Chapter Ten
Link
WORK WAS RIDICULOUS. I really didn’t think the guys were that far behind at the garage but the mess I walked into after dropping Annistyn off at the clubhouse told me how wrong I was.
Caleb let me know they were waiting on parts, something I usually ordered, for a few vehicles while they were waiting on me for two of them.
The customer didn’t want anyone other than me working on their cars so they simply sat in the parking lot until I got back.
Those were the two I started with. One was an oil change and the other was replacing a starter.
Then, I called and made sure the parts the guys ordered would show up in a matter of hours since it had already been a week and a half since the order was placed and nothing had been delivered yet.
Needless to say, I did go off a little bit on the vendor because they’ve never treated us that way and I wasn’t gonna have it because I took time off to spend with Annistyn in the hospital when she was terrified of being there.
I’m honestly surprised Caleb didn’t go off on them because they were holding business up, but he chose to let me deal with them. Asshole!
Pulling into the clubhouse, I almost stop the second I enter the gate.
Our parking lot is absolutely filled with bikes and SUVs.
I knew Playboy’s club was coming out to see us for a little bit.
Tank typically joins in on those trips since he’s family and it’s been a while since he’s seen Caleb, Cali, and the kids.
Maddie wouldn’t let her brother and dad make the trip without them either.
She loves her family way too much for that to happen.
However, with the amount of bikes filling every spot available in the front parking lot and going around the side of the clubhouse, I have a feeling both of the Phantom Bastards clubs showed up and possibly all three of the Wild Kings clubs are here with them.
It’s going to be one huge ass reunion and I’m not sure Annistyn is going to be okay with everyone here.
Parking my bike, I don’t linger as I jump off the second the engine is cut and race inside the clubhouse.
My eyes dart around the crowded common room as music blares through the speakers.
It’s louder than normal but not so loud you can’t have a conversation with people in the room.
I don’t find Annistyn anywhere as I take in the men and women from six different clubs coming together as one.
“Where is she?” I ask Viper as he walks over to me.
“She’s in the kitchen with your mom and Sam.
I think most of the ol’ ladies are in there.
Cali hasn’t left her side since the other clubs got here.
Roger is still here too. He’s playing football out back with some of the guys,” Viper answers me as I start to head that way with him following me while I wave and nod at men and women I’ve considered my family for a very long time.
“How’s Annistyn takin’ this crowd?” I question Viper as it finally registers that my mom made the trip here too. “How’s my mom doin’?”
“Annistyn is really quiet. More than normal but she has eaten lunch, a snack, and is currently eatin’ dinner.
Your mom is talkin’ to her and it’s distracted her enough she’s almost completely finished her plate of food,” Viper says as we stop in the doorway to the kitchen.
“While I don’t know your mom, I’d have to say she’s okay.
She looks a little tired, but hasn’t stopped smilin’ since she met Annistyn. Sam and her love your girl.”
I can’t stop the smile from breaking out on my face as I take in the scene before me.
Annistyn has a plate of food that’s almost completely finished in front of her.
It looks like she had a cheeseburger and fries with gravy.
The bottle of water she typically has is in front of her along with a glass of milk.
They fed her well tonight as I watch her take a bite of asparagus I didn’t see until this very second.
“Looks like she’s eatin’ really good today,” I comment more to myself than anyone else.
“She ate really good today, Link. Annistyn is takin’ Doc’s words to heart and she’s gonna do everythin’ she can so she doesn’t end up in the hospital again.
I heard her and Cali talkin’ about it. Annistyn is truly terrified of bein’ in the hospital for a few different reasons.
You’ll have to ask her because I’m not sayin’ a word.
I’d like to keep her trust and not lose it because I overshared with you,” Viper says as I walk the rest of the way in the kitchen and directly up to Annistyn.
She looks up at me with a smile on her face and clear eyes. There aren’t any tears she’s holding back or the fear I thought would be consuming her right now.
“Hey, Pixie. Havin’ a good time with my mom and Sam?” I ask her, leaning down to press a kiss to the top of her head as she melts into my body for a brief moment.
