Chapter 7
Nova
My life is supposed to be boring. And while these last two weeks at the Kings of Ruin’s clubhouse haven’t been filled with action, I can’t say they’ve been boring.
After Creed announced to everyone at Ruin’s Roadhouse that he was claiming me as his old lady, he told me it would make everything easier, that no one in the MC would bother me, that everyone would accept me because I was his.
There’d be no more confrontations with the Bunnies, no more glares and suspicious looks from his brothers.
And everyone outside the club would know not to mess with me.
I didn’t know it meant I was going to become a part of the MC in a way.
I called my boss and asked if I could take some personal time off.
Dayna was really understanding, especially when I told her about my sister.
But having time on my hands is new to me.
I can’t leave the compound by myself, but I’m not trapped in that guest room anymore.
I’m not even required to have someone with me when I’m outside the clubhouse.
I can walk around the property, go where I want to—for the most part—and basically make myself at home.
When I first got here, home was the last thing it made me think of, but with my new freedom, I’m starting to see it in a new light.
There’s a structure and routine I didn’t expect.
Every morning, the members meet in the main room for what they call church.
No women are allowed in those meetings, so it’s not just me being left out, but Creed tells me anything that has to do with my sister.
Or, at least, he says he does. I trust him with my safety, but I’m not so sure I trust him to tell me everything I want to know.
What he thinks I need to know and what I actually need to know probably aren’t the same thing.
Most of the club girls are sleeping off the night before while the guys are in church, which leaves the kitchen empty for me to make breakfast. I don’t know what the protocol is for old ladies making their man meals, but the first morning after Creed’s announcement, I was in the kitchen, looking for something to eat and saw someone had stocked the fridge.
I decided that making some breakfast would be a good way to thank Creed and the guys for protecting me and looking for Layla.
I didn’t know it at the time, but I made an addition to their routine when I made breakfast. Every day since then, this is what I do.
Sometimes it’s scrambled eggs and sausage.
Sometimes it’s bacon and toast. None of the Bunnies help me, and I haven’t met any other old ladies, so it’s just me, but I don’t mind.
It keeps me busy, and I like to think it’s made some of the guys like me better.
Not all of them, though.
I frown as I crack two eggs into a bowl.
Some of the guys keep their distance, but it doesn’t feel like it’s anything personal.
A few others watch me when Creed isn’t around.
It’s not creepy or sexual. More like they’re trying to figure out if I’m a threat or if I’m hiding something.
I don’t say anything about it. Creed’s not the most talkative guy, but a person would have to be an idiot not to understand that the MC is Creed’s family.
I’m not about to cause problems between him and his brothers just because some guys aren’t sure I can be trusted.
As long as they only watch me, we’re good.
The Bunnies are a different story.
Tasha came back the day Creed said she could, and it was obvious from moment one she heard about my change of status.
The other Bunnies followed her lead, which meant the cold shoulder and passive-aggressive comment whenever the guys weren’t around.
I’m mostly fine with that because I’m not here to make friends, but the part of me missing Layla does wish I could have some girl talk, even if it’s just a few minutes a day.
I hear the back door to the kitchen open, and I glance over to see who it is.
Tasha sneers in my direction as she goes over to the fridge and gets out a beer.
She doesn’t say a word and doesn’t get into my personal space, but when I go back to mixing up the makings for French toast, I can feel her eyes on me.
She stands there, leaning on the counter, silently watching, and drinking her beer.
The tension is thick, but I’m not about to let this woman push me around.
The sounds of chairs being pushed back and men’s voices signal the end of their meeting, and by the time I turn around, Tasha’s gone. It’s clear she’s pissed that I’ve taken a spot and a man she thinks of as hers.
I don’t like Tasha, but this is the family and the life she’s chosen and once Layla’s found, I’ll be gone. I don’t think it’s right for her to get thrown out or humiliated when I’m only temporary.
“Something smells good in here.” Crusher is the first one into the kitchen and he grins at me as he goes to the fridge to grab something to drink. “You make enough of that for your favorite King?”
“She always makes enough for me.”
There’s a hint of warning in Creed’s voice and it sends a shiver down my spine. I’m still sleeping in the guest room, and we haven’t done anything sexual, so there’s no reason for me to feel anything at the possessive gleam in Creed’s eyes as he crosses over to me and gives my arm a light squeeze.
“Is that French toast?”
I look up and the surprise on Creed’s face is genuine, making me smile.
When we’re in public like this, he sticks close, puts his arm around me, touches my arms and even my neck, but in private, he’s not just hands-off, he’s stand-offish.
He barely speaks to me when it’s just the two of us, and it’s nearly impossible to get any sort of reaction out of him.
I’ve never met anyone who’s as hard to read as this man.
“Felt like being fancy today,” I say. “New pot of coffee’s ready if you want more. I’ll bring you out a plate when it’s ready. You want three pieces or four?”
“Four,” he says. “I’m extra hungry this morning.”
I flush, then yelp as he smacks my ass. It’s not hard or lingering, but it surprises me. I shoot him a glance, and for a moment, I think I see heat in his eyes. It’s gone in a flash and then he’s heading out to take a seat at the bar.
Confusion has my stomach churning. This is more physical contact than he’s offered before, but it’s not only that.
He might not talk to me a lot when we’re alone, but he does other things.
Asking me if I’ve eaten when we’ve been busy.
The few times I joined him at Ruin’s Roadhouse, he walked me back to my room even if he wanted to stay longer.
I can’t tell what’s him making sure I’m safe because he’s a decent guy who’d want to keep any woman safe or if I’m special.
After making plates for both of us, I carry them out to Creed and then take the empty seat next to him. I’m pleasantly surprised to see a cup of coffee waiting for me. Yesterday, I forgot to bring a drink for myself when I brought out our breakfast, and I did it again today.
“Thank you,” I say softly as I reach for the mug.
The coffee is hot and strong, but I don’t think it’s the reason for the warmth curling in my belly.
And I don’t think it’s because I find Creed physically attractive either.
That’s the part that scares me. The man’s hot, and not just in a ‘for his age’ kind of way.
A straight woman would have to be blind not to see it.
But it’s easy to ignore that. It’s harder to ignore the other things.
The way he put himself between me and the drunk guy at the Roadhouse who tried to buy me a drink last night.
How he’s never more than a few steps away but never feels like he’s crowding me.
The possessive glint his eyes got any time one of the other guys sent any sort of appreciation my way.
How safe I feel around him.
“Prez, I got something.”
Cipher’s the MC’s computer guy, but I don’t know more than that. Still, I can tell his expression’s grim.
Creed glances at me, looks around us, and then turns his attention back to Cipher. “What is it?”
Cipher keeps his voice low enough that only the three of us can hear him. “I’ve been digging through Patch’s locations from before he went missing and I found something.”
I hold my breath, like if I make a sound, Creed will figure out I’m not supposed to hear any of this.
“He was in Reaper territory, Prez. Not just once, but a few times.” Cipher absently traces the jagged scar that runs from his elbow to his wrist. “I don’t know what he was doing, but he was there too many times for it to not matter.”
“Thanks,” Creed says. “See if you can find out more.”
Cipher nods and walks away. I can’t tell what Creed is thinking as he turns back to his food, but I only have one thought in my head.
What the hell did my sister get herself into?