Chapter 5
CHAPTER FIVE
ROCHELLE
As I walk down the stairs, I see Siren leaving Drifter’s office and my blood boils. It feels like everywhere I fucking look, this whore is in my space.
She spots me, and her expression instantly turns smug. The corners of her mouth twitch, forming into a smirk, and then she struts towards the exit with confidence.
My hands curl into fists. I take a deep breath then push my way into Drifter’s office and stand in the doorway with my hands firmly on my hips.
He looks up from his phone in irritation, but before he can speak, I ask, “Why the fuck was she in your office?”
He rolls his eyes, sighing heavily. “Because, Hell, I have a fucking club to run.” He goes back to his phone like I’m boring him.
His dismissal boils my blood even more, and I clench my jaw.
“Why does that mean you need to have a fucking whore locked in your office with you?” I blink, waiting for his response, and when it doesn’t come, something twists in my chest. “I won’t play second fiddle to a club bunny, Drifter,” I warn.
His head snaps up, his eyes burning into me. “Shut the fucking door,” he demands through gritted teeth.
His ‘President’ voice doesn’t scare me. I don’t even flinch. Instead, I arch a brow in warning, folding my arms over my chest and squaring my shoulders.
There’s a minute’s stand-off before he sighs and rises to his feet. He rounds the desk and closes the distance between us.
“We don’t need the entire fucking club listening to another of your outbursts,” he hisses, grabbing my arm roughly and pulling me into the room before slamming the office door.
His words burn, and I snatch my arm out his grasp and put space between us.
“I’m waiting for a fucking answer,” I say.
He throws his arms in the air in exasperation. “For fuck’s sake, Hell,” he snaps impatiently. “We talked about all this. You know how this shit works.” He runs his hands through his hair. “What the fuck do you think I was doing?”
I arch a brow. “The door was closed,” I remind him through gritted teeth. “Why else would Siren be in your fucking office with the door closed?” Angry tears prickle at my eyes, and I blink fast to try and chase them away.
He steps into my space. “Say it,” he seethes, his nostrils flaring.
I shake my head, my eyes darting to my feet.
“Say. It,” he repeats more clearly, and this time his finger goes under my chin to tip my head back so he can look me in the eyes.
“What do you think Siren was doing in here? Ask me the fucking question, Hell. I dare you.”
I uncross my arms and take a breath, my eyes burning with jealousy. “Were you fucking her, Drifter?” He huffs out an unamused laugh. “You told me to ask,” I yell. “Are you happy now?”
He shakes his head, disappointment clear in his expression. “You’re fucking losing it.” He turns away. “Ever since this baby shit, you’re losing your mind, and honestly, Hell, I can’t deal with this shit.”
I swallow hard as his words cut like a knife.
He takes a calming breath and stares out the window. “If you must know, her fucking brother broke into the garage last night.”
I frown, letting his words sink in. Maybe I am losing it. His explanation seems plausible. I did notice a guy walking in front of Siren when she left. I hesitate before asking, “And you let him walk out of here? That’s not like you.”
He spins round. “Yes, Hell. I let him walk out of here because all you’ve been going on about is how we need to be different.” He narrows his eyes. “But now it’s Siren’s brother, you want me to kneecap him?” His words are laced with venom.
I recoil slightly. “I’m sorry,” I mutter, the word feeling foreign. “Of course I don’t want you to hurt him. I just . . .” I trail off, words failing me. What was I thinking? Maybe I’m being irrational. Maybe the baby stuff is getting to me more than I realise.
He slams down in his chair and sighs heavily. “Just get the fuck out, Hell. I can’t deal with you right now.” And he looks so defeated, I don’t even bother to argue.
I turn, leaving without another word as a tear rolls down my cheek.
When did everything suddenly get so complicated? I’ve never been the jealous sort, at least, not on this level.
Maybe Drifter’s right. Maybe I am losing it. But seeing her leave his office like that, the smirk on her face when she saw me, I saw red.
I head up the stairs, trying to keep my composure. I can’t let the club see me like this. I’m the President’s ol’ lady. I’m supposed to be strong.
I close the door gently, my back sliding down it as I land in a heap on the floor. I bring my knees to my chest and hug myself, letting the tears flow freely.
My phone buzzes gently on the bedside table, and I roll over.
I haven’t left the room since my altercation with Drifter earlier today. The thought of everyone staring at me, or worse, waiting for me to lose my mind at something else, is enough to keep me in hiding.
