Chapter 3 #3
There was no way out of this. I respected Ace too much not to give him the truth he was seeking. He knew I came from troubled stock, but he had no idea the level of shade. I didn’t even like to think about it but I knew secrets could be damaging, especially to our club.
“You know Viper and I were in an orphanage together, and it was less than pleasant,” I started. “Well, let’s just say I wasn’t exactly an orphan. My mother knew she was in danger, so she put me in the only orphanage who wouldn’t ask questions to hide me from my father.”
Ace nodded for me to continue. “My father is a powerful man, a sick and twisted but powerful man. If he knew where I was, he would come and lure me to take his place beside him in whatever sick shit he is currently into.”
“Is he someone Neal would get involved with?”
“Most definitely. He’s someone who Percy would know, let’s leave it at that.”
“Fair enough. So why are you worried about dealing with the Onyx?”
“He’s the President of the Onyx,” I told him, hating that I’d had to air that out.
I’d long since buried who I was after learning the truth.
He’d gotten close over the years to finding me, but somehow I was always saved from him.
He didn’t know this identity and I’d been safe as a Nomad, always running around, but I knew he’d caught my scent a few months ago.
That was why I’d taken the position within the Nomads so readily.
Ace let out a sigh. “No wonder you kept your past so hidden.”
Nodding, I hated that he knew who I was now, my heritage.
“You’re right, we can’t risk your safety as well. It would be good to have you stay here. I’ll have Hawk take the boys over with Wolf and Lorcan.”
I was grateful that he understood, but couldn’t help but wonder if maybe he was looking at me differently now.
“Viper, did the boys clean up after last night properly?” Ace asked.
“Got ‘em trained good, Prez.”
Ace nodded. “Good. I’m heading back to Dublin to check on Shauna and Chains with Sheridan. Anything you need, let Hawk or Bear know. Valkyrie was asking for some help with back up. Savage, you good with heading that way with some of the Nomads just for the week?”
“Yeah, Prez.”
“Good.”
He left the chapel and headed out, but I knew he was still coming to terms with what I’d said. Hell, I didn’t blame him. I hated thinking about who my dad was.
“You good?” Viper asked me. He was the only one who knew everything about me, and what they did to me in that orphanage, because he’d had the same done to him.
“Yeah. I need to go out and ride for a bit. I’ll let the boys know, and we’ll be back tonight.”
Viper nodded. “You going to do anything about this shit with Shona first?”
I sighed. I wish I had an easy answer. I wish she’d just give over to what she felt and let me have her. It was so clear she wanted me, she’d almost beat the life out of Leesha for me and yet…she wanted to run this morning.
“She’s pushing me away. Maybe it’s for the best until I’m fully back. After we get Neal, I have to go back to the Nomads.”
“Nothing says you can’t take her with you.”
I shrugged my shoulders because the idea alone of her rejecting me was enough to burn through me like a jalapeno.
“Brother, it’s clear she wants you. She near killed Leesha last night from the injuries I saw Morena patching up.”
I smirked over at him, remembering the feeling that came over me as I watched her tear that skinny bitch a new one. Viper smacked me on the back and I headed out of the clubhouse to find the boys to let them know the plan.
My past coming back like that was pushing me into a different direction that I’d thought I’d be in today. I’d woken up with Shona, and it had felt so right, like maybe, especially after last night, that we could admit what we had but now…how could she love a man like me?
I was tainted. I was no fucking good for her. Maybe she should run.
Jumping on my bike, I tore out of the compound.
Shona
Finally, I placed the last case of beer on the floor of the bar and helped Maree and Kayleigh to unpack it into the fridges.
The clubhouse was getting quieter the later it got, and I knew at some point Savage was going to demand we talk.
I’d been nervous about it all day, but he’d been out so I could relax.
The later it got, the more I panicked that he would rock up and take me against the wall for all to see.
Then, I wouldn’t be able to deny him, but even that idea in my head had my thighs trembling with need.
“You look exhausted,” Maree told me. “Go and get some rest. We’re closing up early tonight anyway. Some of the boys are heading to the airport early.”
I’d heard that some of the boys were going over with Lorcan to get Neal and bring him back to face his crimes.