“They’re both really nice,” she says, a blush coating her cheeks as she lowers her gaze like normal.
“Not happenin’, Pixie. You keep your head held high and join in the conversation with them.
I’m gonna go grab a drink with the guys but I won’t be far and will stop at one drink if you need anythin’.
Mom, I’ll come back in to visit with you once I’m done with my drink.
You doin’ okay?” I tell her as she nods her head and looks at me.
My mom nods in response to my question and I give her a kiss on her cheek before turning away from them.
I can feel Annistyn’s eyes on me as I leave the kitchen and make my way to where Playboy and Tank sit at the bar.
“Kreed, it’s good to see ya,” Playboy greets me as I accept the beer from Laurie and give her a nod of appreciation.
“You too. Didn’t realize all the clubs were comin’ down today. Thought it was just gonna be your club, Tank, and Maddie,” I say, taking the seat between the two men I grew up admiring and wanting to be like.
“It was a last minute decision. Didn’t realize we’d get here to discover what this club has really been up to.
You boys are doin’ a good thing here, Kreed,” Tank says while looking at me though I know he wants to know more than what he’s saying.
“Why don’t the three of us head into the office and talk about some things. ”
“Sounds good to me,” I tell him, standing up and leading them to my office instead of Caleb’s.
I don’t move anything as they take a seat in the chairs across from me.
The picture of Annistyn is the only one around from what I can tell because she prefers to be behind the camera lens. “So, what’s goin’ on?”
“Reckless introduced us to Annistyn. She’s a very beautiful girl,” Playboy says with a smile on his face. “Heard you just spent a week in the hospital with her.”
“I did. Look, I know there’s a lot of baggage that comes with her and I’m okay with it.
I will do whatever it takes to help her work through everythin’ she’s been through in her life and make sure she thrives and becomes the woman she was always meant to be.
From the very first second I saw her in that warehouse, I knew she was mine.
Deep in my soul in a way I’ve never experienced with anyone else.
Annistyn is my Pixie and I will do whatever it takes to protect her and show her she’s worthy of bein’ loved, cherished, and treated like a queen,” I tell the men in front of me as they look at one another before turning back to me with smiles on their faces.
“Good. That’s the answer we were lookin’ for,” Tank says, settling back in the chair.
“I can see she’s broken, Kreed. It’s not gonna be an easy road with her at all.
There will be days she’ll push you away because of her past. I don’t know what she’s been through, and I can see all the ways she’s been broken and beaten down.
Not many others would, but I can pick it up.
Especially with how Cali, Caleb, and Viper are hoverin’ around her.
None of them have let her get too far away from them since we first got here.
I’m thinkin’ she isn’t good in a crowd of people like this. ”
“What I saw was the way you searched the room until you were told where she was. Your only concern was her and gettin’ to her.
That tells me all I need to know about how you feel, Kreed.
You’ve found your person and she’s your priority.
You’ll always search the room for her when you walk in and won’t let anyone hurt her.
This is how you’ve always been. When you have your people, you always search for them first. Now, you only search for Annistyn.
You walked up to her and greeted her before you even said a word to your mom.
That’s never happened before,” Playboy says as I lean back in my chair and fold my arms over my chest.
“Annistyn will always be my person. I think she’s lookin’ at findin’ a counselor right now and I know her cousin has a ranch she’s mentioned goin’ to.
It’s more of a place for therapy and all of that.
He works with all kinds of people and has a full staff of doctors, counselors, psychologists, the animals they use in therapy, and a lot of other things to help people.
If she chooses to go to the ranch, I’ll support her completely.
Anythin’ to ensure she learns how to handle her PTSD, deal with the trauma she’s been through, and cope with the anxiety she has.
I’m not gonna get into her story, that’s not my thing to share.
There’s more she needs to work on and I’ll do whatever it takes to ensure she gets whatever is necessary to heal and recover,” I vow to Annistyn despite her not being in the same room with us.