Chapter 14
Chapter Fourteen
Parker (Spider)
Idon't want her here. Even just the topic of Cassidy has caused so many issues between the four of us in the past. Not because she was the other woman but because our life has been a complicated mess for a long ass time. Not even Koa's hot mouth can fix this colossal fuck up.
I'm not sure who's to blame. Maddox probably. He pushed her too hard, and she came back ready to retaliate. The timing was super fucking unfortunate.
"She better not snoop through my shit," I grumble, hating that I sound so pouty. Cassie is nothing to me. Yesterday was the first time I've ever spoken to her anyway.
Koa slams a plate of French toast down in front of me and stomps off before I can grab him and teach a kinky lesson in respect.
My man doesn't even grunt in annoyance. He and Ripley have been a bit on edge because our house guest hasn't come out of her room since snatching her bags from the hallway.
Is she ungrateful or afraid? Or maybe she's just pissed because we're a bunch of assholes. That thought sounds like something my dad would say.
Ripley’s frown is dark when he glares at me. "Shut your fucking mouth."
"Jesus, Rip. I didn't say anything. You really going to let her come between us?" Why...why am I poking the possessive bear? I'm worried Maddox will be worse when he finally decides to go all in on her.
"The only way Cassie's coming between us is sexually, so stop with that bullshit. We all know you have feelings for her. It's only a matter of time before your mom and dad kick your ass for denying yourself happiness," Koa states calmly with his back to us.
The mention of my parents makes me angry. A psychologist would probably tell me that I don't like being hit with the truth, and my defense is to deflect. My parents will be so disappointed in me when they find out. "And you guys? Will you kick my ass? How about Maddox's? He's done worse."
"I have," the man in question mumbles as he enters the kitchen.
I watch him wrap an arm around Koa's waist and kiss his neck, muttering a thank you for breakfast. Koa practically melts, irritating me. Why does Maddox get morning love and I get breakfast thrown down in front of me?
Mads takes a plate from Koa and seats himself at the kitchen table diagonally across from me. "I don't like that she's here either, Parker, but she's safe under our roof."
Ripley snorts a taunting laugh and shoves his plate away. With his arms crossed and his glare now fixed on Maddox, he lays into him next. "The only reason you don't want Cassie here is that now you have to face the damage you caused."
"I was protecting her," Mads growls, white-knuckling his fork.
This conversation won't go well, so I grab a toast stick and settle in. At least for the moment I'm not on the receiving end of scowls and harsh truths.
Rip rolls his eyes but doesn't lose the ferocious glare.
"That doesn't mean you weren't in the wrong.
But you're the definition of communication issues.
What if she had been ready to move in with us when you guys were dating seven years ago?
We could be happy right now and she wouldn't fucking hate us.
You broke it off with her, lied about why, kept secrets from her for years, and used her as a cum bank all in the name of love? "
Internally, I brace myself for the all-out brawl that will most likely ensue from Ripley's words. I'm sick of this argument. The only good thing that could come from Cassidy being here is finally settling this shit. Our relationship can't move forward until we put the topic of Cassidy to rest.
Sure enough, Maddox sends his chair clattering to the floor and punches the table with the side of his fist. "DON'T FUCKING CALL HER THAT!"
Unperturbed, Ripley raises an eyebrow. "Why, just because you made sure to use a condom?"
Once again, the shrill sound of a phone ringing stops them from murdering each other. It's Koa's. The man's face goes pale when he sees the caller ID. We really need to work on his game face.
Sitting up a little straighter, I try to listen in when he puts his phone to his ear. "Fuck. Thanks," he says. "We'll follow."
"What?" Maddox demands as soon as Koa hangs up.
I can tell Koa's hesitant to share, which must mean it's about Cassie. That realization has me out of my chair faster than I care to think about. Thankfully, we don't need to pry the information from him.
"She left a few minutes ago."
"Probably used your verbal sparring match to drown out the sound of the front door," I mutter and turn on my heel.
Our home system plays a tune throughout the house when one of the doors opens.
It's saved us a few times during a particular sexy fuck fest when the prospects think they can just walk in.
They get firm talking tos. If we want to fuck on display, we will.
But this is our home for privacy and comfort.
