Temper

by Chantal Fernando

  I’ve seen the way some of the women around us have been eying the men, and I guess it’s hard not to; all three of them are appealing in their own way. I’ve never had to handle a situation like this before, and I can’t help but feel a little jealous every time a beautiful woman looks in Temper’s direction.

  “Are you having a good time?” I ask, wrapping my arms around his neck and staring into his brown eyes.

  “I am,” he says in my ear. “Are you?”

  I nod. “Are you kidding me? Tonight has been amazing. And the girls said trouble seems to follow them, but tonight has been drama free, so maybe I’m a good luck charm for you all.”

  Temper grins and dips me back, lips pressing against my jawline. “You’re definitely my good luck charm. Does this mean that you forgive me for everything?”

  I think about that. “I think I’ll forgive you, but I’m not going to forget.”

  “So basically you’re going to throw it in my face anytime I piss you off?”

  “Most likely,” I admit, closing my eyes and enjoying my happy buzz from the alcohol. “But come on, it wasn’t something little. It was something a little big.”

  “A little big?” he teases, taking my hand and leading me back to the bar, where everyone else is.

  “That’s the first time I’ve seen you dance,” Saint announces, sounding gobsmacked. “I don’t even know what to say right now.”

  “I’d shut up if I were you,” Renny mutters, elbowing Saint. “Let him have his fun.”

  “I’m just saying. Abbie, you bring out the fun in him. I haven’t seen him smile so much in years,” Saint says before ordering us another round of drinks.

  I glance up at Temper with a big smile. “I like making you happy.”

  “I like smiling,” he replies, wrapping his arm around me and tucking me under his side. “I don’t know what it is about you, but from the second I saw you, I just wanted to be around you.”

  I kiss him then, going up on my tiptoes and cupping his stubbled cheek, making the first move for the first time in my life. Maybe it’s the alcohol, maybe it’s the beautiful words he’s saying, or maybe it’s me accepting my current fate, but there’s no one else I’d rather be with right now.

  “I’m glad I’m here,” I say against his lips.

  “Me too,” he replies, pushing my hair back behind my ear.

  Our eyes lock and hold for a few moments.

  “Temper,” Renny says to him, breaking up our moment.

  Temper looks at him and Renny says something into his ear. Temper nods, his arm squeezing on my hip. “Let’s get out of here,” he says, a sense of urgency flashing in his eyes. “We can continue the party at home.”

  “Okay,” I reply quickly, my attitude and demeanor changing with theirs. I look to Izzy and Skylar and they have worried expressions on their faces as they look at their men. Is something wrong? I scan the club but don’t see anything or anyone out of place.

  We leave, walking down the stairs, our group staying close together. Temper is first, holding my hand, with Renny and Izzy behind us and Skylar and Saint coming up the rear.

  Crossing the road to get to the car is when shit hits the fan: four men appear out of the bushes, approaching us and pointing guns at Saint, Renny and Temper. The men quickly move in front of us, guarding all three of us women with their bodies.

  “The girl comes with us,” one of the men says, nodding toward me. “Otherwise, your women are going to be burying you.”

  Temper’s eyes dart to me, and then back to the man making the demands. “Why do you want her?”

  “She’s the Knights of Fury MC president’s woman. She has value,” he says, smirking, his dark, beady eyes filled with smugness. “Yeah, we’ve been watching you. Hand her over, and the other women get to live.”

  “Why don’t you tell me what you want from me now and save us the hassle?” Temper says in a calm tone, while he opens the car door and pushes me inside the driver’s seat, in a quick, bold move that sets the shooters on edge.

  “Don’t move!” the man yells, hand now shaking, finger on the trigger. “I will kill you all.”

  What occurs next happens so fast that there isn’t much time to panic. Temper and Saint charge at the men while Renny opens the car door, pushes Izzy and Skylar inside, and throws me the keys. I start the car, fingers trembling, and watch in horror while Temper fights two men, punching one in the face and taking his gun, which goes off, shooting into the air, while Saint and Renny take on the other two.

  “We have to get out of here,” Skylar says quickly from behind me, tone filled with panic. “The cops are going to come and we’re all going to be fucked.”

  I don’t know what comes over me next. I don’t know if it’s my flight-or-fight reflexes, or if it’s because these men are specifically targeting me, but as soon as I get the opening, I throw the car into drive and press down on the gas. The car goes flying forward, knocking down the two men Temper was fighting, while he jumps out of the way.

  Temper goes to help Saint and Renny when I yell, “Get in!” To them all.

  All three manage to get into the car without anyone getting shot, half of the men on the ground from being run over and the other half injured from the beating they got.

  “Drive!” Temper says from the front seat, and he doesn’t need to tell me twice. I race out of there, keeping to the speed limit as to not draw any other extra attention to us, my fingers trembling on the wheel, my knuckles whiter than they’ve ever been.

  “Holy fuck,” I whisper to myself over and over again.

  What have I done? I just literally ran over two men, and yes, they were trying to kidnap me at gunpoint, so they weren’t necessarily upstanding citizens, but apparently neither am I.

