Page 13 of Born Savage

I’ve been here just over a week now, and other than my first morning bowl of cereal, every other day has been a fucking feast. And Carrie definitely takes care of us at home, but this shit is next level. The sound of clicking heels enters the room as I continue to load up my plate.

I guess I shouldn’t be surprised that the girls around here are already up and strutting around. They definitely pull out all the stops trying to grab the attention of any willing male. But as I turn, I catch sight of her.

It’s been almost a week since she caught me in the pantry. I know she’s been avoiding me, which has probably been for the best, but it hasn’t made it any easier to stop thinking about her. Her appearance in my mind teases me daily, usually while I’m in the shower, or late at night when I’m lying in bed alone.

Her long blonde hair hangs down over her shoulders, and a creamy white top clings perfectly to her chest, only tempting me more. A slim blue skirt hugs her hips, stopping just above her knee, and her feet sit in a pair of high black heels. She clears her throat, and I look up, peeling my eyes away from her body.

“Day-um,” I breathe. Her eyebrows raise as she reaches for the coffee pot, and I instantly realize I’ve said it out loud.

“Good morning,” she snips softly, barely looking at me.

I honestly don’t blame her after the last time she saw me, pants down in the pantry with my dick in Sierra’s mouth. I wouldn’t want to look at me either. But I can still try.

“Mornin’, darlin’,” I drawl. “You’re all fancied up today. Got some big plans?” I ask.

“Just work,” she answers, clearly not wanting to talk to me.

“Work?” I question in surprise. I hadn’t expected that answer.

But she doesn’t answer. I watch as she pops the top on a bottle of flavored creamer, and pours some into her travel mug, before twisting the lid on and walking back out the door.

“And, what was that all about?” Trish asks nosily as she pops back out from the pantry. Obviously, she had been hiding in there and eavesdropping.

I shrug in response, not wanting to feed her imagination or start any fucking rumors.

“Seriously? That is the coldest reception I’ve ever seen that sweet girl give anyone around here. Not sure what you did to her, but you better watch yourself,” she tells me.

“Thanks for breakfast,” I answer before turning to join the rest of the boys in the dining room. I know Trish is trying to help, but I’ve already heard it.

???

After finishing breakfast, Ray gave me and Pike instructions to bring the prospects back to the shooting range to see how much of my training they’ve retained. I watch as West and Miles get set up at their stations, both handling themselves much better. It’s clear they’ve been practicing since I brought them here last week. I know I have just as much experience as Pike, but this is his club, so I hang back and let him take the lead.

Ray knows my history, my upbringing. He’s well aware of the fact that I learned to handle a gun almost as early as I learned to walk. It’s the main reason I’m here to help with training, but that doesn’t mean it’s my place to take charge. I’m here to assist if Pike needs me, but being the boss has never appealed to me. I mean, shit, I could’ve been president.

It’s in my fucking bloodline. My Grandpop was a founding member. He started the garage and built the club up around it. My dad grew it; he made it bigger than Pops ever dreamed. And he’d still be in charge if we hadn’t lost him. My uncle took the lead for about a minute, and when he disappeared the option fell to me.

But I didn’t want it.

I had already embraced my role as enforcer, and it was what I wanted to keep doing. I backed Ryder instead and he got voted in. He was the best choice, he’s the real leader.

I step up to the empty station to the right of West and pull out my Glock, flipping the safety off.

???

After unloading for the third time into a fresh paper target, I’m done. Pulling the trigger and emptying the clip felt good, but it was a pathetic substitute for the release I really need. But that’s never going to happen.

It’s like no matter where I turn lately, everything I want is off limits. Vegas was supposed to be my escape, a way to clear Jade from my mind. Well, it fuckin’ worked. The problem is Scarlett has quickly taken her place. Just another beautiful woman I’m forbidden to touch.

“Alright, boys. This shit is starting to look decent, but it’s time to pack it up,” Pike announces, staring down at his phone.

“Ray wants us back,” he lowers his voice in my direction. “Apparently he’s got a meeting with a couple of swinging dicks and he wants our presence to be seen. There’s no real threat, but they’re some guys with new money and he wants it to be clear that we’re not to be messed with.”

“Sounds like fun,” I respond.

I’ll take any chance to flex my power as an enforcer. I love that shit. It’s the best fuckin’ feeling. Well, maybe a close second to fucking. But right now, I’ll take what I can get.

???

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