When both men were gone, and the door closed, I question Bree again. “Honey now that the intimidating fuckers are out of the room I’m going to ask you something again and please don’t be mad at me. Are you sure that they ran off before they had a chance to rape you?”
“I’m sure Carrin. If they raped me, there would be lots of blood involved.” I looked at Bree with a confused stare before she explained. “I’m a virgin, Carrin. I think it would be obvious if they did,” she said in a whisper.
That threw me for a loop. I mean Bree wasn’t that much younger than me. I knew she was a little sheltered, but I didn’t realize just how much. The girl didn’t drink anything other than a glass of wine, she never cusses like the rest of us and apparently, she doesn’t have sex either. Holy shit balls! This night was full of unsuspected surprises. My mental filing cabinet was full of shit to address once things settle down.
My silence seemed to embarrass Bree. Even though her bruised face, I could see she was blushing. “Oh, honey don’t be embarrassed. It’s a good thing. It’s nothing to be ashamed of. I won’t tell a soul. Now let’s get you in the shower. I’ll grab you some fresh clothes to put on while you wash up. Once we get all this nasty shit washed off you, I can check your cuts over. Now come on let’s get you out of bed and in the bathroom.”
Nothing else was said. With my help, Bree got off the bed and in the bathroom. Thank goodness, the stand-up shower had a bench seat. She was so shaky just walking from the bed to the attached bathroom I knew she wouldn’t be able to stand long enough to take a shower.
With Breezy situated in the shower, I left her to it and went in search of some clothes. The problem was she was a little curvier than I was. Bree wasn’t fat by any means, but she definitely had big ole boobies, hips, and backside that would make any girl jealous. Looks like one of Zeus shirts and a pair of mesh gym shorts were all I had to offer. They would have to do. By the time, I was finished rooting through the closet to find a shirt and shorts without grease stains or holes in them, I heard the shower shut off. I gently knocked on the door to the bathroom and ask before I walked in on her.
It seemed that a shower was just what my girl needed. By the time Bree was cleaned up, checked over and dressed in borrowed clothes she seemed to be coming around. We cracked little jokes about the fashion choice she was wearing, but I could tell they were forced on her side. That’s when the idea popped into my head. I think a little girl time will help put her at ease. I know our group of girls can be a little rowdy at times, but it works when you need to forget your problems. “Hey, Bree, why don’t you get situated in bed while I go grab you something to drink. You need to pop a few pain relievers for me. I’ll send Doc in to check your face and when he’s done us girls can crash in here watching chick flicks and gossip.”
“Oh, Carrin don’t go out of your way. I was thinking of going home and getting out of everyone’s way once Doc was done checking me over,” Bree answered shyly.
“Honey, if you think for one minute either one of those overprotective assholes out there is going to let you leave until this shit is settled, you’ve lost your damn mind,” I told Bree trying to make a joke. She has no clue about the severity of the situation. It’s one thing to fuck with the club, but it’s something entirely different to fuck with the club’s women. She might not be a daughter or an old lady to one of the guys, but like or not, she’s with us.
“I don’t want to impose, Carrin. I’ll be fine; besides, I don’t have any clothes here, and my puppy can’t be left by himself. He’ll have my whole apartment chewed up, not to mention the mounds of dog poop,” Bree said sounding weary.
“We’ll figure something out girl. I’m sure one of the guys will run over to collect a few things and your puppy. This house is huge and running like a hotel at the moment. We have room, and you’re staying. End of story!”
With tears in her eyes, Bree moved to pull me in for a hug which I gladly returned. My heart hurt for what she had been through over the last few hours, but I also felt bad because, over the last few years, I’ve come to realize other than her friend Olivia, Breezy didn’t have anyone to lean on other than us. Although Bree had somewhat been accepted by my family, it was time to take it to the next level and bring her into the fold. I’d make sure my girl wasn’t left alone to deal with her demons and give her the support she would need to put this nasty shit behind her.
