When I check my messages, there aren't any.
"What's wrong?" Kyle asks. He's sitting on the edge of the bed with the sheet covering his upper thighs.
God, he's handsome. And the way he’s made me feel tonight; worshiped and loved all at the same time, it’s heaven. I'll never get the feel of his hands on my skin out of my head. This is going to be harder than I ever imagined.
"I'm supposed to be at work in two hours for my first day on the job."
Kyle runs a hand over his sleepy face. "Okay. You jump in the shower, and I'll make something quick for breakfast."
"No," I almost shout the word. "I can't. Gunner." I can only manage to say his name, but by the concern on Kyle's face, he understands my meaning.
"Jump in the shower anyway, and then I'll take you to the club."
"Gunner," I repeat and hold my phone in the air as if to say how many times he's called. "He's gonna be pissed about this."
Kyle is already stepping into a pair of jeans. "Then let me take you home. I'll face Gunner and explain. Either way, we have to get you to work."
I'm not sure if Kyle is just playing cavalier or if he truly doesn't understand what riding through the gates of Tempest Elite with me on the back of his bike will mean. "I can call an Uber," I say, stepping into my shorts. I have the rest of my clothes on by the time he answers.
"No. I'm taking you back.
"Why are you so pig-headed about this?"
Kyle stops from where he's grabbing keys off his dresser and turns to me. There is a sharpness in his gaze that electrifies my skin before he even speaks. "I love you, Everly. I'm not going to allow you to face Gunner alone."
I want to melt into the floor in a puddle. Kyle loves me. My heart speeds up, and my whole body flashes with heat. But, I can't enjoy this moment because, as the words come out of his mouth, I know I feel the same for him. That's why I can't allow him anywhere near the club right now.
I bite the inside of my cheek hard to keep the tears in my eyes from reaching the brim before I say what I know will break both of our hearts but will keep Kyle safe. "If you loved me, you would have joined the club by now." I look down at my leg to pull my phone from my pocket, avoiding his eyes. "I'm calling an uber now. I'll wait outside. Do us both a favor and let me wait alone."
He doesn't follow me out the door or down the steps or to the back alley. A small part of me wishes he had, but if he did, I wouldn't be able to walk away from this easily.
I gave my heart to the man upstairs before I crushed his into pieces. Better his heart than his body, I console myself with, but that only works until I see Kyle move the curtains of his front window and watch me.
Gunner taught me better than to play with fire, but he never told me how much it hurts to watch someone else get burned.
Kyle
Throwing myself into work usually solves whatever issues I have. The month Luke and Cass started dating behind my back, I overhauled the entire store and workshop twice. But, this anger is different.
I haven't spoken to Everly in a week. I know she's at work during the day and at the club at night. I have her number, and when Bear came in for a tune-up, he dropped a hint about Everly driving Gunner's truck to and from work, so I know when she's home and when she's not.
I have everything I need to confront her, but I can't. Mostly because I'm not even mad at her. I'm angry with myself. How many times did she have to warn me that we could never work out? How many times did she point-blank say things would end badly and I didn't listen?
And now, not only am I paying the price, but she is as well. But, judging by my late-night rides by the clubhouse in search of Gunner's truck, Everly isn't home allowing her wounds to fester like I am. She's out making the most of her new life. Good for her.
The business has been slow for the day, and I've finished everything in the workshop for the next week, so I put the closed sign in the window and decide a drink with Hopper is what I need. If Gunner's truck is in the lot, I'll cruise on my, but my luck it's nowhere to be found.
The clubhouse is quiet, but it's still early. Hopper's cleaning and stocking glasses when I take a seat. He knows my beer by now and throws one over to me with a smile.
"Haven't seen you in a while. That shop of yours must be keeping you busy."
I take a swig before answering. "Something like that."
"Good," he says, moving a rag around the inside of an empty mug. "It's always nice when the club can support a local business. That's one of the reasons the guys and I created this group in the nineties. We wanted to support others the way they'd supported us when we returned from service."
