Chapter SevenAinsley
It was exactly fourteen days since I’d met Reese, and I couldn’t believe how my life had changed in two short weeks. Since then, I’d lost my virginity, lost my best friend, almost lost my brother, moved back home, and spent every waking hour fussing over Roman.
He should’ve been awarded a prize as the worst patient to ever exist. Granted, he was in pain and losing both his hands was absolutely horrific, but instead of gratefulness that his life was spared, he was angry and refused to say more than a few words to me. As if it was my fault he was now what he called a handicapped burden.
I left him in peace as much as possible, which didn’t help my mood. I didn’t have anyone to talk to, so when he sent me to the clubhouse to see Boom Boom, I didn’t hesitate to grab my keys and almost skip out of the house.
The moment the guards sent to watch over our house saw me, two prospects hopped on their motorcycles to serve as my escort. Ever since the ambulance picked Roman up, Bloody Scorpions closed ranks to protect my brother and me.
I texted my thanks to Louisiana, but he never responded. He left me on read, so I knew he hadn’t blocked me. So many times, I prayed Reese would call to check on Roman, on me. I wanted to hear his voice again and feel his lips against mine.
Whenever those thoughts overtook the memories of our evening together prior to the lovemaking, I chalked my feelings up to Nova’s assumption. It was my pussy talking and nothing more than lust and desire. Then, I immersed myself in caring for Roman and shoved Reese out of my mind.
Sometimes, I wondered how Roman’s brothers knew about his injuries. They found out somehow and arrived in time to escort the ambulance and me, since I followed behind in my car. The first two days were touch and go. Roman had been shot, beaten, and lost both his hands. By the time he was brought to surgery, infection had set into the gunshot wound.
Right around that time, Dayton’s death hit the news cycle. Reportedly, he’d killed a waitress, then OD’d on cocaine. Purposely or accidental no one knew. Except I knew it was all bullshit. Roman had killed him.
Ever since Louisiana and his masked men brought my brother to my apartment, I’d felt so alone. Devastated. Frightened. My nightmares also returned. I always awakened drenched in sweat and fearing my heart would beat out of my chest.
The only reason Roman even agreed to let me move on my own was because they’d been almost non-existent for months. Inside me had settled down and I found peace. I’d gotten a job, a car with Roman’s help, and a tutor to help with my grades. My future seemed so bright. Then, my brother killed Trinity and that began another downward spiral.
At the clubhouse gate, Spike waved me through. I grimaced. The sea of bikes and cars indicated a crowd. It was a Friday evening, so of course it would be crowded. Once I parked, I hurried inside, nodding at the brothers who greeted me. They clapped me on the shoulder and asked about Roman. Those who hadn’t visited promised they would. I darted between the big bikers, old ladies, hangarounds, and club girls, adept at weaving my way through the crowd because I’d done it since I was a child.
The loud music, the indistinguishable chatter, the roar of laughter blended together and became white noise. At first, it had been a coping mechanism as a grieving kid. Dad had taken us to family events. Roman brought me as much as possible, so I was always with him.
Finally, I reached the hallway that led to the offices. It took longer than expected because of the sheer number of people concerned about Roman.
As I passed the conference room to get to Boom Boom’s office, he called my name.
“We’re in here.”
Damn it! Boom Boom wanted to see me in the conference room and not his office. I knew what that meant. Nova pulled rank and went to her father to make me talk to her again. She’d gotten me into trouble before with her dad. I could do without his shouting today. I could always threaten to expose her and reveal she was dating a club enemy, but I wouldn’t do that. Those club enemies spared my brother.
Stiffening my backbone, I peeped into the conference room and snapped my brows together. Nova sat to the right of Boom Boom, but all the club officers filled the other chairs.
My stomach knotted and a wave of nausea slid through me.
I greeted Boom Boom first, then said hello in ranking order. Roman drilled three things into me—rank meant everything, never disregard an officer, and never disrespect the club’s colors.
Boom Boom tasted whatever concoction he’d wanted tonight, then set the glass aside again. His black gaze never left my face. I once told Roman that Boom Boom reminded me of Count von Count from Sesame Street . He hadn’t been amused.
“Would you care to explain why you’ve shut my daughter out, Ainsley?” Boom Boom demanded.
Annoyance swirled into me. This show of force wasn’t necessary just so Nova could have her way. “We had a falling out,” I said calmly.
“She tried to apologize on several occasions and you rebuffed her each time.”
That was news to me. She’d tried twice.
“She’s over here, Ainsley,” Boom Boom barked, pointing to her. “You’ve known each other most of your lives and this is how you treat a friend?”
If only my eyes could chop that heifer into tiny pieces. A glare had to suffice. I didn’t want to chew her ass out until we were alone.
“Apology accepted, Nova,” I said sweetly.
“I’m so sorry, Ains,” she said quietly.
“Yeah, no . You hit me for no fucking reason, then you swiped that fucking soup off my dresser.”
Nova got to her feet and rushed to me. “It’s just that I didn’t like what you were saying.”
“Then you could’ve cursed me. Walked out. Told me to lose your fucking number—” Like Reese had. “You could’ve done any of the above as long as you kept your motherfucking hands to your motherfucking self,” I yelled, my brother’s influence showing itself at the wrong time. But I was so furious she’d put me in this predicament and I was angry at Roman’s treatment. I jabbed her chest. “Punching me is a hard no. I would never raise my hand to you.” I wagged my finger at her. “And let me tell you this, wench, you’re so fucking lucky you shocked the fuck out of me because you would’ve left in an ambulance.”
