by Simone Elise
I shooed Oliver's hand out of his bag and started emptying it into my basket. It was full to the brim when we walked out of his room.
"So, where have you been all morning?" I asked as we walked down the hall.
"Organizing the new charter. Setting it up."
"How do you set up a charter? Wouldn't it have to be approved or something?" I frowned as we hit the staircase.
"Yeah, it gets voted on, but Chase already did that before he went off the grid."
"So where do his biker friends think he has been? All this time?" We were talking about months. You don't just walk away from your life for months.
Oliver shrugged as we walked down the stairs. "Don't know. Sometimes bikers go nomad, not normally Presidents though. Still, not a big deal really. As long as they come back." Oliver grinned at me. "Which we have now."
I nodded my head, walking through the dining room and kitchen and into the lounge which looked out to the river. I saw Chase's broad back outside on the phone.
"Chloe's doing the laundry," Oliver stated as we walked in. Like it wasn't obvious with a basket full of dirty clothes.
"What, just Chase's?" Declan looked away from the game he had been playing on the television.
"Nope, mine too," Oliver jumped over the couch to sit next to his brother, swiping the controller off him.
"That's not fair!" Declan complained, but it was obvious he wasn't complaining about the fact Oliver had taken the controller off him.
"Three fucking months I haven't had clean clothes," Marc grumbled in the arm chair.
"What is it with you lot not doing the laundry?" I sighed. "How about you go get your dirty clothes and bring them to the laundry room, and then you will have clean clothes as well."
All eyes were on me.
Marc jumped up. "Fuck, don't think, boys. Do it before she changes her mind."
I laughed, and it felt so strange but, at the same, enjoyable.
"What's going on?" Chase asked, walking in from outside as his brothers started to scatter from the room.
"Chloe's doing the laundry," Oliver said, more focused on the game.
"Don't you bloody dare talk her out of it," Marc yelled over his shoulder before he ran up the stairs.
"Yeah, it's not fair that only YOU get clean clothes," Declan screamed the 'you' a bit louder as he left the room and followed Marc in a rush. You would think I was offering something more than just washing.
Chase opened his mouth, but Oliver threw the controller at him. "How did you get such a high score on this? It's bloody hard."
Chase threw the controller back at him, giving him an annoyed look and heading for me, walking around the couch.
"You don't have to do my laundry." Chase stood in front of me, frowning. "I don't expect you to be cooking and cleaning up after us and…"
"Chase, stop. It's just laundry. Not a big deal." I smiled up at him. A real smile, not a fake one. I wanted to wash his clothes. He was standing beside me now, and I couldn't stop myself from going up on to my toes and kissing his cheek. "I'll be in the laundry room if you need me."
"Oh wait, Chloe." Oliver reached behind the couch and grabbed my arm. "Can you wash this too?" Oliver stood up and shrugged his vest off. "Please."
I took it from him, shaking my head. Honestly. Boys. I looked over my shoulder and Chase looked stunned, just staring after me.
I shook my head again. We had made out many times. He saw me naked last night, but the fact that I kissed him, that leaves him speechless.
***
I had got more baskets and named them. It was the only way I was keeping track of whose clothes were whose. The laundry area was huge, with so much bench space. For boys who weren't planning on doing washing, they sure had the best of the best.
I had finished by dinnertime. I actually liked being busy and away from the boys. They were talking clubhouses, properties and money. Seemed serious, so I was happy for an excuse to stay out of the way.
I had put the last of the clean clothes in their rooms when I heard them downstairs complaining about food.
Looks like their stomach was pulling them away from the blueprints that were laid out on the kitchen table.
"I like the motel idea. Plenty of room to build a clubhouse; gives us extra accommodation, plus the garage being next door is bloody perfect," Marc said as I came down the stairs.
“Okay, we all agree on the motel and garage, but let’s get to what is important, what the hell is for dinner?" Dan grumbled while running a hand through his long hair. "Seriously, I said I was hungry an hour ago."
