Low leads me up a set of stairs to the second floor.
“Up here is where some of the guys and club girls stay.You’re probably on the third floor.I’ll warn you now that it’s hotter than two rats fucking in a wool sock up there.I’ll have one of the prospects get you a window unit, so you don’t sweat to damn death.”
“Do you live here?”
“No.I stay with my Grannie Maggie about five miles back toward town on Wicker Road.My brother would tan my hide if I tried to have a room here.He doesn’t live here either, but he does have a room.Him and Faye converted the barn into a house a few years ago.We own over three hundred acres.Some of the club members have trailers and cabins here, while others prefer to live off the compound.There’s a kitchen downstairs that is well stocked, so help yourself to whatever.I’ll swing by tomorrow and take you into town for some new clothes and anything else you need.For now, you can get something from the closet.”
She opens a door, and it’s literally a huge walk-in closet filled with clothes and other household items.
There’s a sign on the wall that reads ‘Take what you need.Leave what you don’t.’
“Now, let’s figure out what room Faye has you in.”
If she knew I’d fucked her husband, I’d be out on my ass.
I follow her up another set of stairs.The music from downstairs fades away with every step I take.
“This is the bathroom and sorry to say you will have to share it with the prospects who live up here.Foolish, Rizz, and Swift.”She waves a hand in front of her face as though she’s clearing flies away.
A guy who looks to be in his early twenties exits one of the rooms buck ass naked.All he is wearing is a grin.I try not to gawk at him, but he’s not making it easy to look away.
“Foolish, this is Jessika.She’s a friend of the club and staying here a while.Don’t mistake her for a hangaround,” she warns.
“Nice to meet you, beautiful.”He grabs my hand and kisses my knuckles as Low snorts.
“Knock it off.And put some fucking pants on.Not everyone wants to see your dick.”She rolls her eyes as he flashes his dimples at me.“He’s a total player.Steer clear.”
“The last thing I need in my life is another man complicating it,” I assure her and remind myself.I’ve already gotten into enough trouble.The last thing I need is another man to break my heart.
A dark-haired girl exits the room he just left, adjusting the straps of her dress.
“See what I mean,” Low tells me with a shake of her head.“Do you know which room is open?”
“End of the hall,” Foolish calls over his shoulder as he pulls his jeans on.Without sparing us another glance, he hits the stairs, followed by his friend.
“You’ll see a lot of that, and it’s best if you pretend not to know anyone’s business.Get me?”
“I get you.”
“Good.I don’t know what my brother plans to do with you, but I’m sure once you’re settled, he’ll put you to work at one of the club’s businesses.They own several.What did you do in Anarchy?”
“I was a florist.”Oh shit.I didn’t call work.Melanie is probably freaking out.There’s so many things I didn’t even think about.To be fair, I was in survival mode.
Low opens the door to the room at the end of the hall.A wave of heat hits me square in the face.I hope she has one of the guys get that window unit sooner rather than later.I’m going to melt.
“Cool.Well, I’ll leave you to it.If I don’t go check in with my Gran soon, she will threaten me with her wooden spoon.”She laughs.
“Do you know if there’s a phone I can use?”
“No phones.No internet.Not until we know you’re safe.”
I nod, and Low shoots me a smile before leaving me on my own.I enter the small room and take a look around.It’s basic and bare.Cream-colored walls with floral wallpaper as a border around the top.There’s a single chest of drawers against the wall.No TV.A full-size white iron bed with a forest green comforter that matches the greenery of the wallpaper that takes up the center of the room.
There’s a rocking chair by the window.No closet.Not that I intend to stay here long enough to need the use of a closet.I need a plan.One that gets me out on my own and off Thad’s radar.The bed squeaks and the mattress dips as I sit on the edge.I forgot to ask where the towels are for the shower.Maybe they keep them in the bathroom or in that closet on the second floor.I’ve never been able to just sit and do nothing.
I go over to the window to check out the view.A huge cypress tree rests at the edge of the backyard.There are some picnic tables and what looks like a horseshoe pit and corn hole boards.
My stomach grumbles, reminding me it’s been a while since we had lunch.Before heading downstairs to the kitchen, I check out the bathroom situation.Oh, hell no.I immediately close the door.I’m not entering that room unless I’m dressed in a full rubber suit and have a gallon of disinfectant.
