Page 24 of Cries of Cassie

Clearing his throat, our club brother stops in front of us. "What's up, Pres?"

"What exactly were you guys doing? And why didn't you call me when she showed up?" Mads' voice is like gravel, as if he's holding himself back. His accusatory tone and suspicion leak through far too easily.

How long until I'm the only one trying to get her out of here? I know Maddox loves Cassie. The other two are close behind; they just need the opportunity to actually get to know her beyond stalking. Where does that leave me if I don't want that?

"Why would I call you?" Ticket asks, brows furrowed in confusion.

He's the club's garage man. We need some maintenance done on our bikes? He's the guy. Ticket has a whole team under him who keep the garage running smoothly and quickly.

Sighing, I roll my eyes when Mads freezes. "Next time you see her without one of us, you fucking call me."

"Um." Ticket glances over his shoulder at Cassie. Bad timing too, because she's swatting the other two away and seems close to shouting. "I gotta say, I'm a little concerned. Are we keeping women against their will now?"

"It's for her protection," Maddox states matter-of-factly, as if there could be no other reason we all chased after her like a pack of dogs as soon as she left. "And none of your concern."

Gone is Ticket's anxious yet easy-going demeanor. He tenses and puffs up. "That's not how we operate, boss. If that woman gives one inkling that she truly doesn't want to be here, I'll do something about it."

Enough of this. "Cassidy, get over here!" I bark, only beating myself up a small bit when she flinches. Instead of letting her get to me, I narrow my eyes at her the whole time she moves toward us. "Tell Ticket why you're here."

All her hesitancy wipes from her face in response to my demand. Glaring at me like a cute kitty, she cocks her hip and puts her hand on it. All that does is show off her delicious curves. Fuck.

The sweet smile she gives Ticket draws a warning growl not only from Maddox, but from me too. She doesn't have to say anything for Ticket to smirk knowingly. "Got it," he says.

"What do you got?" she snaps, and for a moment I think she'll stomp her foot.

Ticket almost smirks. "But my declaration still stands. You want to be here, hun?"

She narrows her eyes but answers the question anyway. "I don't care to leave quite yet, but no, it was not my choice to stay."

Ticket glances at Mads, then at me and over to Rip and Koa, who are much closer than I think he realized.

"You let me know if you need to leave or if this isn't what you want, you understand? We don't kidnap. I don't know if they told you that."

Turning to Koa and Ripley, Cassie hums. "But stalking is okay?"

Rip nods with a serious expression. "Yep."

I almost let my lips twitch when Koa sighs in exasperation. I fucking love our dynamic, so why do we have to throw a sexy redhead into the mix?

Waving her hand through the air, Cassie gives Ticket her attention again. "I was only mildly kidnapped, but I was given an orgasm for my troubles."

A snort tumbles out of me, drawing five shocked gazes. Damn it.

Ticket grins so wide I want to punch it away. "Well, I'll be damned. If you can get that one to laugh, please don't ever leave. Someone needs to loosen him up. His poor mama can't do everything."

That shutters my joy. "Back to work," I order, turning before I can make sure the fucker listened.

The reminder of how my mom tries so hard to get me to let go of their trauma floods me with immense guilt. Why can’t I just be happy without fearing it will be taken from me like it was my mom and dad?

Chapter Fifteen

Cassie

The amount of convincing it took to get my phone from my car was surprisingly low once I said they could come with me. I might be naïve, but their actions don't feel like they're coming from a place of malice or control. Well, maybe a little control, but just enough to give me butterflies.

They're just so damn observant of the space around us that it gives protective vibes. Shit, the rumbled warnings when I was with Ticket, those screamed possessive.

Don't get me wrong. I won't be falling at anyone's feet right away, but it's nice to be wanted, you know? I do need to figure out if it's purely just for my safety, or if there's something more going on here.