I walked into the room, and Chase turned to see me. I could cook again, it wasn't a big deal. I was going to offer that. It was the least I could do. I wasn't good for much else.
"We are going out," Chase said firmly while looking at me, as if he knew what I was about to offer.
I arched an eyebrow at him. Why didn't he want me cooking? Did he hate my food?
"Not the pub." Dan growled. "You know they have shit food."
"We'll go into the city." Chase patted himself down, most likely looking for a cigarette I guess.
No way was I going into the city. Now I was here, I couldn't go out and be around people. I couldn't act like I was normal. It was better for all of them if they went out without me.
"Good, let's go." Oliver got off the chair he had been straddling. "Ace, is my vest washed?" He walked towards me with a cheeky grin.
"Yes. On your bed." I dodged his arm as he went to grab me before walking past. "Too slow, McKenzie."
I screamed as he lifted me off the ground, his arms wrapping around my waist. Oliver never gave up on something when he set his mind to it.
"What's that, Ace?" He laughed in my ear.
I rolled my eyes. Okay, he proved he was quicker. "You're quicker than I expected, McKenzie."
"Thanks for washing my clothes." He kissed my cheek and put me back on the ground. He was flirting with me. Here I was thinking he was scared of his brother.
"That's fine. Don't let it build up again."
"Are you going to do it again?"
"Yes, McKenzie." I shooed his hands off me.
"I think I like having a sister-in-law." He grinned and then whacked me on the ass and took off before I could get him.
"NOT YOUR SISTER-IN-LAW!" I yelled up at him as he bolted up the stairs.
Then I looked back to see Chase watching me. What was he thinking? I wasn't engaged to him. I wasn't even his girlfriend, but his expression was unreadable.
"Hey Chloe, how's your arm?" Archie was at my side suddenly and picked up my arm, pushing my long sleeve up.
"Fine." I didn't like looking at it and I didn't like it getting attention, so right now I was squirming.
"Stop moving." Archie gripped my wrist tighter, trying to get a good look at it.
"I said it's fine."
"Have you washed it?"
"Yes." No. Unless you count that shower, and I hadn't really touched it. Just rinsed it under the water.
He inspected it closer. "It's showing signs of infection. Best we start you on some antibiotics."
"Where are you going to get antibiotics from?"
He winked at me. "I'm well-connected. Now, how's the pain?"
"Fine."
He looked at me, as if he was able to tell it ached and that I woke up this morning and my fingers were numb.
"Going to try that 'fine' again?" Archie wasn't impressed.
I chewed my bottom lip. "It hurts a little." I said 'a little' louder. I wasn't standing here complaining about pain. I'm not that weak, but he was forcing me to admit it.
"The rib? How's that?"
How did he know about that? I pulled my wrist from his grasp. I was used to pain. "You aren't my doctor." I wasn't about to start confessing to him. Pain was something I was used to. If I wasn't sore from a beating, I was sore from the gym.
His expression turned into
a mocking one. "Do you want me to take you to a doctor? Because I will." He turned his head to the side and said over his shoulder. "Isn't that right, Chase?"
I glanced at Chase. He better not side with his stupid brother, but I knew my answer as soon as I saw his face. Anger. Controlled. But raging anger.
"Just be honest with him, Chloe." Chase’s voice was controlled but, by the rage on his face, I knew he was giving me the option, either tell Archie or he would make me.
I dragged my eyes back to Archie, who was looking rather proud of himself.
"I don't want anything for the pain." I wouldn't start popping pills. Jenkins had offered me a similar solution when he realized how badly I was being beaten. My solution was better. Simply handle the pain.
"What type of pain are you in?" Archie pressed for more information.
"So, we are heading out or what?" Oliver came bolting down the stairs. "Why aren't we heading for the cars?"
