Chapter 10 Camille
“We should talk to Granny Jo,” Rex informs me after we shower. His knuckles brush along my jaw before he tilts my chin up, giving him better access to my mouth. “She needs to know about last night.”
At first, I think he means us having sex, but then I shiver as I remember that crazy fan taking me in the middle of the corn maze. “He watched us,” I realize. “He waited for the right moment.”
“I think so, yes,” he confirms.
“He told me it was the only warning you would get from him.”
It’s hard not to cry and let the fear overcome me again.
“Hey,” he murmurs right before he brushes his lips over mine. “We’ll get him. The club won’t let him get away with this. I won’t, Cami. This psycho didn’t just fuck with you; he fucked with the Kings. He’ll answer for that.”
I believe Rex, but I also know this guy is dangerous. Worse, he’s not the only one messing with my family. “What about the arsonist?”
“We’ll handle both. I’ll do whatever it takes to ensure you and Granny Jo are both safe.”
That sounds ominous.
“I’ve got church this afternoon. Why don’t we swing by and talk to Granny? We’ll pick up food on the way.”
“Okay,” I agree, nibbling on my lower lip. I’m feeling anxious about the bakery and everything that needs to be done to file the insurance claim. I never expected to come back to Raven’s Crest and stay this long. I never wanted to tumble into bed with Rex.
There are things we haven’t talked about that seem to linger like ghosts swinging in the closet, a constant reminder that the past is never forgotten. It has a way of pushing into the present, of forcing its ugly truths into the light.
“What are you thinking about, baby? Us?” He stares into my eyes, and I can tell he’s concerned about how I’m handling everything. “Because we’re good, Cami. We’re fucking perfect together. I don’t regret a goddamn thing about finally making you mine.”
Is that what I am? His? Property of Mountain?
I’m not sure I agree with this. “Rex.”
“Don’t overthink this, Blissy Girl. It’s just like breathing. Easy. Familiar. Essential. We can talk through whatever doubts and worries you’ve got.”
At least I can say that Rex isn’t afraid to expose all those secrets that linger from the past. There are things about his bloodline and the rest of the founding families that I need to talk to Granny Jo about because I don’t remember all the details.
My parents didn’t live in Raven’s Crest. I grew up in Columbus for most of my childhood until we moved here when I was thirteen. That was the summer I met Rex. He was six years older, wiser, and my first crush.
A year later, my parents died in a car crash. Six years later, his parents died in a house fire. We both understood loss and tragedy. It molded us into the people we’ve become.
But I remember the whispers in school. The rumors I heard while working in the Butter Bliss as a teenager, helping Granny Jo. There were things that didn’t make sense. I’ve always been curious.
“I want to know what really happened three years ago, Rex.”
“With Hannah?”
“Yes.” I swallow against the sudden emotion clogging my throat. “I saw you kiss her. Her hand was unbuckling your belt and jeans.” Shaking my head, I drag air into my lungs, trying not to cry as I think about how hurt I’d been. “You broke my heart.”
For a second, his expression mirrors the raw emotion I feel. Pain lingers in his gaze. I believed it was one-sided and belonged only to me. “I’ve never done anything with Hannah. What you saw, she kissed me, Cami. She tried to fuck me because she was drunk.”
“You didn’t stop her,” I accuse.
We had a fight that day and ended up arriving at the fall dance separately.
I had been an emotional wreck, but when I saw him with Hannah, it was the last straw.
All the gossip about Rex and his many conquests, all the women he fucked, became too much for me to endure.
People were whispering, giving me sympathetic glances, pitying me for being so young and na?ve.
“I thought you cheated on me.”
Our relationship was new. We only started dating a few months before the dance and hadn’t had sex yet. I thought he was going after what he wanted because I hadn’t slept with him yet.
“No,” Rex growls. “I didn’t. Hannah wanted you to believe that I did.”
“But you didn’t correct me. You didn’t tell the truth. Why?”
“Because I had to let you go, Cami.”
What? Why?
This doesn’t make sense. “Rex?”
“I heard you, baby. When you were talking with Emma.”
Emma is one of my oldest friends in Raven’s Crest. I really should reach out and let her know that I’m home.
I try to think of what conversation he means. It’s not working. “I don’t know, Rex.”
“It was easier if you believed I cheated and didn’t want you. I knew I couldn’t break up with you because I loved you too much, Cami.”
Loved—past tense.
My heart aches with those words. Tears sting my eyes as I hold them back.
“You don’t remember,” he guesses.
“No. I don’t.”
“The day we had that big fight was the same night as the dance,” he begins.
“I remember that part.”
“I heard you talking to Emma about your plans for the future. You didn’t want to stay in Raven’s Crest. Your dream was Hollywood or L.A. The excitement in your voice and the way you described it all, I knew if you stayed here, you’d regret it.”
Understanding sweeps through me. “You pushed me away.”
“I let you believe what it took to send you on your way.” His forehead lowers to mine. “It’s my biggest regret and a source of pride, too. You made it, baby. You won that baking contest, and you got a chance to live where you’ve always wanted. You got the life you deserve.”
Wow. I don’t know what to say. I’m shocked he did this. “Rex.”
“I can’t be the one to hold you back, Blissy Girl. I’ll never ask you to choose.”
That makes me angry because everything is different now. We’ve slept together. I’ve learned the truth.
“It’s not that simple now, is it?”
“No.”
“Do you still love me?” I dare to ask, my words sounding as breathless and uncertain as I feel.
If it’s all in the past, I can’t be with Rex anymore.
It makes me feel like I’ve given myself to him foolishly, but I don’t regret last night.
I won’t make it something ugly. It was one of the most amazing experiences I’ve ever had. In truth, the best sex.
