by Marissa Ann
I continue to lay awake, holding her close and rubbing small circles on her back for over an hour. I still don’t understand the connection that I feel to her.
Is this what love is? Does it just sneak up and hit you one day? That day in the parking lot, it was as if my soul said this is her. I haven’t been the same since. What if she could never feel the same for me?
Chapter 4
Miranda
I’ve gone to several therapy appointments over the past week that Mina has made sure that I’ve attended. Blood has been busy working in the shop with the rest of the guys, so hanging out with the girls has become something that I look forward to.
The first day I ventured out with Mina to attend my appointment, I only had three panic attacks. After the second one before ever getting to the doctors office, Mina had asked if I wanted to just go back to the clubhouse.
I wouldn’t let her take me back though. I am stronger than that and I’ll keep reminding myself of it until I don’t have to any more.
“What are you in such deep thought about over there?” Mina questions as she continues to type away on her computer.
“I was just wondering if there is a place close by that teaches self defense.”
“There’s a new place that just opened in that new shopping center on the other side of town.” Bella pipes in from her place at the oven as she waits for the brownies to get done.
“What new place?” Mina and I ask at the same time which causes us both to chuckle.
“It’s called Hays Den. It just opened last week. I read on the flyer that they just opened and are offering memberships at a discount for a limited time.” she answers as she takes the brownies out, setting them on top of the stove to cool a little bit.
“Hays Den? What kind of name is that?” Mina murmurs as she looks up from her work.
“I think it's a cool name really. Besides, the girl that owns it is named Hayden. She’s been into the coffee shop a few times. My mom said she is a really sweet person.” Bella continues as she comes to sit at the table.
“Think we could go check it out tomorrow after my appointment?” I direct my question to Mina.
“Sure. I will need to mention it to the guys though. They like to check out any place we girls in the club may frequent often. You can’t ever be too careful.” She answers as she looks over at Bella.
I’ve noticed since being here that all the men in the club care very much for all the women. They all take special care even though they themselves don’t have an ol’ lady. Always respectful, even to the yotes that are considered the club girls.
Blood
The girls just left a few minutes ago headed to Miranda’s next appointment and apparently to Hays Den to check out the self defense class that is offered there.
“Why didn’t anyone tell me that the girls were looking for a self defense class? What do we know about this Hays Den, anyway?” I demand from the doorway leading into Timber’s office. Apparently, I also interrupted a phone call by the looks of it.
“Don’t you know how to knock?” he grumbles as he hangs up the phone.
“I never have before.” I retort.
“Your ass used to be quieter too. Rarely talking.”
“Well? What about Hays Den?” I persist causing Timber to roll his eyes at me.
“It’s a new workout place that was recently opened by a young woman named Hayden Lynn. She’s a single mom, stays to herself and has a clean record. Anything else you want to know?” He raises his brow.
I just give my usual grunt as I begin to leave his office. Before I can shut the door he reminds me that church is in less than an hour and to not be late.
He knows me well enough to know that if I start work on a new project in the shop I am likely to forget to watch the time.
I go back to my own workstation to go over the work orders that need to be done before the end of the week. That at least will keep me from losing track of time.
Miranda
I had a really good session with my therapist today. She said that there was nothing wrong with my attraction to Blood.
In fact she encouraged me to engage more with him. That it would help to pull me back from the darkness that sometimes takes over my body from the trauma that I have suffered.
I hate that I might have a panic attack at every little sound. That I sometimes flinch just from someone moving too fast around me. I especially hate the nightmares at night although those are what currently brings Blood to the bed and his strong arms that hold me for the rest of the night.
I’m still remembering those strong arms as we walk across the parking lot towards the door to Hays Den.
I’m so deep into my thoughts; I don’t realize that someone is behind me until they grab my arm. Immediately I scream getting the attention of Mina and Bella at the same time.
All I can see is Mina brandishing a gun, pointed directly at whoever has grabbed me. I’m almost too stunned to speak.
“What?” I squeak before looking over at the face of the man who still has a hold of my arm. I instantly recognize my Uncle. Apparently at the same time that Mina realizes it is him as well.
“Sorry Officer Wilson.” She coolly says as she puts the gun back into her purse.
“You could have killed me young lady!” Uncle John admonishes.
“Highly unlikely as the safety was on and my finger wasn’t even on the trigger. Besides, you shouldn’t sneak up on any of us that way, especially Miranda.” She admonishes.
“I just wanted to say hi for a minute and check on you baby girl. I didn’t mean to scare you.” He turns his eyes my way, looking a little sad.
“I’m doing a lot better Uncle John. We are actually headed into Hays Den to see about self defense classes.” I smile at him, most likely for the first time since I was brought back.
“Good. I miss my sweet independent niece that had no problems giving me a swift kick in the ass when I needed it. So, does this mean you are ready to at least move to my house so that I can take care of you? I’ve missed you.” he smiles back.
