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All eyes were on me as I walked into the kitchen. King patted the barstool beside him, and I slid onto the brown leather seat. Snake, Taco, and a few other bikers were watching television in the living room. At least I thought they were, since the TV was on.
“Hungry, kiddo?” His concerned gaze searched me, and I assumed he was assessing where I was at mentally and emotionally after the assault and kidnapping.
“She’s eating,” Cole stated, then placed a plate in front of me with a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, apple wedges, and a glass of milk. Four Advil were on a napkin next to my drink.
I couldn’t help but smile, feeling touched by the sweet gesture. “You remembered.”
When Julia and Cole moved in with us, I would grab an apple or peanut butter and jelly sandwich for dinner if Daddy wasn’t home. As hard as Julia tried, I refused to eat what she’d cooked or sit at the table with them. Finally, Daddy put his foot down and demanded that I join the family. To him, it was simple. If I protested, I didn’t eat. Cole had given me shit about it until I explained that my mom made that same meal the evening before she died. He must have realized it was soothing for me because he left me alone about it. The pit of my stomach twisted into painful knots. I wished Mom were here. If anyone could make me feel better, it would have been her. Mom would immediately have slipped socks on my feet. To her, socks made everything okay.
Cole brushed off his hands as if he’d just cooked me a gourmet meal. “I remember a lot of things.” His attention traveled over his orange and black Harley Davidson T-shirt that hung off my petite frame. If it hadn’t been for comfort, I wouldn’t have needed any underwear because the shirt reached my knees.
“Samuel and Julia will be here later with some clothes for you. You’re staying here with me.” Cole folded his arms over his chest, his expression daring me to challenge him. “Also, Zoe knows you’re here and safe. I told her you were shaken up, but that you were all right. I wasn’t sure what to say to her. I figured you would tell her when you were ready.”
Even though I’d lived through a major trauma only hours ago, Cole shouldn’t be making decisions without me, and my temper flared.
“Don’t you think we should have talked about this before you decided what was best for me? It’s my choice where I live.”
King and a few of the other guys snickered. I reached for my milk and took a sip of the creamy goodness, willing myself not to pick a fight with Cole.
“Eat.” Cole pointed at my untouched sandwich.
“Cole, I’m not a child. Stop treating me like one.” I kept my voice down. I wasn’t trying to embarrass him, but he needed to knock it off. I’d been assaulted. I wasn’t brain dead.
Cole turned his back to me, and I hopped out of my seat and joined him at the kitchen counter. “Hey, I’m speaking to you.” I grabbed his arm. After what I’d just lived through, I should be jumpy around people, but I wasn’t. At least not with Cole and King.
With a few quick steps, Cole backed me against the refrigerator, his gaze full of fire. He placed his palms on the sides of my head, boxing me in. “I’m well aware that you’re not a child, but you belong to me now, and I will be involved in the decisions that keep you safe.”
My chin tilted up in defiance, and amusement flickered across his features. Then, I realized what he’d said. “I belong to you?” I asked, butterflies fluttering in my stomach with the question.
He gently pulled me to him, holding me against his hard body. I wrapped my arms around his waist, allowing myself to accept that at some point, Cole had decided to stop seeing me as his stepsister. As much as I’d been trying to deny my feelings for him lately, it was a relief to no longer lie to myself.
“That’s what I said. You’re mine. Get used to it.” He kissed the top of my head, then released me. “Now, please go eat. The doctor will arrive in thirty.”
I gave him a shy smile. “Okay.” My cheeks burned red as I sat back down, realizing we’d given his friends a show. At least Cole hadn’t banged on his chest, howled, and slapped me on the ass. As much as I liked that I belonged to him, he also needed to understand that he belonged to me, too. It was a partnership. I didn’t care who he’d killed for my benefit. I would never fully submit to him.
After taking a few bites of my sandwich, I toyed with an apple slice. “Thanks for calling Julia,” I said to King, who was polishing off a beer.
He swept his bangs out of his eyes and nodded. “I told her you’d had a hell of an afternoon, but you’re strong and doing pretty good under the circumstances. I didn’t say a word about the … uh … that you had some fucker’s brains all over you. Thought I would leave out those details. You can tell her what you want.” He gave me a sheepish smile. “Cole’s a hell of a shot, though.” Pride flickered in his gaze as he glanced at Cole.
“I’ll tell Julia and Daddy only what they need to know.” I peeked at Cole from the corner of my eye. Hopefully, he would keep his mouth shut about the rape. That was for his ears only, and I wasn’t even sure why I’d told him, except that I’d still been in shock.
The doorbell rang, and I nearly jumped off the barstool.
“I got it.” Cole walked with purpose to the door, peeked through the wooden blind on the window, then answered it. “Hey, doc. Thanks for coming.”
“Hey, Cole. It’s good to see you.”
I cautiously analyzed the woman. She appeared to be in her early thirties and her brown hair grazed her shoulders. Her light green eyes sparkled as she greeted him. She was pretty and seemed comfortable with my stepbrother … boyfriend? What the hell was he?
“King.” The doc kissed him on the cheek, then extended her hand to me. “I’m Natalie. You must be Shae. I’ve heard a lot about you. All good, of course.” She gave me a warm smile, and I shook her hand. Natalie gripped the strap of her brown leather bag, which looked more like a satchel than a purse.
“We can use my room,” Cole said as he took my arm and helped me off the barstool.
King ran his fingers through his hair as he shot Cole a concerned look. Regardless of what King suspected had happened to me, I wouldn’t ever confirm it. I didn’t need everyone in the club to know my business. Plus, it would be weird as hell if they all tried to take care of me. One bossy badass was enough. I wanted people to act as normal as possible around me.
Cole closed his bedroom door behind us, flipped on the overhead light, then leaned against his dresser. I sat on the edge of his bed, hating what was about to happen.
“King didn’t give me a lot of detail, Shae, only that a young lady needed my help.” Her tone was gentle and kind.
