Chapter 12 Blair
T hat kiss.
It burned into my mind and branded me like a hot iron.
When his lips touched mine, I was done. Every thought in my head disappeared. I could only feel . In every part of my body. I almost melted under his touch.
God. That man.
He was an outlaw. A biker. An alpha personality. Nothing like me.
But we just seemed to click.
When I stared into his eyes, everything felt right. After the attack and my meltdown, he soothed me. He approached with caution and gentleness, reassuring me that he wouldn’t let anyone hurt me again. I felt his sincerity and concern.
After all I’d been through, losing my family, I’d had my walls up for a long time. But that didn’t seem to matter with Creature. He was in my head, burrowing deeper into my heart, and I couldn’t stop thinking about him.
I never met anyone like Balen. No other guy I ever dated compared.
The attraction played a considerable part, but it was also how he treated me, the respect, tenderness, and the way he didn’t hesitate to protect me without a thought about his own safety.
Not that he needed to worry. I almost felt pity for anyone who tried to fuck with him.
The entire time he was in church, I kept losing focus, staring off into space like a lovesick teenager. Lark and Bianca noticed.
“So, you and Creature?” Lark asked.
“I like him.”
“Oh, honey, it’s mutual. That man has hearts in his eyes when he looks at you.”
Bianca giggled. “Hearts?”
“Watch him. The next time he enters the kitchen, he’ll go straight to her. She’s his entire focus.”
“Oh, I’ve seen it,” Bianca laughed. “They’re like magnets. Wherever she goes, he follows.”
I shook my head at their teasing.
It wasn’t long before Creature entered the kitchen and walked directly to me, locking in before giving me a kiss. I caught both of their smiles.
He wasn’t alone. Phyllis, the nurse from the ER who helped us, entered the kitchen with him. She must have come to help with my wounds and bandages.
I was so preoccupied with Creature’s handholding and the fluttering in my belly, I nearly missed what they were discussing. His nearness and warmth distracted me.
I focused on Phyllis when she said she had a younger brother.
“What’s his name?”
“Roderick. Roderick Paul.”
I sucked in a breath.
Phyllis noticed. “Do you know him?”
“We’ve met a few times. He was at a party recently that I attended with my best friend. It was at The Venetian.”
Phyllis smiled. “Yes. He told me.” She reached into her purse and pulled out her cell. “Look. Rod sent me photos.”
A feeling of dread washed over me as I shifted my gaze from her to the pictures. I swiped through them until I found one with Bells. The time stamp was nearly three in the morning. Bells smiled at the camera with Mateo, Roderick, and Angel Mackenzie.
“That’s my friend. Her name is Bellisara.”
Phyllis looked at the picture I paused on. “She’s very pretty.”
“She’s also missing. That was the last night anyone saw her.”
Phyllis paled. “What?”
“She never came back to our shared hotel room that night, and no one has heard from her since. Judging by the time stamp on that photo, your brother was one of the last people to speak to her.”
Phyllis swayed, and Creature rushed toward her, helping her to a chair. “I don’t know what to say.”
I took a seat across from her. “That guy.” I pointed to Mateo. “He’s the one who beat me.”
Her horrified gaze cut to mine. “Oh, God.”
“Mateo Ruiz isn’t a good guy. He’s powerful and ruthless.”
“And he also seems to spend a lot of his time with your brother,” Creature added.
“I’ve met him a few times. Roderick doesn’t invite me to many of his parties. I always wondered why.” She pursed her lips. “It’s obvious now.”
“I’m sorry, Phyllis.”
She shook her head. “Why don’t I check on your wounds? How are you feeling?”
I didn’t call her out for needing to change the subject.
“Better. Less sore.”
She lightly pressed on my side, ribs, and abdomen, noting when I winced. “Any tenderness?”
“Yes, but I can handle it.”
She nodded and reached inside her purse. “I brought you some pain meds. They’re strong, so be careful with them.”
“Where did you get those?” Creature asked.
“I filled the scripts the doc wrote for her. Technically, she was still a patient at the time I dropped them off.”
“Thanks,” I replied.
Creature winked. “You’re smart, Phyllis.”
“Was there ever any doubt?”
Not after how efficiently she handled everything.
“We need to talk about your safety. You can’t go back to the hospital or your house,” Creature announced, holding up a hand as she began to object.
“We don’t know what shit is going down with the Serpents and your brother.
It’s got to be serious for them to come after you since they attacked on sight. They were trying to send a message.”
