Page 14 of Protectors

“Sounds good. Thank you, Doc. I’ll see you tomorrow afternoon,” I say as he leaves the clubhouse once he’s checked in with Brynn to ensure she’s feeling okay and the babies are good.

No one comments on my injuries and what they’ve just seen. I’m sure it was a shock for them all and I hate that they’ve had to see what that asshole did to me. I can see the tears in the eyes of Annabell as she looks at me with a sad smile on her face. When she gets up from her seat and heads for the kitchen, Savannah and I follow her while I see Brynn and King making their way upstairs to their room here at the clubhouse. I’m sure King is getting his wife into bed since he finally managed to get Remy to sleep. Annabell, Savannah, and I don’t speak as we start preparing lunch for those still at the clubhouse. There aren’t many people here, but as ol’ ladies of the club, they are always prepared to take care of the members, kids, and women here on the compound. I’ve always helped my family out as long as I can remember and this is no different.

Chapter Seven

Ghost

TODAY HAS BEEN longas fuck. Taking Alana to Phantom Ink with me was the best and worst day and it definitely took a toll on me that I wasn’t expecting. Every single guy who walked through the door only had eyes for my girl and I staked my claim so much as they all laughed and teased me. Not to mention Crab and Beckett. They smirked in my direction and watched me stake my claim each and every single time. Alana smiled up at me and gave me a knowing look. For the first time, the sparkle Alana used to have in her eyes was back. Terrence took that from her when he started abusing the woman I vow to ensure sparkles and shines once again. However, it didn’t take me very long to realize Alana didn’t need me to help her figure out the system we use in the shop.

When we left this morning, I could feel Alana’s body trembling in fear with every step she took towards the door and then to my truck. Yes, I’d love to have Alana wrapped around me on the back of my bike, but it’s too cold out for that yet. We’re just in January and I’m sure we’ll be getting snow very soon. So far, we haven’t had much more than a dusting on the ground so we’ve all been in our cages instead of riding. Anyway, Alana kept her head held high as she tried to control her breathing. When I helped her in my truck, I put her in the center of the front seat instead of leaving her in the passenger seat. I want my girl right next to me so I can help her combat the fear filling her at the thought of being away from the compound and out in the open when she knows Terrence is still a free man and no one knows where he is.

As I drove through town, I kept my hand rested on Alana’s thigh. She laid her hand on top of mine and I could feel it shaking and how clammy it was. Leaning over, I press a kiss against her temple and whispered that I had her and nothing was gonna happen to her. As long as I’m with her there is nothing I won’t do to protect her when she’s away from the clubhouse. It helped ease my girl a little as she leaned more against my side and accepted the strength and comfort I was offering her.

As soon as we got back to the clubhouse, Alana disappeared up to her room. Ever since Doc examined her, she’s been a little bit distant. I have a feeling it’s because the small group of us that were in the common room yesterday saw the injuries she never wanted anyone to see. The scars are red and raised. This is going to be a long road of recovery for her and Geek and I will be there every single step of the way because she needs us. Alana is going to want to keep us at arm’s length and last night we showed her the scars don’t bother us. No, we didn’t have sex or touch her, but we held her as she tried desperately to fall asleep and escape the sight she allowed herself to see in the bathroom and then Doc showing Terrence’s handiwork in the common room. While I respect her for not hiding away from this in front of the few people in the clubhouse, I know it was one of the hardest things she’s ever done. Alana is strong as fuck and doesn’t see that strength in herself.

I’m sitting at the bar with my back to the room. This isn’t something I normally do because the mirror only allows me to see so much of the room. I’d rather see the entire room and know where everyone is and what’s going on around me. Today, my only thought was getting a drink in my hand and knowing that every single day Alana is at the shop I’ll have to stake my claim on her so the assholes coming in for work know she’s off limits and they will never have a shot with her. Especially when that fucker Mark came in to get his tattoo done. He flirted with Alana and didn’t take the subtle hints of me claiming her. Even when I told him she was off limits and my woman, Mark still fucking flirted with her and had the balls to hand over a business card with his number on it. I took it from my girl and ripped it to shreds right in front of him. Mark smirked and Alana laughed. Not my best moment, but I’ll do it every fucking day if that’s what it takes.

Vault and Valor make their way in the room and take seats on either side of me.

“Geek still at work?” Valor asks me even though he should know since he’s the boss of the security company.

“As far as I know. Don’t you know where your employees are?” I return, the frustration of the day filling my voice.

“I do know where they are. Didn’t think the job I sent him out on would take this long. It was a simple installation for a house at the edge of the city. New occupants of the house wanted an updated and upgraded system from what the previous owners had. I figured he’d get the job done and be back here to see how Alana’s first day of work went,” Valor responds, accepting the beer from Kian as he works behind the bar.

“Haven’t heard from him in a while. He was checkin’ in with Alana and me all day long though,” I state, taking a large gulp of my drink as Vault smirks before speaking up.

“So, how was Alana’s first day of work? Did she learn the system already?” he questions me, the tone of his voice letting me know my President already knows all about how today went.

“She’s a quick learner and didn’t need my help after the first hour. It seemed we got slammed with walk-ins on top of all the appointments on the books today so that made everythin’ easier. I love havin’ her in the shop with me,” I tell him truthfully as his smirk only grows larger.

“Yeah? Heard the guys walkin’ in certainly like havin’ her at the desk and that you staked your claim on her so many times today the guys are surprised you had time to actually get any tattoos done,” Vault says, laughter filling his voice as Valor can’t hold back.

“Fuckin’ funny,” I grind out as I watch Alana walk down the stairs and head for the kitchen where I know the ol’ ladies are already working at putting dinner together.

The smells coming from the kitchen fill the clubhouse and make my mouth water. I’m not sure what they’re making for us to eat tonight, but I can’t wait to dig in.

---