Chapter Ten
"I'll start," I say, surprising myself and from the looks of it, the guys too.
I know these men are incredibly important to me. Even in the short amount of time I've known them all, that’s pretty fucking clear. I also know that it's possible they will become even more important to me. I do not want to keep secrets from them.
A relationship started on secrets will fail before it even has the chance to succeed.
If I am lucky enough to have a relationship with these amazing men, I will do everything in my power to make sure it succeeds.
"All I ask is that you don't say anything until I'm finished."
They all nod their agreement apart from Hunter who starts to say something before Levi shoots him a warning look, causing him to instantly snap his mouth shut.
"I'm not really sure where to start?" I say unsurely.
"Fair enough. How about why you were at the fight club?" Levi asks.
Giving me a starting point. I shoot him a grateful smile and I'm rewarded with one in return that makes my heartbeat faster in my chest.
"I was there to fight." I state simply.
Hunter rockets off of the couch causing a chain reaction with others until they are all standing.
"What the fuck Sweetheart? Fighting? Why were you fighting?
You could've been hurt! The guys that fight there fight dirty!
" he rapidly questions me not letting me reply and slowly angering me the more he continues, he seems to have forgotten I just fought alongside him and the rest of my guys.
"Can you even fight? They are so much bigger than you! "
I think he needs reminding just how well I can fight.
Seeing my emotions easily expressed on my face the others take a discreet step back.
I walk up to Hunter, who by this point is pacing and gesturing wildly.
Still continuing his speech. I swing my leg around and take his legs out from underneath him successfully bringing him to the floor.
I then put my foot on his throat with just enough pressure to let him know what I'm capable of but not enough to actually cause him pain.
The others are all laughing loudly at the wide-eyed shock on Hunters face.
"You seem to have temporarily forgotten that I just fought alongside you. I am more than capable of looking after myself." I tell him sternly.
He looks up at me apologetically.
"Sorry Sweetheart, I just worry."
I smile down at him and take my foot off his throat before turning around and sitting back on the couch.
"As I was saying, I was there to fight. I've had martial arts training for most of my life.
My mother insisted on it although I don't know why.
When my ex found out he immediately wanted me to fight at the club, it's his club.
" I watch the guys exchange wary looks before deciding to continue and ask questions later.
"I need the money; I've just had to sell my car to pay the bills and get booze for mom. "
I pause not really wanting the guys to know how desperately I craved affection back then but also knowing that I am deeply connected to all five of them and if I want whatever this relationship is to continue and succeed, I need to be completely honest with them.
Even if it goes against everything I'm used to.
I glance over at Kai and he gives me an encouraging smile almost as if he knows.
"I also wanted to make him proud and make him want to keep me." I look down at my hands clasped in my lap and continue without looking up. "I was so deprived of any sort of affection that I refused see the damage he was causing, or capable of."
I sense them all tense. Knowing that what I'm about to say is going to be hard for all of them to hear but especially hard for Kai, I get up off the couch and sit myself sideways in his lap wrapping my arms around his neck and anchoring one of my hands in his hair.
His arms automatically wrap around my waist and pulls me closer. I glance around at the others hoping that my display of affection for Kai hasn't hurt any of their feelings or caused any jealousy. Thankfully, although they all look tense, they seem to understand.
I take a deep breath as Jax gives me an encouraging wink.
"I didn’t get him a beer quick enough. How fucking ridiculous is that? He knocked me out just because I was a bit slow at getting him a mother fucking beer." I scoff angrily.
Kai's arms tighten around me and a quick glance at the others shows me they all have their fists clenched so tight their knuckles have gone white. Jax, seeming to need the connection, brings my legs up and rests his hand on my thigh over my yoga pants. I can feel Maverick's hand resting on my back.
I clench my hand tightly in Kai's hair and continue.
“When I came to, I was thrown out by the garbage cans like trash, thankfully I was still fully clothed, and everything was as it should be.”
All of them exhale sharply, Hunter and Levi come to sit by the couch and place a hand somewhere on me.