Thank Christ. I darted off to the kitchen before Archie could get his answer.
"I'm with Oliver. Let's go." Marc looked at me. His eyes were telling me I owed him one. There was an air of agreement that filled the room.
Archie was walking towards me with a look of determination when car keys flew at him.
"You can drive, Archie." Marc said, moving to stand in Archie's path to me.
Archie looked at the car keys that he had caught and then at Marc. "You never let anyone drive your car."
"Can't be bothered driving. Let's go."
Oliver, Declan and Dan were moving for the front door. I turned my back and headed for the fridge while everyone else was heading out. I opened the fridge door and bent down to grab a beer.
"You can have one of them at the restaurant."
Chase.
I picked one up anyway and closed the door, turning to face him. Why was my heart pounding so fast? "I'm not coming." As soon as the words left my lips, a frown appeared on his face.
Why did he have to look so disappointed? Like he was looking forward to me going out with him. We hadn't spent much time together today, I knew that, so why was I picking to stay in this mansion alone instead of going out with him?
I didn't know.
Maybe to guard what was left of my heart. He had taken so much of it; I was beginning to feel like I was his again. Over these months, I had acted like I was his. I hadn't slept with another man. I had kissed Jenkins, but that was only when I thought he had moved on.
God, who was I kidding? I wasn't Chase's girlfriend! I wasn't his.
We had somehow got in this screwed-up relationship, and the only thing keeping us together was his need to protect me from a fate I was ready to face.
Have you eaten today?" he asked, like he had been watching me today and knew the answer.
So I was just going to have to lie. "I did this morning when you were out." I shrugged my shoulders, acted like I was completely fine. Like the guilt of taking a man's life wasn't eating me up, making me want to do anything but eat. "You should go. They're waiting for you."
"Us." He corrected me, and he put his hand out for me to take. "So best we don't keep them waiting." His eyes were locked on mine, like he was testing me. His hand was still outstretched. Waiting for me to take it.
I broke away from his intense dark eyes and looked at his hand. It was inviting, welcoming and offering me a chance to forget about my problems.
"Chase," I all but groaned. Please don't make me go out and see people. Like I was normal. Like I fitted in.
He took the few steps that were between us, and then I felt his hands on my shoulders.
"Come on, baby girl. You need to eat and," his words were coated in need "I want you with me."
I knew if I said no again, he would accept it and he wouldn't push me, but then I would be here, by myself, again, and why did everything pull me towards him? Why was my heartbeat saying yes? Why had my brain chosen this moment to stop working fully and give in to my need for him?
“Okay."
He took the beer from my grasp, sitting it on the kitchen island, slipping his hand into my cold and stiff one.
He was acting like I hadn't closed him out. Didn't he realize I had nothing left to give him? I didn't even have myself to give him any more. I died when I took Joe's life. Still, he was acting like I mattered, like he loved me, which was impossible. He might have liked the blonde he saved that night on the road, but I wasn't her anymore.
The sooner he realized I wasn't her anymore, the sooner he would let me go and when that happened, I would have some semblance of a heart left. Maybe it would be cold. Maybe it would be barely beating, but I'd have something left. I wouldn't let myself give everything away.
Chapter 52
Chase's Point of View
She was keeping her distance. Even though she was sitting right next to me, she might as well be sitting on another table the way she was keeping to herself. I couldn't work out what had changed. Why had she gone into her shell?
If it was another woman treating me like this, I'd be over her and onto the next. Then again, I've never loved a woman before, but I loved Chloe, which was why even though it was killing me not to reach out and pull her onto my lap, I was still holding onto the little control I had and respected the distance she wanted.
"Ace, why aren't you eating?" Oliver was sitting directly across from us and I was starting to get sick of their little friendship. Why would she let her guard down around him? She would let him touch her.
