Shadow Chapter
Shadow:
I liked seeing how Cambria relaxed after the first round of introductions and the way she was welcomed. She had a drink, and then, when she was caught yawning, I showed her to her temporary home.
After Jalisa got together with Wrath, we knew that we’d have visitors from the Hell’s Fiends, and not just her dad, Psycho.
The others saw her as a niece, sister, or daughter, and they would occasionally come.
Additionally, friends from the other clubs occasionally visited.
We had a dozen bedrooms, with only two occupied by the prospects in the clubhouse.
There were that many because we now have our own houses, but in case more privacy was needed or we had a ton of company at once, it was decided that a guesthouse was required.
We’d built it behind and off to the side of the clubhouse, before you got to any of our homes.
It was a modest place, but it had the necessities and was nicely decorated thanks to Betty and Lunatic.
It had three bedrooms, two-and-a-half bathrooms, a kitchen, a living room, a large eat-in nook, and a laundry room.
Cambria had protested, saying a room in the clubhouse would do.
She’d been given a brief tour of it. Rage was the one most vocal about it not happening.
I was glad because while only Dylan and Keno stayed there all the time, others partied there, and things could get wild.
Drinking happened. Inhibitions were lowered with alcohol, and the temptation of a beautiful woman just down the hall might be too much for them.
Not that I thought any of the guys would rape her.
No way would they do that. But they could pour on the charm and persuade her.
If that happened, I might lose my fucking mind.
A glaring fact was becoming clearer with each passing hour.
I found Cambria beyond attractive. She made me feel things I’d never felt about a woman.
I wanted to be with her continually. I disliked it when other men got close to her.
Today, having the others talk, laugh, and casually touch her had made me grit my teeth.
I’d done it enough with Ryder. She might not see it, but I did.
There was interest on their faces. They weren’t blind to her physical attributes, and then you add in her personality and wit, and she was intriguing in so many ways.
And that interest had increased since our weekly church service, followed by dinner, when she had been introduced to the rest of the guys.
We were done with our meeting and eating.
Everyone was relaxing and having a good time, despite having to work in the morning.
We weren’t drinking hard, nor would we stay up most of the night.
That was what we did on Friday and Saturday nights for those interested.
Cambria was the center of tonight’s gathering, rather than everyone dividing up to drink at the bar while talking, playing darts, pool, an arcade-style video game in the corner, or watching television on the large screen.
Instead, they had gathered at or around the large circular table she’d sat at with the old ladies.
At the moment, she was holding a sleeping Pandora.
I might be gnashing my teeth, but I kept my expression bland and made sure never to stray too far away from her.
If she seemed to need anything, such as a soda refill, I made sure to get it for her.
When she went to the bathroom, I escorted her, despite her assurance that she was fine to be alone.
I lied and said I didn’t want her to get lost.
I caught Ryder watching me, and Wrath and Rage exchanging glances a couple of times when I was doing those things for her, but I ignored them, and they never said anything to me. We’d been here all chatting for I don’t know how long when Betty stood up.
“I hate to bail, but it’s ten o’clock, and my old body needs some sleep. It’s been wonderful to chat and relax with you, Cambria. We’ll do it more, I promise.”
“Oh, I didn’t know it was that late. Please, go. Have a great night’s sleep. And I enjoyed it, too. Can’t wait until next time. I’m gonna head to bed myself,” Cambria replied.
That admission became the signal for others to make remarks about calling it a night. Within no more than five minutes max, everyone was on their feet, milling about, and slipping away. I maneuvered until I was at Cambria’s side. Ryder ended up on the other side.
“Let me walk you to the house,” I said gruffly.
“I’ll do it,” Ryder added.
“Oh, that’s not necessary, guys, though I thank you. It’s not far, and you said there are outdoor lights. I should be good to go,” Cambria asserted.
“Still, we’d feel better if we did. We don’t typically let any woman walk anywhere alone in the dark. Yes, the compound is safe, but it’s how we’re wired,” Ryder explained.
“Okay, if you insist, then I’d love for both of you to be my escorts. You know, I could get used to having two handsome men always watching out for me,” she teased.
