Chapter 5
TRIGGER
I watch Aerianna leave the bathroom with her spine straight and her head held high. She radiates beauty and strength, traits I admire in a woman. With her elegance comes a gnawing fear of rejection, so I stay where I am, hidden in the shadows, unable to move. My eyes track her every step.
She sits at the bar, crosses her long, slender legs, and orders a drink. Once the bartender brings it to her, she swivels around on the stool, watching everyone and everything, looking for me.
Do I go over there and show her who I really am? Can I take a chance that this woman won’t destroy me? I’m already fucked up, flawed by my short temper, arrogance, and selfishness. It’s all part of my past, my history, something I can’t escape. But with her, she doesn’t deserve the wreck I am.
I decide to say fuck it. As much as I want to go over there, as much as my instincts scream for me to claim her, I leave her sitting alone. It’s one of the most unselfish things I’ve done in a long time. Normally, I’d go over, make my move, have my way, and leave, no strings attached. But I can’t do it. My heart crashes against my chest, stunning me with the realization, and for the first time in a long while, I realize I don’t want to hurt her.
I catch Tiny outside smoking a cigarette, waiting for me. Peanut is nestled in her carrying case, fast asleep on a soft blanket. “You ready to go?” Tiny questions, flicking the ashes off his cigarette.
“Yeah, let’s get the hell out of here. I’ve got better shit to do than play casino boss today.” I slap Tiny on his meaty shoulder, and we head for our bikes parked out front.
“Isn’t your sister coming in tonight?” Tiny asks while strapping Peanut on the back of his bike. He had his bike custom-made for Peanut and her carrier after his accident.
Red and Aftermath’s bikes are already gone, so we don’t have to wait for them. I straddle my Harley and slap on my brain bucket before answering. “Yeah, she is. I don’t know what is going on or why Elise is coming here, but it’s whatever. Out of my five sisters, she’s the only one who doesn’t judge me on my past or hold it against me. So, if she wants to come out here, then so be it. But she is off limits to everyone.”
Tiny climbs onto his custom bike, and we fire them up, the rumble vibrating beneath our feet. I drop the gear into first, and we take off. I glance in my side mirror and spot Aerianna walking out of the casino with a pissed-off look on her face. When her eyes land on my back, I can almost feel the heat of her gaze. If looks could kill, I’d be a dead man riding.
Instead of dwelling on why I walked away from her, I face forward and ride home. I have no room for complications in my life. With Lattimer still on the loose, anyone associated with our club is in danger.
Tiny and I make it to the clubhouse, and as soon as I park my bike, a laugh echoes through the corridor and hits my ears. Son of a bitch! What is she doing here?
I throw off my helmet and stomp down the hallway toward the common room. There, I see my sister, Elise, sitting on a barstool, holding a drink while Pretty Playboy and Bones hover around her, making her blush. She’s wearing a short black skirt that rides up her thighs, a tight white tank top, and a light black jacket. Her long blonde hair is pulled into a high ponytail, with loose strands framing her face. My sister is a beauty surrounded by a bunch of deadly beasts.
“Oh shit,” Tiny mutters, freezing when he sees what I see.
My knuckles pop, each crack sharp like gunfire, as I curl my fists at my sides. A slow burn spreads from my chest to my fingertips, an itch only violence can scratch. Pretty Playboy drags his fingers along Elise’s arm, his touch light, almost casual. My vision turns dark. A growl rumbles from my throat, deep and primal, my pulse hammering so hard I swear it echoes in my ears. He’s dead. He just doesn’t know it yet.
“Get your fucking hands off my sister before I break all of your fingers then shove them down your throat, making you choke on them.” I snarl.
Pretty Playboy’s eyes shoot up to mine, and his mouth hangs open. I shocked him because normally I act first before threatening him. “Did I fucking stutter?”
“No, Trigger. I didn’t know she was your sister.” Bones says quickly, backing away with his hands held up in defense. He knows better than to test me. I’m not in the mood. When my menacing gaze lands on him, he scurries out of the room with his tail tucked between his legs.
My gaze lands on Pretty Playboy. He hasn’t moved. He may have taken his filthy fingers off my sister, but he’s still sitting too fucking close.
“Carter, that is enough!” Elise snaps, cutting through my fury. “I’m not a child, and if I want to hold a conversation with a man, you can’t stop me.” She snaps her fingers in front of my face, drawing my attention away from Pretty Playboy and on her. What I see has my blood raging through my veins. She has a black eye she tried to cover with makeup, a split lip, and a bruise on her cheekbone.