But I also know that given the chance, Siren would take great pleasure in rubbing my nose in it. After all, that was what her smirk was about, like it’s all part of her little game plan. And I keep falling for it.
I’m used to the club girls hating me, and the feeling’s mutual.
I speak my mind, unfiltered and unforgiving.
I keep them in line, and as the President’s ol’ lady, they have no choice but to listen to me, to show me respect.
But Siren is on another level, like she’s taken my words too personal.
And now, she wants to get under my skin and challenge me.
My phone buzzes again, and I growl before rolling back over and pulling the duvet over my head.
Twenty minutes later, there’s a knock at the door. I groan and call out, “Go away.”
The door flies open, and Red and Bella barge in.
Red pulls the duvet from me, and I try to grab it back, but she’s too fast. She takes one look at my puffy eyes and her face crumples with pity. She drops beside me and wraps her arms around me.
Bella smiles down at us. “Room for one more?” she asks, climbing the other side of me so I’m sandwiched between them. I give her a watery smile and then begin to sob again, my entire body shaking as tears spill from me unguarded.
They allow me the time to get it all out my system, just lying beside me, holding me, with no judgement or questions.
“Okay.” I sniffle, trying to shimmy free of their embrace. “I kind of can’t breathe.”
Red laughs. “You don’t need to breathe,” she says, tightening her grip. Bella follows her lead.
“No, seriously,” I say, fake choking.
Red releases me first, then Bella reluctantly follows, and I pull myself to sitting. We all lean back against the headboard in silence.
I swipe away my tears, patting my cheeks dry with the sleeve of my top.
“I’m sorry,” I eventually whisper.
Bella arches a brow. “Are you fucking serious? You’re talking to the woman who literally fell into this club a blubbering wreck. Please don’t apologise.”
I give a small laugh. Bella really did have a rough ride, but she’s grown into her place here in the club, and now, we wouldn’t be without her.
“I’m so confused,” I mutter, pulling the sleeves of my jumper over my hands and fidgeting with the fabric.
Red rests her hand over mine. “Why?”
“I saw Siren leaving Drifter’s office and completely lost my shit.” I admit, shame washes over me. “I thought he was shagging her,” I add in a whisper.
“We’ve been over this, Rochelle.” I glance sideways to Red and her expression softens, her eyes laced with sympathy. “He wouldn’t do that.”
“I know. Fuck, I know,” I say with a heavy sigh. “I don’t know what the hell is wrong with me.” I’m angry with myself.
“I do,” says Bella.
“Enlighten me, because right now, I feel like I’m losing my damn mind,” I snap. It comes out harsher than I mean it too, but she doesn’t even flinch. She knows me too well, to let it bother her.
“How long have you been trying to have a baby?” she asks.
I sigh. “Two years.”
“And now it’s a real possibility, you’re facing all the other shit that comes with it.
Like what if it still doesn’t happen. Or what if he gets bored and strays.
” She twists slightly to look at me properly.
“You’re on a shitload of hormones, and they’re probably messing with your brain.
But Drifter would never stray. He loves you. ”
“How do you know?” I ask, my voice breaking.
“Because we’d kill the fucker if he ever did,” Red interrupts.
I smile, a small laugh escaping because I know how true that statement is.
I remember the day she squared up to Drifter.
She hadn’t been here long when Rock was arrested for punching her ex.
She was raging, and she marched right up to Drifter and gave him what-for.
She wasn’t scared of him. Drifter thinks she has a death wish, but I think she knows how to keep these bastards in their place.
“You’ve got my back,” I say with a nod.
“Damn straight,” she replies, nudging her shoulder against mine.
DRIFTER
Hell has spent the entire day in our room. Avoiding me? Avoiding the club? Who fucking knows. All I do know is this petty bullshit is driving me insane.
And seeing her eyes filled with more tears broke me in a way she’ll never understand, but making her see she’s being irrational is the only way to get through to her.
I run my hand through my hair, releasing a drawn-out sigh. The music from the bar thumps too loudly. All I want right now is peace. What with her, and everything else, the stress is real and I’m exhausted.
Siren lowers into the seat beside me, her arm gently brushing mine. I clench my jaw, resisting the urge to roll my eyes. She’s the last thing I need right now. As if she senses my reluctance, she holds up her hands, a wry smile pulling on her lips
“I just want a moment of your time.”
A sigh escapes, heavy and laced with irritation. I stare straight ahead, my eyes fixed on the large television above the bar. I take a sip of my drink, savouring the burn in my chest.