  “They were fine,” Temper promises me, holding on to my knee and squeezing it. “They got back up as we drove off, okay? You didn’t do any permanent damage.”

  “Okay.” I nod, licking my dry lips. “I can’t believe that just happened.”

  “I can’t believe none of us got shot,” Renny adds from the back seat.

  “Or arrested,” Saint adds.

  Fuck.

  When we’re a safe distance away, I pull over on the side of the road. “Can you drive?” I ask Temper. I don’t know the way back to the clubhouse, and with what just happened, I don’t need the added stress of navigating a new city. Not to mention I’ve been drinking and am definitely over the limit. Although I feel extremely sober right now, I know that I’m not.

  “I’ll drive,” Renny says, getting out of the car and swapping seats with me. He stops and gives me a big hug before I get in the back seat. “You okay?” he asks me softly.

  I nod. “Yeah, I’ll be fine.”

  Izzy wraps her arms around me as I get into the back seat. I have so many questions, but right now I’m in shock, and I just want to get home and pretend this whole thing never happened.

  I seem to be doing that a lot since inviting Temper into my life.

  I guess the girls were right—trouble really does follow them around.

  Chapter Eleven

  “They must have followed us, and saw you and Abbie kissing in the club,” Renny says to Temper, pacing back and forth in the living room. “And thought they’d take her in revenge for what happened.”

  Renny eyes Izzy, who looks confused, and I only just remember that she still doesn’t know about him killing that guy.

  “Revenge for what?” she asks, frowning. “What am I missing here? Didn’t they shoot at you guys last time? Shouldn’t it be us wanting revenge, not them?”

  “They did come out of fuckin’ nowhere shooting at us,” Renny agrees, grimacing. “But I also shot back at them, and one of them was...injured.”

  “How injured?” Izzy presses, brow furrowing.

  “We think he’s dead,
” Temper admits, rubbing the back of his neck. “And that’s why I brought Abbie back, because she saw the whole thing.”

  Izzy’s jaw drops open. “Why didn’t you tell me this, Renny? What the fuck? And you brought Abbie back because she was a witness to this whole thing and you didn’t want her to talk?”

  “Temper brought Abbie back,” Renny corrects, brown eyes filled with concern. “It was a messed-up situation, but they came at us, and I did what I had to do to protect us.”

  Izzy softens, her shoulders dropping. “Why didn’t you just tell me the truth, though? You had to have known this was going to come out eventually.”

  “I didn’t want you to look at me different. I killed someone, okay? It’s not exactly something I’m proud of. I see his face every time I close my eyes, so I’m not exactly handling it well,” he admits, looking down at his hands.

  Izzy moves closer and hugs him. “I’m not going to look at you any different. I know the man you are. I do want you to be honest with me, though. I don’t want to have to find out things like this after they happen. That’s what I’m hurt about.”

  The two of them leave to talk things through, while the rest of us try to come up with a game plan.

  “We need to find everything we can on them,” Temper announces, looking to Saint. “Who they are, what they want. What their problem with us is. Before we couldn’t remember any of the faces of the men who shot at us, but this time we got a good look at them. We can find out who they are.”

  “I’m already on it,” Saint responds from the couch, arm around Skylar. “I’m going to get the surveillance footage of what happened.”

  “How?” I can’t help but ask.

  He leans forward to look at me, grinning. “I have my ways. Let’s just say the club owner owes me a favor or two.”

  “So what happens when you find out who they are?” I ask with eyes wide. This whole world is new to me. I have no idea what is normal and what is not.

  “Let’s see what we’re dealing with first,” Temper says, offering me his hand. “Come on, let’s get to bed. It’s three in the morning.”

  I don’t know if I’m going to be able to sleep after everything, but I can try. Temper grabs us both a bottle of water and walks me to my room.

  “Can I get you anything? Painkillers?” he asks, watching me open the water and drink half of it in one gulp.

  “I have some in my handbag; I’ll be okay,” I reply, and then pause, and ask him, “Would you mind lying down with me until I fall asleep?”

  I feel like a little baby asking, but I just want him near me right now. Tonight has been full of mixed emotions between us, and then with everything that happened afterward. It’s been a lot, and I know I’m going to be up all night replaying everything and overthinking if he’s not with me.

  “Of course,” he says, stepping inside my room and turning the light on. “I’ll have a quick shower and be back, okay?”

  I nod, and take the time to do the same, having a shower and removing my makeup before getting dressed in my pajamas.

  He’s lying in my bed when I come out, shirtless, in nothing but a pair of silk boxers. It’s the first time I’m seeing his bare chest, and I’m actually taken aback at how muscular he is, his six-pack defined and flawless, and his large biceps proof of his strength.

  “Are you sure you don’t go to the gym?” I ask, swallowing hard. “Because you really look like you go to the gym.” I’m suddenly feeling a little frumpy, my body having no definition whatsoever.

  “No, I don’t.” He chuckles. “I box here with the men, run, and I do a lot of physical work. I live a fit and healthy lifestyle.”

  “I can see that,” I say, sliding into the bed and under the covers. We lie facing each other. “I probably should have turned off the light.”

  He smiles widely, and it hits me right in the chest. “I’ll get it.”