I raise her chin gently, forcing her to meet my gaze. “What happened?” I ask again, my voice barely a rasp.
I carefully examine the bruise on her cheek with a delicate touch, and she flinches involuntarily. I can tell by the shame in her expression. I might be an asshole to most but when it comes to my sisters, I’m a different person. Instead of being rough and demanding, I’m gentle and cautious. My five sisters will tear you apart limb from limb before spitting down your neck if someone fucks with one of them.
“That’s why I wanted to come here. I needed to get away.” Elise casts her blue eyes, similar to mine, down onto the floor like she is ashamed of herself.
I gently raise her chin, making her look at me. “What happened?” I ask in a quiet voice. I look over the marks on her tender skin, and my body is vibrating with rage.
Elise looks around the room before speaking, “Can we go somewhere more private?” Her voice is barely audible.
I look around the room, and all my brothers and their Ol’ Ladies turn their heads, looking in different directions like they’re not eavesdropping. “Let’s go into my room.”
Elise slides off the bar stool, the weight of the world on her small shoulders as we walk side by side toward my room in the back of the Clubhouse. Once we reach my door, I pull out the key from my jeans pocket and open it. Placing my hand gently on the small of Elise’s back, I guide her inside. It’s taking everything I have to not fly off the handle and go on a rampage, breaking bones and tearing every man limb from limb or shooting them in strategic places on their body so they don’t bleed out right away, but will die eventually from blood loss.
Elise sits on the corner of the bed and exhales a long, exhausting breath. Her shoulders slump defeatedly. She looks around my clean room, taking in the neatly made bed. My clothes are either in the dresser against the wall or hanging up in the closet. It’s so clean in here you could eat off the floor if you wanted. I’m a closet neat freak, but not a lot of people know this about me, except for my sisters. Everything in my room is in its place. I like things to be orderly. There’s no place for chaos in my world, but right now, it’s everywhere.
Which is why Aerianna is off-limits to me. There is something about her that doesn’t fit, and my brain is telling me to stay far away from her. But my little brain has other ideas, and that is why I cannot pursue her. She will bring havoc to my mind and body, even if my body wants her luscious thighs spreading for me while I lap, kiss, and nip at her tender skin, driving her wild with need as she does with me.
I shake my head and close the door, blocking out all conversations outside. I lean against it, with my foot propped behind me. After those thoughts of Aerianna, I crave a cigarette but don’t smoke around my sister.
“Tell me what happened,” I demand. Waiting for my sister to answer is like torture.
Elise blinks back tears before speaking, trying to hide her pain and embarrassment. “I was seeing this guy.” I growl low in my throat, but Elise ignores me and continues, staring out into space, her voice trembling. “Everything was going great until the firm I worked for gave me a promotion. That’s when things turned to shit. I started working late, bringing in a lot of money, and he was stealing it and gambling it away the whole time. I had no idea he had a gambling problem until his bookie showed up at my job.”
She gestures to her bruises. “The bookie’s men did this to me. It’s a warning. If I don’t pay his debt, they’ll come back and make sure I don’t walk away next time.” Her voice cracks with fear. “My boss overheard everything, but instead of helping me, he fired me. So, I came straight here without stopping at my apartment and packing. I can’t go back, Carter.”
“How much does this asshole owe?” I ask through clenched teeth.
Elise hesitates, then she sits up straight, throwing her shoulders back, “A hundred grand due by next Friday.”
I blanch, “Fuck.”
“That’s what I said.” Her blue eyes, like mine, stare at me. The pain, the fear, the hurt, all of it is written on her face. “I don’t have anything left, Carter. My boyfriend destroyed everything. I’m lucky if I have ten dollars to my name.”
“First, you’re going to give me the name of this,” I hold up my scared hands and produce air quotes, “ boyfriend ,” I lower my hands, “and then the name of this bookie who threatened you. Then, your ass is staying here and not leaving this Clubhouse.” Elise opens her mouth to protest, but I interrupt her. “I know you don’t want your little brother telling you what to do, that you’re a grown woman, but this isn’t for my peace of mind. It’s for your safety. If these guys follow through, you’ll either be dead or worse, and I won’t have my little big sister hurt because she is a stubborn woman.”
