I hold up my hands in self-defense and laugh, “Ok there Cybil.”
She adds the potatoes to the pan and applies seasoning. “I learned how to cook so I could take care of the guys the way they take care of me. That’s how it works around here. We’re a family.”
She flutters her hands under her nose, wafting the aroma into the air. The smell of sizzling meat and fresh vegetables sure beats the greasy food at the bar. “How long have you been here?”
“About five years.” Cat stirs the food. Sadness creeps into her eyes. I can tell by her reaction it’s not something she wants to talk about. I can understand that. Telling Chainz as much as I did about my past with Adam was hard. It’ll be even harder telling him the whole story. I know if I stick around it's something I won’t be able to avoid. For now, I can keep it to myself.
Respecting her need for privacy, I change the subject, “So you knew Amera?”
Her stirring comes to an abrupt halt. “He told you about her?”
“A little.” I let out a heavy sigh. “He said she was dead. What happened to her?”
She turns, squaring off with me. “Not my story to tell, but I will say this. I’ve never seen the spark in his eyes that he gets when he looks at you.”
I tip my head to hide the smile that has taken over my face. As hard as I try, I can’t make it go away. “Yup, that’s the same look right there.” Cat points at me and laughs. “Can you put the plates on the counter? This is almost done.”
“Sure.” I move towards the cabinet and pull down the plates, stacking them on the countertop. I open and close drawers until I find the silverware and place them on the counter too.
Cat places the pan of food next to the dishes and pushes open a pass-through window. A bell hanging overhead dings. The second the sound fills the clubhouse, the guys filter in. They grab plates and scooping large heaps onto them. Cat hands me bottles of water, which I give to each one as they pass by. When Chainz comes through the line, the grin on his face causes my already nervous stomach to do somersaults. His eyes lock on mine, holding his stare while he fixes his plate. My heart beats hard against my chest. His hand closes over mine when I pass him a water bottle. “Glad you’re making yourself at home. Sleep without panties tonight so I can smell you on my sheets when I get back.”
A dozen shades of red creep up my neck and across my cheeks. He winks and moves away, letting the rest of the line file through. I lower my head, embarrassed that everyone in line heard him. Not one of them smirks or responds, as if they didn’t overhear a thing which is impossible. After the last club member moves through the line, Cat hands me a plate. “We’ll eat in here tonight, so they can talk about their shit.”
Cat waits while I serve myself before fixing her own plate. I lean against the kitchen counter and take a bite. It’s as divine as it smells. I haven’t had a meal like this in... well... forever. I must have Cat teach me how to cook. After a while Mercy joins us, scooping just the vegetables on her plate. “First aid kit is loaded, and I stocked the infirmary up just in case.”
Tension returns to my shoulders and worry floods my eyes. Cat shoots her an evil stare. Mercy’s eyes go wide, glancing from Cat to me and back to Cat. “Shit. Sorry, Raven. Don’t worry, everything will be fine. I just like to be prepared.”
We finish eating in silence, the uneasy feeling in the pit of my stomach back tenfold. Mercy and I help Cat wash the dishes and put everything back in its place. By the time we finish, the rumble of motorcycles firing up rattles the walls. Disappointment floods through me that I wasn’t able to say goodbye to Chainz.
“Is it ok if I take a walk outside?” I ask.
Cat smiles, “You can do whatever you want. Make yourself at home but stay inside the gate.”
“Got it.”
I fold the towel I used to dry the dishes into a neat square and lay it by the sink. Then slip out the door off the back of the kitchen. I’m still surprised by the massive size of this place. Walking the length of the building, I pass a free-standing garage and wonder what is inside. I’m not usually this nosey, but I peer through a small window to look. It appears to be an ordinary garage, engine blocks hanging from chains, motorcycle parts, an old car on blocks. Tarps line the floor and mechanical tools hang on the wall. In the middle of the floor is an open hatch with a staircase leading underground. An eerie vibe passes through me, forcing me to walk away. I round the corner of the main building and spot a large courtyard. There’s a fire pit in the center and several picnic tables. I take a seat at one and draw a cigarette from a pack someone left behind, using the discarded lighter to spark it up. The compound sits on top of a hill. You can see the entire town just beyond the chain-link fence and the barrier road surrounding it. The fence is old and worn, but the barbed wire along the top looks like a recent addition. My mind drifts to the story Chainz told me about Amera and how the club was ambushed. It wouldn’t surprise me if they added it afterward. Another level of protection, something it appears the club takes seriously. It’s a good thing since they are about to go to war with Adam. It’s reckless and dangerous. Adam’s obsession with me is only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to that man.
I inhale a drag of the cigarette, haunting memories filling my head.
By the time I pull into the old farmhouse, it’s dawn. I hadn’t meant to drive here, but I didn’t know where else to go. I can’t go to my parents. That’s the first place Adam will look. I can’t imagine Garrett will want to see me after the way things ended between us, but I trust him. He’ll know what to do. The cops in my town can’t help me, Adam’s too close to them. Cops stick together whether you wear blue or brown or plain clothes, like Adam does. Except for Garrett. His affiliation with Adam ended the day I broke things off. Garrett’s still a cop, but one that doesn’t play nice with the rest because of his hatred toward Adam. I’m embarrassed for him to know what terrible lapse of judgement I had picking Adam over him. I hope he cares enough to help me out of this awful situation. He has to.
I take a minute to work up the courage to step out of the car, but when I do, Garrett is already walking towards my car. “Tessa, what are you doing here this hour?”
I step forward and his face drops at the sight of the bruises marring my face. Between the red marks on my neck from being strangled and the red of my cheeks from crying, I must look hideous. “I didn’t know where else to go. I’m in trouble.”
“Holly shit. Did that bastard do this to you?” Garrett takes a long look at me. He studies my injuries and brushes my hair back. His touch was always kind. I was such a fool.
The tears fall. “I think I killed him.”
“Fuck Tessa. Come inside.”
I’m tired and can barely walk, so he scoops me up in his arms and carries me into his house. He lays me on the couch, crouching down next to me. “You need to rest, then we will handle this. Where is he?”
“My house.” My words are weak and broken from the sobs hemorrhaging through my body.
“Sleep, sweetheart. I’ll be back soon.” He stands up and opens a drawer in the table next to where I’m lying. Sliding a magazine into the gun, he slips it into the waistband of his pants.
I reach up, grabbing onto his forearm. “Don’t please. I don’t want you to get in trouble.”
