16. Brooke #3
“You get to it through the kitchen. The door was next to the laundry room.”
“And it was just the son and the father living there?”
“Yes. Just them.”
“What about weapons? Did you see any more around the house?”
“Not that we could see. Otherwise, we would’ve reported it.”
“Okay. That should do it.”
“I’m sorry I couldn’t have been more help.”
“You’ve helped more than you know.”
Preacher stood, and every man in the room seemed to understand that our meeting was over. He gave me a warm smile as he said, “It took a lot of guts to put your job on the line for us.”
“I almost didn’t.”
“I’m glad you did.” He looked over to Brayden and gave him a nod. “Smitty.”
Brayden gave him a slight nod, and something passed silently between them, almost like you’d expect to see between a father and a son. Brayden placed his hand on the small of my back and led me out of the bar. Neither of us said a word until we were back in the SUV and the doors were closed.
“You good?”
“Yeah, I’m okay.”
“You did good back there.”
“Glad you think so,” I scoffed. “I wasn’t so sure. Your brothers are a little intense.”
“A little?”
“Okay. They’re a lot intense.”
“I know it might’ve looked that way, but they were just trying to figure out what’s going on. Normally, they’re pretty chill.”
“I’ll have to take your word on that.”
“One day, you’ll see for yourself.” He gave me a wink. “But for today, do you want me to take you to work?”
“No. I called in… Told them I wasn’t feeling well.”
“I bet that’s a first.”
“Yeah, they’ll probably be sending flowers by the end of the day.”
He studied me for a second before asking, “So, home?”
“Yeah. I could use a nap.”
“You’ve got it.”
He backed out of the space and started toward the gate.
As we eased out onto the main road, Brayden glanced back at the clubhouse.
There was a look of uncertainty in his eyes that tugged at my heart, but I didn’t say anything.
Neither did he. I wasn’t sure if he was giving me space or if he was lost in his own thoughts.
If I had to guess, it was a little of both. He knew today was a bit of a shock for me, but he was also concerned about his brothers and what those pictures might’ve meant for them.
By the time we made it back to the house, I was exhausted and ready to pile up on the sofa. Brayden turned off the engine and offered me the keys as he said, “I can stay… if you don’t want to be alone.”
“No, I’m good. I’m just going to sleep for a bit.”
He reached over and brushed a loose strand of hair behind my ear before leaning across the console to kiss me. His lips pressed against mine for just a moment, and then we both got out of the truck. When I started up the steps, he called, “I’ll check on you later.”
“Okay.” I opened the door and paused. “Brayden?”
“Yeah?”
“Will I see you tonight?”
“Do you want to see me?”
“As often as I can.”
“Then, I’ll be here.” A smile swept across his handsome face. “Get some rest. I’ll call you in a bit.”
I watched him walk over to his bike and kick his leg over the seat.
He slipped on his helmet, and seconds later, the engine roared to life.
As soon as he pulled out of the driveway, I went inside, dropped my stuff on the floor by the door, and went straight to the bedroom.
I traded my jeans for an old pair of leggings and an oversized T-shirt I’d stolen from Brayden years ago and never had the heart to throw away.
It had faded with time, but it was still one of the most comfortable things I owned.
I climbed onto the couch, grabbed my favorite blanket, and pulled it over me.
The second I closed my eyes, I found myself thinking about the clubhouse.
I’d walked in there worried that I was making a huge mistake, and it didn’t help matters that I was surrounded by six-foot-something bikers covered in tattoos and beards.
To say they were intimidating was putting it lightly, but not one of them made me feel threatened or questioned my intentions. None of them made me feel like I’d overstepped by taking those pictures. Instead, they listened and thanked me, making me feel like I’d done them a huge favor.
It was unexpected, especially after all the crazy things I’d heard about them. The rumors were wild and hard to believe. They made it easy to make assumptions. I’d made plenty, but the men I’d met this morning weren’t the monsters the stories had made them out to be.
They were protective and fiercely devoted to one another, and I could see why Brayden was drawn to them. They were the family he’d fought so hard to find, and that alone made me want to get to know them.
Somewhere between the thoughts of brotherhood and the steady hum of the air conditioner, I finally managed to doze off. I have no idea how long I’d been sleeping when a man’s voice woke me with a start.
“Brooke?”
I gasped and opened my eyes to find Ryan standing in the doorway with a frown on his face. He sounded both surprised and annoyed when he asked, “What are you doing here?”
Damn.
I did not need this today.