Chapter 19
Chapter Nineteen
brISTOL
I don’t know if I should be nervous, worried, or maybe scared when Beast and the others file out of church. The look on his face is one of fury, and it is enough to cause me to suck in a breath when our eyes meet.
I want to blame myself for whatever he’s thinking.
It’s my family that’s causing the issues going on right now.
Not my brother or dad, but my mother and I hate to say it, my sister.
Though I can fully put the blame on my mother.
My sister couldn’t help that she needed help to get away from the monster my mother strapped her with.
Keeping focus solely on Beast, I watch him all but prowl in my direction.
I don’t know what happened while in there, but I saw Azrael and Cerberus come out of there and go back in with Jezebel.
A short while later, they came back out.
The woman had blood at her neck, and the two men carted her out of the clubhouse.
That didn’t stop her from seeing me and glaring at me.
I think if she could have, she’d have killed me in that moment, and I want to know why.
I’m getting the feeling something more is going on here, I just don’t know what. Hopefully, Beast will tell me something and not leave me in the dark.
The instant Beast is close enough, he wraps an arm around my waist and dips his head down to press his forehead against the top of my head.
Licking my lips, I tilt my head back until we’re nose to nose and ask, “What’s going on?
” I’m not waiting around for answers, I want to know what the hell is going on.
More than that, I want to make sure he’s not going to go through with the idiotic plan of faking our deaths.
He said he wasn’t, and I need to know he’s not.
“Lots of shit happenin’, Butterfingers,” he mutters, releasing a heavy breath and stepping back. “Come on.” Dropping his hands from my waist, he takes my hand. “Let’s go to my room and talk in there.”
Wordlessly, I follow him, my stomach tightening as my nerves threaten to overtake me with my fears of what’s to come. It doesn’t help I’m still reeling over the fact the police were here at the clubhouse along with my mother.
There’s something else going on. I can all but feel it. Something big is about to happen.
Beast unlocks and opens the door to his room.
Together, we step in, and he closes the door behind us, closing us in, alone in a room that only a day ago I ran out of after seeing Jezebel.
Looking at the room now, I’m surprised to find a brand-new mattress where the old one was, along with a comforter still in its packaging.
“You got a new mattress?” Turning to face Beast, my brow furrowing in confusion. Why would he do something like that?
“Yeah, not about to let you sleep on the other one,” he answers, and I get what he’s not saying. The mattress he fucked whores and other women on.
“Why?” I cock my head, unable to understand fully.
“Because you’re my woman and deserve the respect of knowing the bed you sleep on isn’t the same one I used to fuck other women on.” His answer’s blunt and to the point, just as he is.
Letting my hand go, he steps away.
“We’re going to be leaving here soon.” I open my mouth to ask him what he means, but he keeps talking. “You’re going to stay here at the clubhouse while we’re gone. I want you to stick close to the other ol’ ladies. Keep safe while I’m gone.”
“Where are you going?” I whisper, feeling antsy.
“My brothers and me are going to finish this so I know you’re safe. I’m not telling you what we’re doing, but you need to trust me on this. I know what I’m doing. The club is handling this situation.”
That feeling in my stomach increases, and I want nothing more than to beg him to tell me what they’re planning on doing. Instead, I nod in understanding because I know, in the end, he’s not going to tell me.
Beast draws me back into his arms and sighs, cupping the back of my head. “It won’t take too long, baby. When we get back, you and me, we’re going home.”
“Okay,” I whisper, my breath hitching. “Can someone go get Jagger and bring him here until we do go home? I don’t want him there alone for longer than he has to be. He’s still a baby.”
“I’ll get a prospect to go over there and get him for you,” Beast agrees, pressing his lips to mine, tongue sliding in to tangle with mine.
Beast keeps the kiss gentle and sweet. Soft and slow. Not in any rush to pull away or take it further, and it scares me because he’s never once kissed me like this before.
I moan in protest when he pulls away, going on my tiptoes following him, not ready for him to stop kissing me.
“When I get back, we’ll finish this,” he says, reaching up to cup the side of my face, his thumb stroking my bottom lip. “Regardless, I get back early or late, we’re staying here for a few days. Make sure everything’s good before going home.”
“Okay,” I breathe, a sense of unease filling my stomach. I don’t want something to happen to him or anyone else. “Please be careful.”
“Plan on it, Butterfingers.” Dipping his head down, Beast kisses me once more, drops his hand, and takes mine in his in order for us to go back to the main room.
A thought crosses my mind, and I stop just before we leave the room. “I don’t have any clothes here.”
“Yeah, you do, baby. I brought them a few days ago and put them in the dresser.” He surprised me with his answer.
How had I not noticed any of my clothes were missing?
“You packed some of my clothes from the house and brought them here?” I ask, looking to him for confirmation.
“No, I bought you a few things and put them in the dresser.” He grins. “There’s those yoga leggings you like to wear, the tank tops, and a couple pairs of jeans. I think a bra or two and some socks.”
“Well, you thought of everything but panties, didn’t you?” I huff, rolling my eyes.
“I’d say I did. Now, come on, baby, let’s get back to the front so I can get with my brothers and head out. The sooner I get this shit done, the faster it’ll be for me to get back home to you.”
Nodding, I walk with him toward the front of the clubhouse and find all the ol’ ladies are already congregated in one area, my sister with them.
“Are the kids all in the playroom?” I ask no one in particular when I make it to them, Beast behind me.
“Yeah,” Ivy answers, grinning. “They’re watching Wednesday because Sage demanded it, and you know Reaper gives into his little girl.”
“Oh, I know.” I can’t help but giggle, feeling for the other kids. Sage is definitely into that show and The Addams Family movies.
“I’ll go sit with them,” Giselle announces. “I haven’t seen it yet, and I really wanted to.”
“Okay.” Ivy nods. “If they start getting on your nerves, come back and join us.”
No one speaks another word as she leaves the room. I get the feeling that though she likes being around the other women, she prefers the children right now. I can’t blame her there.
Beast wraps his arms around my waist from behind. “We’re heading out. If you need me, call. Cerberus and Azrael are staying here with Serpent and Ghost. Gizmo and Minion are going to go pick up Jagger and get some stuff for him to bring here.”
“Okay,” I murmur, twisting in his hold to face him. “I’ll see you when you get back.”
Tilting my head back enough, I let out a sigh when he dips down and kisses me briefly.
“Stay in the clubhouse,” he orders as he lets me go and stalks off toward his brothers.
That sense of unease doesn’t go away, and I want nothing more than to call Beast’s name and tell him not to leave me.
I even open my mouth to do just that but stop myself. He doesn’t need me to freak out on him and demand he not leave me behind. Instead, I clamp my mouth shut and watch him as he goes through the door.
No sooner the door closes behind them all, a loud explosion fills the air and causes all of us in the room to jump as it rocks the building. There’s not a chance for any of us to do more than that before the world comes crashing down around me.
Something heavy hits me, and I barely register anything but the ringing in my ears and the sound of screams and crying of my friends.
It’s all I can do to keep from letting myself be dragged down into the depths of unconsciousness.
Through the ringing, I can somewhat hear the sounds of men and, if I’m not mistaken, Beast calling my name.
But I’m sure it’s wishful thinking. That first explosion had to have been for the guys, though I’m not completely certain.
Everything hurts, and I’m fighting to stay awake.
To stay fighting. The others . . . they need me.
I need to help them. If only I could move.
I would do just that. Unfortunately, I can feel myself being pulled under, unconsciousness taking hold.
The last thing I comprehend is yet another explosion. I only wish that no one else is hurt.