Chapter 17
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
CRASH
My heart beats frantically in my chest after the phone call I just got from Stevie.
Valarie came into my room asking if I knew where her sneakers where, then Stevie hung up. No doubt thinking the worst.
I have no idea why she called me, but I could hear the tremble in her voice.
Pulling my boots on, I pick my cut up off the chair and slip it on over my shoulders before leaving my room.
It has been two days since Valarie came here looking for me after taking a beating from some fucker in her crew. We have all kept an eye on her, which she hates but thankfully she keeps her mouth shut.
She knows she is in enemy territory but she also needs us.
There is something in her behavior that is not sitting right with me. One minute she is all sugar, then she is all spice. Snapping when I ask too many questions, but then all soft and sorry that she is being mean.
It is like she snaps then remembers her place.
Savage has made it very publicly known that he doesn’t want her here, making comments about how to hide bodies, or get information out of them with some of the most painful ways that do not leave evidence.
Fucker is crazy, but I am glad that he is on my team.
Walking into the main room I scan for Pres, but only see Savage and Rogue.
“Have you seen Valarie?” I ask as I approach them.
Rogue nods to the kitchen. “She is in there. Said something about making you your favorite food.”
I frown looking at the door; Valarie does not cook. She fucking hated it, and was always ordering takeout.
“You okay?” Savage asks.
“Yeah. No. Fuck.” I scrub my hands over my face.
“I am bone-fucking tired. Not sleeping for shit, and Stevie just called me. she sounded not herself, but Valarie chose that second to come into my room and ask about her shoes. Stevie hung up.”
Savage scoffs. “Fucking told you, brother— she is fucking playing you.” He looks toward the door that leads into the kitchen where Valarie is.
“I have to agree with him, Crash. Something feels off with her. Her behavior keeps switching up, it is all suspicious who she is around you. Glaring at us, or eavesdropping around corners, then being a sweetheart around you.”
I nod, my hands going to my hips, thinking.
I get what they are saying, and a part of me agrees, but there is a stupid fucking voice in my head that is on Valarie’s side, saying that she is here under genuine circumstances.
“I need to go to Stevie. Something has gotten into her and she has not been returning my calls or texts.”
“Do you think someone got to her, warned her off?” This comes from Savage, whose gaze flicks to the kitchen.
Fuck, he really is on the hate-train for Valarie.
“I don’t know, brother. But I am going to fucking find out. I need to tell Val where I am going, and that you will be keeping an eye on her.” Both men nod.
“Go. Check on your girl,” Rogue adds.
I slap him on the shoulder as I pass, walking toward the kitchen.
With a deep breath, I push through the doors and find Valarie standing in front of the sink, washing dishes. I glance toward the table and see my plate of food she made for me.
“Oh, hey. I got you a water. That phone call sounded intense.” She smiles but it does not reach her eyes. “Oh, and I found my sneakers.”
Dread sits heavy in my gut, but I can’t deal with that right now.
“I need to go and check on Stevie. That is who called and she sounded upset,” I inform her.
Her demeanor changes in an instant, sending the red flags flying.
“Oh, you know how she is— such a flake. Everything upsets her. You remember when she cried when that dog died in that stupid movie she made us watch?” She waves off my need to go see my girl.
“No, she sounded scared on the phone— or worried— I don’t know. I need to go and see her.” Valarie huffs, turning and giving me her back.
“Fine,” she sniffles. “Leave me with men who hate me and could hurt me behind your back.”
Her words make me angry, my fists curl at my side, and I grit my teeth. Not once has any one of my brothers expressed a threat of hurt toward her. A few snarky comments and admittance of distrust, yes, but not one of them would hurt her.
Savage pops into my head. Okay, maybe he would if she hurt me or anyone he loved.
“My brothers do not hurt women, and frankly, you saying that pisses me off. They are not the cunts you work with. These men are my brothers and I trust them with my life. So, if I vouch for you, they will not touch you. We took you in, scared for you, and you threw that back in our faces, calling Bolt a fucking pervert for touching you.”
“He wanted me to remove my shirt.”
“He wanted to check for bruised fucking ribs,” I snap loudly. “He also offered to have a female present to make you feel comfortable.”
“I am behind enemy lines, Logan. You cannot blame me for being scared.” Her voice lowers, but this time guilt does not have the same effect it did on me the first time.
I pinch the bridge of my nose, tired of being twisted in different directions with this woman, who I once thought I would spend my life with.
Looking at her now, I can see how much she has changed. She now will do anything she can to get what she wants.
“Being scared, I get. You know me; you should trust that I would never allow you to get hurt, or even be associated with men who enjoy hurting women. That is not who I am.”
