Chapter 28 - Camile
CAMILE
I’m sore between my thighs. Just a little, but each time I turn over on the couch and squeeze my legs together, I experience a tender ache. I like it, because it reminds me of the previous night, which makes me tingle all over, but then shame washes over me, and I feel like shit.
The rollercoaster of emotions is making me want to scream. I don’t know how long I can go on like this.
Ace came to see me this morning, but I just couldn’t be the happy girl he probably wants.
He’s that kind of a man, the kind who pushes everything down underneath jokes, and smiles, and sex.
I’m right out of jokes and smiles, and as for sex…
well, I almost went way too far last night, so I should stop that, too.
Turning over again on the couch, I bury my head in my arm and let myself cry once more. The tears sting my sore eyes, tracking down my cheeks and making my already tight skin feel even more so. I am surprised I have any water left in me, I’ve cried that much.
I had one text from my mom last night. It was brief and said they were safe but had to keep communication to a minimum. I asked if I could join them, and she’d said not yet.
Not yet. How long am I going to keep getting that answer?
I’m basically homeless. What if Jack finds out I let some stranger finger fuck me last night and throws me out? Would the college let me back?
A new fear had hit me as I tossed and turned in bed, and now I can’t get it out of my head. With my father dead, who is paying my fees, which I believe are exorbitant? Will I even be allowed to graduate? Imagine if all my years of study are for nothing.
Fuck it. I can’t go on like this. I am simply being blown about like pollen on the breeze, and I must be the one to take control and find my direction. Feeling determined now I’ve cried it out, I push up off the couch and scrub my hands over my eyes.
First, I’ll clean myself up, and then I’ll go find Jack and talk to him. We can’t carry on with me simply sitting around in his club while my entire life outside of it falls apart.
How did it come to this? My father was one of the most feared men—not only within his own nation, but the world. Even the Vipers backed down when I told them to fuck off because they knew to mess with my family meant certain death.
I’m the daughter of the most ruthless cartel leader to ever exist. Standing straighter, something new washes through me.
An anger, but also a pride in who the hell I am.
I might not think what my father did for a living was a good thing, but I must admit he was horrifyingly good at it, and his name alone invoked fear.
I carry that name. Yet here I am, letting a piece of shit like Ledger keep me hiding out in a biker club. No more. These men will listen to me and let me have my say.
An hour later, I’m washed, my face is clean, and I’ve applied subtle makeup and my hair is brushed. I’m wearing jeans and a silk shirt. I look and feel more like the old me, the pre-the-date-with-Ledger me, than I have in ages.
Ace and others keep telling me how different I am. Well, today, I want to wear that difference as armor. I want them to see the real me, the well-brought-up, wealthy daughter of a very dangerous man.
The first place I try is Jack’s house, but he doesn’t answer. No matter, I’m pretty sure I know where to go next.
I find the clubhouse almost empty, which isn’t odd given the time of day.
It smells like stale booze and old cigarettes, and I push away the memory of last night as it threatens to resurface.
I’m trying not to think about it too deeply.
Even though I want to believe the man who touched me last night wasn’t a complete random, I’m perfectly aware that it could have been.
The experience was still incredibly hot, though, and even though I’m ashamed of myself, my pussy definitely wants a rerun.
Would the man be there again if I went back another night?
Would he be watching out for me, hoping for my return, too?
Behind the bar, a woman with curly black hair is restocking the undercounter refrigerators.
She’s bent over and has her back to me, so she doesn’t notice me coming in.
Grateful for that, I slip through the door just before the bar.
It takes me into a dimly lit corridor which leads onto multiple rooms.
One of them probably contains Jack.
I stop at each door, trying the handle. The first two rooms are empty. The third is locked, but the fourth door has voices coming from behind it.
Jackpot.
My fingers find the handle, and I brace my arm, and my nerves, ready to throw the door open and storm in—
“…Camile doesn’t…”
I hear my name and pause. I only caught a couple of words, but they’re talking about me. Feeling a little guilty, but not enough to stop me, I carefully rest my ear against the wood, listening.
“My concern is that she may not be safer here than at the college if we’re about to start a war with a rival club.”
That’s Ghost; I’m sure of it.
The deep rumble that is Jack’s voice answers.