Rex’s palms cradle my face as he lifts his head. “I never stopped, Cami. I’ve loved you for over three years. It’s the only reason I could let you go. I love you enough to accept if you can’t stay here in Raven’s Crest.”
“That’s stupid,” I blurt.
He flinches like I’ve slapped him.
“If you love me like you say you do, then you have to fight to keep us together. I need to know you’re in it to win it, you big, stubborn mountain.”
His lips twitch. “Damn, baby, I sure love your sassy mouth.”
I smack his shoulder. “I’m serious.”
“I know.” His lips hover above mine. “I’m already fighting, Cami. I have been since I picked you up from the airport.”
I blink because he’s right. He’s gone out of his way to be kind, treat me with respect, and show me that he’s not an asshole who cheats on his woman. I was so wrong about him. “We’ve wasted a lot of time.”
“Nah. It was always gonna come back to this. Us. Right here in Raven’s Crest.”
“You’re so cocky.” But I love it.
“Now that I have you, Blissy Girl, I’m not giving you up.”
“No matter what happens?” I ask because I’m worried about the stalker and the arsonist. There’s too much danger and uncertainty. I can’t lose my Granny, and I can’t lose Rex. Not again. My heart won’t handle the loss of either of them.
“No matter what happens,” he confirms.
I wish it would make me feel calmer. It only increased my anxiety.
GRANNY JO TAKES ONE look at us when we enter the house and grins. “You’ve done the deed.”
Rex laughs.
Me? I’m mortified. “Granny!”
She waves me off like I’m being dramatic. “It’s just sex. Everyone does it.”
My cheeks flush with heat. “I can’t believe you just said that.”
She rolls her eyes and then turns to Phantom, who appears just as amused with the conversation as Rex. “Pay up.”
I’m so confused.
Phantom pulls a twenty-dollar bill from his wallet and slaps it down on Granny’s coffee table. “Fuck, Granny. Bleed me dry.”
She snorts. “You have lots of money with all the weed you sell. Don’t try to fool a woman with twice your age and experience.”
He chuckles. “Noted.”
She turns back to me with a shrewd gaze that sees much more than most people ever consider. She knows me well. I’m certain she also knows Rex because he’s as close to her as I am. I have to know if my suspicions are correct.
“You kept coming here after I left, didn’t you?”
Rex doesn’t deny it. “Twice a week. To be fair, she cooks way better than I do.”
“Damn straight,” Granny Jo interjects.
He grasps my jaw and lifts my face toward his. “Also, because I had to stay close to you, and this was the only way.”
“I feel used.”
We both ignore my spunky grandmother.
“You never stopped loving me,” I respond, knowing it’s true.
“I never did.”
Phantom makes smooching noises with his lips as Rex lifts a finger and flips him off.
“Not gonna stop either, Blissy Girl. I’ll tell you every single day until you’re tired of hearing it.”
“I’m holding you to it.”
His lips feather across mine in a sweet kiss of promise.
Granny Jo pats the couch cushion beside her as we separate. I sink onto it, knowing we need to tell her about the crazy stalker/super fan I’ve got.
“Tell me.”
“There’s a fan who’s been stalking me.” I don’t hold back, telling her about the incident in the studio in L.A. and then the corn maze.
“It’s not the same guy as the arsonist,” she concludes.
“No.”
She glances at Rex, then Phantom. “We’re under the club’s protection. I know that, but what are you doing for Cami?”
“Hunting,” I growl.
Phantom groans. “Fuck. I can’t believe I’m missing out on that.”
“Church is at three. Scythe is sending someone to switch with you. He texted on the way here.”
“Thank fuck.”
Granny Jo smacks the back of his head. “That’s for saying ‘fuck' three times.” She pats his cheek. “Give me some sugar before you go.”
Phantom snickers and leans over to peck her cheek. “You’re still my number one girl, Granny Jo.”
“Don’t ever forget it.”
Rex takes my hand and leads me to the front door. “I’ve got to get back to The Barn.”
“I know.”
“I’ll be back as soon as church is over,” he promises.
“Who’s coming?”
“Testament and a prospect. You’ll be safe.”
Two bikers. That had to be enough protection. Right?
“This makes me feel anxious,” I admit. “I don’t like separating right now.”
“Well, if Granny Jo will leave, we can take you both to The Barn.”
“She won’t.” I know my grandmother. She’s not going to vacate her home because there’s a threat. Even after the attack at the hospital, she insisted on sleeping in her own bed.
“Keep her busy. Maybe she can drink tea and watch you bake.”
I smile because that’s probably what we’ll do. Granny Jo has backorders to fill for the Butter Bliss, and I’m not letting her lift a finger to help. “It’s a good idea. It’ll keep me busy, too.”
“That’s good, baby.”
I barely hear the words leave his mouth before he’s got me pressed against the wall.
His hands slide through my hair as he devours my mouth, dominating the kiss and hungrily sweeping through as his tongue tangles with mine.
It’s enough to make my knees buckle because I feel almost lightheaded from his assault on my senses.
When we separate, I’m breathless.
“That’s so you remember what I’ve got for you later, baby.”
“Um, I think I’ve got it.”
He smirks, brushing my hair over my shoulder. “You love me too.”
“You’re so cocky.”
“Can’t help it. You make my cock fucking hard, Blissy Girl.”
There’s a knock at the door, and he winks at me before checking who’s there. When he opens the door, I see Testament. We’ve only spoken a few times in the past, but I know who he is. I know all the members of the Kings of Anarchy MC. Hard not to when you’re dating one of them.
Rex tugs me close and kisses me again before he leaves. “Stay in the house.”
We both know it’s too risky to leave. “I will.”
“See you soon, baby.”