Chapter Nine
Shadow
Morning creeps in through the blinds, thin slats of light cutting across the room. I’ve barely slept thanks to the chair digging into my back all night, but that wasn’t what really kept me awake. It was her.
Every time she shifted under the blanket, I was on edge. Every small sound had me glancing over, checking she was still breathing, still here. Like some guard dog chained to the bed. Pathetic.
I drag a hand over my face and push to my feet, my joints stiff and crackling in protest. Remi’s curled small, drowning in my shirt, her bare legs caught in the sheets. A tangled mess of beauty.
I told Sasha that Remi is something to me. Christ. What the hell was I thinking, saying that out loud?
I move to the bathroom, splash water on my face, and stare myself down in the mirror. She’s trouble. A runner. A thief. She’s got secrets deeper than she lets on, and I’d be a fool to forget that.
And yet here I am, making sure she’s got dry clothes, a roof, food. Acting like she’s—I cut that thought off with a growl. She’s not.
When I step back into the room, her eyes are open. Wide, clear, like she’s been awake longer than she’s letting on.
“Morning,” I say, my voice rough.
She doesn’t answer right away. Just blinks slow then sits up, pulling the blanket higher around her like armour.
“You’re still here,” she mutters finally, like it’s a surprise.
“I said I would be.” I fold my arms, leaning against the dresser. “I keep my word.”
Something flickers in her eyes, disbelief maybe, then the wall slams back into place, that sharp little smirk curling her mouth.
“Well, don’t get used to it, Grumpzilla. I don’t need babysitting.”
There it is. Her defence. Her way of clawing back control.
“I got some clothes from Lexi for you,” I say, nodding at the bag Lexi sorted for her last night. “Choose something appropriate. Axel will want eyes on you when we go downstairs.”
“Yeah?” she asks, arching a brow. “Your President likes to look, does he?”
I roll my eyes. “He’s married. He ain’t looking at nothing but your soul, and you wanna rein in the bitch-attitude. He ain’t overly keen on you sticking around as it is.”
She throws the covers back, swinging her legs over the edge. “I told you, I don’t need taking care of, Shadow. I’m good by myself.”
Her words piss me off, and before I can stop myself, I’m in her face, my hands placed either side of her thighs as I pierce her eyes with my own.
“Good by yourself?” I sneer. “I found you in the fucking mud, half-frozen to death in a barely-there dress you borrowed from someone else. You have no clothes, no coat, no decent fucking shoes. So, tell me, Remi, how are you good by yourself?” I take a breath and add, “And I told you to call me Logan.”
She’s biting down hard on the corner of her lip, her eyes breaking contact to stare down at the floor or anywhere but at me.
“Move,” she almost whispers, and I hear the slight break of her voice.
I push away, giving her space, and she immediately stands.
“Thank you for last night,” she says, her voice empty of any emotion, “but I can take it from here.”
I squeeze my hands into tight fists to prevent from grabbing her as she heads for the door.
“I spoke to Roxy,” I blurt out, and she pauses with her back to me, her hand resting on the door handle. “She said she found you with her boyfriend.”
Remi spins round to face me. “I didn’t do anything wrong,” she snaps. “He woke me. He pinned me down.” Tears spring to her eyes, and she swipes a stray one angrily. “He touched me.” Her words break, and I can’t fight it any longer. I close the gap and pull her against me.
She fights it at first, her fists balled tight as she half-heartedly pushes against my chest. “It’s okay,” I soothe. “I believe you.”
“I don’t screw other people’s boyfriends,” she sniffles into my chest.
“Did he hurt you? Are you okay?”
She wipes her face, taking a deep breath before stepping back. “I’ve dealt with worse.”
They’re the words that I was afraid of, so I release a steady breath before saying, “I think we got off on the wrong foot today. At least have some breakfast. Luna makes fresh bread every day, and there’s always plenty of sausages and bacon.”
She runs her fingers under her eyes like she’s doing her best to rub away any trace of tears. “Why are you being so nice to me?”
“Because you remind me that even beautiful things need help once in a while.”
I pull the door open and wait for her to step out, then we head downstairs in silence.
We slow outside Axel’s office, and I turn to her. “Don’t give him shit, Remi. And remember, it’s Shadow in front of my brothers.” I knock on the door before she can argue.
We enter, and Axel leans back in his chair, his eyes assessing Remi for an uncomfortably long time before he points to the seat in front of his desk. I give her a gentle shove, and she goes to it, sitting down.
“I want your backstory,” he says.
She gives a nervous laugh. “We could be here for some time.”
“I ain’t messing,” he snaps.
