Page 36 of Brand
“No. I’m sorry, I didn’t see anything and I don’t think that Brand did either. They were gone by the time he made it to the front.”
“Cami, since we don’t know who did this or what the fuck is going on, I’m gonna ask you to stay at the compound for a bit. Alright?” Iron’s eyes were soft as he spoke but I could tell that none of it was a question.
And in truth, being surrounded by men that would be able to protect me seemed like the smartest idea right then. So with no hesitation, I gave a nod.
And that was how I found myself driving my car all but surrounded by a group of bikers to a motel-turned-compound hidden behind a row of trees. If you would have asked me before this moment if I thought this was a good idea, I would have hesitated on my answer and still probably told you no. But as Sketch pulled open my door and helped me out, I couldn’t think of a safer place to be.
He ushered me inside. We walked through what looked like a common lounge area. Then into a large kitchen with quite a few tables strewn about. I could tell that it was still a work in progress.
“The fuck you doin’ here?” Iron’s tight voice made my head snap in the direction he was facing. “O’Shay, this isn’t a good time and right now, I don’t know if I can trust you.”
The man he was talking to sat at one of the tables, steaming coffee cup in front of him, and a few vested men sitting around him. He was dressed in jeans and a faded T-shirt. His hair was mussed almost beyond the point of sexy like he’d spent the last few hours doing nothing but running his hands through it and tugging at the ends. When his eyes cut over in this direction, they looked tired and angry. The thick, dark stubble that dotted his jaw only accentuated his exhausted features.
“Shite’s going on,” the guy said with the slightest of lilt in his voice, his eyes flickered over to mine for a split second before returning to the president. “Need to talk.”
“You came here alone?” Iron barked.
“Yes, but it isn’t without my family’s knowledge.”
“Sketch take Cami to Brand’s room since we don’t have an open one right now. Mouse, B-ry, …” Iron paused and scanned the area, his jaw ticking with aggravation. “The fuck is Knight?”
“Here,” said a guy walking into the kitchen with lightning steps. “Just had to call Gwen. Office?”
“Yeah,” Iron said in a gruff grunt. “Cami, I’m sorry, dear, I need you to stay put, alright? If you need anything, send Sketch a text.”
“Okay, yeah,” I didn’t know what else to say and I didn’t want to keep him a second longer.
Whatever was going on was clearly a pressing matter. Part of me hoped it had something to do with what happened tonight, that this guy could somehow help out with Brand. But then the smarter part of me knew better than to sit there like this world was made of magic. I’d clearly fully crossed the line to the other side. I was no longer the rich girl that hung around criminals in the dark underbelly of the world. No, I had willingly thrown myself right down that rabbit hole.
And it was all because of a guy.
A guy with the most amazing lips and electric touch.
The very same guy that was probably sitting in a jail cell right now for something he didn’t have any part of.
“Cami?”
“Yes, sir?” I said as I spun around and looked at Iron again.
“Don’t do anything.” The look on his face told me he knew who I was. “Let us handle this. You hear me?” His words were soft but the look on his face was stern.
I nodded as I swallowed down the lump in my throat.
I understood his unsaid words loud and clear.
Don’t go running to mommy and daddy.
He didn’t want my money. He didn’t want my parents’ fancy lawyers. I appreciated it, but at the same time, it made me uneasy. He had a plan. One I was sure I didn’t want to know about.
Not that the thought of calling my dad hadn’t crossed my mind. But I was smart enough not to do anything rash. I had a huge feeling that it would only do more harm than good. I’d heard my dad’s words. I knew how he felt about the Steel Paragons Motorcycle Club.
The thing was, I knew long ago that my family couldn’t fix everything. Not with their way of loving and not with their endless amount of money and connections.