I hold my mug up to him. I don't feel much like words the reason I came to the club instead of a bar. I knew it would be dead this time of the afternoon.
Hopper finishes with the glass and leans on the bar in front of me. "You got something on your mind, kid?"
"Nope," I answer plainly. "Just came in for a drink and some quiet."
"Ah," the old man's eyes light up. "You're avoiding something, and you think coming here will fix it."
Wrong again, but I don't tell him. Hopper is one of the few people I trust. He's plain-spoken and honest as hell. Plus, he's lived enough to fill two lifetimes and has the experience to show for it.
"What are you running from, kid?"
"I'm not running from anything. More like something is running from me."
He's quiet for a few seconds before he leans in closer. "Would that something be a someone? Long legs, light brown hair, and a smile you'd kill your best friend to protect?"
I'd never thought of Everly in that way but, "yes."
"If you came here to run into her, you're out of luck."
I lean back in my stool. "I checked for Gunner's truck before I stopped. I didn't come here for her."
"That's good because Everly doesn't live here anymore."
I raise my eyebrows but say nothing. It's not my business where Everly lives anymore.
"Well, if you ain't gonna ask, then I guess you already know."
"I don't," but I'm also afraid to know. I swallow hard fighting my guts twisting at the thought of Everly with one of the members. It's what Gunner wanted for her after all, and she was never going to go against his wishes.
"Blew in here like a tornado one-night last week. Packed up her room, told Bear she was retired and split in Gunner's truck. Haven't seen much of either since."
"Retired?"
"Everly was never a full member, only honorary on account of her mother being a sweet butt and Gunner taking her in. Once a member you can never leave unless the prez grants you retirement. In her case, it was more of a symbolic gesture, I guess, but sure pissed Bear off as if it had been for real."
"Then she's not with a member. Fuck," I mutter. "Where is she now?"
Hopper winks at me. "Thought you weren’t interested?"
I stand and stare at him until his smile disappears, and he picks up another beer mug to dry. "Gunner has a house in Queens."
"Where?" I grind out.
"Club rules. I can't tell you, but it can't be that hard to find if you know where to look."
I don't, but Hopper isn't going to break a club rule for me. I slam a ten on the bar and grab my coat. I have an idea how to find her and very little patience left.
7
Everly
Gunner hasn’t let me out of his sight in a week. He insists on staying at the house and drops by my work for lunch every afternoon, making for some interesting conversations with my coworkers. It’s not easy to explain to a bunch of people you’ve just met that your adopted father is a biker, and your mother was a drug addict who chose her next hit over keeping her kid.
Leaving the club has driven a wedge between Gunner and me, even if he insists it hasn’t. He won’t let his frustration show around me, but he’s keeping his distance from the members, so he doesn’t have to explain.
I hate being the reason he’s hiding out. I hate it slightly less than
I hate knowing how much I hurt Kyle.
I’m a walking, talking demolition ball, and I’ve been ruining the lives of those who love me since the day I was born.
“Everly.”
Gunner is in the den watching some old western. He made dinner an hour ago, but I wasn’t hungry and left mine on the table. I’m sure he’s calling me to discuss how he’s not going to allow me to waste away.
I unearth myself from the books I’m studying on my bed, though my heart was never really into studying and throw a sweater over my tank top and leggings before meeting him downstairs.
“Ever,” he calls again from the kitchen.
“Keep your shirt on, I’m coming,” I yell back before stepping into the doorway and finding Gunner sitting at the table with Kyle standing beside him.
My heart stops beating, and I forget to breathe. His hair is a mess. He’s still wearing one of his work polos and a pair of tight dark wash jeans and Rev books, and he looks pissed as hell to see me. The invisible thread pulls from my core and I wince at the pain.
“What are you doing here?” I ask when I finally find my voice.
Kyle glares at me. “That’s what I wanted to know about you?”
