Chapter Twenty-One
In the last week, Cross had become a fixture at the bar. He usually came in with a few members who retreated into the strip club. Not Cross. He settled in at the end of the bar and hung out with Addison. Tonight had been a little different. Oak, Gent, and Ghost were seated next to Cross.
Addison was filling a beer when she heard the front door.
She casually glanced over, expecting a local.
Her mouth fell open, and beer spilled over her hand.
She released the keg top and jerked back, darting her gaze between the new arrival and Cross.
His brows dipped, and he followed her stare to the front door.
The woman wouldn’t be recognizable to him. But she is to me.
Addison placed the mug on the bar, grabbed a towel to dry off her hand, and stared as the woman approached.
Had something happened? Their parents? A sudden spike in her heart rate had all the awful scenarios running through her head.
They’d gotten back from their vacation a few days ago.
Addison was waiting on reaching out until they were settled.
She rushed to the edge of the bar. “What are you doing here?”
Hannah’s brows hiked to her hairline, and she pressed her palm to her chest. “What am I doing here? Is that what you asked?” Her scowl deepened. “What am I doing here? Are you kidding me right now?”
Oh shit, when was the last time I called her? Addison texted her a few days ago, but with all that had happened, she’d been radio silent ever since. Hannah could read her emotions and tone like no other. She didn’t want her to worry. Well, she’s fucking worried!
“What the hell are you doing here, little sister?” she shouted, gaining the attention of everyone in the bar.
“Relax, darlin’.”
Hannah whipped her head. “I’m not talking to you, nor am I taking orders from a biker. Mind your own goddamn business.”
Gent laughed, sharing a look with the others. “I love a feisty woman.” He patted the stool next to him. “Why don’t you sit down, and I’ll buy you a drink.”
Hannah turned to face him, waving her left hand inches from Gent’s face. “I’m married, asshole.”
Gent smirked. “That must be a lot of fun for him.”
There was no missing the sarcasm dripping from his tone. This was the last thing Addison needed.
“Hannah,” Addison snapped, gaining her sister’s attention. “What are you doing here?”
“Ran into Danny. He told me he was shipping the bike here per your request, then joked about you not coming back.” She knitted her brows. “Called you three times, and it goes straight to voicemail.”
“I texted you back.” Days ago.
Hannah huffed, tossing her hands in the air.
Addison had seen her sister mad and frustrated lots of times, but this was next level.
Hannah continued. “Anyone could be using your phone to text, pretending to be you. Meanwhile, you’re being held captive in a basement.”
“Valid point,” Ghost said.
“Thank you!” Hannah snapped.
Addison smiled and spread her arms. “As you can see, I’m fine, Han.”
Hannah laughed without an ounce of humor. “And I would’ve known that had you fucking called me.”
Addison dragged her hand over her face and peeked over at Cross.
He lifted his beer, shifting his gaze between her and Hannah, smirking.
At least someone was enjoying her berating.
In fairness, she had promised her sister she’d stay in contact.
This was on her. Before she could explain anything, Hannah hopped on the stool, slamming her pocketbook on the bar.
“Two choices.” Hannah held up her fingers. “Either get me a beer and a shot of tequila. Or? Meet me outside so I can kick your ass.”
Gent whistled. “I think I’m in love.”
When Hannah lunged toward Gent, Addison grabbed her sister’s arm. “Ignore him and sit down. I’m choosing door number one.”
Hannah pulled from her grasp, sent Gent and the others a scathing glare, and begrudgingly sat on the stool. This was a nightmare that could’ve been avoided if she had called her sister. Though to be fair, who the hell hops on a flight to check on someone? Hannah.
Addison quickly grabbed a beer and the bottle of tequila. She glanced up at Cross at the end of the bar. He seemed thoroughly amused.
“I love a family reunion.”
For the love of everything holy, please shut the hell up, Gent!
He was only making matters worse. If she had any hope of calming her sister down, Gent needed to stop with his taunting. Addison made a beeline for the end of the bar, stopping directly in front of Cross.
“Can you please make him stop?”
Cross took a drag from his cigarette, and his lips twitched.
“He’s making this harder for me.” She pleaded, and his gaze softened, losing some amusement.