Elise looks at me, stubborn and proud. “Okay. I’ll stay here. But I’m not sharing a room with you, Little Big Brother.” She smiles tightly, though I can see the weight of everything on her shoulders. “I really don’t want to bunk with my little big brother.” Elise agrees with a tight smile. She doesn’t tell me her boyfriend's name, but I’ll get it, even if I have to get Red involved.
“Let’s go find Capone and see what rooms are available.” Elise rises from the bed, but her shoulders are still hunched over. I pull her against my chest and hug her. “I will take care of this mess, Little Big Sis. Don’t worry about a thing.”
Elise hugs me back, and tears drip down her face and onto my cut. “Thank you, Carter. I knew I could count on you no matter what happened, and you wouldn’t judge me for it.”
I know exactly who she means. The townsfolk we grew up with are filled with prayers for someone to atone for their sins but are quick to judge you for your mistakes. I went through it when I was a teenager, which is why I left, and now my sister is going to go through what I did, and I won’t let them dull her shine.
“Stick with me, sis. I will protect you from the likes of those judgmental assholes.” I make her look into my eyes, “But you have to promise me something in return.”
Elise narrows her eyes. “What?”
“Stay away from my brothers. They’re out for one thing and one thing only. Especially Pretty Playboy. Promise me you’ll remain off limits to those Neanderthals who only think with their dick when it comes to beautiful women.” My head spins with murderous intent thinking about one of them putting their grubby hands on my sister.
“Ok, Carter. If it makes things easier for you, I will keep my distance from the single brothers out there. But I cannot guarantee they’ll stay away from me. Besides, I have to work on myself first before I even think about getting into another relationship. So, your fears can stay away.” Elise pats me on the chest, and we leave my room.
I find Capone, Danyella, and Nina playing pool with Torch, Daisy, and the twins. I kick my head to the bar when Capone spots me, and he kisses Danyella hard before sauntering over to me. Nina rolls her eyes at her parent’s display of affection with a wistful smile on her face. That young lady is going to give us all a run for our money when she starts dating.
“What’s up, Trigger?” Capone asks as we take a seat at the bar, his expression unreadable. Seth pours the three of us a shot of Crown before scurrying off. I need something to calm the rage pouring through my system.
“Prez, this is my sister, Elise. If it’s ok with you, she is going to be staying here for a while.” I don’t give a damn how he feels about it; I’m not asking for permission. But I still respect Capone.
He looks Elise over, assessing her carefully. If I didn’t know he was madly in love with Danyella, I’d probably knock him on his ass, President or not, that’s my sister. Ok, she can stay. There are spare rooms down the hallway since most of our patched members have built houses on our land now. She can take whatever room that’s empty.” He pauses, his eyes locking with mine. “But you and I need to talk. Now.”
“Let me get Elise settled, then meet you in Church in ten,” I say, giving Capone a short nod.
Capone nods his head, dismissing us. I guide Elise down the hallway opposite from mine. “Take whatever room you want. Keys are hanging up just inside the door to the unoccupied rooms.”
Elise opens and closes each door until she comes to the last one on the right. I’m not sure what she’s looking for in each room, but this one must meet whatever it is. “I’ll take this one.”
I look across the hallway to Pretty Playboy’s room. Oh, fuck no. “Why?” I growl, knowing damn well why she wanted this one. That isn’t going to happen under my watch. I will castrate Pretty Playboy and shove his dick down his throat if he touches or even thinks about my sister.
Elise steps inside and turns toward me, her blue eyes are brimming with tears. I know this is killing her because she hates crying. “This one feels the safest for me, Carter. I was violated, and no matter what I do or who I surround myself with, it freaks me out. This room is far enough away from anyone who can hurt me.”
God, my sister guts me something terrible and now I feel like a huge asshole for thinking she wanted to hook up with Pretty Playboy. “Ok, Sis. If this is where you feel safe, I will let you get settled. You know where I am if you need me.”
“Thank you, Little Big Brother.” Elise smiles weakly at me.
“There is everything you need in the bathroom, and I’ll have Danyella and Monica get some clothes for you to change into.” I kiss the top of her head. “Everything will be Ok, Big Little Sis. I’ll make sure of it.”
“Thank you, Carter.” Elise closes the door on me, and I spin on my heels.
The anger and rage thump through my veins and boil my blood. I held it together the best I could around Elise, but now I need to shed some blood. I need to fuck someone up no matter who it is or why.