“I live here,” I spit out. He has every right to be mad at me, but in my own home and in front of Gunner, I’m finding it hard to roll over and take it.
“No, you don’t.” Kyle shakes his head and grips the back of a chair at our kitchen table. “You live at the clubhouse. You’re hiding out here.”
Warmth spreads through me, and I’m not sure if it’s embarrassment or anger. I’m waiting for Gunner to jump up from his seat and remove Kyle by the collar, but he doesn’t. He just sits and listens.
“I moved out,” I tell him. “I need to focus on my residency, and I can’t with all the noise there.”
Kyle drops his head before looking back up to me. His eyes are glistening, and there’s enough tension in his forehead to cause wrinkles. “That’s the only reason you left?”
I don’t answer. I can’t lie to Kyle, but telling him the truth, that I hate the club for tearing us apart, will only hurt him more. I don’t say anything until Gunner stands to face me and puts his hands on my shoulders. “Stop lying, Ever. You can tell him that story all you want, but I didn’t raise you to lie to me.”
I take a step back from Gunner. His eyes may be sincere, but his voice is coated in anger.
“I’m not lying to anyone.” I feel attacked. I feel like throwing up walls and running away, but Gunner is my father in every way that counts, and I can’t turn my back to him.
“Why did you leave the club then?” He asks. His broad shoulders and height block Kyle from my view, but I know he is still there. I don’t think I can answer with him listening. “Did you really leave because of the job, or did you leave because of him?”
My feet root to the floor even though my heart tells me to run away and hide in my room. I can’t look at Gunner and lie. I can’t hurt Kyle anymore than I already have. The tears burning the backs of my eyes threaten to spill over but I suck them back. This isn’t about me and my pain. This is about the pain I’m causing them. Both of them.
I look Gunner in the eyes. “If you really want the truth, I’ll give it to you. You saved me when I was a kid. The whole club did, and for that, I will forever be grateful. But, I’m not a kid anymore, Gunner. I’m an adult who can make her own decisions.” My voice breaks, but I clear my throat and keep going. “You are Tempest Elite through and through. You and Bear and Hopper. It’s your life.”
“It’s your life too,” Gunner interjects.
“It was my life,” I answer. Stabbing pain wretches in my chest, and I breathe deeply to find the strength for my next words. “But I don’t want to be someone’s ol’lady just because they are a member or because that’s where your loyalties lie.” I glance behind Gunner to Kyle, who’s watching us both intently. “I want to be his ol’lady, and I can’t because you won’t allow it.”
Gunner’s face drops. His mouth turns to a frown, and he looks away from me. I’m about to burst into tears when he finally turns back and pulls me into a bear hug. “Honey, I never meant for you to choose between the club and your happiness. I guess I always thought they’d go together.” He lets me go and drops his forehead to mine. “If Kyle’s what you want, I won’t let anyone stand in your way.”
It takes a second for Gunner’s words to sink in. I study his eyes before I wrap my arms around him and hug him as tight as I can. “I never wanted to hurt you.”
“As long as you follow your heart, I don’t think you ever will.”
When I let Gunner go, he steps to the side, and I’m left facing Kyle. His expression is wary. His hands are shoved in his pockets.
“I guess I owe you an apology,” I offer.
Kyle doesn’t move, and I’m afraid what I’ve just mended with Gunner may have driven me further from Kyle until he takes a step forward.
“No, you don’t. If I’d known how much the club meant to you, I would have stopped being an asshole and joined. You’re worth it.” He reaches out for my hair and brushes it behind my ear.
“I didn’t want you to have to choose, so I stepped out of the equation.”
He pulls me into his chest. “There was no equation. There was only you, and I would have chosen you over anything else every single time. You just have to trust me.”
We’re standing so close I’m forced to tilt my head up to look at him. “I do,” I whisper. “I always have.”
Kyle
Everly feels so great in my arms, I’ve forgotten Gunner is still in the room. I kiss her forehead and look up and find him leaning on the door frame, watching. He’s waiting for my answer. I know exactly what he wants to hear.
