a very different dynamic at play.
And I’m going to have to look Karlie in the eye. I want to tell my friend what has happened. And yet…I don’t.
When I started unpacking those thoughts there, in the warmth of that bed where something good had happened, I felt…tarnished, again.
Once Kai grunted and rolled over, creating space between us, I capitalized on the fact they were both sleeping heavily and managed to creep from beneath the covers and leave. Garrett had told me he usually has insomnia, but the recovery from the accident has knocked him out at night.
The beep of the alarm buttons is loud as I switch it off.
“Why did you run?” I mutter to myself.
I shove my bag in the drawer by the desk but then pause and grab my phone.
Within a minute, I’ve set up a group for the three of us. Taking a deep breath, I type.
Me: I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have run off this morning.
I stare at the phone, waiting for them to reply, even though I know it’s likely they’re asleep.
My time with the Outlaws showed me that bikers tend to prefer a more nocturnal lifestyle.
It takes me about twenty minutes to go through all the opening procedures.
Turning on lights, opening blinds, checking voicemails and emails.
Making sure the vets are properly scheduled for the day.
When I’m done, I check my phone again. No response. But why would there be? It’s too early.
“Isla,” Noah says, walking through the door.
His voice makes me jump, and I fumble putting my phone back into my purse.
“Noah. I thought your shift didn’t start until noon today.”
“It doesn’t.” He offers me one of two coffee cups in his hand. “I noticed you liked vanilla lattes. Thought you might like one this morning while I was getting one for myself.”
I glance at the cup, for a second, like it’s poison. For all I know, he put something in it. But then, the others should be here within the next half hour.
Still, that’s long enough to do something questionable.
I force myself to take a breath. To take a second.
I’m being unreasonable…not to be wary of Noah, which I am.
But the chances of his drugging my coffee when the rest of the staff is due here, at a practice he loves working at, is ridiculous.
Yet, I don’t want him to think I owe him something in exchange.
“Thank you, Noah. But I already had plenty of caffeine this morning.”
He looks down at the cup, then back to me. For a second, I see a sliver of anger. Just a flash in the set of his thin lips. “I’m trying really hard here.”
Five words that tell me he isn’t getting the hint. Five words that tell me the flags about him are getting redder.
“Noah. We work together. For that reason alone, you and I will never be more than colleagues.”
It’s blunt. Maybe too direct. But it’s not personal. I would have the same rule for any person.
He bites back whatever he’s about to say and looks up at the clock on the wall. I can see the tic in the side of his jaw as he grinds his teeth. “We’ve been considering making cuts.”
“What?” Surely he isn’t suggesting what I think he’s suggesting.
“Yes, we need to make some cuts to hit budget. Supplies. Medication. Staff.”
My jaw opens. “Are you saying you’ll fire me if I don’t accept your coffee and all the strings that go along with it?”
He looks back at me and raises an eyebrow. “Not really. It would help, though, wouldn’t it, if we weren’t just colleagues? I could put in a good word. Make a case that you’re more effective than Miriam.”
Miriam, who’s struggling with some health issues and asked if her hours could be reduced, temporarily. Miriam, who can’t afford to simply take all the time off she needs because, without the income, she would be homeless, and without the health insurance, she wouldn’t be able to get better.
I shake my head but put my hand on my phone, in case I need it. “No. This whole conversation is making me feel uncomfortable. I’d like you to respect professional boundaries in the workplace.”
Noah chuckles. “Professional boundaries? I once went to a party at the Outlaws clubhouse. My cousin wanted to prospect for the club. Guess you were too busy fucking that biker, who comes in sometimes with Bones, to notice. So, don’t talk to me about boundaries when I know you don’t have any.”
Every bit of happiness and safety I’ve been accumulating crumbles in my gut like rotten cement. My breathing becomes shallow. It’s all I can manage.
Denials form in my head but never make it past my throat. That he must be mistaken. That I was never there. That I wouldn’t do such a thing.
“You looked good on that pool table,” Noah says, and I can’t tell whether the thought disgusts or arouses him. “I want that Isla. The one who plays the prim and proper receptionist during the day but knows how to fuck a man at night.”
There are too many accurate descriptions for him to be making it up. Tears sting my eyes, and I try to fight them back, but I find myself swiping one away, anyway.
He takes a step closer to me, the counter I stand behind still between us. But he reaches out to touch the ends of my braided hair.
Make a decision, Isla.
I can’t decide whether to run behind me to the overnight stay area or try to get past him to the door, and maybe it’s wishful thinking, but I swear I hear the click of a door opening. Should I scream?
Why am I questioning if this is severe enough to make a 9-1-1 call?
“Step away from me,” I say, raising my hands.
“I know you don’t mean that, Isla.” He takes another step closer. “We could have some fun.”
“You move any closer to her, and I’ll break every fucking bone in your body.”
Kai.
Only, he’s wearing his full road gear. He’s wearing his cut over a thick black hoodie, and there’s a black bandana around his neck covered in white skulls.
I sag in relief, my breath escaping on an audible gasp as I plant my hands on the reception desk.
“We aren’t open yet,” Noah says.
Kai walks around Noah, to me behind the desk. He places his hands on my shoulders to turn me to face him, then, he crooks his forefinger and puts it beneath my chin, so I’m forced to look at him.
“What did he say to you?” Kai asks.
Under his steady gaze, I find my courage.
“He brought me coffee and suggested he wanted to be more. I told him no because we’re colleagues, and he hinted they’d been considering making cuts and that he would put in a good word for me if I complied.
When I told him no again, he got rude and threatening.
He told me he’d seen me with Smoke at the clubhouse and implied I should fuck him. ”
Kai brushes his lips over mine. “Good girl for telling me the truth.” He turns to face Noah. “You got something to add before I break your fucking face?”
Noah blanches. “Why are you defending her?”
“Only a cunt would ask a question like that, but I’ll humor you, seeing you’re clueless. I’m defending her because she’s mine. And Outlaws protect their own.”
I feel the words he says in my chest. I do belong to Kai. And Garrett.
Noah tries to hold his hands in front of him, almost in surrender, trying to make himself small. “I get it.”
Kai huffs. “No. You don’t get it. You got caught and are facing the consequences. That’s different. If Isla had said, Sure, we could have sex if you let me keep my job, you’d likely be fucking her with your pencil dick in the break room.”
“What…are you going to…do?” Noah says.
“Wait until your boss gets here to make sure Isla’s safe while we report you.”
Noah turns to face the exit. “I’m leaving.”
“You take one fucking step toward that door, I’ll make good on my threat. So, whatever you’re thinking, don’t do it. Go sit in that treatment room with the door open, so I can keep an eye on you. And if you make the wrong choice here and run, you better have somewhere far, far away to go.”
Noah’s shoulders sag.