“Well, I received it,” she snapped. “And they can fuck off.”
“Bravo,” Lark replied.
“I wouldn’t let them intimidate me either,” I added.
“I think you need to lay low until we find more information. Until then, the club can keep you safe,” Creature offered.
“How?”
“Well, I know an old guy in a wheelchair who could use some company and home health care. It pays well.”
One of her delicate brows arched. “Where?”
“In Henderson.”
She relaxed. “That’s not far. Who is it?”
“My father,” he replied as he grinned.
WE TOOK A VAN TO VISIT Creature’s dad. The giant white monstrosity had plenty of room and felt safe. We rode in the middle seat, where the dark tint helped to conceal us.
Creature stopped once to pick up an online grocery order, and then we drove the twenty minutes to his childhood home. Phyllis seemed jittery, and I linked my arm through hers, guiding her toward the front door of the house.
Creature opened the door, hollering hello to his dad.
“Come on in! I’m in the kitchen.”
“I told you not to cook,” Creature scolded as we passed through the living room.
“I’m not. Just sauteing mushrooms for the steaks. Found some after we got off the phone.”
“Okay, then.” He gripped the older man’s shoulder.
I couldn’t help but notice how similar they looked. That was a strong gene pool. Same eyes, hair, and build.
“Dad, this is Blair. Blair, this is my pops. Everyone calls him Tinman.”
“Hi, Tinman. Thanks for having us over for dinner.”
He wheeled toward me, picking up my hand when he stopped. “He didn’t do you justice. Didn’t say a word about the beauty he was bringing home.”
Creature shook his head. “The big liar. I told him the prettiest girl in Las Vegas was coming with me for dinner.”
“I guess he did.” Tinman squeezed my hand and released it. He turned to Phyllis, eyes widening before he grinned.
“I’m Phyllis, a friend of your son. He’s a special young man.”
“He is,” Tinman agreed. “How did I get lucky enough to have an angel land on my doorstep?”
Phyllis placed a hand on her hip and winked. “Flattery will get you anywhere.”
Tinman’s eyes twinkled. “Good to know, beautiful.”
“But,” she continued, “You might change your mind when you find out I’m here as your new home health nurse.”
Tinman’s hand lifted in the air, and Creature high-fived him. “Did I ever tell you that you’re my favorite son?”
“I’m your only son,” Creature laughed.
“And that’s why I love you.”
Aw. What a sweetie.
“I come around just to hear you say it, Pops.”
Dinner was fantastic. The steaks were flavorful and juicy, and the baked potatoes were loaded with cheese, butter, sour cream, chives, and bacon bits. And the best part? The conversation and company.
After we finished eating, Creature grabbed a big tin full of dominoes. “In this house, we usually finish a meal and play games. Trains is a family favorite.”
He dumped the dominoes on the kitchen table as Tinman rolled his chair to the edge. The older man wedged between me and Phyllis, winking at us. “Best spot in the house.”
“I agree,” I told him as I helped flip dominoes over and swish them around before we all chose our twelve.
Tinman leaned my way. “Just so you know, my son is super competitive. You might want to distract him.”
“Oh, I think I can do that.”
He chuckled. “I bet you can, too.”
Phyllis eyed him as she began to sort through her dominoes. “Why am I not getting any pointers?”
“Because I plan on stickin’ close to ya all night.”
I swear a blush stained her cheeks.
“You’re a big flirt, Tinman.”
“Call me Hank.”
Creature stared at his dad. “Wow, Pops.”
“Well, Hank,” Phyllis began as he grinned wider, “I’m super competitive too, and I’ve got all but two dominoes in my train. What about you?”
“Love, I’ve got it all just sittin’ next to you.”
Man, he was laying it on thick. Phyllis didn’t seem to mind, though. I think she enjoyed it.
Creature smirked, staring at his dominoes with a frown. He didn’t have a starter for his train.
I had all but three dominoes in mine and told him so.
“Firecracker, all bets are off. Prepare to lose.”
I didn’t. In fact, only the women won all six rounds we played.
The hour grew late, and Creature stood. “Gotta head out, Pops.” He gave his father a hearty hug. “Take care of him for me, Phyllis. There’s a spare bedroom you can crash in.”
“I can find my way around.”
I didn’t doubt it.
Tinman pointed to his cheek before we left. “You can’t say bye without giving a kiss.”
I smiled and kissed his cheek. “You behave, Tinman.”
“Where’s the fun in that?”
Indeed.