Which I no longer have due to our new guest. I don't bother questioning why I'm the first out the door to find her. If she's going to stay with us, she needs to stay.
Finding Cassidy in the club garage on her back with her tits high in the air beneath Ticket's bike almost makes me lose my shit.
Why the hell is he down there too? Their bodies are on opposite sides while pointing at something near the tire.
Her tiny shorts let her asscheeks hang out with her knees bent.
Fiery red hair sprawls around her and the jack, painting a horrific intrusive thought in my mind. If that thing falls on her—
"PET!" Ripley shouts, face red, eyes wide with worry. Koa immediately swats him in the stomach and rushes forward when Cassidy screeches and bangs her head on something solid.
"Nice job," I drawl through clenched teeth. I might not want the girl around, but I don't like seeing her hurt either.
All Rip does is grunt and rush after Koa to help Cassie stand. I watch with my arms crossed, feelings on lockdown.
"Ticket," Maddox calls, his face a solid piece of granite. He's pissed, and Ticket can definitely sense the impending doom on his walk over.
Clearing his throat, our club brother stops in front of us. "What's up, Pres?"
"What exactly were you guys doing? And why didn't you call me when she showed up?" Mads' voice is like gravel, as if he's holding himself back. His accusatory tone and suspicion leak through far too easily.
How long until I'm the only one trying to get her out of here? I know Maddox loves Cassie. The other two are close behind; they just need the opportunity to actually get to know her beyond stalking. Where does that leave me if I don't want that?
"Why would I call you?" Ticket asks, brows furrowed in confusion.
He's the club's garage man. We need some maintenance done on our bikes? He's the guy. Ticket has a whole team under him who keep the garage running smoothly and quickly.
Sighing, I roll my eyes when Mads freezes. "Next time you see her without one of us, you fucking call me."
"Um." Ticket glances over his shoulder at Cassie. Bad timing too, because she's swatting the other two away and seems close to shouting. "I gotta say, I'm a little concerned. Are we keeping women against their will now?"
"It's for her protection," Maddox states matter-of-factly, as if there could be no other reason we all chased after her like a pack of dogs as soon as she left. "And none of your concern."
Gone is Ticket's anxious yet easy-going demeanor. He tenses and puffs up. "That's not how we operate, boss. If that woman gives one inkling that she truly doesn't want to be here, I'll do something about it."
Enough of this. "Cassidy, get over here!" I bark, only beating myself up a small bit when she flinches. Instead of letting her get to me, I narrow my eyes at her the whole time she moves toward us. "Tell Ticket why you're here."
All her hesitancy wipes from her face in response to my demand. Glaring at me like a cute kitty, she cocks her hip and puts her hand on it. All that does is show off her delicious curves. Fuck.
The sweet smile she gives Ticket draws a warning growl not only from Maddox, but from me too. She doesn't have to say anything for Ticket to smirk knowingly. "Got it," he says.
"What do you got?" she snaps, and for a moment I think she'll stomp her foot.
Ticket almost smirks. "But my declaration still stands. You want to be here, hun?"
She narrows her eyes but answers the question anyway. "I don't care to leave quite yet, but no, it was not my choice to stay."
Ticket glances at Mads, then at me and over to Rip and Koa, who are much closer than I think he realized.
"You let me know if you need to leave or if this isn't what you want, you understand? We don't kidnap. I don't know if they told you that."
Turning to Koa and Ripley, Cassie hums. "But stalking is okay?"
Rip nods with a serious expression. "Yep."
I almost let my lips twitch when Koa sighs in exasperation. I fucking love our dynamic, so why do we have to throw a sexy redhead into the mix?
Waving her hand through the air, Cassie gives Ticket her attention again. "I was only mildly kidnapped, but I was given an orgasm for my troubles."
A snort tumbles out of me, drawing five shocked gazes. Damn it.
Ticket grins so wide I want to punch it away. "Well, I'll be damned. If you can get that one to laugh, please don't ever leave. Someone needs to loosen him up. His poor mama can't do everything."
That shutters my joy. "Back to work," I order, turning before I can make sure the fucker listened.
The reminder of how my mom tries so hard to get me to let go of their trauma floods me with immense guilt. Why can’t I just be happy without fearing it will be taken from me like it was my mom and dad?