  He turns the light off and joins me back in bed. Just like I thought, it’s comforting being next to him, and when his arms come around me I can’t help but feel safe and protected.

  “I’m sorry for all the shit I’ve dragged you into,” he whispers, kissing my temple. “I never should have asked you out on that date.”

  My life would have been much easier if he hadn’t, but for some reason I can’t seem to regret ever getting to know him. “It’s not like you planned for all of this to happen,” I reply, yawning.

  And my actions today proved how easy it is to make certain decisions to protect yourself and your friends. I never thought I’d be capable of doing what I did, purposely running someone over with a car.

  How the mighty have fallen.

  Still, against Temper, I sleep like a baby.

  * * *

  I wake up alone, and to my phone ringing. “Hello?” I say.

  “Hey, how are you?” Ivy asks. “Mom wants to speak to you.”

  Shit. I’d been speaking to Mom through Ivy, but I knew I could only get away with that for so long.

  “Abbie?”

  “Hey, Mom,” I say, rubbing my eyes and sitting up. “Is everything okay?”

  “My daughter left without saying a word; do you think everything is okay? When are you coming home? Ivy said you’d just be gone for a few days and you’re in Los Angeles of all places,” she rattles off. “I don’t know what you’re thinking, Abbie. You know how much I need you here. I forgot my medication yesterday because you weren’t here to remind me, and I’ve had to up the dose of my anxiety medication because I’ve been so stressed.”

  I consider how to answer her. “I’m sorry I left without saying anything. It was a last-minute decision, and I’ll be back soon,” I say. “And you’re a grown woman; I’m sure you can remember to take your pills. Just set an alarm on your phone, or ask Ivy to remind you.”

  She pauses and then says, “I’m worried about you. This doesn’t seem like you at all, Abbie. This just isn’t in your character. I’ve waited three days, but now I want you to come home. Enough is enough, and we need you here. Poor Ivy has enough on her plate. She has to manage college and cover your shifts at Franks.”

  Guilt fills me, but it’s not like I can just return, especially after what happened last night. Ivy can manage just fine; Mom is the one struggling. “I will make it up to Ivy,” I promise. “But I can’t come just yet, Mom. I’ll be home soon, though, okay? So don’t worry. I’m fine. Did Ivy show you the pictures of me?”

  “Yes, I saw them,” she says, sighing. “I just don’t understand why you went on a random holiday without saying anything to us. What aren’t you telling me?”

  A lot.

  “Nothing, Mom,” I lie. “I have to go, but I’ll call you soon, okay?”

  “Abbie—”

  “I love you both, bye,” I say, quickly hanging up before she can guilt trip me any further.

  “Fuck,” I whisper to myself, groaning and rolling over, and hide my phone under my pillow, like that’s going to save me. How long am I going to be able to get away with this? She’s not going to accept this from me for very long, and the last thing I want to do is stress her out when her health is only just improving.

  Forcing myself out of bed, I get ready for the day then head to the kitchen for some coffee. I smile when there’s a note on the table with some calla lilies lying on top it. Picking them up, I admire them before reading the note.

  Had to leave early to sort some things. I’ll be home around twelve to take you out for lunch. Crow is here to get you anything you need.

  P.S. Last night was the best sleep I’ve had in years.

  Smiling, I hold the note to my chest, just as Crow steps in and goes, “Isn’t that fuckin’ cute?” making me jump and scaring the shit out of me.

  “Jesus Christ, Crow,” I say, spinning around to face him.

  He simply grins, leaning against the doorframe. His jeans a
re extra tight today, the denim the same color as his eyes. “Who knew the prez had a romantic side.”

  “I don’t know why you all give him so much shit; he’s a nice guy,” I say, defending him. I mean, at least he is to me.

  “He is a good man. Around you he shows a different side, though, one we aren’t used to, which is why we’re all in shock,” Crow replies, running a hand through his blond hair. “Now I’ve been told I need to make sure you have something for breakfast. Do you want to eat out or in?”

  “Out,” I say, placing the note back down on the table.

  I want to do something nice for Temper, and I have a plan.

  Chapter Twelve

  “How are you feeling after what happened last night?” Crow asks as we head to the grocery store. “Imagine if it was just me with you three ladies? I would have been fucked. And if anything happened to any of you, Temper, Saint and Renny would have killed me three times over.”

  “Babysitting gig comes with a lot of pressure, doesn’t it?”

  He laughs. “It’s more than that. The men trust me to look after the women they love, and that’s no small feat. I could be doing much worse as a prospect, trust me.”

  “They must trust you a lot,” I say, staring at his profile. “You’re really easy to get along with, so no one even minds if you’re tagging along either.”

  “Well, that’s nice of you to say. I guess if you compare anyone to Chains they’d be nice, though,” he jokes, parking the car.

  “Yeah, you two are kind of opposites,” I admit. Crow is light, Chains is dark, in temperament and appearance.

  “He’s not a bad guy,” Crow adds, opening his door and glancing back at me. “Let’s do this.”

  We head inside and I grab all the things needed for an impromptu picnic, complete with wine, platter foods and various cheeses.