With my arms, still around a now sobbing Bree, I reassured her of just that. “Honey, I hope you know you’re not alone. I’ll be here if you need me just like the rest of my crazy family. We love you girlie and will get you situated.”
Through sobs, she started to object, “You don’t have to worry about me. I’ll be fine after a good night sleep and some slobbery kisses from my fur baby. I’ll take you up on your offer to crash with you and the girls tonight, but I’ll make sure to get out of your hair by morning. Lord knows everyone has enough going on without me adding to the mix.”
“Nonsense, I’m getting ready to head out to grab the girls while Doc comes in here to check your face. I’ll get Tank to send someone over to your place to collect your puppy and pack your things. I’m not sure how long it will take for things to settle down,” I answered.
“You don’t have to do that Carrin. I’ll be fine in the morning, besides I’ve gotta get myself together by ten, anyway. I’m on the opening shift at the bar tomorrow and work again on Monday morning bright and early at the diner,” Breezy said.
It’s times like this that I forget that Bree, someone who hasn’t grown up around the club, wouldn’t understand how things work. She doesn’t understand how our family pulls together or how protective we are of one another. It was time to clue the beautiful brunette in on a few things; especially the fact that I doubt any of the guys would be letting her out of their sight for a very long time. “Now Bree, I’m going to let you in on a few secrets, woman. Listen up because I won’t repeat myself nor will I have you arguing with me over it. It’s just the way things are around here, and they’ll never change. First of all, when you started working at the bar that was a sign that you have been accepted into our little family of misfits. Whether you like it or not, chick, that’s the way things are. Second, we take care of our family. When someone fucks with one of us, they fuck with all of us. So, when I tell you that you aren’t alone, it means you aren’t alone, and you need to get it through that beautiful head of yours. And finally, my dear, if you think for one minute that these over-protective alpha males are going to let you waltz back into that bar or even that diner before the smoke clears you have lost your damn mind. You might not have been claimed by one of these guys but by the looks on all their faces tonight they’ve all claimed you for the time being. That holds some serious weight in our world, and you won’t be dealing with anything by yourself for a long ass time. Now, I’ll leave you to think on that while I go round-up the girls and get Tank on getting your stuff over here. I want you to find a comfy spot on that bed somewhere and get ready to relax.”
I gave her a gentle squeeze and made my way out to the kitchen leaving her to think about what I just told her. There’s no way in hell that girl will be leaving this house anytime soon if any of the guys had anything to say about it. She’ll be stuck here on house arrest with the rest of the female population.
The guys were just coming out of the den as I walked out the bedroom. Tank was in Hulk mode and didn’t seem like the best one to approach about collecting clothes and the dog for Breezy, but something told me if I didn’t go to him there would be hell to pay. Lucky for me, when Throttle saw me approaching his brother he stood back and listened in.
I walked straight to Tank and gave him two words that seemed to deflate him enough to where I felt he would listen to me. “She’s fine,” I told Tank honestly but felt the need to clarify a bit. “Physically that is. That poor girl had some emotional baggage before this and will only have more shit to work through. I’m hoping my assumption is right when I say she’l
l be staying with us, here, for a while,” I said waiting for a response even though I already knew my assumption would be right.
“YOU’RE GODDAMN RIGHT SHE’LL BE STAYING HERE,” Tank roared.
“Easy dude, I kind of figured that. That’s why I came out to talk to you, asshole! Now calm the fuck down. I’m not the one you should be blasting right now, and I’m not going to stand here and let you take it out on me,” I said lowering my voice before continuing. The last thing I needed was Zeus hearing my voice raised and busting in to defend my honor. It would only end up with him and Tank beating the hell out of each other.
“Look, I know you're pissed, but I need you to reel it in long enough to help her. Not five minutes ago, she was talking about leaving, thinking she was going to be in our way? I made sure to drill it into her head that she was part of the family, and she wasn’t going anywhere, but she does need a few things. I’m sure if we don’t get someone over there ASAP she’ll try to go collect them herself,” I managed to get out before Tank put in his two cents.