Turning back to me, she leans her ass against the counter, folding her arms in front of her. I can see fire in her eyes. It’s something I used to love because it meant we would fight and have great make up sex, but now, this fire does nothing for me.
“You left. I do not know you anymore. This.” She waves her around, meaning the club, not just the kitchen. “Is not something I thought you would be involved in. An MC for fucks sake, Logan. You say that I hang around with thugs, but look at what you are wearing.”
“A thug? We do not deal in drugs, or guns. Or women and kids. We are not a one percenter club, Val. Maybe you need to take a good hard look in the mirror before you pass judgement on anyone. Definitely look in the fucking mirror, because it was not anyone who wears a Rugged Skulls MC patch who did that to you. That was your people.”
She bites her lip, looking away. I see her fists tighten under her arms, showing her anger, but right now, I could not give any less fucks. Her words have cut deep and frankly, I am ready to send her packing.
“I am going to see Stevie, and my brothers will be here to keep an eye on you.”
“Right, because you think I will go snooping.” She rolls her eyes.
“Yes.,” is all I say.
“Whatever.”
“Savage,” I call out, making her jump. Her eyes widen when he steps into the room.
“What’s up, handsome?” He winks.
This has been a thing between us since the day I arrived.
“Jesus,” Val scoffs.
“You got a problem with gay men?” Savage asks coolly. “If I were you, I would be very fucking careful what comes out of that trashy mouth. It is this gay man who is making sure that you are still breathing.”
“Is that a threat?” she spits out.
“Did it sound like a threat?” He spins a chair around and sits, resting his forearms on the back, watching her.
No one says anything for a minute or two, the air thick with tension. If anyone was to walk into the room, they would feel it, that’s for sure.
“I need to go. Will you be okay watching her?”
“Of course.” He grins.
With one more look at a pissed off Valarie, I leave.
Giving Rogue a chin lift as I walk through the main room, I walk out into the heat. Even into the early evening it is still fucking hot enough to cook an egg on the sidewalk. Not that anyone would do that, because that would be disgusting.
Mounting my bike, I set my helmet on my head as my name gets called out.
Looking up, I see Valarie running toward me. I expect fear or anger, but I see sweet, and again it sets my teeth on edge. Her recent behavior is showing me that she does not respect me, or anyone associated with me.
The people who fucking cared for her when she got hurt.
The people who gave her a chance to make something better for herself.
“What, Val? I need to go,” I say firmly, not wanting to get into any more bullshit with her.
She stops close to me, one hand going to my shoulder, one going to my thigh.
I fight the need to pull back from her touch.
I did that last night and she shut me out.
She also hated that I refused to sleep in the same bed as her, when we put her in one of the guest rooms we keep open for when another RSMC charter arrives.
“I am sorry for what I said in there; I really do appreciate what you have done for me. This, me being here, has me on edge.” Her voice is soft, sweet even.
I see through this act, because that is all it is. What I saw inside, that is the true Valarie.
“I get being on edge, Val, but fuck, you have to understand why we as a club are on edge with having you here. But you lashing out at me when I am helping you. Saying shit about my girl.” I shake my head. “That does not sit well with me at all.”
The second I mention Stevie she tenses, but forces the smile on her face.
“Well, I am sorry.” She leans in, kissing my jaw before I can stop her.
“Don’t do that again,” I growl at her, which makes her smile wider.
“You used to love me kissing your jaw.”
“I am not yours anymore.” I fire up my bike, pissed she did that. “You do not get to touch me like that anymore. I am with Stevie now.”
“Are you? I have not seen her here.” Her grin has me tilting my head.
My gut is telling me she has done something.
“What did you do?” I snap.
Her hand goes to the base of her throat, a smirk still on her lips. It puts me on edge, seeing her like this. Fuck, I was so off the mark with this chick, it is crazy.
“Me? I have been here with you, I am sure that you have not forgotten I got beaten for you, Logan.” Her tone is honeyed.
I stare at her for a few seconds more, not sure who the hell she is anymore. Savage steps outside, folding his arms, and leaning against the pillar, he gives me a chin lift.
“Watch her,” I call to him.
“No problem, brother. Do I have limits?”
Valarie turns to look at him over her shoulder, but I see a flash of fear in her eyes as she does, which makes me smirk. I am liking how his words have gotten to her. Yeah, she should fear him of all members of this club.
We do not hurt women and children, unless fucking pushed and Valarie is pushing.
“No limits, brother.”
I peel out of the compound, the prospect opening the gate as I approach.
I have one place in mind, and that is wherever Stevie is. The need to get to her to make sure she is okay, is deep in my bones. She sounded scared or worried, it was hard to decipher, but I need to find out. Deep down, I have a feeling that Val has something to do with my girl ghosting me.
I don’t know why I didn’t think of it sooner.