Page 21 of Nines's Time

CHAPTERTHIRTEEN

NINES

I walk down the hall from my room in the clubhouse, heading for the main room to get a cup of coffee. Anger courses through my veins as I remember Meadow’s words about the past she’s endured. It pisses me off that she lived through that. It took a hell of a lot to keep me from losing my shit in front of her, but regardless of what she thinks, what she did last night was give me a gift by trusting me enough to tell me the horrors of her past.

The rest of the evening, I made sure to make her comfortable. We enjoyed our burgers and fries. Her moans went straight to my dick, and I don’t think I’ve been jealous of a damn food before in my life. After eating we’d spend some time at the bar, I had one more beer while she had two. I told her about some of the brothers within the club and the shit we’ve all gotten into. I also told her about the pranks Chelsea plays. I wasn’t surprised when she tells me about mousetraps and something the other woman was planning. I at least knew to watch out for what was coming for whatever person fucked with Chelsea.

Making it to the main room, I go straight to the coffee pot and pour myself a mug. I didn’t drop Meadow off until well after three this morning. I should feel guilty for keeping her out so late, but I don’t regret spending so much time with her. I wanted to kiss her again, however, I figured I’d wait until I saw her again later today. There’s no way I wasn’t gonna see her. I simply was giving her a reprieve after all the shit she’d given me.

“You hear me, Nines?”

I lift my gaze at the voice pulling me from my thoughts to find Blow, Nerd, Lucky, and Sniper all sitting at the bar, mugs in their hands. I look to Blow and finally acknowledge him. “Sorry, still waking up,” I say and lift the mug in salute to him before bringing it to my lips, downing a good amount.

“I asked how last night went with Meadow, but I’m guessing from your zoning out that it went okay,” Blow states.

I nod and drink some more of my coffee before responding. “Took her to ‘The Bender’,” I announce and move to lean against the bar across from Blow and glance at the others. “Not gonna repeat what she said, but we had only one hitch in the night. She thought if she told me her story, well a summarization of her past, I’d turn my back on her.” I shake my head, her story on replay in my head.

“And are you turning your back on her?” Nerd demands, narrowing his eyes.

“Fuck no,” I growl, shooting the other man a glare of my own. “After last night, I’m even more determined than I already was. That woman is mine, and I’ll be damned if I let anything else get in the way of it. Not even her past. Meadow’s been through hell, and I think she’s never had anyone except for Gavril protect her.”

“Did she say anything about Libby?” Sniper asks.

Sighing, I shake my head. “Yeah, brother, she did, but I can’t tell you what that is. I’m not trying to disrespect you by keeping it to myself. If it wasn’t for the fact Meadow trusted me with what she gave me, I’d tell ya.”

“Fuck,” Blow mutters, understanding what I’m saying without saying it. He knows that it’s got to be bad.

“Shit, it’s worse than I thought,” Sniper growls, balling his hands into fists in front of him. “You’d tell me if it wasn’t.”

Seems Sniper knows me just as well as Blow.

“Yeah, Sniper, I would, but this is Meadow’s story, and I’m not about to disrespect her by telling others.”

“I get it,” Sniper mutters, holding my gaze. “And I respect what you’re doing.”

“I’ve been digging,” Nerd speaks up. “Found out she left home, up and disappeared when she was eighteen. No one reported her missing.”

Go figure. There’s no way they’d report her missing. Not with what Meadow told me.

“Find anything on why she disappeared?” Lucky asks.

“Nothing,” Nerd grunts and takes a sip of his coffee. “Seems she didn’t have any friends. She was a recluse. Though she had a boyfriend. Name’s Johnny and he’s got some ties that don’t sit well with me. Makes me wonder if she’s hiding because of him.”

“You got Johnny’s last name?” I demand, my lip curling in disgust at the mention of the motherfucker.

Nerd’s gaze comes to mine and narrows as he takes in the anger rolling off me. “I’m taking it that he’s definitely a part of her past that marked her.”

“Can’t confirm that for you, but if I get my hands on the motherfucker, I’ll rip his dick off and make him swallow it,” I snarl, knowing I gave away something I shouldn’t have. However, when it comes to what the bastard did to my sweet Meadow, I want his blood on my hands.

My phone beeps in my pocket, and I pull it out to find a message from Meadow. I’d told her when I dropped her off that she was to let me know when she got up this morning.

Meadow:I’m up.

I grin at the message all but hearing her sarcasm in the two simple words.

Me:Good. You sleep okay?

Meadow:I suppose. Gotta get to the boutique and open up. Have to finish a dress today.

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