“She better keep her ass in this house if she knows what’s good for her. I catch her trying to leave this house without me or one of the guys with her I’ll be hog-tying her ass to the bed,” Tank spit out starting to get worked up again.
“I explained it to her a little more delicately than that before I promised her that someone would be going over to her apartment to collect some clothes and her dog. If I were you, I would send someone soon, or she’s going to bring the subject of the dog up again. I guess the poor thing hasn’t been let out since before she went into at the bar last night.”
I stood there watching Tank running things through his head. The look on his face told me he was arguing with himself silently. It took a minute before he finally answered me. He proceeded to let me know that he would go himself and would be back in a few hours. I wanted to say something about how long it would take, but I wasn’t trying to rock the boat. I could still see the tension rolling off his broad shoulders and my nagging would only make it worse.
Chapter 4
Tank
Reluctantly I left the girl who had been clinging to me for dear life in the bedroom for Carrin to check over. My head was so fucked up right now. I was blaming myself for failing her.
“Tank, you don’t know how glad I am that the assholes weren’t able to take it any further. Bree is a sweet girl, and I think I speak for the club when I say we think of her as one of our own. Although, she doesn’t necessarily belong to one of us. She’s not a club brat or an old lady so why target her? Is there something you’re not telling me, man,” Axle asked?
I was quiet for a few before I spoke up. “Awe fuck! I’m just going to put it out there, and you guys can call me a pussy all you want. I’ve got feelings for the chick man. She’s the only one I’ve ever felt the need to try to impress. I think Zeke was able to pick up on the fact that I care for her, even if I’ve been too much of an ass to act on it.”
Throttle grilled me brother before anyone else could get a word in. “How the fuck would Zeke know that shit? Hell, we all chopped it up to you flirting with a girl, but at least this girl didn’t fall at your feet like the rest of the hoes. The fellas and I find it hilarious that your normal asshole charms didn’t work on the girl. I think that’s what earned her my respect to start with.”
“Fuck you, brother. That’s the way I wanted it to seem, but you forget before Zeke showed his true colors, he was with me a hell of a lot. Most nights he was normally the one who was with me checking on the bar. There were many of nights that I would flirt with the chick in front of him. That and he might have walked in on something that would put the idea in his head.”
“What exactly did he walk in on asshole? Did he walk in on you professing your undying love or some shit,” Axle chimed in again?
I didn’t know what to say back to my Prez and keep my head attached. How dare these assholes talk about that sweet innocent girl like she was just some piece of ass to me? I’d give him the clipped version and save Bree the embarrassment she would feel if everyone knew her secret. It isn’t like being a virgin was something to be ashamed of, but I know for a fact that the guys would pick on her about it once things settled down. “For the fucking sake of Bree, I’m not going to divulge exactly what he walked in on. Just know that the atmosphere and the position we were in would surely have anyone one of you mother fuckers thinking there was something going on. I know in my gut that’s what put Bree on his radar. It’s my fucking fault they went after her. I might not have been there to fucking stop it, but I will be the one who ends that mother fucker. HE IS MINE,” I said feeling the rage build up in my chest all over again.
I sensed that Axle wanted more of an explanation. He stared me in the eyes looking for me to elaborate. I was grateful when he spoke again, letting me off the hook. “Alright, men that’s enough for tonight. Except for the old heads, the rest of you need to get some shut-eye. It’s almost dawn now, and we’ve got company coming today. Get your asses some sleep and be ready to pick this shit back up at noon. The old heads can sound the alarms if someone decides to fuck with us, which I highly doubt they’ll try anything in broad daylight.”
