Page 34 of Protectors

Chapter Eighteen

Alana

I’VE DECIDED THAT I’mgoing to move forward with my photography business. I want to do that more than anything in the world. Ghost, Geek, and my family support me completely and are willing to do anything to help me get my business off the ground here in Pine View. After making a flyer to promote my business, Kian, Deegan, and myself take off to post the flyers all over the city. Ghost heads to the shop with a flyer in hand while Geek and my parents go out to put up flyers as well. The only one who doesn’t leave the clubhouse is my mom. She wants to stay on the compound to make a huge lunch for us when we get back. We head out and it takes everything in me not to have a panic attack as Deegan leaves the safety of the compound. The second we’re through the gate, my heart starts to race and sweat covers my body. My breaths come out in sharp pants as the Prospects look at me with worry filling their eyes. Neither one of them know what to do to help me as I fight against the attack threatening to overwhelm me.

“Are you sure you want to do this, Alana?” Kian asks me, his voice soft and gentle.

“Yeah. I can’t let Terrence take any more from me. He’s ruled my life for so long and if I allow him to get the better of me to the point I can’t leave the compound, then he continues to win. This is something I need to do,” I answer him, slowly starting to slow my heart and breathing down with every mile we get away from the compound.

“I can call Geek and have him come over here,” Deegan says, already having his phone in hand as he looks over at me for a second before turning his attention back to the road in front of us.

“No. He wants to help me put these flyers up and I don’t want him to know this is happening again. The guys know what I’m like when I leave the compound,” I tell him, my voice not as strong as I’d like it to be.

Deegan makes his way to the opposite side of the city from the tattoo shop and everywhere I’ve ever really been since arriving in Pine View. He parks the SUV along the curb where a string of shops line the road and we all get out of the vehicle. With the flyers in hand, we start to put up the paper on the light posts while Kian goes in and out of the stores to ask the owners or employees if we can put the flyers up for their customers to see. Thankfully, none of them turn down his request as they ask him questions he can’t answer. Kian told me he pointed out my phone number on the paper for them to call and ask all the questions they have about my pricing, what I do, and everything else they can think of.

We spend several hours out putting up flyers and making our way through the city. Geek and Ghost message me a few times to make sure I’m okay and I appreciate the gesture because they’ve shown me more effort and attention than Terrence ever thought of doing. These two men get me and know what I need even when I’m not anywhere near them. It really shouldn’t surprise me but it does because I’m not used to anyone besides my family members showing me any kind of concern or love. With Ghost and Geek, I have it without hesitation or question. It’s definitely taking some time to get used to how my men treat me. Honestly, while I love the guys and understand that this is who they are and the small ways they show me they love me, I can’t help but worry that it’s all going to end the second this situation with Terrence is over. It’s a thought that’s in the back of my mind and no matter what I do, I can’t stop those nasty thoughts from taking over when I’m at my very lowest. Those are the times Ghost and Geek pull me into their arms and hold me close, reassuring me with their words and actions that they’re at my side and love me.

“Are you ready to head back?” Kian asks me, my body freezing with the drop in temperature as I realize we’ve been out later than I ever thought we’d be out.

“Yeah. I’m sorry to keep you out so long. I didn’t realize the day had flown by,” I tell them, my voice soft as a blush covers my face.

“Don’t worry about that, Alana. You are tryin’ to launch your business and that’s important. If you want to stay out all night, that’s what we’ll do,” Deegan assures me, his voice warm as he opens the door for me to get in the passenger seat of the SUV.

“Thank you both for being with me today,” I say just before the door is shut and both men get in the SUV with me.

Deegan turns and heads back to the compound. With every mile closer to the place that’s easily become my home, I feel as if I can breathe easier and the anxiety I’ve felt all day long falls from my shoulders as if it was never there. By the time we pull back into the compound, I can see the parking lot full of even more bikes and vehicles. I know the rest of my family have shown up and that my brothers are finally here. Brandon and Kyle made the last minute decision to come down with the rest of the club. Haley, Viking, and Bull are even showing up. Jameson and Reagan have called to let me know they'll be here if I need them too. I assured them there are more than enough people here to deal with the situation.

We make our way in the clubhouse and I see the common room filled to capacity as I look around the room. Ghost is sitting at the bar with a beer in hand as I watch Liz saunter over to him and try to run her hand down his chest as everyone looks on. Ghost recoils from her touch as he glares in her direction.

“What are you doin’ here?” Ghost growls at her as he gets off the stool he was sitting on a few minutes ago.

“I’m here for you, baby,” she says, her voice grating on my nerves as I hand my things to Kian before practically running to where the bitch stands in front of my man.

I don’t see my dads and Pops standing from their chairs, my mom exiting the kitchen, or anything else. My vision is tinged with red as I reach out and yank a handful of Liz’s hair in my hand. Her head falls back at an odd angle as fear fills her eyes. Geek rushes in the clubhouse to stand next to Ghost as they both watch me.

“How many fucking times do I have to tell you to leave my man alone? He doesn’t want you and you’re not even supposed to be in the clubhouse right now. I know for a fact no one would call you here. This tells me you’ve gone against the rules you were given by Annabell and Vault in your pathetic attempt to once again get close to Ghost. Are you truly fucking stupid or do you just not know what the word no means?” I ask her, my voice low and lethal as I look her in the eyes.

“He’s not your man!” Liz yells, her voice echoing in the silent room. “Ghost will never truly be your man because he belongs to me. We’ve been together for years and you’re messing up everything.”

Liz pulls out the fake tears as they roll down her face and she looks around the room for any kind of sympathy or someone to step up and defend her. No one comes to her aid. This tells me how fucking delusional this girl is. She doesn’t know how to listen and has made up an entire fake relationship with Ghost in her mind. I’ve seen a lot of things from the club girls over the years, but this is honestly the lowest I’ve witnessed one of them sink.

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