Chapter Thirty-Three #2
I stepped outside, relieved as fuck to get out, even while my brain was already turning over the whole fucking Grimm thing.
How the fuck was I supposed to get him to do me a favour?
I was barely on speaking terms with him, on probation with his club, and likely to piss him off again at some point. It’s my way.
“Oh, Stag?”
I froze and turned to look back at Seb, who offered me a half grin.
“Welcome to the family.”
Claudia
By the time Stag returned from his meetings, or whatever he’d been doing, he was agitated and a little distracted.
He hugged me, kissed my head, and paced the hallway until he lunged for the door and pulled it open again.
Micro and Harley stepped inside, both waving to me as they joined him, both frowning at Stag’s state, just like I’d been doing.
“Should I make drinks?”
Stag shook his head, and led them into the kitchen, reappearing to flag me over to join them.
“I’m not hiding things from you, so what has to be said is going to be said where you can see it. I don’t lie to you, that’s our deal, right?”
That sounded serious, terrifyingly so. I nodded, and switched the kettle on, moving to join them at the dining table.
“What’s going on?” I asked, as they all looked stressed and frustrated.
“The Bennetts,” Micro said, gesturing to Stag for him to speak, so I turned to watch him.
“I’m fully on board with them now, and what the fuck does ‘welcome to the family’ mean anyway? I’m theirs now? They knew I got laid off today. They know… all kinds of things.”
“Like?” I asked, but he just reached for my hand and squeezed it.
“Not important, but the facts are these. I’m on surveillance for them for the next two days, and don’t ask for details, just like I said to them, I’m not a fucking snitch and I’m not telling you guys shit, just like I won’t tell them.”
I glanced at Micro to see grudging respect on his face as he nodded.
“I’ll allow that unless you’re in too deep and in danger, hear me?”
I checked Stag to make sure he was being smart and agreeing, and he was nodding.
“How soon can we get moved into the clubhouse? I don’t want to leave Claudia alone for fucking hours in this house that isn’t ours.”
I opened my mouth to argue, and he squeezed my fingers again, a quick sign that he needed to continue, so I figured I’d argue after.
“They want Grimm’s.” Did he just say that? They want it? Like they want to take his club from him? The bastards!
The others must have said something, because Stag shook his head.
“No, not like that. They want it for that hen night we’re supposed to help with. They want their women safe, and they want me to make sure we get Grimm’s for the night. Jesus, he’s not gonna do this for me. He hates me!”
I didn’t bother to look away from Stag. The only words that mattered were the ones that’d fall from his lips. He nodded in response to something his President must have said.
“I was hoping you’d say that. I know he probably doesn’t want to be in their pocket any more than anyone, but it’d be easiest to keep their women safe there, right?”
I got up to check the kettle, and re-boiled it while I made tea for us. I took mugs of tea over to the table, and returned for sugar and milk, knowing I’d miss the discussion, but it didn’t matter. Whatever needed to be done, I trusted that Stag’s President and VP would have his back.
It was only when I was stirring my own tea that I realised Stag wanted my attention, tapping my hand gently until I put my focus back on him.
“Caroline wants to meet up with you again, she liked you. And the Pres has an invitation for you.” He gestured to Micro, so I turned to look his way next.
“We’re having a decorating party at the clubhouse.
Stag’s just wimped out because he’s the whipping boy for some bad guys, but do you want to join in?
Painting and stuff? Could be fun. We could put you and Caroline together, she’s really sweet, unlike this prick.
” He jerked his thumb at Harley, who just laughed and flipped him off.
“Caroline feels bad about the last time we all met, we all do. We weren’t dissing Stag, but you’re right, we don’t try hard enough to listen to him, but we will.
So… while this guy’s off stewing in a car for hours on end with his new bestie, what say you come and help us get the clubhouse shipshape?
We’ve got a few days left, and then the furniture goes in.
All hands on deck is pretty much the only way we’ll be ready. ”
Wow, they were inviting me into their home, into something that was for members and old ladies only. Did I want to be Stag’s old lady? Would he ever ask me, dammit?
“What about Marissa?” I asked, because she was still an issue for us, especially with the vandalization of Stag’s motorbike, which had led to him riding a loaner from Harley.
“Well, I think she’d probably pee on the walls instead of painting them, so no.”
I knew he wanted me to smile, so I did, but it was a little forced. That was the impression they all had of her. The twin sister I loved with all my heart, but had become afraid of. Was that unfair? If she was having some kind of mental break, she deserved my help, not banishment.
“I meant, what if she brings more trouble to the club?”
Micro shook his head slowly. “Everything is about you, Claudia. I don’t care where she goes, but if she’s harassing you, that’s what’ll get her arrested.
That’s the law. She harassed us to get to you, so she was harassing you through us.
I want her to get the help she needs, but I won’t risk my club or my brothers in the process.
I hope you can understand that. You’re a priority now for us, because of Stag, but she’s not. It’s harsh, but it’s what it is.”
His words echoed back at me for the rest of the evening, after they left, and even when I tried to sleep that night.
It all came back to one thing, my twin sister.
She was the only threat to our happiness right now, the only threat to me being able to settle happily with Stag.
She’d always cause trouble for us unless I put a stop to things once and for all.
Getting away from the club would have to be my priority as soon as Stag was at work with his new bosses.