My grip on my fork tightened just thinking of the way he grabbed her and held her to his chest and she didn't fight it. She had just melted back into him, like she felt safe. Then she screamed that she wasn't his sister-in-law, as if it could be the worst possible thing to happen to her.
"It's because we ordered steak at a Chinese restaurant, isn't it?" Dan grumbled next to her. "It's just not normal."
I turned, wanting to see what her excuse was for pushing around her food and not eating.
"Something like that." Chloe said. Knowing eyes were on her, she cut off a piece of the steak and put it in her mouth. Her face melted. "God, I take it back. It's amazing. Dan, you should really stop eating all the chips and try the steak." Chloe took another bite.
When had she last eaten? She didn't eat last night. I swear I heard her stomach growl.
Dan, taking her advice, tried it. He nodded his head at her. "You were right, it is good."
"Hey Ace, want to play a game?" Oliver wiggled his eyebrows at her. I wanted nothing more than to reach across the table and punch that smug expression off his face. Why was he testing me?
"Sure." Chloe smiled at him. "Only with you, McKenzie, but if it is a drinking game, I want it noted I'm already ahead of him." She reached for her wine. She was right; she had been drinking more than him.
But why did Oliver always want to play with her? Like she was his only source of amusement?
"I pick someone in the restaurant, and you either have to get his or HER number or kiss them." Oliver was explaining the game, and I was starting to think Oliver had forgotten I was at the bloody table.
I wasn't about to let her go around kissing strangers. She was mine. Oliver was going to get a black eye for this.
“Okay," Chloe said, stopping me from reaching across the table. I turned to look at her in disbelief. She had to be fucking kidding me.
"Unless someone has a problem with that game," Marc said from beside me. He knew I had a problem with it. Anyone with an ounce of sense would know I had a problem with it.
"Why? It's not like I'm in a relationship." Chloe stood up, leaving me speechless just looking up at her. What did she mean she wasn't in a relationship? What the hell did she think we were doing if we weren't in a relationship? "Name your mark, Oliver."
She was standing there; ready to go kiss someone else.
Oliver's eyes locked with mine, and I could see he was regretting the game because I was going to make him r
egret it. Well, at least he got something out of her. At the very least, I knew what her problem was. She didn't think we were in a relationship.
How the hell was I going to make her see we were? I hadn't made any commitments to her. She hadn't made any commitments to me. Still, I thought it was unspoken agreement. She was mine. I was hers. Simple.
"That guy at the bar. Blonde hair, the one in the suit," Oliver said, and my eyes darted to the guy.
I would not sit here and watch her do this.
"Not my type, but okay." Chloe finished her wine, putting the empty wine glass on the table, and started to weave her way through the tables.
"You going to do something?" Marc basically whispered in my ear. "Or are you going to let her kiss someone else?"
I wanted to. I needed to, but one thing stopped me from getting up.
"She isn't in a relationship, remember," I gritted out and reached for my beer.
Marc scoffed, but kept his opinion to himself.
"I'm so glad I'm not you." Archie laughed at Oliver. "Once Chase is through with you."
I kept quiet, sipping my beer.
"Hey, did anyone else notice Chloe's reaction to painkillers? It was like I was offering her poison." Archie was obviously bringing up a subject that had been bothering him all night. Normally we don't fight him when it came to medical stuff.
"If she wants to be in pain, let her." Marc leaned forward to look down the table. "Stop bugging her about it."
"But it could be more serious than that. She could have nerve pain. The cut was deep; it will take her a while to get her full strength back." Archie’s concern for her was clear.
"Aww, look, she is going in for the kill." Oliver twisted with delight, watching her. "She never backs down from a challenge."
"Well, I hope that comforts you when Chase reminds you of who you are playing games with." Declan picked up his beer.
Oliver glanced at me, grinning. "He will be thanking me. At least I got to the bottom of your problem."
"We didn't have a problem," I gritted out. Not until she said we weren't in a relationship.
"Clearly you did bro. I just made her say it out loud."