“I don’t think that I am ready for that just yet Uncle John.” I reply as my heart rate kicks up at the thought of Blood not being there.
“We have a family cookout every Saturday if you’d like to join us. I’m sure Miranda would enjoy more time with you if you’d like to come by.” Mina informs him as we reach the door.
“Sure. I can come Saturday.”
“That will be great. We will see you then.” We all say our goodbyes as we walk into the Hays Den.
At the front counter we ask for the manager and are directed to have a seat while we wait. A few minutes later, a woman in her early twenties comes from the back with a little girl around four years old. She sends the child into another room before walking in our direction.
“I’m the owner, Hayden Lynn, may I help you?” introducing herself to us.
“I’m Mina, this is Bella and Miranda. We wanted to see about signing up for your self defense classes. Do you teach them yourself?”
“Yes, I teach the women’s class although I do have a male helper at every class as I think it is important to work with typical male assailants. It’s harder for women who are so much smaller than a man to get away or defend herself.”
“When are the classes?” I ask as I now really want to be signed up for the next one.
“We have a class every Monday and Wednesday night. You can do one class per month or all of them. That is up to you. Let me get you all a price list and sign up sheet. That way you can think about it, then let us know,” she explains as she reaches behind the front counter.
As she does so, that small child that was with her earlier comes running up and wraps herself around Hayden’s leg.
“Hey, now, you know you are supposed to be in my office watching cartoons.” Hayden whispers to her. “This is my daughter, Hanley. She’s not normally running around here but my sitter needed today off for an appointment.”
; “No worries. We love kids.” Mina comments as she takes the papers from Hayden. “We’ll let you know by Monday night. It was really nice to meet you Miss Lynn.”
“Call me Hayden, please.” She smiles as she walks us to the door.
While I think about how excited I am for the classes, I can’t help but be a little apprehensive about working with a man that close.
Blood
Saturday night, long after the family gathering, the clubhouse starts to get loud and rowdy like it usually does. Miranda having learned from the other girls what can transpire on the weekends went to the room hours ago. Leaving me to drink with the boys.
I never partake in the craziness like some of the other unattached brothers do. Mostly because I want to be sure I don’t catch something that could make my cock fall off. It still surprises me though when the girls try.
We have club girls, all of which willingly give themselves to any club brother that looks in their direction. On the weekends though, we also get some of the local girls and women that are just out looking for a fast thrill.
Tonight, one in particular has been trying to get my attention. Maybe I am more drunk than usual because I am considering taking her up on her offer.
Right as I am about to head over in her direction, we hear a scream coming from the hallway leading to the bedrooms. I take off at a dead run knowing that it is my Angel.
As I storm into the room, I can see Miranda lying on the bed with frightened eyes. I shut the door behind me, locking out all those who had also followed the scream and approached the bed slowly.
“Angel, what is it? Are you okay?” I murmur as I slowly sit on the edge next to her. She finally seems to shake loose from the trance-like state she was in just moments ago as she moves closer to me.
“It was a dream. Just a dream.” I barely hear her as she buries her head into my shoulder. “Please don’t leave me.”
I get her back into the bed, pull the covers over her and lean back against the headboard beside her.
“I could never leave you.” is my whispered words to her as her breathing evens out and sleep claims her once more.
I wake to my head pounding and my cock becoming hard as stone as a warm round ass wiggles against me. I’m not yet fully awake when I push my hardness against her before I realize who I am pushing against.
Hoping to not wake her, I slip out of the bed and head to the shower locking the door behind me this time.
Maybe cold water will help my raging hard-on. I am no longer certain how much more of this my cock can take without having her. But I don’t want her to be afraid of me.
Miranda
Blood has been avoiding me and it is starting to piss me off. Sure he’s there to make sure I don’t need anything. He makes sure I get my medicine; he makes sure I eat but he hasn’t spent any long amounts of time with me since we got up on Sunday.
I want to talk to him. Even in our quiet times, we still talked a little bit. I miss it and I feel like a big baby for missing it. It’s only Monday afternoon. Maybe he just had things to do. At least that is what I keep telling myself.
Mina, Bella and I are back at Hays Den signing up for the self defense classes she is offering. Timber wouldn’t let us come unless we agreed to let one of the prospects go with us. Mina of course argued with him about it at first but finally relented so we wouldn’t be late for the first class.
Hayden gives a fast glance over at Dane, the prospect and our guard for the day, who goes to stand by the door as we prepare for class. A tall guy walks in, joining Hayden at the front of the class.
“Okay, let’s start. Everyone ready?” Hayden announces.
Two hours later, class is over. Today was pretty easy as she showed us how to throw a punch correctly. It didn’t surprise me that Mina already had it down pat without needing to be shown. She had already told me that she had taken classes several years ago.
