She stops close to me, one hand going to my shoulder, one going to my thigh. I fight the need to pull back from her touch. I did that last night and she shut me out. She also hated that I refused to sleep in the same bed as her, when we put her in one of the guest rooms we keep open for when another RSMC charter arrives.
“I am sorry for what I said in there; I really do appreciate what you have done for me. This, me being here, has me on edge.” Her voice is soft, sweet even.
I see through this act, because that is all it is. What I saw inside, that is the true Valarie.
“I get being on edge, Val, but fuck, you have to understand why we as a club are on edge with having you here. But you lashing out at me when I am helping you. Saying shit about my girl.” I shake my head. “That does not sit well with me at all.”
The second I mention Stevie she tenses, but forces the smile on her face.
“Well, I am sorry.” She leans in, kissing my jaw before I can stop her.
“Don’t do that again,” I growl at her, which makes her smile wider.
“You used to love me kissing your jaw.”
“I am not yours anymore.” I fire up my bike, pissed she did that. “You do not get to touch me like that anymore. I am with Stevie now.”
“Are you? I have not seen her here.” Her grin has me tilting my head.
My gut is telling me she has done something.
“What did you do?” I snap.
Her hand goes to the base of her throat, a smirk still on her lips. It puts me on edge, seeing her like this. Fuck, I was so off the mark with this chick, it is crazy.
“Me? I have been here with you, I am sure that you have not forgotten I got beaten for you, Logan.” Her tone is honeyed.
I stare at her for a few seconds more, not sure who the hell she is anymore. Savage steps outside, folding his arms, and leaning against the pillar, he gives me a chin lift.
“Watch her,” I call to him.
“No problem, brother. Do I have limits?”
Valarie turns to look at him over her shoulder, but I see a flash of fear in her eyes as she does, which makes me smirk. I am liking how his words have gotten to her. Yeah, she should fear him of all members of this club.
We do not hurt women and children, unless fucking pushed and Valarie is pushing.
“No limits, brother.”
I peel out of the compound, the prospect opening the gate as I approach.
I have one place in mind, and that is wherever Stevie is. The need to get to her to make sure she is okay, is deep in my bones. She sounded scared or worried, it was hard to decipher, but I need to find out. Deep down, I have a feeling that Val has something to do with my girl ghosting me.
I don’t know why I didn’t think of it sooner.
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
STEVIE
I am out on the back porch of Aunt Cass’s house, relaxing and trying to clear my thoughts.
It has been a manic few hours. My friends from work have called to check on me, and I love them for that, even though I had to lie to them and simply explain that I was not feeling very well.
It is not like I can say:
‘Sorry I cannot come into work today, I found out that my so-called-boyfriend is fucking his ex-girlfriend, and then I got chased on the way home by some car.”
Sipping from my mug, the chamomile is soothing me, calming my stomach from all the somersaults it is doing.
