Page 11 of The Paths We Cross
I open the door for her and wait for her to climb in. When she’s all buckled in, I close her door before jogging back around to the driver’s side and climbing in. I’ll admit. I was never a fan of Kia, but this Telluride is nice. It’s not only safe, but it’s luxurious. I start the engine and turn the air on full blast to help cool her off. She was in the parking lot for a bit, and this heat has been relentless. I don’t want something happening to her or the baby.
I pull out of the spot and navigate through the parking lot, watching as Axel pulls behind us on his bike. Levi will stay with my bike until another prospect can come and get it. There was no way I was letting Everly drive to the clubhouse by herself. For all I know, the assholes will try to run her off the road again.
I wait for a car to pass before pulling onto the road and driving down the main drag of town in the direction of the clubhouse. At least this time, there isn’t an old lady dragging things out. The drive is smooth through town and when we get to the city limits, I open up the engine to see what it can do.
I’m surprised when it eats up the pavement with ease. This vehicle drives really nice. I feel my lips tip up in a smile.
“Having fun?” Everly asks.
“I don’t get to drive a cage very often,” I admit with a shrug and shoot a smile in her direction.
Her cheeks flush before she looks out the window. “What’s a cage?”
“Any vehicle that’s enclosed,” I tell her as I pull onto the clubhouse road. “Vehicles that make bikers feel trapped.”
“Hmm,” she hums as her eyes take in the clubhouse in front of us. She sits up straighter.
“Welcome to the Sovereign Sons’ clubhouse, darlin’,” I murmur.
7
EVERLY
Rowan pulls my vehicle up to a gate and rolls down his window, saying something to the person outside, but I don’t hear what he says because I’m too busy looking at the daunting building in front of me. The Sovereign Sons’ clubhouse is huge. It’s two stories and spread wide, with dark, almost black, siding and a huge, attached garage. A fence goes around the entire property, which stretches back further than I can see from here.
The gate in front of us opens and Rowan drives through, pulling up next to a few bikes by the garage. This place honestly looks like a fortress, which is why they brought me here, I guess.
I still really don’t understand what’s going on right now. I know that the bear was really weird, but did it really constitute such a reaction from them. It almost makes me feel like something more is going on. Rowan did say that they would tell me everything when I came here.So, there’s that.
I’m lost in thought when Rowan opens my door for me, startling me. I hadn’t realized he got out of the vehicle. He offers me his hand, and I take it, sliding from the car and stepping out of the way so he can close the door. I can’t explain why, but I feel safe here.Safe with him.
I figured Rowan would release my hand, but he doesn’t. His large, calloused hand dwarfs my own. He leads me into the clubhouse and I’m thankful for the cool air that hits us full force. We can hear the faint sound of laughter and music, but when we walk into a large room, I can see why.
This has to be the main room of the clubhouse. There is a bar, a huge dining table, and a seating area with a large couch and ginormous television. Sophie, Grayson, and Asher Williams are sitting on the couch, and when they see us, they stand.
“Everly,” Sophie greets me warmly as she pulls me from Rowan and into her arms. “Are you okay?”
I pat her back awkwardly. “Yeah, I’m fine.”
I know Sophie through her son, Asher, but I’ve only met her a few times. Her warm welcome is surprising to me. Although, it shouldn’t be, since she’s always been nice to me.
She pulls back from our hug only to be replaced by Asher. He wraps his arms around my hips and hugs me hard. I fight back tears. Hugs from my school kids have always been special, but they feel so much more special when they’re not my students anymore.
“Ms. Kincaid! Are you going to stay here for a while?” Asher asks.
Sophie pulls him back to her side. “Hush, bud. Let’s just let Ms. Kincaid relax for a minute, okay?”
He nods his head eagerly. “Yeah! Do you want to watch tv with us?”
“Sure,” I shrug and follow him to the couch.
I sit down and immediately sink into the couch. My eyes widen and Sophie must see it. “One of the guys can help you up,” she chuckles and rubs a hand over her slightly swollen belly.She catches me staring and smiles. “Yeah, I’m about six months along. That couch has already eaten me up a few times, so I know it’s only going to get worse.”
She takes the seat beside me. I should take this opportunity to ask her all the questions I’ve been having about the baby, but instead, I find myself searching for Rowan in the large room.
I find him by the bar top with Grayson and the large blonde man that came with him to the store. I think his name is Axel. They’re speaking in hushed tones and casting furtive glances my way.Any idiot would realize they’re talking about me.
“What’s going on?” I mutter as I rub a hand over my belly when I feel the baby kick.