Cross turned his head, blowing out the smoke but remained silent. But only for a second.
“Darlin, I…”
Cross lifted his hand, turning to Gent. “Shut the fuck up.”
Thank you, Cross.
He tapped out his cigarette in the ashtray and stood, pulling out his wallet. He tossed a few bills on the bar. “We’re gonna leave you to your reunion,” Cross said.
Addison rounded the bar and came up next to him. He grasped her hip, pulling her against his chest. All the while, she was aware of her sister’s stare.
“You’re abandoning me to the enemy?”
The corner of his mouth curled, and he brushed his lips against hers. “You can handle her.”
Can I?
“You don’t want to meet her?” Addison teased.
Now was not the time.
“Gonna wait ’til you get your shit sorted out.”
Smart move. Cross smiled, dropped his hand to her ass, giving her a quick slap then turned toward the door, not giving Hannah a second glance. Thankfully, taking the rest of the guys with him.
This was a nightmare. Addison drew in a breath and turned, meeting her sister’s disapproving scowl. She may have kept in contact with Hannah in the last few weeks, but she hadn’t been forthcoming with everything.
“It seems your unwelcome status with the club has changed since we last spoke.” The snark was on point. She ignored her sister and rounded the bar, rushing over to Barry.
“Would it be okay if I left early?”
Barry scoffed. “As long as you take her with you. I got my own wife I gotta listen to rant. Don’t need to hear someone else’s.”
“Wow, you know I can hear you, right? Is this what they’re talking about when they say small town hospitality?”
Addison reached under the bar, grabbed her pocketbook, and quickly ushered her sister out.
*
The fifteen-minute drive to her house felt like an eternity.
Addison spent the entire time listening to Hannah.
It was best to let her vent without interruption.
And that conversation included her sister telling her about ordering a car service to Birch, which Addison would be paying her back for. Great!
Thankfully, when they arrived at the house, Hannah had calmed down a bit. But Addison wasn’t so na?ve as to believe this was over. Hannah was just taking a break.
Addison made coffee, and they settled in the living room.
“Well?” Hannah raised her brows, sipping her coffee. “Let’s hear it.”
“Hear what?”
“I told you before you came that I was concerned that you were being reckless. You assured me you weren’t.” Her sister sighed. “Now, I walk in to find you hanging out with a biker gang at a strip club. What would you call it?”
“Technically, you were only in the bar.” She cocked her brow. “Which I told you I was working at. And you knew that Knox was in a motorcycle club.”
“Yeah.” She snorted. “That you told me you weren’t welcomed by.”
Addison sighed. “Things changed.”
Her sister groaned. “This is not normal.”
“No.” She clenched her jaw. “It’s not your normal.”
Hannah squinted and turned her head. Her sister had always had strong opinions when it came to Addison. She chalked it up to being a big sister. But she wouldn’t sit here and accept Hannah’s opinion as fact. Because I don’t share it.
“Do you remember what you told me right before I left to come here?”
She shrugged. “I said a lot of things.”
“I’d finished packing, and you were trying to talk me out of coming. You said, ‘You don’t owe Knox anything.’”
“You don’t!” Hannah snapped, clearly frustrated.
“But I owe you?” Addison raised her brows, and her sister went silent. “I got a second chance. I want to do it my way.” She paused. “You get to live your life. And I get mine.”
Hannah stilled and slowly squinted. “Your vacation doesn’t seem temporary anymore.”
Addison shrugged, and her sister pouted. They’d always been close, and Addison had always thought she’d spend her life in Iowa. But life changed.
Hannah slouched in the chair. “I swear sometimes you pull this shit to get a reaction out of me.”
“I do enjoy watching you lose your shit.” Addison snickered and drank her coffee. She crossed her legs and fell into the cushions.
“Who was the guy?”
“Which one?”
Hannah’s face darkened. “The one who slapped your ass!”
“Cross.” She smirked. “And yes, I’m sleeping with him.”
Hannah scoffed. “Of course you are.”
“I mean, you saw him. Can you blame me?”
Her sister’s lips twitched. “Gotta give credit where it’s due. He certainly pulls off the mustache.”
Yes, he does.
“So?” Addison eyed her sister. “How much time do I get before you tell Mom and Dad?”
