Page 107 of Property of Chaos

The guy who now straddles his bike to drop his baby sister to school because that’s the kind of shit he’s always done while his friends are out socializing. Starting relationships. Getting married. If it wasn’t inside the club, I didn’t want it.

I didn’t trust it.

Until Vanessa came along.

I took one look at that woman and knew she hid from the same demons and dragons I did. And the little boy inside of me begged to spend an hour in her pillow fort with her to know he’s not alone.

That I’m not some fucking freak of nature.

“When’s your field trip again?” I wait for Selena to get on the back and answer before I start the bike.

“Friday. Why?”

I punch the starter and nod. “I’ll have Crow go with you.”

She loops her arm beneath mine, stopping me from reaching the throttle. “I don’t need a minder.”

“You need something if you won’t walk to school anymore.” I kill the engine and twist to see her. “What’s going on?”

“Nothing.”

“Can’t bullshit a bullshit artist, Se-se.”

She turns her head away, the helmet shielding her face from me. “Then you tell me first.”

“Why?” I grab the chin guard and turn her head back to me. “Do you not trust me either?”

Her gaze drops. “I trust you.” She lifts her eyes, softness in the hood of her gaze. “Unlike those ignorant idiots, I figured it was about a girl long ago.”

“They know it’s about a girl?”

She stares at me deadpan. “You asked Circus to put cameras on her.”

“Because she was a potential liability.” I face forward, glaring at the brothers who move around the clubhouse's exterior. “Is that so weird?”

“For you. Yes.” Selena knocks a small fist between my shoulders.

I sigh, starting the bike again. Guess I wasn’t as indifferent as I thought when I spoke about Vanessa.

“It’s okay,” Selena shouts over the rumble. “At least they’ll stop trying to work out if you’re gay instead.”

“What the fuck would be wrong with that?” I jerk my helmet on.

Fuck these narrow-minded assholes.

“Nothing.” She chuckles, the sound almost lost beneath the Harley. “It’s gonna break Graves’s heart, though.”

“That nomad for the Reapers?” I turn my head, even though I can’t see her, thanks to the helmet.

“Yeah.” She pats my shoulder to indicate she’s ready for me to pull away. “Your boys tell me he has a crush on you.”

Fuck’s sake.I don’t deal with the guy too often, but I feel like a right asshole now. Did I do anything to give him the wrong impression? It’s hard enough being out in a predominantly male, predominantly bigoted lifestyle. Don’t want to think I did anything to make that any more problematic for him.

“Don’t stress,” she calls as we wait for the gate to open. “I heard he’s making moves on one of his own. A Reaper.”

“What else do you hear about in the fuckin’ clubhouse when I’m not around?” Brothers are worse than a hen-picking knitting circle.

“Nothing I think you need to know yet.” I hear Selena’s smile in her words and decide to let it fly.

---