“She’s still much safer here. We have a lot more coverage here with the size of the place than the security at the college, and she can be watched day and night.
I gave her some leeway, but that ends now.
If we’re doing this and going after those Revenants bastards, she’s going to have security outside her place twenty-four-seven. ”
“I say we don’t rush in.” Ghost speaks up again. “Let’s give it a few days before we retaliate. They can’t hit us here. They’re not big enough, and they clearly wanted our attention with this stunt, so if we retaliate right away, we’ll only be giving them what they want. I say let them stew.”
“It’s an attack that can’t be left unanswered, though.” Jack’s voice is the most serious I’ve heard it. “It would make us look weak, and a weak MC is a dead MC.”
“No, we go in, but not right away. We’re strategic about it, and we still need to narrow down exactly how we’re going to do it.”
Shit, I’m not supposed to be listening to this. It’s all stuff I shouldn’t be party to. I’m about to turn and go back the way I came when the door from the bar swings open and a man strides out. He stops and stares at me.
Oh, crap, do I look like I was listening in? I can’t turn and walk away now, so I do the only other thing I can think of. I briskly rap on the door and walk inside.
Four sets of faces turn to stare at me. Not only do I have Jack and Ghost in front of me, but Ace is here, too, and the VP they call Smokie Saul. If I’d known there were going to be so many of them, I might have thought twice.
“What do you want?” Jack snaps.
I have no idea what to say. “Um, can we talk after this meeting?” My voice shakes, and I curse myself. So much for being my father’s daughter.
Jack watches me, a muscle ticking in his jaw, and there’s something in his gaze when he looks at me. Is that guilt? Was he the one behind me last night?
But then my eyes pivot to Ace, and he’s grinning in that secretive way he sometimes has, and I have to wonder if it was him.
God, this is awful. Do they know what happened last night in the clubhouse? Have they all talked about it behind my back? No, Jack would lose his shit, for sure, and if it was him, he’d never tell anyone else.
“We’re discussing club business, Camile. No women allowed.”
“God, I thought the cartel were fossils.” I roll my eyes.
Jack blows out a breath and steeples his fingers at his lips. “Stop being a brat. Listen, Ace talked to me earlier about how he was worried you’d be feeling isolated and alone, especially after losing your father.”
He did? My gaze darts to Ace, who grins like a Cheshire Cat. I hadn’t thought he’d given a shit about my feelings.
Jack continues. “So, I figured you could use a friend. Vani is on her way over with her men. I’m sure you’d like to spend some time with her.
” Jack gestures toward the door with a flick of his fingers.
“Why don’t you go and wait for her? When she arrives, tell her I’m dealing with business, but I’ll catch up with her before she leaves again. ”
I find myself softening. Both he and Ace have talked about my wellbeing and done something they hope will make me feel better, which means they actually give a shit. Is it possible they do actually care about me?
“Oh, and shut the door on your way out,” Jack adds.
“Yes, sir,” I say automatically, unable to keep the sarcastic edge out of my tone.
The sudden flare of hunger on his features makes me swallow hard, and I slip out of the room, my heart pounding.
Yes, sir? Why did I say that?
I’m excited to see Vani, but also a little nervous, what with me making it obvious I had heart eyes for her father, which has, understandably, made things between us more awkward than usual.
Back out in the sunshine, I wander slowly over to the massive gates for the compound.
Before long, the familiar sight of Zane’s vehicle rolls into sight.
I take a seat on a low wall and wait as they are waved in and park.
I stand and wave at Vani as she exits the vehicle and sashays toward me.
Her amazing curves are packed into a tight pair of jeans and a band t-shirt.
She looks sexy and cute at the same time.
“Camile,” she says with a big smile.
We hug, and I think that maybe it’s all going to be okay.
“Hey, Cam,” says Saint, who has followed Vani, together with his twin brother, Lex, out of the truck.
He’s never earned the right to call me Cam, as if he’s my bestie, but I say hello and smile sweetly because he’s Vani’s man now.
Zane nods at me. He’s the one out of all Vani’s men I like the most. He might be terrifying to look at with his build, and his ink, and the scar on his throat, but he’s got a calm way about him these days, now he’s with Vani.
Unlike Saint and Lex, who still seem to be total chaos gremlins as far as I’m concerned.