As we reached the main door to leave, Wrath called after us. “Hey, Ryder, Shadow, when you’re done, I need to speak to you for a minute. Come back here and meet me in my office. If I’m not there, I’ll be back as soon as I take Jalisa and Dora home.”
Wondering what he wanted to say this late at night, I kept my mouth shut and hollered that I’d be back. Ryder did the same.
The walk wasn’t far. We didn’t speak, just simply enjoyed the silence.
It was cooler, but not cold, outside. In no time, we were at her door.
She had been surprised that we hadn’t locked up our houses earlier when we showed her the guesthouse.
To make her feel better, though, I had pointed out where the key was, in case she wanted to use it. A few lights were on inside.
“Thank you guys so much. It’s been a long day, but a really good one. I can’t thank you enough for all that you’ve done for me over the past few days. I’ll pay you back one day,” she told us.
Before either of us could protest the need to pay us back, she shocked me when she went up on her tiptoes and placed a kiss on Ryder’s jaw.
Instantly, fury rushed through me like lava.
Luckily, she didn’t linger, and then she twisted, putting her lips to my jaw.
I felt the heat and the zing that shot from where her lips touched me to the rest of my body. I swiftly inhaled.
It was over too fast for me. She slipped inside as she murmured goodnight before I could speak.
The door closed and the lock engaged. Ryder and I walked away, both in our own heads.
Not a word was spoken as we made our way back to the clubhouse and then to Wrath’s office.
Our president came up the hallway a minute later.
We were in the hall, leaning against the wall.
It wasn’t right to be in his office if he wasn’t.
“Go on in and have a seat. We’re waiting on two more,” he told us.
We did as he asked. When he came in and took his seat, I asked, “Who else is coming?”
“Rage and Smoke,” he said.
Sitting back, I worked hard to project an image of relaxed indifference, but inside, my body buzzed with unease and desire.
The scene with Cambria played over and over in my head.
The sound of boots brought my mind back to the present.
Our former president and current VP entered and shut the door behind them.
They sat at the table in Wrath’s office.
Ryder and I were in the chairs in front of his desk.
“Sorry for the hold up. I know you’re tired, but I wanted to see if I could get an answer tonight. If not, then at least soon,” Wrath started.
“Answer to what?” Smoke asked.
“Was there more than you told me that happened in Aiken?”
“More? Like what?” Ryder asked.
Wrath didn’t answer. Instead, he glanced over at me and hiked up an eyebrow. “Shadow, did it?”
“Pres, I’m not sure what you mean. We told you what happened. We had no problems. Everything went smoothly. The drive wasn’t a bad one. Cambria seems to be settling in well. You saw her,” I answered.
“The club seems to like her, and she doesn’t appear to be holding a grudge against Shadow for inadvertently unmasking her. I know he sweated that. She was cordial from the first moment we met,” Ryder added.
“I’ve got to admit, I was worried about how she’d handle being near Shadow or me, but she’s been a doll,” Rage threw in for good measure.
I was trying to figure out what Wrath meant. He glanced over at Smoke. “VP, do you know what I’m asking?”
Smoke nodded. “I do. But I think you have to be blunt. They’re either dense or playing stupid.”
Before I could take exception and ask Smoke what the fuck he meant by calling me stupid, Rage snorted and then spoke.
“He wants to know if there was anything sexual that happened between the three of you while you were gone? Are either or both of you sleeping with her?”
My mouth dropped open. Skimming Ryder’s face, I saw he was doing the same.
“W-what the hell, Wrath?” Ryder sputtered.
“Why would you ask us such a thing?” I croaked.
“Because the two of you are hovering over Cambria. She does nothing without one or both of you at her side. You stuck to her like glue and didn’t appreciate when any of your brothers got close to her or showed that they found her desirable.
I’m not one to tell a brother what to do when it comes to his sex life, but this isn’t a normal situation.
“She’s here for protection. She’s friends with Brae, a sister of ours.
I don’t want her to have hurt feelings when she has to leave, and she thinks there was more to it than there actually was.
If you’ve made it clear it’s only sex and that’s all, then so be it.
Though you’d better hope Brae doesn’t find out.
She’ll probably kill you. And I don’t want there to be any fighting between you guys or the other brothers. ”