Chapter 1 #3
“Sex and other women, you mean. Yeah, for a while, a brother won’t be able to fool around with anyone, but the benefits would outweigh that. Who knows, maybe you’ll find that one of our brothers is a perfect match for you,” Crusher stated.
My vision was awash with a shade of red.
My fists were clenched so tightly, along with my teeth, that it was a race to see which one would break first. I fought to hold back the roar that wanted to break free.
As the words sank in and I heard Aubrielle, a distance away, arguing with the need, I pictured it.
I saw one of my single, good-looking, virile club brothers spending all his time with Aubrielle and spending time alone with her behind closed doors.
Having daily contact, he’d discover how great she was.
He couldn’t fuck other women because it would prove that he, as her boyfriend, was a lie.
After all, Punishers didn’t cheat. And then feelings would develop between them until the lie became real, and he was the one worshipping her beautiful, naked body.
“I’ll do it!” I practically shouted.
My words stopped all conversation. Three sets of eyes landed on me.
I noted the shock on Aubrielle’s face. Crusher seemed slightly amused.
Mayhem, he was harder to read. I thought he might be satisfied.
I didn’t give a damn. As long as I was the one who got assigned to her, I’d be fine.
If they said no, I wasn’t sure how I’d handle that.
“You?” Mayhem asked quietly.
“Yes, me.”
“No, no, I can’t let you do that, Shadow. I’ll figure something else out, guys. I don’t need a bodyguard,” she protested.
“What else can you do?” Crusher asked. Before she could reply, he kept going.
“Even if you carry a gun, you aren’t experienced in using one, right?
And it takes muscle memory to react in time.
Plus, shooting someone, even if you don’t kill them, takes a toll.
If you know how to fight, what happens when the person gets physical and is twice your size?
I’m not trying to scare you, but it’s my job to think of worst-case scenarios. ”
“I know it is, but that’s your job for your club, not someone like me.”
“We do what we can to make our employees safe, but you’re more than that.
You’re a friend. What do you think Astrid will do to me if I tell her what happened tonight and that I let you talk me out of protecting you?
Surely, you don’t want to leave me to face the wrath of my fury?
I’ll be the one in need of a bodyguard,” Mayhem teased, though only partially.
Astrid would be pissed if he didn’t find a way to safeguard her friend.
A half-giggle, half-snort escaped her as she shook her head. She replied, “I’d hate to have Astrid go all commando on you, Mayhem, but this is asking too much.”
“You didn’t ask. We’re insisting. Shadow, are you sure you want to volunteer? I can ask the other single guys. I know at least one will accept,” Crusher said.
“I’m positive,” I said.
“Okay, so let me call Reaper right now, tell him what’s up, and our solution. We’ll see if he vetoes or approves it,” Mayhem suggested.
Before Aubrielle replied, he had his phone out, dialing our president’s number.
I tried to relax. My whole body felt like one big sore knot.
But I knew one thing—no way would I allow one of the others to be spending time with her, especially behind closed doors.
This situation forced to the surface what I’d pushed down for nearly two.
I’d examine that more closely once we settle this.
“Hey, Reaper, sorry for the late call. I’ve got Crusher, Shadow, and Aubrielle with me. Remember what I told you about the increased issues at Eden? Well, we had an incident tonight.”
Mayhem ran Reaper through what happened, then what Aubrielle had shared about being accosted in town and her lying about having a boyfriend.
He ended up sharing the proposed solution, and I’d volunteered to do it.
If not me, he thought it wouldn’t be hard to get someone else.
He finished by asking Reaper whether he’d green-light it or if we would have to ask the entire club to weigh in. I caught myself holding my breath.
Aubrielle sat there with a slightly terrified expression. I wondered what she was worrying about. Surely, she wasn’t scared of me or any of my brothers. I crouched next to her.
“Aubrielle, you’ll be safe with me. I swear,” I whispered.
“Shadow, I never thought otherwise.”
“Then what are you afraid of?” I asked.
“Nothing,” she immediately responded.
I wasn’t sure I believed her, but I left it for the moment. Mayhem made a lot of sounds, but said few words. He was listening to whatever Reaper said. I was about to ask why he didn’t put Pres on speaker when he ended the call.
“Well, what did he say?” Crusher asked.
“Reaper said that we’ll let the others know in church, but as far as he’s concerned, this doesn’t require the entire club to vote on it.
If Aubrielle is comfortable with Shadow being her pretend boyfriend for the short term, and Shadow is sure, then we’re going for it.
If we find that it’s a long-term concern, then we’ll have to find a different solution. ”
“If it becomes a burden, I’ll quit,” she stated.
“No need to go there, not yet. We love having you here. Let’s see what this does. I hope it’s not a forever problem. It only recently turned crazy. We’ll see if we can determine why.
“So, what do you say, Elle? Will you allow this guy here to pretend to be your man? I can vouch that, while he can be quiet at times and isn’t the biggest conversationalist I’ve ever met, he’s a rock. He’ll take care of you. You’ll be safe with him no matter what,” Mayhem vouched for me.
She stared at me. I wasn’t sure what she searched for before she spoke.
“Are you sure? Wait, what about his work?”
“He’ll still be paid, no worries,” Mayhem assured her.
“I’m sure,” I told her.
She took a deep breath. “Then I want to say thank you, and yes, I know that you’ll look out for me. I never doubted that, Shadow.”
Relief flooded my body. I almost sank to my knees, but I managed to stay upright. I stood as Mayhem continued talking to Crusher.
“It’s set. Do you have another set tonight?” I asked.
“I do, in an hour, then I’m done.”
“I’ll be here, and I’ll escort you to your place after work. At the moment, we’ll play it by ear on how much I need to be present. At a minimum, whenever you’re working or running errands, and if you’re here practicing.”
After that, we let her go back to the dressing room to relax and get ready for her next dance. I escorted her and stayed outside the door. Mayhem texted me what her schedule was for the next two weeks. As I stood there with my arms crossed, I wondered if I’d get out of this in one piece.