CHAPTER FIVE

Six days later

– DWIGHT –

“The bitch is still here, this fucking proves it,” I growl.

We’re standing across the street from Rowan’s gym. The fire department is overseeing the gas leak we were made aware of by a package that was delivered to our doorstep this morning.

A pipe wrench was the only thing in the package and Brixton instantly knew what the warning entailed. A few weeks ago, his old lady’s apartment was blown to smithereens by a gas leak as well. One Caddy caused and had intended to kill her sister with it. The woman didn’t know Brixton kept Marlene with him. Sheer fucking luck she wasn’t in the apartment that night.

My first panicked thought was that Caddy might have found her way into the clubhouse, or one of the houses, or boats of the club members. Luckily, none of our homes were tampered with. The only other building and person she holds vengeance for is Rowan.

We called the fire department and had them check for a gas leak. It’s the only damn reason why the building is still standing. They were in time to save it by cutting the gas and have been airing the place for almost an hour now.

“Yeah,” Perrin rumbles. “Caddy didn’t leave for her mother. Looks like she took a break to recharge, forge new plans, and give us a heads-up.” He turns to Asher. “Call Spence. I don’t think she’s going to show up there. Caddy’s fixated with vengeance and we’re going to use it against her.”

If we ever going to catch her. Damn. The woman is only one person, but she’s as slick as an eel.

“We’re not going to use Rowan, or any of the other old ladies for that matter, as bait,” I grit, needing to say it out loud.

They’ve all been through a lot, especially Rowan. Hell, it took a few days for her to recover from almost drowning. Now her business was almost blown to smithereens. That’s her dream, to follow in her father’s footsteps and evolve the gym to what she envisions with the underwater training.

“Other old ladies.” Tage leans forward so the fucker can glance at me. “So, you’re classifying Rowan as one of the old ladies?”

I flip the fucker off. It’s been a week since I dragged her lifeless body out of the ocean, and I’ve never felt more alive than when I blew my breath into hers to bring her back into this fucked-up world.

“You know what I mean,” I simply state.

Rowan and I enjoy spending time together, even if she doesn’t have a choice with her on lockdown at the clubhouse. It’s easy and comfortable, though. Our chats, watching TV, working out together…forced proximity, and yet neither of us are complaining. If anything, it would suck if things would change.

However, it’s my job to make sure Rowan, and everyone else for that matter, is safe from danger which means Caddy needs to be either behind bars or dead.

“Give the fucker a break. He’ll come around soon enough. Besides, he has more than a piece of ass if he claims her.” Hugh chuckles. “Smart man ’cause you wanted the gym as an investment for the club. This way you’ll have both the woman and the gym.”

I whirl around and relish in the way my fingers wrap around the fucker’s throat as I snarl, “Material shit doesn’t matter when you’ve felt the air shift in your lungs to make your heart extend with the feeling of being whole. Something you clearly haven’t experienced yet otherwise you wouldn’t say stupid shit. Being able to save the gym today matters only because it’s Rowan’s legacy, you idiot. Something I will support because it’s her dream to continue, not as an investment, but because I like seeing a smile on her face.”

I shove him back and dismiss the idiot.

Perrin chuckles. “I’m gonna take that as a claim, even if you don’t say the words.”

My middle finger is aimed his way when I catch both Asher and Tage grinning at me.

“You swooned her ass off, buddy,” Rox states.

Asher groans. “Please tell me you didn’t.”

I watch how Rox shrugs and shoves her phone into her pocket. “They are both acting like lovesick teenagers after sharing only one damn kiss. They both need a little nudging. Besides, all I did was video Dwight’s reaction and share it with the old ladies. And yes, I added Rowan to our group chat because I knew those two were a match before they finally caught up.”

“We agreed to keep this silent,” I growl and point at the building in front of us.

Rox tilts her head. “Are you talking about her gym being at risk of being blown up, you guys attempting to be in a fake relationship to throw off Caddy, or both of them hiding from true feelings? Anyway, cat’s out of the bag.”

“Because you never know when to stay silent,” I snap.

“Watch it,” Asher snaps back.

