Chapter 16
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
DIESEL
Once we’d made sure the reporters were outside the gate, Brick followed me into the house to the kitchen, where Rory and the guys were all sitting with fresh coffee.
Rory saw me and got to her feet, bringing me and Brick a coffee too.
“Thanks,” I smiled, accepting it and taking a sip.
“I didn’t do anything, Karl made them. No more trouble today?”
“No, I think our presence did as it was supposed to and kept them all out. It helped that a lot left to stalk the school for a glimpse of you and Ty.”
“The school has pretty good security, thankfully. It might not look like it, but there’s a lot of cameras and hidden security.”
“Don’t rely on it. I’d bet money on those security guys being everyday people who would love to make a chunk of money for turning a blind eye,” I warned, and Brick grunted his agreement.
“Always assume everyone’s out to get you. Especially right now, Donovan. You never know who the Soldiers could drag into this mess, or if the Kings will show up. If anyone new starts hanging around, let Skeet know. He’ll background check them,” he stated as Rory glanced around with a frown.
“Where’s Jonah? I thought he was here too?”
“He’s upstairs,” I explained, her frown only deepening. I knew she didn’t know him enough to trust him, so I couldn’t blame her for being concerned. “For most of the day, Brick’s been outside, I’ve been on this level, and Jonah upstairs. If anyone broke in, we’d know about it.”
“Josie’s still here?”
“Yeah, she’s in her office. Go check in with her, if you want.”
We finished our coffee before I led her upstairs, feeling better having my eyes on her. I’d been giving her updates all day, but it was mostly so I’d get a reply to know that she was okay too.
Ever since the Soldiers’ attack, I’d been on edge. Slash couldn’t have died for nothing, I had to keep her safe, but that was hard when she wasn’t allowed at the Shed and she was at school through the week.
The memory of our ambush by the Devils appeared in my head, and I walked closer to her as if they were going to jump out and snatch her.
I had to be prepared next time, I couldn’t let my guard down.
“Thanks for being here today. I know you probably had other things to do,” she murmured, flicking her gaze over to me.
“It was no problem. I’ll stick around until Skeet gets here. I might send the other two back to the Shed though.”
She stopped at the top of the stairs, and I waited for her to speak since it was obvious she wanted to talk about something.
“Do any of the Ashburn Academy girls hang out at the Shed?”
“Some have been coming by lately. Skeet’s pissed about it, but there’s not much he can do.”
“Why not? I didn’t think you guys liked academy brats there?”
“We don’t, but the guys argued that Skeet let you.
Matteo’s fucking one of them, and I’m pretty sure he’s only doing it to prove a point.
Skeet can’t kick them out if one of them is with a member.
If he fights them on it, they’ll overturn his leadership since you were allowed there,” I sighed, her eyes widening a little.
“Matteo’s fucking Claire?”
“No, her friend. Claire’s on the prowl, but most of the guys won’t touch elite pussy.
It comes with problems. They’re driving us insane.
She followed Skeet around like a dog the first few times until he snapped and dragged her out by her hair.
Ever since then, she’s been hanging around the bar disturbing my peace,” I grunted, irritation burning inside me.
The only girl that I bothered investing my time into was Rory, and that was only because we were friends and she was Skeeter’s girl.
I had zero interest in princess pussy, and despite declining Claire’s blunt offer for a fuck and ignoring her the past couple of days, she still sat there trying to make conversation while giving Brick fuck-me eyes.
He wasn’t interested in her either.
“Why didn’t you guys say anything?”
Her question caught me off guard, and I blinked at her with confusion.
“I didn’t know I was supposed to.”
“You absolutely tell me when a girl’s sniffing around Skeet. He should have told me himself,” she scowled, making me wonder if I should have kept my mouth shut.
“You have nothing to worry about. You know Skeet won’t touch her,” I said seriously, her eyes narrowing.
“I trust him, but it’s the disrespect from that bitch I need to handle. If she’s harassing you too, I’ll—”
“Donovan, stop,” I chuckled, patting her shoulder. “I can handle her poor attempts of trying to fuck me.”
“You said no and she didn’t get the memo.”
“If you start fighting the girls, it will drag drama to Skeet’s desk from Matteo. I mean it, you need to leave it alone,” I warned. “But thank you for wanting to.”
“You deserve better than Claire, trust me.”
“You know I’m not interested in dating. I wouldn’t fall for her bullshit no matter how desperate I got,” I said dryly, putting a hand on her lower back to try and encourage her to start walking again. “We have the academy brats handled, promise. Go check on Josie.”