I pull Everly into my chest and speak over her head. “I love her. If joining Tempest Elite is your requirement for us to be together, then I’ll be by tonight to do whatever I have to do.”
Gunner pushes off the wall and laughs. “You’ve already started. You’ve been a hangaround for months. Bear’s already approved you becoming a prospect. I’ve thrown my name out there as your sponsor.”
Everly puts her hand on my chest and pulls loose enough to see my face. “Kyle, no. That’s not the life you want. I’ve already left. You don’t have to join.”
I glance down at her in my arms. She’s willing to give up her family to be with me. I can’t ignore the gesture.
“You’d come in as a prospect. I won’t go easy on you just because you’re dating my daughter. You’ll be treated as the other specks are. But, you’ve already become a part of the brotherhood over the last year, and I know the brothers would be happy to have you.” Gunner folds his arms over his chest.
“If I agree,” I glance back down to Everly. “You have to reverse your retirement, or whatever it is you do. I want you by my side.”
Everly hugs my middle tight. “I wouldn’t dream of leaving you in the clubhouse with the sweet butts and handarounds alone. If anything, I need to ride up to the club with you on the back of my bike and claim you as my ol’man.”
Gunner’s gaze catches mine, and we both shake our heads no. But, I get the sentiment behind Everly’s thought, and it melts my heart. “You won’t have to worry about me. There’s only one woman I have any desire to be with.”
“Not to mention your sponsor will be watching your every move,” Gunner cuts in.
Everly throws a play punch into his shoulder, and Gunner pretends to be hurt by grabbing his arm before he leaves us in the kitchen.
Left alone, I drop my mouth to Everly and surrender to her soft mouth and delicate curves. “There is no way I could never want anyone else,” I say once we break out kiss. “You have to know I love you, Everly. I love you enough to join a whole new family to be with you.”
She looks at me with tears blurring her eyes and a smile that makes my cock ache. “You’re still riding on the back of my bike to the clubhouse. Being my bitch is non-negotiable.”
I laugh before I claim her lips again. I’ll never get tired of kissing her sassy mouth, or being her ol’man or taking her off the market at the club.
Everly is mine. I will never let her go again.
Epilogue
Everly
Kyle's alarm goes off way too early on a Sunday morning. After an open party at the club last night and announcing Kyle's move up to prospect and Gunner's sponsorship, Bear makes sure we're all drunk before he passes Kyle around the room for all the members to rag.
Kyle doesn't know Gunner's already put the word out to treat Kyle like family, and after the kiss we shared in the bar last night, the sweet butts know he's off-limits. After receiving his cuts and patch, Kyle and I sneak up to my room for the private after-party.
"No," I groan when Kyle starts to slip out from under the covers. Until the alarm I'd been snuggled into his chest and warm. My body is still sore from three rounds last night, and all I want to do is stay in bed all day, wrapped in Kyle's arms.
"I promised Gunner breakfast before I leave for the shop."
"Ugh," I groan again. The initiation has already begun with Gunner requesting every possible demeaning task he can think of for Kyle. Gunner's promised me after a couple of weeks of this, he'll lay off, but for now, he has to make it look real to the rest of the brothers.
I reach out for Kyle, and my fingers grab the waist of his boxers. It's enough to pull him back into the bed and have his arms back around me. I snuggle up again and rub a hand over his chest.
"What's it going to take to keep you in this bed today?"
"I don't know," he says with his chin on the top of my head. "You with my baby in your belly."
I push away from his chest and search his eyes. After the night we had, I don't know how he has any energy left, but as soon as he makes the suggestion, my body begins to hum. I stretch my body against him until all of my tight muscles release, then I drop my mouth to the soft part of his neck under his chin and press my lips to the sweet spot until I feel him swallow against me.
Staking His Claim: Tattooed And Taken Book 5 Page 4
