Total pages in book: 38
Estimated words: 34926 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 175(@200wpm)___ 140(@250wpm)___ 116(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 34926 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 175(@200wpm)___ 140(@250wpm)___ 116(@300wpm)
“I can go to him myself. I don’t need you tattling and trying to babysit me.”
“We can discuss gettin’ you settled in the clubhouse while we’re at it,” I continued smoothly, ignoring her protests. I let her precede me out the door, then guided her outside the bar to my truck. I hated driving the thing, but the rain was torrential. Riding the bike wasn’t an option tonight.
I unlocked the door and stood there while Cotton climbed up into the cab. “Put on your seat belt.” I shut the door again and trotted around the front of the truck. Rain was still pouring. Once inside, I shook out my hair before pushing the button to start the truck. “Once we claim a room for you, we’ll go get your stuff from the motel. But we’re moving you out of there tonight.”
“You can’t just take over my life, you know. I don’t belong to your club.”
“You’re an employee at our bar. That makes you our responsibility.”
“I see,” she said. “Trust me when I say I have way more to lose than you, so if I fuck up so there’s no reason for you to be concerned I’ll do something to damage your club’s reputation or whatever.”
I wanted to strangle the beautiful girl. And wrap her up in my arms and protect her from everything. I had no idea what was going on, but it was time to find out. And I would. If she wouldn’t tell me, I’d lean on Cain and Pops. Because there was no way Pops didn’t know. No one in Bones had secrets from Mama and Pops. I’d argue that they knew more about our members than even Cain to a certain extent. Either way, I’d find out today. Why? I wish I had a reason why I needed this. All I could come up with was that Cotton was mine. I hadn’t had any interactions with her, had no idea of her secrets. But I wanted the woman with a fierceness I had never experienced before. There was no letting her go.
The trip to the clubhouse was only a few minutes. In that time, Cotton didn’t look at me once. Instead, she turned her head away, looking out the passenger window. Her hands were clasped tightly around the ratty backpack she carried.
I pulled into the garage attached to the main clubhouse. It was where most of us kept our vehicles, especially if we were at a party or meeting. While I wanted Cotton to feel comfortable, I wanted her close. With the addition of a few newly patched members and prospects to the club, I knew space had to be pretty tight. It was why Cain had ordered homes be built around the main complex creating a wider community in our own private space. A few houses were already complete, with more going up. Once Cain had given the order, it hadn’t taken long for our neighborhood to grow.
“This isn’t a bad thing, Cotton.” I turned off the truck and faced her. “You need a safe place to stay, and we can provide that.”
“Yeah? And exactly what will I be expected to do in return for the housing? Because I know everyone here earns their keep. I also hear the girls in the club talking when they come into the bar. I’m not anyone’s whore.”
“Babe, relax. Ain’t nobody gonna ask you to do anything you don’t want to do. Bones takes care of our own.”
“Well, I ain’t a club girl or whatever. I ain’t a member of your club either, Chase. Don’t need help from anyone.” She added the last part under her breath like she hadn’t really meant me to hear her.
“Let’s just go talk to Cain. Angel will be there, and she’ll look out for you.”
“Who’s Angel?”
“Cain’s ol’ lady. She’s a good woman.”
“In my experience, wives and girlfriends aren’t exactly looking out for other women in their gang. They’re seen as competition, and I’m most definitely not interested in putting myself in that kind of position.”
I stared hard at her for several seconds. I could see she was struggling with this. She was nervous. Sweat dotted her upper lip and she fidgeted in her seat. Finally, I just sighed. Only one way to prove to her we only wanted to help her. Well, the club only wanted that. I wanted more than she was ready to give just yet. I’d get her there, though.
“You’ve been around us long enough to know the difference between an MC and a gang, baby.” I reached over and squeezed her hand briefly. The contact sent a jolt of pleasure through me. She gasped, her eyes widening before she looked away again, a becoming blush stealing up her neck and face. Yeah. She’d felt it too. I promised myself then I’d make sure I touched her often. “Come on. You have to tell Cain what happened at the bar anyway. If you ain’t satisfied with his reaction or anything about the meeting, you don’t have to stay here. But I urge you to give us the benefit of the doubt. We’re not into hurting women and children. We try our best to help.”