Page 42 of Chains

“I didn’t think that I had to.” I reply without even looking at him. “You were busy with whatever that was,” I motion towards the door when the other woman had stood not a minute ago, “and I didn’t want to intrude.”

“Look at me,” he demands low in his throat. Taking a deep breath, I reluctantly lift my head, his blue eyes blazing a heat I hadn’t seen in them since last night.

“Do you honestly think I’d be with another woman after what we shared last night?” he demands.

I shrug, going for indifference, though I’m feeling anything but. “I don’t know what you would or wouldn’t do, to be honest. You are a biker, after all. You live by your own rules, you don’t get tied down unless you take an ol’ lady, of which I certainly am not.”

“Who says you’re not?” he counters.

My eyes go wide, trying to figure out what he’s saying, instead of just coming right out and asking him. I open my mouth, but then almost immediately close it, unable to give him an answer. Because I really don’t know what to say.

“Make no mistake, you are mine, and you’ve always been mine. Even when we weren’t together.”

I snort, unable to believe his words. “Yeah right. Is that why you sent me that break up text then blocked me? Ghosting me for years? Was I yours then, when you were putting your dick inside all and sundry?” I shoot back.

Pain etched on his handsome face; my heart constricting every time I look at him. I wanted nothing more than to run into his arms and beg him never to let me go. But of course, I don’t do that, remaining crouched on the floor.

“And that gave you the right to shack up with my best friend?” He demands. “How long are you going to punish me for something a young boy of twenty did all those years ago?”

I shoot up to my feet, my green eyes blazing emerald fire. How dare he blame me for ending up with Caleb? A man who was there for me when Bodie wasn’t.

“I’m not punishing you. I’m just stating facts.” I yell back at him.

“Well, here’s a fact for you,” he replies huskily, and before I’m aware of his intentions, he’s on me, pushing me back against the kitchen counter, his lips crashing down on mine. I fight, pushing futilely at his shoulders, but they just won’t budge.

Then I melt into him, deepening the kiss to the point I was ready to have him take me right there in the kitchen. Suddenly, he growls out in pain and confusion, and we break apart. I look around, not understanding what’s going on, until I see Mr Boots climbing his leg like it’s a tree, his tiny needle like claws sticking into Chains skin through his jeans.

It’s then a giggle breaks free, and soon it’s a full-blown laugh, our moment of passion completely forgotten. I’m shocked at how gently he unlatches the kitten from his leg, bringing him against his broad chest.

“You and I are going to have a little chat about not interrupting when I’m trying to kiss your mommy,” he whispers to the kitten, and my heart melts even further.

Seeing the big badass biker interacting with such a tiny animal made me want to throw caution to the wind and lower my walls, bringing him into me. Just then, more of the men return from wherever they were, and I can hear Kick call out

“Church.”

“We’ll continue this later. Have some breakfast, little one, then I’ll take you to pick up your shit from Lexie’s place,” Chain's eyes held promise in them, as he hands Mr Boots back to me, kissing me on the forehead before leaving the kitchen.

Cuddling the little fur ball against me, I move around the kitchen, making myself a cup of coffee and toasting some bread.

Happy not to have any contact with the club girls, I quickly take Mr. Boots and my breakfast to Chains room. Taking a bite of my toast and a sip of coffee, I dial my father’s number again, a morose feeling of dread overcoming me when he again doesn’t answer. I’ll try again later today. He’s probably just busy? I could try my mother, but we’ve not been on good terms since I took over dad’s business. And besides, not once did she come to visit me while I was in the hospital? I won’t be the first one to break the ice. Fuck that.

For the rest of the morning, I busy myself with checking my social media and contacting my second in charge, who I left to look after things while I was here. After a lengthy phone conversation, I found out he’s been holding down the fort exceptionally well, and I was happy for him to remain in that position a little while longer.

But thoughts of my father were in my mind the whole time, and I was just praying that he was alright.

CHAPTER TWENTY

Chains

I follow the rest of my brothers into our meeting room, where we hold Church. Sitting my ass down at the table, I place my left ankle over my right knee and sit back, waiting. I look across at Riggs.

“How’s Lexie after everything that happened last night?” I ask my brother, struggling to contain my anger at Caleb, the asshole who scared my woman into a meltdown that I almost thought she wouldn’t come out of it unscathed.

I wanted to go hunting. I wanted to skin the fucker alive for hurting her. And I hoped I’d get my chance soon.

“She’s fine. More worried about Zoe than herself, as you can imagine.” I chuckle at that, because that’s just the sort of woman Lexie is.

Further questions about what’s happening with the two of them had to be put on the back-burner, as Kick’s voice called out.

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