I know they are all struggling with this, but I am the most worried about Kai, his reaction when it was my mother that had hurt me was awful.
I can only imagine what it will be like since this situation is incredibly similar to his mothers.
He buries his head into my neck and his breathing becomes increasingly heavy.
At a loss for what to do I start humming the triplet’s lullaby and thankfully, slowly, his breathing returns to normal. Once his breathing is steady again, I continue.
"Fortunately, I never told him where I lived. I didn't want to expose him to my mother." I snort, "I've avoided going back to the club as much as possible and tonight was the first time I've run into him, and apparently he wants me back." I roll my eyes.
The guys once again share a look of worsening dread.
"What's his name, Titch?" Maverick questions.
"Brent."
"Son of a mother fucking cock faced bitch!" Kai explodes, causing me to jump. “Sorry Beautiful Girl.” He apologises, wincing.
"Why were you all there?" I question.
They all look to Levi as if to gage how much they can tell me.
"To explain that, we will have to explain what we are really doing here and our jobs. Please understand that it is of the upmost importance that you keep what you are about to hear to yourself."
I nod in agreement.
"We aren't actually high school students. We are here undercover to try to get evidence of the arms and drug deals going on between the students at your school and Brent."
He pauses to let what he's said sink in.
"I knew he was a bit shady but guns and drugs? Are you sure?" I ask, knowing deep down that it's true but feeling the need to confirm it anyway.
Levi nods.
"Tonight, we were staking out the club to see if we could gather any information. In particular, information on his ex-girlfriend who we thought might be willing to help us."
"I don't know anything really but if I can help I will."
"It might just be something as simple as recognising one of his associates."
I nod in understanding before yawning.
"I think for now we've had enough. We all know the basics and can talk more in the morning. It's late and we all need to relax for a bit."
"Will you stay here beautiful?" Kai asks hopefully.
We dropped off a couple of bottles of liquor to my mother earlier and that should last her till morning and distract her enough that she won’t look for me.
"Would that be ok?" I glance around at the others. I want to make sure that none of the other guys mind me crashing the night.
"Of course, Sweetheart.” Hunter smiles.
"I'll set the guest room up for you, Little Star." Jax gently moves my legs off his lap. He catches my eye as he starts to get up and I can't help but get sucked into his stunning sapphire blue eyes. For a moment, the rest of the world falls away, silence envelopes me.
A sense of pure peace and happiness flows through me. Jax's eyes sparkle at me with a warmth that I've only recently noticed being directed towards me. I watch transfixed as he slowly lifts his hand up to my cheek. My heart starts to pound in excitement.
As soon as his strong hand is a centimetre away from me, the Sparks start dancing through my body causing me to inhale sharply.
Jax's eyes darken turning his gem coloured blue eyes into a deep navy.
His warm hand gently cups my cheek causing the Sparks to leap to attention.
They immediately rush towards my sternum yet again.
Just like with Kai the feelings have increased exponentially.
Jax brings his other hand up to my cheek and I wrap my arms around his neck, suddenly realising that I've somehow made it onto his lap and off of Kai’s, my legs are on either side of his thighs.
I have no idea how I managed to get here but I find myself uncaring as Jax removes one of his hands from my face causing me to make a small noise of protest that, under normal circumstances, would make me incredibly embarrassed.
My protest is cut short as soon as he wraps one of his strong arms around my waist pulling my chest flush with his.
Once again the Sparks, that had become a pleasant hum in the background, suddenly ignite stronger than ever.
In unison Jax and I sharply inhale, my hips involuntarily buck forward causing him to bury his head into my neck, his breathing ragged.
Without any warning he starts peppering kisses from my collarbone to just behind my ear sending a toe-curling shudder through me.
I pull his head away from my neck making him growl deeply in his chest as I tug his hair.
I lean forward, frustrated that the only place I can reach is the underside of his lightly stubbled jaw.
I slowly place light kisses along his strong jaw line, loving the fact that this act alone can cause his breathing to become even more ragged.