She blew out a breath, surprising me when she leaned into me and pressed her forehead against my chest.
“I need a good fight before I lose it, D. How long until I can come back to the Shed?”
I hesitated before putting my arms around her in a hug, relaxing into the touch myself. It was what I missed the most about Sasha. The soft touches.
Sure, sex was great and all, but a physical connection that had nothing to do with sex was what I’d always loved.
I couldn’t exactly hug Skeeter or the guys, they’d punch me, so I soaked in what Rory let me have. She didn’t seem to like being touched, for obvious reasons, so knowing she trusted me to watch her back and give her a sense of comfort was a good feeling.
“If Matteo’s going to keep dragging Ashburn pussy in, then I think the guys can get over you being around.
They’re just needing to blame someone for what went down, so you were the easiest. No one made Slash jump in front of you.
He made his choice, and the only people to blame are the Soldiers.
I’d like you back there, I miss your company at the bar. ”
She honestly kept me sane some nights when I didn’t want to be there.
Her arms went around my middle as she gave me a squeeze, knowing I needed this.
“You get me back there for a fight, and I’ll sit by the bar as much as you want. Might scare away your pest problem too,” she mumbled, giving me another second before pulling back. “Are you doing okay?”
“I’m fine. Promise,” I smiled, and she smiled back before making her way along the hallway to Josie’s office while I waited outside.
Jonah appeared from further down the hallway, glancing towards the office door.
“What’s going on?” he asked, but I waved him off.
“Rory wanted to check on her. You and Brick can head to the Shed, if you want. I’ll wait around here until Skeet arrives,” I offered, and he nodded.
“If you’re sure. Call if you need us to come back.”
“Thanks,” I replied as I clapped him on the shoulder, letting him pass.
Josie’s door opened a few minutes later as Rory stepped out, Josie behind her.
“You guys can probably go. My new security team is almost here,” Josie said cheerfully, holding a hand out for me to shake. “Thank you for hanging around today.”
I shook it, giving her a smile. “No problem. The guys are going back but I’ll stick around, if that’s okay? I was hoping to hang out with Rory and the guys for a bit.”
“Of course. Make yourself at home. Stay for dinner too,” she ordered, wagging a finger at me.
“If you insist,” I chuckled, glancing at Rory. “If you’re good with that, anyway.”
“Stay. I don’t get to spend a lot of time with you,” she answered. “We can hang out in the den with a beer.”
“I still need to watch the house for—”
“Nonsense,” Josie said, dismissing me with a wave of her hand. “Go and relax. If anyone breaks in, you’ll hear the alarms go off.”
She wasn’t wrong, so I motioned for Rory to come downstairs with me as Josie went back into her office.
The guys wanted to play video games in the theater room, so they headed in there while I followed Rory to the den, a groan leaving me as I sank into the soft couch once I had a fancy whiskey in hand.
“I’d get the best sleep on this thing,” I admitted, a chuckle leaving her as she dropped down beside me.
“Have you tried a bed?”
“I don’t sleep in my bed much. I prefer the couch.”
“Why?”
“Doesn’t feel right by myself. Haven’t really slept in it since Sasha died,” I shrugged, taking a mouthful of my drink as if it would drown the sorrow filling my chest.
“At your old age, the couch can’t be comfortable,” she joked, a huff of laughter leaving me.
“Hey, I’m not that old. I like my couch.”
“Is it that particular bed, or beds in general?”
“I’ve been on the couch so long that I struggle to sleep in a bed now.
I slept in the bed here, but I tossed and turned a lot.
I thought of buying a single bed so it wasn’t so big and empty, but I don’t want to part with my old one.
Sasha chose it,” I sighed, glancing down when I felt her hand slide into mine.
She gave it a squeeze, my eyes lifting to her face to find her watching me.
“If you like the couch, then that’s all that matters. Don’t get rid of things and regret it. You’ll decide to let go of things when you’re ready,” she promised, a soft smile on her face. “If you wake up one day and decide it’s time, I’ll help you.”
The thought of having anyone in my house freaked me out, and I wished I could let that go. It would be nice for Rory and the guys to be able to visit sometimes, coming over for a beer in summer so we could sit on the porch.
Sitting out there now just reminded me of how alone I was, and I’d always find myself staring at Sasha's empty chair that I hadn’t had the heart to put away.
I tightened my hold on Rory’s hand when she went to pull back, my thumb brushing back and forth across her skin.