As we all are walking out, I hear my name being called and turn to look in that direction. Before I am fully turned around, I hear a popping sound before I am thrown to the ground.
Panic washes over me as I scream, struggling to get away from the body on top of me. My arms are grabbed and pinned to my sides.
I finally start to recognize Mina’s voice in my ears as my screaming and struggling slows down enough for me to hear what she is saying.
“Breathe Miranda! Slow deep even breathes!” she shakes me as she talks to me. My heart rate starts to slow down until I have my panic attack under control.
That’s when I realize that Dane is the one holding me down and he is currently bleeding from a scratch on his face. I let the blood from the scratch distract me from the fact he still has a hold of me until Mina asks him to let me up.
“I’m sorry.” is all I can manage to say.
“Nothing to be sorry for. I need to get you girls back to the clubhouse now. Okay?” he quietly says as he looks in Mina’s direction.
Blood
“Blood! They need you at the clubhouse! Now!” Fang yells through the door before running out again.
I can tell it is urgent and my mind immediately goes to the fact that Miranda isn’t back yet. Throwing all my tools down, I run towards the clubhouse in search of Timber who meets me at the door.
“What is it? Is it Miranda?” I ask urgently.
“She’s fine but something happened. They are on their way back now. Mina has been texting me all the information. Miranda was shot at.”
“What the fuck!” roars out of my mouth. “Who the fuck was it?”
“That we don’t know yet as I have not talked to Dane. He has been busy driving back and according to Mina, Miranda doesn’t actually know what happened. She thinks she had another one of her panic attacks. She never even realized she was being shot at.” he explains as we hear the engine of the cage pulling through the gates. “Keep your shit together. No need to make her even more frightened.” he whispers to me as the SUV comes to a stop.
Walking over to the back to open the door for the girls, I help Miranda out of the backseat.
“Have a good day?” my facial expression is currently blank, showing no signs that anything is wrong. Although she looks at me as if I have lost my mind.
“And he speaks.” she whispers before looking back at me. “It was a good class. Learned how to throw a real punch.” The smile lighting up her face gives me hope that she could be happy again.
“Maybe you could show me later? After supper maybe?” hoping she would want to spend a little time with me.
“That would be nice.” she smiles as she walks into the clubhouse with the other girls.
“Call Church. Tell everyone to be here in an hour.” Timber announces as he follows the girls inside.
Chapter 5
Miranda
Everyone has been acting weird since we got back from our first class at Hays Den. I feel as though I missed something during my panic attack earlier. Everyone seems to be tiptoeing around me.
If I’m ever going to work past everything or at the very least learn to cope, I need everyone around me to stop hiding shit. It’s starting to piss me off.
I’ve been in my room, or Blood’s room, for the past hour waiting on him to come back. I’ve tried to remember exactly what was happening when my freak out happened.
My therapist said it was good for me to try to remember during those events so that I could learn to control my body’s response to it. Since I am having issues remembering it, I figured I could go ask Mina. She seems to be the type to tell you the truth if you ask a direct question.
As I walk into the kitchen on my hunt for Mina, I see a few of the club girls sitting around the table. They immediately stop talking as I walk in. Instead of acknowledging them, I turn back around and head towards the back yard hoping to find her sitting around the fire pit.
I immediately spot both Mina and Bella sitting on a bench near the fire. They both look like they are deep in conversation. A conversation they stop as soon as I
am spotted walking in their direction.
“Hey girl. You doing okay?” Mina asks as Bella excuses herself to go check on baby Justice.
“What happened earlier? And please don’t pretend not to know what I mean.” I get straight to the point as I sit down next to her.
“What do you remember?” she sighs, turning fully toward me.
“We were walking to the car when I heard my name being called and then it was all so fast. Dane had me down on the ground. I think I scratched up his face.” I grimace at the memory.
“You don’t remember the loud bang just before that?” she looks at me questioningly.
I think hard for a minute before my eyes go wide at the memory. Holy shit! Someone was shooting at me.
“Oh fuck!” is all I can manage as my throat tightens up.
“Hey, now, it’s okay. Stay calm. Just breathe. We don’t know for sure if they were shooting at you for sure. They could have been shooting at any one of us.”
“What about whoever called my name? That can’t be a coincidence.”
“We don’t know for sure yet Miranda. The guys will figure it all out. You are safe here with us. Blood would never let anything happen to you. He cares too much to allow anything to happen.”
Her words push my emotions over the edge as a tear starts down my face. I hope what she said about Blood caring that much for me is true.
I am beginning to think I am in love with him. A big caring gorgeous man that I barely know. Hell, I don’t even know his real name.
But I do know things about him. Things that are important, like the fact that he is extremely gentle even though he is huge and built like a mountain.
He is comfortable in the silence of a room without getting antsy. He always asks what I like instead of thinking he knows what is best.
Blood