Hannah scoffed. “Dad knows.”
Shit.
“Is he mad?”
The corner of Hannah’s mouth curled, but she remained silent.
It was obviously a bad thing. Addison knew the logistics.
She was a grown woman, capable of making her own choices and decisions.
Still, the daughter in her never wanted to disappoint her dad, especially after everything he’d done for her.
Yes, there were normal fatherly duties. But he’d always supported her even when he didn’t agree with her.
They were both stubborn and constantly butted heads when she was younger, but she’d never doubted his love for her.
“How mad? Scale of one to ten.”
Hannah shook her head, and sighed seconds before she glanced up, meeting Addison’s stare. “Negative two.”
What? “So what did he say?”
“What part? When I told him you flew out here to meet the donor’s sister, he said it was a good thing for both you and her.”
Addison widened her eyes. “Really?”
“Yeah.” Hannah scoffed. “And when I told him that Knox was part of a biker gang, he actually got giddy. You know what Dad said? ‘I always wanted to learn how to ride.’” Hannah cocked her head, “What in the actual fuck kind of response is that?”
A good one.
Seeing her sister’s clear frustration kept her smile at bay, but she felt it down to her soul. She and her father may not have always seen eye to eye, but they were cut from the same cloth.
“What else?” Addison asked.
Hannah released an exasperated breath. “Well, when I tried to give my thoughts on this whole thing, he shut me down. He said not me or him or Mom or anyone else had a right to tell you how to live your life. And all he wanted was for you to be happy, and I should want the same.”
Thanks, Dad.
“Does he know you’re here?”
Hannah blushed. That would be a no.
“You think Mom will feel the same way as Dad?”
Hannah burst out laughing. “You fucking wish!”
Right. Her shoulders sagged, and she joined in on her sister’s amusement. She’d deal with her mother, but for now she’d appreciate her dad’s support. And Hannah’s.
****
Cross had only heard from Addison through daily texts and late-night phone calls. Day three and her sister was still in town. He’d been hoping to avoid any further interaction. Once was enough. Of course, that option was taken out of his hands when Addison mentioned stopping by the clubhouse.
She had given him a brief rundown of what happened after he left the bar. In fairness, he could see her sister’s side and appreciate her concern. He just didn’t want her to interfere in their relationship. I’m not fucking losing her.
He’d pulled on a clean shirt, put on his vest, and was heading down the hall when he heard the familiar giggle. It would’ve been music to his ears, but coming from the hall he was met with not only his woman, but her sister.
Addison walked over, giving him a quick kiss and curling into his side. “I’m taking Hannah to the airport. I asked Cleo if she wanted to tag along.”
“I jumped at the chance.” Cleo was practically bouncing on her toes, smiling at Hannah. “I wish you could stay longer.”
Stop fucking talking, Cleo.
Cross kept his comments to himself, but he figured it was a universal feeling. It was good that Addison spent time with her sister and worked shit out. But now it’s time to fucking go, sweetheart.
Hannah walked toward him and held out her hand. “It’s nice to meet you.”
Cross shook her hand. “Yeah, same.”
If he was going to be a part of Addison’s life, he had to accept her family. Thank fuck they lived a few states away.
Cleo pulled Hannah away and gave formal introductions to the other brothers in the room. Surprisingly, she was cordial. She had definitely settled down since their initial interaction.
Addison squeezed her arm around his waist. “We should go.”
It was a decent ride to Lawry, and traffic was unpredictable. If they wanted to ensure she didn’t miss her flight, they’d have to leave soon.
Cleo waved to the brothers, and Hannah smiled, dipping her chin.
“It was nice meeting you all.” Her gaze shifted to Gent, and she scowled. “Except you.”
Cross grinned and did nothing to mask his laugh. Alright, she’s growing on me.
“You coming over tonight?” Addison asked.
“Yeah.” He tapped her ass. “Call me when you’re on your way home.”
She kissed him again before walking out. He made his way over to the bar, grabbing a beer. He noticed Gent staring at the door.
“Not the first woman to hate you, Gent. Don’t take it personal,” Cypher said.
“I don’t. Not her fault.” He paused. “That woman is not properly fucked.”
Cross rolled his eyes and laughed.
And I don’t disagree.