Page 101 of Vicious Cycle
“I still don’t like the idea of you anywhere outside the compound,” Bishop said.
I patted his shoulder. “Thanks for being overprotective.”
He winked. “Anytime, babe.”
Rev pressed the knife into the palm of my hand. “Just in case.”
“Thank you.”
Bishop whistled at Archer who immediately came over. “I want you to go home with Alex. Keep your eyes and ears open for anything.”
“You got it.”
As we started to the door, I glanced over at Archer. “Aren’t you tired of babysitting me?”
He grinned. “You’re pretty easy compared to some of the really fucked up things that prospects are usually forced to do.”
“That’s good to know.”
“Besides, I like being with you.”
“You do?”
He nodded. “Yeah, you remind me of my little sister.”
Playfully punching him in the arm, I said, “Hey now, last time I checked, I was the one older than you.”
“Yeah, but you guys act the same.”
“I get it now.” When Archer started to the clubhouse door, I stopped him. “Can you give me ten minutes? I need to get some of my clothes together to do laundry.”
“Sure. Take as long as you need.”
A moment passed between us, and Archer nodded in acknowledgment. I then made my way down the hall to Deacon’s room. When I slipped inside, I went to the closet to grab my bag. After dumping everything out onto the closet floor, I brought the bag over to the bed. Taking my makeup bag, I pulled out a small pair of scissors.
After cutting part of the bottom’s lining, I left the plastic flap half on. I threw a few shirts and pants inside before heading out into the hallway. When I got to the main room, I found it empty. Walking over to the boardroom door, I opened it. I knew Archer had ensured that it would be unlocked.
The room was plunged in darkness, and Rev and Bishop were no longer there. Glancing over my shoulder, I slipped inside. I hurried over to the closet. Tossing out my clothes, I then threw open the closet door. Rev and Bishop were far too trusting because the cut still sat on the shelf. I grabbed it and stuffed it under the loose flap of my bag. I put the clothes back on top of it and then zipped it up. I shut the closet door fast, and then raced out of the room. Thankfully, no one was there to see me.
I tried easing my frantic breaths as I headed outside to meet Archer. He was waiting for me by his bike. “Ready?” he asked, his brows rising.
I nodded. “Yeah, I got everything.”
“Good.” He slid across the seat of his motorcycle while I picked up the helmet that had pretty much become my own. After I put it on, I climbed on behind him. As my arms slid around his waist, I once again had to fight to keep my emotions in check. While each time it seemed to get a little easier being on the back of a bike, it didn’t dull the pain of losing Deacon.
Later as we pulled into my driveway, I couldn’t help the tightening in my chest at the sight of the house that had once been my happy home. After my attack, I didn’t think it would ever feel happy again. That, coupled with losing Deacon, made me seriously consider putting it on the market.
When I started up the walk, I realized that Archer wasn’t beside me. Turning around, I cocked my brows at him. “Aren’t you coming in?”
He shook his head. “Gonna do a walk around. Then I’ll probably stay out here on the porch.”
“You don’t mean you’re going to sleep in one of the chairs?”
“I won’t be sleeping.”
“But I have a perfectly good couch inside, not to mention a guest bedroom.”
“Alex, when your protection is put on my shoulders, I take it very seriously. I ain’t gonna be caught sleeping if Sigel decides to strike.”