“I was born on a wintery night in––”
“Are you taking the piss?” he barks then drags his eyes to me. “Is she taking the piss?”
“Remi,” I say, my tone warning.
“Jesus, relax. I’m no threat to your stupid club. I come from a broken home. No cops. No spies. No secrets. I’m running from my old life, that’s all. And I’ve fell on some bad luck.”
“What bad luck?” he demands.
“In case you hadn’t heard, I’m homeless. A street rat.” Her eyes flicker to me, and I realise she’s using the same words Sasha used.
“Why can’t you go back home?”
“My stepdad is a piece of shit. He’ll drag me down with him if I stick around.”
“Is he your only family?” Axel asks.
“Yes. I don’t know my dad, and my mum is dead.”
“You can stay here until you get back on your feet,” he tells her. “I’ll pay for you to work the bar, but you’ll also help around here, take care of the guys.”
“What does that mean?” she demands, folding her arms over her chest.
“Don’t worry, you’re not what I look for in a whore,” he says with a smirk. “You’ll clean up around the place, help cook or whatever.”
“Gender roles assigned,” she mutters.
“Or you can go sleep rough again,” he snaps. “Makes no difference to me, sweetheart.”
She relents, sighing. “Fine. I’ll be the clean-up girl. Anything else, boss?”
“Lose the attitude.”
She salutes him, and I almost laugh as she spins on her heel and heads for the door. “You sure she ain’t related to Kasey?” he asks as I follow her. “Same fucking attitude.”
I close the door and gently halt her, taking her wrist. “You heard what Sasha said?”
She pulls free. “I’ll find somewhere else to sleep so you and her can . . . reacquaint.”
I sigh. “That won’t be necessary. Besides, one of Axel’s stipulations is that I watch you, twenty-four-seven.”
Remi groans dramatically. “Because I borrowed twenty quid?”
“No, Rem, because you stole it and only put it back once you realised it was a test.” I turn her towards the kitchen, pushing the door open. “Now, let’s eat.”
The noise from the brothers as they fight over food and talk about football and bikes is overwhelming, and for a second, I see her flinch like she’s dragged back into another memory, a place she doesn’t want to revisit.
So, I gently slip my arm around her shoulders and lead her to an empty seat.
I pile her plate with hot food and snatch the last slice of toasted bread.
She smiles gratefully as I place it in front of her before filling a second plate for myself.
“So, are you and Sasha . . .” Her words trail off as she takes a bite of the toast.
“I’m single,” I say bluntly.
“But you have sex?”
“I don’t want to talk about it.”
“Do you love her?”
I scoff, rolling my eyes. “What is it with women and love? We fuck, so we have to be in love? Shit don’t work like that. She’s a means to an end.”
“Nice,” Remi mutters, her expression filled with disgust. “Does she know that?”
“Every conversation we have is a fight,” I say, shaking my head in irritation. “You’re giving me earache and you’re not even my old lady.”
“I never asked you to keep rescuing me,” she mutters.
I bite back a response, instead watching her as she eats. She’s the most beautiful yet infuriating person I’ve ever known and watching her eat delicate little mouthfuls as her mistrusting eyes scan the room makes me want to kiss every inch that has ever been hurt.
Which reminds me, I have a certain someone I need to speak to today.
I get off the bike and remove my helmet. “Wait here,” I tell Remi firmly. “Don’t take this off,” I say, tapping her helmet. “Don’t lift this,” I continue, knocking on the dark visor. “And under no circumstance do you come into that building,” I say, pointing to the warehouse behind me.
“Where are we?” she asks, looking around.
“Club business. That’s code for shut the fuck up and stay here.”
I head in, giving one last glance back to make sure she’s staying put before disappearing inside.
I stalk up to the security guard slouched behind the desk, his feet kicked up, humming off-key to whatever crap is in his earbuds. He startles when he finally notices me, jerking upright and yanking one bud out.
“Hey, how the hell did you get in here?”
“I’m looking for Dean,” I growl. “He’s expecting me.”
The guard smirks, like we’re sharing some kind of joke, and nods towards the corridor. “Sure thing. Through there.”
I stride down the hallway, the silence hitting heavy. No voices, no movement. Just me and the thud of my boots.
The door at the end groans when I shove it open.
Inside, a guy jolts upright, nearly spilling the line of powder he’s cutting on the filthy table. His eyes go wide. “Shit! Who the fuck are you?”
“Surprise, motherfucker.”
I cross the room in two strides, fist closing around his throat. He gags, choking as I slam him back. The table rattles, causing little baggies to scatter like confetti.