Fuck. I’d just threatened the president’s daughter. He could kill me for that.
“Is that truly how you feel, Ainsley?” Wizard asked. He was the VP or the Treasurer. I didn’t know since a denim jacket covered his cut. The only constant was Boom Boom. Roman complained about the high turnover rate and how the other officers were constantly voted out.
He hadn’t complained to me. I’d just overheard one of his conversations.
Bones, Vector, and Price watched in silence, officers, men who Roman considered his friends. Men who’d visited him over the past days and talked to me. Now, their look of dislike and disapproval shocked me.
Boom Boom lifted a brow. “Well, is it how you feel, Ainsley?”
I folded my arms and lifted my chin. “Yes.”
“I could have you beaten. Killed,” Boom Boom added darkly. “I love Nova. I thought you did, too.”
“Love is meaningless when violence enters the equation,” I said sullenly, not knowing when to shut the fuck up. “If Nova loved me we could’ve agreed to disagree, Boom Boom.”
“This isn’t about you ,” he retorted. “It’s about my princess.”
I sidled another glare at her. Boom Boom got to his feet. He was massive, related to the Jolly Green Giant and the fee-fi-fo-fum dude that lived up Jack’s beanstalk. One swipe of Boom Boom’s hand and I was done for.
“Daddy, wait,” Nova cried, inserting herself in front of him to stop his advance. “She didn’t mean it. Don’t hurt her.”
He shoved her out of the way. It took effort to hold my ground. But I kept my arms folded and tightened my muscles to hide my shaking.
Nova grabbed his arm again. “She came because you need to talk to her about Roman.”
He shrugged her off. The room wasn’t that big, but his advance took forever. He stopped in front of me and Nova began to chant, “I’m sorry.”
While he was so furious, I knew better than to look Boom Boom in the eye. He’d take it as a sign of disrespect. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw his hand arch toward me. Even if I’d had time to react, I would’ve forced myself to stand still.
His backhand sent me to the floor. He sank his hands into my hair, jerked me to my feet, and hit me across the other cheek. I saw him coming, but I didn’t know what to do, so I acted on instinct and scrambled back, stopped by the wall behind me.
This time when he leaned down, he grabbed my arm and yanked me to my feet. By a miracle, he didn’t pull my arm out of the socket. He marched me to his chair and shoved me in it. Blood leaked from my nose, so I swiped my arm across it.
I wish I could’ve held my tears in, but I was in pain and scared shitless.
“Come here, Nova,” Boom Boom ordered.
She stumbled toward her father. When she reached him, he punched her and then kicked her. My hands flew to my mouth.
“You stupid cunt,” he snarled. “Bringing this bullshit about this uppity slut to me. You hit Roman Mac’s sister?”
He hit her again and I screamed. At her sobs, my heart broke. Boom Boom was insane. He did anything for laughs and often performed dangerous stunts to impress everyone. All the times Nova crashed at my house, and then my apartment, rushed through my head.
He picked her up and shoved her to Kite, who ripped her shirt away and bared her breasts as well as the bruises blooming on her belly. She wasn’t even struggling. She just hung her head.
Kite looked at me. “I can make them fuck, Prez.”
“Not tonight,” Boom Boom said, normal again. Not a psychotic woman beater.
No wonder Nova wanted things to work out with Louisiana.
“Take Nova away, Kite. Just come in her mouth.”
I dry-heaved.
Kite shoved Nova out the door, then all eyes turned to me.
“I like Roman. He’s damn good and gets motherfuckers,” Boom Boom said. “If you tell him about your time here, you’ll get worse than Nova.”
I nodded vigorously.
“Tell me about the Royal Bastard who brought Roman to you.”
“I don’t know much.” My voice trembled.
“Is Nova involved with him?”
“No! Of course not. She’d never betray you.”
“I heard otherwise. The calls logs from her last phone bill shows an unfamiliar number answered by an unfamiliar motherfucker. If you’re lying to me, I’ll give you to Kite and let him fuck every hole you have, then I’ll make you disappear. Royal Bastards are our enemies.”
“I know, Boom Boom.”
He walked to the safe in the corner, opened it, and pulled out five straps of hundreds. “Make that last until Roman’s back in circulation. Send his hospital bills to me.” He threw them at my head. They hurt when they hit and left me slightly dizzy as the money smacked the floor “Now, crawl on your fucking knees, get the money, and get the fuck out of my club.”
In spite of my pain and fear, I cursed Boom Boom to hell and back, but I gathered the money, stood, and rushed to the door.
“Ainsley?”
I halted.
“Answer me!” he yelled.
“Yes, Boom Boom?” I said tiredly.
“I hope you’re proud of yourself. You got yourself beat and Nova hurt.”
I begged to differ.
“Next time, know your place and shut your fucking mouth. If you would’ve accepted Nova’s apology, all this could’ve been avoided.”
“I understand. I m-m-mean I know. I’m sorry.”
“Finally got it right.” Boom Boom laughed. “Remember, don’t open your fucking mouth to Roman. He’s rabid about protecting you. Wouldn’t want no hard feelings between us.”
I didn’t know what to say, so I whispered, “yes, sir.”
“Get out.”
I ran all the way to my car.