Page 38 of Claimed By The Club
“Sierra?” he says quietly, stepping aside so I can enter the small office. It’s sparsely furnished—a desk, a single chair, and a shelf stacked with old ledgers. The door shuts behind us with a soft click.
I inhale sharply, determined not to let fear or doubt control me. “We need to talk,” I say, setting my shoulders.
Frost runs a hand through his hair, tension radiating from him. “Yeah, we do.”
I swallow, glancing at the scuffed floor. “Things have been chaotic. People are whispering that I’m dividing the club. And you… you haven’t been around me much lately. I keep wondering if you’re upset.”
His jaw tightens, and he steps closer, voice low. “I’m not upset. I’m just busy, trying to figure out who’s betraying us, making sure the Reapers don’t slip in and grab you. It’s a lot to handle.”
I force myself to meet his gaze. “I thought you might be keeping distance because of… because I kissed Viper.” My cheeks heat. “And Ghost.”
He exhales, a slow wave of tension leaving his shoulders. “I know about it.”
My eyes widen. “You’re not mad?”
His lips twitch in a wry smile. “I told you before: we share more than most people realize. You’re part of us, in your own way, and we’re fine with that. I’m not avoiding you out of jealousy.”
Relief washes through me, but embarrassment lingers. “I was afraid you’d hate me for crossing those lines.”
He shakes his head, stepping even closer until the warmth of his body invades my personal space. “I’m not walking away from you,” he murmurs, voice thick with quiet intensity. “I’m preoccupied with this traitor situation, and I don’t want to give certain members more reason to gossip right now. That’s why I’ve been keeping things low-key.”
My pulse thuds in my ears. “So you do still—” I struggle to find the words. “You still want this?”
His eyes narrow with an undercurrent of heat. “Yes,” he says simply, then cups my face in his hands, leaning down to press his mouth to mine. The touch sends a jolt of longing through my veins, all the pent-up tension unraveling in a heady rush. I grip the front of his cut, kissing him back with equal fervor, as if trying to make up for lost time.
We break apart, breath ragged. His forehead rests against mine. “Don’t think for a second I’ve forgotten about you,” he whispers. “But let me handle the club politics. We can’t give the gossips more ammunition. I think you’re the one that needs to ready yourself. You don’t know what you’re in for… with the three of us.”
I nod, still dizzy from the taste of him. “Okay.”
He brushes a thumb over my cheek. “Viper and Ghost can stay close to you, keep guard, while I handle the bigger picture. I trust them. And I trust you.”
Emotions swell in my chest—gratitude, relief, longing. “Thank you.”
He straightens, releasing me reluctantly. “I need to go. We’re holding another meeting soon. Just remember, I’m right here, even if I’m not by your side every minute.”
I bite my lip, wanting to drag him back in for another searing kiss, but I restrain myself. “I understand.”
He gives a final nod, stepping away. I watch him open the door and vanish into the corridor, returning to the chaos of running this club. My heart still hammers from that brief moment of closeness, the reminder that someone else is experiencing this tangle of confusion with me.
I linger in the quiet office for a few beats, trying to collect my thoughts. The warmth of Frost’s kiss hovers on my lips, though the echo of the groupies’ mocking words tries to drown it out: They said I’m driving a wedge among the members. What if that’s true? If the men keep focusing on me—protecting me, exploring these relationships—will it weaken the unity Renegade Cross needs to fight the Reapers?
With a sigh, I step out, wandering the hallway. Rounding a corner, I nearly bump into Ghost—Luke. His gray eyes dart over me, noting my flushed cheeks. He arches an eyebrow, probably suspecting I just saw Frost. My stomach flips, recalling that moment he walked in on me and Viper. Everything is so tangled.
“Hey,” he says quietly, sliding his hands into his pockets. “You okay?”
I attempt a shaky smile. “Yeah. Just… had a talk with Frost.”
He nods, waiting for me to elaborate.
“He’s not mad,” I say, trying to keep my voice steady. “About… everything. But he’s occupied with club leadership.”
A flicker of relief softens Ghost’s features. “That’s good.”
I clench my fists at my sides. “Except people are talking. I heard from some groupies that members are fighting. Apparently, I’m the reason.”
His jaw tightens. “That’s not your fault. This traitor business is making everyone paranoid.”
I shrug, tears pricking my eyes. “I don’t know. Maybe I’m destabilizing the club. Maybe I should leave before something worse happens.”