I was so glad he was going to finally get his comeuppance, but it was still a big risk.
She was right though, I was feeling exhausted after the last few days.
I thanked her and headed down to my room.
A quick shower and I was in bed, falling asleep before my head hit the pillow.
Five Years Earlier
He was looking at me like I was a treat, and I felt his eyes on me all night.
Heat crept up my neck knowing he was watching me, and he was doing it in plain view of everyone.
I wish he wouldn’t do it so blatantly. I’d already had to fend off Orla’s knowing look every time she came over.
That little smirk she wore was making me want to be violent.
The constant flirting with Savage, the way he would protect me, it was nice.
I hadn’t had nice in a long time. I’d even thought maybe this was my penance for a shit life I’d led.
The flirting was becoming more and more obvious, and the heat in his eyes when he looked at me, especially after he caught me in the storeroom or the office, was undeniable.
I had to will my body to calm down after, just from a look, I was ready to jump on him and maul his cock like a rabid wolverine. I’d never felt even a modicum of this with anyone else, not even my dead husband. Did that make me feel guilty? A little, yeah.
I motioned for the bunnies to help me out while I had my break.
I usually only took it in my room and listened to music, but today I was needing some air.
I left through the back and headed down to the side porch and took a seat.
I had only just opened up my phone to play a game when I felt him.
I could always feel him when he was near.
He sat down next to me, and I felt my body hum in appreciation. He had a particular scent about him, leather, tobacco and something I couldn’t place.
It was…intoxicating.
“You good?” he asked me.
“Yeah, just on my break.”
“You don’t normally come out here is all.”
I nodded. “I know, just needed some air.”
“Or you wanted to escape from me.”
I chuckled nervously. I didn’t know what else I could do. “Why would I need to do that, Savage?”
He didn’t respond. Instead, one of the drunk bunnies found her way out to where we were sitting and came over to flirt with him. Bold, but okay. I understood, I was having reactions to the man myself, but how didn’t you think that if he were out here with me that he was busy?
Not that we were a thing. He was just being friendly, I told myself. He definitely didn’t want to push me up against the nearest wall and have his way with me.
“Savage,” she giggled, very clearly intoxicated. “Want to come inside and play a game?”
“No,” he replied quickly. “I’m busy.”
She shot her eyes over to me and her face screwed up in disgust. I felt that to my core. “With her? I can make it worth your while.”
She pulled her tube top down and unleashed her perfect and bouncy tits. Damn. That was bolder than I was expecting.
“Not interested,” he grumbled. “Fuck off, Bambi.”
“It’s Braylee,” she said, pulling her tube top back up, visibly annoyed.
“Does it look like I give a fuck what your name is?” he asked, his voice taking on a dangerous edge. She backed up and went back inside. The intensity in his tone had my pussy throbbing for his attention. I don’t know what it was about him, but I was drawn to him.
“Fucking sluts need to understand their place here,” he said angrily.
“I’m used to it, Savage, it doesn’t bother me anymore.”
“It should. I want to wring her neck for looking at you like that.”
I put my hand on his arm, and immediately I felt sparks shoot up my back.
His eyes looked into mine then and with his other hand, he lifted mine.
His fingers were warm and callused, rough on mine, causing all sorts of friction.
My breath caught in my throat as he rubbed his thumb over the back of my hand.
The air was thick.
I didn’t know if I wanted him to kiss me, but I definitely knew I didn’t want him to leave me out here.
My phone beeped to alert me to my break being over. It broke the spell we were under, and he helped me up from the step. When I got to my feet, I looked up at him, his closeness all consuming as I tried to figure out what I wanted from him.
“Shona…”
My name tumbling from his lips in a tone of need and want that mirrored my own was almost my undoing. His hand came up to brush hair out of my eyes and behind my ear. A tender moment I didn’t think he was capable of.
This was it.
He was going to kiss me. I could feel it.
I wanted it.
I needed it.
“Yo, Sav, we’re on.”
I stepped back when I heard Viper call out to him from the door and quickly walked inside. That was close. Viper, Savage and Chains all headed out on their bikes. For the first time since I came inside from my break, I felt like I could breathe again.