Chapter 27 Isla #2
Kai deliberately looks up at each of the three cameras that cover the area.
“It would be foolish to do anything else to you right now while there are cameras watching.” Then, he lowers his head to look at the desk, covers his mouth, lowers his voice, and says, “But you’d better sleep with one eye open. ”
I slide closer to him. “Thank you.”
Kai looks at me when Noah moves to the room, as instructed. “You okay, Sunshine?”
I step into him and let him wrap his arms around me. The smell of leather doesn’t scare me. It actually feels familiar, in a good way. “Better now you’re here.”
“Got your message after I woke up, wondering what the hell happened to you, and grabbed my phone to call you. Thought I’d take a ride over here to check you were okay.”
I look up at him, and he wipes beneath my eyes. Guess I’m leaking mascara tears. “I got a little overwhelmed.”
“You didn’t think to wake one of us, to talk to us about it?”
He’s so attractive, I can barely stand it. “Would you have been objective?”
Kai grins at that. “I would have tried my best.”
I roll my eyes. “I guess my wires got a little crossed. I enjoyed last night.” I touch the back of my fingers to my cheeks as I feel them heat.
“But then, old memories and things came up. I just questioned, for a heartbeat, whether I was there for the right reasons or whether the old Isla made an appearance, which I know isn’t fair because both you and Garrett gave me lots of opportunity to make those decisions. ”
Kai tugs on the end of my braid gently. “And what did you decide?”
I look up at him. “That I absolutely made all the right decisions.”
He strokes a knuckle along my cheek. “Glad that was your conclusion, because last night was special, Isla.”
It relieves me to hear him say that in the cold light of day.
“I also had a major wobble about the future. Of people knowing. Of being judged. I just…”
He tugs me back into his arms, wrapping me up protectively before placing a kiss on my forehead. “We handle it together. And either Garrett or I deal with anyone who crosses a line that upsets you.”
I look up at him. “You can’t just hit someone who upsets me.”
Kai grins. “Actually, we can. And we’re pretty good at it.”
Despite everything, I find a smile as I shake my head.
“What time does your shift finish?” Kai asks.
“Four.”
“You want to stay?”
I nod. “I actually really like this job.”
“Then report him so you can.”
Kai stays with me until Dr. Michael Hendricks walks through the door carrying his own cup of coffee, his eyes narrowing when he sees Kai posted like a guard dog near reception.
“Is everything okay, Isla?” he asks as he puts his cup down to shrug out of his coat.
I open my mouth to answer, but words escape me. Instead, I start to shake, so Kai steps in and lays it all out, without embellishment.
“Is any of that untrue?” he asks me.
I shake my head. “It’s as Kai said. And the security footage from the CCTV will back much of it up.”
Dr. Hendricks rubs a hand across his jaw, something I’ve seen him do a million times when he’s thinking about the best course of action for an animal. But we all look to the corridor when we hear Noah’s footsteps.
He looks stricken, but there’s a glint of fury in his eyes. “You’re not taking their word for it, are you?” he asks.
“Dr. Lane,” Dr. Hendricks says. “I’m terminating your employment immediately. Please leave your keys, your badge, and your locker code on the desk.”
Noah opens his mouth in shock as he sneers, “You’re firing me?”
Dr. Hendricks nods. “And assisting Isla as she gives her statement to the police. I’ll be reporting this to the board, obviously.”
Kai stays with me until the sheriff arrives, and when he’s certain I’m safe, he leaves without a fuss.
So, by the time 4:00 p.m. rolls around, I’m jubilant that Noah is gone, but exhausted.
When I walk outside, Kai is perched against his bike, which is parked next to my car. His legs are crossed at the ankles, and he’s looking down at something on his phone.
“Did anyone ever tell you you’re handsome?” I say as I get closer.
The smile I get in return is almost bashful. “Hey, Sunshine. Thought I’d come get you and make sure dickface didn’t cause trouble.” He slides his phone back into his cut. “Come here and let me kiss those sweet lips of yours.”
I do as he says, and I realize I’d been nervous that Noah might be waiting for me somewhere.
His arms slip around my waist and he kisses me gently.
“What did you get up to, today?” I ask. “Beyond being my knight in shining armor.”
His hands settle on my ass. “The club went and did some yardwork for Griz and Birdie, because Birdie isn’t doing so good. Did you know she had lung cancer?”
“Karlie told me. We went to see her one day when Grizz was out. She was one of the few old ladies who never had an issue with us, It’s so sad.”
Kai sighs. “It is. Oh, and I checked Jacob’s alibi that he was out of town. He was. Even flew there so there was a paper trail.”