Nothing else was said after we were dismissed by our President to get some sleep. Some of the guys were already calling dibs for the couches and cots that were set up in the den. I didn’t even bother. I knew I wouldn’t be getting any sleep tonight. I had too much shit bouncing around in my head. There would be no way to turn that shit off. Thoughts of a beaten and bruised Bree were racing through my head as I made my way from the den to the kitchen. I saw Carrin moving towards me causing my guard to go up. I wanted to scream and yell at her for leaving Breeanna alone, but I knew I couldn’t. Carrin was one of the most caring people I knew. She had taken a liking to Bree long before I let myself open-up to the fact of an outsider getting close to my family. I know that there’s more to the story of why the old heads decided to let Bree work at the bar, but no one has said anything about it. Bree is the only one that has been hired to work for any of the club affiliated business as a stranger. Even the drivers that work for O’Shea’s Trucking, Boomer’s family business, are either relatives or long-time acquaintances of the club members. There is always something that ties them to the club. Bree just walking in off the street and getting hired after an hour conversation with the old heads was totally unheard of. For the first year, she was around, I wouldn’t even acknowledge her. It was a dick move on my part, I know, but I don’t trust easy, probably never will.
I was still deep in thought when Carrin began to tell me how Bree thought she would be leaving to go home in the morning. I jumped the gun, losing my shit for a second, telling Carrin what I intended to do if Bree even tried to leave. Carrin being Carrin took the time to assure me that she had told Bree close to the same thing before telling me that someone would need to go collect things from Bree’s apartment. One of those things was the big old drooling dog that Bree spoiled like a child. If she treated her future kids half as well as she did that dog, there was no doubt in my mind what kind of mother Breeanna would be.
After reassuring Carrin that I would go to Bree’s apartment, I made my way out to the back deck of the house. I sat down on the steps to collect myself before heading back into town. Bree’s apartment was only five minutes away, but with the rage still flowing through my body, I needed to get myself together before I started ripping the town apart looking for the assholes that attacked Bree tonight. The focus on calming myself was short lived as I quickly went into defense mode before my mind registered the voice from the shadows of the deck as a familiar one.
“You know, boy, for someone who hasn’t claimed that sweet girl for his own, your mighty tore up about what happened to her. We’re all pissed, but you seemed to be taking it a little more personal than the rest of the guys,” Vivie said.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about. I think you’re seeing shit in your old age, woman,” I fired back w
ithout looking at her.
“You forget, you little asshole, I gave birth to you. You’re not winning any brownie points for bringing up my age. I look damn good for fifty-two. Stop trying to change the subject and tell me what’s going on with you,” my mother said sternly.
I loved my mother dearly, and she was the one who could read me like a damn book. She’s always been that way with me and my brother, Throttle. My dad, Viking, wasn’t as in touch with me and my brother. We were close, but he didn’t do emotional shit. The most we would get out of him was a “you good,” and we would always just say “yeah pop.” It was his way of letting us know he cared even if he wasn’t sure how to talk about shit. He’s gotten better over the years opening-up and giving advice about work or the club, but anything outside of that was a no-go. Mom, on the other hand, has always been my confidant. Ever since I was a little boy, I’ve felt like I could tell my mother anything. She’s never judged me, yet she has always been the first one to tell me I was fucking up.
My mother’s interest and caring ways seemed to have helped the rage settle for the time being. I was quiet for a good while before I finally answered her. I was hoping she would give up her persistence at my silence, but I should have known better. I had to tell her something, or we would be out here on the deck in a silent battle of wits all day.
“I’m not ready to talk about it just yet, mom. I came out here to settle down before I have to ride into town to collect a few things for Bree and the horse she calls a puppy.”
“I get that you’re not ready to talk. I’m here to listen whenever you’re ready, but right now how about I talk, and you listen.” I continued to stare out at the dark woods beyond the driveway but gave my mother a nod. She knew I meant for her to continue and I would listen.
“When Breezy first came around, I never would have thought you would warm up to her. For almost a year you did nothing but give her the cold shoulder and tattled on her like a two-year-old. I knew for sure you would be the one to push her away from the club. I don’t know when exactly it happened, but your whole mentality changed when it came to that girl. I think that once you realized she wouldn’t bow down at your feet or run away scared when you’re in one of your moods you started to see that she just might be the girl to tame you.” I felt myself stiffened at my mother’s words. She must have noticed the change in my body because she continued with her talk.
Finding Me: Dominant Devils Book Three Page 4