I glare at the man and shove a frustrated hand through my hair in an effort to calm down. Rox is right about everything being out in the open now. Rowan would have found out about the gas leak, but I would have rather been the one to explain. She’s with the other old ladies, and I know they will offer her support as well.

As for the fake relationship, Rowan and I might have thrown it out there as a first sling to get a foot in the door for a real relationship. With everything going on it can blur feelings and vision, making it hard to see what’s real or not.

Spending time together in forced proximity gives you the knowledge real damn fast if you annoy the shit out of one another or can get along great under any circumstances. Rowan and I surely can get along.

Hell, taking her mouth was like connecting my heart and cock and hotwiring them. One damn kiss and I knew I shouldn’t take her mouth again unless we are alone and have the ability to fuck. Something I know in my gut will be damn epic.

“Okay, let’s head back,” Perrin states. “Hugh, you’re going to stay here and keep an eye on the place.”

I smirk at the fucker when I see the annoyance spread across Hugh’s face. Yeah, you sit tight, brother. That will fucking teach you to let your mouth run about shit you don’t understand.

I straddle my bike and head down the road to the clubhouse. Once there I walk inside, but find the main room empty. Movement through the window in the back catches my attention and the others follow me out the back door.

“Hey,” Vesper quips and points at the water. “If you’re looking for the old ladies, they’re down below.”

“Meadow?” Perrin asks, his voice tight with worry.

Vesper grins. “All of them. No worries, Prez. It’s all safe and Rowan even made them bring a small oxygen tank. Though, Malory, Alwyn, and Lorelei wanted to try it without. Their heads will pop up at…see?”

We follow his line of sight and watch how the girls surface to take a breath before they sink down. I take off my leather cut and throw it on the wooden bench near the wall. I’m stripping down to my shorts and from the corner of my eye I notice the others doing the same.

I’m the first one in the water, though. Blinking a few times, I get my first glimpse of Rowan, carrying a rock across the bottom of the ocean. Her hair is braided and her muscles flex as the sand shifts under her feet.

Magnificent. A fucking magnificent sight to see. Especially when you realize this woman has been training for years this way and has managed to train her lungs to extend her time underwater.

Every member of Blennies Hitch works in the water, above or below it. Fixing boats, riding Jet Skis, and everything that involves the marina. We know how to hold our breath and can stay under longer than an average person. Rowan, though? She looks as if she’s part of both worlds.

There isn’t a hint of fear, nor would anyone guess that this woman almost drowned a week ago. The fierce look on her face, the determination in her moves, such grace and beauty. The old ladies as well as my brothers take a moment to watch until we’re all forced to go up for air.

“Wow. I have no other words…just…wow,” Rox states. “Now I wish I didn’t go with you guys this morning so I could have joined her. Though, outing your feelings to her was awesome too. Not as awesome as the woman herself.”

Rowan surfaces and gives me a warm smile when our eyes meet.

“Hey, Rowan,” Rox bellows. “If you’re not interested in Dwight I would like to claim you as mine. I seriously have a girl crush on you with what I just saw.”

“The fuck?” Asher snaps.

“Oh, shush. It’s not about licking pussy, dimwit. I’ll never exchange your cock, I’m too addicted. I’m just saying she’s awesome.”

“Doesn’t matter,” Rowan says as she closes the distance between us. “I’m interested.”

She’s interested.

Her lips inch closer and the longing in her eyes mirrors what I’m feeling inside me. Damn. I wanted to wait to kiss her again, but there’s no way I’ll pass up on taking what she’s offering. Our lips merge and my eyes close from the intensity of the lust that unleashes inside my veins.

The heated connection we share is unique and another reminder this isn’t a fling or a rebound. This feels real.

Real enough to pull back and growl, “You’re mine. No fake shit or temporary trial shit. You’re my old lady.”

A blinding smile slides across her face. “I’m your old lady.”

Done. She’s mine. No more words wasted on this fact; we’re moving forward as one from here on out.

“Go entertain yourself,” I snap at the others. “We have other things to do.”

I ignore the catcalls and other stuff that’s thrown our way and take my woman out of the water.