I nibble my lower lip. “I suppose it’s good to be able to rule him out. One less person.”
“Right,” Kai says, but he pulls me close and kisses my forehead.
“Oh my God, Isla.” Karlie stands with her hands on her hips and her mouth open.
“Karlie,” Kai says.
“Hey,” I say. Suddenly, I feel a little embarrassed by my public display of affection.
“I thought you were gay,” Karlie says bluntly.
“I guess that’s where thinking will get you,” Kai says, putting his helmet on and climbing on his bike.
“One minute,” I say to Kai and hurry to her.
“Hey. How have you been?” I ask. “I’ve been meaning to call and—”
“I can see why you haven’t.” There’s a level of snark to her voice. “Guess I’ve been busy but not as busy as you.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
Karlie rolls her eyes. “Don’t, Isla. I get it. That whole existential crisis you were having. Was it all just a ploy? Act like you’re no longer a club girl to snag a man?”
“That isn’t what happened.”
“Oh, please,” Karlie says. “All that stuff you said, about feeling contaminated. About becoming a character of what you thought men wanted from you. I should have known it was an act. To make you seem better than the rest of us. Playing hard to get worked, I guess.”
“That isn’t fair.”
“You forget, I know you. All that bullshit about performing and faking and pretending to be game for anything—it wasn’t real.”
I shake my head. “Karlie, please. I don’t want you to be this angry with me.”
“Oh, save me from your act. I get it. Do whatever it takes to become an old lady, right?”
I reach for her hand, but she takes a step back “No, that really wasn’t what I did. I fully intended to step out of the biker world. I know you don’t believe me, but it’s not like I’m an outsider. I’ve served my time as a club girl. Doesn’t that entitle me to be a little happy with Kai and…?”
I stop myself from saying Garrett’s name but it’s too late.
“Oh my God, are you fucking Shade too? For real? Like some buy one get one free deal?”
“That’s enough, Karlie,” Kai says, tearing his helmet off and coming to stand by my side. “You watch your mouth. As enforcer of this club, I don’t want to see your face in it for a month. You understand me?”
She pops a hip. “You wouldn’t.”
Kai takes a step toward her. “You forget who you’re speaking to.
I could stick the business end of my Glock in your mouth and pull the trigger and wouldn’t feel the tiniest bit sorry.
Might be the only way to stop the shit that’s currently pouring from it.
I hear that you’ve even whispered about this to anyone else, I’ll do everything I just said. ”
Color drains from Karlie’s cheeks as she realizes he isn’t fooling around.
“At lunch, you seemed happy for me,” I say.
“You told me that you understood because you never lost who you were and I did. You told me to step away. You saw before I did that maybe I had a crush on Jackal.” His road name rolls off my tongue easily.
“And so what if I have feelings for Shade too? You told me there was nothing wrong with fantasizing about what I want. And how…”
Shit, I remember now. Maybe this is simply what it’s always been like between club girls. Wanting to cheer on your friend in getting what they want, but then, hating them for having something you want too.
I look at Karlie and see beneath the glossy hair and thick lips and provocative outfit.
“You wanted them both. You said they were hot, with steady jobs and roles. You told me you wouldn’t blame me if I tried.
You told me if I was ever sandwiched between the two of them, I should call you.
You didn’t mean it…you just thought it wouldn’t happen. ”
Karlie’s mouth opens and then closes again, as hurt appears in her eyes. “That’s not fair.”
“Neither is what you just said to me,” I say quietly. “I didn’t plan this. I didn’t scheme this. I didn’t steal them from you. I just stopped…lying to myself. About who I am and what I want. The rest just happened.”
She looks past me to Kai, who is standing just behind me, but what Karlie probably can’t see is the steady warmth and strength that comes from having his palm on my lower back.
“Whatever,” she says finally. “Have fun.”
“Remember what I said about keeping our names out of your mouth,” Kai shouts as she stomps away before resting his chin on my shoulder, his lips next to my ear.
“That’s why we never saw you. No man wants to spend the rest of his life with someone who has a cold heart and bitter spirit. You looked just like her, back then.”
I let out a breath and turn to face him, his lips brushing mine. “Thank you for rescuing me twice today.”
He grins. “Only once, really. I think you had that handled. You okay, Sunshine?”
“Yeah,” I say, surprised after the day I had. “I think I am.”
“Good, because I’m taking you home. Garrett had a physio and massage appointment. Let’s go see if it’s mellowed him out at all.”
And with that, I get in my car and sneak peeks in my rearview mirror as he follows me home.